OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21648, 19 May 1932, Page 13

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION

The annual report of the Otago Early Settlers’ .Association, to he submitted to members at the annual meeting of the association, lo be hold on May 23, is as follows: The committee, in presenting its annual report and balance sheet for the year ended April 30 last, has again lo congratulate members in the continued interest taken in the association, not only by the members thereof but by visitors from all parts of the Dominion, Australia, and, in fact, from all parts of the world. It is particularly gratifying to your committee to see the interest taken by the children of the various schools in Dunedin and the suburbs, and their keenness in listening to the description of early Dunedin and the Dunedin of the present day. It is to these children that those who come after ns in the managemont of the association must look to for support. Notwithstanding the world-wide depression and the so-called slump in New Zealand, the membership of the association still continues to increase and numbers 2643. During the year the association lost by death 61 and by resignations 15. On the other band, 21 early settlers and 123 descendants ot early settlers were enrolled as members of tlie association. There is the true spirit of the “old identities” in finding the wherewithal to continue their membership. During the year reunions ot the Milton and Balclutha early settlers were held, this year at Balclutha; also meetings of the 1 ’rot Chalmers and Waikouaiti associations. At each of these three functions various members of your executive attended, and it was very gratifying to them to see visitors from other parts of Otago present at these gatherings to meet old friends and to have a chat over old times. Members will be pleased to learn—-if they are not already aware of the fact —that the long-talked-of strongroom has been built and in it is now housed many important documents. early newspapers, and other priceless possessions of the association. At various times opinions have been expressed by members of the committee, and also by his Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Lord Bledisloe), that a history of the pioneers and early settlers of Otago, whose pictures grace the walls of the various halls of the association, should be recorded. Your committee is pleased to state that the initial steps in this direction have been taken. A card has been written stating the position, ot each photograph, a card index has been procured, the cards are in their places, while draft letters and forms to be filled in giving historical sketches of each early settler have been drawn up. A start at sending these out will be made at an earlv date. Your committee is also pleased to State that the books, pamphlets, and the like, which were housed in a back room of the building, have been placed in a bookcase and on shelves in the office, where they are now more easily got at for reference, and where they are free from any chance of deterioration through dampness. The association has not been able to reduce further the amount ot the mortgage during the financial year, but hopes to make a payment before September 30 of this year. Your committee has pleasure in stating that all functions in connection with the eightv-fourth anniversary of the settlement of Otago—March 23, 1848—were a pronounced success. The proceedings commenced on Sunday, March 20, by special services in First Church, the Rev. W. Allen Stevely being the preacher, both morning and evening, both services being well attended. On Wednesday, March 23 (Anniversary Day), there was a reunion and concert in the afternoon m the Early Settlers’ Hall. Ihe Rev. W. Allen Stevely gave a short address, which was followed by the speaker of the afternoon, the Rev. H. Graham. In the evening another inspiring address was given by Pastor W. D. More, while the audience was treated to an exceptionally fine concert by Mr J. T. Leech and hie assistants. On the Thursday afternoon there was a concert and social, this was followed by a dance in the evening and so large was the attendance, that both halls had to be used for the occasion. A special bus was hired by the association to bring a full compliment of inmates from the Ross Home on the 23rd and to take them back again. The wretched weather on that day was no bar to the success of the proceedings, the hall being filled to its utmost holding capacity both in the afternoon and evening. During the year the association was fortunate in being presented with enlarged photographs of the late Captain James Bruce and the late Edward Weller. The former was master of the brig Magnet which brought the first real settlers to Otago, and who landed at Waikouaiti in March, 1840. The late Mr Edward Weller was one of the partners of the firm of Weller Bros., who owned the whaling station at Otakou (Otago Heads). We have also received a photograph of the late Mr William Hogg Watt, who was mate of the Magnet under Captain Bruce; this.will be hung in its proper place in due course. It may be added that- the late Mr Watt was a partner of the well-known Wanganui firm of Messrs Taylor and Watt, and did a great deal of good for that town. The monthly winter dance of the association continues to be a pronounced success, even more so than last year, and members of the association are greatly indebted to Mrs James Dey and her willing lady assistants, for all they have done to make the dances the success they undoubtedly are. One has to see the ladies at work before, during, and after supper to appreciate the fine team spirit that is shown by all. The thanks of the members are also due to the Dunedin City Corporation for a donation of £25 to the funds of the association. As announced on a previous occasion the Otago Early Settlers’ Association is not run for money-making purposes, but is a hall of memories in commemoration of what the pioneers and early settlers did for the province of Otago. The contents of the halls are a source of education for young and old, while the association’s art gallery and museum has become one of the show places of the city, one which visitors should all see during their stay in Dunedin Your committee have again to tender their hearty thanks to the officials of the Otago Daily Times, the Otago Witness and the Evening Star for publication of the reports of the association’s monthly meetings; to the staff of the Dunedin City Corporation reserves for their attention to the grounds surrounding the halls, and to the honorary auditors of the association (Messrs Robert Dnthie and H. F. M. Mercer) for going through the accounts of the association in the systematic manner they did. Your committee has also to express’ its high appreciation of the manner in which its own staff has carried out its duties, particularly your energetic secretary (Mr William Paterson). One has to- be associated with him to know the wonderful fund of information he possesses about the early history of Otago, its pioneers and early settlers.