"A SPECK ON THE WHEELS OF TIME."

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 13

"A SPECK ON THE WHEELS OF TIME."

JUBILEE IN TARANAKI. ESTABLISHMENT OF A MILITARY SETTLEMENT. CELEBRATION AT TTKORANGE (From Our Taranaki Correspondent.) The settlement of the Tikorangi Block some 50 years ago was celebrated in a. fitting manner by the settlers, particularly as the circumstances concerning the initial settlement were closely concerned with the establishment o fthat peace and prosperity which Taranaki enjoys to-day. Sir fiarry Atkinson, then Defence Minister, conceived the idea of placing- settlers of military fitness on the land, so that they might assist in developing the country’s resources, whila being able to suppress Native risings should they occur. Under that scheme two companies were given the Tikorangi Block, and the development of the country is pretty good evidence of the splendid class of military settler that was placed in occupation of the land. When the younger generation proposed to do honour to the old folk it Avas hoped that the commandant of the A-eteran pioneers Avould be present to do honour to the occasion, but a few weeks back he crossed the Great Divide. The scene at the luncheon was most unique, inasmuch as that round the tables there Avas a gathering of generations—venerable groat-great-grandfathers and here and there an infant link in the chain that has taken half a century to forge. Mr J. Hine presided, and in the course of his remarks, Avhen proposing the main toast, said that it was on June 16, 1565, when the first company of military settlers arrived at Avh-at Avas for long afterwards known as the “Block house Hill,’’ in order to occupy and to hold, if necessary by force of arms, the lands which Avere to be granted to them. He paid a great tribute to the settlers of Tikorangi, both past and present. Mr J. W. Foreman, in reply, returned thanks on behalf of the old settlers for the kindly references made to them. He briefly referred to the conditions that led up to the settlement of Tikorangi, explaining that in 1860 the European population was penned up in New Plymouth, and the Natives prowling about the outskirts of the town to murder Europeans. One man (Sarten) was shot near Te Henui Church, another in the vicinity of the present East End Bathing Reserve, and yet another near the acecourse. It Avas a sorry spectacle to see the volunteers drilling on the racecourse and the Maoris potting them. Then came a temporary cessation of hostilities, followed by the massacre at Wairau. The GoA-ernment called for volunteers, Avhose duty Avould be to scout round the out districts, and keep them clear of the enemy. The old settlers had the same spirit as that which was being shown by our boys to-day, and they entered on their work Avith eagerness. Major Atkinson (Defence Minister) formed the idea of placing these A-olunteers on the land for strategic purposes, and that was lioav Tikorangi got settled. The younger people of the present day could barely remember what Tikorangi was like in its original conditions of fern, tutu, and bush. None of the old settlers could visit Tikorangi to-day without being grateful at the change. Fifty years did not seem to be a long Avay to look back in order to visualise the scene. Most of the original 140 settlers Avere 25 or 26 years of age, and now the greater number had passed to the Great Beyond—such was Nature’s decree, and it afforded a lesson on our lives, for all those young settlers Avere physically sound and fit. yet 50 years afterwards only a feAv remained. Human beings Avere, after all, merely specks on the wheel of time. Others also spoke, and after the acknoAVledgment of further toasts, the, proceedings concluded with the usual photographing of groups. HISTORICAL.

The five original settlers on the block who have continued in residence there till the present time are: Messrs George Jupp (86 years of age), who landed in 1851; Samuel Whitehead (who will be SO in July): J. W. Foreman; James Sarten (who landed at New Plymouth from the ship William Bryan in 184-1); and John Richards (one of the original settlers who arrived here in 1842). The vetei-an of the assembly was Mr Richard Hicks, who will be 98 years of age in September, and is in remarkably good health, and looks likely to enjoy several years yet. Others included are Mr E. Lye (one of the original settlers, and now 85 years of age), Mr F. Vickery (aged 84years). Mr G. Bertrand (who arrived in Now Zealand in 1861), Mr S. Knuckey (who was born in .Fitzroy in 1843), Mr J. Andrews, Mr R. C. Hughes, Mr James Reynolds (aged 73, landed hero in 1851. and now residing in New Plymouth). Other visitors connected with the early settlement were Messrs E. Wright (Wanganui), F. James (New Plymouth), H, Rowe (Bell Block), R. hangman (New Plymouth), W. King (New Plymouth), H. Newland (Now Plymouth), R. Wells,, T. Andrews (Huirangi), J. Corney, G. Bertrand (Urenui), J. Thomas Ngaere).