AUCKLAND, October 20.

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 88

AUCKLAND, October 20.

A reunion of old colonists was held to* day, and proved to be one of the most enthusiastically -attended events of tho series. Some 1300 invitations had been. sent out to know pioneers, and 600 or 700 of them responded. St. Andrew's Church, where the proceedings began at 11 a.m. with divine service, literally overflowed with a stream of old colonists. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. David Bruce, D.D., and the Rev. W. Beatty, M.A. The latter referred to Ur Bruce as the Presbjterian Bishop of Australasia, a man who had done for the Presbyterian Church what Bishop Selwyn did for the Anglican. The Rev. J. A. Luxford also welcomed Dr Bruce to Auckland. After the proceedings at the church a move was made to the Choral Hall. The Chairman read a telegram from the Premier, stating — " Had my public duties permitted of my being in Auckland at the present time, I should have been very pleased to be present at the gathering, as there is no class of people for whom I have greater respect than old colonists, many of whom have helped to lav the foundation of our happy country." The prize of £5, granted to the oldest colonist in terms of the will of the late Mrs M'Laughlan, was awarded to Mrs D. Covle.