OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2924, 30 March 1910, Page 9

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

SOCIAL GATHERING. The Early Settlers' Hall was crowded to the doors on March 23, when a characteristic gathering comprising revered elders and their robust descendants assembled to commemorate the arrival of the ships John Wickliffe and Philip Laing 62 years ago. The building was thrown open at 7 o'clock to permit of the renewing of "auld acquaintances," and the opportunity so afforded was taken full advantage of. The programme of the evening commenced at 8 o'clock" by the president (Mr Donald Re id) mounting the platform, accompanied .by Messrs George Fenwick,. J. Loudon, C. Duke, and J. Duthie, and delivering the presidential address. Thereafter musical items of an enjoyable character were rendered acceptably, and at the close refreshments were dispensed. Mr George Fenwick midway through the evening gave an address which touched upon Imperial Press Conference matters and early history. . Mr Reid prefaced his address by remarking that they could not allow this annual gathering—their annual milestone —to pass without notice and without making mention of. those people who arrived here 62 ago and did so much to smopthe the way for their successors.' One could not but feel, he said, the anxieties arid cares that must have oppressed the leaders of that small pioneer band. The strength of it was but 580 all told, and they were landed on these shores at the beginning of winter. The leaders, however—Captain Cargill and Rev- Thomas Burns,—were men of firm resolve and high principle, who set an example the effect of which was apparent to this day. In addition to these raen\ there was to be mentioned John MacGlashan, who had remained at Homo to send out further emigrants and fight' for the privileges of representative institutions, which were afterwards enjoyed. They- had been jealous for the establishment cf selfgovernnmnt. The first- revenue that was collected here; amounted to £BOO, and ho well recollected the furore which was sioned when it became known that the Sir George Grey nominee Government intended to take this up to the North Island. They had forgotten, however, that this was a Scotch settlement, and indignation meetings were held. As a consequence the Government intimated that all it had intended to do was to take care of the money, and return it'to them! The next- year, however, a judge was appointed for "Otaso at a salary of £BOO a year, but for two "years ho had no cases to trv.

• Continuing, the sneaker proceeded to en-' large upon the influence for good which had been exerted by the early settlers. lie would ask in this connection what the present-day people were doing in order to improve the position—what were the young people doing? Ths> object and • aim of a country was not the production of wheat eats, and cattle—it was the production of men and women of intelligence and uprightness. They had to keep in mind that then- aim was to reinstate men oF ability and men well qualified to take part in the battle of hfe. I* seethed' to him. that the early settlers had dona'very well in th»- respect; They might look round NewZealand and see where the earlv settlers of Otago hud gec to. Take the" Supreme Court. bench,. Out of .the seven judges he would -claim five as coming from the early settiers of Otago.-(Applause.) These were Sir Robert .Stout, and Judges Denniston, Chapman, Edwards, and Sim. There was also Mr Kettle, S.M., who had been born and reared m Otago. Then in, the ranks ot K.G. s they had Messrs Hoskieg, Soh> nion, and- Fraser, and could also claim Mr hell, of Wellington, in educational matter also they could remember the late Mr Histop and also Mr Petric, who had jusfc resigned. In defence matters they had also contributed well, and they- could" also 'claim the first surveyor-general (Mr Thomson} and later on Mr M'Kerrow. In the Schooj of Mines they had procured a good name throughout New- Zealand and the Emphv, and he was very giad to notice that Mr Alan Thomson, the first Rhodes scholar, had just been appointed geologist to the Antarctic expedition.—(Anpl&use.) Summarising these examples, Mr Reidl paid: "Let me-impress on the voung men that they ought to- take heart from these things, and n-ndaavour to emulate these examples."—(Applause.) He hoped the young people would ?ealise the wealth of their connection with the pioneer settlers. In regard to- their debt, this now stood at, a little over £2OO, and he thought a little effort would soon see wiped off. When that was done, their efforts would be directed towards providing better showcases Cor their museum and improving it in other ways. The speaker recalled the fact that they had not had one shilling of public money. The public, however, had liberally supported the society. In conclusion, the speaker - made his acknowledgments of the services rendered by the ladies in supporting the society. Mr L. Langlands had done good work in establishing the society. He.had carried it through when there was very little enthusiasm, but his work had grown and been successfully accomplished since its commencement. 10 or 11 years ago. The present secretary and treasurer were both very devoted officials.—(Applause.) Mr George Fen wick was Introduced by Mr Reid as one of the delegates to the

Imperial Press Conference, and on his suggestion devoted some little time to a brief account of the. journey Home arid 'some,of, the main incidents of the tour in' ''■England.- In regard to tho note of the

meeting—early settlers' days,—he said that it was with some diffidence that ho re-

SDondefl to the reouest. of the committee that he should speak that night, for it was not an easy .matter to say anything new

- either in connection with the olden times, "of the? Otago settlement or. the aims and | objects of the Early Settlers' Association

' and the good work it had accomplished | under the ivise and prudent guidance of ' their honoured president and the- capable : committee associated with him. Intimating that it was in 1856 that he, as a boy of nine, came to Dunedin, the speaker said it would be readily conceded tn&t his memory of pre-goldfields days was not extensive. Just prior to his coming to Dunedin the Provincial Government had awakened to the fact that increased population was requined if material progress was to be made. Obedient to this idea, Mr W. H. Reynolds, then a member of the Provincial Council, offered his services as honorary immigration agent, and proceeded to Melbourne, in 1855 and 56, and addressed meetings there, expounding in glowing terms the attractions and prospects oi material isuoaess which awaitad ■m»n of capital, farmers, artisans, and others. In consequence of his efforts a good many reople—his parents, with their family of beys, among them —came to Dunedin. From this basis the speaker proceeded to refer to early association*?. In concluding his remarks, Mr Fenwjck said that the society deserved the warm support of the descendants of the old pioneers who struggled and fought to build up Otago and make Dunedin and its provincial d\strict a credit to its founders. _ . The musical programme was a meritorious one. Mr D. Garden opened with " Sing, to me fch*» old Scotch sangs," and was followed by Messrs W. 'and E. Movsjan • with a finis duet, which was encored. MiM '■' Watt sang " The bonnio banks of Loch Lomond '' very acceptably, while another p-ocd item was Miss MMS'ee's "Cam ye by ! Athol." Miss Watt and -Mr Garden ren- ' dered "The crookit bawbee" nicely in conjunction, and the former singer also rendered, with Mis Monkinan-Bempster, the . well-known piece " Will ye no' come back i a<vain " Mr Walter Morgan gave as. a Uo'lo "Kind is my Mary." The ac«panists were Mrs John Wood and Mrs Monktran- Dempster. After suppar had n&en dispensed and disposed of. a-vote of tbtnka was accorded all workers, Should rU acjuamtance be forgot" was sung, and then a -snort dance was held under the . M.C.-ship of tha- secretary (Mr Wood).