ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15100, 24 March 1911, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. ;

SOCIAL GATHERING.

.. The eixty-tlvincl anniversary', of . the settlement of Otngo was .celebrated by the Otago Early . Settlers' Association . last night. with. a social gathering in the .Early •Settlers' Hall! The building was packed, tho gathering including quite a number of ladies and gentlemen whoso venerable appearance, proclaimed' them to belong to the pioneer band. The.doors.were opened at 7 o'clock to give visitors an opportunity of inspecting the museum and portrait gallory, and not a few took advantage of the chanco thus offered to them. The chair was taken by Mr Donald Reid (president), who was supported by Messrs J. Duthte, C. Duke, J. Hope, W. Crawlcy, and W. H. Fcrens.

The President, in his opening address, said the story ho had to tell was perhaps a thrice-told tafe, but. . it seemed to him they should never hold a gathering like that without at any'rate a brief leferenoe to what the pioneers had accomplished for those who had followed them.—(Applause) The 'early settlers had experienced hardships, anxieties, and difficulties, and bravely did they bear their load. The people of today wore reaping tho fruits of the efforts of tho pioneers.—(Applause.) Splendid provision was made by them for education and other purposes, so that their descendants were living in a land that was tho envy of other countries.—(Applause.) That night ho wished to make a retrospect of tho main events that had taken place 6ince they began to hold their meetings. Tho. first gathering was held in jubilee year —13 years ago, —when there was a great meeting in tho Agricultural Hall, at which Lord Ranfurly was present. At first the association experienced disappointments and dclaj's owing to tho people showing little enthusiasm. But those trials had passed away, and to-day the hopefulness and the desire to extend tho assooiation was so greaf that that night they had their hall packed—(applause),—all wisliing to do honour to tho memories of men and women who had gone.—(Applause.) The association was only a small body—none of them were very wealthy,—but they had erected that magnificent hall, with all its accessories, at a cost of £4332, without subsidies from any Government or corporation, and without assistance from the money-londers.—(Applause.) Ho was certain the early settlers would not have felt proud of any hill built under tho bond of the interest-gatherer. No, their methods were different from methods prevailing today, and for that reason he was plcasod to say that the association owned a hall that was absolutely free of debt.—(Applause.) It was largely owing to the help of tlieir lady friends that •'• this result had been brought about.—(ApplaVso.) Without being egotistical, members had just cause to be proud of the position to which they had attained. They were not forgetful of tho aid they had received , from liberal friends outside the association, and they acknowledged it freely,-(Applause.) The object the association had had in view was a worthy one. Who that entered tho portrait gallery was not captivated with tho display of noble pioneers enshrined there upon tho wails? As time wont by tho collection, he was sure, would , bo more and more esteemed.—(Applauss.) Ho whs also pleased, to know that their membership mis increasing, not by ones or twos, but by half-dozens. In addition to tho gatherings in tho city, othors were held in the country. It all tended to enlargo tho usefulness of the association, and ho was hopeful that these gatherings in tho country would contribute interesting reminiscences and probably mementoes of the past which would bo carefully husbanded in tho hall. —(Applause.) What good, he might ask, was the association accomplishing? It was instilling in the minds of the rising generation, a feeling of veneration for the pioneers—those worthy settlors who had passed' a strenuous, active life in order that they might leave tho country bstter than tliey found it.—(Applause.) That lesson was being impressed on the youthful mind, and ile effect, though it might not be soon at onoo, must ultimately bear good fruit. These young people would como to take tho places of those who wore carrying on the association toklay. Ho had heard it sail that the iissociutio-i might die out. But there wero no signs of such a thing; it was quite the reverse. If (.hoy wont on increasing at tho present rate they would have . to procure more money to enlargo their hall.—(Applause.) Ho trusted that when their young people went out into the world they would never forget that they were desconded from tho pioneer settlers.—(Applause.) In conclud-

ing ihis remarks, Mir Reid referred' in terms of praise to t.wo of their early settlers who had passed away since their meeting last year: he referred t6 Mr W. H. Valpy and Dr Hocken, both of whom had rendered valuable servioes to the country in their day.—(Applause.) A musical programme followed, to which the contributors were: Miss Crawley, Miss Lena Bennett, Mr David Cooke, "Mr J. Jago, Mr A. Wright, and Mr Noel Smith. Miss R. Hayward contributed a recitation. Refreshments were handed round, and an interval was allowed for renewing acquaintances and looking for old shipmates. A vote of thanks • was accorded the performers of the evening, and the singing of "Auld lang syne" closed the concert. A dance followed. Mr J. Wood (secretary) ably supervised the proceedings throughout.