BACK TO THE SIXTIES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3044, 26 August 1933, Page 5

BACK TO THE SIXTIES

s WAIKATO SETTLERS

V FIFTH ANNUAL RE-UNION V AT CAMBRIDGE. ' MILITIA DAYS RECALLED. 1 The days of the sixties and a wealth of reminiscences associated with them were recalled under happy circumstances at the fifth annual re-union of the Waikato Early Settlers ’ Association, held in the Peace Memorial Hall yesterday afternoon. There was an attendance of about sixty including several Waikato local tody representatives. The attendance •was a little disappointing, a good number of members being unable to come to Cambidge. In the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr J. S. Fisher, owing to his continued illness, Mr D. Stewart Reid, j\I.P. for Raglan, presided, and associated with him were the Hon.: J. A. Y'cung, Minister of Health, Mr F. Lye, M.P., Messrs Thos. Hinton }(chairman, Central Electric Power A feorftd), J. J. Rvburn (chairman, Waikato Hospital Board), T. Church ■(Waikato County Council), R. Eyre (Mayor of Ngaruawahia), C. H. PriestIcy and- Geo. Calvert (Cambridge Borough Council), T. A. Hicks (chairman Leamington Town Board). The function commenced with luncheon, just prior to which the chairman referred feelingly to the absence of their president, and said it was hoped by all that he would soon be restored to good health. 1 After luncheon a very happy couple of hours followed with reminiscences of the days when the Waikato, are 1 Cambridge especially, was in its early stage of development. Frequent mention was made of the difficulties the pioneers had to face, and in spite of these, how well they laid the foundations of our present smiling and progressive countryside. Apologies for absence were received from the following: Messrs Fred llosking (Onchunga), Philip Le Quesne (Hamilton), Robert Paterson (Hamilton), T. H. Pearson (Sydney). The toast list was opened with “The King,” the chairman expressing the opinion that if ever there was a time for loyalty among the nation it was now. Cambridge’s Welcome. On behalf of the people of Cambridge, the deputy-Mayor, Mr Geo. (Calvert, said it was a pleasing duty to extend a welcome to all visiting settlers and especially to the Minister, the Hon. J. A. Young. It was a nice tribute to the early settlers for the Minister to honour the gathering with his presence. It was a matter of keen regret that the president was not present. He and all who were would wish him a speedy return to normal health. The deputy-Mayor concluded his remarks by hoping that all present would have a happy time, and take away with them pleasing memories of the fifth annual re-union. At this stage Mr Priestley arrived . from Auckland and supported the deputy-Mayor’s remarks. Ho brought' greetings from Mrs J no. Houghton, of Auckland. Proposing the toast of “The Old Pioneers,” Mr Lye said he was intensely proud to be associated with the Waikato Early Settlers in their annual re-union. “Fifty or sixty years ago the early settlers left the shores of Old England,” said Mr Lye. “They started out on their life’s work under the greatest possible difficulties.. They overcame all obstacles and the foundations they laid were a great inspiration to the younger generation. “If you will look around you,” said the speaker, “there is a monument to the

pioneers to be seen from every 'hilltop. They arc the many stately trees, the smiling farms and happy homes, a '/"'condition of things that will be a joy / for ever. I have travelled the length and breadth of the Dominion and I bavo not seen a more delightful spot than our beautiful little city of Cambridge. With its stately trees on all sides, it breathes the spirit of the old pioneers.” Mr Lye went on to say that he was particularly pleased to see present Mr Thomas Hart Hicks, who came to the district 58 years ago. The father of Mr Thomas A. Hicks, also present, came to Cambridge IS months earlier. It was such men as these that founded the Pukekura district of Cambridge and who laid out the property, “Trcmore,” now owned by the speaker. A true pioneer was Mr Hart Dicks, who could claim the distinction of having delivered the first milk to a butter factory in the Waikato. The remnants of the same factory were still to be seen at Pukekura. Mr Lye , said the people to-day were benefiting by the foundations laid by such pioneers as he had mentioned. Mr Lye concluded by quoting some appropriate lines as published elsewhere. “I ask you to drink to the health of the old < pioneers who laid the foundations of |the Dominion’s prosperity. After all ft ~

was said and done they have left the pathway smoother for other feet to tread,” said Mr Lye. Mr W. Rothwcll, of Whatawliata, expressed sincere thanks for the expressions of goodwill. The toast of “Absent Members” was proposed by Mr T. A. Hicks, who said that with 59 years’ experience of the Waikato and particularly of Cambridge, he had come in contact with many original pioneers. Mr Hicks expressed regret at the absence of Mr Fisher and said their president was a credit to his parents and the latter a credit to the country they came from. (Applause). Mr Wilde, of Te Aroha, suitably replied. The toast of “Our Legislators” was proposed by Mr R. Eyre, of Ngaruawahia, who deplored the criticism that was too frequently hurled at our representatives. Mr Eyre paid a fine tribute to the Dominion’s, early legislators and said that our. present-day legislators were doing their best in the face of difficulties, such as the world and this country had never previously experienced. Mr Eyre expressed the opinion that too many of the Dominion newspapers were prone to destructive rather than constructive criticism of the Government of the day. Minister’s Reply. The reply to this toast was in the hands of Hon. J. A. Young, who thanked the proposer for the compliments he had paid the present-day legislators. Mr Young said the proposer had singled out some of the newspapers as trenchant critics of the Government. Ho believed that the newspapers wore sincere in their attitudes towards the Government. However, their correspondence columns were open to all and sundry and it was more often a case of brickbats than bouquets. The best bouquet a legislator could have was ari expression of the people that he was doing his duty. ■ Mr Young paid tribute to the good service given by Messrs Lye and Reid. The members of Parliament represented varying schools of thought but were imbued with the one idea of doing their best for their country. The Minister went on to endorse the sentiments expressed by Mr Lye regarding the original pioneers: On all sides they had left a magnificent heritage lor the present generation to carry on. Continuing, Mr Young stressed the fact that whereas forms of Government and administration in other countries had broken down during recent years of stress and strife, Britain’s democracy still stood. He struck an optimistic note regarding the immediate future and concluded with tributes to the Fisher and Hicks families and to the original pioneers of the Cambi*idge district. Messrs Lye and Reid appropriately supported the Minister’s remarks. Mr S. R. James was entrusted with the toast of “The Waikato Militia and Cavalry,” and he spoke interestingly concerning the good work done by imany men who, in those early days, jver© commandeered for service against She Natives. Not only did the Militia and Cavalry afford protection, but they also built many roads and in other ways materially assisted in the early development of the country. Mr R. Webber replied and gave much interesting historical reference to the third and fourth Waikato Regiments. The toast of “The Ladies” was also proposed by Mr G. M. Watt, and responded to by Mr S. Lewis. At the conclusion of the toast list the whole assemblage stood in silence for a few moments as a tribute to settlers who have passed on. Musical Items. The speeches were interspersed by the following vocal items, which were greatly appreciated : Songs, “My Mary” and “Frances Dances,” Mr T. H. Boyce; songs, “A Warwickshire Wooing” and “Good-bye,” Mr G. James; humour, Mr F. R. Wooldridge; song, “Youth,’-’ Mr J. Young. At the close of the gathering the assemblage sang the National Anthem, after which, by special request, Mrs M. E. Chitty, who is over 80 years of age and one of the pioneers of this district, played “Auld Lang Syne,” and in response to a vigorous encore, “Annie Laurie.” Among the gathering was Mr J. Fitzgerald, who will celebrate his sixty-third year in Cambridge on. Monday next. Seventieth Anniversary. Next year will be the seventieth anniversary of the arrival of the Waikato Militia in these parts. They marched from Auckland and established outposts at Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Pirongia, Cambridge being the most advanced outpost. It is to be hoped that, this important anniversary will be appropriately recognised.