“Ourselves.”

Northland Age, Volume 4, Issue 3, 3 September 1907, Page 8

“Ourselves.”

(Being a paper written for the Oruru Literary and Debating Society by Mr. J. Pearson.)

I have often thought that we like to hear of places we know, and events we have witnessed or assisted at, and people we have met. If this is so, I will make our district and people the subject of my paper to-night. To begin with, our district has very many advantages in climate, soil, and position. We are blessed with having a tine harbour and regular communication with Auckland; probably also the dearest freight and passenger charges to be found anywhere ; our roads compare favorably with other country districts, and the rainfall is frequent and abundant. The scenery is varied and often beautiful. I remember the first time I saw Oruru Valley I thought it one of the prettiest settlements I had seen, its natural advantages being heightened by the number and variety of trees planted by the early settlers. This tree planting I am sorry to see is not being continued by the younger generation, as young trees, either fruit or ornamental, are rarely seen. The principal industries are dairying, sheep and stock raising, timber getting and gumdigging. The first mentioned, although the youngest industry, is first in importance, and the product turned out of our local factory is not excelled in New Zealand. Stock compare favorably with any district; not so horses, as there is a great scarcity of good hacks. I do not think that a local exhibitor at the Oruru Show has ever taken a prize in the hack classes. Timber' industry is also flourishing as we have had some fine kauri in this district and when this is exhausted there are plenty of other timbers that will become valuable; while many people make good wages at digging gum. This occupa-

tion is, foolishly I think, considered low by many, while curiously no such stigma is attached to those who buy and trade in this article.

One thing I have noticed is that our young people have a tendency to decry our own district. This is altogether wrong, as we should sturdily uphold the district in which we live. This I think is the bedrock of patriotism.

As a community we are sober, and inclined to be lazy- In conversation with road inspectors and contractors I find there is a difficulty in getting men to do a' fair day’s work. We are also honest, but at the same time there is a great absence of finer feeling which is shown by holding our pledged words cheaply, in looking leniently on transactions savouring of “ slimness,” and the tendency is to laugh with the strong, regardless of right or wrong. We are also inclined to be snobbish. This is to be deplored, as in a small community such as ours it takes the whole population to advance the district, socially or materially, but there is every reason to expect that this feeling will die out as the younger generatiin get more enlightened and enlarged ideas, through new settlers coming amongst us. It is in a great measure due to this feeling that we are not very publie spirited. It has often struck me as a reproach to our district that we have no church, cemetery or public recreation ground. These are necessary to a progressive and up-to-date settlement.

We are not, I think a sport loving people. Although we seem to roll up in force to any function that is being held, we seem to lack the initiative or unity to get up athletic sports or races. There is another trait that I have heard strangers comment on, that is our hospitality which is always extended to all. This I think, compensates for many of our faults. In conclusion, I may say that although there are no very wealthy people amongst us, there are on the other hand none really poor, as owing to the favoured district in which we live, it comparatively easy to make a living ; and as there is plenty of room for expansion, we can look to the future with confidence; and if we could muster up a bit more energy and act more generously in matters of our district’s welfare, encourage our young people to take an interest in books, and matters of public interest, there is no aeason why our district should not be as pleasant to live in and as prosperous as any part of New Zealand.