SIXTY YEARS OF CIVIC PROGRESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18008, 13 July 1928, Page 11 (Supplement)

SIXTY YEARS OF CIVIC PROGRESS

Just a rugged piece of coast line, with scrub and bush covered gullies, through which fierce torrents made their way unceasingly to the open sea below; here and there thin spirals of smoke circled upwards from concealed fires, indicating the presence of humans, although from the open sea there was no sign of life, other than animal life. Such is but a brief picture of what the first batch of immigrants, who had crossed thousands of miles of sea to make a new home for themselves in an unknown country, saw when they hove in sight of Timaru. Their first impressions, as they gazed shorewards from the ship’s deck, must have been anything but encouraging, but they were imbued with wonderful courage, and they declined to allow their hearts to sink within them before they had had time to look around. Once ashore they set about the task of hewing a home for themselves and their families, and from that time on a wonderful transforma'ion has been effected. Just as to-day is a day of importance in the lives of the citizens, of even greater importance was July 13, IS6S, for on that date was laid the foundation stone of one of the most prosperous boroughs in the Dominion. Every member of the little band of settlers realised that he or she had a duty to perforin, and the thoroughness with which they performed their individual and several tasks is reflected in the present prosperous and sound position of the town. Many must perform faithful public service if any town or city is to progress, and each of the twenty-one Mayors who have held office has done his work faithfully and well. The tasks of some have been more difficult than others, but in no single instance was any responsibility shirked. To each came the realisation that in their hands largely rested the future destiny of the town, and without hope of reward they set themselves towards a definite goal; firstly they pictured it as attainable and then as attained, and by the adoption of this policy apparently insurmountable obstacles were overcome, and each generation lias moved forward to a brighter, happier and more prosperous era. The view of Gabites’ corner in the year that the Borough was constituted affords seme idea of the progress that had been made up to that period. The same corner to-day, on which there stands a fine four-storey building, embodying the latest improvements in architecture and office and shop appointments, is in striking contrast to wliat held sway 60 years ago. This is but one instance of the progressive spirit which has been manifested in every sphere of public activity. The

port of Timaru to-day, accommodating as it does the largest overseas Vessels trading in New Zealand waters, is a striding tribute to the work of the pioneers. With the coming of the first ships there was not even a safe landing place, and the task of getting passengers and cargo ashore was not only slow but hazardous. With the growth of the town the need for n harbour became a pressing one, and here again the determination of the settlers to undertake the most difficult of tasks became apparent. It was common in these days for heavy seas to come up suddenly, and for weeks on end ships would lie at anchor, efforts to work them being impossible. A succession of wrecks spurred on the Gettlers to greater efforts, and eventually they won through. The breakwater began to take form, wharves were constructed, and now the town can boast of the finest, open harbour in the Dominion. The progress of the port naturally bonefitted the town, and industries sprang up like mushrooms. Road construction proceeded apace, railways wore pushed through the island, telegraph services opened, and situated as it was in the centre of a rich .agricultural and farming district, the town rapidly grew in importance, and came to be recognised as the chief connecting link between

1868 THE MAYORS OF TIMARU

tlie northern and southern portions of the island. Nature had also smiled kindly on the citizens, and had provided them with a climate second to none in the country. The building of the breakwater led to the formation on the northern side of a fine sandy beach, which was eventually taken in hand by a band of progressive citizens and transformed into a popular bathing resort. Looking ever to the future, successive generations improved still further the sea front and its surroundings, and their efforts have resulted in making the town the Riviera of the south. While the citizens themselves, from the earliest days, have done their share towards making the town the fine commercial centre it is today, the civic authorities have also borne their fair share of the burden. Since Timaru was constituted a borough in 18G8, no fewer than 21 Mayors have held office, some for two years, and others for much longer periods. From Mr Hewlings, who was elected Mayor in 18(18, down to the present Mayor, each man in his day and generation, has proved worthy of the highest honour the citizens could bestow on him, and no period in the history of the Borough has progress been retarded through lack of administrative ability on the part of the Chief Magistrates. While 21 Mayors have held the reins of

office over tlie period of 60 years, the (own has had but three Toivn Clerks. The first was Mr E. 11. Lough, who was succeeded by Mr D. Virtue, and the present Town Clerk, Mr 0. Mackattie, took office but a year or so ago. These men have set a record which is probably without equal ir> the history of the Dominion. While Caroline Bay has done so much to popularise Timaru as a holiday resort, the charm of the town is not confined to the foreshore. When the Provincial Government held sway, it was generous in many respects to the settlers, this generosity being born of a recognition of the great spirit of progress which was abroad. Wherever possible farsighted citizens turned tlieir attention to the beautification of the town, and parks and reserves were established in the south, north and west end. The father of all the reserves is the main park in the south end, and which bears favourable comparison With any reserve of a similar nature to be found anywhere in the Dominion. Recent improvements to Ashbury Park in the north end of the town, have done much to popularise this residential area, and now that baths are being established in Oldway Park, which is the pride of the West End people, the requirements of this locality should be catered for for years to come. The spirit of pride which lias bean manifested in the beautification of the town in general has been reflected in another direction, and that is in the homes of the citizens themselves. Before the sawmilling industry came into being, most of the homes were crudely constructed log huts. They provided shelter from the elements, hut there was little warmth in them, and as soon as some of the virgin bush was cleared, the settlers set about providing more suitable accommodation for their families. Came the day of the sun-dried bricks, and the utilisation of these in the building of homes effected a marked improvement. The inarch of science soon brought to light, a more, lasting form of brick, and of recent years the residences of the town have assumed a most attractive appearance. Few towns in New Zealand have homes which hear comparison with some to be found in Timaru to-day. In common with the progress in the residential area has been a continue* improvement in the industrial area. Some of the warehouses, offices, and stores in existence to-day were erected many years ago, but the majority aro of modern design. In the main streets during the past two years building lias been most active, and all tlio structures have had embodied in them the vei* latest architectural features.