OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 41

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

A committee meeting, held in the board loom, Early Settlers' Hall, on the 9th inst., was attended by Messrs Donald Reid (in the chair), Duke, Duthie, John Reid, Barron, ! Brefcner, Brown, Crawley, Denniston, Proudfoot (treasurer), Langlands (secretary), and Drs Fulton and Will. A. vote of thanks was passed to Mr Francis Porter, Cavershani, for presentation of three ■water-colour pictures (framed) of Brighton and neighbourhood, painted by the late Mr S. F. Every, Silver Acres, Anderson's Bay, in 1864; also to Mr John Winton, Leith street, for photograph of survivors and descendants of passengers by the Philip Laing, April, 1848, taken near the Overbridge at the jubilee of Oiago, 10 years ago; also to Mr Philip MitcLel', St. Clair and Arcade, for the portrait gallery, an enlarged- photograph of himself, handsomely framed ; to Mr John Wood, Princes street, for seven numbers of the Dunedin Leader of following dates: First number, No 1, published October 17, 1868; November 14 and 21, and December 12, 1863; January 23 and 30 and February 13, 1864, with woodcuts of leading citizens, and many inteiesting items of that period. The Secretary reported that the BalcluthaMiltcn picnic was held at Balclutha on Febtuary 7, and was a great success ; large numbers of visitors from Duneddn and saiiround'- i 3ng districts attended, and all trains were met a*, the railway station by vehicles and a band, and the visitors escorted to the ground in grand style. The committee, of -whom Mr Sinclair Wright was chairman, and Mr R. R. Grigor secretary, had provided most liberally for the ) want 3of the visitors, and the Ladies Committee was most indefatdgible in its attentions, with the result that a most enjoyable day was passed. The committee deserve commendation for its method of finance, as, notwithstanding the heavy expenses incurred in pioviding valuable prizes and liberal cater- ' ing for visitors, it has managed to build up a substantial reserve fund. He also reporte.l that a motor gymkhana and floral fete had been held at Tahuna Park, on Saturday, ' February 29, in conjunction with the Motor Association, and as there was a large atten- , dance, the funds of the association, now at such a low ebb should receive a substantial j addition. One feature of this affair was tho admirable' manner in which afternoon tea (served in a large marquee kindly lent for ! the occasion by Mr Alexander Thompson) was dispensed by a large number of ladies, nearly all of whom are comieoted with eaxly J settlers who, with their elected president (Mrs j C. H. Kayward) gave their services in such ' a charming way that it was quite a pleasure . to be served by them. The association is ' under a deep debt to those ladies, as well as to the ladies of the flower stall, and to all i who contributed in such a liberal manner | the many choice and tasteful delicacies for the tabled aojd to those who supplied the maaiy ; things necessary — in fact, on all sides the utmost liberality was shown on this occasion. It is a, matter of deep regret to the com- j mittee that, with so many pressing demanda i iriiside and outside the hall, and funds so low, j it is unable at present to make any return to • the ladies for their valuable assistance; it considers an adequate return -is impossible, but that something, will have to be done to show their services are fully appreciated. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Alexander Thompson, Princes sitroet, who has always been most liberal m ms dealings witn the association), for giving the use of a large marquee on this occasion without charge. Arrangements were well in hand for celebrating in a fitting manner, with the as- ; sistanc© of the- Burns Club, Caledonian Society, the Gaelic Society, the Diamond Jubilee of Otago on March 23, full particulars of which will be duly advertised. One feature of the ceremony the committee wishes most particularly to bring under the notice of the ladies who so admirably carried out the duties of supplying afternoon tea at the late floral fete at Tabuna Park is that there will be tea rooms in the afternoon in the Caledonian grounds, and the committee, with all due diffidence, hopes that the ladies who offi- , ciated at that function will again give their j valuable assistance on this occasion. Per- j haps those ladies will look on this request j with more forbearance if they consider that j all funds collected on that day will be for , ihe sole benefit of the Early Settlers' Asso- j ciation, and will be used to beautify and improve their own hall, and to provide the necessary facilities for holding their own . socials therein. A meeting of ladies to consider thi« has been called for Thursday afternoon. It is gratifying to note that in connection with this celebration the railway authorities have granted excursion rates between Clinton, Oama-ru, and intervening stations, including branches, and that tickets will be issued on Saturday, 21st, and for trains arriving up till noon on Monday, 23rd, available till Saturday, Maich 28. Ako that the celebration of the sixty-eighth anniversary of the settlement of Waikouaiti was fixed for Friday, March 13, and as this -will be the eighth year of commemoration, [ the residents liaving evidently made it a fixed festival, visitors can rely .on receiving a hearty welcome, and, from the experience gained, thoughtful care for their comfort and enjoyment. Excursion rates axe granted by thfe railway authorities, tickets available for nine days. The lovely scenery on the way should be sufficient inducement to make the trip, without taking into consideration the ' attractions provided by the committee. Eighteen new members were enrolled. Tie following deaths were recorded: Mrs Robert Christie (Janet Law, 71), Puerua, Blundell, 1848; Mrs William Henderson (Ann Fenwick. 84), Tomahawk, Strathallan, 1858; John Hamilton (71), Lauder, City of Dunedin, 1862; David Millar (78), Roslyn, Rajah, 1853.