EARLY PIONEERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 195, 17 July 1935, Page 2

EARLY PIONEERS

COMMEMORATION MEMORIAL. MT. STEWART PROJECT. A definite step towards the commemoration of the work of the pioneers of the Manawatu in laying the foundation of the present widely known and fertile district was taken at the monthly meeting of the Manawatu County Council, yesterday, -when, arising out of a letter received from Mr AV. J. Croucher, of Palmerston North, the council set up a committee to proceed with investigations into the carrying out of the projected memorial to be erected on Mt. Stewart.

Mr Croucher’s letter stated as follows :

“As the council is the governing body, in the county I am prompted to approach it in order to place before it the substance of suggestions that have been informally discussed by residents of the county at odd times for many years, but which so far have not been embodied in a definite proposal. In a recent conversation with Mr W. E. Barber mention was made of the fact that there is in evidence considerable weight of public opinion—not by any means solely confined to the Manawatu County—that the time has arrived when something definite should be undertaken to provide tangible acknowledgment and to perpetuate the memory of the pioneers who blazed the trail of development in the Manawatu and surrounding counties. From its commanding elevation and central position Mt. Stewart is a vantage point which lends itself as the most suitable site upon which a memorial could be erected, overlooking as it does the area of five counties and comprising ono of the most resourceful tracts of agricultural country in the Dominion. It is unsurpassed in the variety of landscape beauties that are visible in every direction from its summit and is admirably suited in every way. It is superfluous to stress these points because every councillor is equally well informed and doubtless as desirous that something should be done. May I suggest that, as a preliminary to anything of a more pretentious nature that may subsequently be undertaken, the council tako in hand the laying off and roading of an area which will serve as a parking place. The evergrowing popularity of Mt. Stewart as a sight-seeing observation point, together with the inadequate accommodation for cars on the main highway makes it necessary that something be done to prevent dangerous congestion and the possibility of accidents. “In the firm belief that the council will approve of the wider scheme embodying the erection of a memorial, the further suggestion is made that steps bo taken to ascertain the wishes of residents and public bodies in adjoining- counties and also the extent to which they will co-operate. When this is known a united effort will be possible. My only excuse for addressing the council without the authority of any meeting called for the purpose is that I am confident that I am voicing a considerable weight of public opinion and sentiment, also because indefinite delay for many reasons is desirable. May I add that if in any way my services are acceptable in assisting this worthy project to fruition I will be proud to be associated with the movement.” With the same purpose in view as the above letter, Mr T. R. Hodder, of Palmerston North, also wrote suggesting that the Manawatu County Council take up the question of erecting a pioneers’ memorial on Mt. Stewart. Mr Hodder said he was aware that there were difficulties to be overcome, but he believed the council could do this and he hoped it would be able to prosecute the matter. PREPARATION OF SITE. The chairman (Cr. W. E. Barber) said he had already discussed the subject with Mr Croucher and suggested an inspection of Mt. Stewart in company with the Manawatu Countv engineer (Mr H. V. Bond). This inspection had been carried out and the chairman said he quite agreed with all that Mr Croucher had represented the site to be. He, the chairman went on, would bo pleased to receive the council’s sanction to allow the engineer to proceed with the preparation of a parking place for cars. Cr. J. H. Perrett paid a tribute to Mr Croucher’s activity in the matter, stating he thoroughly agreed with the object in view. He hoped that when something was done it would bo on worthy lines. A column similar to the Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square, London, would not be too good for such an object as that proposed, and if the column was lighted bv electricity at night it would be visible over a tremendous firea of country. In fact, he understood Mr Croucher had some such idea as that in mind. The chairman, in pointing out the need for instant action, said it was the old settlers who were the more deeply interested in the move. He referred to the recent death of Mr J. F. McKelvie as.an instance of the loss of one who would have keenly supported the proposal. The chairman also referred to Mr Hodder’s interest in the project and added that there was no doubt that, when launched, the proposal would gain support in all quarters. Cr. D. W. Reid supported the view that the .council take steps in the matter, stating that, for a scenic view, Mt. Stewart as a site for a memorial could not be equalled. ' Cr. A. N. Morcom said that one of the difficulties that would arise Tvould be what constituted a pioneer. When names were going to be put on the memorial there would be bound to arise some ill-feeling when the selection- of the names was made. Cr. Perrett said it would be a mistake to put any names on the memorial, and the chairman stated that his idea to obviate the difficulty would be to take the names from the original owners of the land in the district.

Cr. Morcom hoped that considerable care would be given to the type of memorial to be erected. There would be any amount of suggestions, he knew, but one would have to be selected that would meet with popular approval. The chairman thought it would be a gooff suggestion to advertise for plans for Mie memorial, but in the meantime lie suggested that the engineer (Mr H. V. Bond) be empowered to carry out a survey on the top of Mt. Stewart with a view to the selection of a suitable place in which to erect the memorial as well as provide for a parking space for cars and a place to build tea-rooms. Cr. Reid said he thought the tearoom idea was a good one, Cr. Perrett also speaking in support of it. Criticism had been made of the tea-rooms on the top of Paekakariki Hill when they were erected, but the opposite was heard of them new. After a further general discussion, the council set up a committee consisting of Crs. Perrett, Reid, Pearce and the engineer and Mr Croucher to go into further details in regard to the building of the memorial.