THE PIONEERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 105

THE PIONEERS.

WAIKOUAITI'S ANNIVERSARY. After 68 years " The Magnet " of immortal memory still proves a great attraction, and the grey hairs and golden, of old and young identities seem?d to mingle on the 13th inst. in the Domain, where Waikouaiti once again celebrated the anniversary of its birth. Veteran settlers gathered in groups wearing distinctive badges of " Victory " and " Ajax," and looked remarkably proud of the same. The eons and daughters sat beneath the trees enjoying the respite from the daily round, while the grandchildren, with flowing locks, disported themselves violently in swings, and filled the air with ahrieke of ecstacy. Like an aged king surrounded by his Court sat Mr Dannie M'Nichol. His years lay lightly upon him, though 96 winters had set their hoar frost on his hair and flowing beard. He arrived iii the Ajax in 1849; "but, oh, mind ye, it ought to have been '48, but foul weather kept the Ajax outside the Heads for over a week." Then follows the narrative of his landing (if jumping into 3ft of water to pull the boat up after him may be termed landing), of hie camps in the bush before Dunedin could be reached, and his life on the survey. Reminiecenoes follow one another like the waves of the sea. Another patriarchal gentleman arrives. The two regard each other, and Mr M'Nichol extends a hand. It is impossible to describe the inflection in his voice as he says "A-ha, John." " The old faces are wreathed in smiles, which ripple away into the white wildernesses of Deard, and coon they are hard at it, smiting, ac it were, the ages hip and thigh, and conjuring uj> dead years in the mirrors of memory. Ac the sun nearcd the meridian the turf ' was dotted with picnic parties. Two great camp coppers steamed, and a number of ladies wera busy outside the committee rooms dispensing eatables and drinkables; and amid the buzz of talk and rippling laughter floated the strains of a string band. Races for juveniles, ladies, and lads commenced at 2 p!m., and proved . interesting to those immediately concerned. Here, there, and everywhere moved Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.P., and it is cafe 1 to say that he spoke to everyone on the i gtound. His claims to early settlership were based on the fact that he came out ir. the Robert Henderson, at the age of four. Speech-making commenced at 5 p.m., when his Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Heckler) read a letter from Sir James Mills who had sent an ensign for the occasion ; also a letter from the Hon. J. A. Millar thanking them for their invitation, but regretting his inability to be present. He sent his best wishes for the success of the gathering. Some hearts were evidently touched by a letter from Mr J. Duncan, of Corner Bush, which his Worship read as follows : — " Dear Friends, — Thanks for your kind invitation to the old settlers' gathering. Truly, my desire is to be present" with you but my weak body will not allow it. I am very pleased to know that you have so many good men to represent the association, and I trust you will have a good day. Tell the young folks from me that it rests with them to keep it up, as according to Nature the old folks are becoming trail and are rapidly passing away. It must be satisfactory to young and old to know that the association has at last managed to get a splendid building in Dunedin which it can. call its own, and where many happy gatherings will doubtless be held." The Mayor went on to say that they wore there to celebrate their sixty-eighth anniversary, and he alluded to the courage of the pioneers. Waikouaiti was then expected to be the place in the colony. All the shipping came there. History might be repeating itself. A local tradesman bad received a cargo unloaded at Waikouaiti at a charge of 4s 6d cheaper than the railway cculd do it. The cargo was from Dunedin. The old were passing, and it lay with the young to see this feeling was maintained. Mr E. G. Allen, M.P., said he had not missed a gathering for many years, and did not intend to. Sixty-eight years meant two generations. Mrs Wookey, Mrs Coleman, and Mrs Shanks (passengers by the Magnet) were present hale and hearty, with their numerous descendants. The first wheat was grown in Waikouaiti, and they felt these memories should not be allowed to fade. He would like to see other names of old settlers perpetuated by calling hills and towns after them — for instance, like Mount Durden and Mount Watkin bad been named. He congratulated them all on their success in having so far kept green the memory of the pioneers-. Gatherings like this might be held in many parts of the Dominion with advantage. He was pleased to be among them, ana might they all grow to be as old as Mr M'Nichol, and look as happy. • Mr Blair, of Green Island, said he was a regular old identity by a process of graduation. He had winnowed his own wheat with the winds of heaven. He had eaten the flour, and they must agree with him that his digestion must have been very good, or else he was not an indifferent baker. Only six families came out with him, and four (including himself) had been representatives on the Provincial Council. John Jones had done much for Waikouaiti and for Dunedin. He was a. man who had nothing of the beer but his skin.' He had ridden through this district 35 years ago, and die difference between then and now did credit to the pluck and perseverance of the inhabitants. "Speed toe plough," he said; "may the mouse never leave your cupboards wi a tear in its cc. Mr Thomae Mackenzie, who was enthusiastioallv received, drew attention to the presence of Mr D. M'Niohol. aged 96. Peter M'Grogor and R. Kennard had landed from> their vessel at Karitane on March 18, 1840. Among- others were Messrs Beale D. Carry, B. Coleni&n, W. Coleman, 'and their wives, also Mr Jones. The only original passengers on the ground that day were t Mrs Woolsey and Mre Shanks (nee Coleman), of Port Chalmers, and W. H H. Carey. He must by no jneans forget Austin Fullerton (aged 77) and his surveys along the coast on board H.M.S. Acheron. Mr Mackenzie touched on the absence of Mr John Duncan, respected and beloved, and called fo t r three cheera for him. These being given, Mr Mackenzie went on to say that tbe6e annual reunions had their notes of sadness, and one could not help feeling) tht-t here one might b& meeting one of the gallant old pioneers for the last time. Even since last yeat Mr Robert Christie had passed away. Plenty of blatant speeohes were made to the effect that New. Zealand was

in the van of progress, but no work had been co nobly done as that of the old pioneers, who had come to a new country with their large hearts and large families. What had the people now? Large families had become a thing of the past, and there were to be found people who were opposing the introduction of wholesome emigrants from the Old Country, because, forsooth, they could not bring gold in the palms of their hands. As if gold was any, indication of honesty and worth.- As to Green Island, he had often revisited the site of his old school in the bush. The building had h"nn v long since razed to the ground, but it would ever remain green in the memories of many. He would quote from Mr Blair, "who had written : — Our Church is a forest spreading wide Where the trees shoot forth in lofty pticfo. Our roof is the vault of heaven sublime, The pulpit, the root of the old black pine. The old black pine, it may fade with age. Or be hurled to earth by the tempest's rage. But the spot will remain to th© end of time, When we worship God at th« old black pint. He gathered, from what the Mayor had said . that the development of Waikouaiti was. going to lead to complications.— (Laughter);- ' Mr Blair had grown wheat . He was adegenerate oelt. Why "didn't he grow oat* ." meal? He then would hwe become ai" monument to oatmeal at the «ge of 10*. ' They missed many old familiar faces. Many, : of his old friends w^re flourishing " as the bay tree." One old friend had tome alF* the way from the Fort re-ad to hear af. political speech at the age of 87. Waikouaiti was not only the first c.pot selected)-* in New Zealand, but the most beautiful;] and its people were the best. — (Laughter.! The old settlers showed, a grit and go thafi. had never been equalled by any people iit " the world. He was glad to be among them once again, and to wish them long life to keep green the memories of brothers departed.

The speecU made by Mr Donald Reid,jun., was necessarily brief owing to pressure of time. What he said was much! to the point.

The ladies of the committee responsible' for refreshments were: — Mesdaraes Nihill^ Williams, Bradly, Templeton, Jamieson,, Baaeeley, Maxwell, Allcock, David Shanks* Donald Grant, Misses Thomson, Allcock, Heckler, Jones, Valentine, Templeton (2)« Mr Thomas Allcock, secretary of the Entertainment Committee, conducted) everything with credit, and was ably assisted by various other gentlemen, who> acted as starters, stewards, etc., for tha impromptu Taces.

There were more old settlers present than usual, and it was agreed i>y all present; that this, the eighth of thaee gatherings, had been a ' va6t success.

A night a concert and dance was held) in the Mechanics' Hall. The fpeakersj during the evening were: — Messrs T. Mac* kenzie, M.P., Duncan M'Gregor, end the Rev. J. Christie, the first Presbyterian minister at Waikouaili.