Otago's Anniversary

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 36, 18 March 1932, Page 15

Otago's Anniversary

Special Broadcasts from 4YA HB anniversary of the founding of Otago will be fully covered by 4YA, The Barly Settlers’ Association will celebrate the oceasion on Wednesday, March 28, when functions are being held during the afternoon and evening. On the previous evening, Tuesday, March 22, the Otakou Maori Concert Party, composed of descendants of the Otakou (Otago) Maoris, who welcomed the first settlers on March 23, 1848, will provide a unique entertainment. Songs will be sung, and the party will dance hakas and poi dances just as was done when the John Wickliffe arrived. a . In connection with the John Wickliffe, it is interesting to note the following points: The ship sailed from Portsmouth on December 14, 1847, and arrived at Otago (Port Chalmers) on March 23, 1848, after a trip of over three months; a little different from these days. The commander of the John Wickliffe was Bartholomew Daly, and the leader of the settlement the well-known Captain W, Cargill. The present Cargill’s Castle of Dunedin was not built by the Captain Cargill of this ship, but one of his sons--Mr. B. V. Cargill, and the building which stands on the summit of the cliffs of St. Clair was named "The Cliffs." The name now used, viz, Cargill’s Castle, is purely. the name which tradition has imposed upon it. When these first settlers arrived, they landed on ‘the beach at what is now the centre of Dunedin-the Stock Exchange, Among them were solicitors, auctioneers, millwrights, labourers, artisans, a baker, a miller, carpenters, painters, clerks and farmers, making in all about a dozen families. It is to their initiative and determination that Dunedin and Otago owe so much. A glance through the photographs in the Marly Settlers’ Museum in. Dunedin shows what a fine type of emigrant came with Captain Cargill. Three weeks after the’ John Wickliffe’s-arrival, the second ship, the Philip Laing, arrived in port. This vessel brought, among many others, the famous Rev. Thomas Burns. the "grand old man" of First Church.