EARLY SETTLERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2534, 25 January 1923, Page 3

EARLY SETTLERS.

A SUCCESSFUL REUNION.

In celebration of Anniversary Day * the Early Settlers’ and Historical Association of Wellington held a

reunion last Monday afternoon. The gathering was a most interesting i one for quite a number of pioneers of the Wellington district attended and spent the afternoon in happy intercourse —relating stories of the very early days of the town and of the suburban districts. Children and grandchildren of these settlers weie - also present and listened attentively to the exchanges of anecdotes and experiences of the old folk. Amongst those present was Mrs Hamilton of Wanganui, age 92, who was ten years of age when she arrived here with her parents, from England, by the Slains Castle. Mrs Hamilton spent the early years of her married life in Wellington. Now she resides at Wanganui, and. came all the way to Wellington to see her relatives and he present at the leunion. Strange to say it was the anniveisary of Mrs Hamilton’s arrival in New Zealand —82 years ago. There were also present at the gathering Mr Thomas Rodgers, who was horn at Petone in February 1840, the first white child horn in the Port Nicholson settlement; Mr and Mrs Thomas Bassett, of Wanganui (Mr Bassett was a passenger by the Duke of Roxborougli in February, 1840); Mrs Sictey (1844); Mrs London (1844); Mrs Earle (1848); Mrs Park (of Wanganui), Mrs Innis (1848), and others.