THE EARLY DAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 992, 16 May 1911, Page 4

THE EARLY DAYS.

AN OLD SETTLER’S STORY.

(Horowhenua County Record.) He was an “Old Identity,” and he gave us some interesting talk on the happenings at Shannon in the latter part of the nineteenth century, as we sat around the fire the other night. He told us of the days when the first comers tackled the bush on the flat where the town stands to-day, of the first shanties and stores, and with what joy the erection of the first railway station was greeted—a very small building where swaggers dossed at night and where the first Sunday School was held until the Methodist Church was put up. We were told of the dreadful roads, of bush fires, and the mosquitos that disputed the white man’s arrival. We listened attentively to the story of settlement on the banks of the Mauawatu river long before Shannon was born, and how a flax-mill graced the borders of the Otauru stream and wheat was grown and shipped from Paiaka for Wellington by vessels built on the river. We heard of Shannon progressing year by year, until a newspaper, The Manawatu Farmer, was published, infusing fresh life. The editor did not confine himself to agitating • lor better roads ; he wanted a track cut over th» ranges to Eketahuna. We were told how he took an interest in the children and drilled them tor entertainments by which trees were planted in the streets, but for want of attention have been allowed to perish. And there were occasions when the minister did not turn up to conduct a service, and the editor taught the flock. And there was another individual, a canny settler he must have been. He advertised in an English journal that he would take gentlemen’s sons and teach them sheep-farming, etc., on consideration that he should receive a premium for tha valuable instruction imparted. And young gents came out and found they had to do menial work about the farm. Some of the settlers opened the eyes of the young swells. Then we were enlightened upon the noisy meetings in connection with the Dairy Union, when the first factory was ushered into existence, and how the directors, who came from Palmerston North, received such drubbings that the wonder is that the dairy industry took root. The next hubbub was over the milk tests, and the suppliers almost came to blows in their disputations.

We next got the history of the ratepayers’ Association that worried the County Council to give more consideration to Shannon matters, and even formulated a scheme altering the course of the Manawatu riveraud saving Moutoa from being swept by floods. And we heard all about the floods that caused such disaster at Moutoa and covered the Makerua Swamp. The Otauru Stream played a prominent part in the past history of Shannon. It was a constant menace to property on either side when it broke loose, and the County Council was threatened with proceedings at law. One sufferer was about to sue for heavy damages, when a private gentleman made him an offer for his i property. He accepted the terms, and found that the County Council was the purchaser. It appears that plans for a paper mill were on view in days gone by and the pulp was to be obtained from Wallace’s bush near Maire lagoon, but the scheme was dropped. The Maire lagoon and the pretty bush around it was a beauty spot in bygone times, and it was the favourite resort, but nothing was done to preserve it, and it went to ruin. Our narrator, among other things, told us how on one occasion a fire started amongst the saimps to the east of the township, and how all the settlers had to work to save the town ; how on another occasion the townspeople shut up shop and the children at school got a holiday to take part in a monster working bee to help clear the five acres known as the Recreation Reserve. The women folk had a tent and boiler for making tea, and they provided dinner and tea for scores of sturdy fellows who worked as if they had a contract. “Yes,” said the story-teller, “ ,ve had toil and worry, but the sky was blue when we looked glum. And often, at night, we cast our cares aside, put on our best togs and drove in to the Town Hall with wives and children and danced until milking called us home. We had some excellent concerts and minstrel entertainments, as much enjoyed as what we get to-day. We had an Arbor Day, and the Maoris planted a row of trees on the road at the back of the station. They cooked a pig and potatoes in the school ground in their own way, and both races joined in a public feast. We had banquets too, at which we were honoured with the presence of Ministers and M’s.P. In return we got promises—promises that were false; and now we have no faith ; no, not even in princes.”