PIONEER REUNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 8

PIONEER REUNION.

AT RAGLAN. A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. A large gathering of Raglan’s old pioneer families and their descendants was recently organised by the members of the combined Te Uku and Raglan bran'ches of the Women’s Institute, and the Te Alata, Te Hutewai and Raglan-Ivariol branches of the Women’s Division of 'the Farmers’ Union. The function took place in the Town Hall and its success was a tribute to the friendly and co-operative spirit whi'ch exists between the women’s organisations of the district. Airs W. R. Aloore, who presided, asked all present to stand in silence for one minute In memory of those old settlers who have passed away since the last reunion.

Mrs A. L. Pegler (Raglan W. 1.), Airs V. E. Pegler (Raglan-Ivariol W. D.),), Allss AlcCracken (Te Alata W.D.), Airs Dent (Te Uku W. 1.), and Airs Andrews (Te Hutewai AV.D.) welcomed the guests on behalf of their members, and Air J. AI. Thompson, -chairman of the Town Board, spoke on behalf of the townspeople. Air Stewart Reid, ALP., compared pioneer days with the present, and related several incidents showing the high courage and kindly friendship of those days. By keeping that spirit alive to-day he thought we would pull through the present depression. He thanked the hostesses for 'their invitation to Airs Reid and himself, and wished the gathering every success. Aliss AlcCra'cken, Messrs C. Swan, J. Phillips, J. Jackson, W. AlcCracken and W. Thomson -spoke of early experiences both grave and gay. Airs Nol’fke spoke -on the formation of an Old Settlers’ Association, and some fifty-five members gave their names in.

A dainty lun'ch and afternoon tea were served by the hostesses, and a good music-al and elocutionary programme was provided by the various branches. Some of the early pioneer families represented were those of La Trobe, Aloon, Cogswell, Jackson, Hill, AIoDonald, I-larsant, Ward, AlcCra'cken, Cdbbison, Pegler, Gilmour, Wallis, Charleton, Thomson, Phillips, "Vernon, Jerome, Swan, Sutton, Saunders, Bregmen, Billington, AlcQueen, Liddell, and among those of later date but of over forty years’, residence were those -of Allddlemiss, Foss, Cornes, Langley, Given, Pain, Sweetman. Alold, Kendall, Donaldson, Brown and Dando.

Those contributing to the afternoon’s programme were Alesdames J. AI. Thompson, O’Sullivan, Cowley, Jackson, Peart, Wallis,, Aliss AlcCracken, Alessrs Andrews and W. Thomson, while the Institute alphabet -caused mu'ch amusement with its humorous but kindly comments about many of the old pioneers.

The gathering broke up with cheers for the ladies and the hope that there may be many more such reunions.