..OUR.. ILLUSTRATIONS

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 16, 19 October 1907, Page 30

..OUR.. ILLUSTRATIONS

OLD COLONISTS’ REUNION.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. The time-honoured annual reunion of old colonists was held on Auckland, on Oct. 10, and proved to be a more than usually successful gathering. Extensive preparations by a strong executive committee, with Messrs W. Culpan and J. J. Craig as secretaries, had been in hand for some time past, and no effort was spared which might contribute towards the most desirable issue. The thanksgiving service in St. Andrew’s Church during the forenoon was attended by a very large congregation, the seating accommodation being well fdled. The thanksgiving service was held at 11 a.m., the Rev. G. B. Monro (moderator of the General Assembly) presiding. After an opening voluntary by Mr J. 11. Phillpot, the “Old Hundredth” was sung, a prayer by the Rev. W. Day following. Mr. Monro delivered a few remarks, in the course of which he stated that if a graphic writer could only depict the trials, the sufferings, the indomitable courage overcoming all obstacles, of the pioneers who came to the shores of New Zealand in the days of its first colonisation, to a land peopled by hostile races, volumes might be filled. They had struggled against overwhelming odds, and their work was now apparent to all. The succeeding generations owed an incalculable debt of gratitude to those colonists. Those heroic pioneers who had left the Clyde in June 1842 had known what tribulations they must expect in their new home, yet they had come to live among savages, and had planted their religion there. If New Zealand did not become the Greater Britain of the South, it was not because of the early settlers. The thanksgiving service was a memorial to the past, and the source of inspiration for days to coine. He hoped they would catch a glimpse of a newer, a brighter, and a more righteous New Zealand in the very near future.

The singing of the 23rd Psalm, the reading of the lesson (Psalm 107) by Pastor J. Clark, and the Lord’s Prayer followed in the order named.

The Rev. W. Gittos also dwelt upon the work of the early-day colonists, and pointed out that all honour, respect, and love were due to those who had one and all performed their share of the work of founding an Empire. Many of those heroic men and women had already “crossed th< bar,” and the world must still honour their mt.mory. On their arrival in New Zealand they were forced to set to work, make their roads, cut their paths and their homes out of a forest and labour assiduously to gain a living. In conclusion, he desired to point out to the young generation the necessity for higher iueals, so ttyit the heritages of intellect, strength and righteousness might be carried to their zeniths.

The solo, “Abide with me,” by Mr. O. E. Farrow, was creditably rendered, and another hymn was then sung. After the collection had been taken up and a voluntary executed by Mr. J. H. Phillpot, the Rev. W. C. Oliver addressed the congregation. The speaker stated that the first colonists of New Zealand comprised representatives of many different religions and beliefs. They were a brotherly and God-fearing community, and at peace among themselves. As New Zealand was called “God’s Own Country,” so the belief and love of the Creator must l>e instilled into the heart of each individual in the land. The people must make New Zealand what they so delighted to call it.

The choir then rendered the anthem. “The Homeland,” as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Mrs Hendry Somervell and the many old colonists who had passed away during the year. The chairman feelingly referred to the life and works of Mrs Somervell, whose faithful adherence and bountiful gifts to the church had made her so well known.

The National Anthem, the benediction, and the closing voluntary by Mr J. H. Phillpot concluded the proceedings at the

church, Then, preceded by Pipe-Major Elmslie, the old colonists marched to the Choral Hall to the tunes of “The Campbells are Coming,” and "A Man’s a Man for a’ that.” At the hall a group of colonists, Who arrived or were born in the colony in or prior to 1843, was photographed. SOCIAL GATHERING. The social gathering in the Choral Hall in the afternoon attracted a crowded attendance. The Mayor (Mr. Arthur Myers) presided, and, after an organ selection by Mri J. P. Hooton, delivered a brief address as follows: — In looking at this gathering of pioneer colonists, one cannot but regret that so many who were present last year are now no longer among us. r Owing no doubt to the severity of the weather, death had levied an unusually heavy toll on their ranks since their last meeting; all through the winter well-known and honoured old identities have been dropping out from our midst. Both personally, and on behalf of the citizens of Auckland, I would tender to their surviving relatives my sincere condolences. They have at least the consolation of knowing that thsfr lost ones have been gathered to their fathers in a good old age, leaving the record of a good life’s work behind them. One can 'only hope that the weather has now done its worst, and that it will be many years before we shall experience another season so trying to the aged and infirm. I do not know whether, in view of the recent change in New Zealand’s official appellation, it will be necessary to find a new name for this gathering. The one drawback to our new title is that there is no appropriate word to signify those who live in a Dominion. “Dominionist” is to clumsy; and though “Domino” has been suggested, I hardly think we are likely to adopt it. However to whatever new name they and we may be entitled, our pioneers, after all, still remain old colonists, and the right to be so described is a distinction of which they may well be proud. It has been frequently said of late that the name “Colony” carried with it some implication of subjection and inferiority; but, though this may be so as applied to a comnr.ip.ity, the same can certainly not be said of the name “Colonist” as applied to individuals. Our old colonists; though in coming to New Zealand they necessarily sacrificed some of the advantages enjoyed by those whom they left behind them in the Old Land, did not thereby place themselves on a lower plane, or abate anything of the status or the rights which were theirs by birth as Britons. They came as free sons and daughters of the Mother Country, to plant here her language, her laws, her institutions, to found here a Britain of the South. Their task was a noble one, nobly performed, amid difficulties and hardships and dangers; and it must be a source of keen satisfaction to them to see what good and abundant fruit their labours have borne. New eZaland is one of the youngest of the self-governing communities in the King's dominions beyond the seas; within the memory of men now living it was in 1841 a mere dependency of New South Wales; yet it has now attained to such a position as to be no longer classed as one of thirtytwo colonies, but as a nation of equal rank with her sisters, Canada and Australia. But though we have discarded the title of colony, we shall never cease to honour our old colonists, or to recognise our indebtedness to them; and I only trust that we of the younger generation may prove ourselves worthy to be their successors by working as faithfully and strenuously for the welfare of the Dominion as they did for that of the colony.

On the conclusion of his address, the chairman made a presentation of £5 to Mrs. Coyle, the oldest survivor of the passengers of the barque Brilliant. The gift was donated by Mr. John McLachlan. The Hon. E. Mitchclson (president of the Old Colonists’ Reunion) then unveiled a handsomely-executed painting by Captain M. T. Clayton, depicting the vessels Jane Gifford and Duchess of Argyle on their arrival in Auckland Harbour on October 10th, 1842. Captain Clayton also described the subjects of the picture, their histories, voyages, and the adventures of their passengers. Th» Hon. E. Mitchclson, in the course of bis address, referred to the fact that since last year a largo number of their oldest friends had passed away. That was in the order of things, and as it roust happen, but it was a matter for congratulation that the younger generation was following in the footsteps of the

old in pluck, stamina, and self-reliance, which were the foundations of a country. New Zealand was going to be one of the most happy, richest, and greatest in the world.

Mr. Richard Monk afterwards spoke of the trials and difficulties of New Zealand’s pioneers, and urged that their memory should be always held in regard by those favoured dwellers in this happy land. He exhorted the young people to recognise that much was required of them, and condemned the gambling vice as an.ever-increasing danger to the rising generation.

Mr. Gilbert Carson, of Wanganui, also addressed the gathering in a few appropriate remarks. The speaker concluded: —“There ia no place which wins my heart like dear old Auckland.” The following programme of musical and other items was submitted during the afternoon, and warmly appreciated, encores being the rule more than the exception:—Organ selection, Mr. J. P. Hooton; part songs, (a) “Cherry Ripe,” (b) “Happy Peasants,” the choir; song, “Listening,” Miss Blanche Garland; humorous sketch, Mr. Allan McElwain; vocal quartet, '’’Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep,” Unique Quartet (Messrs Abel Rowe, O. E. Farrow, A. Fogerty, R. Rogers); song, “Home, Love,” Mrs. Abel Rowe; humorous sketch, Mr. Edward Fort; part songs, (a) “Home, Sweet Home,” (b) “Isle of Beauty,” the choir; song, Mr. O. E. Farrow; address, by the Scotch Wee Laddie, Master Charteris; finale, “Auld Lang Syne.” Mr. J. H. Phillpot carried out the duties of musical director, and Mr. J. P. Hooton presided at the organ. The following list contains the names of the majority of the older colonists present at the gathering: Messrs. W. A. Graham (1841), J. Snaw (1837), R. Monk (1840), Berkenecker (1841), W. J. Watkins (1840), J. Winks (1842), J. Bain (1842), J. Dennison (1845), R. Hobbs (1833). R. Andrew (1842), R. Cameron (1842), P. Kellor (1842), W. Gorrie (1840), J. Coldicutt (1842), W. F. Porter (1841), D. Carron (1840), W. S. Scott (1842), G. Carson (1842), A. Florence (1839), Thorgood (1842), W. Bray (1841), J. Barriball (1842), R. Laing (1842), A. Monro (1845), J. Lye (1841), A. Muir (1842), R. eGee (1849), J. Louden (1842), A. Sunnis (1842), D. F. Freeland (1842), Major F. Howard (1841), W. S. Young (1842), D. Russell (1842), D. Taylor (1842), A. G. Hobbs (1839), T. Tudehope (1842), W. R. Robinson (1842), J. McLachlan (-1842). Mesdames S. A. Edmonds (1840), Cameron (1840),' D. Jackson (1842), W. J. Watkins (1835), Maddox (1842), G. Bailey (1840), Wilson (1840), M. Spargo (1842), J. Shaw (1841), J. Craig (1840), R. Laing (1839), A. W. Hardy (1842), R. Laurie (1842), M. Andrew (1842), Coyle (1841), E. Caradus (1842), W. Lyell (1842), T. Trevarthen (1842), A. Sterling (1842), P. Robertson (1842), Ballantyne (1842), E. Copeland (1842), A. Corkwell (1842), J. Carter (1840), H. Edge (1842), Seymour Wells (1842), Cholwill (1842), W. H. Neale (1842), M. Allies (1842), C. Cassidy (1842), E. Christian (1842), E. Joiner (1842), F. Sawyer (184 Z A. Murphy (1837), Misses A. McNaughton (1842), Keir (1842), E. Gerring (Wellington) (1842).

THE PIONEERS’ PRAYER.

Almighty God, our Father, Friend, We kneel in prayer to Thee. Our hearts overcharged with thankfulness And deep humility. Tby mercies. Lord, to us dispensed Throughout our chequered lives Have proved Thy ever watchful care— Thou Lord of earth and skies.

Trusting in Thee, we left the shores Of our beloved Home Land, And crossed the seas, protected By Thine Almighty Hand. Thou gavest us the strength and will To rear fair homes of peace Amongst a bold and savage race. Who kuew not of Thy grace.

And Thou, O Lord, didst send us help To lead them to Thy feet. To kneel with us In brotherhood Before Thy mercy-seat. Now, happy peace reigns o'er the isles Crowned by Thy gracious love. And earthly gifts arc richly spread With blessings from above.

Now, in the evening of our days, O Lord, we kneel to Thee, Asking forgiveness of our sins And every frailty. O, lead us gently to the gates Of Thine Eternal Home; Our souls exclaiming, joyfully: Now is "Thy Kingdom Come.”

Lord Jesus! Stand Thou before us As we pass from life’s last scene; And, gazing, so may we close our eyes. To wake with Thee, the Supreme. —ELIZABETH UOWBINQ. Auckland.