REUNION OF OLD OTAGO RESIDENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10179, 13 October 1894, Page 4

REUNION OF OLD OTAGO RESIDENTS.

(Fbom Oub Own Correspondent.)

Wki.lingtos, October 12.

A reunion of old Otago n-iidents wns held in the Thomas Hall to-night, Mr Pinkerton, M.H.R., presiding. There weie also on the platform Sir Robert Stout, his Honor Mr Justice Williams, and the Hon. Mr Reynolds. The committee was -as follows :—Messrs John Sossi A: E. Gibbs,W. M.Hannay, P. B. Muir, P. Leve. A. A. Corrigan, A. Simpson. J. D. Morison. J. B. Mack, J. H. Quinlau, T. Jenkins, J. B. Griffin, A. Scoullar, Dr F. Fitchett, Sir R. Stout, Dr J.-. G. Findlay,' Messrs H. D.Bell, M.H.R.. A. Morrison, M.H.R., W. C. F. Camcross, M.H.R, H. Howorth, E. T. Gillon, J. K. Logan, Hon., T. W. Hislop, Hon. W. M. Bolt, M.L.C., Hon. J. MacGregor, M.L.C, Messrs James Ashcroft, M. C. Hickey, James M'Kerrow, T. Mackenzie, M.H.R. A room was set apart for Otago exhibits, including numerous photos, two busts of Dr Stuart, and portraits'of Dr Burns and Captain Cargill. ; Mr Pinkerton in his address referred to the old days and the old BClilers—amongst them Dr Burns, Captain Cargill, and others. He gavo some interesting and amusing incidents of old times. ' The Hon. G. F. Richardson, in the absence of Mr B. T. Gillon through illness, in an interesting address stated that what struck him on his arrival in 1851 was the sand patch which Otakou originally was. He also mentioned how the water came un to where the Colonial Bank now stands, and South Dunedin was then a swamp. Those were the days of the blue shirt and the wincey dress, but they had then. joys and the community was as one family. Sir Kobert Stout said that the keynote of the "reunion was the motto placed at tho head oE the programme, " Shonld auld acquaintance be forgot." He spoke of the inroads of the new iniquity, and how the old identities viewed them. He referred to hia landing in Otago by tbe steamer Phccbe from the Bluff with Borne 200 or 300 returned diggers from Fox's rash. Those were the' days of hopefulness! There was no talk of depression, but everyone believed in a glorious future. Another feature was. the absence of old men, for all seemed young and stalwart. Mr. Thomas Bracken recited an excellent pooni of his own on Otago, written for the occasion. The music wss provided by Mrs W. H. Reynolds, Mr and Mrs Milne, Mrs J. G. Findlay, Mr H. Wright, and Mrs Carman. After the conclusion of this part of the programme dancing was indulged in tiil a late hour. Amongst; the audience were Mr Jußtioe Denniston, Mr Martin* Kennedy. Mr Hildritb, Dr Chappie, Mr Allen, M.H.R.,. Mr M'Nab, M.H.R., He Barron, and Mr M'Kerrow.