EARLY SETTLERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19334, 26 May 1937, Page 15

EARLY SETTLERS

JMPIEE DAY REUNION

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION

LARGE ATTENDANCE

The annual Empire Day reunion of early settlers organised by the Victoria League, assisted by local women s organisations* was held yesterday afternoon in the Parish hall, Derby street. As : on former occasions, there was a large attendance, including inmates ot the Memorial Home, as well as a representative gathering of enrly settlers in Poverty Bav. The function proved most successful and enjoyable, affording much pleasure to the elderly guests. The hall was effectively decorated with flags'and bunting suspended from the ceiling, and furnished with carpet squares, forms and wicker chairs, ami small tables on which were bowls, 01 green hydrangeas. The stage, too was hung with flags, a huge Union Jack having pride of place in the centre back, and was adorned in front with bowls o bronze and gold chrysanthemums and green hydrangeas, a carpet square covering tile centre of the floor. The guests were welcomed on arrival by the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., and "his daughter, Mrs. George Robertson, as acting-Mayoress, and the president of the victoria League, Miss A. L. Rees. The proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which Miss Rees made a short speech in which she pointed out the Union Jack as the emblem of the British Empire, and the New' Zealand ensign as the symbol of this part of that great empire, which the pioneers present had helped to build. . , , i Continuing, Miss Rees reminded her audience that it was Empire Day, and asked them to remember two things, that ■■ on May 12 our King had been crowned, and that the same day Gisborne celebrated the diamond jubilee, remarking that many of those present had been here ever since the day, 6*3 years ago when Gisborne had been made a borough, and others nearly as long, all serving for the progress of the town and district. 'The speaker respectfully spoke of the early settlers who had passed away since the last reunion, naming three whose memory would long he associated with the Empire Day functions, the late Mr. J. B. Povnter, Mr. T. O. Lawless, and Mr. Hay." Among those present, at the gathering. Miss Rees mentioned, were Mr. and Mrs. J. Monk, who were celebrating the sixty-fourth anniversary of their marriage that day, and she took the opportunity of _ congratulating them on the happy occasion. Congratulations for Miss Rees Cm behalf of the women's organisations, Mrs. L. Cotterill presented Miss Rees with a charming Victorian posy in jed, white and blue, composed of blue delphiniums, white chrysanthemums, and red abutilon fringed with maidenhair fern, offering their heartiost congratulations on the well-deserved honour •conferred on her by His Majesty the King. On accepting the gift and congratulations, Miss Rees thanked! the donors. All present then sang "For she's a jolly good fellow." The Mayor said that since the reunions had been inaugurated ho had missed oidy two. He congratulated the coniipittce on the success of the gathering,' and said he considered it one. of the kindliest actions sponsored by organisations in Gisborne to entertain the older people; it offered an opportunity to those who had worked shoulder to shoulder in years gone by to meet and exchange reminiscences. People there that afternoon had laid the foundation of the very fine times in which we lived to-day, had helped to blaze the trail for prosperity, and had suffered difficulties and hardships to make Gisborne the fine town it was to-day. . Asr. Coleman called on the younger people to thank the older generation for their work in the past. A musical programme under the > capable direction of Mrs. Phil Barry commenced with community singing, Mrs; A. Evans playing the accompaniments. The first song was "Pack up youj? troubles in your old kit bag," Mrs. Barry leading, and singing the verses. Mrs. Darling gave a delightful solo rendering pf "Annie Laurie," accompanied by Mrs. Lentell, who played for all the soloists, and Miss Colleen Pcrstpn, in costume, danced an Irish Jig very cleverly, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Esquilant, who played for all the dance items.

AH present joined in the chorus of "Annie Rooney," followed by a charming vocal item, "Love's Old Sweet Song," by Mrs. S. Dennis, who wore a picturesque Empire gown of delphinium blue frilled taffeta trimmed with large pink flowers,, and a becoming silver wig, and held a fan to tone. As an encore number Mrs. Dennis sang "By the Old Mill Stream." Mjs» Perston was seen again in an intricate tap dance, wearing a short white pleated skirt, a reseda green blouse, a white tarn-o-shanler, and gold shews. Mrs. Barry sang the first verse of the old favourite, "Swanee River," the audience joining in the choruses, and Mr. Coleman, on request, sang another verse as a solo. The next item was a pianoforte solo by Mrs. Douglas Blair, the piece being a wait/, of her own composition, "Pioneer Walt/,." Mr. A. Sawyer, requested by Mrs. Barry, sang "My Old Kentucky Home" to an appreciative audience, and Mrs. Darling gave a second vocal item, "Killamey." The chorus of "Soldiers of the King" was sung by all present. after which Mr. Coleman sang "The OM Rustic. Bridge." Afternoon tea was then served, .1

number of Poverty Bay Cinders acting as Waitresses. Sweets and cigarettes were handed round, and later packets of * the former were given to the ladies. and of the latter to the men to take home. As appropriate to the occasion, Union Jacks in colour adorned the. paper serviettes which covered the plates on which the sandwiches and cakes were served at tea-time.

Helpers and Organisers Thanked Popular songs of Ihe old days were again sung at intervals after tea, the guests in the meanwhile conversing with I old friends and renewing acquaintances, many happy meetings taking place. At tho conclusion of the programme Miss I A. L. liees proposed a hearty vote of I thanks To Mrs. Phil Barry for the delightful programme she had arranged and for her hard and much appreciated - work throughout the afternoon in entertaining the guests. The vote was carried . by acclamation, and thanks were also I heartily accorded to all the other artists who had assisted. The singing of "Auld Lang Syno" brought a most successful L afternoon to a close. •V The organisations who contributed "towards the function included the Victoria League, National Council of Women, Poverty Bay Gardening Circle, ; in charge of floral decorations, Oisborne .-, Business and Professional Women's

Club, League of Mothers, Women's •National Reserve, who supplied all the , sandwiches required, and Poverty Bay Gui Hers.

The organisers were indebted to Mr. C. T. C. Hands for arranging a broadcast of the proceedings from .station 2ZJ, to Messrs. J. F. Jeune, I. J. Qnigley, C. J. Morris, and many other helpers.