64 YEARS OF AGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 442, 25 August 1928, Page 13

64 YEARS OF AGE

HAMILTON’S BIRTHDAY VETERANS DISCUSS OLD TIMES (From Our Own Coi~respondent) HAMILTON, Friday. Hamilton is 64 to-day. On August 24, 1564, a small paddle-steamer drew alongside the bank of the Waikato River and off it a few settlers walked —the founders of Hamilton. At that time there were fierce conflicts between the'pakeha and the native in the Waikato, but throughout its infancy Hamilton was never stained with bloodshed. Some of these old settlers —there is a mere handful left—and later pioneers gathered together for the annual reunion to-day. Most of those seated round the tables are still hale and hearty and many eyes were moist with blended memories of joy and sadness. In welcoming the guests, the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health and member for the district, who presided, said the day’s meeting coincided with the 64th anniversary of the actual landing of the first band of pioneers at Hamilton. The speaker said that while he could not claim the honour of being one of that early band, he had been in the Waikato 34 years, and could claim, at any rate, to be an early settler. His mother, who was over 80. could still look back with pride on the days of her pioneer settlement in New Zealand. He referred to the dogged battle which enabled them to carve out a great civilisation from the wilderness. Mr. George Clarke, of Cambridge, responded briefly on behalf of the settlers. Numerous toasts were honoured and many reminiscences of an interesting and amusing nature were recalled.