FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144458, 20 August 1914, Page 4

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

TARANAKI’S EARLY HISTORY. (From the Taranaki Herald of 18843 Saturday, August 20.—The rumour current hero during tho early part qt the week that the King and the Vaikatos were desirous ol treating lor peace proves to hare been quite unfounded; indeed the white hag- that was seen turns out to have s bcen a blanket hung out to dry. A day or two ago, it is said, another small party of Ngatimauiapolos under Raureli arrived at Mataitawn. Wo hear that orders have been received at the various _ outposts occupied bv tlie Military Setters relative to iho formation of a Hying column. It is said that twenty-tiro men of good character are to he selected from each company, and trained for tho purpose, and arc to be ready at short notice to act with the regular troops as part of a flying column. The "Wanganui Chronicle learns that a family of Taranaki settlers (probably rheSymos family) numbering ten, came down" by tho "Wonga Wonga to settle 1 here. Thev have rented from Mr. Harrison, of* Warreugate, 400 acres, and will no doubt bo a great nccpiisiliou to the district to which they are going. But for tho sudden and untimely death of Mr. AV. 11. Ilonoyfickl we should have hud another Taranaki settlor among us. This gentleman and his brother had bought 000 acres of tho Mataongaonga estate at £5 an acre, and was on tho point of embarking in order to come down and take possession when ho caught fever and died alter a few days’ illness. The following vessels tterc at anchor in tho roadstead vosterday, and is the largest number that has boon hero at one time:—s.s. Wellington from Manukau, s.s. Wonga Wonga from Manukau, brig Dover from Steward s Island, three-masted schooner Stormbird from Stewart’s Island, brigantine Sarah Pile from Adelaide, brigantine Simiv from Kaipara. schooner Queen of Perth from Melbourne. schooner Mary Christina from Wellington, schooner Bonnie Lass from Nelson, schooner Daring from Picton. schooner Daring from Manukau. ketch Alary Elizabeth from Lyttelton. Some of them have been hero since iho 12th. Tenders are invited for building a stone wall along the Huatoki River, for woodwork required in tho proposed enlargement of St. Mary’s Church, for filling bags ivith ironsand. sewing tip, and carting same to tho boats, at per ton, and for erecting temporary buildings for the accommodation of about fiflv families belong to the Aiiliabout fifty families belonging to tbo Military Settlers.