The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1926. THE ANNIVERSARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 16 December 1925, Page 8

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1926. THE ANNIVERSARY.

Although December 16, 1925, it> the seventy-fifth anniversary ol the foundation of the province, and the people of South Canterbury join in the chorus of congratulation showered upon the sturdy pioneers who well and truly laid the foundation of the presentday prosperity the whole province enjoys, it was not for some years later that the provincial district was constituted, and South Canterbury became an integral part of Canterbury province. The early Canterbury settlers found themselves at a disadvantage when South Canterbury was opened up for runs at lotv rentals. Australians were coming- over, bringing sheep with them, and round the Canterbury terns for pasturage prohibitive. The Pilgrims considered that it would be to the advantage of the settlement if the invading Australians with their sheep and other capital could be retained within the new settlement. They therefore -had the terms for leasing rims within the Block adjusted to those fixed for runs in the Crown lands territory. On this being done,' the pastoral area- within the Block — which was by then extended southward to the Ashburton—was quickly applied for in runs, by Canterbury men. The whole question was simplified by the establishment of the Provincial system in 1852. The Pilgrims decided .to bring their Block under the system and ' thenceforward the whole area from the Huruliui to the Waitaki, as the Province of Canterbury, with Christchurch its its centre, was dealt with under one land law. To conjure-up a mental picture of Timfiru and the surrounding- country wheii the first sheep wandered over the new country, and the first shepherds gazed upon it, demands the exercise of a lively imagination to gain even a very rough conception of South Canterbury in thei making. Extensive .views of the site of Timam and its Surroundings can bo had from the principal buildings in Timam. Wider views may be bad from many points on roads running westward from Timam, of broad expanses of undulating- land, now fertile and. beautiful, diversified by agriculture and forestry. In 1850 these expanses were more clearly visible as such, the ridges clad with buffcoloured tussock, mottled ' with patches of dwarf Irishman, dotted with cabbage trees; the beds of wider gullies green with flaN, mingled with the white plumes of toi-toi; the three local lagoons haunted by native water fowl. A few miles to the north began the great Canterbury plain, stretching far" beyond its horizon, also clad in buff and green with a single dark patch—the Arowlienua Bush. Its gentle slope from west to east was scored with a straight line oi lighfei* colour, the high vertical north ten-ace of the Rangitata. A long- sea hprizon bounded the prospect eastward; to the south, west, and north, Were the everlasting hills, as they are to-day. If the present generation could imagine—it is difficult to do itthe results of pakelia. occupation will intrude themselves—if the descendants could imagine every Work of man and of Nature directed or misdirected by man, swept clean, away, and tliei land restored to its pristine condition, what a changei of scene! If some skilful painter could produce a panorama of “Timam Downs in 1850“ it. would have intense interest for the older identities who possess vivid recollections of their early days in South Canterbury. It would surely bci worth while for school teachers —in order that the wonderful pioneering- work of the early settlers should not be forgotten—to. give the citizens in the making, from points of view of wide outlook, say on Anniversary Days, the mental task of supposing- every building, tree!, fence, road, telephone post, every human structure obliterated, every mottling of landscape' by chequer-boards of fields, to be completely replaced by a monochrome of tussock, with reliefs of ti-tree, restoring- the original appearance of the l country. This should be a. valuable object-lesson on what the pioneers and their successors have achieved within the span of an ordinary life-time. As the Rev. F. G. Britt an, preaching- at the special service at the Cathedral on Sunday last said, “it is a thousand pities that the younger generation doe* not realise more fully what Anniversary Day means.” Those who spare a passing- thought no doubt, realise that the foundations were, well and wisely laid. The pioneers were men and women of lofty idealism, abounding- energy and ability and undaunted coin age —shining examples of the bpst. type of a great race. “We cannot, realise, the debt: we owe to them,’' ns another speaker confessed. “We. can never hope to discharge it.. The best we can do is to acknowledge it and try to live up to the- reputation they have left.” Whether this generation was to

dp credit to the stock from which it had come would depend on whether it handed on to the successors an inlteritance equal to that left by the- Pilgrims'. By emulation of their faith, fortitude, and might, the people would build on a foundation which, was truly and firmly laid. The obligation laid upon succeeding generations is clearly stated by a Christchurch writer in the following lines: It is not chance that their achievements last, Nor whim of fortune that their building stands. It was for us they strove; wo are the heirs , , , Of all their agony and sweat and tears; And, willing or ungrateful, each one shares

In the vast legacy of toilsome years. “It is for us the living,” as Lincoln put it in his memorable Gettysburg- address, “rather to be dedicated, to the unfinished work which they' who fought have thus far so- nobly advanced.” Just as the living cannot hallow or consecrate the noble giving of the citizens who make the supreme sacrifice for the common weal, it is, as Lincoln urged, rather for the living to be dedicated to the great task remaining before them. Thus in a. larger sense, while it is appropriate that. Anniversary Day should be fittingly celebrated each yeai-j it is more in harmony with the nobility of spirit and lofty idealism of the Canterbury Pii glims, that succeeding- generations should strive to emulate their industry, courage, and foresight, and jealously preserve and develop the priceless heritage bequeathed the people of to-day by tliei pioneers of three quarters of a century ago.