EARLY SETTLERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 173, 18 April 1921, Page 7

EARLY SETTLERS

REUNION AT PAHAUTANUI.

On Saturday some sixty members of the Early Settlers’ Association journeyed to Pahautanui to take part in a reunion of early settlers and their descendants hold there in the Assembly Hall. About the same number of Pahautanui residents were present, and a most successful and interesting gathering was held. Tho meeting was quite informal, plenty of opportunity being given to renew acquaintances and chat together anent old times. The younger generation indulged in dancing, and many settlers of four-score Tears and over joined in with pleasure. Mr. J. E. Jenkinson, president of the association, made a short speech; and asked those present to cast their minds back to tho early days, and compare those times with the present, to look to the progress the country had made, and the position, it held to-day. Thus would the present generation realise tho debt it owed to the early settlers as represented by that gathering. Mr. F. Stace, who spent the early part of his life in Pahautanui, related how his parents arrived there in 1853, and resided in a building that had been tho officers’ quarters in the days a garrison was considered necessary. 'I his was on the site near the church, and part of the site of the pa- At one time —about 1854—his father had conducted a school there, and he was pleased to see among those present some of those who had attended as scholars at his father’s school. Mr. IV. A. Edwards made a brief reference to the history of the pa, which had almost overlooked the spot on which they were, and exhibited a plan’ of tho pa. drawn to scale by two junior early settlers (Masters W. Edwards and G. Jelliel. The dimensions and general description of tho surrounding country were, also given. Mr John Smith recalled e. few incidents of the early days, and spoke of Pahautanui as he remembered it in tho 'fifties. After referring to the trials and difficulties the early settlers had had to contend with. Mr. Smith stressed the point that with all their troubles there was a very strong spirit of contentment and happiness among them. Amongst the Pahautanui early settlers represented were Mr. and Mrs. George Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. N. Abbott, Mr. and Mrs. W. Harris, Mr. and Mrs. Bolton. and Messrs. Lytton, G. Jones, S. Jones. Bolton, A. and W Brady, W. N. Stace, Ward, Pearce, and Cook, whilst among those who journeyed from town were Mr J. E. Jenkinson (president) and Mrs. Jenkinson, Mr. and Mrs. 11. Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Tbos. Campbell, Mr and Mrs Geo Ashdown, Mr and Mrs. W. A. Edwards, Mesdames Morris, Hankins, Tandy, Carter, Bluokie, tho Misses 8011, Randell. Armstrong, and Smith. Messrs. I. Stace. D. Borry, E. G. .Pilcher, H. Daysh, Burn. C. and \V. Blackle, J. Smith, Robt. Smith, H. Collier, R. Woodman.

The day, which was one that will be remembered well, closed with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne.’’ ft was a happy party of early settlors which wended its wav to Paremata by bus ami motor-ear, round the shores of that picturesque ami of I’orirua harbour, and thought of the time when the long-boat of the Tynne, converted into a gun-boat, kopc watch for, and gave chaso to, the war oanoea of dtogUafWltn, nr.d oiiu>B -robot chiefs.