PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 5

PORT CHALMERS OLD IDENTITIES' ASSOCIATION.

The quarterly meeting of members of th» above association was well attended. Mf G. L. Asher (president) took the chair. The Secretary (Mr J. M'Lachlan) appealed to residents who had not joined tho association to do so without delay. Ho mentioned that since their _ last meeting Sergeant Stuart M'Donald had been reported dead from the front. Mr Mathewson and Mrs M'Gregor had also passed

away. The Chairman apologised for the absence of the Hon. T. Mac Gibbon, who had promised to address members, but had unexpectedly been called to the south. Mr Asher said the association had decided to recognise the valuable aid given it by appointing Mr John Mill and Mrs Woolsey life members.

Subsequently Mr Mill, on his own and Mrs Woolsey's behalf, thanked the membem of the association for their election. Mr D. A. Do Maus road a paper contributed by Mr J. B. Robertson, now of Melbourne, but formerly shipping reporter for the Otago Daily Times, dealing with •the early days of Port Chalmers. The rarrative showed that he had landed ex Ocean Chief (Captain Brown) on September 9, 1861, at the George street jetty, a diminutive structure built out from the shingle beach. Captain Thomson was then harbour master, and gave glowing accounts of Otago. The Presbyterian Church was presided over by tho Rev. Wm. Johnstone. George street was then an isthmus about 600 yards wide, terminating in Mussel Bay. The paper described the principal stores, hotels, and public offices then erected. As there was no water supply . for shipping, ho bought tanks and placed them on tho Bloomer, and provided it with a force pump. The difficulties experienced in landing the large influx of passengers during tho digging days was pointed out, and also thoso that beset shipping trying to get up to Dunedin in bad weather. On one occasion Mr Robertson was engaged to convey valuable papera overland to Dalgety and Co., in Rattray street, when the road was but a track foe the greater part of the way. Ho was directed to Dalgcty'a office by Mr John' Jones, who had an office in Jetty street. Mr James Mills (now Sir James Mills) waa then Mr Jones's office boy. Mr Robertson, with a view to extending his stevedoring business, proceeded to Melbourne, sold some property there, and returned to Port Chalmers in 1362, bringing wool presses for use in his business. Mr Julius Vogel arrived shortly after Mr Robertson, and joined Mr Cutten, of the Otago Witness, in publishing the Daily Times, on November 15, 1861.. The first issue consisted of two sheeta, measuring 17£m x llin, and recorded tha arrival of a gold escort of 35,1C00z on tha previous evening. Captain Harrison was itf first shipping He died on board the American "ship Dakota while in tho execution of his duty. Mr Alex. Reid was hi* successor.

The reading of the paper was listened to with a great deal of pleasure. During the evening songs were given by Misses Paton, M'Donald, and M'Lean, Messrs Scott and Foster, and Miss Morgan favoured the gathering with a dance, and Miss M'Kenzio gave a violin solo. Mrs I* P. Sizemorc presided at the piano.