“I REMEMBER....."

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13091, 26 October 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 find expression in happy reminiscence. To those of our readers who take a pride in the district’s transformation over fifty years and a curious delight in what to be we offer at intervals, the recollections of these pioneers.] By “NGA KOROI'A." )| Once before in my notes J mentioned the early intentions of the Government in connection with the railway line through this district. I am speaking now of nearly fifty years ago when the question oi route was one of very great importance to everyone in the district. W hen the Pahiatua land was originally sold it was distinctly stated by the Government that the line would pass as nearly through the centre of tlio town as possible and on this understanding the pioneers bought. This certainly was the Government's original intention because th-* reserve at the Village Settlement was withheld from sale for the purpose of taking the line through it. Alter tho promises made the pioneers here were very much surprised to find that the Government intended to locate the lirte on the western side of the river. The whole of the* settlers

on the eastern side of the rivei were anxious to have the line through the town and protest meetings were promptly called. The chief complaint was that the Government had acted on the advice of their engineer-' who had never been over the ground to sati sf y them selves. Tlie Government had sent a Mr Kuorff here to report and he raised all sorts of objections to taking the line through the town. H.» cl mod that the land was too low and became flooded and even asserted that a settler walking over the M g - tainok bridge daring the fl of 1884 was knee-deep in wat< i. 1 day Mr Johr Hughes, our nr-t i' habitants. will tell you that tlii was absolutely untrue. But all the efforts of the settlers proved of no avail and the railway line was taken along under the hill at Scarborough to miss the crossing and re-crossing of the river'. Not a bad idea either, as events proved. If we had .the railway line running through the centre of the town now instead of our beautiful square* wo would probably be agitating for its removal across the river.