"PAYING TRIBUTE TO OUR PIONEERS."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 17 January 1913, Page 5

"PAYING TRIBUTE TO OUR PIONEERS."

(To the .Editor.)

Sir. —An Early Settlers' and Historical Association of Wellington Province has recently been fornysd in this city, and bids fair to fill a want that ; has been manifest. Too quickly the records, reminiscences, and interesting facts connected with the foundation and early days are vanishing or getting more difficult to secure, and. the main objects of- the Association are to-collect-as fully and accurately' ' ats possible and put on record in a journal (first number appeared last month) issued quarterly for circulation among members and those interested. A reunion of pioneers and their descendants was hold on last Dominion night in the Town'lfalF hero, tinder tihe, auspices of. the Association, .and the evening was 1 truly" 'successful frpm every point of view, It was universally accTaiitned'; the gathering of old ; ial% 4 b^t 'them over 75 years tif aiwl arrivals in the "forties," and that evening "friend greeted -friend after years of parting," and many interesting stories, of the days of youth ari*d'childhood . were 'exchanged 1 by those whose minds were wafted back by meeting friends of long ago. To again. or still further convince the I pioneers that their good deeds and heroic work are borne in min<l by I those who followed, the purposes to hold an all-day gathering l on the Anniversary Day (January | 22rkl) of Weiijngton Province. town Park with its interesting'.adjunct, the Zoological Gardens, has been chosen as tiro rendezvous, and j tliere it is hoped, if favoured with l fine weather, that the few who are left with us of thoso who bore so 5 bravely and with such good results the burden of the day, and who sowed the seeds that growing have so changed the seemingly inhospitable j New Zealand into the, aptly-termed "God's own Country" for bo many, will .be paid their tribute. The committee of the Association hone that many of those who haw made their homes in the district served by your able journal, Mr Editor, will elec£,to pay our city a visit on the 22nd, aJid while hero favour with their, prosenco the picnic in Newtown Park, and they j may rest assured that be they old or j young the-consideration and attention i that it. is in the power of the committee;, to give, will be shown vthepiji;. Old time sports, «ucb as quoits, skittles, greasy pole, greasy pig, dipping for apples, wheel barrow races, baby show amd children x h dances, etc., should serve to make the time pass pleasantly. Many other. sidc-showß will probably .he added, i.e., Punch and. Judy show, Ijoaiity, Old. Aunt Sally., andismeJling competition. Generally a gfty day's sport' is promrawL Tlie" new tea arid refreshment "kiosk in NewtOirn -Pai ; k will'be T : bably the same day. and will prove nn additional attraction' and x.onvoni-_ enee. Anniversary Day spent in much | the same way as. it was in 1840-50 and GO should bring home to many -minds the great work cf our glorious pioneers, and-prove that the result of that work has been many happy homes and happy people.-t-I am. etc.. J.' E. JENK.TNSON,,

President of Association Wellington, January 14, 1913.