Some Informative Reminiscences.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 May 1911, Page 4

Some Informative Reminiscences.

,—« OF OLD COLONIAL .DAYS. BY MM. T. HEVAN, SBNIOH-. (AuUior of Adventures in New Zealand, from 1839 to 184-1; specially written for The Chronicle.) The beginning of the colonisation by Edwnrd AYaketield was in 1839. and at this time emigration and colonisation were in. the air. Numerous associations were being formed to found a new settlement, and one of these* was the New Zealand Company, founded in 1839. Edwanl G.- WakefieJd's influence had been used to direct the attention of British people to these islands. The company resolved to send out representatives who would: explore tin: islands, obtain land from Ihe u.itives, and arrange for tlio recupt-bn of immigrants. As yet the osioiiy had not been proclaimed, but feu , ral missionaries and settlers li'ul made Now Zealand their homes. In May, 1839, tlic pioneer ship ol the company was ready to sail ; sh;; was only of -100 tons burthen, and was like many merchantmen in tlioso days, an armed vessel. iSlie had eight guns and small arms for her crew and passengers. The leadership of the expedition had been entrusted to Colonel William Wakefiold. and one of these early immigrants was the late Mr T. W. :McKenzie. a settler of 18d0. He was a brave colonist, and those he benefited knew the deceased gentleman was a type of tl\e straight-going, ■kind-hearted, clean-living pioneers, who have left their mark on the history of the City of Welling!;hi. His life wa,s made up of deeds i.ither tlian words, and he was naturally modest in his unobtrusive hn.evolcnee. He spoke naught but sroo;], or not at all, of all things and nil men. Mv McKenzie was the proprietor of the Wellington Tiidepondent in early days, and _ )ie r rri / .'d in Wellington in the ship Ado'iiiolo in February, 1810, 'being the fonrth of the company's vessels to make port-; the preceding, ones being the Tory (ndva.nce ship), Cuba (survey ship) a.nd the Aurora. He was one of the Wellington pioneers; none had more claim to be the Father of Wellington than the late Mr MeKcnzio, and none was more notably held in lifelong respect and_ esteem than lie whose connection with Wellington dated from its very foundation. He always took a very lively interest in public affairs, and lie occupied a sent on the City Council in tlie good old , days. He was also n member of the Hospital Trustees and an elder of St. .Idmi's Church, and trustee of the Home for the Aged and Needy, and he has done good work in a hundred other directions. He founded the Xew Zealand Mail, and subsequently the Wellington Almanac, which publications were all disposed of to the New Zealand Times Company when it was formed—which transfer brought about the change in the name of the pnpei , . Mr McKenzie becnnie manager and secretary of the company, and continued in that capacity till vAion the business changed bands. He then severed his connection with the. journal, and had not since been actively identified with the press.in Wellington. Sine; , that time lie lived quietly, and for , the most part in retirement. He was a pillar of strength. He μ-jis the first corresponding secretary of j the Oddfellows' Order in Wel'lingi ton. and it wa.s his pen that wrote !to Manchester for the charters of the first six lodges opened in tlio district, besides obtaining and I transmitting the first charter for Auckland and Dnnedin. He was honorary secretary of the Widows and Orphans Fund of the (.0.0.P.. M..TJ.. from 1848 up till a few years 'ago. and he occupied tlio r highest J positions that Oddfellow.sli'ip could j offer in Xew Zealand. Mr McI Keii/.ie was instrumental is ncquiri ing a grant of land (on Lamhton { quay) from the Provincial Council. I for the Oddfellows, and exerted "himself in connection with the erection of :i large ball, wMeli was used for an assembly hall and theatre for j many years, besides lodge purposes. This valuable property is still in the possession of the Order. The late Mr McKenzie was a brave example of an Englishman, planted on. j New Zealand's sunny shores, and lie j had taken a firm root in the fertile i soil, that no blight, however blastling, could wither; he helped to fonnd a community that was the figurative tree which defied all cold winds that attempted to kill its vigorous shoots; no grubbing would ■ eradicate it: no cherishing of noxI ions weeds would be able to smother j its ultimate growth into a flonris'lii ing and happy nation—so plentiful ! are the resources of the country, and those oi' the stalwart and invincible colonists who have chosen it for their abode.