THE DAYS OF VOGEL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 25 June 1925, Page 5

THE DAYS OF VOGEL.

(By “Fifty-one.”)

In a recent issue of The Star, under -he heading “The Days of Vogel,” a contributor to the Auckland Star, “W.K.H.,” a Taranaki boy, and for many years resident with his parents at Patea, was "quoted as referring to the immigration and public works policy of the late Sir Julius Vogel. It was on June 28, 1870, that Mr (he was not then knighted) Vogel, who was Colonial Treasurer, enunciated an immigration and public works policy in the House of Representatives, and a little later on a £10,000,000 loan was successfully floated in the Old Country- Matters assumed a busy aspect in the colony when this loan money commenced to circulate, and railway works were in operation everywhere. It was out of this loan that the New Ply-mouth-Waitara railway was constructed, and also the New Plymouth-Ha-ivera (if not to Patea) line. Immigration likewise went on apace, and during 1874-75 no less than 50,098 people from the Old Country and elsewhere found their wav into New Zealand. The Inglewood district was cut up and sold principally to immigrants who came out in those yeaps. The ships Avalanche and Halcione landed several hundred immigrants at New Plymouth in the old surf-boat days, and these were accommodated at the Marsland Hill barracks until other arrangements were made. Besides those seeking to go on the land there were many tradesmen (mostly young men), and for the most part they, like the farming class, did well. There are quite a number in Taranaki . to-day who came out by either the Avalance or Halcione who are living comfortably on their means. I believe the Avalanche, either on the return trip or the following one, was run into in the English Channel, and sunk. There was loss of life, but' I really forget to what extent. It may not he out of place to mention that I was in the House the afternoon Sir Julius Vogel delivered his Financial Statement in 1870, when he enunciated his great public works and immigration scheme. Forty-five years .ago New Zealand was still in her infancy, and even the Empire City was full of blank spaces. Te Aro end was nothing but a large paddock, owned by “Johnny Martin,” as he was familiarly termed in those days, and there circus tents were. pitched and sports meetings held. The waterfront was right up to the present post office, so it can lie imagined what part _ reclamation has had in making Wellington what it is to-day. There was a story told of Johnny Martin that will bear repeating. When Wellington was a little town of huts. Johnny was the owner of a horse and cart, and did odd jobs. Suddenly he became affluent and. having an eye to the future of Wellington, acquired considerable property. The story goes that Johnny found something on the beach one day that altered his outlook in life, and whatever truth there was in the statement, it was nevertheless a fact that from the driver of a onehorse cart, the owner suddenly developed into someone of importance, and the Empire City to-day has the impress of Johnny Martin largely stamped upon it. . In 1870 the hills surrounding Wellington (now closely built upon) were covered with manuka and stunted rata trees, which snpnlied the community with firewood. The shipping was prinoinally sailing craft and steamers of 300 and 400 tons and undev. What a contrast to-dav!