PASSING OF A PIONEER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 679, 12 April 1923, Page 4

PASSING OF A PIONEER.

MEMORIES OF THE PAST

BUNNYTHORFE'S EARLY DAYS

The progress of the years witnesses Uifl passing of many of the pioneer of New Zealand who, by Incite'industry* and per sonal energy, have figured prominently ir the transformation of a wilderness mto the .smiling countryside the present generation now enjoys. ISy die death ;of Mr John Jeil'eries, the Bunuythomo district has lost one of its oldest and most esteemed settlers and a link has been severed with the dun nasi when the hand of man had not yet left its mark on tlio nature-clad count ry-

side. The late Mr Jetl'erie.s was born at Marshfield, Gloucestershire, some 7d years ago, but, like many another Englishman lefl the land of his borth to curve his fortiyie in far distant lands. In the year llis accompanied by his wife and family of three, lie left for New Zealand in the sailing ship Helen Denny from the port of London and, after a stormy passage of some 93 days, the vessel dropped anchor at Napier. " Following a stay of some six weeks, boat was again taken down the coast to Wellington and thence by the s.s. Stormbird to Foxtbn, The latter town was then but a village of a few houses, and the accommodation available was of the crudest. Transportation Palmerstori North was possible by means of the wooden rail tram drawn by two horses which was then in existence. Following a halt of two nights in the Emigration Barracks at Palrnorstqn North, the final stages of their journey to Feilding were undertaken. The means of locomotion were, in this case, a dray drawn by two horses, the property of the Corporation Land Company, and the route followed wa- via Rangitikei Lino to Awahuri, at which point the road ended and a passage was forced over the hills to Whisker's Bush, which now bears the name of Victoria Park. There the party came- in contact with roadmen engaged in forming a road from Foildihg. Feilding was then a village of tworoomed cottages, each with a lean-to attached, the 'only formed streets King, Queen, Warwick, Manchester and Kimbolton road, their terminal points being the virgin bush which surrounded the town on all skies, 'the population of 300 to 400 people was composed in big measure of Corporation Land Company workers, who were engaged in clearing thu route for the railway, and the employees of a sawmill which bad commenced operation-, its output being used in the erection of additional dwellings. The town possessed one school and a store conducted by the Land Company. To obtain supplies for the latter was naturally attended with difficulties, the goods being transported by bullock-drawn drays or sledge* from Wunganui or Foxton. Mr JcUerios obtained employment on the railway works, which were then being put through front Palmerston North in order to link up with the Foxton service. This undertaking was split up into various contracts, Mr Stewart conducting operations on the portion, Palmerston North to Buniiythorpe, and the Corporation Land Comp'auv from their southern boundary to the Rangitikei river. It was not till some 20 years later that the Manawatu Railway Company was formed to link up direct with Wellington.

Six months after his arrival in FeHding, Mr Joitories took up a half-acre section in Fitzroy .street, which was then all native bush. The felling of the timber ( was undertaken by Mr Jeffories in his leisure hours, assisted*by his wife and family, the bush being felled and burnt' while green, and what had been a veritable wilderness guva way to a beautiful garden. At the termination cf two years' residence in r'cildim*, Mr Jeff cries took U|) »

section of 130 acres at Bunnyihorpe from the Land Company at £3 per acre. Tho area was, however, unsurveyed and tho house was erected on rising ground in a manuka clearing, which was deemed to ha within the proposed boundary line. Tho timber for the building of the house had to be brought overland from a sawmill at Taomii, the route being but a rough track with creeks to be negotiated. The transportation of the children to the new homo presented difficulties, but these were overcome by the packing of tho younger members in" sacks hanging suspended at tho sides of horses.

The settlers who had preceded Mr Jefferies were Messrs Jackson, Derby, Ilazell and Trcmewan, but these were

widely separated, although at the lime Mr Jefferies obtained ar. entrance to his property through Mr Tremewan's farm. A big "contract in the clearing of the bushclad land faced the settlers, but this was courageously undertaken and, as; space permitted, the foundation of a farm was laid by the introduction of cows. The butter manufactured was carried into Feilding, where it realised the poor price of 4d per lb, but actual payment was not received, the amo'int being payable in groceries, Six years later Mr Jefferies was appointed in the committee of ihe school, which had then been established, and ho personally was instrumental in securing tin) section from the Land Board and assisted in the falling and preparation of the site. The school opened with 24 children under the charge of Mr James Walker. Later, he was appointed trustee of the Cemetery Hoard and again assisted in clearing the laud acquired for the purpose. Together with the elder sous. Mr Jefferies assisted iu the formation of the district roads and tiny were largely responsible for the clear ing- of the routes now known as the Ash-hurst-Bunnythorpo Dixon's and Nanstead'- roads. In 1883 Mr JefTcrics secured from the Land Company the adjoining section, and there erected a residence on the site of the present home. The original building of six rooms caught lire during one- particularly dry season, when hush fires were of frequent occurrence, and the structure was razed to the ground in tho short space of seven and a-lialf minutes. Pending the erection of the handsome building, which now graces the property, the family had perforce to convert the wool shed into living quarters. In 1335 a section on the Stoney Creek road was added to the already extensive property, and it was during felling operations that one son, Alfred, met his death by being struck by a falling tree. Tho introduction of the Union Dairy Company at Bunnythorpe marked a big step in tho progress of the district and soon the days when the produce had to bo carried into [•'eliding, or later by train, which then ran twice daily from Palmcrston North, became but an unpleasant memory. Closer settlement immediately followed and the introduction of a dried milk factory closely attended it. the site being purchased from Mr Frederick Jefferies, a brother of the deceased gentleman. Apart from his association with tho School Committee and Cemetery Board, Mr Jefferies tlid not take an active part in public affairs, but was one of the oldest members of the Brethren Church, atitl many of the week night services v. era held at his home. Throe other members of Mr Jcfferics' family also came to New Zealand, two of whom in Mr Frederick Jefferies and Miss Caroline Jefferioa (afterwards Mrs Beazer) actually preceded him, while another sister, Miss Esther Jefferies (now Mrs Baker, wife of the lato Mr "William Baker, of Makiuo),. followed him. The two first named pre deceased him. There are left to mourn their 10-s a wife, a family of six sons and six daughters, 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The members of tho family are: Messrs Alfred Charles. Albert and Arthur (all of Taonttt), Samuel (Feildinaj, Levi fOhau). Gabriel (Matangi), Alfred Frederick (Bunnythorpe), Mrs Howard (Levin), Mrs Thompson (Waitotara). Mesdamcs James and Marshall and Misses Kate and May Jefferies (all of Bunnythorpe)