THE BOROUGH OF HAWERA

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE BOROUGH OF HAWERA

HISTORY OF HAWERA

(Continued.)

COMMOTION OF TELEGRAPH , ■ • .. LINE.

A further step in communication with outside residential centres was made in'June, 1871, when the telegraph line was completed from New 1 lymouth as far as Opunake, but between that place and ours the natives were sti too “pouxi” (sullen) to allow the poles to be placed. A mounted messenger service was, however, permitted, ana thus a fairly efficient communication was inaugurated between Taranaki and the capital city. Five years later a more direct and prompt connection was secured by the erection of the telegraph line along the newly opened Mountain Road, or Mountain Track, as it was then termed. A few of the old original dwellers in the district may remember the dreadful state of that “track” at the Ketemarae end shoitly after its formation. In winter it was a quagmire of mud and water in parts, and did an unwary traveller seek to obtain better going on the sides he was likely to fall headlong into one of the numerous sawpits, often full of watei, which strewed the route. An attempt to open up the land on the northern side of the Waingongoro was made early in 1874, but the surveyparty engaged was ordered off, and i was deemed unwise to press the work, which, however, was resumed fom years later. Next year the New Plymouth Harbour Board was constituted, and a special rate levied throughout the district to provide funds for the construction, of a breakwater at Al oturoa. Soutn Taranaki also provided two representatives to the Provincial council of Taranaki at this time, Messrs I*. McGuire and H. S. Peacock being the local delegates.

THE FOUNDING OF NORMANBY. About this time an enterprising landowner, Captain Blake, laid off his selection four miles northward of H.iwera into township sections, and called it Normanby, after the Governor of the time. The beauty of the site and the fertility of the locality at once attracted settlement, and it soon become a serious rival to its older settled noig i Hawcra had now 7 (IS 75) the nucleus of a relatively 7 considerable population, seeing that the whole European population of Taranaki was then but 4000. There was a post and telegraph office (Mr. J. Black being the ffrst telegraphist) : two hotels, the Egmont (T. QumJivan) and the Hawcra (J. Espagne); a blacksmith’s shop, the proprietor being Mr. William Williams, and the assistants Messrs J. J. Patterson and W. A’Court; two general stores, conducted by Messrs J. Davidson and Muir and Tnplin; two butcheries, those of Messrs J. Winks and W. Treweek; two bakers’ shops (Taplin’s and Winks’); a saddler (Mr. E. Williams); and several carpenters, including Messrs T. JTitzsiinmons, B. Lynch, T. Chatham and T. Robinson. There were also quite a number of carriers to cater for the increasing influx of population, and or these Messrs .T.* Stevenson, C. Tait, D. McL’Dowie, J. Redding, J. Dyer, J. Treeweek, Oakes, Robinson and I. Sweeney are most remembered. In the little town and immediate neighbourhood also resided pioneer members of many well-known families, representatives of whom are still with us. The following names are cited as those of most of the families then resident: Barrow, Bourkc, Brett, Broadbent, By r rne, Cameron, Cowper, Dowdall, Dyce, Douglas, Gillroy, Goodson, Gore, Hamilton, Heyward, Hicks, Inkster, Jupp, Livingston, Malone, Mason, Middlemas, Milne, Mitchell, Morgan, Moriarty, McKov, O’Donnell, O’Shea, O'Riley, Perry, Powell, Earnagc, Reid, Riddiford, Siggs, Turnbull and Worth.

FIRST FORM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The first form of lorn 1 government entered into was the institution of a Road Board, and the initial meeting v.'fis held in Mr. Davidson’s shop, and Messrs J. MeMiehael, F. Finlaysoii and T. Middlemas were appointed. The district governed was that between the Waingongoro and the Manawapou, bounded on the north by the native confiscated line. Churches were erected by the various religious bodies, and the township began to assume a more tnet.ropolitii n aspect. The chief outstanding block to further expansion, the freedom of the Waimate Plains, was removed by a Royal Commission (with Sir William Fox at its head),' sitting in 187!), to determine the rights of proprietary. The result was that the Commission set apart a sufficient area for Maori use

and benefit, and handed over the balance to the Government for disposal by auction sale to Europeans. This decision, of course, was deemed arbitrary by many Maoris, and le Whiti, "of Parihaka, became the mouthpiece of the dissenters. He contented himself, . however, with a pmpricking policy of annoyance, and counselled his followers, distinguished

by 7 their wearing of the raukura (or white feather) to refrain from actual violence, but to re-enter on the estreated lands and cultivate them as though they were their own. In pursuance of his advice large bodies of natives, partially armed, invaded the confiscated area, and crossing the Waingongoro, began ploughing up the lands selected by various European settlers.

The situation tluns created was an alarming one, and great activity among volunteer corps throughout t tiethreatened area ensued. A troop ot cavalry, called the Hawera Eight Horse, was raised in this town, with Captain Lnlds in command. A squad of rifle volunteers under Captain Isaac Bayly was also formed here. At Manaia the Waimate Mounted Rifles, under the leadership of Captain Martyn, held themselves in readiness for action. At Normanby a stiong earthwork redoubt was thrown up on the western side of the township, and a strong company of local volunteers occupied it and began drilling systematically. A lane was felled through the heavy bush, which then flourished between this point and the established Waihi fort, so as to permit of signalling in case of attack. The tension was extreme, and another bloody clash of arms was hourly expected. Families ‘ in the Normanby distinct (which appeared to be the most threatened quarter) were advised to seek the ■shelter of the Waihi stockade, and a number of women and children availed themselves of the protection offered, leaving their menfolk to guard the homes.

Outside the Waihi stockade the constabulary had built whares to accommodate the refugees, and the writer has a good recollection of liis family s occupation of one of these. It was built very neatly of raupo reeds on a wooden frame, and proved to be very warm and comfortable. Its clni'o.l>ilit;y. of course, was very limited, and as the material was very inflammable great, care had to be taken to avoid fires. The Normanby headteacher, Mr J. C. Hill, and his family also shared the shelter of this novel cottage.

HAWERA AS A REPUBLIC. Meantime in Hawera, an event of outstanding interest had taken place. Few of her citizens to-day are aware of the fact that Hawera was once constituted a Republic, and solemnly declared .itself an independent community. How 7 this treasonable act was taken'by the Grey .Government of the time is not recorded, but as that Ministry had already been subjected to sharp criticism on its pro-Maori policy, the declaration was probably treated as a joke. The following advertised skit in an opposition paper indicates the heckling that Sir George and bis colleagues were subjected to: -

Titokowaru and Co., Dry-salters and Butchers. Cooked constable a speciality. Address: Patea Gorge, Taranaki Agencies at Parliament House Wellington And at Downing Street, London.

The reference to “Gorge,” of course, conveys a. sinister double meaning, ol which the daring publicist was fully aware.

Reverting to the formation of the local government set up in opposition, theoretically, to that of good Queen Victoria, the following particulars of that Cromwellian movement are taken from the “Star” ol February 17, 1914:--

Repeated appeals were made to the Grey Government for protection from native oppression, and as none was forthcoming, a meeting was held, and the isettlem in solemn conclave passed a resolution declaring Hawera a republic, and James Livingston was elected president. The settlers (many of whom had done duty when the present town of Hawera only consisted of a blockhouse) then took measures for their own defence, and placed guards in front of the president’s house, as his land was the first to be ploughed up.

When the Hall Government assumed office in October, 1879, Mr Bryce became Defence and Native Minister, and immediately altered the mild policy of his predecessors. The survey of the confiscated Plains’ lands was arranged, and the main road from New Plymouth to Gpmiake formed hv armed (oustahiilary, who took their rifles with them to their work.

On flu* resignation ol Mr Bryce in 18S0, the Hawera ‘■republicans” again showed considerable activity, owing to the succeeding ministry, reverting to the ‘‘hands off native la mis” poiicy. Sir Arthur Gordon, the then Governor, bad suggested a compromise with the dominant chief, To Whiti, and the hatter had replied with his famous enigmatical saying: ‘‘'The potato is cooked!” The resumption of Mr Bryce’s tenure of office .shortly afterwards, with his continuation of a firm native policy, stilled the clamour of the local malcontents.

‘‘The infant republic,” adds the ‘‘Star,” ‘‘gradually faded out of existence. and its president was only too glad, like George Washington, to devote himself to agricultural and pastoral pursuits.” THE EX-PRESIDENT. The'career of the retiring president, the iate Mr James Livingston, is so remarkable as to warrant a rdiort notice here. Coming out from the Old Country in the clipper ‘‘British Queen,” in 1859 (the voyage occupying, by-the-bye, no less than 156 days), he took service with a Hawke’s Bay squatter, and later on, in 1867, came across to South Taranaki, purchasing some rural sections at Oliawe

from the military grantees. Returning to the East Const, he, with a partner, Mr MeMicliael (a member of the first Hawera road board), brought back with them a flock of 1250 sheep with half a dozen horses, the journey occupying about ten weeks. They arrived at the Waingongoro in March, 1868, and shortly afterwards the Titokowaru troubles commenced, and Mr Livingston had some of his stock seized by the insurgents. He joined up with, the Armed Constabulary as a volunteer, and helped materially to expedite the safe retreat from the To Ngutu-o te-Manu disaster. When the Hauhaus were finally driven off the coast, Mr Livingston settled down again on his Oliawe selection, and resided in that vicinity till his death. Few local settlers inspired more respect than this typical pioneer, whose towering figure is no longer seen in our midst.

At a large meeting of settlers and Old Comrades-in-arms held <m February 9, 1914, felicitations were extended him (on his attaining his 74th birthday) by over 100 signatories, including those of six colonels and several of lesser military rank. On his decease some years later a long procession ot mourners followed the remains of this genial and esteemed pioneer to thenrepose in the consecrated enclosure on the confines of the borough he had seen arise from the ferny wilderness, and blossom into a town.

An exciting occurrence towards the end of 1880 contributed to the fear of immediate conflict with our troublesome brown neighbours. This was the murder of a Miss Dobie near Opunake by a native named Tuhi but it transpired afterwards thaf the deed was in no way concerned with the intimidation policy of To Whiti, and the murderer expiated his crime on the scaffold on November 28. 1880.

A <onsiclerabls number of Waimato natives had been arrested in the spring for trespassing on the lands of Eurojjeans hi the Nonnanby and Wnihi districts. On the property of Mr E. Fin lay son. oli' the Normanbv Hoad, much land had boon turnod up hy tlio unwelcome ploughmen, and it requited a stron ii force of constabulary to seize the disturbers and bear them away in custody to Waihi camp. They were tried for their misdemeanours on September 23, and all deported to the South Island, where they in the in-in had rather a pood time, being somewhat lionised by the South islanders. After the New Vear the. were released, and returned again to their ha pus on the id tins :u'fe?r their pleasant sojourn in the South. FIRST PUBLIC SALE OF LAND. the first public sale of Y\ ainiato Plains’ land had been held in ilawera oil October 27, 1880, and was highly successful, although the prices realmsd were only about one-tenth of their value to-day. A further sale at the local courthouse before the end of the year attracted buyers from all parts of the colony. Many of these original purchasers, or their descendants, are still in occupation of the holdings selected fifty years ago. A matter of much importance to Have ru. farmers was the trial of the new-ly-introduced reaper and binder at the Messrs Caverhill’s farm at the Lakes. The operation of the machine was quite successful, and provided a theme or great interest to local agriculturists. A considerable amount of cropping was carried on here in tiie early class, and a yield of eighty bushels of oats to the acre was not uncommon. Three seasons later we find Messrs Livingston and McLean advertising for the harvesting of 400 acres of oats and 100 of wheat, probably as great a quantity as is produced in any one season in all Ilawera county to-day. The Maoris had long cultivated wheat in the Taiporohenui district, grinding the grain in primitive mills by the aid of selected stones from the beach. About ISBI the first use of barbed wire for enclosing the fields hereabouts is recorded, and although the new fencing material was looked on askance at first, it soon became extensively used l’or cattle enclosures

Early in this year Wilson and Princes Streets were formed, Hawera thus gaining two outlets to the rich lands to the north, 'the same month also saw a great sale of Waimate lands, the upset prices averaging £4 per acre for open land, and 30s to 40s lor bush areas. NOEMANBY’S PROGRESS. Meanwhile Normandy was thriving apace, and towards the end of March their new Town Hall was opened. Being built of heart of niatai, grown and milled in the immediate neighbourhood,, this building is quite sound today, and it is a question whether seasoned niatai, free from nap, is not almost. equal to .English oak in durability.

About this time a remarkable decrease in the Maori population of the district was noted, a rough census only enumerating 914 souls between Wahainoko and Waitotara. The fear that the disease-stricken tribes, once so hardy and virile, would pass down to extinction like tlio Tasmanian aboriginals, was voiced in many a publication, and as great an authority ais Dr Puller gave it as his opinion that in 20 or 2b years at most, the Maori, as a distinct racial entity, would cease to be. The lethargy of post-war despondence came down on the. people like the blight then ravaging their peach-groves, and the words of Ossian.

“Why build’st thou the ball, Son of the winged days ? Yet a few years, the blast of the desert comes, It howls in thy empty court!” would then have found echo in many a Maori breast.

LEADING 'FIGURES IN MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

lIAWEEA-NEW PLYMOUTH RAILWAY. • The railway from New Plymouth to Hawera was' officially opened on October 20 1881 and only the uni ailed gap between Mauutahi and Han era remained to complete the link in the 20 0 miles of steel between Wellington and Taranaki. Until this portion was fin-

ished three years later, connection between the two railheads was maintained by a regular coach service from Hawera/ The intervening road, being very rugged and ill-formed, required the greatest care in negotiating it, and on one occasion, a bad accident, happily unattended by loss of life, occurred at the Manawapou stream. THE PARIHAKA RAID. The prevailing depression, and discontent among the South Taranaki natives was fanned by the tortuous .sayings of Te Whiti and John, the Parihaka seers and towards the end of 1881. the irritation'between the two peoples became' so pronounced and the agrarian trouble so acute, that the Native Minister, Mr Bryce, resolved on a bold step to terminate the dangerous situation. He issued a manifesto demanding the surrender of le Whiti and his council. As there was no reply from the Maori Messiah, Mr Bryce decided to take him prisoner, and thus destroy liis “mana” among his followers. Colonel Roberts was empowered to collect 1500 A.C'.’jS and volunteers, and these, assembling at Rahotu in the iinst week in November, moved on the Parihaka settlement, where Te Whiti lay with 1600 followers, evidently “spoiling for a fight.” A pitched battle appeared imminent, hut was luckily averted by the prophet surrendering peaceably, on the demand of Major Tuke. At the same time the outlaw, Hiroki, was also apprehended. The Maori village, reputed to he the largest in New Zealand, was practically reduced, all arms and ammunition seized, and the two. headchiefs borne away to captivity m the South Island. Fv EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS. Statistics show that ut the end of this year there were 200 children attending the Hawera Public School, ami it was estimated that the population of the township was a little over 1000. The number ;- of jtesidents and the growing importance of the centre fanned an agitation for the formation of a borough, and on January 20, 1882, an election for seats on the council was held, resulting in the return of Messrs G. Syme, I'. Rid diford, R. E. Pritchard, M. D. King, W. M. Thompson, D. McL’Dowie, H. R. Baker, and Partridge. Mr W. H. E. Wanklyn was appointed first clerk and treasurer. The old ramshackle buildings along the main street liad given place to more modern structures, and shop windows began to be attractive with the display of goods, hitherto lodged for the most part in the usual confusion of the pioneer country store. Messrs M. D. King, Dunne, Duff and -Brown had attractive displays of drapery ; Messrs Davidson, Gibson, Kirk and Ecclesfield paraded stocks oi groceries and ironmongery; Adamson and Pease and Nicoll ana Co- exhibited the finest beef and mutton the district could supply; Mr J. Boyd supplied bread and onum goods throughout the town and district, and Messrs Prichard, Meuli, Donnelly, Duffill, Eergusson, Pitcher, A - 'Court and others gave displays in various branches of trade. The number of public houses had increased to six, and the Egiuont Sasli and Door Company had expanded out to a considerable concern.

Messrs Livingston, Winks ana Tait constituted the first Hawera Licensing Bench, who met for their initial conclave on March 3, and about the same time the hew borough by-laws were drafted and printed. The Mayoral election resulted in the return ol Mr Felix McGuire, who defeated Mr J. Davidson by a substantial majority. The first- borough loan for the modest sum of £SOOO had already been sanctioned. Another local public organisation to come into being this year was the Egmont- Macing Club, whose beautiful grounds to the north of the town have witnessed many an equine cnampion stretching across their level sward since. The Hawera Cricket Club, the first sports body of which, we have any record, had already been established as early as 1577, the enthusiasts of the pliant willow having assembled and formed an association on September 29 of that year. Mr. Geo. Bayly was the moving spirit in its inception, and the late Mr. G. V. Bate the first president. TE WHITI AND TOKTJ RETURN Te Whiti and- Tohu, who had. languished in a mild form o 1 banishment for the previous fifteen months were liberated in March of ’B3, and returned to their historic’ home between Cape K.gmont and the mountain. Thereafter they refrained from incitement to violence, and whatever intimidation was done later was engineered, seemingly, by the irreconcilable Tit-okowaru. who was allowed to return to the scene- of his former exploits and depredations.