GILFILLAN PARK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 190, 13 August 1932, Page 6

GILFILLAN PARK

FURTHER TREE PLANTING WATTLES NOW IN BLOOM Wattles are in flower round the site of the old Gilfillan homestead in the Matarawa Valley, Okoia—golden blooms drooping in memory of a brave family that paid dearly for venturing the pathway of the pioneers. They were massacred by the Alaoris on April 18, 1847. All that remains to recall the sad story, which resulted in the deaths of a mother and children, is a siual fence-surrounded area of land ovci the site of the dwelling-house that was made of rough timber aud clay. Settlers of the district have planted trees to mark the spot. Wattles and i flowering cherries have fared best in the stiff clay soil. The Wanganui County Council and the Okoia branch of the Farmers’ Union were responsible for having the area set apart and named Gilfillan Park, and the late Mr. T. Allison and the late Air. James Higgie were trustees. Persons to act in their places will be appointed within the next day or so by the county, the body with which the park is vested. When the council met yesterday : letter came before it from the Wanganui Early Settlers’ Association asking permission to plant further trees round the a task in which tho association intended to act in conjunc tion with the Girl Guides. Cr. D. AlcGrcgor, who has watched the planting of the site on the conn cil’s behalf, welcomed the offer. He said that those in charge could do with more trees. There was a scheme of planting in hand, however, and it would be best for the council to have a say as to what was to be done. It was decided to gratefully accept the offer of the Early Settlers’ Asso ciation and Girl Guidos and to ask them to co-operate with Cr. AlcGregor in the matter. When work was being carried out on the site last Saturday some of the soil where the house actually stoo ' was pierced to a depth of 18 inches to two feet and a sixpence, dated 1846, and a teaspoon were discovered. Cr McGregor brought these to the council table yesterday. After the massacre the natives set fire to the home and tho walls, as they lost their wooden supports, collapsed, leaving a heap of solid clay among the ash. For many years the spot was regarded wit’’ superstition and avoided, so that it is probable that very little of what was in the house and was capable of remaining intact after a fire has ever boon recovered. The Gilfillan massacre occurred on April IS, 1847, shortly after dusk. At six o’clock a party of Alaoris arrived and Air. Gilfillan and his son John, aged 74 years, went to speak to them. Without warning a Maori hit Air. Gil fillan a. blow across the back nf the head with a tomahawk. He and John rushed inside and, in response to his wife’s appeals, Air. Gilfillan. who was in a serious way. decided to go tn Wanganui for assistance. Ho confidently believed, and so did his'wife, that the Alaoris wanted him alone. It was never thought that while ho was away anything serious would happen. It was considered best that as ho was wounded and in need of attention, ho should be the one to go for he]p While he was away the natives stormed the house and tomahawked and killed Airs. Gilfillan (aged 41) Eliza (14). Frank (11$), Adam GW and seriously wounded Alary (aged 16) John (7s) and Sarah (6) escaped during the turmoil and wore not hurt. Agnes, tho baby, who was four month* old, died a few months afterwards. A baby named Alexander Allison, a relation of the Gilfillans. was also an in mate of the ill-fated house and he died in Wanganui a month or two later. , The murderers were captured later tried and executed. To-day there is a little wattle-guarded park in tho Alatarawa Valiev and it has a sacred memory fnr all the pioneers of the Wanganui district.