VETERAN SECRETARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25142, 5 February 1943, Page 4

VETERAN SECRETARY

EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION

When the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, and Lady Newall visited the Early Settlers’ Museum yesterday morning they were shown many of the most interesting exhibits by the secretary'of the Otago Early Settlers’ As-

sociation, Mr William Paterson, who recently celebrated his eighty-ninth birthday. Xhe president of the association, Mr J. W. Patton, in his address of welcome to their Excellencies mentioned that Mr Paterson, the managing secretary of the association, was a descendant of a man who had played a large part in the development of the British Empire. This man, too, was named William Paterson, and in the seventeenth century was one of the founders of the Bank of England. He was one of its first directors, and also played a valuable part in bringing about the union of England and Scotland, Parliament voting him a sum of £IB,OOO in recognition, of his -services. It was he who first introduced potatoes to Scotland.

Mr Paterson, who was asked by his Excellency when he came to New Zealand, replied that he had lived in Dunedin for 85 years, and had come from Edinburgh. Sir Cyril Newall was later shown a portrait of Mr Paterson, at the age of four years, and his sister, Mary, aged two years and a-half. This portrait, which was painted in Edinburgh in 1858, greatly interested his Excellency. Mr Paterson has been secretary of the Early Settlers’ Association for 27 years.