THE HISTORY OF HAWERA

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE HISTORY OF HAWERA

11l addition, Colonel Wakefield, who, with Commissioner Spain, journeyed overland from Wellington about then, remarks: “The Waimate Plain, which I have before described, was covered with a. thick coat ot fine glass. Mr. Spain and his party expressed their admiration of its qualities as the finest field for flocks and herds they had seen in New Zealand.” MAORI EXILES RETURN. In 1846, the Ngatiawa tribe, which' had been driven out of Taranaki by the Waikatos, were repatriated through the good offices of Governor Grey. Mr. Wells, in his “History of Taranaki,” recounts the affecting scene as the exiles, some 650 in number, once more sighted their magnificent mountain landmark. Their leader, the famous Wiremu Ivingi, afterwards became involved in the first Taranaki wai. These people helped to rcpopulate the depleted kaingas of South Taranaki. It is noteworthy that "they did not come back to their homes overland, but passed around the coast m canoes, fearing the vengeance of hostile tribes and trusting rather to the perils of the .ocean than to the doubtful hospitality of Ngati Apa, Ngati Hau, and Nga Rauru. Hardly any Europeans had yet (1847) made their residence in this neighbourhood. Mr. Skevington, the first resident missionary on the Plains, had died at his Tnaha residence, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Woon (Wunu of the natives), who shortly afterwards gave up his charge in despair, having had his home maliciously burned down by the natives. A French missionary, Father Bezant, had also occasionally visited the neighbourhood, but. the white man was still a rara avis to his brown brethren here.

sympathy with the Ngatiawa was evidenced when Bishop Selwyn, who endeavoured to reach Ohangai in 1861, was stopped at the Tawhiti stream, and ordered back with insulting epithets, notwithstanding that he was a strong Philo-Maori. This incident shows the bad feeling that was evidenced in the local tribes, for hospitality has always been a strong virtue among the Maori people. The late Mr. Percy Smith had Visited this populous hapu (Ohangai) in 1858, and describes the beauty of the situation of the settlement among its karaka groves, commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding country, with the Tawhiti and Tongahoe streams winding seawards on either side. Ohangai was totally deserted some years later, probably owing to the occurrence of some tragedy there. Patea, then called Carlyle, had by this time become quite a thriving little township, and some bold settlers had come up as far as Kakaramca and Manutahi, but our town site was still in its pristine state of glade, fern, scrub and flax, and gave as yet no indication of its future residential importance. The hostility of the Maoris had been lately increased by the spread among them of the Hauhau religion, and Christianity was now practically abandoned in favour of the wild creed of the Oaonui prophet, Te Ua.

GENERAL CAMERON’S ADVANCE. In Nov., 1864, General Cameron, commander of the Imperial troops in N.Z., advanced up. the coast with a considerable force and attacked the enemy at Kakaramea, carrying their pa there after a sharp fight. He then proceeded as far as Ohawe, building blockhouses en route at Manutahi, Manawapou, Hawera, and Waihi. Supply steamers brought stores to the troops at Manawapou by means of surf boats, a. dangerous method on this open and boulderstrewn coast. On one occasion seven lives were lost through the overturning of a cargo boat and

belligerent natives at the end of 1865, with a force mostly composed of volunteers and friendly natives of the Ngati PoroiP (East Coast). Chute put considerable vigour into liis operations, engaging the enemy with success at Okutuku (in the Waverley district), and a few days later at Putahi, on the Whenuakura river. He then advanced on Ketemarae, an old and populous kainga a mile north of the present township of Normanby, but discovered that the bulk of the warriors had gone to garrison Otapawa. a newly-erected stronghold two miles, eastward of Taiporohenui. Here, on the 13th January, 1866, he attacked them in force with several guns, carrying their elaborately constructed redoubt after a sharp and desperate struggle, in which Colonel Hassard and a dozen men. were shot down by the deadly volley fire of the Hauhaus. Volley-firing, as evidenced at Ohaeawai, Rangiriri, Gate Ga, Puketakuere, Motoroa, and Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, seems to have been a strong point with the belligerent Maoris throughout the New Zealand wars, and its wonderful accuracy compares painfully with the wild salvos of, our troops, which were usually,, only destructive to a few passing sparrows. Titokowaru’s men in particular seem to have had a remarkable facility in taking “every man a man,” and thus causing terrible execution, particularly in frontal attacks.

The defeat at Otapawa practically broke the back of the local enemy resistance, but further skirmishes took place at Ketemarae, Mawhitiwhiti and Ahipaipa, and a strong force of troops was stationed at Ohawe under Colonel Butler. This camp obtained its water from the same perennial spring which trickles there to-day, and which is known to the Maoris as Wai-pihar.au, from the fanciful idea that its sweet water attracts the lamprey eel up the Waingongoro stream. Butler sent out a detachment' to the strong pa of Tirotiromo.ana across the Mangimangi stream, destroying it after a brief resistance, and then turned his attention to Ahipaipa, near Matapu, which he also reduced with considerable loss to the defenders.

the pioneers. And if we applaud those ironmoulded men, what shall we say of their womenfolk? Far removed from all the amenities of civilisation, hewing wood and drawing water, cooking their food over open fires, enduring discomfort and loneliness, and yet preserving as far as possible in those rude clays the sweetness of home life and the dignity of womankind. THE TURUTURU-MOKAI INCIDENT. The murder of Cahill, Squires and Clarke near Normanby on June 10th proved a temporary deterrent to further settlement, and manifested the undiminished hostility of the local Hauhaus, who were now organised by the redotibtable Chief Titokowaru, who had his headquarters in the deep forest inland of Matapu. This warrior soon took the offensive against the hated pakeha, and on the 12th July, 1868, sent an armed band to attack the newly-erected redoubt at Turuturu-mokai, garrisoned by some twenty men under the command of Captain Frederick Ross. In the bloody engagement that followed a dozen of the defenders were slain, and the fort was only held by the gallantry of four of the survivors, who defended an angle with fine heroism until the arrival of help from Waihi fort. Next month Colonel McDonnell retaliated by taking Titokowaru’s stronghold at Ruaruru, catching the enemy by surprise, and inflicting severe loss upon him. Unfortunately four of the Colonel’s force were killed in the action, and a considerable number wounded. ••

Titokowaru collected his scattered warriors again, this time at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, and McDonnell moved against him once more , on September 7th, 1868, under the impression that the outlaw chief was still at Ruaruru. A terrible disaster to the A.C. Forces resulted in eighteen being killed, together with the gallant Major von Tempsky, and.the attack broke up in disorder, the force having the greatest difficulty in extricating itself from the bush. Qne of our most respected pioneer settlers, Mr. James _ Livingston, did yeoman service in checking the rushes of the pursuing Hauhaus,

commandant took prompt advantage, pursuing him up the coast, and handling him severely at Otautu, on the Patea river, and again at Whakamara, where his desperate warriors wheeled to hay. Thereafter the pursuit developed into a chase, the broken Hauhau bands “ crashing through the supplejacks like wild pigs,” as one writer remarks, with the avenging native auxiliaries on their trail. At Ngaire the fugitives .were almost surrounded, but managed to escape the enveloping movement by taking to the extensive morasses in this district, where the troops could not. safely follow them, and finally reached the shelter of the broken country in the wild remote district .of the upper Waitara. FLIGHT OF TITOKOWAHU. The flight of Titoko.waru and his marauding bands practically ended the Taranaki war, and thereafter settlement began in earnest in South Taranaki. Many of the vacant sections around Hawera were now. taken up, but a few of the military grants were never claimed and ultimately became the property of occupants who had paid the rates on them for.,a certain .number of years. Practically all the open country between the Patea and Waingongoro rivers was soon occupied by European selectors, but none had the hardihood to settle across the Waingongoro, where, in fact, native guards, in the Government employ, were stationed to warn off trespassers. The cause of peace was immensely strengthened at this time by the good offices of the pacific chief, Hone Pihama. Seeing far into the future, and feeling that the European must ultimately predominate, he convened a meeting of the still fractious of his brethren at Manawapou, and counselled them, in the interests of the preservation of their race, to accept and pursue peace. COBB & CO.’S COACHES. Cobb and Co. ’s line of coaches first. opened up communication to Hawera from Wanganui on. January 11th, 1871, an event which marked a distinct step in the progress of the settlement. Sir Wm. Fox, the Premier, was a passenger,

BOROUGH WATER SUPPLY The question of a water supply for the new borough had long been a subject of public discussion. The Tawliiti stream was suggested, but on analysis, its water was found to contain too much vegetable matter. Lake Rotokare was also rejected for a similar reason, and also on account of its remoteness and inaccessibility, it was not for years later that the council decided on the present ample and satisfactory supply from the Kapuni*stream, welling, as it does, clear and limpid, from its source, in the mountain, 4G(X) feet above the plain. Meat canning works had been established at Patea and the Hawera district supplied a large proportion of the cattle required. The export of frozen .meat was also assuming large proportions, and local farmers, hitherto content with a profit of £1 per head per annum on their cattle, were at length : assured of a satisfactory market .for their stock.

It is interesting to note that African Boxthorn was nowt being suggested as a suitable hedge for our wind-swept plains, and the late Mr Alex. Hastie, ofy Inaha, planted, it is understood, the first stretch of those countless miles of thorny barriers which now traverse the face of South Taranaki. The great dairying industry which now dominates all others in Taranaki had not as yet been established, although about this time the Messrs Iredale Brothers had started a private cheese factory at WTiareroa, from a supply of about Si) cows and the experiment was being closely watched by farmers around. Magnificent crops of roots, particularly potatoes, were then grown without difficulty hereabouts and there is one recorded instance. of a yield of 24 tons of “Convents’’ to tlie acre. The current market price was only about fifty shillings per ton, and in some seasons even less. The old popular varieties. Circular Heads, Blue Derwentrs and White Elephants, are now quite extinct. When new varieties began to be imported potato-blight was unfort unatelv introduced and has remained with us ever .since.

Hop-growing was at one time suggested as a lucrative sideline to cronping and grazing, and experiments were carried on in the culture of the vine at Norm an by and Ketemarae, with only partial success.

SECOND MAYORAL CONTEST The second Mayoral contest in Hawera at the end of ’B2 resulted in the return of Mr G. '\ . Bate, who occupied a prominent position in locai affairs for many years afterwards. New buildings of more imposing appearance were now arising in the borough and the Masonic 'Temple and Wesleyan Church contributed to the architecture of the town. At Manaia flourmills were .erected, following the example of those started at the Tawliiti stream and long conducted by Ogle Brothers. The question of lighting the borough bv gas had been much discussed in the Borough Council, and on being referred to the ratepayers was endorsed by them in a special poll in January, 1884. A private concern, had, however anticipated the move and formed a company, but it was not till nearly 12 years later that the project took fruit and the more satis factor,v dluxninant took the place of kerosene. Football now took a leading position in sports fixtures and one of the first local teams was composed of Bavlv (2), Baddeley, Fowler, Joll. Lulus, Lysaght, Major, Pearce, Sangster, Snook, Southey, Turner, and Willy (2). Reinforced later by enthusiasts from the Waimate and Patea districts, the combination became a very strong one, and when five years later the English touring team were defeated by Taranaki, players from this district materially helped to obtain that signal victory.

[n July. 'B4 a large fire in Hawera resulted in the destruction of the Empire Hotel, accompanied, unfortunatb ly. with loss of life, a boarder named Kilroy being suffocated. At fire the local lire brigade, under Capt. Leslie, did great service in quelling the outbreak. The brigade, which had just been re-organised, gave, thus early, an indication of the admirable efficiency which distinguishes them today.

In that month also a vigorous campaign for a representative in Parliament for the ligmont constituency resulted in the return of Major Atkinson, for many 1 years afterwards prominent in colonial affairs. An energetic suburban farmer, Mr A. A. Fantbam, whose statue stands in King Edward Park, contested the seat and secured a good following. FIRST A. AND P. SHOW.

On November 4, 1884, the first Egmont A. and P. Show was held, with an attendance of 1500, and was conspicuously successful. The Association had'been formed nine months before, and the support of many leading and progressive farmers has been extended it, throughout the long period of its establishment. Marly _ in the s.irnc year the Norm'anby Horticultural Show field its first meeting, and has been enthusiastically carried on ever

since. The To Ngutu Domain Board was also formed about tlie same time.

Judging from sales reported at the time the current price of open rural lands appears to have ranged front £lO to £l4 per acre. The various projects for the formation of dairy factories had all been abandoned, and the time was not yet ripe for the practical recognition of that great industry in our midst. Blight was making itself evident in local orchards, and leaf-curl appearing m the numerous peachgroves which then abounded in South Taranaki practically exterminated that luscious fruit. Stoats, and weasels were being introduced, and their arrival and consequent rapid spread resulted in the destruction of much of our harmless fauna. EVENTS OF 1885. A great, visitation in the shape of a Tremendous gale struck Hawera and district on March 14, IS'So, partially unroofing many houses in the borough and levelling fences in all directions. The prevalence of the blighting saline blizzards so noticeable in recent years appears net to have been so frequent in early days as later, probably owing to the shelter then afforded by the many patches of bush.

In the same month the railway to Alanutahi was officially opened to the gTeat satisfaction of the travelling public, who were now able to make the through journey by rail from the capital city northwards. Mr C. Lambert was the first stationmaster in charge at the Hawera end. The formation of the railway line between Manutahi and Hawera had been long delayed, owing to the deep cuttings and the frequency of landslips in the papa strata encountered. MORE PUBLIC BODIES. In the town of Hawera there were now existent, besides the public bodies already noted, an Acclimatisation Society, a Building Society, a town band, a Public Hall Company, a Mercantile Union, and a Lawn Tennis Club. The public library -had long been established, a Masonic Lodge formed, and various friendlv societies had been

existent for years past. A sports committee had held attractive hxturcs on New Year's Day iof each year, at which many of the doughty athletes of tlie past (Julians, Baylvs, Minhinnicks and others) had performed, but if was not till LSO2 that the popular and virile Caledonian Society began its long series of annual meetings, which became a red-letter day in the town anti district.

FIRST CHEESE AT NO'EMANBY Tho making of tlie first cheese at Xormanbv by a private company at the end of 1885, marks an epoch in the progress of the mighty industry of today? The magnitude of the operations of’ this little Normanby factory was, of course, not comparable with that of even a minor co-operative company now, and there were only a few suppliers, of which Mr Murdoch, of awa, was the .principal. Only 67 gallons of milk were handled the first day, a quantity ' far exceeded by many individual suppliers to the large and modcrnly equipped factory that has taken its place there to-day. While the smoke of the great Stratford fire of January 6, 1886, still hung in the air, another mayoral election took place in Hawera, resulting in the return of the energetic Mr C. E. Major, whose name was for long after connected with the progress of tlu- town.

THE LAST PLOUGHING RAID A recrudescence of the native trouble occurred early in duly of this year, the Maoris trespassing on Mr Lysaght’s property at Mokoia and erecting whares there to signify their claim to the ownership of the land. A fortnight later they made a sensational raid on iMr Alex Hastie’s farm,at Inaha, and began ploughing up his field and building sheds. The spirit of the European settlers was roused by this daring invasion and a band of stalwart farmers having been assembled, they rode to the scene of the incursion and after an exciting scuffle, in which luckily no lives were lost, expelled the invaders, and seized the persons of Titokowaru and other instigators of the trouble, handing 1 them over to the police. Tiiis was one of the last and most serious of the ploughing raids. The Californian thistle, now prevalent in South Taranaki, appears to have been first noticed in local pastures about this time, and its presence occasioned considerable alarm to farmers and graziers. In earlier days the ordinary Scotch thistle was regarded with dismay on account of its amazing growth in bush clearings, but it was soon discovered that this variety was almost harmless in comparison to its virulent successor. Next year a strong agitation for the establishment of meat-canning works at Hawera was conducted throughout the district, but ultimately Patea was favoured as a mere suitable site, and laro-e works were established there, upcler the capable management of Mr O. W. Oldham. The foundation of these -works resulted in an improved demand, and consequent better value for the fat stock of the whole region. The chronicling of the discovery of a moa bene at Te Roti early in 1838, recalls the fact that early in the forties a very large quantity of the bones of the extinct dinornis were found in the sand near the mouth of the AA’aingongoro. In fact, it almost appeared fj-oni the multitude of tlu* remains, as . though the giant 'birds had chosen this ' spot as a communal place wherein to < die. as is reputed to be the custom with : elephants. Hawera had long desired a road to < the sea, ;»nd after much haggling a i route down to the beach by way of the i Zig-Zag track was eventually secured. 1 This path is now obliterated owing to < the erosion of the cliffs, but the cur- i ious “snap-dragon” rock standing i about a quarter of a mile out from its : terminus, still preserves its outline and < bulk notwithstanding the battery of ; trie surges. i A notable defection in the ranks of 1 local landholders was marked by the death of Mr M. J. Goodson, who had occupied a large area in the Waihi district and was the original purchaser, at a a few shillings per acre, of what is con- t. ceded to be some of the finest pastoral t land in New Zealand. With the advent -‘i of the dairying industry, and the con- t sequent division of this large estate, i what was once a one-man farm now * supports in comfort several hundred £l people. 1 i Football had reached a high standard ‘ in Taranaki and the defeat of the Eng- ri

lish touring team at New Plymouth by this province's team on May 16. 18:88, caused the greatest enthusiasm in South Taranaki, which territory had sent up T. .Toll. A. Good, W. Snook, H. Good, A. Pearce, and C. Major, as its representatives. The victory was a. narrow one. and the men of the Amber and Flack were justly proud of stopping the triumphal march of their doughty visitors.

A SERIOUS FIRE A serious fire occurred in Hawera on the sth July- following, damage to the extent of nearly £SOOO resulting. Although this conflagration was totally eclipsed by that of seven years later, it was suffieientlv grave as to require the utmost efforts of the efficient fire brigade to subdue it. A fortnight later great numbers of local residents journeyed to the vicinitv of Okaiawa to witness the great tangi held over the remains of the famous war chief, Titokowaru. a. large assemblage of natives from all along the coast congregating there to mourn the passing of the “ton.” Tlis actual burial place, like that of most Maori chiefs, was, and is kept secret. The energetic dairy farmers of the Ngaire district appear to have been the first movers in the establishment of co-operative dairying, and they now proceeded to found a factory on an individual subscription basis. Up to this time farmers wno manufactured butter had to depend on the local storekeepers for the purchase of their output, and the price offered, usually about fid per 11), hardly recompensed them for the cost of the labour in its production. The chief change noticeable in this district at the period was the rapid conversion of the bush-clad lands contiguous to the open plains into grazing pastures. Large blocks of Crown lands jiiid been sold or leased under various tenures in the Kaupokonui, Matapu, Te Roti, Eraser Road. Ararata, Meremere, and Wbakrunara districts, and here the settlers hud made great clearings, replacing the primeval forest with English pasture grasses, and incidentally destroying in the process much valuable timber in the fire-blasted areas. The grass chiefly favoured for sowing down was cocksfoot (dactylis glomerata) and this variety remains the basis of most of the pastures of the hinterland to-day. Cocksfoot seed was saved in great ’ quantities throughout the back country, and the proceeds of its sale contributed largely to the maintenance of the holdings. The fungus that grew on the decaying timber was also a. notable source ’of revenue, and the gathering and drying of this spongy growth was one of the chief industries of bush farmers for many years. So large did it bulk iu the exports of the province that it came to be called Taranaki “wool,” and many a struggling ‘•"cookie” was enabled to retain his holding largely by the sale of this article. On the open lands grain (chiefly oats), was still grown iu considerable -quantities, but the prevalence of rust and the destruction caused by caterpillars, was gradually weaning tho farmers from the hope of successful cropping in this territory. When the Algerian variety of oats was introduced from northern Africa the rust diffi- ; cultv was practically overcome, and the caterpillars were thereafter reduced by the growing activities of starlings and i other insectivorous birds. Earley i (chiefly of the Improved Cape variety) 1 now began to be raised on a consider- : able scale, and great yields of this cereal were obtained about Hawera and on the plains. When the dairying industry became established in the. subsequent years, grain-growing in this 1 locality definitely ceased. |

LORD ONSLOW’S VISIT In December, 1890, Hawera was honoured by a visit from the Governor, Lord Onslow, who remained in the town and viewed the attractions of the district for a few days. As this was the first official gubernatorial visit to our centre, special preparations were made for the occasion, and the town gaily bedecked in nonour of the Queen's representative.

Till now the only local hospital accommodation afforded was that of a cottage in Princes Street, near Syme s factory, serious cases being usually sent •on to' New Plymouth, the Taranaki Hospital Board 'being still the governing body. A movement was well under wav for the foundation of a local district hospital apart from New Plymouth jurisdiction, and several local public-spirited men interested themselves in the scheme. Air Jas. Livingston was instrumental in diverting a legacy of £2OO from the Mitchell Estate towards the purpose, and substantial testamentary bequests (chiefly those of Messrs. L. Milmoe and G. Heywood) swelled the sum in hand. A site was promised gratis, and an exhibition mooted to raise further funds. Early in 1593 an enthusiastic public meeting endorsed the exhibition idea, and with the hearty co-operation of the townspeople and country residents a display of highly attractive exhibits was held in the Town Hall and adjoining buildings at the end of May, running for about a week, and resulting in a profit of close on £SOO. A contract for an appropriate structure on a site adjoining the cemetery, was let, but it was not till August 28, ISO 4. that the building was formally opened and ready for the admission of patients. PASSING OF SIR HARRY ATKINSON

Tn the last days of June, 1892, the whole country was thrilled by the somewhat sudden death of Sir Harry Atkinson, who had represented the local electorate for many years, and had become one of the most prominent figures in the arena of New Zealand politics. A suitable vote of condolence was passed by the Hawera Borough Council, and endorsed by practically all citizens of every shade of political opinion. As might have been expected, he was Held in the highest esteem throughout this district, in the interests of which ho had laboured so Ion".

Boring. Tor an artesian water supply for the‘Hawera Borough was attempted by private contractors, but the operation proved abortive, owing, it was said, to the boring apparatus striking a rock and being deflected to the surface again, and the enterprise was abandoned. Estimates were then obtained, and levels taken for the present, reticulation scheme, which has proved so eminently satisfactory. HAWERA’S FIRST DAIRY FACTORY Towards the end of 1592 another proposal for the establishment of a dairy factory at Hawera was mooted, and' this time farmers seemed to be more enthusiastic. An energetic Home produce buyer, Mr .Tames Kowin, had been doing his best f«» establish a butter trade with the firm lie represented, and was getting considerable encouragement from the outlying districts. The prospects of South Taranaki farming looked brighter each season, and the energetic auction firms of Nolan Tonics and Co. and the Egmont Farmers’ Union did their best in the disposal of live stock. That as yet the value of rural lands was not excessive is evinced by the fact that about this time a farm of considerable area on the Hastings Road was sold outright for £4 39s per acre. Other points of interest to farmers noted at the time was that caterpillars were causing great destruction to crops before the harvest of 1893, that no c-qdlin moth was as yet. reported by orchardists, and that the first weasel was killed on the plains in the same summer.

Early in September *af tliis year a dairy factory was at last projected for

Hawera. and the proposition was taken up enthusiastically by a large meeting of farmers at which canvassers were 'appointed for the supply of milk, and it seemed as though this centre was at length falling into line with the activities of the outer districts in the same direction, where a number of factories were already in operation. 'One of the prime movers in the agitation was Mr B. C. Robbins, now of Tauranga, and it was largely to his energy that the necessary buildings were opened the following month. ' It was not. however, till May, IS9.J, that the concern was converted into a co-operative company.

Towards the end of the year the genC!.;il election for representation in Parliament took place, and (Mr G. Hutchison was returned for Patea, and Air F. AlcGuire -for the adjoining Egmont electorate, in each case after exciting contests. Though the boundaries of the constituencies have been altered somewhat since, their general outline remains much the same us then.

The co-operative movement was responsible for the conversion of the Norniariby Dairy Company from a proprietary ownership in July, 3 894, and it has so functioned ever since. SNOWSTORM OF ’94. 'September 2, 3594, was signalised by a heavy snowstorm throughout South Taranaki, a most unusual visitation, and one which has become rarer since. The white mantle lay several inches deep on the flat lanfly near the coast and much deeper on the Bill country to the north and east. Residents in the towns arid on the plains had a joyous time snowballing, until the last traces of (lie fall were dissipated by the action of the sun.

About this time the Egmont Racing Club purchased the freehold of theii beautiful property on the Waihi Road for £4O per acre, and proceeded to improve the grounds and appointments to an extent that must be highly gratifying to the few racing enthusiasts who remember the original meeting at AYaihi away back in 1873. when Major Turner occupied the presidential office and James Davidson acted as secrctarv.

A popular local practitioner. Dr. Richards, died towards the end of September, ’94, and many old residents will remember his kindly services in the cause of suffering humanity, no distance being too great for his attention, and no case too complicated for his care.

The Easter holidays of 1895 will long be remembered for the prevalence of a particularly violent gale, or blizzard, which caused great destruction to buildings and property along the coast, and the accompanying downfall of rain occasioned great floods in all the rivcis, resulting in a heavy loss of stock, the riparian flats and low-lying -fields being converted into temporary lakes. It is noteworthy that a yield of 4o bushels of wheat to the acre was obtained this season at Mr Alexander 's farm, Waihi, this being one of the last good grain crops grown in this district. The enterprising and energetic Air A. A. Fantham had already imported bumble-bees with the object of fertilising clover for seed-saving purposes, but the industry was not taken up seriously in this district, and the bee, like many another importation, has proved but of doubtful value, owing to its depredations in gardens.

Another fairly heavy snowstorm swept the district in the spring of 9->. and the comparative frequenc-v of these cold snaps in early days seems to convey the fact that climatic conditions in winter and spring were then severer, while the prevalence of spontaneous bush fires in the summers past indicates a greater heat in those seasons than is experienced now

GREAT FIRE OF 1895. On the evening of August 29, 1895, a great calamity in the shape of a destroying fire, befell the rising town of Hawera, and for a time effectually checked its progress. Beginning in a draper’s shop adjoining the Egmont Hotel on the western side, the flames fanned by a high wind, soon seized the larger building and swept over to the Commercial Hotel opposite, speedily reducing both structures to the ground. Swept hither and thither by changing gusts of wind, the destroying element cleared all the buildings in its path from the old “Star” office opposite the Opera House to the postmaster’s residence in Princes Street, levelling in all seventeen business premises and Government buildings, including the Post Office and courthouse. On the opposite side the whole corner from Sutton’s buildings to Oaplen’s offices was swept bare, and had it not been foe substantial brick walls at these points, tho greater part of the town might have been destroyed. The fire brigade made desperate but unavailing efforts to subdue the conflagration, and ultimately r confined themselves to blowing up buildings in the path of the flames. The sight was a terrible and unforgetable one, the flames rising to a tremendous height, and being in fact seen by the crew of a steamer .passing down Cook Strait. The roar of the conflagration, combined with the crash of falling timber and chimneys, resounded for miles around, while the glare lit up the whole countryside. Tremendous damage was done to house and olher property and tho loss was only partially' covered by insurance. Worst of all. a sad loss of life occurred, two well-known residents, Messrs W. ~). Caverhill and A. Tourner, perishing in the ruins of the. Egmont Hotel, their charred remains being recovered

next day. Notwithstanding the terrible destruction occasioned and the temporarily staggering blow dealt to local

trade, it was not long before the destroyed buildings wore being replaced bv temporary structures, which later on gave place to more modern and commodious premises than had existed before the calamity. Building restric(;ons were tightened up by the borough authority, and brick boundary-divisions enforced within a certain area, thus, obviating the possibility of a recurrence of a catastrophe an anything like the scale of that which almost annihilated the heart of the town on that bleak August night. A WHALEBOAT TRAGEDY. In the closing days of November, ’96, a sad fatality occurred at the Waingongoro beach, three persons (Miss Crowhurst. and Messrs Briggs and Wordsworth) being drowned through the capsizing of a whaleboat when, returning through the breakers from a fishing expedition off the coast. The young lady, whose untimely and lamented death was particularly mourned, was the daughter of Mr T. E. Crowhurst, one of the earliest settlers, and a man of pronounced literary tastes. Mr Wordsworth was a relative of hers, and Mr Briggs the steersman of the boat. Early next month the general election again took place, Mr McGuire being returned for the local seat. The successful candidate was a man of strong personality, and had from early days distinguished himself in the public life of the community. Another of those searing blizzards which from time to time harassed this coast, swept the district at the end of the January following, leaving behind it a trail of blackened foliage and desolation. It seems clear that the open strip along the coast of South Taranaki was caused by these salt-laden gales denuding the coastal plains of bush, except in the sheltered valleys. Another prominent local settler and public man, in the person of Mr Moore Hunter, died on February 3 of this year, and his demise marked a distinct loss in the ranks of the pioneers. A fortnight later news reached Hawera of the death at Christchurch of Mr J. »S. Caverhill, one of our first and most progressive agriculturists, who cropped lands at the Lakes and in the Normanby district on a large scale, and introduced the latest machinery available for the garnering of the grain. In April, 1897, we note that the Hawera Borough Council adopted the Tawhiti water scheme, which planned the erection of a high storage tank, whence ■water could be piped throughout the borough. The burgesses, however, did not endorse the decision of the city fathers, arid the project fell through. A painful shock to district farmers was experienced in the beginning of June, when Mr Oldham’s meat works at Patea were destroyed by fire and this outlet for local beef and mutton temporarily closed through their destruction. The building of the Tawliiti Dairy Factory was decided on this month arid suitable buildings erected opposite the old flourmills. Although co-operation was suggested at first, it ultimately became a branch of the Crown Dairy Factory, then operating throughout this territory'. A very' severe earthquake occurred on December 8, 1897, causing great damage to glassware and crockery' in buildings, and the shock was deemed one of the heaviest which had till then been experienced by European residents here.

DAWSON’S FALLS HOSTEL The Dawson’s Falls accommodation house was formally opened at the New Year following. The original threeroomed structure had been completed two years before, but on this occasion the more pretentious building of eight rooms was thrown open to the public. A passable road had replaced the original track thereto, and residents all along the coast began to appreciate more the scenic glories of their mountain sentinel.

On April 10 a lamentable fatality occurred on the mountain, resulting in the death by misadventure of two popular Hawera young men, Messrs McGeoch and Beaumont, and the indications showed that the former had lost his life in assisting his stricken companion. The funeral was the largest ever seen in Hawera up to the time.

The popular governor of the colony. Lord Ranfurly, visited Hawera and district on September S, 1898, and was accorded a hearty welcome by all classes of the community, and a special holiday' was declared for the occasion. Twelve days later the cabled news of the death of .Sir Geo. Grey in London caused a spontaneous outburst of grief for the loss of this gifted man, who, notwithstanding the fact that his native policy' was open to criticism, is still regarded as one of the most able administrators New Zealand lias had.

The sanctioning of the water and drainage scheme for Hawera was triumphantly endorsed by a special poll on November 2, IS9S, and soon afterwards ratepayers enjoyed the benefits of a pure water supply' and satisfactory sanitation.

Another of the most prominent early settlers of the district, Mr ,T. R. Lysaglit, passed away on February- 20 of the following year. Mr Ly-saght had greatly- assisted graziers by- the establisliuont of boiling-down works at Mokoia, and his name is inseparable from any- account of South Taranaki settlement. HAWERA TELEPHONE EXCHANGE' When the telephone exchange was installed in Hawera on August 8, 1899, another milestone of progress was recorded on the path of the town’s advancement, and the rising borough, with its fire-devastated area substantially rebuilt, was now fast becoming endowed with all the conveniences of a city. The death of Colonel McDonnell towards the close of the year marked the passing of a notable figure,in the pacification of this district in the troublous times of the Hauliau rising thirty years before. A spirited contest for the representation of the local seat in Parliament at the year’s end resulted in Mr McGuire being again chosen by- the electors, and this gentleman served, in all, four terms as our representative. The outbreak of the Boer War in October of this year had caused great excitement locally, and on a call being made for volunteers to make up a contingent for service in South Africa, a number of our high-spirited .young men responded, and later on distinguished themselves notably at the front. Many of the finest horses bred in the district, some of them with the blood of Musket in their veins, crossed the ocean with Hie expedition, and in many cases loft their bones upon the veldt.

Mr Oiibbin, the original owner of much of the land around Waihi and Normanby-, re-visited the district in the ensuing summer, and marvelled at the change that had taken place in the countryside after so many' years of absence.

A destructive fire at Manaia on July--20 caused great damage to the little city of the plains, and made a notable gap, temporarily, in its business premises.

In common with the whole Empire her subjects in this territory mourned the death on January 22, 1901, of the great and good Queen Victoria, whose long and glorious reign conferred undying lustre on the ll inse of Brunswick.

The barque “Lizzie Bell” was wrecked on the rocks off Oeo on July 24 of this year, and a deplorable loss of life resulted, twelve seamen being drowned. The survivors were treated with the greatest kindness by residents of the locality, and subscription lists, liberally responded to, were opened up in all the adjacent centres, Hawera giving its quota generously. Till quite recently the foremast of this vessel served as a flagstaff at the Main School. TOKAORA SETTLEMENT In September, 1901, the Tokaora settlement was acquired by the Government from the private owner (Mr J. Livingston) and offered for selection on lease with right-of-purchase, on the 20th of the following month. Remarkable as it may seem now, there were onL 13 applicants for the 12 sections offered, and one, the homestead area, was not inquired for until later. The fear or the harbour rate deterred a number from competing, and the upset price (although only about one-third of its present value) was then considered by many to be too high. The welcome news of the declaration of peace with the belligerent Boers was received on June 2 with great rejoicing in this neighbourhood, and within a few weeks our quota of returning troopers appeared again in our midst, “Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard.” A contract for the formation of public baths in Hawera was let the following month, and a suitable place at last secured fir the ablutions of the resiuents. hater on in Ihe same month the new Fire Brigade Station was opened to the delight of the brigade and its admirers.

Mr Major sought electoral honours at the end of the year, and was returned by a substantial majority for Hawera; Mr Symes securing the Patea seat.

On July 1 the substantial now Anglican Church was opened, and the imposing brick building, orientated in lme with the custom of early builders, added notably to the architecture of the town.

A fortnight later old veterans of Von Tempskv ’s campaigns learned with regret of “the death at Eeefton of Dean Holland, the well-known chaplain-hero of the Maori Wars, and the first, resident Catholic priest of the Hawera district.

Later on in this year a suitable site for fish ponds was secured on the Vaihi stream by the progressive Acclimatisation Society, and the borough councillors, moving with the times,.made arran gem on ts for taking a portion of too Give estate tor a public uoattoir. Mr A. A. Fautham died early in .1904, and his signal services to the town and district are commemorated by the strik ing statue which stands on its marble pedestal in King Edward Park.INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION The great industrial Exhibition, for which an energetic committee had been long preparing, was opened on February 3 ot this year by the Hon. Eichard Seddon, perhaps the most forcible and commanding personality of his time in these lands. Tno show was held m the down Hall, Library, and Howe’s large grain store adjoining, and was considered to be one of the most ambitious and educational displays ever staged m this Island. Throngs of people from ail over Taranaki attended during its currency, and the financial result proved highly gratifying to the promoters. “ Brickworks were established on the Turuturu Eoad in May next, and turned out a considerable quantity of bricks and tiles for a time, but ultimately the material proved faulty,, and the manufacture was discontinued.

August 17 -witnessed an exciting football match, between the English touring team and Taranaki; the game ending m a draw. South Taranaki was represented by Glasgow, Glenn, Guy, Hunter, McKay and O’Sullivan. ILLUMINATION BY ELECTRICITY The first electric light shone in Hawera on the night of September 2, 1904, the Hawera Electric Company, which had harnessed the Waingongoro stream for the transmission of power and light, making the initial public display on this occasion. . .. \nother notably destructive salt blizzard . blighted vegetation and arrested spring growth on October 111 and its effects remained long after the i>assage of the storm. During the same week the ranks of the early pioneers were further reduced bv the death of Mr John Winks, a wellknown grazier and stock buyer, who passed away after a lingering illness. He had long been prominent m the pub- , lie life of the community. Two montns later came the news of the untimely end of Captain K. J. Blake, the original holder of the lands ' around Normanby. There are still a fc-w of the advance army of original " Poitiers who remember his cultured personality and open-handed hospitality. In January, 1906, the New Zealand Association’s Band Contest was held in Hawera, and the town for several days resounded to the strains of the visiting competing bands.

A new 'Mayor, Mr J. W. Hirst, took office on May 2 and conducted his duties with energy and decision. During his regime the hoiough council were called upon to pass a vote of condolence with the relatives of the Premier, Mr Seddon, who died at sea on June 10, and -whose demise -was the occasion of a genuine outburst of grief from all classes of the community. On August 7 of tnis year a large and animated meeting of residents and representatives of local bodies all along the coast urged the construction of the railway to Opunakc: a project that occasions little enthusiasm now that it has been accloinplishcd.

During the preceding few years the dairying industry had received great encouragement from the active example and influence of the late Mr T. L. Joll, who founded factories in the Okaiawa and Manaia districts, and by his energy ami foresight established the large concern which still operates under his name. HAWERA TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Early in 1907 a Technical School was mooted for Hawera, and the agitation was so confirmed by popular opinion as to assume shape later in the erection of a suitable building in Princes Street to take the classes for tuition.

Toil-gates were also projected for some of the main roads about this time, and despite a strong objection by a minority of ratepayers, two wore established the following year, one at Inaha anil the other at Okaiawa. Mr Thos. Lloyd, of Normanby, acted as caretaker toi the former during the whole term of the toll levy. On June I4th a prominent district farmer and land owner in the lvmg Country, Mr Magnus Forbes, was drowned in tlie wreck of tlie Kia Ora,’’ near Kawhia. Mr Forbes had farmed and cropped considerably in the neighbourhood of Hawera, and was a brother of Mr John Forbes, of Normanby one of our very earliest settlers, and a nephew of the late Mr Gideon Inkster, a prominent and active early pioneer of particularly strong personality. Mr E. S. Thompson, of Normanby, a persistent and able agitator in native interests, and editor of the “Maori Eecord,” died on August 21st, and the Maoris of South Taranaki lost, by his demise, an ardent and influential champion. In the middle of November, Te Whiti, the seer of Parihaka and the restless demagogue of his race, passed from tho sight of his mourning followers. Tohu, liis brother prophet, had preceded him to the land of shades at the beginning of the year. Although there had been much difference between the two towards the end, the same clay now closes over both, and a fine monument, standing in the midst of the kainga where they had dwelt so long, proclaims the fame and virtues of them who sleep beneath. Football enthusiasts learned with extreme regret, on December 14th, of the death of Mr Alf. Bayly, captain of the Taranaki team for many seasons, and one of the most resolute and resourceful players who ever wore the Amber and Black jersey.

GREAT BUSH FIRES. Great bush tires devastated the Awatuua and Auroa districts early in February, 1908, the pungent smoke tilling the air far out on the Plains, and burnt leaves and ashes fell in flakes down to the neighbourhood of Hawera. Many settlers were burnt out of their homesteads, and hundreds of acres of dry cocksfoot and other pasture were swallowed up in flames. The fine block of rolling land to tlic west of Normanby, known as “Hirstlands,” was divided into small sections and sold in the beginning of February, the average price obtained being xo4 an acre. This locality is now one of the most prosperous dairying belts in Taranaki Near Hawera, about the same time, the “Lakes” estate, owned by Mr W. E. Dive, was opened to public competition, and realised up to £SO pci acre, although not all of the sections were disposed of at the time of sale. The Hawera mayoral election next, month resulted in the installation of Mr H. AV. Sutton, a very early resident o± the town, and one who had always been closely identified with public affairs. On May Igt occurred the lamented death, at'Wellington, of Mr T. L. Joll, flic “dairy king of the Plains,” and a man of outstanding personality coupled with pronounced personal populan y. Mr .Toll had been injured in a tram accident and it was hoped that Ins splendid constitution would outstand its affects, but after lingering in hospital for several days the end came. A memorial at Okaiawa commemorates the memorv of this forceful and energetic financier, who befriended so many of his farmer brethren, and worked such lasting good for Taranaki, wherein lie was born and bred. . Another signal triumph for Taranaki football was celebrated when this province defeated the British team by five points to nil. The southern districts suoplicd Column. Crowley, Dive, Hunter, O’Sullivan, Smith, Sheahan, Tamil and Whittington, and can thus be fairly credited with the major part in the defeat of the visitors on this memorable occasion. . Oh September 7th, a special memorial service was held at Tc Ngutu o to Manu commemorating the 40th anniversary of that engagement, and a largo concourse assembled to view the proceedings, which might have been moie emblematic of the peace-fusion of the races had the Maori people been represented there, as was the case at a similar gathering at Orakau. At the General Elections, held on November 17tli. 190 S, new blood, in the person of Air G. V. Pearce, was selected lio represent the Patoa seat, while All Bradshaw Dive, after a second election, was successful in the Egmont electorate.

MANURING EXPERIMENTS It is curious to note that apparently the first local experiment in top-flress-ing pastures was tried at Normanby about this time, the Agricultural Department laying off plots and taking records of results. The first trial was of basic slag distributed on disced pasture, and the results were only slightly favourable over the checked area. Superphosphate of lime had been used as a garden stimulant, but it appears not to have been, so far, applied to enrich grass. The new Technical School in Princes Street was opened by the Minister of Education on February 27tli, .1009, and, a fair number of classes were enrolled at once, and suitable teachers secured. Later on the building was found to be inadequate, and a structure of greater range and durability was erected in Yo.gel Street. Towards the end of the year a Winter Show was projected for Hawera, principally through the activities of the Egmor.t A. and P. Association, and the personal energy of Mr A. M. Conroy, but it watt a considerable time before the necessary financial inducement was secured to warrant proceeding with th« project. Later on Mr L. O. Hooker became identified with the and his organising ability was soon manifest in the conduct of the society. Mr E. L’Estrange Barton was elected Mayor of the Hawera Borough in April, 1910. and conducted municipal affairs with marked ability and energy. • On June 6th, the cable convoyed the sad news of the passing of Xing Edward, and by none of his mourning subjects throughout his world-wide empire was the announcement more deplored than by his loyal people here. Other regal Edwards have gone before and sleep in mail-clad repose in their tombs in storied Westminster, but this monarch’s proudest title, “Edward the Peacemaker,’’ relates not to the clatter of arms and the clash of warring hosts, but to his lifelong pursuit of the lasting benefits of peace. Mr Donald Buchanan, a well-known grazier in the Ohangai district', and it resident of Hawera since the days of the pit-saw and the bullock-team, died on the 20th of May, and his considerable estate was, shortly after, subdivided and occupied by dairy farmers. He . was a brother of Sir Walter Buchanan, long prominent in Parliamentary affairs. DOMINION DAIRY SHOW The long-looked for opening of the Dominion "Winter Dairy .Show eventuated on .Tilly Pith. 1910. tlic- Hon. T. MclConzio corning tip specially to per-

form the opening ceremony. The exhibition ran for four days, and its popularity may be guaged by the fact that the attendance from the AVednesdav to Saturday inclusive was no less than 13,6.13, 'while the quality and variety of the exhibits was a theme for enthusiastic comment and admiration for long afterwards. A drowning fatality at the Lakes on November 2.lst following, whereby Air Frank AVhiting and his sou lost their lives, was the occasion of a practical expression of sympathy with the bereaved relatives, and a considerable sum was subscribed for them. Two. days before Christmas, dairying operations on the Plains suffered a con-

siderable shock in the destruction by fire of the large and complete Ivaupokonui factory and store, the value of the destroyed buildings and contents being in the neighbourhood of £.15,000, much of which was luckily covered by insurance. It was not long, however, before more modern and less inflammable structures took the place of the destroyed buildings, and placed this company’s works and plant among the best equipped in New Zealand. The foundation stone of the now building was laid on April 29th following, and the occasion was celebrated with considerable eclat. .. ...

A DAIRYING PIONEER. The death of Mr Peter Peterson in Queensland on the 20tli Alay next recalled the fact that Air Peterson, who formerly lived on the South Road three miles from Hawera, was the first local dairy farmer to export butter to the Old Country, packing it in 301 b. tins and consigning to tlyj well-known firm of Lovell and Christmas, who, afterwards, in view of the trade possibilities, sent out Mr James Kowin to represent, them in this district. Air Peterson was also the first to instal a cream separator in the neighbourhood, and he can be regarded as the pioneer of the dairying industry in this territory. The coronation celebrations were duly held in Hawera on June 23rd amid great general rejoicings, and the occasion of the inauguration of the reigning monarch was a red-letter day in the town and district.

The. second Winter Show was held on July sth, and subsequent days, and oven surpassed the first in point of attendance and variety of cxhiibts, 13,809 patrons paying for admission. Councillor H. K. AYhittington succeeded to the Mayoral chair the following month, his long anil active term of municipal service thus meeting its due reward.

Two prominent residents of the locality died shortly afterwards —Air Jas. Gowper, one of the earliest landholders, arid Air ,T. F. Pease, a prominent and influential financier of strong personality and far-seeing judgment. The chief municipal honour was conferred on Air A. AV. Gillies the following year, and his striking business abilities were strongly manifested in his mayoral career.

A destructive tiro which threatened the heart of the town, and bid fair, for a time, to eclipse the terrible visitation of 1895, resulted in the destruction of the Central Hotel and AlcGruer, Bono’s large premises on Alay 20th, 1911, and was only stayed in time by the resolute efforts of the Fire Brigade. The third Winter Show, opened by the member for the district, Air Pearce, maintained the high standard of its predecessors in attendance and quality of exhibits, and thenceforward this fixture was regarded as the principal winter attraction of South Taranaki.

the leaning tower. The erection of a water tower, to conserve a supply of water for extraordinary borough " use, was decided oh in October, 1912, and the foundation stone was placed in position two months later. When the tower had been completed it began to show a list towards the east, but the borough engineer, Mr Cameron, * by clever buttressing and excavating, brought it back to its true vertical position, a feat for which he cannot be too highly commended. The lofty pillar has, ever since, been an imposing landmark for many miles around, and the view from its top would be difficult to surpass. Mr H. W. Sutton, long connected with borough and public affairs, paid the debt of nature on December 29th, and the citizens displayed their tribute of respect to his memory by a large attendance at his obsequies. It may interest followers of Izaae Walton to relate that at the close _of this year, an amateur, Henarc te Kiri, plying rod and line at the mouth of the Waingongoro, caught in four hours 145 kahawai, which is a record difficult to beat, although many fine shoals of this hard-lighting lish have visited these shores since. Mr Vereker Bindon, at one time Inspector of Schools for the Wanganui Education Board, and afterwards head teacher at Manaia, died there on New Year’s Day, 1913. Many "old boys" still resident in the district will couple his name with the memory of the dreaded ‘‘examinations’’ of their youthful days. In too same locality, a few months later, death also claimed Air Simon Forsyth, one of the oldest and most highly respected settlers of the Plains. THE STRIKE OF ISIS. Mr \V. S. Young, one'of the original sections of tire Plains, left the ranks ol the living on July y, and it was an amiable and cultured soul that crossed - tne “Great Divide” on the morning of ins decease. An occasion of great interest to many was the elevation of the Rev. Thomas O’Shea to the dignity of episcopal rank on August 15. The new prelate had spent the greater part of liis life from childhood on a farm close to town, and the Hawera Borough Council acknowledged the honour conferred on him by extending him a civic reception shortly afterwards. A disastrous fire occurred in Opunake on October 2, and the little seaside township was in great danger of utter annihilation, as far as her business quarter was concerned, before the connagration was subdued. Lord and Lady .Liverpool honoured us with a visit on the L4th of this month, and were heartily welcomed by the various public bodies and residents of the town and district. The waterside workers’ strike at the beginning of next month assumed such threatening proportions as regards the stoppage ot the export of produce, that volunteers were called for locally to assist in loading the cargo and manning the wharves to protect the volunteer workers. A strong contingent of farmers, with their horses, was railed to the. chief port, and remained in Wellington sufficiently long to ensure the continuance of the shipping. Many exciting scenes occurred between the angry strikers and the cudgel bearing countrymen, but luckily no mortal casualties were sustained on either side during the protracted struggle for the freedom of transport. The strike ended before Christmas, to file great relief of all who abhorred inter-commnnal strife and the dislocation of industry. Mr A. S. Hobbs, formerly of Ohangai, joined tile great majority on December 19. His eldest daughter, Mrs M. E. Wilson, of Eltham. lias related In's life story and that of the family in an attractive booklet, “Hawera Fifty Years Ago,” and has also supplied memoirs of an eventful life to this jubilee number. The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society, which had been founded two years before, held their second annual meeting early m 1914, and the report shows that this energetic association was already established on a sound basis, and was progressing satisfactorily. During the next four weeks the funeral hells tolled for five prominent personalities in the settlement and progress of the district; Mr Wm. Williams, head of the well-known Meremere families of the name, and a proficient Maori linguist; Mr John W. Scott, of Whakamara, a refined and courteous gentleman farmer; Air Patrick Sweeney, resident in the neighbourhood before Titokowaru’s war; Mr F. A. Bremer, of Okaiawa, a pastoralist of advanced ideas, and a noted breeder of prize stock; and Mr John Treweok, connected with the very early days of settlement, and represented still in the district by many bearers of In’s name.

It is noteworthy that an Old Settlers’ Association was formed in Hawera in March, 1914, and its initial meeting was enthusiastically attended, but owing, no doubt, to the occurrence of events of over-riding importance within the next few months, interest in the movement began to wane. THE GEE AT WAE. When the cables, on June 8, 1911, conveyed the news of the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand,

few here thought for a moment that the regicide’s act would, in a few weeks, plunge the greater part of the Old World into the horrors of a war more terrible than over harassed the earth before, and that thousands of our young men, then full of the joy of life and hope, would, ere long, lie dead on the banks of the Dardanelles and on the wasted plains ef France. Events developed with startling rapidity, and on August 4, 1914, men out in the street held their breath in apprehension as they realised the terrible meaning of the message posted up in the “Star” window: ‘‘A STATE OF WAR EXISTS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND GERMANY’’ France had already hurled back the glove thrown down by the Teuton foe, and thenceforth for four long years Gaid and Briton fought back to back to stem the onrush of the mutual foe, thus realising at length the dream of the dying Alirabeau a hundred years before", almost prophetically foretelling this union. Hard on the proclamation of the ominous declaration came the call for volunteers, and hundreds of the flower of our young manhood threw down the pen and the plough-handle, and offered their services ftp the battle-front. It is unnecessary, m this record, to recapitulate the events of the long drawn-out agony of the fifty months “of strife, during which the red planet Mars appeared, metaphorically, to <7low with a more baleful light, and the'’ death of European civilisation seemed to be at hand.

COMMUNITY EVENTS DURING WAR PERIOD. hi the middle or August, a carnival queen contest on a largo scale, m aid of the* Hawera Municipal Band, resulted in the Maori candidate, Mrs Hikaka, beino- elected by a large majority. The war. thought by many, to be merely a matter of a few weeks duration, "did not interrupt Parliamentary procedure, and Mr Pearce was again elected, at the close of the year, for the Patea constituency. With the dying year died also Tutange Waionui, of Pnreroa pa, one

ot tne group of the marksmen who had ssiiot clown \ on Tempsky and his fellow Oil leers at Te Ngutu in 1808, and a diet of great influence among the -local

tnoes. , , towards the middle of January following, ivir T. I'ieeiestield, who had started business ill Hawera early in tne seventies, was killed by a bud on ms farm near tuu town; and a few wecivS later, the Anglican community in particular, am! residents generally, deplored toe joss ot Archdeacon Cassell, w,.0 iiad laboured in the town and district lor over iseveii years. During tne next few months, the grim reaper was busy among the ripe coni, and A Less rs John Gibson (of Baton j, Reuben White (Te Boti), Captain Is. Ginger (Manutahi) and Felix AicGuire (formerly our member of Parliament and first Alayor). all old settlers, fell be lore liis scythe. Air E. Dixon was promoted to the chief magistracy of the town at the Mayoral election of April 28, 1915, and brougnt to the office pronounced energy and business acumen. On May 7 James Livingston left our midst and a few days thereafter hundreds of settlers from all the countryside assembled at Ohawe, and formed into processional' fine behind the pall bearing gravewards all that was mortal of him who had so. well represented the virility of the colonist and the manhood of tlie Border elans. Compulsory service began to be advocated towards the close of 1915, and with tho abami'Olimcnt of Gallipoli at the beginning of next year, and following the Home movement in the same direction, the measure was shortly after enforced.

The death of a feeble old man in Marlborough Hospital qn June 1.0, who gave bis name as Kimble .Bent, recalled the sensational and adventurous career of this former outlaw, who had iived long in the vicinity of Hawera, and whose name bulks largely in many episodes of the Hauliau wars.

Early the next month the death occurred of Mrs Ann Evans (the beloved “grannie” Evans of old-timers), she, who from early block-house days, had watched by countless sick-beds and dispensed healing balm to many a groaning .sufferer. Trained by the illustrious

Florence Nightingale, of undying Crimean fame, she followed the profession of that “Lady of the Lamp”, in these southern lands, until her frame waxed too feeble, and the nurse became the nursed. Few of all our early inhabitants did more genuine service than this humble woman. Next day passed away James 3)avidson, who, far back in IS7I, had began to trade in the embryo township, wherein lie was to reside so long. In addition to his commercial and public activities, Mr Davidson displayed in later years a distinct literary talent, and some of his poems are quite excellent. in their descriptive and sentimental expression. Not in the field of battle where his high spirit aspired to go and his stricken frame forbade, passed from earth on October 7 the soul of the genial and energetic “Jack” Turton, cut off' in his prime by insidious internal ailment, and his name erased for ever from the list for active service. Towards the end of the year, Mr Daniel Hughes, a hardy and resolute type of early pioneer, who had done much contract work in the early days of transport and road formation, departed from the scene of his labours. On December 17 news of the tragic death, in a motor accident, of tb© Bev. J. B. Shore, reached bis many friends and admirers bore. Mr Shore had been in charge of tlie Hawera Presbyterian Church for nearly ten years, and had but recently been transferred to Hamilton, when his life was thus suddenly terminated, to the grief not only of those of liis own persuasion, but to the many friends who recognised in him an earnest, and gifted man.

1917-1920. Ur f. A. Budge, one of our best known citizens and a prominent public servant since e,»rlv times, passed out ot life on .January 20, 1917, and left, a g.:;p lim'd to till in the public life of the community. . One of the earliest settlers on the .ist and the “father" of Manutahi, Air Peter 'Campbell, mas laid to rest ■after a long and strenuous life. _on j one 7 following, and on the first day of the next, month Mr John Christie, a •well-respected and lovable citizen or Unworn. and an ex-editor of the “Star." passed from the land of the 1 i vin g.

Two long residents cf the neighbourhood. both old and full of years, Mrs M. J. 'G'oodson and Mr J. V. Riddle, answered the summons of death towards the end of the year, the former being the relict of the well-known pastoral ist, Mr M. J. Goods.cn, .and the latter connected with the AX'. Forces since their arrival in the district. On March 18, 1918, one of the severest and most prolonged gales that ever smote 'this region broke upon us .and continued practically unabated till the 20th, levelling fences and haystacks in all directions and causing great destruction to buildings and property. The storm was general throughout, the southern part of the island, and devastating bush tires, fanned by the fury of the wind, ravaged the Taihapo and neighbouring districts, causing a great scarcity of timber in the locality from whence Hawera drew its chief supplies. An early settler of solid worth, Mr Felix Hunger, died at Xormanby on May 10, and a few days later two notable figures in the foundation of coastal settlement, General R. H. Davies, formerly captain .of the Hawera light horse in the time of the early native troubles, and Mr Joseph JTawken, :who was settled on the coast before the Hauhnu wars, passed away. A disastrous fire occurred in High Street on July 2, the group of buildings on the southern side owned by the Sutton Estate, being completely gutted. Luckily the substantial brick walls on either side confined the flames within their bounds, and the alert Fire Brigade prevented their spread further. A very .old resident, Mr T. IT. Morgan. was accidentally killed on the South Road on July ‘Jo, and in September following Mr A. S. Tanks, long connected with auctioneering and pastoral pursuits, succumbed after a long illness. Mr G. H. Gibson, too, a very popular and prominent resident, of Jong standing, died about the same time.

THE ARMISTICE AND THE EPIDEMIC. Boils all over the town pealed and whistles shrieked a joyful syren uvhen. at II o'clock on the morning of Xov-

ember 11, 191 S, the glad news of the cessation of hostilities at the battle front was flashed along the wires. Everyone joined in the expressions of delight .on receipt of the happy tidings, and complete strangers shook each other’s hands in congratulation over the ending or the terrible -strain on civilised humanity. Ilardly had the ebullitions of joy effervesced into the calm surface of everyday life, when a spectre, grim and ominous, appeared at our doors and lurked there for weeks like a tame hound that would not. he driven away. This was the terrible visitation of the influenza epidemic, tlie memory of 'which still causes a shudder to those who witnessed its fell effects. The plague visited this neighbourhood about the middle of November and struck down its victims without regard to their age or strength. A temporary hospital was opened in the -Winter Show Buildings and willing volunteer workers assisted the overworked medical and nursing staff. As the pestilence strengthened and spread, other temporary places for treatment -were opened up in the town, and hotels and shops were closed for a time, the people settling down to an earnest endeavour to stamp out the scourge. Over thirty persons died in the local shelters and about 100 Maoris (who were particularly susceptible to the disease), succumbed in the immediate neighbourhood. Extra sanitary precautions were taken in town and country, and towards the middle of December the terror had practically passed us by, leaving in its wake many vacant chairs in broken homes, and long raws- of grave mounds in the solemn field of the dead. While the A. and F. Show was being held on February 27 .ef next, year, 'Air (ins. Bremer, a well-known and popular fanner of fhe Patea district was killed through the overturning of his car close to town, and the association was a. distinct loser by such a prominent supporter and exhibitor being thus suddenly si ruck from its membership. , The fine new Normanby School was opened on April 4, and the contrast with the original shingle-roofed building of the mid-seventies was noted by many of the survivors who attended, as scholar and onlooker, at both. The National Liquid' 'Referendum of April 10 caused much excitement hero, as elsewhere, the result being long in doubt until the votes of tlie returning soldiers definitely placed continuance in the lead, greatly to the disappointment of the many earnest advocates of proi’Ki f i rvn

Airs E. O’Shea, one of the first, with her husband and family, to settle clown in the district, and the mother of Archbishop O’Shea, died on June 17, and a particularly vigorous and strong minded personality faded from the thinning ranks of the pioneers. After much shuffling and side-step-ping, Germany ultimately signed the Peace Treaty on June 2'S, 1919, and the occasion was duly celebrated here bv public rejoicings in town and country. Bonfires flared in all directions, and the town was ablaze with lights from dusk to midnight, while the reverberation of 'crackers and the hiss of rockets sounded far and near. On October 29 all who conveniently could turned, out, to meet one of our returning Victoria Cross heroes, Lieut. J. G. Grant. Hawera was definitely placed on the military map by' supplying twiO' oht of the few V.C’s. awarded to Now Zealanders, the other recipient being Lieut. IT. J. Laurent, who did not return till sonic nine months later. Each received a welcome befitting the high honour gained in the battlefield, and streets in the newlv-formed townplanning area were named after each soldier. December, 1919, marked the passing of two proipincnt identities, long associated with the town and district, Messrs \V. C. Henson, of Waihi. and .1. P. Keen, io-f Hawera, both highly popular and estimable residents. I’he Parliamentary elections hold at. the close of Ihis year witnessed the victory of Mr AV. D. Powdrell in Paten, and Air O. J. Hawken in the adjoining Egiuont electorate. Shortly after the new year Colonel Gudgeon, one of tho original A.C. officers, and for a term in charge of the Manaia camp and prominent througli•riit the Hauhau wars, answered the last reveille. ITc is the author of “Heroes of Now Zealand,” and a recognised authority on New Zealand military operations.

PEAK OF THE LAND BOOM The beginning- of the year 1920 may be regarded as the peak of the land boom, for about this time a small farm near Hawera was sold by auction at £207 per acre, /while at the same time rough bu-sh country realised close -on £35 per acre. It now became clear to the more far-seeing that the price of land had been boosted to fully double its value, and from this period on prices fell rapidly, and many -a small farmer, overburdened with mortgageinterest and taxes, iwalkcd off his holding, and toiok his chance of securing a livelihood where there was a better prospect of obtaining some recompense for his toil. April 10, '.1920, chronicled the fortieth anniversary of the foundation of the “iflawera Star,’' the medium which has, through all those years, reflected the opinions of the people of 'South Taranaki, and conveyed to thorn faithfully the tidings of the world outside.

THE LAST DECADE The events of the last ten years are, doubtless, so fresh in the minds of most residents’ 'as not to require extensive notice in these columns, and a brief recapitulation of the more noticeable (occurrences may suffice. The year 192(1 sar.v the foundation of the fine new Technical School laid on April 30, .and- on May 3, we were honoured by a visit from the Prince of •Wales, all joining in a loyal and hearty welcome to the heir-apparent. The first aeroplane seen, over Hawera passed above the town on November 8, and on the 11th of the same month we held a .commemoration of Armistice DayLord and Lady Jellicoc visited the district on (November 24, and the popular Governor and his consort were enthusiastically welcomed. Obituary notices for the year include the names of Veterans Cosslett Johnson and John Flynn, and on August 17 the announecmet of the death of Mr W. A. Parkinson, the highly esteemed proprietor and editor of the “-Star,” was cabled from London. In 1921, notable visitors were Lord Jellicoe (official call), .and the Papal delegate; and the Technical High School was formally opened - on October 15. 'The lamented death of our Parliamentary representative, Mr W. D. Powdrell, occurred at Wellington on March 9, and a Highly promising career was lost to public- service. Mr Powdrell’s handbook on “Dairying in New Zealand, ” is still regarded as a. .classic. Death announcements of old residents include the names of Messrs ,T. {Kenworthy (for a time editor of the “Star”), Win. Hair, G. V. Bate, and Wm. Eye. Mr E. Dixon was returned to represent Batea in Parliament, after a strenuous struggle. 1922 witnessed the devastation of the Omona district by a cloudburst and consequent destructive floods, and the acquisition of the Wailii beach reserve -by the Hawera Borough, through the generosity of the owner, Mrs Pease. Mi' J. R. Corrigan was triumphant in the contest for local Parliamentary honours at the close of the year. Notable deaths of pioneers recorded were those of Mr T. G. Nicholas, Mrs Delamorc, Wm. Broderick, and Mrs >S. Tocker. Annals of 1923 record the succession of Mr L. A. Bone to the (Mayoralty of Hawera, and the demise of old 'settlers in the persons of ’Charles Paine (Nor-m-anibv), Mrs E. Edwards (Whakamara) and James Grant (Taiporohenui). Sir ■Robert Nolan, too, a deservedly popular recipient of honours gained for (his signal services -to wounded soldiers, died in Auckland on July 13th. Records for 1924 include the outbreak of the railway strike on April 21, which for a. time threatened to paralyse goods traffic, but fortunately iwas declared off before the end io-f the month. * Community lighting for the borough was inaugurated in the middle of November, and has been practised ever since. The list, of departed early residents contains the names of Messrs B. B. Hamilton, Bongo Tnpateu, P. Tal-ty, Jno. Stevenson. E. Doherty. W. <O. Adamson ami John Macklam. The most noteworthy local events of 1925 were the sensational eviction .scenes at Ohawe early in the year, the inclusion of Nol’antown within the borough boundaries, the end of the tollgate barriers on county roads, the celebration of the Hawera Public School jubilee, the election of Mr E. A. Pacey tin -the Mayoralty, the laving of the foundation stone for the new hospital, and the campaign for (Parliamentary representation, resulting in the return of Mr 11. G. Dickie, our present member. The establishment of a dairy laboratory in Princes Street in August, . 1925, with a qualified research chemist in charge, resulted from persistent agitation by the -associated factory , managers and directors of co-operative dairy factory companies, associated with the Taranaki Branch icf the New < Zealand Factory Managers’ Ass’oei- 1 iation. Among those who left our midst were j (Messrs R. W. Foreman, Gideon Inkster, Mrs Lspagnc, and George Bamford. ] The death of the Premier, Mr Mas- - sev, also, on May 10, was regarded by 1 many local residents as the passing of < a close friend, who took particular in- J

terest- in this district, and visited.it on many occasions. . .Events of local interest, during 192 b were the unveiling of the memorial cairn at the old Ohawe cemetery, on the 60th anniversary of the Otapawa engagement: the appointment ot Mr. u. .T. Hawken (born and bred -m South Taranaki) to the Ministry of Agriculture: the triumph of the Hawera hue Brigade (for the second time in succession) in the Dominion championship contest at Dunedin; a fatal fne at El tham, by which four occupants of a lodging-house lost their lives; Ihe celebration of the jubilee of the Normanby Publie School; the donation of an area of land at the Wailu beach by the executors of the late A. b. honks; and an-unusual fall of snow in Hawera and district on the 16th September The demise of the following early settlers is recorded during the twelve months:— yir M. J. Roche (stationed at Normanbv early in the seventies); Mrs. \V. C. Adamson (Hawera), Mrs. Wm. A\ illiams (Meremere), Mr. Wm. Cowevu, Mr. Fred Soarling, Mrs. Jos. Hawken, Mr. Tiros. Parkinson, and the Rev. T. G. Hammond (the esteemed Maori missionary and author of the “Story of Aoton ”). News was‘also received by cable on February 4th of the death, at London, of Air. James Kowin, the weliknown and popular produce buyer. Records of 1927 include the installation of the automatic telephone on February- Ist; the opening of the commodious new hospital on the 18th ot the same month; the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York on March 3rd; a fatality on the mountain whereby Messrs'. Barnes and Latham lost their lives on May lltli; and the establishment of an Australasian record in throwing the javelin by a Hawera athlete, S. A. Lay. The depleted ranks ot the ’ pioneers wore further reduced by the deaths of Messrs. A. Cunnabell, ‘ Charles Hunt, T- W. Owen, John Cleaver, Wm. Rowe, and ;E. -R. -Hastic; . while two very prominent members of the community, in the persons of Mr. . C. A. Struck ’ and Monsignor Power, . both passed away in October. Early in the year 1928 the ; fatnl Mon- ■ erieff-Hood .flight across the '.Tasman Sea was attempted, but the daring fliers have never been heard of since. : On May 24 the terrible Nga-vyhini gorge . fire tragedy occurred, enyqlvipgJhe loss of seven lives; and on June 15 'Sir C. Fergusson and his Lady.paid us a vice--1 regal visit. The Hawera Olympic representative, Stanley Lay, threw the javelin 222 ft Pin on July 11, almost equalling the world’s record, and on September 10 Ivingford Smith and his gallant comrades passed by down Cook Strait on their memorable successful air flight from Australia. Hawera welcomed the aeronauts joyously on the 18th inst., a .great crowd .assembling cm the racecourse for the purpose. -Daylight-saving came into operation (after the temporary trial in the previous season) on October .14, and has been practised with general satisfaction 'since. Mr H. G. Dickie was selected as M.P. by the Pntea electors in tne contest of mid-November, and Mr C. A. Wilkinson was chosen for Egmont. During the year notable defections from the diminishing group of" early settlers were Messrs Morris Roberts (Okaiawa), W. B. Douglas (Matangarara), John Finlay (Tokaora), SergeantMajor W. White (Manaia), Mrs O’Neill (Manutahi), and Mrs M. Stevenson (Piliama). During last year (1929) notable occurrences from "a local standpoint were the striking success of the Hawera Fire Brigade in the Dominion championship competitions; the retention of the Wednesday half-holiday; the great earthquake" of June 19, surpassing all other shocks over experienced here; the succession of the South Taranaki Electric Power Board to the conduct of the affairs of the original Hawera Electric Company. r i’he early residents ’ obituary list for the twelve months includes the names of T. 11. Jenkins (Eltliam), Chief Poitutu (Ketemarae), John Heslop (New Plymouth), J". H. Sellers (formerly of Okaiawa), Walter Goodland (Hawera., T. R. Exley, Geo. Castle, Mrs John Brown, Mrs Richard King, Mr George Syme (all of Hawera), ,T. -lire Murray (Eltliam), 51. .T. Macßeynolds (Rahotu), Richard Burgon (Normanby), Robert Lambie (Ooo), Diston Ginger (Manutahi), T. E. Crowhurst (formerlv of the A.C. Force), and Colonel Tom Sutherland (Manaia).