THE PASSING OF THE PIONEERS
QNE BY ONE the pioneers are passing, leaving to a less
strenuous generation the legacies created by their hardships, their strivings, and their victories over difficulties. The death of Mr W. G. Bassett, reported yesterday, was another reminder to those who now enjoy modern comforts and conveniences, of what they owe to those who made these things possible. There was room for further reflection also, in the report of the annual conference of the Maori War Veterans, held at Hastings on Wednesday. Last year there were 336 members of the association ; since then, death has claimed no fewer than 57, leaving a present membership of 279. And, one by one, these, too, must, start on the eternal trail!
These were the men who hewed their way into the forest, who fought a fierce and redoubtable foe; who ploughed and felled, and built the roads, the bridges, and, later, the railways; who, in fact, gave us all we have to-day. We should honour the memory of those who are gone, and the presence of those who are with us yet, with a great, thankfulness for their courage and their labours.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 290, 7 December 1928, Page 6
Word Count
194THE PASSING OF THE PIONEERS Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 290, 7 December 1928, Page 6
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