The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1925. THE FOUNDERS’ DREAM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 11 December 1925, Page 8

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1925. THE FOUNDERS’ DREAM.

Yery satisfactory and convenient, arrangements liave been concluded by tiie civic authorities of Tiinaru with the Railway Department for special trains at excursion rates, to enable the people of South. Canterbury to visit Christchurch to-morrow and join with our neighbours in the Cathedral City in Honouring- the pioneers. Ib is hoped that the trains will b© generously patronised, and that a large and representative contingent of South Canterbury residents will join with the people of Christchurch and surrounding districts in celebrating -the seventyfifth anniversary of the “first four ships.” It is interesting to note, however, that “Canterbury” and “South Canterbury” were colonised by methods so different that, the distinction implied by the two names, is much more than geographical. “Canterbury” was founded on a scheme developed in London, which contemplated most of the chief features of the Canterbury of to-day. Tlie, founders dreamed of a settlement that should become “like a shire of Old England, in a few generations.” Their dream has been realised, in much less time than was expected. In their vision they saw a capital city, with a Cathedral and. a University, as centres of spiritual and cultural life; .with public parks aud gardens. A Bishopdesignate and clergy were among the earliest arrivals, a big church bell was in one of the holds, and the city and its streets were given ecclesiastical names. So* many of the early immigrants were men of high educational attainment, that they could b© relied upon to establish schools and a college as soon as possible. An important element in the founders’ vision was that agriculture would be the main industry of the settlement, a “shire” agriculture of small farms, and land was bought by the earlier immigrants in 50 and 100 acre lots, before they lefb England. . Consequently we have t 1 e capital city surrounded by a wide belt of small holdings to-day. The 'Canterbury settlement widen to-day celebrates the seventy-fifth, anniversary of its foundation, comprised the plains lying between the livers Waipara ana Rakaia—later the southern boundary was made the Ashburton (north branch) —supposedly half a million acres. The rest of the province of Canterbury remained in the hands of the Government of New Zealand, and was placed in charge of a Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Commissioner sent a surveyor to explore .and report upon the Crown land south of the Rakaia. Mr Tories®© furnished, in April, 1849, an excellent description of the country be examined, with a map, which included nearly all the agricultural land of to-day—the low (towns from the sea to the frontal rmi•tains—The Hunters’ Hills', Mounts Four Peaks and Peel—and included the Fairlie basin. . A few remarks from, Mr Toiiesse’s r eport may be quoted, to show that, tiie first explorer of inland South Canterbury thought highly of its value for settlement. He also indicates that the Maoris were cultivators here before Whites arrived:—• “Judging from the excellent crops of wheat and potatoes grown upon the open plain by the natives at llorowhenua, there can be little doubt that a considerable portion of the district is available for agricultural purposes; and there is no question whatever that tim whole of it will afford excellent grazing for sheep and cattle, particularly the Aglionby Downs; and from its numerous patches of wood and beautiful streams among them, in addition to the fertile soil, they offer tempting sites for stations.” The high banks of the large rivers, he remarks, would bo obstacles to travel, but “horses, cattle and sheep can be driven in any direction over the plains, and a road can easily be formed from the plain to Timaru, which is also accessible from most parts of the Aglionby Downs, so that the produce could be shipped there in small vessels and conveyed to Port Victoria (Lyttelton).”

Quite an interesting story is told by Mr Tories® e of the early days of South Canterbury. Tbo “First Four Ships.” however, were exclusively Canterbury, as far as tiie celebrations this year are concerned. But South Canterbury—a younger' member of the family of early settlements —felicitates its senior provincial partner on th© occasion of the seventy-fifth anm versary of the foundation of tho province, and it is confidently expected that hqavily loaded trains will carry a goodly representation of the people ofSouth Canterbury to participate in the celebrations in Christchurch.

CAROLINE BAY CONTROL. With the approach of the holiday season bringing- visitors to Timaru from all parts of A c w Zealand, the timei is opportune to draw pointed attention to the need tor stricter control on Caroline Bay. Considerable annoyance' to local and visiting frequenters of the Bay, and not n little damage,_ is being caused by irresponsible youths who delight in more or less serious acts of" tomfoolery. Already there are evidences of the vandalism of uncontrolled youths and ,lads who appear to delight in “breakingtilings.” Last season six youngmen mounted the pleasure-giving-contrivance known to the children as the “ocean wave,” and the wreckage they left apparently so disgusted the authorities that the “ocean wave” lias not. been repaired., much + o the regret of the children. One of the see-saws is a standing accusation against those irresponsible youths who have- come to look upon Caroline. Bay as a happy hunting ground

for their loutish amusement. It is no uncommon sight to> see overgrown youths subjecting the children’s swings to severe tests with the inevitable result, that breakages occur. Moreover, at the meeting of the Borough Council, on Monday night, an act of vandalism was reported in connection with the extension of the line of lamps which add such attractiveness to the illumination of the Bay. That matter is in the hands of the police. The bicycle nuisance, top, is becoming positively a menace to the safety of pedestrians. Last Sunday morning a visitor to the Bay during a stroll along the main pathway from the band rotunda to the warning notice signed by order _ of the Timaru Borough Council, ‘ that motorists and cyclistsi must not ride on the footways; offenders will be prosecuted,” counted no fewer than a dozen cyclists traversing th© Bay. Not satisfied to use the main highway through the Bay, which is exclusively reserved for pedestrians, cyclists are now taking the more pleasant journey across the lawns. Some more daring youths, prefer the upper pathways, while occasionally a motor cyclist or a visiting motor car indulges in a run through, the Bay, rather than take the less interesting public highway. Some of the offences we readily believe are committed unwittingly, but th© complaints which have reached us from time to time indignantly _ declare that the lout nuisance is becoming even more aggravating than the unwelcome presence of the vagrant dog. Presumably the activities of the young vandals are not confined to the Bay. A correspondent complains bitterly this morning of mean thefts and persistent interference which have caused him much annoyance for some considerable time. With regard to the control of the Bay, we suggest that the presence of a police constable more often, would at once check the horse-play, while the issue of a definite warning would put an end to the offence® committed by erring cyclists. The authorities should very considerably tighten up control on the Bay., and at the same time wage unrelenting warfare against the vagrant canine whose presence is as dangerous, to the health of the hosts of children Who disport themselves on the sands, and 'as it is unwelcome from the point of view of picnic parties who are constantly molested by stray dogs _ which make themselves an unmitigated nuisance during the holiday season. Caroline Bay has become the real Mecca pf summer holiday makers and day picnicker's from far* and near, and it behoves the authorities to exercise stricter control which will make for the complete comfort of the increasing number of visitors and local residents who seek sunshine and health in the salubrious climate and picturesque setting for wbicb Caroline Bay is widely famed. ,