WAIPU PIONEERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 4

WAIPU PIONEERS

ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY NOVA SCOTI AN SETTLERS' (0.C.) WHANGAREI. Sunday The 90th anniversary of the arrival of the Nova Scotian pioneers of Waipu was celebrated on Saturday, when trees from Nova Scotia were planted by two of tho surviving pioneers and by descendants of all the clans. Six trees to mark the ships built by the pioneers themselves in Nova Scotia that brought the first settlers to Waipu were planted by Mrs J. Mcßae and Mrs N. McKenzie, both now residents of Whangarei, and both having arrived as children with the first ships. These ships were the Margaret, Highland Lass, Gertrude, Spray, Breadalbane and Ellen Lewis, and they arrived at Waipu from 1851, the first being the Margaret, to 1859. Direct descendants of _ the various clans in the first arrivals planted trees to commemorate each clan. It had been originally intended to hold the commemoration as part of the New Zealand Centennial celebrations, but the war intervened. From Nova Scotia. 150 trees, . maples, elms, red pines, red spruce and white oak, were sent "forward. While these were on the water war broke out. and the trip took so much longer than anticipated that the trees, arrived in New Zealand in poor condition. They were placed in the Whangarei Borough Council's nursery, and 125 of the 150 were saved and are now strong young trees. A few trees were planted last year at Kauri and Purua, where" some of the pioneers settled, and it is intended to plant trees at McGregor's Island, at tho Whangarei Heads, another landing place of the Nova Scotians. At Waipu the trees planted on Satur-v day were in the Presbyterian church grounds, and others will be planted in the Caledonian Domain; the cemetery, where so many of the first settlers now lie, and in the school grounds. Five of the original pioneers, those who made the voyage from Nova Scotia to Waipu. are still living. They are Mrs N. McKenzie. Mrs J. Mcßae. Mrs Durham, Mrs McLeod and Mr Gregor McKenzie. Only the first two could be present at Waipu for the ceremony. Mrs McKenzie, now aged 91. was born in Nova Scotia, and Mrs Mcßae, aged 86, was born on the ship on the voyage out to New Zealand. An iron spade over 100 years old was, used to plant the trees'. It was taken' by Mr James Sutherland from Scotland to Nova Scotia in 1828 and then in 1858 to Waipu. f The roll of honour, of Nova Scotian descendants from Waipu who had been killed in action in the last war and in this war was read by Mr J. C. McKay. CHRISTIAN ORDER WEEK (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sunday With the object of bringing home to every section of the community the relevance of Christ's teachings to the problems of today and tomorrow, a Christian Order Week will be held m Wellington from September 16 to 24. Eight religious denominations will be uniting in what is described as "a call to tho city to bo spiritually worthy of victory." The speakers will include visitors, both men and women, from all parts of New Zealand. More than 100 special meetings will be held.