Pioneering Days In Purua Recalled

Northern Advocate, 29 May 1940, Page 9

Pioneering Days In Purua Recalled

Interesting reminiscences of the early days of Purua district were given by Mr D. J. Finlayson, oldest surviving pioneer, at the reunion held in conjunction with the coming of electricity recently. Mr Finlayson first took up land in Purua in 1883. “Books are being written today extolling the virtues of the men and women who pioneered different parts of New Zealand,” Mr Finlayson said, “but I venture to say that no district in the Dominion was settled by people of higher moral calibre than the majority who first took up land in Purua. Roading. “Either 111,1878 or 1879—some years before there was any settlement west of the Wairua river—the 'Government opened a road from what was known as the Maramanui Ford, about two miles below the Purua cemetery, to where Mr Fr©od now lives on the Hiponui road. “Through what was then a dense forest—from where Mr Heath now lives —the bush was felled a chain wide, and the timber cleared for a width of 20 feet in the centre. “But, by the time there was any actual settlement beyond the fringe of the open country, second growth had made this almost impassable. “The road was gradually opened again by voluntary labour and a little assistance from the county council. “However, for several years, it was a common occurrence, when portion? became impassable, to cut a track around through the standing bush. The First Settler. “The late revered Mr Nelson Carrington was the first European settler in the district. “Either in 1880 or 1881 he selected the section on which Mrs Kershaw now lives, and erected a mud hut thereon. “As there was no bridge on the Wairua River at that time, Mr Carrington fashioned, out of a totara log, a small canoe, which he and others used for transporting their supplies until the present bridge was constructed about 1884. “This canoe had a bad habit of being on the wrong side of the river. “I still have vivid recollections of the cold water and the colder wind when one had to swim for the canoe in order to take clothes and goods across. First Child Born. “The first child born in the district was Alison Pullin (more affectionately known as Cissy), who is now Mrs Frank Meyers, of Auckland. “Early in the settlement of the district, several families of Belgians came to make their homes among us. “Now, it might be thought that, as they spoke very little English, this would have an adverse effect on the social life of the communitj% but the result was quite the reverse. “Although we occasionally had some difficulty in making each other understood, the humour of the situation served to break the ice and promote a spirit of friendliness and good comradeshipr - “The people from Belgium were exceedingly sociable, and we soon exchanged visits in the evenings, while their being naturally gifted musicians assured them of great demand at any social function. “Not only their musical ability made them the life and soul of social gatherings, but we instinctively realised their good nature, kindliness and general willingness to assist—whether in giving a neighbour a helping hand or in making a party go with a swing. The School. “In the early days of settlement there were only two families in the district with children of school age, the Pullins and the McKenzies —and they attended the Ruatangata School for several years. “Later, when settlement went further back, the residents of the district approached the Board of Education for a school, with the result that the present building was opened in February, 1893. “The first public entertainments in the district were held in the school, but about 1897 the Purua Hall was; built and soon gained such a reputation for the excellence of its dancing floor and the music provided that it attracted people from far and near to our entertainments. “It was not at all unusual about 40 years ago to have people come to our dances and concerts from as far afield as Mangakahia, Kamo, Kaurihohore, Whangarei and even from Waipu, 50 miles away—and they didn’t come in motor cars, either. “Speaking more particularly for the members of my own family, I would like here to mention the very friendly relations which have always existed between the Maoris of the neighbouring settlement of Te Hora and ourselves. “Personally, I have found them, with few exceptions, to be trustworthy and honourable in all their dealings.”