EARLY SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 133, 22 February 1918, Page 3

EARLY SETTLERS

SOCIAL GATHERING

A social gathering under the aus,pices of the "Wellington Early -Settlers' Association was hold last evening, Mr. John Smith presided ever a large attendance, which included a sprinkling of.settlers from the country districts. The Hon. G. W. •Russell, who was present throughout the evening, delivered an address, which, as he himself explained, was more in the nature of a "yarn." Himself'an old Wellingtonian, the Minister recalled that in the year 1865, in a boat called the Airdal, his father landed at' Wellington, and he (Mr. Russell) with him. His first home was just about 5(1 yards away from the place of venue of the gathering that night.. Delving into early history tho speaker said that in-his boyhood days there was no reclamation along the waterfront. A stream full of watercress flowed through the Basin Reservo and down Adelaide Road. In those days Lamhton Quay was really a quay, wharves abutting on it. Johnny Martin's donkeys were the main source of amusement "for the small boys. What was now the most densely populated part of Newtown was a dairy farm. In both humorous and serious vein the speaker recalled numerous incidents typical of the days when the capital city of Wellington was in its swaddling clothes. Most interesting were Mr. Russell's reminiscences of the period, beforo tho back country was opened up, when coaches were the sole means of transport. The last stage of the journey, from Foxton to Wellington, used to take two days. When the Minister spoke of "that remarkable old man, Ned Carter," the veteran coach driver, many of his audience recalled the figure of tho quondam stalwart American. The speaker's auditors wore surprised, however, to learn that old "Ned" was still living in the Cambridge district. He must bo close on 100 years old. '

In" congratulating Mr. Russell on his address, the chairman said he would like, to know if the Government had any land which it could give the association, upon which to establish a combination museum and permanent quarters. Mr. Smith also urged that the societv extend its ramifications into tho Manawatu, Wairarapa, and other districts, so that when the old settlers passed away the younger generation might carry on the work. The Minister, in reply, said that ho did not think the Government had any property available for the purpose. The proper course was to iipproach tho Wellington City Council for some of its endowment land upon which to elect a suitable hall,, the same as the one at Duncdin. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Russell for his address. During the evening musical items were given by Mrs. Moore, Miss Daly, and Messrs. W. J. Robins and Hollingsworth.