TARANAKI’S BIRTHDAY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 March 1925, Page 4

TARANAKI’S BIRTHDAY

COMING OF THE PIONEERS. THAT MARCH DAY IN 1841. (Specially written for the Star.) (By “Fifty-one.”)

To-day js the eighty-fourth anniversary of the landing of the first 'laranalii settlers, which took place at Moturoa on March 31, 1841.. In these days of quick methods of transit, with craft fitted up with every conceivable accommodation for the comfort- of travellers, a voyage of 12,000 miles or more is merely a pleasant holiday, those on hoard being in touch with their friends by wireless from the beginning to the end of their journey. Then, again, people who travel now know something of the country they are about, to visit, and have no necessity to make provision to fend for themselves when they reach their destination. , c Contrast this with the position ot those who left the Old Country in the William Bryant in 1840. Little or nothing was known of Taranaki by the sturdy band of pioneers who had made nh their minds to seek fresh homes in a distant land. They undertook a sixj months’ iournev (for that is the time it took in those days) to an unknown land, with no friends to extend a welcome on landing, or dwellings to shelter them. We often hear, under the pressent comfortable travelling conditions, fomplaint* about th<? quality of food served out to immigrants and crews of boats; but what of the early voyageurs ? “Salt junk” and hard biscuits (sometimes wecvily). To be without- vegetables or milk was their portion during most of the journey, and the water had to he so conserved as to prevent even a good wash. Yet for the most part these hardv, Empire-builders were siitisfied with their lot, and immediately on arrival set to work to carve ou't homes for themselves and future generations. Taranaki to-day stands out as a proud monument to the men and womeri who, 84 years ago, established this province. Nineteen years after their landing, when farms were being properly established, and the outlook was most promising, the Maoris objected to the occupation of certain lands, the result being a disastrous war. The whole ' of the work accomplished during the 19 years was wasted; farms were deserted and became overrun with gors.e and other weeds, and it was not until some 10 vears later that reoccupation 1 was possible. _ These are a few of the troubles experienced hv the pioneers of Taranaki, and we to-day should feel ' grateful to them for having laid the 1 foundation of what has undoubtedly become one of the most prosperous parts of New Zealand.