NEW ZEALAND FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 228, 26 September 1945, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY

BRANCH TO BE FORMED IN WANGANUI A proposal to form a branch of the New Zealand Founders’ Society in Wanganui will be discussed at a meeting to be held this afternoon. The move in this direction so far as Wanganui is concerned has been delayed through the war breaking out shortly after the society was formed in 1939.

Membership of the society is confined to descendants of persons who arrived in any of the original six provinces of New Zealand before or within ten years alter the founding of the official or principal settlement in the respective provinces. The officiallyaccepted dates of settlement were:— Auckland, 1840; Taranaki, 1841: Wellington (including Hawke’s Bay), 1840; Nelson (including Marlborough), 1842; Otago (including Southland), 1848; Canterbury (including Westland), 1850. The objects of the New Zealand Founders’ Society are set out in the following summary:— (1) To bring intoji close and united fellowship all the descendants of the founders of New Zealand, in the Dominion of New Zealand or overseas, by the holding of social gatherings. (2) To stimulate interest and take an active part in all historical functions relating to the founders of New Zealand, both within and beyond New Zealand. (3) To prepare, publish and have available an accurate list, from public records, shipping lists and family records, with the names of the founders, date of arrival and place of first settlement. in New Zealand.

(4) To advocate the official recognition of an all New Zealand National Day on February 6, as “New Zealand Day,” as is done in London. (5) To help promote by gif£» and bequests, the founding of a N.Z. Nation Historical Museum, by collecting portraits of the founders, historical pictures, prints books, records, documents and relics connected with, or relating to, “The Founders.” (6) To help preserve historical places, buildings and monuments. (7) To promote a better knowledge and appreciation of the founders, in the schools. (8) To maintain friendly relationship with all historical bodies, but especially with those of similar aims in New Zealand and in the Sister Dominions, also with the famous “Mayflower Society of America.” (9) * Tn have club premises with all necessary conveniences. (10) To obtain a Royal Charter by which its members will become “FolHows o( the Royal New Zealand Founders’ Society" and, when desirable, to