A GREAT PIONEER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26232, 16 August 1946, Page 6

A GREAT PIONEER

LIFE OF DONALD REID “QUALITY OF SCOTTISH GRANITE ” The life and work of Donald Reid, one of the outstanding figures of Otago’s pioneer days, provided Mr A C. Cameron with interesting and instructive material for an address to the “ historical and social gathering" held by the Otago Early Settlers’ Association last night. The gathering attracted an attendance of more than 300 people, and its success was regarded by the chairman, Mr Edgar C Hazlett, as full reward for the association’s decision to organise a series of meetings at which the lives of pioneers could be reviewed and memories of their achievements freshened. It was hoped, he said, that interest would continue to increase and that a climax would be reached to coincide with the centenary celebrations in 1948;' He made an appeal on behalf of the committee that anyone with possession or knowledge of historical records should make this material available to the association. There must be many diaries and other papers of value in

existence, he said, and “spring cleaning” might uncover much of great interest.

Mr Cameron had previously addressed the association on the subject of “ Johnny Jones,” and he said last night that he had chosen Donald Reid for his second address because Mr Reid represented the best type of Scottish settler—one who, by his unaided efforts, had carved out for himself an honoured place in Otago's roll of fame. He had developed a virgin, undrained, scrub-covered area into one of the best properties in Otago, he had taken his full part in local and colonial politics, and he had also made his mark in the business community by founding the firm which still bore his name. In addition, Mr Reid had been a stalwart of the Presbyterian Church, had established a reputation for honesty and integrity, and had left Dunedin and Otago citizens greatly enriched by his 70 years of pioneer labour in this community. The Enduring Quality “A ‘few, like Macandrew, may have overshadowed him temporarily,” Mr Cameron said, “ but Donald Reid, was of the same quality as Scottish granite. There was something tremendously enduring in his quality.” Donald Reid was, born in Perthshire in 1833. He lost his father at an early age, and his mother and her four children emigrated to Dunedin by the Mary, which arrived in April, 1849. Donald was then barely 16 years old, blit he had received a sound education in Scotland. His brother. Charles, was 20 years old, and he proved a successful business man, founding the Standard- Insurance Company and several other business enterprises in Dunedin. Donald got his first job on Mr W. H. Valpy’s. farm at Forbury, Mr Cameron continued. At 17 years of age he leased two acres in the Glen, and a year later he bought 20 acres where Talboys Home and the Caversham School now stood. Two years after that he bought a further 180 acres stretching across South Dunedin and St. Kilda. He farmed this area until 1856, when, he sold it for £2 an acre and invested the money in 300 acres at “ Salisbury," North Taieri. i k 1 C nKAnnnio ■••nn _ J _ CA. _ f* _lf _

This property was named after Salisbury’s Crags, Edinburgh: By unremitting labour and good farm management Mr Reid developed it until it comprised 6300 acres, all ■ fenced, grassed and carrying some fine plantations of trees. “ When he went there." Mr Cameron said, “the only farm implement other than tools was a singlefurrow .plough. Crops were sown by hand, cut with a scythe, and threshed with flails.”

Fine Public Service

Mr Reid’s record of public life was' an enviable one, and Mr Cameron said as an indication of his activities that he was a member, and several times president, of the Taieri Agricultural Society; a member of the Road Board, the North Taieri School Committee and the Deacons’ Court. He was church treasurer and ohe of the wardens for the Taieri Hundred, and. a member of the Otago Harbour Board. In 1863, at the age of 29, he was elected to the Provincial Council, and he repx-e----sented Taieri for 13 years until the Council was disbanded. He became M.H.R. for Taieri in the Colonial Government,' and was Minister of Public Works in the Stafford Ministry and Minister of Lands and Immigration in the Atkinson Cabinet.

"Donald Reid was recognised as a formidable debater and he had had an intimate knowledge of land matters." Mr Cameron continued. “He fought vigorously for the cutting up of large estates and was execrated by large run-holders. His outstanding honestv of character was never questioned." Mr Cameron told some interesting stories illustrative of Mr Reid’s habits and character, and then discussed the founding of the firm of Donald Reid and Co.

Mr Reid retired from politics at the age of 45 in order to provide more adequately for his family, which, with his two step-sons, numbered 12, Mr Cameron said. He formed the stock and station company known as Donald Reid and Co., and threw himself into its development with characteristic vigour. He continued to manage his farm property, until he sold it in 1912, after it had been in his possession for 55 years. “Donald Reid was one of the leading spirits in the formation and development of the Otago Early Settlers' Association," Mr Cameron concluded. He was president from 1900 until his death in 1919, in his eighty-sixth year, and the credit for securing the association’s present site goes to him." Mr Cameron was thanked for an able address on the motion of Mr J. A. Paterson. A musical programme added to the enjoyment of the evening. and supper provided the opportunity for a general conversazione.