GREAT GATHERING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1940, Page 8

GREAT GATHERING

MUNICIPAL HALL THRONGED

MEN FROM ACHILLES AMONG THE GUESTS. AN HISTORIC OCCASION. Never has a more notable gathering been held in the Municipal Hall than that. at the Centennial luncheon today. The hall was well filled with a large number of sturdy pioneers, who regaled themselves ns guests of the borough and county to many good things on the tables. Others present included the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, members of- local bodies in town and district and the following local members of the Achilles:Leading hands C. Brash end J. Coradme. Able-Searnen Trevor Gray and Jim Blackley and. Able-Sea-man Gunner Clarrie Ashworth. THE PIONEERS. The Mayor of Masterton. Mr T. Jordan, presided. Apologies for absence were received from the following: Sir Harry Batterbee and Miss Isabel Biggar; Sir Alfred and Lady Ransom; Mr and Mrs D. L. Taverner; Mr and Mrs S. K. Siddells; Mr and Mrs A. B. Martin; Mr and. Mrs J. B. Carruthers; Mi- J. E. Jenkins; Mr and Mrs 11. H. Mawley; Mr and Mrs.G. D. Wilson, and Mr D. H. S. Riddiford. In. making the apologies. Mr Jordan referred to the regret felt at the absence of Mr H. G. Williams, eldest son of the late Mr T. C. Williams, the first white child born in the Bay of Islands in 1835. Mr Jordan stated that Mrs Reynolds, in her hundredth and first year, although not. taking pari in the luncheon would take part in the celebrations at the Showgrounds. The president of'the Masterton Ladies' Auxiliary of the Navy League, Mrs Alfred Caselberg, welcomed the local members of the Achilles, and in making the presentation of a hand-knitted scarf to each man, on behalf of the branch, referred to the pride felt by the community for their bravery and wished them every success and safety in the future. Prior to the men departing to take part in the procession, Mr Jordan paid a glowing tribute to the men of the Navy,- the men being accorded musical honours. “In 1847,” said Mr T. Jordan. Mayor of Masterton, proposing the toast of "The Pioneers," "J. C. Crawford, head of th.? clan Crawford of Miramar, made a rough passage through most of this very young country and he wrote these words: ‘Altogether I doubt if there is any part of New Zealand with equal advantages of soil, climate and possible eventual communication with a market.’ In the presence of his Majesty’s ‘Minister of the Interior.’ shall I say, in New Zealand lot me repeat: ■possible eventual communication with a market.’ Maj' I express the hope that the new century of this country's history will not be old before Crawford's vision is fulfilled and the main line of communication of this beautiful district with its market and port will cease to be an anachronism. Six years after Crawford recorded his remarkable judgment, a man with a packhorse, tent and interpreter set out from Wellington to try what was beyond the ranges. He had been offered land for settlement at Port Ahuriri but this he declined. He had a great respect for Wellington and preferred j to make his settlement adjacent to the (market. This pioneer was the stout hearted, indomitable Joseph Masters I and on this day 86 years ago, thanks to his efforts and determination was founded the town that bears his name, Masterton. By the way: A short while ego it was altogether fitting that a son of the house of Crawford should marry a daughter of the house of Masters. RESPECT AND ADMIRATION. "This is thus a historic occasion,” j said Mr Jordan. "I am proud that by permission of the people of this town mid district I have the honour to preside at this function. We are met here to pay a tribute of respect and admirI allon, even of gratitude. I hope, to the | men and women who followed Masters over the hill. Lot me not forget, in passing, the names of his staunch lieutenants Allen. Caller, Jackson and Renall. "It has been, said." continued Mr Jcrdan, "that what is lightly won is. lightly valued and man sets little store by that which is put before him gratis. His real satisfaction springs from the effort made in the achievement rather than in the success achieved. Nature saw to it that the goal of ihese pioneers was well worth the winning. Their dangers, trials and privations were many and exacting; and that they succeeded we are here to testify. Patience. tolerance, mutual understanding and co-operation were their constant attendants. These qualities characterised their dealings not only with one another but with the Native population. The chivalrous hospitable Maori was not slow to recognise and appreciate this and it. is to the lasting glory and credit of the two races that the early history of this district is unstained by the record of any serious strife between them. Somewhere the Poet, nuts these words in the mouth ol a pioneer: ‘The paths to the house I seek io make But leave to those to come the house itself.’ ! WHAT OF THE HOUSE? "The paths indeed have been truly made.” said Mr Jordan, "but what of the house? To what, extent has the spirit of those sturdy settlers been woven into the stuff of our lives? Sometimes it has been said that life has been made 100 easy for us and what is lightly won is lightly prized. But the testing time is now upon us and there ere signs mat we shall not be found wanting. I believe there is something in our race that longs to say. if only we encouraged it. ‘Give us responsibility and we shall bear it. young or old.’ Today we are proud to acclaim a living recent proof ol this. Three months ago for the first time a ship of war manned chiefly by New Zenlandj ers went into action.’against odds uncounted. Wo arc thrilled to know that these mon of ours boro themselves as c;d the men of Bideford and Devon, Ijoung sea dogs of this Britain of the I I South. Bravo! Men of the Achilles! I "1 never cease to marvel at the freshness and youth of our old people and I wonder wherein lies its secret, lie said. "Much is due to sunshine and tlio soil, much perhaps to their eai Ij piety, much more. I am sure, io ilio dignity and joy of hard work and to the happiness that comes from successful performance. 1 commend this in the generation of today, and wdh it the example set by the earl.v set-

tiers of patience, tolerance, mutual understanding and co-operation. There was novel' more need of it that in the days that arc at hand. I give you the toast of our Elders and Betters, the Early Settlers, and I couple with it the names of Masters’s grandson, appropriately the Knight, of the Wairarapa. Sir William Perry, and the head of the Clan Cameron whose realm extends from the shores of Port Nicholson through the valley of the Pahaoa to Mauriceville and bcyoAd, Mr D. J. Cameron."

MASTERTON'S EARLY DAYS "On behalf of the early settlers assembled here, I wish to thank you. Mr. Mayor, for your very kind remarks with reference to the good work done by the pioneers of the Masterton district.” said Sir William Perry. “An occasion like this helps one’s memory to hark back over 70 years when limes, conditions and roads were very different from what they are now. I can recall seeing Masterton with one store where the W.F.C.A. now stands, with stables, a barn and cow yards on the opposite side of the road, with tree stumps on the side of what is now Queen Street and two or three' platform bridges. “The earlv settlers went through hard times.” said Sir William. "My people had to use mutton dripping in place of butter and the bread was wholemeal from wheat grown on the property and ground with a hand mill. The successful pioneers of New Zealand have worked with muscle and brain for from 8 to 12 hours a day. the result of which laid the foundation of the prosperity which New Zealand is enjoying today. There is a very different spirit in the country today, but it cannot last. “There was very little real improvement in farming pursuits previous to the advent of the freezing, industry," observed Sir William Perry, “but since then methods have steadily improved. Masterton is fortunate in having a freezing works near by but the original cost some of us a pretty large amount. I must congratulate you, Mr. Mayor, on the streets of Masterton. and thank you all for the way in which the toast was received.” “ANTIQUES.” "I wish on behalf of myself and the others here who have enjoyed the hospitality offered us today to join Sir William Perry in expressing our appreciation of the kindly gesture offered to us ■antiques’," said Mr D. J. Cameron, "for we are here today before you as.‘antiques.’ Wc are vouched for by' a Minister of the Crown and we wear the hall mark of that guarantee that wc arc the goods. We have played our part in the development ot the country, and in the order of nature will soon be memories. We are proud to be here today to take part in celebrating the country’s centenary. and this is also an occasion on which those of us who arc still here, think again of those who shared with us the early days, but are no longer with us. MASTERTON'S' DEVELOPMENT “It is difficult today to visualise what New Zealand was like when the first settlers landed at Pelone in January. 1840." said Mr Cameron. "There wore no roads, no houses, no animals except pigs and dogs, a country of bush, scrub, fern, swamp and some open country, and inhabited by an uncivilised and warlike' race. No doubt these people fell their isolated position but after the hardships of a long ocean journey at least found consolation in being on land once more. Today all has changed. We have our cities and towns, our roads, railways, and developed farms and factories, and as some say we load the world ‘onwards and upwards’ in advanced legislation for the good of all. Take Masterton. for instance. From its small settlement in 1854-5 wo have a town of which wo are all proud. Bui those early settlors had very trying times. The settlement was made up of 40-acre small farms with a town acre to each farm. Earlier still Captain Donald, grandfather of Vivian Donald, occupied land at Manaia and named it Solway, and a Mr Collins occupied land at Te Ore Ore. Development was slow and sure, but the pioneers made the venture and they stuck to it. A few of course were faint-hearted. Ono man exchanged an acre in town for a 'go-ashore' or three-legged pol. Others never even claimed Iheir town acres. These acres were the foundation of the Trust Lands Trust and were sei aside for education purposes. They were the exceptions. Most settlers got to their land and worked hard. One settler told me that ho put up a tent on his acre and ordered timber front Mr Dixon who pit-sawed timber and sold it In anyone Wanting io build. Mr Dixon came along with the timber earlier in the day than the settlor expected. This settler had his money buried in a hole on the section, but as the two were strangers he dared not go to his hiding place in the other’s presence. while on the other hand Mr Dixon did not care to leave the limbi r without the money. The upshot was that the- limber wont back- home with Mi’ Dixon and the settler followed that night with the money and so completed the deal and took delivery. His hole in the ground was probably the firs! bank in Masterton ns he had come from Melbourne with a parcel of Australian sovereigns. YOUNGER GENERATION. “We are pleased io be surroundeil

by a virile younger generation and wo feel sure that they will continue to make even greater progress than we have,” said Mr Cameron. The country has recently gone through a bad slump and now again we arc in the difficult time of war. Those who are as old as we are can look back on these things- —not once or twice, but many limes. These difficulties come and go. They have been overcome in the past and always will be overcome so long ns the spirit of the race is right. I again thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness in giving so much consideration to us on this memorable occasion.” The following toasts were honoured: "The King,” proposed by the chairman, Mr Jordan; "The Maori Race" proposed by Mr Parry (whoso remarks are reported on page 9) and replied to by Mr P. Paku; "The Pioneers,” proposed by Mr Jordan, replied to by Sir William Perry and Mr D. J. Cameron. MAORIS’ APPRECIATION. Mr Pita H. Paku (in the absence of Mr Rcwi Tamihana) on behalf of the Maoris of the Wairarapa district, delivered a very fine address, and expressed the appreciation of the Maori at bring associated with the celebrations. Mr Paku referred to the peaceful relationship between the earl.v settlors and the local Maoris, and compared the recent exploit of the Achilles to the coming to New Zealand in time past, of the Maori. In the course of his address. Mr Parry slated that Mr Savage had expressed his personal regret at not being able to be present at the celebrations. but ho sent his best wishes and the hope that all would enjoy themselves. Mr Jordan stated that a message wotdd be sent back to Mr Savage expressing sympathy with him in his illness and admiration for the fortitude ho had shown, mid expressing the hone that his tight tn regain his health would bo successful. On the call of Mr Jordan throe hearty cheers wore given for the early settlers. Mr .lordan made appreciative reference to the spontaneous action of the ladies in the district, in banding together and providin' l , such magnificent entertainment.