THE EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2715, 28 March 1906, Page 48

THE EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNIVERSARY GATHERING.

. The fifty-eight anniversary of the arrival of the first immigrant «hip {the John Wiekliffe) -in Otago Harbour was celebrated by the Early Settlers' Association in the shape of a reunion in Hie Majesty's Theatre on Friday evening. Mr Donald Reid (president of the association) occupied the chair, and seat* on the platform w-ere occupied by tbe fok lowing gentlemen : — Messrs "W. B. Scandrett (Mayor of Invercargill), John Duthi*.. (vice-president of th« association), Dugald M'Pherson (chief of the Gaelic Society), JR. Gilkison (president of the Burns Club), C. MTKenzie (Gaelic Society). Donald M'Pherson (Gaelio Society), and Wm. Reid {secretary of the Caledonian Society). Apologies for non-attendance were received from Mrs Jas. 'Fulton (West Taieri), and Mr J. R. Moiison. There- V»a a veTy satisfactory attendance, the whole of the seating accommodation down stairs being taken up. As is well known, the ranks of the worthy pioneers, who undertook the heavy burden inseparable from the work of early colonisation, and who had to overcome inrrumerablo difficulties in laying th© foundation of the present prosperous settlement, have been reduced very materially by the hand of death, especially during recent years, and it was noticebale that there were comparatively few early settlers amongst the gathering, the majority of those present being, presumably, descendants or the children of descendants. The earlier portion of the proceedings was taken up with speeches and vocal items, after which those present were given an opportunity of renewing acquaintances, and cementing or renewing friendships, possibly contracted in years long gone by. and of partaking of refreshment* meanwhile. The opportunity was freely embraced, and during the interval handshakes were very frequent, while beaming I countenances conveyed the impression that ! pleasant reminiscences of the past were being recalled, to memory. The function was quite successful in every way, and it I may safely be said that all present spent a. most -enjoyable evening. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he was pleased to have the honour of meeting those present again, and ako to see such a large audience assembled, to do honour to the pioneer settlers w&o arrived in Otago when it was -a wilderness 58 years ago. Very few could realise the rough, wild nature of the country to which the pioneers came, and the stout hearts that were required to enable them to bray© the hardships they bad to endure until the country was smoothed down and made fit for habitation. The residents of to-day f with all their luxuries — facilities for traveli ling, comfortable residences, schools, libraries, theatres, and all the enjoyments of lifecould not realise what the pioneers had! to face, and it was proper that they should! do what they could to keep in commemoration those hardy settlers who had laid sucli a worthy foundation, which had been of so much benefit to those who followed. His duties that evening were very light, but ha^ i would like to say a word or two in con- , nection with the future of the association. He was sorry to see it expressed in some quarters — and high quarters at that — ;fhat the association was likely to be a transient, affair, and that when the -early settlecs died! out it would be forgotten. He wished to place on "record his strong conviction thafc as time went on the people would have a still higher appreciation of the settlers who had founded this province and other parts of New Zealand. He was quite assured of that, and it was a matter of very great regret to him to think that in the \ei-y quarters from which he expected more patriotism and a gTeater veneration for the patst it was being held out that the association was a transient affair, and would pass out of existence when the old people died! out. He bad met many people who were not connected with the early settlers, and who arrived hero many yeato afterwards, and -they were more enthusiastic in their appreciation of what* the early settlers had done than even the young people- who were descendants of the pioneers were. That being so, thei day might come, and it might not be far distant, when it would be wise to open th« door and allow all who were willing to come forward to join and do honour to th? early settlers. All who were willing to join them should be welcomed. With respect to the association's building, in which it wa» intended to stoTe the historical records of the association, be hoped thai; befoio long it would be an -accomplibb/Qcß , fact. Possibly many people would be wonderiug what had become of. the eontribut'ons given towards that object. They were all ht-ld perfectly -safe, but one thing After . another came in the way and barred pro-gr-psj. In th<- fire* place it was very difficult to obtain a- suitable ?ite, but this difficulty had now been overcome, and a sit« had Vx^n purchased. It was not ari ideal h.'ip, hut it was the Ivst obtainable at tho tun". The oarly settlors bad set aside rosfrxes for educational, harbour, hospital, and other pttrposes, and these institution* had been liberally provided for when tho settlers could easilj have. sauaJid'WedLjxWß**

On Toad-making, etc., but notwithstanding their foresight and generosity the association could not get -as much as a little plot of land on which to' erect a building in their memory. The Government might Jiave done something to assist, seeing all that the early settlers had done. Through the agency of the Minister of Railways and the Mayor of Dunedin the association had received a promise of a piece of land alongside the Railway Station, and that site would be quite adequate for the needs of the association and the art gallery. All that was now required was the division of the land, and he hoped that before the

association held its next annual gathering the building would be well forward, if not completed. — (Applause.) The association hoped to be able to erect a building that would be an ornament to the city, and one that would attract the attention of

visitors.

All the subscribers had not yet

been called upon, as the association did not wish to trouble them until it was ready

to commence building. When the annual meeting was held it would be necessary -to bring forward a resolution to give the association authority to sell the site previously acquired, co that the proceeds would 1 •be available for the erection of the building. He would read the motion, which was as follows: — "That the association sell the section in Moray place, Dunedin, belonging to the association, at the best price obtainable, either by auction or private treaty, and - that the committee take all necessary steps to give effect to this resolution, and upon sale of said section execute a conveyance, transfer, or other necessary assurance of the> same io the purchaser thereof." Continuing', Mr Reid stated that unfortunately the secretary of the association (Mr !Langlands) was at present laid up owing io a sore knee. It was a matter of great regret that he should be even temporarily laid aside, and all hoped that he would soon be about again. Some of the subscriptions were in arrear, and those owing 1 them 'would oblige the association by forwarding them to the office, as Mr Langlands could not get round to collect them.

The Chairman then called on Mr Scandrett to address the .gathering, and in doing 'so referred to that gentleman as one of the earliest of the pioneers. Mr Scandrett siad ever been a contributor to the funds of the association, and the building project, had also his hearty support.

Mr Scandrett, who was cordially received, said the difficulty was to know -o exactly what to say under the- circumstances. He had hoped to see some _of his old shipmates; he had been looking round for them, but with little success. It was something like 48 years since he had first come to Dunedin, and so far he had seen no one to correspond with his old friends.— (LaughteT.) They might be present, but he supposed that, like himself, they had altered — 48 years was a good lump of a person's life. It was on February 7,. 48 years ago, that the Nourmahal sailed from Plymouth, and she arrived at Otago Heads on May 7.— (Voices: "Here are some old _ shipmates.") Coming into the' harbour next day they were surprised to meet another ship (the Strathfieldsaye), also full of passengers, who gave a hearty cheer as they passed, which, they might be sure, was heartily reciprocated. Those on board found what they came for — a laudl of promise. Three months on board ship made one long for terra firma. The pilot that escorted them up the harbour — he thought his name was Driver — was stated to be able to spin some tall yams; but he (the speaker) had lived sufficiently long to see some of his yarns revealed in fact. When they reached Port Chalmers they were surprised to find another vessel there (the Strathallan). There was an historical incident connected with this ship. Previous to this time the wool of Otago was shipped Home in different directions — some via Sydney, some by vessels returning via China; — but the merchants of Otago at the beginning of the year 1858 decided that it would be a good plan to ship direct. The Strathallan was the first vessel to ship wool direct to London — an improtant event . when one considered what had since been done in this direction. Wonderful changes had come about since then. Dunedin was a small place in 1858; Port Chalmers was smaller still, with a small jetty and no wharf. He remembered getting permission, together with a number of others, to go up the harbour in a boat. He had a distinct recollection of the beauty of Otago Harbour in those days, with its islands and bays and the forest trees right down to the water's edge. The country presented a marvellous sight to these early visitors, quite different from what they had been led to expect; and he felt sure at the time that he was really in what Mr Seddon described as " Gods own country." The speaker went on to refer to the wonderful resources offered by the colony, and also spoke of the difficulties encountered in travelling in the early days. It was simply marvellous how the colony had progressed in what he called half a lifetime. By that he meant 50 years ago; and the speaker added significantly that he felt quite a young fellow still." From this Mr Scandrett went on to speak of the wonderful _ improvements carried out during that time, when even now the entire population was not any more than that of many of the Old World cities. New Zealanders might well congratulate themselves on what had been accomplished by their energy. In the early days money was not plentiful, and difficulty was experienced by the Provincial Council in getting sufficient funds for* the making of roads. Some of the "people who arrived in the early ships found it difficult to find work at first, but it was never long before they were snapped up by stations and Tunholders. At the time he remembered the Otago Witness in an article referred to the unusual fact o? two shiploads of passengers arriving at; once, more especially as tney both brought workers. The article expressed the hope that they would not be down-hearted at any hardships experienced, and stated the opinion that time would bring them encouragement and employment. This proved to be quite true in a very short time. The speaker expressed his pleasure at being present and at hearing what had been accomplished by the association as stated by the chairman. — (Applause.)

Mr Dugald M'Pherson, on behalf of the Gaelic Society, expressed his pleasure at being present, and also apologised for the unavoidable absence of Mr Roderick Mackenzie, president of the Caledonian Society. The chief also referred to the friendly spirit which existed between all three societies.

In addressing the gathering on behalf of |he Burns Club, Mr R. Gilkison said he Regretted that he could not lay claim to ting an old identity, but he had the nour of being the descendant of a very .Mute ■ettior. Sf ferrate* ftftt pleieuifc re»

lations would long continue to exist between the kindred societies. — (Applause.)

During the evening songs were most acceptably rendered by Miss Dunsmuir, Mrs Loring, and Mr J. T. Pram, the accompaniments being played by Mr Lemon. Dainty refreshments were dispensed with a lavish hand by the ladies, and this part of the function concluded with the singing of Auld lang syne."' Subsequently ' an enjoyable dance was held in the Victoria Hall, at which there was also a large attendance.