OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 78

OTAGO EARLY SETTLERS

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT. In presenting the annual report of the association for the year ended April 30 last the committee of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association announces "the continued interest taken by the early colonists, their descendants, and the public, not only of Dunedin, but from ali parts of the world, in the portrait gallery and historical museum of the association, lhe report continues: — total membership now niimb'' r s 2;>89, a gain for the year of 71 members. During the 12 months there were enrolled 39 early settlers and 174 descendants, on the other hand we lost through death 106 members, while resignations and the like numbered 36. During the year we were honoured by an official visit from his Excellency the Governor-General Chord Bledisloe) and Lady Bledisloe, also Lord a jjfl Craigavon; likewise by two unofficial visits from Lord Baden-Powell. Opinions have, from time to time, been expressed that no institution of the kind exists south of the equator, if in the world, lhe association is indeed fortunate in possessing portraits of so many of the original settlers and pioneers who had settled in Otago before the arrival of the first ships. Members will doubtless remember that the association purchased in 1927 the old Art Gallery buildings from the Dunedin City Corporation for £4009. Since that date the sum of £2750 has been paid off. so that now there only remains owing an amount of £1250; this it is hoped to pay off in two or three years’ time. During the year new name plates have been placed under a number of the protraits so that those whose eyesight is not of. the best may more readily distinguish the identity of early settlers whose portraits we have been favoured with. The city rates on our property run into a considerable sum of money; as a matter of fact £147. To this has to be added £144 19s for lighting, etc., so that in all all we pay the Dunedin City Corporation nearly £3OO per annum. The association is not run for dividend paying purposes, but is an institution maintained in remembrance of those pioneers and their descendants who did so much for the benefit of the present and future generations. Not only that, the committee contends that the portrait gallery and historical museum are a great asset to the city, and few visitors to Dunedin pass through without paying a visit. Such being the case, the committee is of the opinion that the financial assistance received from the corporation (a donation of £25 for the past year and one of the same amount for the previous year) is not sufficient, and trusts that the next appeal of the association will receive more favourable consideration, and that, in the next annual report we shall be able to announce to you that, in spite of the financial depression, the Finance Committee of the City Council has seen fit to give a donation at least equal to the one given three years ago. As members are doubtless aware a dance is held during the winter on the first Wednesday in each month, the proceeds from which go towards the reduction of the debt on the property of the association. The dances are growing in popularity, and are conducted in a dignified manner, quite in keeping with the ideas of those early settlers and pioneers as to what dances in their days should be. We are under a deep obligation to the lady friends of the association, under the guidance of Mrs James Dey, for the able manner in which they have helped to make functions of the kind the success they have been. March 23 was the eighty-third anniversary of the foundation of the province of Otago. On Sunday, March 22, anniversary services were held in First Church, the Rev. W. Allen Stevely being the preacher. His Worship the Mayor and councillors, and also members of this association duly attended . the services. On Monday, March 23 (Anniversary Day) a reunion and concert was held in the afternoon and in the evening a social gathering and concert. The Rev. Mr Stevely was the chief speaker ip the afternoon, and the Rev. Dr Merrington at night. The celebrations were brought to a close on the Tuesday by a social in the afternoon and a dance at night, the hall being filled to overflowing on all occasions. Thus worthily did the early settlers and their descendants try to honour those who endured the hardships of the early days. The thanks of the association are due to the Otago Daily Times and the Evening Star for publication of the reports of its monthly committee meetings, and to the. staff of the city reserves for keeping in order the grounds surrounding the hall. The asso 7 ciation’s own staff has worked very well, and special mention should be made of the services of the secretary, Mr W. Patera son, for his continued good work in the interests of the association. . The coin; mittee expressed its appreciation of the valuable work done each year by those lady friends who made possible the undoubted success of its annual functions. The annual general meeting of the mem; bers will be held on Tuesday, May 26, in the Early Settlers’ Hall.-