FOR THE SAKE AULD LANG SYNE.

Observer, Volume 9, Issue 521, 15 December 1888, Page 3

FOR THE SAKE AULD LANG SYNE.

On the evening of the 9fch October, 1882, a . very pleasant gathering of old colonists was ' held at the Lome-street Hall, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the arrival in Auckland of the Jane Gifl'ord and the Duchess of Argylo. The hall, I "find on reference to a .Herald file, was ' comfortably filled by a large and respectable assemblage,' consisting of 'Scotch settlers, the children and grandchildren of immigrants by the above-menticned vessels. The meeting was quite of historical interest, as the Herald puts it, i'or from the Bay of Islands in the north to the Waikato in the south, there were gathered a number of surviving passengers. 'It will be a long time before so many old colonists will be brought together again from every part of the province, 1 said the Herald, '.as this pioneer band is being rapidly thinned by death as the years roll on.' * * * Nearly seven years have rolled on since those lines originally appeared in print, and many of those brave old colonists who met together on the memorable occasion under notice have since passed away. Some of those present had not seen each other for thirty years, and some from the country districts had not been in Auckland for a quarter of a century. Let us see who was there ; — Messrs. 11. Graham, Joseph Craig, David Bussell (sen.), David Russell (jun.), W. Miller, Robt. Scott (Bay of Islands), T. Wylie (Papatoitoi), Ales. Dingwall, Mr and Mrs J. Culpan, Mesdames Hendry, Towerville, MeShane, Gillan, Morrison, Quin, and D. "Wilson (Thames). These were the ' Jane Gifiords.' The Duchess of Argyle's comprised : — Messrs Henry Niceol, Mc'Pherson, Peter Ferguson, David Taylor, liobt. Leslie, James Sims, John Sims, Thos. Finlay (Manku), Mr and Mrs Tudehope, Mr and Mrs Pollok, Mr and Mrs Robt. Laurie, Mr and Mrs Peter Robertson, Mr and Mrs Darroch (Mahurangi), Mesdames Winks, McPherson, Moore, Nasymth, Hume, Hannah, Allison, T. Me S win, I>. Jackson, Wisharfc, Kied, Cowan, Cameron (senior), W. McDonald. * * * Many old settlers were also present, including : Hon. Thos. Henderson, M.L.C., Capls. Daldy, D. H. MeKcnzte, and Peachey, Messrs S. A. Wood, Joseph May, Jas. and Richard Baber, Robert Whitson, Wm. Motion, Robt. Robertson (Fort Richard, Otahuhu), P. Darby, P. A. Philips j (Town Clerk), Matt. Fleming, T. W. Hiekson, j Hy. Ridings, Jas. Wilson (Helensville), J. ! McLaughliu (Papatoitoi), William and George i Cruickshank, Robt. Graham (junior), Thos. Henderson (junior), D. Dingwall, Peter Robertson (junior), Thos. Cotter, John Reid, Win. Hume, Jas. Morrison, Wm. Hodge, Thos. Cole, J.Kelly, ' D. Menzies, W. Kerr, Thos. Chalmers, A. Brock, Jas. Pollok, S. McDermott, T. W. Williams, Jas. Scott, Peter McNab,Thos. Smart, 11. G. Connolly, John Sullivan (Mahurangi), John Jeffrey, J. Billington, John Hanna, P. Winks, A. Bell, and C. McMaster. * *- * Mr P»obt. Graham (who has now joined the great majority) presided, and said that he had been present on the 25th anniversary of their landing, and they had then met to celebrate the -40th anniversary. The Jane Giixord and Duchess of Argyle sailed from Greenock, the latter on the 10th,°and the former on the Ififch June, and both arrived on the 9th Oct., 18i2. Capt. Daldy remarked that he had been present on their 25th anniversary, and Mr Joseph May, as a settier from 18-iO, read an extract from the Auckland Times : 'We stop the mangle to announce the arrival of the. Jane Giiiford and the Duchess of Argyle, with Scotch settlers.' #* * ' Several good speeches were made, in which the early struggles and trials of tho pioneers were freely dwelt upon, and many anecqdotes of the early days related. The speeches were interspersed with songs, and the affair woundup with a dance. * * * Many of those whose names appear above have, as I have before stated, passed away, bat there are sufficient left yet to make another gathering interesting in the extreme, and if held, old settlers from every part of the province might be invited to attend. But the assembly ought to come off in the City Hall this time. It will' be nearly a year before another 9th October comes round, it is true, but why wait for that ?• Christmas and New Year's holidays will very soon be here now, I what better time than this for an old colonists' gathering?. I throw out the suggestion for the"! benefit of those whom it may concern. ~ j