EARLY SETTLERS

Southland Times, Issue 17225, 21 December 1912, Page 6

EARLY SETTLERS

MR AX [ > .MR..-: JOnX BROWN' EAREW Eld. ED. There was a gathering of upwards of R',o people in the Calcium Hall last ni'Jit, when a farewell function was held in honour of Mr and Airs John Brown, who recently left the district to live in retirement in I nverearyi 11. Mr Win. Ford occupied the chair, and he explained that they had gathered there (|, ,|, honour to their esteemed friends. Air and Mrs .iohn Brown, who had taken their departure from the district, in which I hoy had resided for 111 years. There was a great contrast in regard to things as they were then, and as they were now. As they were all aware PS years ago the country might aptly be termed a wilderness; but it had been eon verted and transformed by the settlers into a fertile country. Of the pioneers of Ruty years ago. those left could be counted on the lingers of one band. Some had transferred to other districts; hut many had passed away. They had till been useful citizens in their day and genera. (ion. In a manner of sn.aking, some of them had h'-en forgottep. and tin- world went on without them. But they had left behind them a record by laying the foundation of a prosperous future, and by paving the way for future generations. They had handed over to their successors a most notable heritage. Mr and Mrs Brown had had their trials and troubles, and their ups and downs. They had now decided In give up farming, ami rest for (lie remainder of their days. Some P'-ople had a craving for money, and the mnr,- they had. I!'" more they w Hileii. They died practically in harness. and the inom-v very often then got into the hands of a spendthrift, who spent it lavishly and extravagantly. All- ami Airs Brown were wise (o lake a n-si. and tlmv thoroughly deserved it. They had been excellent neighbours, and one never knew the value of a inn- neighl"---"- until they lost Idm. A good m-i-chlinur wa*» hotter s'mm a banking account. Air and Mrs Brown had 1-i-i-n noted for t lie assistance they had ii-nili-red their neighbours. He liop'-d tha: their .guests would enjoy good In-altb. I'm- without good health, money and rii-ln s were of little account. Air T. A. R.iu-kinytiam said that he was very pleased to lie present to do honour to Air and Airs Brown. He had always found Air Brown to he a fim- man, and a line citizen. H.- was a man who refused to allow himself to lie squeezed: he would not take his gruel sitting down. That was the sort of man they wanted in ihe farming line. Farmers ■were apt to allow themselves to he squeezed i-'.vn hy cowboys, amt more so liy Ih.i.r representatives of Tie .lews in Rondon. Farmers should be up and doing, as there was never a time such as the present for the assumption of that attitude. He referred t<> Mr Brown's honourable and lengthy connection witli till- Drummond Blouyhiny Match Association and the Western District T’loughiny .Match Association, and said that Air Brown laid been a champion ploughman himself, and knew how to handle a plough and to twrei a good furrow. AH’ Brown had been connected 'With the Wallace A. and Ik Association, and lie 'mn! always i-a-pt I lie .best of stock. He wished their gu--sts many years of happy rc-l irf-iiii-ii t. ami hoped that they would ofien vis i t the district. Atr Hon. (’iiiltoq said that lie had been a neighbour of Atr and Airs Brown for twelve years, and during the whole of that time Im laid had md a single difference with lla-m. Better neighbours it would be irn-iie silile to find, amt lie was glad to have the opportunity of saying a few words in their praise, i’erj'otsilly. le- was .-orry to lose (hem. As a farin'r Mr Brown furnished an example (O ll:e district, and he wished both him and .Mrs Brown long life and prosperi l y. Air Alex. McKenzie said that -B 1 years had elc.ps'-d since Mr Brown commenced winking on Ihe Waimatuku Hat. He had had to rough it. and had borne his share of wind and storm, of v. el and mud. II had hi-mi frequently stated Unit (In- man who had ir'"l" two blades of grass grow whore fnritierly (here was mi:,’.- one. was a bene fan or to tin- enrn--11: i•r i : . \ * j .. wi 1 1 ill Iha i light, the e.illPiry Was under a deep ib-M of gratitude to .Mi- Brown. 11.- bad played his pari, ami in- eo-ild aa I ise lie- difference In—n\i mi t-.i .v and the old days, when I bore were no rubber-tyred gigs and no motor ear.-. I m v. as glad that .Mr Brown laid mil bee .lie unduly worried, as ii was a M';:.hi in in worry. .Mr Brown bad I- aia- 1 1 hi-- 1-e-t, and it was right that he me.',- should Ml. ■ .ulvantage "f tin- faei:j i ies provhleii ie ,! e lawn, whieh lie had ji e 11 , < - 1 1 11 ' make, iin liehalf ol' tin- resi11' ■a ' s of t ; a- disiriei. in- had much pleasure in asking Air ami .Mrs Brown to ; , ee ;I t a soil" of f U i'll j i 11 re. To.-V Ware all pleased to r-roigiisr dial ih'-ir geesgs laid In-ell success fill fa mi,.;s. and ih- V eillll d md aliow tle-m In ! 1 .. ■-. e li e ili.-l fiet V. iI ! " 111 I 1> f SCllliHg i hem with a nre.-eat a.-, a .-light t ee..gi■ii i. m Ilf lie- esteem in wl l i■ •1 1 I Imy Alr Brown, in rising to respond, was ■r |"-i■ ied wi; ! i Ima i ai id ion ; i inn -i! apIlians:-. He i hanked lin-m for t ie-if very i,a m Is. nne ; re.-eni. and for tin-ir kindly i emarks, which 'm- though! were somewhat lIVI-I-I! ra vn. as in- re,jii-ei| iii; 11 lie had md dope for the i! Is i riel as rnm-h as I-,- ought I " i e ilotn-. I '"id y-n: lie ■.ears ag" In- 1 ol .-omim-m-ed working ~ I I I W.I i:; !uk ii hat. l.i-ing al Ilia I time I"'.' I I', Alessi-s Boy.l and hn'lSe |II * i V'ee|| tile \\' 11 iIII 11 ttli I U I>C- • I 'hj d - don Basil. and for a long linn- alter 1 Him 1•. 11 , I , mild le- P'-I ehll-ed lit L I pi r pel e. Ti-.- same land had na end'.' h.-ui eluingin , hallos .i - m i-r I 11 Im' imn-. ’l'ha I , d the pro-p- -ss Ihnl had h.-eii made, and if I e. el l illin 11 I : ' go a m -I'd a 1 a si 111 iia '■ ra to -lining ill- Pexl half e.-!l----lia-y ney would ha-a- .h-e >"o- eara nii;- ~ | a.. ia i: i aie< ■ ; a i q- 11 mnmin I. TI 11 ■n ■ would i" In. "1-dl irmd'lp tin"., a- Urn mniis would be I a i'r p d l.y Hying maa, ill" I. II" ia d hoard il said Tat retire '. Ia I ami a Ij \ ill g in In Vi Tea ry iII had in eii i-a iI. -1 i so, nil I"-Sis, Thu t was too make tie- id-1-, ami lie n- va-p- md map-. V. •-a ■ IP i W ::;i A 1 1 ' 1 II! 1 " - 1- id t'P •I : I had yi'p.rs am. In-i M.,y Im Inal md a e-nttip . ,a.,,,d girl in It o’.va rgii I. and I ini I lady was pro,-. ,;' ia , |,e hall 1 hat night. ile again lliaida i them for li.i-jr hi; mlsome present, a lid for all the a lee In lags I In---had said, of .Mrs Brown and himself. I po-ing llm i-I i iiing song-- v ere panI ,-; hit t"d I' y .Misses Meß'i-nzio, ami Mi-ssis Win. 1,1 nd.-ii , M. McKenzie, l-'riink l.iti l,g|p. K. Tut ulsiii. T. I.anil • -ft. and A. "of V. ii! i; ■ g i elm s, p, d uTaw.ard t.e- kali on ' ■ Il a l"d, end di la il l ■ t V. a: