EIGHTY-ONE YEARS

Evening Star, Issue 23380, 25 September 1939, Page 2

EIGHTY-ONE YEARS

SAILING VESSEL JURA a) GATHERING OF PASSENGERS AND DESCENDANTS “At such a time as this, what strength we may derive from the re'cOllectiou of the courageous men and. women who have gone before us! ” said the Rev. W. Allen Stevely, addressing the gathering of passengers and descendants who arrived in Otago by the ship Jura. “It has been aptly said,”he continued,- “ that the first flowers of springtime are twice themselves for being first. Other beautiful flowers follow, and delight us, but there is a special place in our affections for the first ones.” It was this pioneer quality which we did well to remember. Their cour--1 age and industry, their vision and hope were our encouragement to-day. The qualities developed through early problems were required to-day for present tasks. A beautiful feature of reunions such as this was the spirit of fellowship that abounded. In the present crisis this infectious camaraderie was invaluable. To-day we could remember the spirit of the pioneers and take courage. Quite a large number attended the gathering at the Early Settlers’ Hall on Saturday afternoon, at which Mr J. A. Paterson occupied the chair. Ho introduced, as visitors from kindred associations, Mr W. J. Strong,_ of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association Mr T. Begg, and Mr A. Y. Park, president of the Waikouaiti Association. It was his sad duty to pay a tribute to two pioneers who had passed away during the year, Mrs W. White and Mr J. Kerr. A happier task was that of welcoming the surviving passengers of the ship. It was a long call from 1858 to 1939, but three of them — Mr W. Paterson, Mr George Clark (Roslyn), and Mr G. Clark (Anderson’s Bay—were at the function. Six others were, unfortunately, unable to be pro. sent. Brief replies were given by Mr Park. Mi’ Begg, and Mr Strong, on behalf of their various associations, congratulate ing the society on the success it had attained. Mr Gladstone Hutton moved « vote of thanks to speakers and entertainers. Those present were entertained by songs from Miss Somerville .and Mis* Proctor. On Sunday evenig, a special thanksgiving service was held in First Church* when Mr Stevely was the preacher.-