UNKNOWN

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 113, 4 July 1911, Page 4

UNKNOWN

Mr Joseph McChlggagO, who is definitely eontoatinn tire Stratford seat, in the Liberal interest, 1 :-3 had a varied, and, in some respa A, unique experience of the Province d: Taranaki, and during Iris reside. >9 here has successfully played the parts of bush settler, 'farmer, Contractor, and general merchant. It was in 18do that he first went into tire WhangamOtnona Valley in connection with the Improved Farm Settlements then bc-j ing offered, ami through thick ami thin during the hard, had years following, lie stuck to the back-blocks and to the back-block’s settlers, confidant that in time the country dvould justify its settlement and that ho would win out. Time has proved the correctness of Iris opinion though for twelve yam's (lie position, to those loss sanguine than Air McClnggage, seem-, ed at times to border on tire desperate. The hardships of the settlers, owing to the impassable condition of the roads, where such existed,- the rugged nature of the country, and the difficulty in financing their holdings, added to the high prices of. the hare •necessaries of life ,appalled, even the ?toutest_ hearts, hut through it all, the subject of this sketch preserved the same undaunted front and cheery optimism. Air McClnggage has now -disposed of his large business interests in the Whangamomona Valley, but is still, and is likely to remain, a large land-owner there, though for private considerations, lie lias been led to reside with his family in Stratford. Ho is remarkable in that though a successful business man, a member of the Land Board, and of the Harbour Board, ho lias no private enemies, and apropos of this an anecdote which-ap-peared some time ago in the columns of a contemporary might ho. retold. If runs as follows:—“In conch 'lion, let the writer again express his hast thanks to those who so kindly tr , tec him during his trip, especially Mr •100 McClnggage, who assisted him very generously in his travelling arrangements. Just a word to wind up with, about tin's gentleman, the father of the Whangamomona Settlement. A traveller clown the East road saw a five-horse waggon carrying a great load of stores along the road and enquired to whom it belonged. ‘Joe McClnggage,’ was the reply. Then a bullock team was passed. To whom did it belong? ‘Joe McCluggage.’ Here is a store-house by the roadside, whose is it, was asked, and again the reply was, ‘Joe McCluggago’s.’ A nice homestead, a string of pack-horses, another store; whose are these? ‘All Joe McClnggage’.s.’ Then who the d is this Joe McCluggage ?„ was at last put. ‘Don’t yon know Joe? Why, I thought everyone knew him; he’s the whitest man in the Ohura, and lias done more for tiie district than any other individual.’ That’s Joe. Good luck to him!” And now Mr McClnggage offers himself in yet a now role, and as the chosen candidate of the Liberal Baity iu Stratford throws down the gauntlet and will oppose Mr J. B, Hine, the present member, at the next election.