PAYING TRIBUTE TO OUR PIONEERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11567, 16 January 1913, Page 5

PAYING TRIBUTE TO OUR PIONEERS.

(To the Editor.)

yi r> —An Early Settlors" and Historical Association of Wellington Province lias recently been formed in this City, and bids fair to fill a want that has been manifest. Too quickly the records, reminis cences, and interesting facts cuniicete-l ■with the foundation and early days are vanishing or getting more diflicult 'to secure and the main objects of the Association are to collect them as fully and accurately as possible and put them on record in a journal (the iirst number appeared last month) issued quarterly and circulated among members and those interested. A re-union :>f pioneers and their descendants was held on last Dominion \ight (September) in the Town Hail here, under the auspices of the Association, and the evening was truly success ful from every point of view. It was universally acclaimed as the best gathering of old folks, held in Wellington, nr.'.ny of them over 7:1 years of age and arrivals in the "forties," and that evening ''friend greeted friend after years of parting,' , ar.d main interesting stories of the days of youth and childhood wore exchanged by tho-a-whose minds were wafted back by meeting friends of long ago. To again or still further convince the pioneers that their good deeds and heroic work are borne in mind by those who followed, the Association purposes to hold an all day gathering on the Anniversary Day (January 22n.1) of the Wellington province Xewtown Park, with its interesting adjunct, the Zoological Gardens, has been chosen as the rendezvous, and there it is hoped, if favoured with fine- weather, that th ; few who are left with us of those who bore r>o bravely and with such good re suits, the burden of the day, and who sowed, the needs that growing have so changed the seemingly inhospitable New Zealand into the land termed ''God's Own Country '■ for so inanv, will be paid their tribute. The Committee of the Association , hope that many of those who have made their homes in the district served by your journal, Mr Editor, will elect to pay our city a visit on the 22nd, and while here favour with their presence the picnic in Newtown Park, and they may rest assuml that be they young or old the consideration and attention that it is in the power of the committee to give, will be shown them. Old time sports, such as quoits, skittles, greasy pole, greasy pig, dipping for apples, wheel-barrow races, baby show and children's dances, etc., should serve to make the time pass pleasantly. Many other side shows will probably be added, i.e., Punch and Judy show, beauty, old Aunt Sally, and smelling competition. Generally a very gay day's sport is promised. The new tea and refreshment ldosk in Newtown Park will be opened probably the same day, and will prove an additional attraction and convenience. Anniversary Day, spent much in the same way as it was in 184.0, 1850, and 1860, should bring home to many minds the great work of our glorious pioneers and prove that the result of that work has been many happy homes and happy people.—l am, etc., J. E. JENKINSON, President of the Association. Wellington, Jan. 14th, 19.13.