FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19737, 13 March 1926, Page 8

FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

SOUTH OTAGO PIONEERS. REUNION AT BALCLUTHA. From Clutha, Bruce, nml the Catlins “the grand old men and women” of the South Otago district assembled at Balclutha yesterday for the annual outing of the Early Settlers’ Association in that district. The function was well attended by pioneers nnl their descendants, and a most pleasant afternoon was spent, especially by those “bending low beneath life’s crushing load.” whose opportunities of moving round and visiting old friends grow steadily less as the years roll on. Many an old face beamed with delight as adventures and hardships of half a century ago were recounted, and not a few sad moments were caused by the realisation that with each recurring picnic the ranks of that sturdy band grow steadily thinner. Since last year several of the familiar figures in the district passed to their long rest, ahd not a one but was missed by tlie keen searching eyes that roved over the assembly hunting for the friends of earlier days. A large number of early settlers from the Dunedin association made the trip to Bnlclutha, among whom were Messrs 3v, Nicholson (president), F. 3V. Knight (vicepresident), and W. Paterson (secretary). The pioneers present were: —Robert Shiels, Mrs C. Dallas, Mrs M. A. Murray, Mrs A. Marton, 3V. Paterson, all of whom came out in the ship Jura in 1858, John Aitkenhead (Omeo, 1802), Miss Geggie (Strathmoor. 1850), C. Dallas (Stormcloud, 1801), J. Irishman (Pladda, 1802), Mrs Leishman (Sara, M., 1802), J. Allison (Aboukir, 1801), F.‘ w. Knight (Aldinga, 1802), Mrs JWelch (Strathallan, 1858), J. Mjslop -mara, 1858), Mrs A. J. Sinclair (Chili, 1801), J. Murray (Caribou, 1800), Mrs P. Bradfield (Pladda, 1800), J. Dees (Pladda. 1800). Mrs G. Finch (Strathfieldsaye. 18o8), ID Ayson (Royal Albert, 1853), J. Frazer (Bcrnicia, 1818), D. Strain (A.iax, 1803), C. Dabinette (Isabella Kerens, 1850), the Hon. D T. Fleming (Dady Milton, 1801), DMunro (Palmora, 1858), W. Nelson (Amelia Mitchell, 1801), Mrs J. Dow (Royal Albert, The programme for the day consisted of musical items from the Pipe B “ nd >. Boys’ School Band, and Highland dancing. Several of those present were called upon to sneak, but the day was spent by the oarly settlers amusing themselves with the tales of other days. * THE SPEAKERS. The Hon. A. S. Malcolm congratulated the association on the successful gathering. He said he was afraid New Zealand did not get credit for her own people. He referred to the action of certain English journals that had recently stater! that Sir Ernest Rutherford —one of the Dominion s most illustrious sons—was an Englishman and an Australian. He said he had been privileged to know many old settlers, and he agreed with one of the Empire Press delegates who had said that Kew Zealand’s pioneers must have been very carefuly selected. He found that that was so, and he had had many opportunities of studying them tor himself. The duty of all New Zealanders was to see that the old pioneers were not forgotten or denied any share of the honour they had earned so well. The Hon. D. T. Fleming expressed his pleasure at being able to be present at such a gathering. Pie had kept in touch with the movement in the district, and was glad to be able to greet all the old faces who were real old identities of the province. Pie, too, missed many old faces, the faces of those who had passed hence but he was sure that their memory would never die as long as the district had before it the monuments of their publiccpnitedness. Others, he said, had s f )o^£ n of the stamina, grit and courage of the early settlers, and these encomiums had come from others besides New Zealanacrs. People from abroad had often remarked upon the great strides made in the Dominion and could see how much that Pp si ~ tion depended on the early efforts of the first settlers. It was up fo the rising generation to carry on the work and uphold the early traditions of those old makers of Empire.. Mr W. Nicholson (president of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association) referred to the work and pluck of the earliest settlers, who had come from far countries and had landed on wooded slopes and bushy wastes, undeterred by discouragement to carve out for themselves and their children’s children a great and wonderful city. It was to these men and women that Dunedin and the province as a whole owed the splendid university, colleges, churches and public buildings, which made Dunedin city what it was. Dunedin and its environs to-day would grow and Increase and ever remain monuments to the far-seeing judgment and publicspiritedness of the early settlers. He concluded with the expression of a fervent hope that New Zealand’s young people would prove worthy of the sacrifice and labour of these men and women, and would follow worthily in the footsteps of the people who had made possible the provision of such a city. Mr W. Paterson said that gatherings of this nature brought back to him many happy memories, and in coming to an early settlers’ picnic in Balclutha he felt he was returning home again. The homecoming, however, was tinged with sadness as he looked around on the assembled faces and missed kindly smiles and friendly eyes that had been dear and familiar to him for many, many years. They were great characters these old pioneers, and they deserved all the honour that was ever bestowed on them. They were gradually passing and slipping from our ken, but he hoped that the younger people would assist the associations in perpetuating the memory and example of those who had made the province what it was to-day. He extended a hearty welcome to all to be present at the anniversary functions to be held in Dunedin on March 23. Mr Fred. Waite, M.P., ..nd Mr S. V. White (Mayor of Balclutha) also spoke.