EARLY SETTLERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23425, 15 August 1939, Page 3

EARLY SETTLERS

COMMEMORATION DINNER WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION i ARRIVAL OF BARQUE TORY ' [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Monday Representatives of the Early Settlers' Association, and of various local bodies, met at the Wellington Harbour Board's rooms this afternoon to make arrangements for some form of entertainment to be held next month to commemorate the arrival at Port Nicholson on September 20, 1839, of the official party of the New Zealand Land Company by the barque Tory. The party came to New Zealand to conclude the purchase from Te Ptini and Whareptini of the land on which now stands Petone, Lower Hutt and Wellington. Mr. W. Toomath who, with Mrs. C. E. Carter, represented the Early Settlers' Association, suggested that they should entertain very elderly early settlers at a dinner to which would also be invited representatives of local bodies, members of the Cabinet and people closely connected with the growth of the district and the harbour. It was hoped that Their Excellencies the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, and Lady Galwav, would be able to attend as guests of honour. After discussion, it was decided that the dinner should be held on September 21, as that was the actual date of the landing of the official party. It was also agreed that the local bodies should act as hosts to the representatives of the early settlers and to the special guests. Another suggestion that met with general approval was that the committee responsible for arranging the menu should follow the example of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, when naming dishes for the banquets in honour of the French President and his wife during their recent visit to London. In this case, the dishes would all be named after the early settlers and places connected with them.