ANNIVERSARY DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25802, 24 March 1945, Page 8

ANNIVERSARY DAY

DUNEDIN CELEBRATIONS ' GATHERINGS IN PIONEERS' HALL The ninety-seventh anniversary of the arrival at Port Chalmers on March ; 23, 1848, of the ship John Wickliffe, with the first settlers for Otago, was . celebrated in Dunedin yesterday with a programme of functions, arranged by the Otago Early Settlers’ Association. i Gatherings in the Pioneers’ Hall in the afternoon and evening were largely attended, and further functions have been arranged for to-day and to-mor-row. At the afternoon gathering in the Pipneers’ Hall a large number of descendants of the early settlers of the province were present. They included Mr George Dabinett, who arrived in Otago by the Isabella Hercus . in 1856. Mr W. R. Brugh was in the chair. The Rev. ,W. A. Stevely, after reading a lesson and leading the gathering in prayer, conveyed the greetings of the members of the First Church to the gathering. Example of the Pioneers An address was given by Archdeacon > A. C. H. Button, who spoke of the need of applying the traditions built up by the early settlers to the pro- ' blems of reconstruction in the future, his remarks being introduced with a I reference to the early history of the Anglican Church in Dunedin. Arch- . deacon Button said that in the early days of the settlement there were a ? number of Anglicans in various offices and walks of life. The Scottish fathers were approached by some of these people, who desired a piece of land on which to build a church. Application was made for land, and it appeared, this was granted—first an area in the centre of the Octagon, and later sections on the north-west corner. The Provincial Council deemed it unwise to make such a grant, but gave the right to purchase, and offered its assistance in the raising of the necessary money. Mr John Jones, of Waikouaiti, however, handed to the Rev. R. J. Fenton the full amount (£37 10s), and the purchase . was completed. Church of England services were in the meantime held in the building known as “ the gaol ” in Cumberland street, and later m the original building of St. Paul’s. “In that building I was ordained by Bishop Nevill, and served my assistant curacy there, and for over 30 years I have ministered in various cures in the diccese. Now, to crown it all,” added Archdeacon Button, “<I am speaking to your association, and that is an indication of the spirit of friendliness and goodwill that exists among the churches in the province to-day.” < Task of Reconstruction Archdeacon Buttcn said that they were looking forward to the days of peace, and must prepare themselves for the stern task of reconstruction, not only in the material sphere, but in the sphere of moral and spiritual things. Surely, he said, they would - not do better than to remind them- *• selves of the tradition that the early settlers had handed down to them — a tradition of integrity, of industry, of courage, and of provision for sound learning and Christian teaching. “Are we conscious to-day of an unwillingness to bear burdens and to use the same industry and foresight as our forefathers did? ” he asked. That there was the capacity for these things, he said, there was no doubt, as evidenced by the quality and deeds of the men and women in the forces who had not only lived up to the pioneer tradition, but had added their quota to its enrichment. Surely there was as great a call, and in as great a cause, to display those qualities in the life cf the province in the difficult days that lay ahead. In these tasks the members of the Early Settlers’ Association had a very real part to play. Preservation of Records

Much remained to be written of the men and women and the events of the early days, said Archdeacon Button. While there was living memory and accurate information available, it was to *be hoped these records would be written and made available for this and future generations. Very occasionally students had 'taken, the history of some district in Otago as the subject of a thesis for a degree, one such being the history of the Tuapeka County compiled by Miss Pearl Jennings. He suggested that this was a subject well worthy of notice for students at the University, where

various chairs had been endowed through the foresight of the early settlers in making the revenue from other lands available for religious and educational purposes. Was there any reason, Archdeacon Button asked, why the senior scholars of the public schools should not be conducted round the association’s rooms, and, under wise guidance, learn something of the early days. The association had its building, with its many historical articles and records, and it was no doubt more comprehensive than any other type of memorial of a similar nature could be.

Greetings from Sole Survivor

Mr Brugh read a telegram of greeting from Mrs Anne Black Fraser, of Timaru, who is 97 years of age, and is the last survivor of the passengers who arrived in Otago by the first five ships. Mr Brugh extended a welcome to all who had come to participate in the celebration of the ninety-seventh anniversary of the arrival of the John Wickliffe with the first settlers for Otago. He referred to the severe loss the association had suffered by the death of its president. Mr J. W. Patton, and of two members of the committee—Messrs R. T. Stewart and A. F. Cheyne. Mr Brugh added that the activities of the association had been maintained during the past year, and the work of secretary had been efficiently performed by Miss Pryde. The Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron) conveyed the greetings of the civic authorities to the association, and extended a welcome to the visitors, some of whom had come from as far north as Whangarei. During the afternoon enjoyable items were presented by Misses Ngairi Maxwell, Irene Rylance. Ethel Bridges, and Frances Kerr, and Mr James Swan. Mrs J. T. Leech was the accompanist.