SHIP JURA REUNION

Evening Star, Issue 23689, 24 September 1940, Page 11

SHIP JURA REUNION

EIGHTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY There are nine survivors of the ship Jura, which arrived at Port Chalmers on September 23, 1858. Yesterday, the Jura Association held its annual reunion in the Early Settlers’ Hall, but there were only two of the actual survivors present, these being Mr Geo. Clark, lloslyn, and Mr G. Clark, Usk street, Oamaru. A notable absentee was Mr Paterson, the well-known secretary of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association, who was confined to his homo with a chill. Other survivors of this early immigrant ship arc Mr D. Clark, Moneymore, Milton, Mr J. Affleck, Invercargill, Mrs A. Morton, Tay street, Mosgiel, Mrs Dickie, Ross Home, Mrs Williams, Harbour Terrace, Dunedin, and Mrs Dallas, Te Houka There were approximately GO descendants at the gathering, which was presided over by 51 r J. A. Paterson, president of the Jura Association, and a son of Mr William Paterson. Much of the success of a very enjoyable afternoon was duo to the efforts of Miss N. Hutton, the secretary. Songs were rendered by Misses 51. Somerville and

H. Liddell, the accompaniments being played by Mrs A. Walmsley. The speaker for the afternoon was the Rev. D. C. Herron, who spoke of the patience and courage of those early people who came out to this new country in tiny sailing vessels which were little more than cockleshells of 750 tons. There were 375 passengers on the Jura, 124 of them being cMldren, of whom 18 were under 12 months of age. It was wonderful to think of the courage of the parents who risked such a venture with their young children. Some of the families were of nine and some of seven. Conditions in the Old Land in those days were hard, and probably the parents undertook the venture not so much for themselves as for the sake of their children, whom they had given an excellent start in life. The spirit of resourcefulness which prevailed in those early days, the speaker said, carried them along over rough and difficult times and was reflected in their descendants of to-dav.

Mr W. J. Strong, president of the Early Settlers’ Association, also spoke while the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) wished the company well. The gathering whole-heartedly entered into the singing of ‘ Anld Lang Svne ’ before afternoon tea. the old people gathering round exchanging reminiscences of the old da vs.