OUR Daily Features

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12819, 14 August 1939, Page 2

OUR Daily Features

A PAGE FROM THE PAST TAURANGA FIFTY YEARS AGO Extracts from the Bay of Plenty Times of August 12, ISS9, read:— “Last Wednesday, the District Surveyor, Mr. Baber, accompanied • by Mr. Burrows, went to the Waimapu river to inspect the site for proposed fish ponds above Mr. Fielding’s farm, which it is the intention of the Acclimatization Society to apply for from the Government.” “A correspondent writes; —‘Tauranga now may boast of possessing the Champion Mean Masher. A local storekeeper supplied the gentleman with a dress suit for a recent dance. After the suit had been used at the dance the storekeeper was asked to take it back as it did not fit, but he did not see it in that light, and insisted on getting payment ’ ” “The residents of Greerton district proposed erecting a small church on a portion of the ground on the site of the Gate Pa, to commemorate the battle which was fought there during the Maori War. It is also proposed to place a tablet in the church in memoriam of those killed in this fight, as well as to chronicle the humanity of the Maoris at this time. Gradually, all the old traces of these fortifications are disappearing, and their memory, rendered historical as battle grounds ought to be preserved. In this instance, the erection of the proposed church should not be difficult to accomplish, for as a memorial edifice and place of worship it must appeal to all who delight to honour Christianity, bravery and humanity. To this end are now being issued circulars with the names of resident gentlemen who will receive subscriptions • for this laudable purpose.”