EARLY DAYS IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1931, Page 6

EARLY DAYS IN TARANAKI

OCTOGENARIANS’ MEMORIES.

EXPERIENCES AS PIONEERS.

Interesting particulars of early settlement in Taranaki ate related by Mr. and Mrs. J. Chapman, of 9 Copeland Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland; who have lived in New Zealand for the past 58 years. Mr. Chapman celebrated the 80th 'anniversary of his birth bn July 5, and Mrs. Chapman has now reached that age./ . . Mr. Chapman was. born at Clerkenwell, London, and Mrs. Cbaptnan at Portsmouth. They were married in the Lambeth Palace Church on March 23, 1873, and sailed for New Zealand a few weeks later. After a voyage. of 107 days in the sailing ship The Douglas, Mr. and Mrs. Chapman reached Wellington, to be quarantined on Soniee Island for a short time owing to an outbreak of scarlet fever. Mr. Chapman assisted in the laying of the first railway line between Wellington and Petohe. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman decided to settle in Taranaki and the men of their party had to carry tools and clear the bush as they travelled, When trouble with the Maoris occurred, Mr. Chapman was one of a party forming Skcet Road. While preparing for the railway lines between Eltham and Normanby, he received an accidental gunshot wound, causing the settlers to think it was a second rising. The ploneens settled with their family on Moa block,. Inglewood, and while Mrs. chapman and the children carried on with dairying Mf. Chapman was engaged in road and railway work. Eventually he saw : the first train run between New Plymouth and Inglewdod. It was a trying time for the early settlers ajld the difficulties of marketing were areat. Women shoppers wishing to visit- either Inglewood or New Plymouth Were forced to travel Ovef the rough roads in water-tight boots and leggings. A change Of clothing was necessary before entering the towns. Asthere was no doctor’ or hospital closer than 25 miles Mrs. Chapman, who had had experience m England, .was nurse for the district and Often fche had to travel long distances.. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman lived for gome time in the Wellington and Wairarapa districts arid moved to Auckland about 25 years ago. They have both enjoyed good health and have been active member of the Salvation Army in New Zeiiland for the past 46 years. ; Nine members of a family of 13 are still living and there are 27 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren..