History: Memorial gates and ribbons for settlers

BY ROBYN PARKES

Around 1935, a small group of citizens lobbied for the erecting of a memorial to the early settlers of the Motueka district. The committee, with Mr G. Manifold as secretary, took on the responsibility of the raising of money (£120) by way of entertainment events and donations.

The gates were designed by Mr F. Staig and made by Messrs T. and F. Anderson of Motueka, with Mr W. Anderson, borough foreman, organising the construction of the concrete pillars and approaches.

By July 1939 the gates were nearing completion with the pillars receiving their finishing touches and the tablets still to be put in position.

The official opening of the Early Settlers’ Memorial Gates at the entrance to the Motueka Cricket Ground and the presentation of ribbons to persons resident in the country for 75 years and over, took place on Saturday, 18 May, 1940. Mr York, Mayor of Motueka, presided, with councillors, the town clerk the Rev. Kirkham, and representatives of other local bodies attending.

The approaches to the gates were adorned with strings of flags and the early settlers were seated in a prominent position in front of the gates. The ceremony began with the singing of the hymn, ‘All people that on earth do dwell’, after which Rev. Kirkham offered up prayer and dedicated the gates to the memory of the early settlers.

Each of the early settlers were presented with a centennial ribbon denoting the period he or she had been in the Dominion.

Recognition was given to the old settlers for the hardships and challenges they had faced in those early years of settlement. Thanks was given that the land, once covered in bush, was now one that produced food for all parts of the Dominion and the young ones were reminded of the debt of gratitude that was owed to their elders.

With the speeches completed, the mayor unlocked the gates and declared them open.

The Town Clerk (Mr A. Kirk) read a list of 42 names of early settlers known to the Borough Council to have qualified for ribbons. Of these, 25 were present,  each coming forward to receive their ribbons from the mayoress (Mrs York). After the singing of the National Anthem and the pronouncing of the Benediction by Rev. Kirkham, they were invited  for afternoon tea, served in the cookery room at the high school. For those settlers who received their ribbons the oldest was Mrs M. Rumbold, having been in the Dominion for over 90 years and over. She was the daughter of Robert Pattie and had arrived in Nelson from Scotland in the ship Lady Nugent in 1850.

She died a few months after the opening of the gates at 91 years old. For those in the Dominion for 85 years and over, the surnames were, Rowling, Wallis, Durrant, Drummond, Easton, McNabb, Meads and Packer. For 80 years and over, surnames were Taylor, Wilkinson, McNabb, Wallis, Everett, Cate, Bossleman, Mickell, Barnett, Rowling, Batchelor, Tutbury, Starnes and McMahon.