EARLY SETTLERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 244, 15 October 1931, Page 5

EARLY SETTLERS

WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR. Recollections of early Patea were discussed at yesterday’s gathering of old identities. There was an unceasing buzz of conversation. Those present were welcomed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Patea (Mr. and Mrs. F. Ramsbottom), and were entertained to morning tea in the Borough Council meeting room.

The Mayor, voicing the town’s welcome, referred to the troublous times the early settlers faced. Patea was pleased to welcome many of the town old identities who had come looking forward to meeting friends and relatives at the Jubilee celebrations. He hoped that the conversations they had among themselves would be beneficial to them all.

Mr. A. T. Christensen, chairman of the Harbour Board, endorsing the Mayor’s welcome, spoke humorously. The pioneers, he said had bad a great deal of hard work and worry to cope with. The work had improved their physical stature, particularly that of the women. The age of those present showed that; that was if their right a*e was told. After 25 a woman only had one age until she was 50. She was always just 25.

Mr W. Adams: A man is as old as hd feels, and a woman as old as rhe looks. Mr. Christensen: Then there must be a lot of * ‘young girls” here today. (Shrieks of merriment from some of the older ladies present).

Speaking of Patea to-day Mr. Christensen said that the people in it seem to be content. If they were contented what more could be wished for? When the speaker came to Patea, which was really not very long ago, there were no picture shows, no electric light, no telephones.

Mr. Adams: But there were plenty of whiskers.

Mr. Christensen: Yes; they used them to grow the tomatoes. (Laughter).

Proceeding, he contrasted the method I of travel of long ago with that of today. If one travelled by air he could travel from one end of the Dominion to the other. If the same journey was undertaken by bullock-dray it would take weeks. Even so, the speaker thought he would rather make the trip by bullock-dray than by ’plane. Ho would feel much safer.

The speaker said that there were several years of life left yet for those present. If a person made up his mind he or she was going to live a long time they would do so. If they kept that spirit, kept their humour, they would find life a wonderful thing. It was a beautiful world they were living in. (Applause). Mr. H. Locker replied, on behalf of the pioneers. He recalled the day when the first Maori prisoners were sent off from Patea to Wanganui. The whole school, bar his wife, had played truant on that occasion. (Laughter). Mr. W. Adams (Wanganui) paid a tribute to the part of the early pion eers. Mr. Christensen had forgotten to days were his pride. The ladies had say that a man’s whiskers in those had a hard time. There were no wash-

ing machines, no lipsticks, no face powder. (More shrieks of laughter from “the girls”). Mr. Christensen: There was flour though. (Renewed shrieks.) Mr. George Williams also spoke, thanking the Mayor and Cr. Christensen for their welcome.

Among those present were: Mrs V. Poingdestre (1886), Mrs Jane Holtham (1868), Miss M. Holtham (1875), Mrs H. Locker (1865), Mrs Ginger, Hawera, (1872), Miss Ginger (1868), Mrs E. Ward (1879), Mrs F. Ramsbottom, Mayoress, (1880), Mrs John Power (1879), Mrs E. Payne (1873), Mrs M. Boyle (1882), Mrs H. McCarty (1881), Mrs P. 8. Gilligan (1877), Mrs A. T. Christensen (1889), Mrs Jacomb (1862), Mrs Fred Spooner (187"), Mrs R. A. Adams (1871), Mrs H. Boagey (1879), Mrs C. Hunger, Mania, (1880), Mrs Jack Jones (1881), Mrs Clair (1881), Mrs A. Palmer (1874), Mrs Lawson (1881), Miss Binnie (New Plymouth), Mrs Boyle, Mrs E. I. Lovell (1876); Messrs M. E. Brooks (1877), James Mercer (1874), W. Back (1879), George Williams (1879), W. Adams (1890), J. F. Holloway (1880), H. Locker (1863), James Geary (1894), Mr Chris. Hunger, senir., Manaia, (1870), F. Bamsbotton (1901), Mayor of Patea, Mr Edwin Payne (1875), Chas. Taplin (1882), W. H. Southcomb (1874), Harry Jenkins (1865), A. Binnie (1866).