EARLY OTAGO

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

EARLY OTAGO

VICE-REGAL INTEREST INSPECTION OF HISTORIC TREASURES The records of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association are so closely linked with the early history and development of the province that it wal only to be expected that the GovernorGeneral, Sir Cyril Newall, and Lady Newall would find their visit to the Early Settlers’ Museum yesterday of exceptional interest. Their Excellencies spent more than an hour in an inspection of the many treasures that are housed in the museum, and they also showed much interest in the portrait gallery in which ail the pictures, paintings, and photographs are' of early settlers who arrived here during or before 1868. Their Excellencies were accompanied by their daughter, Miss Georgiana Newall, and by Colonel J. G. Jeffery, A.D.C., Major C. J. Holland-Martm (military secretary), and the Mayor and Mayoress. Mr and Mrs A. H. Allen. They were met by the president of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association. Mr J. W. Patton; the immediate past-presi-dent, Mr W. J. Strong, and the secretary, Mr William Paterson. A Welcome Extended Welcoming their Excellencies, Mr Patton said that on March 23 the ninety-fifth anniversary of the province and the arrival of the ship John Wickliffe with the first band of pioneer settlers to lay the foundation of Dunedin and the province of Otago would be celebrated. Of the passengers wno arrived in the first five ships, he added, only one early settler remained in the person of Mrs Fraser, of Timaru. fine committee had endeavoured to have everything original, and all the exhibits in the museum had been presented by early settlers or their families with the exception of the stage coach, which was purchased by the commfftee and placed in the gallery. Wnen looking fct the photographs of the early settlers, he said, their Excellencies would form a good idea of the stamp of men and women who were amongst the pioneers of Otago. Their Excellencies were particularly interested in a flag used by the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Mr C. P. Ulm on their first flight across the Tasman in the Southern Cross in 1928. The authenticity of the flight and the signatures were guaranteed by Mr D. G. Donald, secretary of the Sydney Hospital, and the flag was presented to the Early Settlers' Museum some time later. “That’s a great trophy to have,” his Excellency said.

Inspection of Exhibits

The vice-regal party inspected copy No. 6 of the first newspaper published in Dunedin. This was the Otago News, which was issued every alternate Wednesday at the price of 6d. It was published by Mr H. B. Graham in Rattray street, and the issue was dated February 21, 1849. Mr Paterson explained to their Excellencies that the first settlers arrived in March, 1848, and the first newspaper was published in November of the same year.

Their Excellencies viewed No. 1 of the first two issues of a £1 note of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, dated 1873 and 1874 respectively, notes of the Bank of Otago, which were dated 1868, and also the first £1 note issued in Otago in 1852 by Mr John Jones, and made payable at Dunedin and Waikouaiti.

Three beautiful tapestries which were worked by the late Miss E. Strain, of Mosgiel, about 1870, impressed her Excellency, who was also shown several gay crinoline dresses. In contrast was a pair of boots, fit for a Goliath, which took Sir Cyril’s eye. They were specially made for a member of the Black Watch Regiment who stood 7ft 6in in height. The first survey of the province was recalled by a medicine chest which was used by Mr Frederick Tuckett, when he surveyed ihe province in 1844, and their Excellencies also saw samples of the. first gold discovered in Tuapeka by Black Peter. His Excellency took note of a model of the first aeroplane which was flown in Dunedin, by J. W. H. Scotland on February 27, 1914. This was a Caudron biplane with a 45 h.p. Anzani engine. In the same wing of ■the museum was seen the Cobb and Co.’s coach which was used on the Springfield-Otira route. Memento of Visit “You have a wonderful collection here,” his Excellency said at the end of the visit. Nothing they could do to preserve the memories of the great men and women who made this country was too much. . • His Excellency was presented by Mr Patton with a book of views of early Otago as a memento of the visit, and before they left their Excellencies signed the visitors’ book. His Excellency told Mr Patton that if he was in New Zealand he would be anxious to attend the hundredth anniversary of the association in five years’ time.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON

His Excellency was the guest of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon in the Somerset Lounge. In the unavoidable absence of the president of the chamber, Mr.C. E. Begg, and the immediate past - president, Mr S. Lawn, Sir Cyril Newall was met by the vice-presi-dent, Mr J. B. Stewart, Mr C. M. Bruce, a past-president, and Mr H. C. Harford, cnairman of tire Entertainment Committee.

Later in the day his Excellency visited the Otago Club, where he wai met by the president, Mr W. A. Flavell, and members of the executive.