"GONE BEFORE"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 123, 14 February 1940, Page 8

"GONE BEFORE"

To the memory of the old settlers. so many of whom have passed away during the present year. The old familiar faces, are fading fast away, The forms we knew hut yesterday, have gone from us to-day, And strangers I'll I their places, and tread where they have trod. While they are sleeping s'lent, beneath the verdant sod. Full many a kindly face tiwe was ; ., and many a burly form, That conquered in liie's battle, and weathered oft the storm. Thcj r came from stock I nil sturu3 r , and grit they did not lack. Those pioneers of progress, who ied along ttie l.ack. The3 r roughed it in the vailey, and they roughed it on the hill, They cleared the bush and bracken and scrub with right goodwill. They had hut IHtle eon-fort, and leisure they had none. But toiled till dark o'er took them, from the rising of the .sun. Aye! took their lives within their hands and many a -oss sustained In the early days of lighting; Yet seldom they complained Those stalwart sons of Britain, those men who led the way, The heroes of New Zealand —God's country, so they say.— i Continued foot of nr-xt column)

They made it what it is to-day, they did I hoi r level best, Now one by one they're passing to their everlasting rest. And the few who still are with us, Avill follow on the track. We would not, were we able, to hold that handful back, •For they're old and worn with warfare, let the! 1 1 " toil and trouble cease; They have earned their rest, and need It —their time of calm and peace. —' J.S." Mastcrton.