Branch Get Together, Palmerston North, 1 February 2015

In the elegant surroundings of Wharerata House, at Massey University Palmerston North, a gathering of 27 cousins and 8 children came together on Sunday 1st of February 2015 to rekindle old friendships and to make new ones.

 

These cousins represented Peter (1) and Alexander (3).   It was an honour to have the elders of the Clan present, namely Alan, Ted and Trevor Ayson.   Trevor served the Clan as Sub Chief for 15 years and it has been great to welcome him and Phyl to our region after the Christchurch earthquakes devastated their home on the hill overlooking the city.

 

Alan, being the last grandchild of Lake Falconer Ayson, very ably took on the role of MC and introduced Clan Chief Hugh and his wife Mary.

 

Claire Hills (1.13.4) blessed the  occasion with a Prayer honouring our forebears who made the long journey to New Zealand, giving us much to be thankful.

 

Many attendees had not been to a gathering before so after a finger luncheon Hugh presented a history of the Ayson Clan and showed slides of interest from Scotland and of the   Corrydon Cottage where several descendants have visited.

 

The meaning of the coat of arms and the history of the badge and tartan were outlined.

 

Lindy spoke on the role of the National and Branch Secretaries and explained the numbering system that was on their nametags and which led back to Peter or Alexander.   Using her own example of 1.13.4.1 and with all these being males she paid tribute to the four wives who made up her DNA.    She spoke in particular of Douglas Lamond, wife of Peter, and Joan Fergusson, wife of Alexander whose descendants were attending the function.   These first ladies produced 20 children between them,   Douglas had 10 to keep safe aboard ship when they departed and Joan had 4 on a later sailing.   Both women held strong faith, were highly respected in their community and despite all the hardships endured during their lives could easily have reached a century in age had it not been for a broken leg for Douglas and a tragic drowning for Joan.

 

( Photo  -   Chief Hugh and Mary greet Pet Penn and daughter Michelle Durston with Pet's sister Colleen Crooks ( 1.11.2 )  on left.)

 

Hugh and Lindy explained the new web site with a preview on the big screen.

 

Alan gave a presentation on the restoration project on his grandparents Lake and Alice’s graves at Taita and indicated the costs for this to occur.    It was very humbling to have further  donations received on the day (topping up that received already) which will enable us to complete the cleaning and resurfacing necessary.

  

It was interesting to hear from Ted Ayson about his years as a farm advisor and his challenge to clear Portland Island on the Mahia Peninsula of the poisonous cape tulip.   The right chemical was found but he needed the permission of the Native Land Court to use it.     Apparently the Judge considered Ted’s relationship with Judge Hugh Ayson (who had previously been Judge of the Native Land Court) ticked all the boxes and  permission was granted without question.   Ted has been incredibly generous with his donation to Lake’s grave restoration fund and this important project can now proceed as a result.

 

With time marching on and with some needing to head home there was a scramble to complete the  programme i.e Ted Ayson and Hugh Francis cutting the two cakes made by Mary Francis and Lindy,draw the raffle and have photos.    So some do not appear in the group photo unfortunately. 

 

The raffle was won by Joy Aberdein, granddaughter of Judge Hugh  Ayson. 

 

Mention must be made to the wonderful contribution from the eight children, their good  behaviour and manners, and despite the wet weather a happy time was had racing around outside.   Those values from Douglas and Joan’s 20 children were certainly evident.

 

There was a display of memorabilia , books and photos brought by the families which proved of great  interest to those attending.    Alan’s display on his grandparents, Lake and Alice, as well as Hugh’s detailed family tree recorded on graph paper were well received.

 

It was wonderful to view the CMG medal awarded to Judge Hugh Ayson in the New Year Honours 1929. The Companion of the Most Distinguished Order  of Saint Michael and Saint George was in recognition of his roles as Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, Chief Judge of the High Court and the Maori Land Court in New Zealand.

 

 

Left:  Trevor and Phyl Ayson (1.6.5) with their twin grandchildren Finn and Poppy and proud parents Andrea (R) and Larkin (L).

 

Right: Organisers of the gathering from Central Districts Secretary, Lindy Daniell (1.13.4)  with Wellington Secretary Alan Ayson (1.13.6)  

 

 

 

Credit to our keen photographer Dan Cooper, son in law of Hugh and Mary, who has recorded the day for our history.