MR JAMES WALLACE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 12 (Supplement)

MR JAMES WALLACE

NATIVE LAND TROUBLES

Mr. James 'Wallace, Lemon. Street, New Plymouth, arrived in Hawera 52 years ago, bringing up by coach a large family to try their fortunes here. Mr. Wallace (wlio is a cousin of tlie late Mr. William Wallace, of Meremere.) secured service as canteen-keep-er for the late Mr. Felix McGuire, supply contractor for the A.C. Forces. The “Star,” not as yet being published, news was disseminated by being posted up in the stores, generally in Davidson’s, which ,\vas the principal centre of iniormation. Mr. Wallace leased a house and ten acre section, known as Tait’s paddock, opposite the 'brewery-, and occupied it for many yeans. " The blockhouse at the corner of Albion and Higli Streets was still in existence, although it had fallen into disuse. ’ The streets of Hawera were largely mud and water in wet weather, and when a dry spell occurred and the wind arose, clouds ot' dust obscured everything from the sight. Fern and scrub still abounded on the outskirts of the township and water for household use was obtained only from a veils and springs.

Mr. Wallace recalls some stirring scenes connected with the native land trouble, and was present at Livingston’s homestead when the Maoris attempted to plough up.liis garden, and the settlers took action without waiting “the law’s delay.” Returning to Hawera, after an absence of 32 years, Mr. Wallace expresses himself as amazed at the progress of the town during that time, and thinks that our borough has few equal-! in the Dominion in the matter of residential advantages. Finally, he recalls with gratitude, the action of certain influential men of the district who assisted him financially, often without security documents, in times of stress and penury, enabling him to enjoy an old age in peace and comfort.