PRESENTED TO BOROUGH

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20284, 28 August 1937, Page 8

PRESENTED TO BOROUGH

PICTURE OF MR W. H. S. NAIRN. CEREMONY THIS AFTERNOON. At an interesting ceremony In the Hamilton Borough Council Chambers this afternoon, the borough was presented with a photograph of the late Mr Walter Hamilton Steele Nairn, the first white child born in Hamilton. The photograph was presented by members of Mr Nairn's family and accepted for the borough by the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow. The late Mr Nairn was born in Hamilton on May 4, 1865, in a house which 'Stood where Ihe corner of Bridge Street and River Road, Hamilton East, is now, and lie died on August 23, 1918. Representatives of the Fourth Waikato Association and the Waikato Early Settlers’ Association attended this afternoon's ceremony, as well as members of the general public. Somebody had written, said Mr Fow, in a brief address, that *’ happy was the country that had no history.” That was a point of view with which he could not agree, however, particularly where history had been written in such romantic circumstances as in New Zealand and the Waikato. The speaker referred briefly to the resuscitation of interest in the early history

of the district, at the time of Hamilton's diamond jubilee in 1924, following which the Fourth Waikatos' Association had been formed. The record of members of I lie Fourth Waikatos and their descendants was still incomplete, however, and Mr Fow appealed for continued interest in and support for Hie work of Hie association. Need For Museum In accepting the gift for the borough. tlie Mayor said that he looked forward to Hie lime when there would be in Hamilton an old settlers’ museum. He referred io tlie interest which centred in Dunedin on tlie Early Settlers’ Association there. Such an institution would be invaluable for keeping before young people the history of Hie district and for the sheltering of ils early records. Mr R. Hill, secretary to tlie Fourth Waikatos' Association, who also spoke, said Hu* association was anxious to perpetuate tlie memory of all Hie pioneers. II was hoped that it would be possible also lo secure a photograph of Mr I’. Crosby, who was actually born before Mr Nairn but at a military farm at Rial time near Hamilton.