“ I REMEMBER..."

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12920, 6 April 1935, Page 4

“ I REMEMBER..."

PAHIATUA—AS IT USED TO BE. [Wherever old-timers meet, and pause, and reflect, the doings, the places and the people of those early days of Pahiatua flash through their thoughts and And expression in happy reminiscence. To those of our readers who take a pride m t he district’s transformation over fifty years and a curious deli&ht in what used to be we offer at intervals, the recollections of these pioneers. J By “NGA KOROTJA.” I was asked the other day who were the Commissioners elected on Pahiatua’s first Town Board. Jhe election took place in September, 1886. The Returning Officer was Mr Albert West Sedcole and the seven good men and true who were returned at the poll were Messrs .Joseph Burrows, Henry William Briggs, David Crewe, .John Stone ( rimp, John Hughes, Alexander Reese and William Wakeman. The first meeting of this newlyconstituted Town Board was held on Tuesday. September 7th, 1886, in the Road Board Office. For the position of chairman Mr John Hughes was nominated by Messrs Crewe • and Wakeman and Mr A. Ree.se by Messrs Crimp and Briggs. On being put to the vote Mr Hughes was declared elected. That same gentleman is alive to-day, resident at the south end of Main Street. He was one of Pahiatua’s original settlers and has certainly seen some wonderful changes in his time. May he enjoy many years of happiness and good health yet.

Mi- A. W. Sedcole was elected first clerk of the Pahiatua Town Board.

The Town Board straightway called a public meeting to discuss the advisability or otherwise for reducing the width of the main road running through the town to two chains.

.Wandering stock were a great nuisance in those days and I remember the Board immediately took steps to bring into force the provisions of "The Impounding Act, 1884” in the Pahiatua town district. Messrs Briggs and Gibbs’ saleyards were used as a temporary pound.