ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 10

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

A CHAPTER OF EARLY HISTORY. To day *is the 59th anniversary of settlement in Otago under the auspices of t-lio New Zealand Company. The ship John Wickliffo, which left Gravcsend on Novomber 24, 1847 ,arrived at Port Chalmers on March 23, 1848, with the first batch of tho association's pilgrim settlers who left' the Motherland to face tlio difficulties of making homes for themselves in a new land. The passengers on the John Wickliffe were under the charge and direction of Captain Win. Cargill, and the vessel was under charter to the company for the voyage. Another vessel, the Philip Laing, also under charter to the company, left Greenock in November 23, 1847, a day before the 6ister boat, for Port Chalmers, and this vessel also had a large number of settlers on board for Otago, under the direction of the Rev. Thomas Bums, the spiritual leader appointed to the settlement. The .Philip Laing did not arrive at Port Chalmers until April 15, 1848, and her passengers were cordially welcomed on their arrival by those who had arrived a few weeks earlier. Tho. new settlers had many cliflicultics to face in the opening up of a. new country, lmt. they came of a hardy and industrious stock, and upon the foundations which they laid the settlement, of Otago now stands—-a lasting monument to tho enterprise and self-sacrifice which animated the ea.rly pioneers. Among tho new settlers Captain Cargill was known as (•he Moses of tho settlement, and the Rev, Thomas Burns as the Aaron. Previous to the arrival of tho vessels above-mentioned, a small settlement had been formed at Wailcouaiti, under t.ho direction of Mr John .Tones, who had a whaling station there. Mr Jones chartered a small brig, the Magnet, in Sydnoy, antl from there he induced 12 families to embark to this part of the colony to take up farming pursuits. The brig mentioned arrived at Waikouaiti on tho 16th of March, 1840, seven years before the first batch of settlers under the auspices of the Now Zealand Company, and Waikouaiti therefore dates as the earliest settlement in Otago. As indicating tho religious spirit which pervaded the early pioneers, it. is of interest to ,noto that Mr Jones, like tho Now Zcala.nd Company, also provided for t.hc spiritual wants of the new settlers, and arranged with the Wesloyan authorities in New South "Wales to allow Mr Watkin, a missionary, to minister to the spiritual needs of his little flcelt. The discovery of gold in tho sixties, tho immigration policy of the years following, together with the opening up and development of tho resources of the province, all assisted to attract population, and as population increased roads, bridges, railways, and other public and private works were undertaken, and the result of 59 years of progress is to-day visible.

The Early Association will not cclebralo tho anniversary of the province to-day by any special function, owing to Anniversary Day falling upon a Saturday, but arrangements liavo boon mado by tho association for holding a reunion of tho members a-nd others to celebrate the event on Tuesday next in the Agricultural Hall. To this* function tho executive members of tho Burns Club, Caledonian Society, and Gaelic Society liavo been invited, and tho Caledonian Sooiety will take advantage of the occasion to present to the association framed photographs of the directors of the society from the timo of its initiation.

The principal amusements arranged foT to-day are tho Waibola regatta, numerous picnics, and special attractions at theatres in the evening. To-day will be observed as a holiday by the banks, corporation offices, and principal wholesale and retail offices in the city, and last evening was recognised as a "late night'' by most of tho retail shopping establishments. Tlio following lines liv the late Rev. W. Ciillies will lxj read with interest at tho present time: — How far away seems fifty years When looking on ahead, How near at hand, when looking back, After the years have lied. So now in casting memory back Across that .term of years, Ttf scenes of early life and work With hardy pioneers, It all seems but as yesterday; And yet, how like a dream; For sober fact, 'tween then and now, Too great tho changes seem. Whero native tussock, bush, and swamp, With flax, and fern held sway, There now are cities, towns, and farms, With fields, and gardens gay. Where were but sheep and cattle bracks, Or olse no paths at all, There now are roads, streets, trams, and trains, With cabs at easy call. Home news was always four months' old, Somes times 'twas full half year; Four weeks 'tis now by mail, while news By wire, we daily hear. That all this change has como about Before our very eyes, And in tho old we've taken part, 'Tis hard to realise. We sco those far off days and scenes, Stand out both clcar and bright. Like distant mountain peaks brought near, In glow of evening light; Their jagged roughness softened down Mid gold and ruby tints, While shadowed dells suggest the thought, Of God's deep finger prints. So thus upon the past there falls A mellow soft'ning light, And God's good guiding hand v.*e trace, Whero all was dark as night. Scenes .from those days I fain would sketch, Which many a glimpse afford . Of what it meant to cross the csa An old time ship abroad; And what a sottlcr's life required Of conrngo stem and bold, When men wrought hard from, love of home, And not from lust of gold; And when for pride there was no chance To wield iis blighting sway, For ev'ry man must put his hand To aught that came lis way. And : cut of coat- no diff'renco made, For coats were .never seen, Save at tho kirlr on Sabbath day, . 'Twas " blue shirt" all between. Then men to men were brothers kind, As comrade!? in the fight, So though the toil was rough ami hard, Yet lifo was sweet and bright. For not in caste or cash are found The springs of happiness, | But in our work, and kindness, done With love and heartiness. And what my rhymes narrate may help To let' the young folks know, What debt of honour and respect TKey to the old folks owe; For they into the fruits have come, And 1 gathered of the spoil, Of what, the old folks bravely bore In hardships and in toil; Sonic pleasure also, it may bring To those who still survive, To find while reading o'er these rhynie3, v Their own past days revive, With deeds and scencs like those I sketch, In which they bore their part, Alike of hardships, (oil, and mirth. With brave and cheery heart. And for God's goodness through it all Wc sound a note of praise, And cheerfully with grateful hearts, Our Ebenezer raise.