EARLY PIONEERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1669, 8 February 1913, Page 6

EARLY PIONEERS.

A JUBILEE GATHERING,

(By. Telegraph,—Special Correspondent.) , Auckland,. February 7. Fifty years ago to-day Auckland .was thrown into a state of high excitement by the arrival within less than an hour of each ' other of two largo ships from England, the Devonshire and Gertrude. Each vessel brought a number of passengers, all anxious to try their fortunes in the then little-known country of New Zealand.

At'7.3o a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 1863, tho Blackwall ship Devonshire, a sturdy ship of 831 .tons, commanded by Captain Holt, entered the harbour, and a couple of hours later anchored off the ■ Queen Street wharf. She had- sailed from the Downs in the previous October, making her final departure from the Lizard on October 31, 1862, and had a good passage across. She had only ono mishap on the way. Running, into a moderate breeze ■ one. of the 6hrouds parted, and tho maintopmast was carried away, but luckily no one was injured. During the journey to New Zealand one 6eaman and one lady passenger died, but all the other passengers, 158 in number, arrived in Auckland safe and sound, and well pleased with their trip, the ship, and the crew. , The arrival - of -the Devonshire, had scarcely been reported when the' Gertrude made her appearance. She left tho Downs on November G, 1862,' and experienced very heavy weather in tho Channel. Afterwards, however, sho was favoured with beautiful weather. During the trip there were six deaths, five infants and one lady, but'beyond these there was not a single case of illness, and tho vessel' landed 3G5 very healthy passengers. On ; nearing ;Auckland tho passengers assembled ana presented testimonials to Captain Congen, the-chief officer (Mr. Allen), and second officer (Mr. Duff), and tho surgeon (Dr. R. E. Fisher), all thanking the officers for a very enjoyable and well-navigated journey. , The Gertrude was perhaps the bost ship that had tip to that time visited Auckland. She wa9 a fine roomy' vessol of 1300 tons, built at fit. Johns, Newfoundland, in 1853, and a very fast sailer, repeatedly doing 251 miles daily during the passage. Of the 521 passengers landed by these two vessels-there are happily still a fair number of survivors, and they held a jubilee gathering at Takapuna to-day. (By Telesrraph—Press Association.) Auckland, February 7. The early pioneers who arrived in the ships Devonshire and Gertrude fifty years ago held a big reunion at Milford Beach to-day. . The Prime Minister telegraphed regret at being unable to attend. Among those present was Mr. Justice Cooper, who with a number of others addressed the pioneers. • •