TAURANGA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 11784, 31 July 1935, Page 4

TAURANGA

And Its History

REMINDERS OF THE FAITHFUL WORK OF THE MISSIONARIES. Few spots in New Zealand ' can look as far back on European settlement as can : Tanranga. When Archdeacon Brown and h« fellow workers came here about a century ago there were already white settlers in the district, and in the years that immediately followed, the white population gradually grew. But it was of course among the Maoris that the work of the missionaries principally lay, and were it possible to now piece together toe story of Tanranga from then until now It would make most interesting and fascinating reading. Some day St may be done, but it will require infinite patience and reasearch, and there will inevitably be many blanks. As a matter of fact the history of Tanranga,* prior to 1872—-the year when the Bay of Plenty Times commenced publication —is veiled in obscurity, and it Is extremely difficult to arrive at any connected account beyond toe outstanding happenings of toe 60's, when the

unrest among the natives led to the fighting in ’64. But although we find no written record, or but a fragmentary, account of happenings from the first coining of the missionaries up to 1572, there are many reminders of those earlier days. The most arresting and -Interesting is of course the old Mission Station, now the home of Miss Maxwell, and standing in the gronnds nearby is the old mission hell, of which we here present an illustration, What history might be written aronnd that simple structure none can attempt, for no record exists to help ns, bat we can well Imagine that the bell that it still shelters tolled , its invitation to worship riot only In days of peace, but in troublous; times as well And then, too, we can imagine the many times it has tolled its solemn notes as the mortal remains of some departed soul: were reverently borne through the Mission gronnds to the cemetery nearby. Some day no doubt much that has happened since the hell was first tolled will- be written. Meantime we can only suggest to the visitor to the town not to forget-to take a walk past the hell, and reflect that Tauranga is indeed a town .with a his-

INTERESTING LINES WITH THE PAST.

lory, a. town rich la associations of the white sum's first coming and early settlement in New Zealand. Passing on past the Mission Stationthe visitor will notice the simple littlebuilding near the road—Archdeacon Brown’s library, still preserved with lovlsg care, and boosing many priceless possessions- Continuing the walk the visitor's steps, assuming that he Is at; all Interested in the earlier history of oar country, wDI naturally lead him to the old cemetery on the point overlooking the harbour. It Is very difficult for one to enter that haßSwed spot without an instinctive desire to remove one’s hat, and rererently stand to pay a silent momentary tribute to those whose remain* lie there, civilian and soldier, each having played hfa part in fashioning the destinies of the town and leaving to ns the heritage we now enjoy. A Quiet walk through this century-old cemetery will impress the visitor with the fact that he stands upon one of New Zealand’s most historic spots. He

will be struck by its glorious situation and well-kept appearance, the latter striking testimony to the fact that we in whose hands the care of it rests are not unmindful of the trust,*and count it a privilege to tend and preserve so hallowed and historical a spot. -We hope at a date to place on record some fafprwtriiEparticulars concerning the monu-ment-to the native chief Rawiri PnhirakL It is a’ fitting tribute to a very chivalrous foe. I . Weeannotin this short article take the visitor in fancy to all the historical spots in which the town and district abounds, hut he can-rest assured that a visit to Tauranga will well repay all who care to know something of the history of the country in which they dwell. The sunshine has let ns down somewhat this winter, bnt Tauranga still retains its charm, and our readers can still with confidence invite their friends to pay ns a visit. Help as a tourist agent in a small way by posting a copy of this issue to a friend, and tell him that-nothing short of a visit can reveal the charm and attraction of TAUBAN6A Kew Zealand’s Beauty Spot.