EARLY SETTLERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1941, Page 5

EARLY SETTLERS

FOUNDERS’ SOCIETY PARTY GATHERING IN MASTERTON YESTERDAY. THE DISCOVERIES OF KUPE. A large and representative attendance of early settlers and the descendants of pioneers gathered in Masterton yesterday afternoon to recall reminiscences of earlier days. The president of the Masterton branch of the Founders’ Society, Mr G. R. Sykes, presided. Those present were Mesdames H. E. Pither. Divers. R. C. Drummond. J. Stewart. A. Gruschow, C. Evans, F. H. Norman. H. Hall, G. Blanc, J. Graham, Keisenbcrg. Wilton. R. Harris, P. Johnson, K. To Tau, W. D. King. J. M. McKay, T. Cripps. Tankersley. Elliott, Braggins. H. Evans. Beale. J. Betty, C. Dixon, M. Miller. H. A. Welch. Cross. O’Donnell. J. Cairns. J. Lyttle. N. R. Jones, W. H. Judd. Speedy, A. lorns. F. Evans, M. T. Jackson. R. Pinhey, Wardell. R. Miller, Burnard. Scott

(Wellington). T. Jordan and C. T. Richardson. Misses O. lorns, A. Perry, J. Divers. G. Pither, S. Tankersley, N. Bennett. J. Hogg, Butement. L. lorns,

Beale, M. Brown. M. Dorset. Brown, M. Stilburn. E. Stilburn, E. Langdon, Bennington, A. M. Brown, Gillespie (Wellington), M. Smith, H. Vallance, B. Vallance and Miss F. H. Speedy; Messrs Cheviot Bell. W. J. Clarke

(Wellington), D. Anaru, G. R. Sykes, C. Bannister, H. E. Pither, E. J. Brown. C. Perry. H. Hall, G. Blane. T. McCormack, L. Dorset, T. Cripps. Braggins, W. Iggulden, H. A. Welch, Cross, N. R. Jones, J. B. McKenzie, H. Evans, A. lorns, R. Pinhey, A. P. Deal, T. Jordan, H. M. Boddington, T. W. Dew, A. E. Jones, H Preston and N. J. Bennington. Apologies for absence were received from Mr and Mrs E. T. Beaven (Carterton), Mr and Mrs W. Rayner, and Mr E. J. Burke.

A representative of the sixth generation of the founder of Masterton, the late Mr Joseph Masters, Miss Jill Divers, was present. Miss Divers is a great-great-great-grand-daughter of Mr Joseph Masters. Mrs J. M. McKay, Villa Street, who has reached the age of 92 years, was also present. The gathering proved an outstanding success and it is the intention of the society to make it an annual function. Hostesses for the afternoon were Mesdames R. C. Drummond, H. E. Pither, Norman, Stewart, Robert Miller, Misses O. lorns (secretary), S. Tankersley, I. Tankersley, A. Perry, G. Pither and C. Evans.

Those present stood in silence as a mark of respect to the late Mesdames Reynolds, Pinkerton and Mr J. Pickett, well known early residents. Mr Sykes welcomed Mr Cheviot Bell, president of the New Zealand Founders’ Society and other visitors from Wellington. He stated that the function had been organised by the local branch of the society to enable old settlers to meet. The Mayor of Masterton, Mr T. Jordan, stated that he appreciated the honour of attending the function. He regretted that he was not able to qualify for membership but his wife was able to. He was but a pilgrim once removed. “I am pleased to see such a wonderful family spirit in evidence,” said Mr Jordan. “I am. sorry to say that it belongs' to the old days. It is an example which should be spread far and wide. The country lacks the spirit of self-help, independance, and mutual assistance.” He expressed pleasure at the presence of representatives of the Maori race. All were thrilled to know that the spirit of the Maori abided in his descendants and had been shown in Greece and Crete. There was no. finer race. They had been tested in the melting pot and ciouldron of war and not found wanting. He hopes that the society would produce authentic records of the whole of the province’s early history. Mr Jordan stated that he had always regarded the pioneers and early settlers as “evergreens.” On behalf of the community he welcomed Mr Bell and expressed the wish that the work of the society would be an inspiration to the growing generation. Mr H. M. Boddington called the roll of those present. Mr Cheviat Bell briefly outlined the steps leading up to the formation of the Founders’ Society and events since its inception. He referred to the work of Lord Bledisloe on behalf of the society and stated that he was still taking an interest in its affairs. Mr W. Iggulden sang “Long Live the King,” • and as an encore “Mother Mackree.” Mrs Robert Miller was in excellent form for her recitations. Mrs K. Te Tau, who proved an accomplished pianiste delighted those present with her rendering of "Home Sweet Home” as a song in Maori. Mr Harry Hall entertained with comic songs. He was accompanied on the piano by Mrs Hall.

Mr D. Ananu gave a talk on the legendary discoverer of New Zealand, Kupc. He caused some amusement by his statement that when Kupe landed in Now Zealand he planted stinging nettle and bush lawyer vines to keep others from landing. Kupe had rounded lhe North Island and lauded at Cape Palliser. The Ruamahanga was then a vast river. At Palliser there was a natuijal basin 100 yards wide known as Kupe's wash bowl. Kupe had canoed up the river to Martinborough. Near Martinborough there were hills shaped like canoes called the hills of Kupe. At Glenburn there was a natural settee called "Kupe's sofa.”

Afternoon tea was served, following which those present took the opportunity; of talking over their experiences and renewing old friendships.