CLUTHA PIONEERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 16

CLUTHA PIONEERS' ASSOCIATION.

; SECOND ANNUAL PICNIC, j A sky alternating between brilliant sun- ' shine and gloomy cloudiness; a stinging sou’-wester in gusts over the open spaces and swishing through the pin© tops and occasionally spattering on the gathering a few ominous raindrops—these were the conditions which pervaded on the Ictli at Warepa for the second annual picnic of the Glut ha Pioneers’ Association. Act, despite the unfavourable weather and tn© sparse attendance, occasioned in some measure by the holding, at Greenfield, ot the Farmers’ Union, picnic, the gathering was not very materially less than was the case at last year’s initial gathering. The officials of the association had a busy dey, but succeeded in satisfactorily attending to the wants and comforts of all visitors. Traps met the various trains and carried visitors to the school grounos, which, fortunately, were in some measure sheltered from the strong wind. Here lunch was dispensed, old acquaintanceship renewed and new friendships formed, while in the afternoon a small speech-making cercinonv gave life to the occasion. A novelty introduced this year was a small exhibition of curios and relics. In Lie school yard were ranged various pioneer articles—-a wooden shovel of satire factory dimensions, old-fashioned saws ot rugged edge, ?. substantial chair of accommodating capacity, stools, churns, pans, etc. —all indicating, as all such familiar exhibits do—the difficulties encountered and conquered by the early settlers. In the schoolroom itself was ranged a small photographic gallery of great interest all descendants and visitors. This contained nearly IQO photographs of persons and scenes, the particulars of which were eagerly and reminiscently discussed by onlookers. These photographs were collected at the cost of much trouble, and will form an interesting section in the record of the early settlement, to be published by tn© association;. Amongst other interesting matters, pictures were on view which showed the first wooden house built at Warepa. This was of totara, was erected in 1857 for Mr John, Somerville, and was covered! two years later with shingles that even yet remain on the house, which is still occupied. Other pictures of interest were of the first sod hut (also still tenanted), the stump of the first tree cut in the Warepa* Bush, and shingle huts and present residences, and early churches compared with the present day buidings. In the personal section every photograph was i possessed of value. Some notice was taken ! of an early photograph of Mr J. A. Somerville (the president of the association, as a babe in his mother’s arms. Near_ to this was to be seen a. sewing machine constructed by John Hay 60 years ago, and almost certainly used by his mother, says ... Mr Somerville, to construct his first diminutive garment's. It was but to be expected in such an. association that since last year death would have removed some of the older members. I Those lost in this way were the Rev. John . Waters (first minister of Warepa). John. 1 M’Farlane (Tapanui), John Johnston (Kaihiku), Mrs John Crawford (Taieri), • and Mre James Shields (Port Molyneux). It is further worthy of note that of the original band of setters now but. two remain, these being Mrs Robert Sutherland j and Mrs John Somerville, both of whom | are confirmed invalids. 1 The following were the original immigrants (before 1860) present, there being, of course, in addition a large number of descendants of others:—Mrs Ban Herman, nee Burns (1818), James Somerville (1848), Robert Christie (1853), Mrs William Siither- ; land (1856), D. Smith (1859), Mrs G. An- ' derson (1848), C. Duke (1858), Peter and James Robertson (1856). A. Brown. (1850), J. MTntosh (1856), J. W. Roberts (1858), Agnes Robert (1858), Thomas Dent (1858), Mrs A. Morton (nee Johnston, 1858), Mrs ■ W. Morton (nee Geggie, 1856), Annie Gegcie (1856), Mrs Lomond (nee Geggie, (1856), Mrs Ironside (nee , Geggie, 1856), Mrs T. Guyatt (nee Gilfillaii, 1848), Agnes Gray Wilson (1848), J. F. Ayeon (1853). Mrs J. F. Ayson (nee Robson, 1851), Mrs R. A. Watt (nee Crawford, 1858), John I Crawford (1853). James Lomond (1858), Mrs Fletcher (nee Gilfillan, 1848), J. A. Callander (1858). Amongst the originals, Mr J. MTntosh was particularly distinguished in. that, though residing near Milton, he had not visited the district for over 53 years. Of the descendants Miss Millie Anderson was conspicuous since her grandfather, Archibald Anderson (still alive at the Hermitage, Stiring) came to- the colony in th© Bombay in 1847. At the commencement of the afternoon, th© President (Mr J. A. Somerville) extended to all a very hearty welcome. The secretary read apologies from the Hon. ■ Thomas Mackenzie, Messrs R. Scott and G. J. Anderson, M.P.’s, Water Bros., and S. ' Young. The objects of the association,, he continued, were known, but he would again appeal to all who knew anything of early history to let them haas its value could never be judged, wquld specially mention the _ invaluab work of the secretary (Mr Wilson), who was fjtirely unremuneraled. JFilson, speaking briefly, said Use

year’s receipts and expenditure were respectively £l6 Os 5d and £ls 8s 2d. Ho then proceeded to outline tho shape the intended book would take. They would be compelled, he said, to do something in con- ' nection with the general early history of Otago—-Dunedin, Milton, Balclothaj - -andthen Warepa,—as it was through these, channels that the early settlers came. Portion of the first chapter of the book was then read by Mr Wilson, after which he gave a short precis of the succeeding; chapters. He mentioned that he believed, after the book was published, that, the asjigina.! records and relics would be handed .Over to the Early Settlers’ Association in Dunedin. Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P. for the district, being called upon, gave a brief speech expressive of iiis pleasure at being present, and took the opportunity of paying special tributes to the late John Johnston and John M’Farlane for both of whom ho .had the very highest regard and honour. Than the former he had never met a more honest or more- straightford man, %hile the latter had been a very dear friend. Mr Charles Duke, vice-president of tho Otago Early Settlers’ Association,: spoke vigorously in the course of a capital address, which extolled the work of the pioneers—their vigour, initiative, and success. Ho trusted their descendants would keep the picnic going from year to year. The Otago Early Settlers’ Association was in entire sympathy with tho Clutha Association, and personally he hoped that book would scon be ready. Appreciative testimony to the value oj. the past and a call from its lessons to the future were contained in a. capital speech by Mr James Allen, M.P. He first spoke of the work done by Wakefield to perpetuate whose memory a movement was now on foot in England and here. It was but fitting that his life should oe fittingly commemorated. Proceeding, he said that while he appreciated the work of the past ho would like to look forward to the future; for, proud as they were of their fathers and mothers, it rested with themselves to say whether what had been done in the past —and well done —was to be continued upon good lines in the future. Ho sometimes hesitated to believe, from what he saw was going on, that the youth of the present possessed the same energy an dthe same spirit a.s did their forefathers. He felt that, whereas in tho early days hard work and simple life made the men and women of that time what they were, perhaps the ease and comfort of the present were not leading tho youth of the land to be as good. To all school girls and boys he would like to say they had a high ideal io live up to. Mr Allan devoted a few sentences to referring to the new defence proposals and their scope, and concluded by testifying that as the years went by one thing was continually impressed upon his mind more clearly—namely, that no matter what the country might be or the people in it, there never had been, and never would be, a country that was truly great which did not recognise the Giver of all good. It was patent to him that if the people recognised and realised that, and at the same time did their duty, they had in them the ability and the spirit that would make them the finest nation that could be made. But that could not bo done by sloth, riches, or selfishness, but could be accomplished only by solid hard work —by simple, by plain, and by hardworking lives. Mr Wood, secretary of the Otago Early ‘Settlers’ Association, spoke briefly 1 and reminiscently, and was followed by Messrs J. F. Ayson (one of the early settlers of Warepa) and Alexander Brown (another early settler from Milton), whose remarks were of the same tenor. Tho day’s outing was, despite the weather, a most pleasant one. credit being due in this connection to all the officials of the association and Mrs W. Ross and Mr R Somerville, io whoso hands the catering arrangements ■were entrusted.