1864-1924

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 June 1924, Page 1 (Supplement)

1864-1924

' HONOURING THE, PIONEERS. “Not what we are, but what we hope is best.”—Lowell. Sixty Years! To-day “The Timaru Her aid” celebrates the Diamond' Jubilee of itsdbirtf?. The commemoration of such a notable event in the history of Dominion journalism presents an occasion for appreciative reference to the stout-hearted optimists who bore the heat and" burden of the pioneering days when the launching of a newspaper was a risky experiment, since in those roaring times the future of this fertile and picturesque district . was very much in the lap of, the’ gods. The Miltonian doctrine that “Peace hath her victories not less renowned than war,” reminds us that although those who triumph in the moving theatres of war, win the plaudits of cheering multitudes, the sturdy pioneers who blazed the trail away back in the hazardous days of the middle ’eighties, achieved victories no less memorable than the glorious conquests of the-gallant men who fought and fell in the fierce battles waged to establish the freedom of the people upon an unassailable foundation. When “The Timaru Herald” was founded the vaunting shouts of warlike Maoris were still striking terror into the hearts of the early settlers. “Ka whawhai tonu; ake, ake, ake!” (“We will fight for ever and ever and ever”) was the challenging battle cry of the unconquered warrior sons of the exiles from Hawaiki; In many parts of the newly settled colony, the fiercest warfare continued- But the adventurous spirits who had braved the elements along the unchartered highways of the ocean, were undismayed by the perils and hardships inseparably associated with pioneering days. Moreover with the coming of peace, fighters and fought became one in spirit and one in heart with dauntless old Ngahue who (Maori tradition tells us) upon landing on these sun-kissed, verdure-clad isles, reverently standing still, gathered a little soil and scattered it to the four comers of the earth, as he chanted this prayer to the “Spirit of the Land”: We arrive where an unknown earth is under our feet; V/e arrive where a new sky is above us, We arrive at this land, a resting-place for us. O Spirit of the Earth! We strangers now humbly Offer our hearts as food for thee. Pakeha and Maori loved the new land, for the forest trees were tall and splendid and radiant as kahakura in the sky. In very truth Peace gained a notable victory in cementing into one indissoluble brotherhood the pathfinders from the Old Land and the coloured children of the exiles from the isles of the Pacific. * To-day the world sees a new nation in the southern seas:' This happy breed of men, this little world, This precious stone set in the silver sea. Looking back over the span of years, 1864-1924, marking New Zealand’s most momentous period, we appreciate the accuracy of forecast that “each camp-fire has marked a spot that man shall call his home.” No inanimate monument, however impressive, could be raised which would fittingly express the high regard in which the present generation holds the courageous pioneers. No stately columns or dazzling tablets are needed to remind their descendants of the worthiness-of the sturdy men and women of

our race who first trod these shores. The story of their splendid achievements is engraven in the minds of succeeding generations, and the memory of thrilling victories gained over almost insurmountable difficulties, bums with an' unquenchable flame in the hearts of their children and their children’s children. Over the inner north doorway of . St. Paul’s Cathedral is the well-known epitaph to Sir Christopher Wren: Si monumentum requiris, circumspice. Since the majestic dome of St. Paul’s 2nd the drum on which is stands are incora- i parable masterpieces of graceful line and

harmonious proportion, no one has yet suggested that Wren’s glorious conceptions of architectural perfection could be more fittingly acknowledged than in the monument this illustrious Englishman raised to himself. The simple brass tablet invites all who seek a monument to the genius of Sir Christopher Wren to look around. No more eloquent tribute could be paid the pioneers of South Canterbury than to point to the visible and enduring evidence of the crowning edifice succeeding generations have reared upon the foundations the early settlers so well and truly laid: “If you seek their monument, look around.” All splendid deeds are caught into the sky And set to light the ages.

For ages yet unborn, the path that man treads through the years will be lit no less brightly by the victories of peace won in the quieter pioneering days, than by the undying glories of blood-stained Gallipoli and the historic battlefields of Flanders. The celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of “The Timaru Herald,” while marking the dose of a notable epoch in the history of Dominion journalism, presages the dawn of new days of responsibilities and opportunities, for the modern newspaper never grows old. It renews its youth as each day is born. Nevertheless the future of “The Timaru Herald” is • Inseparably associated

with the welfare of all sections of this progressive community; hence, in the exercise of its legitimate functions, the unique position attained by “The Herald” invests it with increasing responsibilities as advocate of the welfare of the district and the nation, and defender of the cherished rights of a free and enlightened community. We are one in our interests and one in our dreams; above all, wc are one when we look up into the stars at The world above man’s head to let him see How boundless might his soul’s horizon be. Every community has within its grasp incalculable forces; every worthy descendant of our honoured pioneers thrills again with that lofty idealism and unconquerable

spirit to achieve, which inspired the founders of present day §m prosperity. ... HH The progress of “The Herald” haa synchronised with the |§§f remarkable development of South Canterbury; the rising prestige of Timaru as a progressive, prosperous town; the §||| growing importance of the Port as an up-to-date shipping HH centre —an efficiently equipped and safe harbour accommodating the largest oversea vessels visiting New Zealand waters. Moreover the ten stirring .years which have gone into history i== since “The Herald” celebrated its fiftieth birthday, have marked the Dominion’s attainment of maturer statue and an equal WM. partnership in the great Commonwealth of British peoples. =ll We belong to a race into whose keeping has been entrusted HH the guardianship of the liberty of the world. That the British people are worthy of this sacred trust was demonstrated, in HH the World War. when England’s white plume, like that of Henry lf=| of NaVarre, iloaied'ixi the forefront of every battle; a£ife and g|M death struggle, in which the sons and daughters of the pioneers WM of this country bore their share of the burden. Invested with 1 Jijf the dignity of full nationhood, the thoughts of the present I||| generation of New Zealanders instinctively turn back to tho 8.. courageous men and noble women who, amid the perils Of ■ colonising days, by preserving inviolate the indomitable spirit of the race and cherishing its proud traditions, richly nusrit |UfL the gracious homage Henry Kendall, pays to the unforgettable fU work of the early pioneers: What sun is this that beams and broadens west?/ 14 .r r -^=r > What wonder this, in deathless glory dressed, ii =^=;» What strange, sweet harp of highest god took flamer •' |^|f And gave this Troy its life its light, its name? • What awful lyre of marvellous power and range ; Upraised this Uion—wrought this dazzling change?/ No shining singer of Hellenic dreams Set yonder splendour by the morning streams! === No god who glimmers in a doubtful sphere i =^= Shed glory there—created beauty herei n This is the city that our fathers framed— These are the crescents by the elders named! . The human hands of strong, heroic men , , Broke down the mountain, filled the gaping glen,' . . ==§ Ban streets through swamp, built banks against the foam, iiis And bent the arch and raised the lordly dome! Here are the towers that the founders made! Here are the temples where these Romans prayed! Here stand the courts in which their leaders met!/ ===■ Here are their homes, and here their altars yet! 1 ===#. Here sleep the grand old men whose lives sublime ===• Of thought and action shine and sound through time! W r ho worked in darkness —onward fought their .ways To bring about these large majestic days— * Who left their sons the heart and high desires : • ’ Which built this city of the hundred spires! .. ‘ ===

The Voice of Progress insistently calls us; the Spirit of Adventure points the way. Although the world is growing smaller as science draws its parts together, the mind must grow bigger, and the heart throb with a greater intensity as shall bind all interests in one. Behind this prosperous and richly endowed community lies the Great Adventure of the pioneering days; before us lies the Better Land of ordered and enlightened progress: By beaten roads the mainguard goes v With banner and with band ,Yet we, that dare, find everywhere New work that fits hand; We know no how the orders come But hark! the bugles blow Across the plain, day breaks again; Pick up the packs, and go!