DAYS LONG PAST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1793, 23 February 1918, Page 2

DAYS LONG PAST.

Many old memories were recalled at Wellington on Thursday evening, when the Early Settlers’ Association held a social gathering. There was a good attendance of New Zealand’s pioneers and their relatives, a fair number residing in neighbouring districts being present. The gathering, which was of a distinctly informal nature, was presided over by Mr John Smith, who, in his open-ing-remarks, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large number of old settlers present.

The Hon.G. W. Russell recalled the day when he first arrived in New Zealand in the old ‘ship Ayredale, and took up his residence with his parents about fifty yards from the spot where he was then speaking. After describing what the place looked like then, he referred to tho coach service between Wanganui and Wellington, and Foxton and Wellington, and mentioned Ned Cai> ter, “a tall, magnificent fellow,” who used to drive the coach and who was still alive, though very much broken in health. Mr Russell wont on to say that in his earlier days he was particularly fond of horse-rid-ing, and described a trip he made to Wanganui. He referred to (he spirit of friendship that existed among the people of the early times, and regretted that the same spirit was not present to-day. He recalled the time of the Maori upheavals, when even the outlaws and bushrangers rallied to the Colours and helped in the defence of the homes and families of the pioneers. “We had compulsory military service in those too,” concluded Mr Russell, “but then men were not asked to go overseas. It was for their homes that they fought.” (Loud applause.) The Chairman, in proposing a vole of thanks to the Minister, said that a home for early settlers, where they could gather and transact: business, such as existed in Dunedin, was badly needed in the Wellington district. He thought the association committee might lake the matter up, and asked the Minister if the Government had a piece of land that would suit the purpose. Mr Bussell x’eplied that he did not think the Government had such a, .piece of land, but suggested that representations might be advantageously made to the City Council. However, while sympathising with the objects of the association, and recognising the need of a building such as was suggested by the chairman, he (the Minister) thought that the matter would be belter left over until a for the war. After the vole of thanks had been heartily carried, refreshments were handed round by the Ladies’ Committee.