WORK OF PIONEERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21181, 31 October 1938, Page 8

WORK OF PIONEERS

Fitting Tributes

Main School Old Boys* Re-Union Almost 70 old boys of the Timaru Main School gathered at the annual reunion in the Bay Tea Rooms on Saturday night when a toast list was honoured, and songs and recitations were presented. Men from the early twenties in age to veterans who have passed the 80 mark mingled to recall their old school days and school ways. Mr F. W. Leggott presided. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., and the Mayor (Mr W. G. Tweedy) were also present. What was now Timaru and South Canterbury was due entirely to the early settlers who had decided for a freer life and greater scope than was available in Britain, said Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., in proposing the toast of the pioneers. To gain those ideals they had crossed 14,000 miles of ocean in the old windjammers, and it was their spirit of unrest that had resulted in the foundation of the district. That spirit of unrest which could be translated as liberalism had made Timaru and was still a feature of the outlook of its people who had and still were effecting great improvements. Many said that Caroline Bay had made Timaru, but in reality it was the pioneer spirit that had made the town—that spirit was still present and was the cause of the rapid growth of the town which would soon be a city. Those pioneers had given as a heritage the democracy that was New Zealand and that democracy must always be protected in face of the strength of the totalitarian states. It was up to the people of to-day to prove that tho democracy founded by their ancestors was the highest form of human development possible in the world. The rest of the world was keenly ambitious, and New Zealand murzt be careful to guard its interests and the heritage which had been handed down by the pioneers.

Mr R. J. Peters, Christchurch, replied to the toast. Civic Government Civic government in any country was an absolute necessity, said Mr J. W. Thompson, proposing the toast of “Civic Government.” He recalled the various mayors since the earliest days of Timaru, and pointed out the excellent work that they and the Borough Councillors had accomplished. They had indulged in great self-denial on behalf of the town, and could call little of their time their own. It had not all been pleasure, and great credit was due to them for bearing the brunt of the work in moulding the town into its present state In the same way the County Council members and Harbour Board members had done their share in the development of the district on behalf of their fellow men. As a member of a local body it was indeed gratifying to hear the kindly references and the appreciation oi the work they did, said th. Mayor in reply. The pioneers had done great work and had great faith in the town of Timaru which they had founded on a really fine site. They were men of faith in the future and they had built on solid foundations to that now the residents could look at the town with pride.

Timaru could be made the city beautiful. They could look forward to the time, which he hoped would be at the next census, when Timaru would be a city and they could aim at making it the most beautiful city in New Zealand. T 1 e May ir outlined the progress of the beautifying • ork already done and referred to the Scenic Reserve which, in time, it might not be the time of many present, would be a great asset to the town, as it was a project with great possibilities. Arhbury Park was another place that would be of inestimable value in the future. Mr Tweedy outlined various improvement. l that were under way, making particular reference to the water scheme which aimed at bitter water in addition at a better supply. After praising the work of the officers of the Borough he stated that with continued public support the Council could go ahead with greater confide ce. Other toasts honoured were: “Main School Committee and Staff,” proposed by Mr C. E. Kerr and responded to by Mr W. W. Garton and Mr G. Griffiths; “Main Schoo- Old Boys’ Association,” proposed bv the Mayor and responded to by Mr F. W. Leggott; “Visiting Old Boys and Kindred Associations,” proposed by Mr T. E. Baker. During the evening enjoyable itci ; were given ty Messrs C. Goulding, E. Budd, G. S. Griffiths 'songs), and R. R. Wills (recitations).