PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3145, 24 June 1914, Page 7

PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES’ ASSOCIATION.

A PLEASANT GATHERING.

The third quarterly meeting of a pleasant series of gatherings that has been organised by the Old Identities Association of Port Chalmers was held in the Town Hall on the 10th. There was a largo attendance, including a good number of the old people, and Mr J. Mill (president) occupied the chair. The gathering was of a very cordial nature, and was of great value in that it provided another of the fastdiminishing opportunities for a reunion of those who moulded the early destinies of this province. An interesting programme of entertainment had been arranged for the evening’s diversion, a feature of which was a review of the early history of Port Chalmers, illustrated by a. series of lantern slides screened by Mr" W. Simpson. Many of these wore extremely interesting, and recalled a wealth of old associations that were looked back upon with infinite pleasure. Mr D. A. Do Maus supplied a running fire of explanatory comment upon the pictures, and this served to create even greater interest in the views of the early days of Port Chalmers.

The President, in opening the proceedings, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a largo gathering. He was especially gratified to see so many present from a distance, and was sure the association was destined to success in the future.

Mr J. M‘Lachlan (secretary) stated that there was still room for more names in the roll hook, and they would bo glad to have some of them. The Ladies’ Committee would supply tea that evening, and ho trusted that pleasant custom would be continued. Their ne\t meeting would be the first annual meeting, and special efforts would, be made to make it interesting. Various photographs and donations of other kinds had been received with gratitude since the last meeting. During the evening a presentation of a large framed photograph of the late Hon. James Macandrew was made to the association bv his two sons, Mr Hunter Macandrew and Mr Colin Macandrew. The former said it was a great pleasure to him to ask the acceptance by those present of a framed photograph of his honoured father. The remaining members of his family would regard it as a high honour to have the photograph placed on the walls of the association’s meeting room. Continuing, the speaker stated that for many years his father had enjoyed the confidence of the people of Port Chalmers,’ and had •represented thorn in Parliament, where he had not only made their interests, but the interests of the people of the dominion, the whole mission of his life. —(Applause.) In conclusion, Mr Macandrew referred to the fact that Mr Look, with whom his father had been associated on many occasions, had made arrangements for handing oyer the photograph, and it seemed very fitting that it should have been so. Ho wished the association every success, and trusted, that it would continue to grow.—(Applause.) The photograph was then handed over amidst loud and cordial applause. Mr C. Macandrew also added a few words, and expressed his pleasure at the nature of that evening’s function. Personally, he was an old ident'ty himself, for he had landed here over 63 years ago. Ho did not, however, remember the occasion—(laughter)—but he did remember accompanying his father to Port Chalmers a little later, when the latter opened the first Presbyterian church there. In accepting the nhotogranh on behalf of the association, the President said ho was especially pleased to do so on account of his personal knowledge of Mr Macandrew. who had lived and worked for the people of New Zealand and of Port Chalmers especially. Ho could not tell them one-tenth of all that gcntolmah had -done for them, but would iust mention that in 1866 Mr Macandrew had got four men to bu’ld the first dock at Port Chalmers, and it had brought a great deal of work to the plac' l . He had rendered a great deal of service in the matter of roads and bridges, and though ho had got the road nut round the town very little had been done to it since. Lie, hod been the means of getting a reserve at Palmerston for the people, and this was about 3000 acres in extent. In 1870 ho had moved in the House in the matter of free education, and bv so doing had, conferred a great and lasting benefit on the people of this country. The late Mr Macandrew always would be hold in li igh reverence by the people of Port Chalmers, who would ever be grateful to Ids memory for what he had done for them. —(Applause.) Mr D. A. Dc Mans, in a neat and amusing snecch, which kept everyone in high good humour, described' with a wealth of characteristic detail an immigrant journey from Glasgow to New Zealand in ]866. the year in which he reached this country. The ship was the Caribou, and they }md on hoard 191 persons, including Mr G. L. Denniston and Mr Chisholm. \ fair weather passage was experienced, and many of th» events of the voyage were recounted with inimitable fervour and Immour. The characteristics of several of the passengers were toimhed ’’pon not ungracefully, and it was shown that tlm ionrnev was by no means t'm wllou* aff-v it >- sometimes imagined. After describing Christmas on hoard. tlm h." tv O'. that the vessel anived hero on February 10 after a pleasant journey.

The other of tho • v 'in'' ’■'•oi-o thru with, comprising the screening of tho nktuves and tho rendering of govern 1 musical items. all of which f 1 vo oyifl -r>t ploasu-.-o to tkoio nv'”i'nf rr ho handing round of refreshments by th" ladies brought a pleasant evoninr to a conclusion.