MR J. L. PERRY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

MR J. L. PERRY

■<— FARMED ON THE RACECOURSE —■

A settler who subsequently was very closely connected with many movements'for the betterment of the farming community, Air J. L. Perry, now resident at New Plymouth, first saw Hawera. in 1870. and lived for a period in the old blockhouse before taking up land in the district. There were few bona fide settlers in that year, states Air Perry, and fewer house's. Afost of the single men lived in the blockhouse, while dugouts were later quite common places of abode. Stores had to be brought up from Patea, and, as there were no roads, the arrival of a- dray load of stores and whisky was quite an event, especially for some of the hardened drinkers, of whom there were a few. Airs Shepherd had a “grog” shop which would be remembered by many of the old timers, as would Tom Lloyd’s hotel, which was erected later. James Davidson had opened the" first store, in which was sold “everything from a noodle to ail anchor,’.’ while the opening of a brunch of the Bank of Neiw Zealand in the township had been a red letter occasion. As Hawera was a military settlement, most of the lands was awarded for military services, and a soldier was able to obtain a 3.0-acre town block for £2 per acre, with 30 years in which to pav for it. Nearly all, however, had sold their land for

little or nothing, and few had troubled to take up rural land.

The first railway line from Hawera to Xormanbv was put through part of Mr Perry’s land, and he then owned a considerable area where the present racecourse is situated. As a. sheep breeder Air Perry was very well known throughout Taranaki, and was prominently associated with the- iormation of the A. and P. Association, while with Air McCracken he* was very largely responsible for the inauguration of the original Farmers’ l nion. which was founded with the object <d saving -commissions on the sale of stock. The auctioneers’ charges were considered by the farmers to he out of proportion, and by having their own selling organisation it- was stated they saved thousands of pounds. Eventually, however, the organisation was bought out by private enterprise.

Mr Ferry was also one of the oldest subscribers’ of the “JTawera Star,”. and well recollects receiving a copy of the paper’s first country edition. At 8L years of age he is hale and hearty, with the exception of deafness and trouble with rheumatism, and is perhaps the oldest living original life member of the A. and P. Association .