The Grand Old Minister

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 4, Issue 5, 2 November 1925, Page 14

The Grand Old Minister

r I 'HE year 1830 is a long way -*■ back, but that is when the Reverend James Paterson was born, so he is by far the oldest Presbyterian Minister in New Zealand. Over ninety-five he is now, but his recollections of old days is specially clear and good, so he greatly enjoyed the talk with their Excellencies the Gov-ernor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson, who went to see him soon after their arrival in New Zealand. For it was in Ayrshire, at Kirkoswald, and at Girvan, that his youth was spent, and Kilkerran Castle, Sir Charles Fergusson’s Scottish seat, was only a few miles away. Learning appeals very powerfully to the Scots’ mind, and young James Paterson, as a boy, used to go about the scattered moorlands teaching the grown-up cottagers to read —for every household had its Bible—and to write. Edinburgh was his University, but it was a call from England that took him to Liverpool for something like twelve years.

. A minister wanted in a far-off little colony at the uttermost ends of the earth, brought Mr. Paterson and his wife to New Zealand, and after a long, long voyage in the Ballarat they landed in Wellington in August, 1867. Lambton Quay then was really “The Beach,” and waves were dashing over the place where bigshops now stand with electric trams and motors passing by on bitumen roads. Sir George Grey was Governor and the Maori War was being fought out. Even now people talk of the moving and inspiring sermon Mr. Paterson preached as a farewell when he left St. John’s after twenty years’ service. Life is easier for the modern minister. Frequently he drives his own car, and plays a good game of

golf or tennis. But when the Rev. Mr. Paterson innocently thought of joining the newly-formed Bowling Club, his church sternly discouraged him, on the grounds of waste of time! Now Mr. Paterson lives a serene and peaceful life in his home at Buller Street, Wellington, happy in the loving care _ of his younger daughter, Miss Lily Paterson, who has devoted her life to her parents. Frequently he goes for walks about the town he knows so well, but, on a bad day, he is to be found at home, in an arm chair by the fire in his study, a sprig of white heather iu his buttonhole, secured by the “Early Settlers” badge, of which he is proud. Round him on the walls arc portraits and photographs of old friends, some of whom arc the most

distinguished in the land. Many come to see him, bringing the third, and sometimes the fourth, generation to receive his blessing. His birthday on May 28 is always a great occasion, and letters of congratulation pour hi. All classes and all creeds, too, unite in honouring him, and wishing him continued health and happiness, Only a few days ago came a longdistance message of congratulation from a Scotsman, aged 85, Mr. MacMaster, living in Canterbury, Eugland, who, in a copy of The Nczv Zealand Times, had recognised Mr. Paterson as the young schoolmaster who had taught him at Girvan School in Ayrshire in 1848, over seventy-seven years ago ! Another of his old pupils is Mr. Potts, of Park Street, Hokitika, who is aged 89. The Reverend Mr. Paterson’s son is manager of the Bank of Australasia in Waipukurau; his elder daughter, Mrs. E. W. Porritt, is living at Paeroa, and there are grandchildren, and great-grandchil-dren.