THE CITY'S BIRTHDAY.
INTERESTING PIONEERS OF THE PROVINCE; A stiff northerly, developing'later I in the day to a raging gale, carrying clouds of dust and road grit with occasional showers of light-driven rain completely: spoiled the pleasure of holiday-makers yesterday. In the morning before the tempest.had gathered strength, ,, '-fair crowds of people left their l]<imes{for various resorts. The crowds wore 'in-j deed remarkably big in view of the. mi-, inviting weather. . ■'. _.- ■:;;■• .■■:'■ • OLD SETTLERS., '"^i':^ THEIR DAY AT NEWTOWN. PARK.' , . To talk about doings "the other sida of '54," to , renew acquaintance and to discuss the future, for tile old settler is interested in that, is the attraction of tho Early Settlers' Reunion. The gathering held in Newtown Park yesterday was noted for all those features, but was unfortunately marred, by weather of a boisterous kind. Nevertheless tho gathering was large, and where it fell short of last .year's attendance it made it up in enthusiasm. There was never a dull moment during the afternoon, and even without- the assistance rendered by Jupp's Baud, tho gathering would have been kept sufficiently interested in the many ovehts going to make up an old-time sports programme. Amongst those present were: Tlie Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), accompanied by Mrs. Mas'scy and Miss Massey), and the Postmaster-Gen-eral (the Hon. R. Heatoli Rhodes), and tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke). An energetic committee worked hard t) carry out all tho arrangements, and were entirely successful. To the secretary, Mr. R. K. Lyon. a.great deal of work fell, and ho was deserving of praise for the able manner in which he carried out his duties. The arrangements were controlled.by tho following: Social Committee: -Mesdames E. RedWard, D. M'Laren. G. M. Sneison (Palmerston North), P. Galyjn, M. Rait(Petbne),' London (Hutt), and helpers. Tea, kiosk was under the control of a committee of ladies in chargo of Mrs J. P. Luke. Soft Drinks: Mrs. W. A. Edwards and helpers. . Fortune-telling: Mrs; E. J. Moore and assistants. Snorts: Messrs. J. Moyfiek, H. A. W. M'Keiizie, D. M'Laren,lnch, T. W..Leslie, J. Doyle, V. Castle, Len.M'Kenzie, and several other energetic helpers. En--rolment Tent: Mr. Robert Hosie, the president,(the Hon. ..J. E. Jenkinson. M.L.C.), and secretary (Jl r . Ronald liyon). • Highland dancing: Mrs. A. RGgers's pupils. Special mention is givoli to Mr. Inch and Mr. Meyrick for their services in pitching tents and preparing tho grounds. . . . Croup of Veterans. : When the veterans came to bo photographed some fifty odd grouped up to face the camera. And they wore veterans, for all'had made the acquaintance of Wellington prior to 1860. One of the most, notable and interesting amongst tho group was Mr. Thos. Rodgers, who reaches his 74th year next month. .His parents arrived in •Wellington 'in Jiinuary, 1840, by the ship Oriental, and Mr. Rodgers was born the following month, having the distinction of being the first baby born in Wellington. In view- of this tho Government later made him a grant of land. These old folk had much of interest to talk about, and for their cortfonience a large marquee was set aside. Discussion naturally vent back ■to events of fifty years ago, long before turbine- steamers daily steamed into the port. And tho cost of v living, a subject for prolific talk, Was not missing. It was_ interesting to learn, that the cost of living in those days was hiqher, in most thinirs, than it is now. Flowr was .£2O to £25 a ton; tea, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. a pound; butter, 2s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. a pound, according to the quality and the season of tho year, while cabbages, before tho advent of.the Chinese, sold at Is. each. A Very Old Identity. A real old identity hi the person of Denis Hogan was ono of the most interesting porsonalities present. He landed, an infant in arms, in Australia in 1840, and from about 1851 has been associated with almost all the gold rushes in Australia and New Zealand. After the subsideuco of the Australian rushes he camo across to New Zealand in the ship Cottonborg, and was ono of the first to seek' fortune in Otago and at Gabriel's Gully. This was in 1861. Recounting his experiences yesterday. Hogan said that in nine months he cleared £1800. Not satisfied to stay long in the one place, he went up and. down tlie West Coast, and scon accumulated a tidy fortune of £3000. This ho decided to put into a farm near Melbourne. Ho left the farm one day on a visit, and camo back to find everything destroyed, and himself almost "I hndn't a 'bob' left out of three thousand pounds," as he put it. Soon after the Dunstan rush broke out, and 1864 saw Hogam back in New Zealand on the- West Coast, again seeking tho precious metal. Varying degrees of fortuno met him. As soon as ho had several' hundreds of pounds lie moved, on, so that ho was iiover very rieh. Had he stayed at Auckland Bench, on tho West Coast, he says, he would have cleared £2000. Hogan believes-Jie is tho only man who has walked round tho South Island on foot, carrying his "bluey" from town to town. Ho crossed Arthur's Pass long before any railway was contemplated, and went down into Christchurch. . Now, at 74 years of age, he is earning his 105..a day on railway construction work at Otoko, near Gisborne, but states that if any gold find of importance was to be made now, ho ■would be amongst the first to try his ■luck; Ho has been to the West .Coast celebrations, and waited in Wellington for yesterday's gathering. He leaves tomorrow for Gisborne. The Sports Programme. A lengthy programme was carried out, for the most part devoted to events for tho boys and girls, of whom a great number wero present. But then everyone entered into the fun caused by several youngsters endeavouring to eat treacly buns suspended on pieces of string. For tho Veterans' Race, four competitors faced the starter, iiainoly, Messrs. J. Kilmaster, H. Walton, G. Callan, and W. Manes, whose combined ages camo to 293 years. Jlr. Kilrnaster proved the winner, despite tho fact that lie carried tho greatest handicap in the matter of years, his total being 77. '; Tho Baby Show was another attraction of the afternoon, and Rome fortyfour mothers . entered their offspring. Dr. Cameron undertook the duties of judge, and had a hard task to decide botween the many chubby infants entered in tho different classes. In ono class, 'that for the '■heaviest child, ho did not have a great deal of trouble, as one baby, 0.. T. Campbell, just on twelve months of age, turned tho scale at 2st. 131b., a truly remarkable child. Tho children present pavo many prettv costumo dances dmiiig the day', and wero ably assisted by Piper M'Quanuell. The winners of the principal events wore: — Heaviest baby, also winner of class under 12 months—G. T. Campbell (wei"ht, 2st. 131b.); Allan Taskor (seven mouths), (2st. 21b.). . Under six months—Gerald Taylor, 1; J: Shannon, 2. . ' ' • Best tempered baby—W. J: Shannon. The results in the principal , competi- , tions wero: — Boys' race, under 14— G. Pikp, 1; \V.. Anderson, 2. ... ; . Boys' leapfrog race (pairs)—N'ort.ii and Murray, 1; Stevensona nd Darby. •_'. Girls' skipping raco—Daisy Drew, 1: Florence Drew, 2. ..." , . ■ ..■';.>
'■ Wa lrr^£ : i:itf : *S v ''Donnelly, ZjSxgMig \ 'ft'yO■ vards 'irv Tidnmn;'2; , iS.S*;s| : iiftSi v .-fe ; 3iSvJfe if : enson;4i; , D.?Noi : nsy.2.sS|fe|isA! f siV ;: is|f , ' ■'?.:' Boys' and ; girls'*2s.{yards ■.race;:\u»der ; ; 10— lY;'Diilcli~ , L;\I?.'Ji. , =»■-.■ Young ladips.:-.'racev.under.-15rTrMisa:,G.-'.Webb;i ; ■: B : ryciition;| : ! ;,-. '£:s£?■■'??'£ ,i. ''■ WhpelM'rfwWace^Tir^Rya'iiyhhd'flr ■1-: Boys' i :;!on'gSjunipg : S.tack , . i!ioiid^2;;^sf?fC-,jS-f , K:;if- < !;U !:! i ; . :■"- Half-mile;nic^^|:J.pjnv?l:^~K;.Tay; , ■ ? . Nnil-idrjyiiig—Slj^f'PiKe^^lrs/JHai-r . 'ris, ■ 2.. >?'.'■■# si^wliK^££-- :^®!'fi-i:, ;^ : S i. .;'■ Vctefa)is^raceir-j;?;;Kilmiister,l^J77 ; ypars^l'; ' : H?iWal ton if :76 re;* 2• i ; G,. ■ Calla'n;-:G6-years,,3;vN.:.Manes,: ;i 74:years, JilK 5 } VT ■■. ■;,' ■-. g|ANNiyjERSARY ? REGATTA^ -■' Ap-MlLmoSwE ATHER;'|||:< "With a'howling north-west ■gale,;,blowing in the harbour-the,*Wellington and Potone -Yacht and Motor Boat Association endeavoured-to hold-;' their fannual regatta yesterday;^'j-..Only''; threeS.;. races were' decided,-■however,'-' and. in ■ tho afternoon the.?-" committee ■■ Wisely',: d«-ided to' all, further .-fixtures' Hill tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'c'-ock:' During tile morning. there were : minor accidents which put several.. 1 of ; the -■ competing yachts hors do combat-.y/.-.Tlio' Una■ (Mr. W. J. -Taylor), , .-whilst*; running '/.from Pctonc 1 to .-.tho ;Boat Hafhour, was dismasted - through , ■ a'v backstay - - carrying awav. ; A similar .fate metvthe ■■ Winsome, 'late.Tom Wilford (Mr, W. F. Taylor) on the.run down, from-Petbne. In the three 'races tho. course was from the Clydo Quay' Wharf to Heretaunga Buoy, off Somes Island, thence to the dolphin off the Slip Wharf, and back to the Clyde Quay'Wharf... ,,, -The- results were as folbw:—r -i ■'■ ■ 1 jyii.- I ' , -.' '■' , - , To Btiru" Fir£t : elas3l>Yacht* Race (commencing.; at i>.a:ni.).—-Viking (scr.), 12.27 A p.m., 1. -'-Lizzio -(scr.), 12.29 p.m.,;-2;:Trixid).(4miii.), v . 12.55 p.m.. 3, Also started: ..'Raweno (C mjn.), Scabird . (4min,), < and;. Venus (b miu.). The Viking showed'her liking for rough weather, and soon assumed the lead,'-which-"-she.;held throughout, followed by the Xiizzie:, ;%:-. '.' Te Buru Secoiul-class.jt.Yaeht .Race (commencing at .10.26. -a'.m'.J.^—Waimca (scr.), 1.31 p.m., , -'!;. ■ In'..'this', race the May, Ruihi,' Mahaki,'. Nikau," Essex, and Mosia started, but , did not finish;; Port Kichslson Yacht Club General Handicap.—Ailsa' , (scr.), .1;'. Muritai, (7 min.), 2; Windward (4min.), 3. ; Also started: Atalanta'(lmin.), Waiwere I (9min.), Mahina (Umiu;), "Taipari;.> (16 min.), and.Warehou (20mii^).■■..•■?;:,.■■■.,; ;'.
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Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1965, 23 January 1914, Page 8
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1,534THE CITY'S BIRTHDAY. Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1965, 23 January 1914, Page 8
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