Anniversary Day

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 260, 1 April 1914, Page 7

Anniversary Day

VETERANS AND PIONEERS. A PLEASANT RE-UK lON, Seventy-three years ago vcsicrdav the province of Taranaki was 'founded.' On March 30, 1841, the ship William Bryan dropped anchor oil what is now New Plymouth, and on the following day her passengers landed to found the province of Taranaki, and pave the wav for the advancement which followed and is to I follow. This may mean little to the irreverent younger generation, but to the men- and women who faced the stern realities of life and fought nature in all her rugged opposition if not cruelty the anniversary of the province is a notable event. THE CELEBRATIONS. The celebration of the uuniversarv of Taranaki and of the battle of Waireka, two events which by their proximity and relative importance have come to be eelebrated together, formed a pleasant reunion of the pioneers and veterans who : had come from England together and 1 scattered afterwards. The Moturoa beach was alive with the. past and present generation assembled to do honor to the day. Yesterday morning the veterans and pioneers were, mustered and conveyed to Moturoa by train. There they were first entertained at luncheon by the citizens of New 'Plymouth. THE LUNCHEON. The gathering at the luncheon table, which was presided over by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne), was a large one, and included two natives who were identified with the landing of th« William Bryan, the first immigrant ship. Amongst those present were the following, who came to New Zealand by the first six ships:— William Bryan.—Mrs. AYood (Miss Philippa Inch), Samuel Marshal!, William Peam, James Revell, Henry Putt. Amelia Thompson.—Thomas Allen, Edward Bullot, John Crylls, Arthur John Hoskin, William Newland, William Rundie, W. D. Webster.

Oriental—Ben Bishop, .Mrs. J. Sola (Miss S. Hellicr). Mrs. Julian (Miss Elizabeth Hellier),' John Lander. David Sole.

Timandra—Peter Allen, Wm. Jliurison, junr., Mrs. Julian (Miss Ann Julian), Mrs. Hoskin (Miss Mariana Sampson). Blenheim.—Mrs Hurlcstouc (Miss Hunnali Collins), Richard Langman, junr., Mrs. K. Bullot (Miss A. Parker).'Mrs. Langman (Miss E. A. Paisden).

Essex.—Mrs. G. Jupp (Hiss S. Batten). These names are all to Ire found on a list of the survivors of the early immigrants, which was read by Mr. John Andrews. There are (as far as is known) S7 of these settlers alive now—--11 who came in the William !!rvau. , :27 in the Amelia Thompson. l."> in ihe Oriental, IS in the Timamlra, 10 in the Blenheim and six in the Essex.

After a plentiful repast had been disj posed of, his Worship the Mayor proposed the health of "The Pioneers. - ' The Mayor raid: We are a-sem-j hied to-day to celebrate the 7.'! rd anui--1 anniversary of the province, of Taranaki and to do honor to the remaining few of our much respected pioneers, (in the 31»t of March, )S4I. 7IJ ;.ears ago io-day. the first pioneer vessel. th"'"Wilihiiii Bryan" dropped anchor at Mofr.nia. Of ill ttiat ship's compleiiient of passengers, there arc now onlv tell left to u-, viz.. Miss Crocker, Mrs.'jlcid. Mrs. Wivi. Wood. .Mrs. .lohil Loveridgc. Messrs .lames Keveil. Wm. Revel!, (lias, lievell. Kdward Lye. Henry I'ntt and Wm. Pearii. Urning (lie year liill. two other vessels arrived, viz, "Ameliii Thompson'' and "Oriental," followed in IS. 12 by the "Timandra.'' '■Blenheim" ami "Kssex," all bringing full complements of passengers. Uepresentativc* of the various vessels, 1 am plowed to note, are with us to-day. We count it a great privilege to sit side by side with the founders of our province. The struggles end handicaps they had to overcome in those early times and the comparisons with the privileges we eujov to-dav. as the fruits of their labor, will be better I old by the pioneers themselvc* in replying (ban would be po- dble for me lo picture ami describe. V'c have also pre-cni wit >i lis to-day representatives of the Xgatitawiti, (he tribe of natives who gave our pioneers such a friendly welcome, and u.-:si<ted them to carve out their crude homes in those trying- times,- The sincere friendship shown to our pioneers, (he goodwill that has continued between the .pak-eha amf the N'gal.itawitis down to [lie present day. endear.-, them to us and commands our highest respect. We have invited te be with us to-day:-Mrs. M;:ry Kauala, aged about SU.

.Mr. Torijii, ai.:'od abotii !)0. . Mr. M.'nrv IV Hole, a-jwl about 7l!. Mr. Preston Tino. mid i„ |„. „ v ,-r UK) years old.

Mr. Kanoro Tatu V.'iihvca. ;>»,'<! abor.l »<», who iitt-tlv remembers {lie landin;.; of the pioneers from Die ii:>t sli'n, the. "William lirvnii," in IS4I. I understate! one (if our native friend, Will be pleased („ edve ;m aecollilf of Ilii' arrival of (lie vessel and the impression if made on (he minds of l!i ; . Maori in iho-e far-oil' d.avs. The photographs "I UMi- ~],! pioneer friends alaken from tkiic to lime, eaeh vear reveal tin' lamentable faet liia! 'we ean only have ill. sv eyaml old people with ih fur a vi vy few more years. i( U sad indeed (o contemplate thai ; he time is ni-eli when (lie annual pliolnyrujilis will reveal a blank, i earnest !r a'sk thai, oi, no aceouet \vi:l ilie ee"iversury of the landi.m of „iir pioneers lowed to beeome m-1.v1e,!. :li ll'as 'been I'"' '■:W'' ili Om- past. I Intst Ilia! {he I people will see to it and demand thai ! tin- <lav will annual!;- be tibsoned. am! J llti'.t ilie memory of our dear old friend,, may ever lie honored.

AJr. dames lievell, (if Waniranui. ill replxine; lo tin- toa-t. expressed the thank, of all present for flic invitation to whiek tile.. Wel'e !'<'-'],SOV!li)n<4' tllili ll:!V. Wilel liryan arrived In-' wa~ 0,.1.% mi white man lived. Ali!n,ii...!i ]i,. hat been a way from New f'lvinnuUi for snmi wns pleased to lie with his old fv; C Ti<i: olive more.

Mr. \V. 1). Webster remarked iha when he landed at New I'lvinmiili h was only l\>.ir months olii, anil so i-onl, remember nothinjr ol' the aetnal landim.

lie wished at thi> outset to sa v a \vor in praise of the natives wliom his ai eestors iiiel when tile-, landed. In 111 years lie had lived in !!,,. provo 1, had found much to respect in tin- Ma„v he had met. and his father imf mnttir Lad been deeply indebted to (lie native II was someihinij to be aide to say lln for in.inv years crime hail not hee

known anion;; the tribes who were ; Taranaki then. When he eonsiilere the adverse cirenmslanccs with whie his parents had had to eontend, and rea ised Hie comforts and convenience

which he enjoyed now, he found much to be thankful for.

Mr. T. C. List then briefly proposed the toast of "The Natives," referring to I the friendly relations which had existed between them ond the early settlers. Hollo Punt, an old Maori, reputed to be U)i years of age. replied on behalf of the natives who had been present in the days of the early immigrants. His speech, which was interpreted by Mr. I ten r y Walker, was as follows:—"Greetings to you, all my friends, Greetings from one who saw the early landing of the white man. You see in your presence one. who lias ever been on the side of the Europeans. Long' life to you all. I have spoken." in the afternoon the pioneers were again the guests of the citizens at afternoon tea, and left by train homeward a little after five o'clock.