FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3757, 16 March 1926, Page 28

FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

SOUTH OTAGO PIONEERS. REUNION AT BALCLUTHA, From Clutha, Bruce, and the Catling “the grand old men and women” of the South Otago district assembled at Balclutha on Friday for the annual outing of the Early Settlers’ Association in that district. The function was well attended by pioneers anl their descendants, and a most pleasant afternoon was spent, especially by those “bending low beneath life’s crushing load.’* w*hose opportunities of moving round and visiting old friends grow steadily less as the years roll on. Many an old face beamed with delight as adventures and hardships of half a century ago were recounted, and not a few sad moments were caused by the realisation that with each recurring picnic the ranks of that sturdy hand grow steadily thinner. Since last year several of the familiar figures in the district passe! to their long r*»st, and not a one hut was missed hy the keen searching eyes that roved over the assembly hunting for the friends of earlier days. A large number of early settlers from the Dunedin association made the trip to Balclutha, among whom were Messrs W. Nicholson (president), F. W. Knight (vicepresident), and W. Paterson (secretary). The pioneers present were:—Rol>ert Shiels, Mrs C. Dallas, Mrs M. A. Murray, Mrs A. Marton, W. Paterson, all of whom came out in the ship Jura in 1858, John Aitkenhead (Omeo, 1862), Miss Geggie (Strathmoor. 1856), C. Dallas (Stormcloud, 1S61), J. Leishman (Plnddn, 1862), Mrs Leishman (Sara. M., 1862), J. Allison (Aboukir, 1861), F. W. Knight (Aldinga, 1862). Mrs J. Welch (Strathallan, 1858), J. Hislop (Palmara. 1858), Mrs A. J. Sinclair (Chili, 1864), J. Murray (Caribou, 1866), Mrs F. Bradfield (Pladda, I 860). J. Lees (Pladda, 1860). Mrs G. Finch (Strathfieldsnye. 1858). It. Ay son (Royal Albert, 1853), J. Frazer (Bernicia, 1848), D. Strain (Ajax, 1863), C. Dabinette (Isabella Ilercus, 1856), the Hon. D. T. Fleming (Lady Milton, 1864), D. Munro (Pnlmora. 1858), W. Nelson (Amelia Mitchell, 1864), Mrs J. Low (Royal Albert, 1853), . The programme for the dav consisted or musical items from the P;pe Band, the Boys’ School Band, and Highland dancing. Several of those present were called upon to speak, but the day was spent by the early settlers amusing themselves with the tales of other days. , . , . , The Hon. A. S. Malcolm congratulated the association on the successful gathering. He said he was afraid New Zealand did not get credit for her own people. He referred to the action of certain English journals that had recently stated that Sir Ernest Rutherford—one of the Dominion » most illustrious sons—was an Englishman and an Australian. He sanl he had been prvileged to know many old setters ana he agreed with one of the Empire Press delegates. who had said that New Zealand’s pioneers must have been very carefuly selected. He found that that was so, and he had had many opportunities of studying them for himself. The dutv of all New Zealanders was to see that the pioneers were not forgotten or denied anv share of the honour they had earned so well. The Hon. D. T Fleming expressed- his pleasure at being able to be present at such -*i gathering. He had kept in touch with the movement in the district, and was glad to be able to greet all the old faces who -vere real old identities of the province. He, too. missed many old faces. ♦he faces of those who had passed hence, but he was sure that their memory would never die as long as the district had before it the monuments of their publicspnitedness. Others, he said, had spoken of the stamina, grit and courage of the earlv settlers, and these encomium., had come from others besides New Zealanacrs. People from abroad had often remarked upon the great strides made in the Dominion and could see how much that position depended on the early efforts of the first settlers. It was up to the rising generation to carry on the work and uphold the earlv traditions of those old ipakers of Empire;. Mr W. Nicholson (president of the Otago Earlv Settlers’ Association) referred to the work and pluck of the earliest settlers, who hud coino from far countries and had landed on wooded slopes and bushy wastes, undeterred by discouragement to carve out for themselves and their children’s children a great and wonderful city. It was to these men and women that Dunedin and the province as a whole owed the splendid university, colleges, churches and public buildings, which made Dunedin city what it was. Dunedin and its environs to-day w-ould grow and increase and ever remain monuments to the far-seeing judgment and publicspiritedness of the early settlers. He concluded with the expression of a fervent hope that New Zealand’s young people would prove worthy of the sacrifice and labour of these men and women, and would follow worthily in the footsteps of the people who had made possible the provision of such a city. Mr W. Paterson said hat gatherings of this nature brought back to him many happy memories, and in coming to an early settlers' picnic in Balclutha he felt he was returning home again. The homecoming. however, was tinged with sadness as lie looked around on the assembled faces and missed kindly smiles and friendly eyes that bad been dear ami familiar to him for many, many years. They were great characters these old pioneers, and they deserved all the honour that was ever bestowed on them. They were gradually passing and slipping from our ken, but he hoped that the younger people would assist the associations in perpetuating the memory and example of thoße who had made the province what it was to-day. He extended a hearty welcome to all to be present at the anniversary functions to be held in Dunedin on March 23. Mr Fred. Waite, M.P., ..ml Mr S. V. White (Mayor of Balclutha) also spoke.