IN RETROSPECT.

Southland Times, Issue 20949, 5 December 1929, Page 9

IN RETROSPECT.

To the Editor. Sir. —In reading the account of the opening of the Oreti Sands bridge in your issue of to-day, my mind harks back to over sixty year ago, when as a boy, I was intimately acquainted with that particular locality of Otatara and its then inhabitants, including Italian fishermen, Merisco Rosetta, some Maori and half-caste families, and the redoubtable Captain Ackers, at that time owner of the Mabel Jane, a Sloop afterwards given another name which I forget. The whole locality in those far off days was a happy and ever glorious hunting ground. But oh, the mosquitoes which I have known to kill a litter of new born puppies in one night! In quiet, warm, sultry summer nights one could hear the poor horses rushing through high flax and scrub in their endeavours to dislodge masses of mosquito clinging to their nostrils. Sandfhes during hot days, made Otatara far from the most enjoyable place to live in during the height of summer. Then only a very round-about way was available, a bush road used before the present Bay road was formed. The only land road to go to Otatara in 1862 was along the bush road that ran in front of what is now Mr Russell’s Ashbourne home, originally built by the late H. A. Giller in 1859. The most popular way to reach Otatara in those far off days was by boat when you could cross the Estuary or go around Sandy Point and up the New River to where the beautiful new bridge was recently opened. What a privilege to have been spared to see all this, then un-dreamed-of, change take place and how few of the original band of early and undaunted pioneers of such a then out-of-the-way and little thought of place remain. I predict in another 60 years or less Otatara will be a little Brooklyn to Invercargill as is Brooklyn to New York. It may interest some were I to recount the names of some of those intrepid pioneer settlers of so long ago. Starting from Sandy Point and following the New River around and going north: first were the Italian I spoke of (before Risk), Mirisco, RosettJ, then the Erskine family a fine type of intelligent Scottish people, men of action and few words and if I mistake not the late Robert Erskine of the Southland Building Society, so well and favourably known in, Invercargill, was the youngest son. Then that fine old whaling and seafaring Captain Ackers and his family, many of whom distinguished themselves in athletics and bushcraft in later years. There was Tom Power a rollicking good-natured Irishman, then one, Mackendoe, then a very noted family named Stuck, some of whose descendants are with us still. Part of his land was bought by Tom and John Royds, well known and respected residents of Invercargill for many years leaving worthy families behind them. Then came one, James McKeddie an old bachelor for many years with various survey parties throughout Southland. Fipally and now I’m right around to the road used in those days to get to Riverton, was George Printz, who later acquired several stations in Southland, Burwood being one of them. If I mistake not, Mr Printz was amongst the first to import purebred short-horned, cattle from Australia and very fine cattle they were. Mr Printz’s house was on the flat

near the New River. The Fosbenders owned a lot of land in this locality, and some of them are still to the fore and rear large numbers of very fine cattle. As I write, I cannot help wondering what our good and intrepid old forefathers would say were they to come back and see the changes that have taken place in so many directions and one that I think would astound them most would be to find Otatara brought so near to Invercargill, embracing, as it does, so many changes for the pleasure and better conditions of those they left behind to carry on the good work of solid progress assisted by the infusion of new and younger blood. Although, personally, I am one of the old school of Southland’s early pioneers may I point out that the greater the population the greater likelihood there is of outstanding foresight, for many men have many minds and I give a large mead of credit to new blood for the push and energy displayed in bringing many new schemes forward for tlie advancement of dear, and never failing old Southland. As I look back over all these years, knowing I have done, my bit, I feel proud of those that are following on with the hand of progress for the further development of these beautiful Islands of the Southern seas. Still amidst all this advancement and change I often long for many hours and scenes of more primitive times and the native bird life of New Zealand, so nearly extinct now in many parts of New Zealand. Oh it gives me a feeling of sadness and regret so much so that I append a few verses I jumbled together as a kind of salve to my regrets. I was very friendly in the Sixties with our then confectioner who kept an admixture in his premises of stuffed birds, live monkeys, meat pies, and general pastry—a chaotic mixture to be sure; but many an afternoon we spent at Otatara hunting specimens for his little chaotic museum, and strange to say, many specimens of bird life were obtained in the bush where the new bridge is erected and on the flats nearby, where we got Bittern and the beautiful majestic White Crane, Quail, and Snipe. I am etc, OLD TIMER. The verses are as follows: Gone is the bird life we had long ago. ‘ The pigeon, the kaka, the tui, we know’. Gone are the wee fantails of both black and grey, Which, in confident trust, won’t get out of one’s way. Where’s the green parakeet, of yellow and red? Have they trekked back, or are they all dead? Where is the robin that sang up on high, With throat nearly bursting and head to the sky? Yellow hammer, tom-tit, and a great many more— Oh, are they all dead, or fled from our shore ? On a calm summer’s evening, away in a dell, You would hear the faint sound of a fardistant bell: This was the bell-bird, which in the shade of near night We old Early Timers ’twould charm and delight. The bush is now silent wherever we go. Oh, what is the cause? Does anyone know? For we miss their sweet voices as in days long ago.