HONOURING THE PIONEERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 197, 19 July 1935, Page 8

HONOURING THE PIONEERS.

Tiie discerning visitor or pleasure bent local resident who has availed himself of the opportunity of viewing the broad smiling lands to be seen stretchingin a rich panorama from the summit of Mount Stewart, in the Manawatu County, doubtless pauses to contemplate the ’ early days of settlement in that area; to ponder on the times -when it lay covered in dense forest or rough undergrowth; and on how the hand of man, acre by acre, w’ith none of the modern aids to development, carved out the tracks, built the homesteads, and felled the bush to lay clown the rich farmlands that grace the countryside to-day. Nowhere in the Dominion is there such a tribute to hard work, courage, and enterprise as is to be found in the scene to be contemplated from this pleasant vantage point. Many years ago the suggestion was made that Mount Stewart would be a fitting spot on which to erect a suitable memorial to those men and women of the early days of hardship and endurance —none deserve such recognition more than they. But until lately no definite step has been taken to bring the suggestion to fruition. Now, with the wholehearted support of the Manawatu County Council, preparations are being made, in the first place, for the making of a suitable car parking area on the top of the rise to facilitate visits to the spot, where already many a traveller stops to admire the view; and later it is hoped to erect a fitting memorial. It has been suggested that a tall column dominating the landscape and lit at night would prove attractive to public support. The idea is a most commendable one, but until all matters such as cost and other points of detail have been arrived at it will not be possible to go fully ahead with the proposal. The general object of the scheme should appeal not only to the descendants of those who settled the Manawatu and adjacent lands, but to everyone who takes a pride in the record of the pioneers. The memorial should commend itself to the favour of every resident in the expanse to be seen from Mount Stewart. Meanwhile.a committee has been set up to go fully into the subject; when its recommendations come forward there should be a rapid growth of interest in the memorial plans. The aim is a most laudable one and should be carried to fruition with all the dispatch that such a commendable object merits. A memorial as suggested would surely be unique in New Zealand.