OLD IDENTITIES MEET

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 1

OLD IDENTITIES MEET

A PORT CHALMERS GATHERING The annual meeting of the Port Chalmers Old Identities’ Association was held on Saturday. The meeting was opened at 3 p.m. by singing the National Anthem, Mr Jackson Purdie presiding over a large attendance, which was remarkable for the great number of old people present. The President, in his opening remarks, referred to the loss sustained by the association and community at large by the deaths of Mesdames Jones and Da Costa, Messrs John M‘Lachlan, James Pickard, Geo. L. Asher, and many others. The gathering stood m silence as a mark of respect. The chairman said that each of these worthy people had done much in their several ways for the good of the association. Tre President thanked those who had helped to make his term of office pleasant. An apology was read from Mr W. Paterson, of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association. Miss Walker then sang ‘ Barnio O’Hay,’ and as a recall * Comin4 Through tho Rye.’ Mrs Purdie gave two humorous recitations and Mr James Craig a Scottish recitation, ‘ Be Kind tae the Auld Folk.’ Tho President then asked Mr David Mawson to come forward to receive a life member’s badge, he being the only surviving male member of the first committee of the association. Mrs Purdie pinned tho badge on the recipient’s breast, and Mr Mawson briefly returned thanks Tho nest to receive badges were Mrs Anderson 89 (ship Agnes Muir), 1871; Mrs Willmott 84 (Strathfieldsaye), 1858; Mrs For Me 84, descendant (Chance), 1838; Mrs Love, descendant (Edina), 1863, Mrs M'Pherson 83 (Maire Bhan), 1874; Miss Pickard; Mrs Middleditch, 82 (Otago), 1871; Mrs J. M'Lachlan; Mrs Girvan 82 (Wild Deer), 1875; Mrs Gr'dgman 89 (Sussex), 1874; Mr John Watson 80 (Andrew Jackson), 1864; Mr James Craig 80 (Maire Bhan), 1874; Mr Alex. Sutherland 75 (Nelson), 1863; Mr Fred W. Knight 80 (Aldinga), 1862, Mr Ernest Isbister 81 (Aldinga), 1862. The president and secretary had visited the homes and presented badges to the following, who were unable to be present:—Mrs Johnstone 96 (Lady Egidia), 1861; Mrs Omond 94 (Pladda), 1861; Mr William Love 80 (Storm Cloud), 1864. This concluded the presentations, and Mr John Watson gave a recitation, after which Mrs Purdie pinned a buttonhole on the secretary and president, and Mr John Watson presented a small bouquet to Mrs Purdie. Afternoon tea was served, after which a further bracket of items was given by Miss Walker. Further business was then dealt with. The annual report and balance sheet were presented and adopted. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr E. H. Cook; vice-presidents—Messrs Smith, Whyte, Groves, and M'Donald; committee— Messrs Wiseman, Thom, Johnson, Madigan, Farquharson, W. J. Wilson, and P. Voisov; Ladies’ Committee—Mesdames Whyte, Anderson, Knewstubb, Sutherland, M'Donald, and ,A. Macdonald; auditor, Mr J, H. Farquharson ; pianists, Mrs L. G. Jack and Miss J. Farquharson; trustees, Messrs Macdonald and Whyte; custodians, Messrs Whyte and Groves.