RICHMOND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 26 February 1940, Page 7

RICHMOND

DEDICATION OF CENTENNIAL AVENUE A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION TRIBUTES TO THE PIONEERS Owing to the wet weather the Richmond Centennial function was held in the Town Hall instead of in Jubilee Park as was originally intended. The building was filled, those present including the borough's oldest residents, also Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, while music was supplied by the Nelson Citizens’ Band. The Mayor, Mr A. R. Tuffnell, presided, and others on the stage were Mrs Tuffnell, Mr H. Atmore, M.P.. and Mrs Atmore, Mr Chamberlain, chairman of Ihe Tahunanui Town Board, and Mrs Chamberlain, Mr J. H. Harkness, Mr and Mrs Douglas, and Mr W. E. Wilkes. The Mayor read apologies from the Mayor of Nelson, Mr G. L. Page, Mr R. J. L. York, Mayor of Motueka, and Mr J Corder, chairman of the Waimea County Council. Mrs Alfred Smith (nee Miss Laura Thompson) sent a telegram, “Greetings to Richmond people; join in remembering pioneers.” Mr J. L. Barnicoat forwarded a letter in a similar strain suggesting also that an oak should be planted as a memorial to his father, the late Hon. J. W. Barnicoat, one of Richmond’s earliest settlers. A cheque to defray expense of this w'as enclosed. The Mayor hi his opening remarks stated that over 100 years ago Great Britain had proclaimed sovereignty over the islands of New Zealand, and now they were celebrating their one hundredth birthday. It had originally been intended to make the occasion one of festivity and rejoicing, but war had intervened, and now with their men at the fighting fronts on land, sea and ir the air. they were not in the mood for festivities. Though the centennial was not celebrated in the carnival spirit, they looked back with gratitude to the work of the pioneers who by their perseverance and fortitude had built so wisely and well that the present day New Zealand was able to take her place among the Commonwealth of British nations. Mr H. Atmore, M.P., stated that he considered it a privilege to be present that afternoon, and he wished briefly to take a retrospective glance at New Zealand’s history. The first known navigator to visit these islands was Kupe who, guided only by the stars, had made a lengthy canoe voyage to these shores about the time when the Barons of England were forcing King John to sign the Magna Charta. Though an unlettered savage, Kupe had a genius for navigation, and the gave the country the name of Aotea Roa—the Long White Cloud. The next visitor to New Zealand was Abel Tasman who in 1642 visited Golden Bay where one of his, boats’ crews was massacred and devoured. Captain James Cook visited the country in 1769, when he made a remarkably accurate survey of the coastline. In the succeeding years of the 18th century, New Zealand was visited by sealers and whalers—British, French, American and Russian—who made this their stopping place before proceeding

southwards. A period of lawlessness ensued with inter-racial fights, including the massacre by the Maoris of the crew of the ship Boyd. Christianity was introduced by Samuel Marsden, Bishop Pompallier and Archdeacon Williams, the great Methodist preacher.

Bishop Selwyn was appointed the country's first Bishop. In order to examine conditions among the Maoris he walked from Auckland to Wellington. He won the confidence of both Maori and Pakeha. and wrote home to say that a miracle had happened—a whole nation converted in one generation.

As the result of an appeal by the Maoris to King William IV. James Busby was appointed British Resident. Governor Hobson took office soon after, and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi followed.

Settlement by the New Zealand Company came after the signing of the Treaty, and Nelson was fortunate in having among its early settlers a number of men from the great English public schools who were determined that the boys and girls should have the full benefits of education. Before landing a meeting had been held on one of the ships, and the Nelson School Society was formed under the leadership of Matthew Campbell who must always be remembered as the grand old man of education in Nelson. The first school founded —Campbell’s school —was still

standing at the back of the Suter Art Gallery.

In the following years Nelson had the best education system in New Zealand. In 1866 Nelson spent more money than any other province on education. The average salary paid to Nelson teachers was £144. Over the whole colony the average was £92, while in the Auckland Church schools it was only £52. In 1876 the Education Act of New Zealand was passed by Sir Charles Bowen. This Act was based on the system that had worked so well in NelMr Atmore than quoted lines from Newbolt’s “Admirals All,” and he concluded by urging the boys and girls to remember that these lines referred not only to combats on land and sea, but to their general behaviour in everyday life. The chaotic conditions of to-day arose from the failure to observe the moral laws. The next century would be the century of the children of today, and it was in their hands to make the best of it. Fired by the achievements of the past they must endeavour to make the future more admirable in every way. Mr A. Douglas, the next speaker, said that he had been asked to speak to children only—not that adults were barred from listening. Children were more closely connected with the present celebrations than adults. He was very pleased to know that the memorial was an avenue of trees which would last longer than wood, brick or stone.

The pioneers had been young men and women in the prime of life, imbued with the spirit of adventure. They found the country roadless, bridgeless,

[houseless, shopless and school-less, and they had to set to work to build these. It was not surprising that from such ancestors a virile manly nation had come into being. He wished to draw attention to the many things that had been accomplished in Richmond. Their school jubilee had been a wonderful success. They already had a Pioneers’ Memorial, and these trees were theirs to look after through the years.

Led by the Band the children then sang the New Zealand National Anthem.

Mr W. E. Wilkes spoke entertainingly of the early days of Richmond and of its pioneers. He himself did not claim to be one of them, as when his parents arrived in Nelson from Stratford-on-Avon in the seventies he was eight years old.

Two of Richmond’s outstanding pioneers were the late Messrs J. W. Barnicoat and T. J. Thompson. They were real pioneers, arriving in 1842 by the Lord Auckland after a voyage of over five months. It had been his privilege recently to peruse a copy of Mr Thompson’s diary and memoirs by his eldest daughter the late Mrs James Dwyer.

Three months after their arrival Messrs Thompson and Barnicoat, who were surveyors by profession, had taken a contract to survey the Waimeas. They hired a boat and landed on the foreshore at the head of the mudflat. They decided to camp on a spur where the Church of England now stands. They cut a track through the scrub and carried their gear to the camp. They made an exploring trip up the plain as far as the river but so dense was the scrub that they returned by way of the river and round the beach. The present Gladstone road was for some years known as Tutu Line. However, one day during the party’s absence the fire at their camp spread into the surrounding scrub. It burned for three days, spreading as far as the river. Their work now became easier though they became "black as niggers.” There were five other workmen in the party, who assisted in carrying out the survey work.

The first houses were of cob-clay mixed with chopped straw—and traces of these might still be seen. Small areas of ground were brought under cultivation, wheat and potatoes being the chief crops, and at one time there were six flourmills between Nelson and Wakefield. Hard times followed. Though the life was hard many of the early settlers had lived to a ripe oW age. Mr Wilkes described tne origin of the names of many places in the district —Stoke, Richmond, Hope, Brightwater, Ranzau and others. He concluded by congratulating the borough on the form of its memorial and mentioned that perhaps the second centennial celebra- j tion would be held under the shade of cheir spreading branches. Mr James Harkness, who had made a special trip from Westport to be present at the function, said that he con sidered Richmond had conferred an honour on him by inviting him to be present to join in the dedication of the memorial.

He was born within a stone’s throw of the hall and had resided in the country all his life. He was proud of the fact that he was a New Zealander born and bred. Ht could say that he was a product of the old Nelson system of education as he had left College in 1876—the year the Education Act was passed.

■• He was pleased to see the growth of rtichmond which he remembered in his youth as a country village, though it had contained five inns where now there were only two. "Is this progress?” he asked amid general laughter. When Richmond was proclaimed a borough in 1892 it was the smallest in New Zealand. Mr George Talbot was the first Mayor, an office he held for fifteen years during which time there was no contested election. He wished to agree with other speakers as to the usefulness of the memorial trees. In Christchurch where he had recently spent seven weeks they nad erected tepid baths as their mem or }“' Te P id meant neither hot nor cold, but the project left him stone cold However, in the Botanical Gardens in Christchurch he had admired a fine kauri tree planted in 1919 by the present Duke of Windsor and an oak planted m 1870 by the Duke of Edinburgh whose visit in the Galatea, the first ve a ry h welh V ‘ SU Nelson ' he remembered Mr Harkness concluded by quoting recalled- POet Whose name could not b e Poems are made by a fool like me But only God can make a tree. the dedication =r,!i ead S d , by , the band ' Slides, scouts and school-children those present adjouined to Jubilee Park where the memorial was duly dedicated by the Mayor and a bronze talbet mounted oil a concrete base was unveiled by Mr Harkness. The tablet bears the following inscription:-!--RICHMOND CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL 1840-1940 This belt of oak and lime trees was dedicated on 24th February, 1940, in memory of the Pioneer Settlers of this District. Led by the band those present then joined in singing the Doxology. At the conclusion of the ceremony the children were handed refreshments on the ground while visitors were entertained at afternoon tea at the Council Chambers.