Life Of Pioneers: Address To L.O.M.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 6, 1 July 1949, Page 5

Life Of Pioneers: Address To L.O.M.

The meeting of the Whakatanjei Branch of the League of Mothers on Tuesday, was addressed by Mrs T. W. James, who gave members a very interesting and descriptive resume of the Exhibition of Pioneer Life in New Zealand, held in the Auckland Town Hall recently. This exhibition was held in order to gather funds for the future building of the Ellen Melville and Pioneer Women’s Memorial. Hall.

Mrs James painted vivid word pictures of the various courts and their chief exhibits, dwelling mainly on the rooms comprising a typical pioneer home. Here she described some beautiful frocks, 100 years old, worn by occupants of this central court. Among the articles of interest in the sitting room were three samples worked by a child of eight years in 1826. Particuarly interesting were descriptions of Bishop Selwyn’s canopy bed, Governor Hobson’s tiny piano and an outstanding picture ing the Jewish court. This, the work of a poet philosopher of three centuries ago depicts a man (Jeremiah) in thoughtful attitude, and contains the whole book of the Lamentation of Jeremiah, written in the minutest Hebrew lettering. Among the displays of exquisite and ancient china in the various courts, was a Spode china tea and coffee set, the treasured possession of a Whakatane resident. This set is believed to be 200 years old. At the conclusion of her delightfully informal address Mrs James was thanked by the vice-president, Mrs J. Metcalfe, who presented her with a spray. Items during the afternoon were contributed by Mrs Cole who read a humorous story in her usual inimitable style, and Mrs R. Tong who played two ’cello solos, “Chansen Triste” and “Ave Verum.”