The October meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Branch of the New Zealand Founders’ Society was held at the Blue Water Conference Centre, Ahuriri, Napier. It was perfect sunny day worthy of our Hawke’s Bay climate and the venue with a lovely view out to the Marina ideal for the occasion. Sixty five members met at twelve o’clock for a nice chat before lunch. President Paddy welcomed guests and members, making special mention of member Isa Anderton who celebrates her ninety ninth birthday next week. Six new members were presented with their certificates and badges. Wonderful news from the New Zealand Founders National AGM in Masterton, once again Hawke’s Bay won the trophy for the most members. Our Branch President Paddy Bayley was re-elected for her fourth term as National President., and Kath La Rooy has been elected National Vice President for one year. This is the first time a Branch has held both the top jobs. Kath is also the Branch delegate to the National Executive.
The Ongaonga Victorian Fair had been attended by five suitably dressed members who manned a gazebo publicising the Founder’s Society. They had a wonderful day. Two more functions for 2020, November 1st, a bus trip to the Wairoa Museum where one new Gisborne member will be receiving her certificate. Then in late November, there is a coach trip to Oruawharo, Takapau for our special Christmas outing.
Following lunch Kath La Rooy introduced member Christine Hardie to speak about her forebears and their exploits. She discarded her Scottish family and spoke of her infamous English relatives John and Isabella Williams and their twelve children who sailed to New Zealand on the ‘Randolph’ one of the first four ships to land in Canterbury. Their first claim to fame was the death of her great great grandfather who died on the Bridal Path from Lyttelton. Members of the public raised a subscription to help Isabella. She and her children were sheltered by the Anderson family. She was a diligent woman and later had a very successful drapery shop.
Another of her family John David Frankish came from Yorkshire in 1870 on the ‘Zealandia’, he had studied as a doctor in Scotland and followed this career in New Zealand. He became a Coroner, landowner and later a drunkard writing irascible letters to newspapers.
The second speaker was Robyn Warren, who is a descendant from Carrington Brothers of New Plymouth, Surveyors. Frederick and Alfonso Carrington were a part of the group sent out by the Wakefield Company to build a settlement up the west coast of the North Island in 1839. However the Company did not think their chosen site suitable for a harbour, so refused the funding. In 1841 brother Octavious joined them, followed by 920 settlers in four ships. By 1843, 92 houses, population 1013 was the basis of New Plymouth. There is a statue erected to Frederick. Octavious married Mary Ann Roberts and Robyn is one of their descendants.
The speakers were thanked by Kath La Rooy for their interesting talks and members recited the creed prior to departing after an enjoyable day.
Photos
Bluewater Restaurant
Left to right:
Kath La Rooy, (NZ Founders & HB Branch Vice President)
Paddy Bayley, (NZ Founders & HB Branch President)
Judy Lyons, Marie Nichol, Richard McKenzie, Heather Murphy, Bob Anderson, John Murphy