FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1940, Page 4

FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY

WAIRARAPA BRANCH FORMED. PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE SET UP At a fairly well attended meeting held in the Masterton A. and P. Association’s rooms on Thursday night il was decided to form a Wairarapa branch of the New Zealand Founders’ Society, with headquarters in Masterton. The following were appointed a provisional committee: Mesdames R’. C. Drummond. R. Miller. C. F. Mackay. I-I. E. Pither. Misses O. Irons, S. Tankersley and Messrs G. R. Sykes, D. J. Cameron. T. Cripps. E. J. Burke. R. Roydhouse and E. T. Beaven (Carterton). Miss lorns was appointed acting secretary and the first meeting was fixed for Friday, April 5, at 8 o'clock. The Mayor. Mr T. Jordan, who briefly addressed the meeting explained that ho was attending another meeting, and handed over the chair to Mr G. R. Sykes. In the course of his remarks, Mr Jordan expressed pleasure at seeing an endeavour being made to form a branch of the society in the district. He referred io tlie very well deserved tribute paid to the early settlers of the district on the occasion of the recent luncheon which he hoped would become an annual affair. In stressing the fact that a large part of the district’s history was buried. Mr Jordan said that he hoped to sec the branch flourish and authenticate their history and put it down in black and white. The obejets of the society were explained in detail by the organiser, Mr I< Calder, who stated that the society had been formed over a year ago by Mr Hope Johnston. M.A. He pointed cut that it was the society's intention to obtain the observance of February •i (the date of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi) as New Zealand Day. ' Referring to the work carried i'ut in Australia by a similar society. Mr Calder dealt al length with the formation of the society in this country. He stressed that membership of the society was open to the descendants of all settlers who the district, within ten years of tne official dale of foundation.