GOLDEN WEDDING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143674, 19 December 1911, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING.

EIAVIN—ROSSITEE, Tho golden wedding which Mr. and Mrs. Eiwm, of this town, arc celebrating to-day with portion of their family at Warea, is the climax of the strenuous life of one of New Zealand's pioneer settlers. On March :0, 1859, the barque Minerva, Captain Merriman, left the docks rn London, having several families and young people on board who have, in intervening jyears, done some good work in developing the Dominion —amongst others Mr. hredk. Kocsiter, with his family of one boy (the late W. fl. Kossitor, who died hero in 1917 J) and three girls, one of whom became, fifty years ago, Mrs. Jas. J. Elwin. Mr. Elwin was also on board, a young fellow without trade or profession, but carrying a liberal’education and a hope of advance and health in a new country. After a voyage lasting till July 20, Wellington was reached, and Mr. Elwin entered the office of Win. Bowler, Sou and Co. merchants there, his London experience of shipping and colonial broking having induced Mr. Win. Bowler, jun., who was then in London, to send him to the Wellington firm. After a time spent in Wellington, tho Minerva left for Lyttelton, taking the original Canterbury passengers, and, owinjy to a disturbance in the office of Cookson, Bowler and Co. there, Mr. Elwin was sent to fill a position in the Lyttelton branch of liie business. The Minerva reached Lyttelton on August 20, 170 days alter leaving the docks. After a time in Lyttelton, during which he had two serious illnesses, Mr. Elwin threw up his position and wont to tho then recently established province of Hawke's Bay, where he joined tho survey parly of Mr. H. L. Sheet (known in iaranaki as Captain Sheet). After a time ho was requested to take the Clive School, then the only school in the province outside Napier. It was while there that tho marriage now being celebrated took place. In 18G3 tho Maoris who owned the Wnipurikuku bush, which supported the thou town of Clive, drove out all the sawyers and splitters, and Clive went for a time practically to the dogs. Meantime in Canterbury an Education Commission had reported to the Provincial Government, and had been appointed a board to carry out their recommendations. Mr. Elwin had applied to tho Bishop of Christchurch for a church school about to he established at the Heathcoto Valley, and had been assured of appointment when ho arrived in Canterbury. On arrival lie found tho board had superseded tho religious bodies, and it refused to ratify the appointment. After some delay tne board sent him to the Watcrholcs, now Templeton. Alter two years here an opportunity occurred by which Mr. Elwin thought ho could leave teaching and re-enter commercial life. In 18(315, in partnership with K. D. Bust, a firm of auctioneers, etc., was formed, under tho title of Bust and Elwin, in Cashel Street, Christchurch. For some months unexpected success attended their efforts, and tho business expanded amazingly. Unfortunately, some former creditors of Mr. Bust pushed him, and tho business had to close. Although at tho meeting of creditors Mr. Elwin disclosed the perfect solvency of the firm, and offered to pay five shillings in tho pound in .cast, fire shillings in ono month, and ten shillings in < threo months, tho commercial depression of the period prevented the creditors accepting the offer without guarantors, which Mr. Elwin did not see his way to obtain. In consequence the protection of the court was sought and eventually no dividend at all was paid, although tho cash handed over and realised, without outstanding accounts, was sufficient to have paid 60 per cent, of tho debts. This experience closed commerce from practical consideration, and an offer of tho Prebbloton school caused the enlistment of all Mr. Elwin’s energies in the cause of education. After being a short time at Prebbleton Mr. Elwin removed to Halswell. "While here an Educational Association haying tho Dean of Christchurch ns president, tho Rev.' Charles Fraser as vice-president, in conjunction with many of the chief educational authorities in Canterbury, was formed, primarily for the elevation of the status of tho teachers. Mr. Elwin was secretary, and the meetings, which were hold all over tho district, led the way to the splendid reception which met the Canterbury Education Ordinance of 18/2, which was the real foundation on which Mr. C. C. Bowen built the present Dominion statute. In 1873 the Canterbury Education Board, which had allowed denominational schools to continue, only establishing Government schools in new localities, determined to absorb existing scbjoig, to cease paying denominational giants, and to establish new schools in existing centres. Of these new schools "West Christchurch had two. Mr. Elwin was appointed to that in tho north, and became tho first master who taught in the Normal School building. After a time a removal to Southbridgo took place which soon became the largest school outside the towns in Canterbury, the attendance rising from 60 to 240. It was curious to see, at this time, the traps centring towards tho school, bringing children from all quarters. In 1880 Mr. ElwiiTs health broke down and h© had to cease school work, to which ho had been so devoted, and take to outside employment. He took land at Scdgomoro, which ho occupied during the loan and unprofitable years of the early eighties. After four | years the Native Teases in Taranaki' attracted him, and he transferred his family to Warca. Of the first ten years there and their hardships much could bo said, but tho comparative prosperity of late has caused their memory to bo blunted. Hero the family grow up, married, and multiplied, with a result that at present there are six children (one, Mrs. C. E. Storcr, having died), thirty-two j grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Mrs. Clothier is at Warea with her three married daughters living near her, Mrs. Ching is in New Plymouth, Mrs. at Matata m the Bay of Plenty, Mr. E. G. Elwin at Puniho, Mrs. W. J. Robinson at Rotorua, Mr. James Jekcn Elwin at To Puke, Bay of Plenty. About five years since, the family all having married and settled, Mr. and Mrs. Elwin gave up the farm and settled quietly in Now Plymouth, During tho twenty-seven years Mr. Elwin has been in Taranaki he has done more than his share of work for the community, both at Opunake, where for several years he was headmaster of the State school, and at Warea. whore he was one of the recognised fathers of the settlement. Keenly interested in everything which concerned the man on tho laud, ho contributed for many years

voluminous articles on agricultural subjects to The Budget, over tho initials “J.J.E.” He was also local correspondent for the paper both at Opunake and at Warea. ills house was a house of call, where visitors were always welcomed by Mr. and Mra. Elwin.with tho warmest hospitality. There are indeed very few who have been more intimately associated with or taken a more active part in tho settlement and progress of the coast between Stony River and Opunake than the subject of this notice, and there arc very many who will join with us in wishing that Mr. and Mrs. El win will yet live many years and see yet many more grandchildren I and great-grandchildren added to their family circle.