MODERN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19903, 24 September 1926, Page 10

MODERN ASSOCIATION.

SOME INTERESTING PAPEKS EARLY OTAGO. There was ao attendance of some 25 persons in tne taper Oliver classroom yesterday evening when the following papers wore react —"The Early History of Waikouaiti,” by Mr J. Luchau iVI.A.; "James iVlatajidrew and His Tunes,’’ by Miss M. Uiillis; "Hie first Tears of the Otago ■settlement," by Miss E. Turner; and "The Rev. Thomas Burns and His Times,” by Mi»s J. Rennie. The Rev. Hector Maciean (president; occupied the chair. Mr Buchan said the Maoris occupied the district at the mouth of the Waikouaiti River in the seventeenth century, in 1865 a whaling station was establi-hed at Waikouatti, and Mr Johnny Jones settled there in 1840, although he had frequently visited Waikouaiti previously. Mr Jones found his business profitable. He acquired land trom the iVlapris between 1835 and 1340. It was also in 1840 that the Rev, James Watkins arrived in Waikouaiti. which was at that time inhabited by us rough a set of characters as it was possible to imagine. Mr Watkins did not confine his activities to the district, but his work extended as far south as Stewart Island. While he resided there Bishop Selwyn was one of his visitors on one occasion and was well received. Mr Jones settled on a farm near Waikouaiti in 1843, and he was called the “King of Waikouaiti.” Mr Jones later became one of the leaders in the business life of Dunedin. He urged new arrivals to settle at Waikouaiti, but very few were in ductxl to do so. The Orbell family however, settled there. The only way to get to Dunedin from Waikouaiti up to 1855 was by sea, there being no track overland. Aa regards missionary work ..mong the Maoris, this was left largely to the Natives who had been taught by Mr Watkins Mr Creed and others. Mr Jones’s home in Dunedin was situated w-here the Fprnhill Club now stands. Mr Jones was generous towards the Anglican Church and provided the site for the first church in Beach Street. In the early days little was done to assist education, but in 1860 school buildings were decided upon, and they were erected and opened the following year. During the early part of 1860 a number of houses were erected and in that vear the township was a hive of industry. Mr Buchan then gave a resume of Mr Jones s life history. He said he purchased large areas of land from Warrington in the south with Lake Wanaka as the western boundary. He died in 1869 and was buried in the Southern Cemetery. Miss Turner said the first settlers arrived at Port Chalmers in 1848 under the auspices of the New Zealand Company. It was decided that the settlement should be composed of members of the i 4 ree Church of Scotland. ■ The committee purchased 400,000 acres of land for £2400, approximately l*d per acre. The land claimed bv the committee extended from Taiaroa Heads to Nugget Point, and extended for a distance of seven miles. Miss Turner described at some length the routine on board the Phillip Laing on her voyage from Scotland to Otago, and detailed several amusing incidents which occurred after the landing of the first settlers. After the huts or houses ■\vcre erected, the completion of them was delayed owing to the absence of material for fireplaces, which had to be obtained from Wellington. The first pretentious building was a church, which was erected on Bell Hill, which was so named because of the bell which was there, and winch is still to be seen in First Church grounds. Pogs were common in those days, and it was not only a difficult but a dangerous journey over Mount Cargill. Food was scarce, and supplies of flour and salt were at one stage completed exhausted. Tins was a blessing in disguise, as it compelled the settlers to give attention to the growing of wheat. The first newspaper published was the Otago News, the only complete file being in the Hocken Library. This paper did not, however, live long, and was succeeded by the Otago Witness. Miss J. Rennie dealt with “The Rev. Thomas Burns and His Times.” Burns was destined for the Church, and first of all took a four years’ arts course at the university, and later took < the divinity course. Dr Burns was appointed the first minister of Otago, the appointment being made on the recommendation of Mr Robert Chambers, the well-known Edinburgh publisher. The scheme for the settlement of Otago would doubtless have fallen through but for the assistance of Dr Burns, and it was largely through his efforts that the first ships sailed from London and Greenock. Dr Burns was at all times dignified. He had splendid physique, and although 50 years of age when he came to New Zealand, frequently walked long distances. As a citizen Dr Burns took a keen interest in all that pertained to the life of the comunity. The timber for his house was brought out on the John Wickliffe, and from it the first house in the settlement was built. He was a keen educationalist, and was responsible for the establishment .of the first school, and later was appointed the first Chancellor of the Otago. University, but he died a few months before the University was opened. Dr Burns took an active part in the early development of the province. It was in 1861 that the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by his Alma Mater. It was as a divine that he shone out most prominently, not only as a preacher but as a spiritual adviser and friend. The first church was built in 1848. This was destroyed by lire in 1864, and an interim church was erected in Dowling street, which was subsequently replaced by the splendid edifice now Known as First Church. Miss Ellis, in dealing with James Macandrew, said her first interest in the man was aroused on reading that when he was imprisoned for debt he proclaimed his own house a prison to avoid being sent to a common prison. Mr Macandrew was a frequent contributor to the early newspapers. His business enterprises were many, among them being a limekiln which lie established in Kaikorai Valley. As far as banking was concerned Mr Macandrew established a bank of his own by issuing notes from his store. Mr Johnny Jones was jealous of Mr Macandrew, and did his utmost to break him. He collected a large number of Macandrew’s notes and went to Mr Macandrew, demanding gold. Macandrew anticipated something like this, so he was prepared for him, and produced the necessary gold to pay off the notes. Miss Ellis then described the first meeting of the Otago Provincial Council, of which Mr Macandrew was a prominent member. H« purchased steamers and established a steamer service between Otago and Melbourne. He was elected Superintendent of the Otago Province in 1860, in succession to Captain Cargill, in 1863, in spite of much controversy, he was again elected to the Provincial Council and was again elected Superintendent. It was in the face of much opposition that he established the Otago University. He was not so prominent in the House of Representatives as he was in the Provincial Council. He was an uncompromising opponent of the abolition of the provinces. ~ He was a member of two Ministries—the “Clean Shirt” Ministry” and one of Sir George Grey’s Ministries. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded those who contributed the papers, several speakers referring eulogistically to the efforts of the writers.