EARLY SETTLERS' PICNIC

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 58

EARLY SETTLERS' PICNIC

COMBINED BRUCE AND CLUTHA. A fine day and a largo attendance largely contributed to the success of ihe BruceClutha early settlers' picnic- ..at Balclutha' on Friday. Although many years have passed since the settlement, there were still in evidence somo of those who oame- to Otago prior to 1850, the names of these old identities being: Mrs Titchener (nee Finch), Caversham; Mrs. Griffith (nee Mosley), Balclutha ; and Miss H. N. Mosley, Incholutml, who arrived at Port Chalmers in the John Wickliffe in 1848'; Mrs Churchill. (nee Hair), Dunedin, who arrived in Port Chalmers in the Philip Laing in 1848; and Mr David Strain, East Taieri, who arrived at Port Chalmers in the Ajax in 1849. Every opportunity was given to the old people to. meet friends. The seating accommodation' was ample, and many were the happy groups where' the speakers recounted their trials dti shipboard and their numerous experiences after arrival. As one of the purposes of the gathering was to enable the old people to meet in this way, the Clutha Early Settlers' Association, which arranged the picnic, has the satisfaction of knowing that that purpose was fully achieved, and that the outing was enjoyed by all. Mr S. Wright (president of the Association) proved an admirable host, and was ably assisted by a committee. Tea was provided by a ladies' committee, consisting of Mesdames Wright, M'Guffog, Low, Grigor, Sloan, and Boyd, and Misses R. Grant.and Kinder. During the afternoon several speeches were given. Mr S. Wright welcomed the visitors from far and near, and Mr R. R. Grigor (hon. secretary) read an apology for absence from the Hon. Sir J. Allen (Minister of Defence); also a telegram from the Waikouaiti Association wishing the picnickers a happy time Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., said- that the earliest settlers had now reached an age when they were largely living in the past. They recalled the joys' and discomforts of the voyage out and of the early settlement. The joys they dwelt on; if they spoke of the discomforts it was only to laugh at them. Even the dear ones who had gone before they had often ceased to mourn, for it was of the' meeting, not of the parting, they were beginning to think.. And yet, in spite of their years, the people of Otago joined in wishing them many happy years of life yet. To the younger generation the days of the early settlement seemed very far away.- Captain Cargill and Br Burns, whom Dr Stuart used to call the Moss's and Aaron of the settlement, were to the young only historical characters. To the early settlers themselves these days probably seemed as near as ever. He wanted once again to express the indebtedness of Otago to its early settlers. Otago was very happy in its 'early settlers. All knew that,' and all rejoiced to acknowledgeit.—(Applause.) They laid the foundations of this province \W.ell and- truly, and those who came after them would nevei; cease to enjoy the advantages. Perhaps they even builded better than they knew. Talking of the old days with one and another of them,-he learned how good and how kind everybody then was, how thoughtful in relieving distress, how kind to the sick.. Society was now too people to be able to render the personal service they did m the old days, but it was this kind and helpful spirit of the early settlers that had made possible the establishment of hospitals and homes, and that later had made possible pensions to the aged and pensions to the widowed; and it was this spirit that would enable New Zealand, while doing everything possible to encourage 'the strong and able to do well for themselves, to thmk tenderly of those who were not strong and able, and'to make more humane and generous provision for invalids, for the blind and the maimed, and for those who had' been unable to make provision for themselvee.-(Applause.) If we could not keep the early settlers themselves among us for ever, wo could hope to keep; all that was best in their character and spirit. At these gatherings the question had often been asked, Were the descendants of the early settlers as fine a people as their forbears? The war'had answered that. Ihe vouno- New Zealander had niade a truly Kreat° name for himself; he had proved that he was second to none. In their secretary (Colonel Grigor) they had one who had gone to the front, who had won high rank and who had won great distinction. All credit to him and his comrades.—(Applause.) -Speaking of New Zealand, General Smuts, the great South African soldier and statesman, said: " New Zealand, the most British of all the dominions, has made a magnificent effort—an effort of which we mfght all well be proud ' The early settlers could look back with pride into the past in which they had played so notable a part; let them net be afraid to look into the future, and to see this country which they had founded great and prosperous and country where it had been made easy to do well and no temptation was offered to do ill; a country where women were honoured and given their share in the Government; where every man could reap the just and generous, rewards of his toil; where the poor were cared for and the sick were nourished—a country worthy of the people who had founded it.—(Applause.) _ • Speeches were also given by Messrs W. Paterson (Dunedin). J. Robertson (Kaka Point), T. Avson (Wyndham), and others. The' gathering terminated at a comparatively earlv hour. The association earned the thanks of the "old people for providing motor cars to convey them to and from the ground. Mr L. Campbell pla.yed selections on the bagpipes, the music of which was entered into with spirit by everyone.