THE WOMAN’S PART

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 22 (Supplement)

THE WOMAN’S PART

BY W.H.

We, who enjoy, the benefits of the Jabonr of the pioneers, might often vs ith profit to ourselves pause for a- moment and let our thoughts,'dwell on the story of the woman’s part in the progress of South Taranaki.

They came, these women, from many and divergent places—some from across the seas, leaving behind them, perhaps for ever, the home of their own people; homes of luxury; homes of solid British comfort; village homes. Rich and poor, gentle and simple, they followed the star which was to lead them to tlie neater land where nothing counted but the strength and the will to overcome obstacles, and that; high impulse of achievement which has animated the breasts of men and women since ever the. world began. Others were colonial bred, who came with husbands or parents to this, the latest of New Zealand’s provinces, whic-li had opened its doorsi to the settlers. From whence or wherever they came, they started out with their men folk to make new homes and for good or ill to share in the taming of the new land to the white man's ends.

" What were their dreams, and what their compensations? Dreams they had in plenty ; and some were destined . to collie true, and some, alas, endured only for the, time of dreams and left the dreamer with nothing, more tangible than the pain of futility and the memory of the wasted years. Happily the latter have been in the minority in the march of progress. Some few, of course,, have gone under, whether for lack of that high emprise necessary in their undertaking, or because health and ill fortune have triumphed. But. wliat a spirit must have animated the majority of the women of fifty, forty, thirty years ago! * # # w if

They saw about them unroaded plains, country given oyer to flax and scrub and bush, unbridged streams, vast tracts of land with enormous earning power lying idle and useless from the point of view of progress. They ■settled down in. homes' poor, or less poor, prepared to play their part in whatever destiny had in store for them. Hard and severe the work often was; milking, churning by hand, working out on the section by tlie side of father, brother or husband, assisting in bushfalling, burning- off, ploughing, sowing the seed’ that was to turn the land into productivity. Most of the women worked like men in those days, and as well played the woman’s part in the home, cooking, sewing, rearing their children. And all the hard manual labour was done with facilities from which, the modern woman might well quail, and wonder how on earth people managed. Well, they did manage, although they might stand at the churn for hours in the heat coaxing the unwilling butter-fat into action, carting water from pump and well, making their own soap and often their own candles too, sewing without the aid of a sewing-machine, baking their own bread, and finding time in between to give their children at least the rudiments of education.

Then, as times' improved, and tlie fame of the province spread, settlement became- closer, and it was pleasant to hear of someone else starting a few miles away. Women then began to dream of companionship and of' schools

HOME-BUILDERS OF YESTERDAY

(Written for the “Star.”)

for the children, and a little respite from the toil of those first hard years. Perhaps a hall would bo built bore and there, and there would be pleasant meetings and dances. Social die vus thus begun, and was helped on m the seventies bv the coming of the churches in the little townships A horse and trap might be purchased, or a hack ioi rulin' l purposes. Visits could thus be paid "and the isolation of the past was more or less bridged For diversion there were picnics, when the children were bundled into a bullock drav, and, accompanied by friends on horseback and in buggies, the little procession would start off for some beauty spo«. beside tile bush, or river, or sea-coast.

Or, perhaps, a marriage was on loot, a popular bride being often the recipient 1 of many good and useful presents obtained through her girL friends clubbing together for the purpose. White silk and o ran get blossoms, and many yards of Valenciennes lace, made the gowns of the period quite an item of expense. Sometimes, a. bride preferred to be married in a riding habit for'which she would have a greater use in her new life. House riding was, of course, tlie principal means of getting about, and how the women could ride in those days! The side saddle was the universal mode of the time, and a woman looked upon her saddle a.s a lifetime possession. Bong journeys on horseback were often undertaken, and when it is realised, that it was many .years before the road as we know it replaced the bridle track, that streams had to be forded; that the track often lav through wild - bush and unknown territory, and that the Maori still resented ■ presence of the pakeha, one can be filled with nothing but admiration for these women of the past. Money they may have gone short of In tlie long, lean years; dresses may not have been of the Latest-*cut and fashion ; the advantages, of education ns we know it to-day mav not have been available; bands may have become calloused bv work; but friendships were formed in those days which were to- endure for a. lifetime, fnendshiDs sealed bv common difficulties and the great spirit which animated the early pioneers.