LOOKING BACKWARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1717, 26 May 1917, Page 4

LOOKING BACKWARD.

We clip the following from the Nelson Colonist: —

The city of Xelson is receiving a visit from Mr W. C. Nation, a son of Mr W. Nation, who started The Colonist in- 1857. Young Nation was 17 years old when he came to New Zealand, and he is therefore now in his 78th year. He is well acquainted with Nelson, as it was in early days, and he tells of the Maoris (mining in their canoes, laden with peaches and potatoes, from the Taranaki side of the Strait, and landing at the old Saltwater bridge. The residents were as a large fairiily then, and doors were not locked at night. But there were prisoners in those days, and the gaolqr was a Mr Crawford, who, when the prisoners were at work on the Church Hill, always addressed them as Mr., and asked, “Mr. , will you put a few barrow-loads over there?” as they were removing the soil. It was alleged, though there is no confirmation of the report, that when an entertainment was on in the town, he would let the good conduct prisoners out to attend it, and tell them, if they were not in by 10 o’clock lie would lock them out.

Mr Nation well remembers Dr. Hochstetter and his lectures on the formation of the country across Blind Bay and the mineral wealth that would be developed. And the inhabitants had bright visions of gold, coal, and other sources of wealth. Young Nation was fond of roaming over the country, and explored' the caves at Takaka, the marble deposits on the hillsides in that locality, Jenkins’ coalmine at Stoke, and the Dun Mountain copper mine. When the Wakamarina diggings broke out and all the residents of Nelson took the gold fever and in hundreds crossed the Maungatapu with picks and shovels, dishes and tucker, our young friend threw up his position in the Colonist office, where he had worked for seven years, and joined the excited throng that crossed the Pelorus river and pitched their tents on the new El Dorado, where pockets of gold were found on rocky bars in the river, in crevices, and among the roots of trees; where shoemakers, tailors, shop assistants and every industry were represented araong the amateur diggers who stood up to their knees in water, with every variety of tin dish, bringing to light the precious metal. Of the Maori war at the beginning of the 'sixties, Mr Nation has vivid recollections. Men, women and children had to forsake their farms in Taranaki and hurry into New Plymouth. The town became -so congested that it was decided to send the women and children over to Nelson, and many hundreds were brought across in the little steamer, the Tasmanian Maid. The Nelson people welcomed them with affectionate sympathy, opened their homes to many, set aside the public halls, where bedding and other necessaries were provided, while the cooking was done in the open air. The husbands and older sons had to stay and fight in Taranaki, and when news came from New Plymouth, and the'Colonist issued extras, an excited crowd stood in front of the office and looked in at the windows, waiting for the news. And there were pitiful scenes attunes when the death of a settler was announced whose wife and family were among the refugees.

Those were days when the Nelson volunteers were held in readiness to he sent over to New Plymouth. Dressed in “Webiey’s Nelson tweed,” they were drilled by Ser-geant-Major Alborough (\V. T. L. Travers being eaptain) in Tolleniache’s paddock, which faced on Hardy and Collingwood streets. The old flint muskets were the weapons, until a supply of En fields arrived. The company had to he in readiness to go over to Taranaki any day, and quite a number of persons would watch these volunteers fix bayonets and. charge across the paddock with blood-curdling yells upon an imaginary foe. Hut the Maori war came to an end, and volunteers were disbanded, and by degrees the majority of refugees returned to their wrecked homes.

Sixty years ago! And now Mr Nation is visiting our city once more. He misses many of the old landmarks, but he sees advancement and prosperity on every hand, and he is enamoured with the delightful residences and the gardens which surround them. But he misses the friends of his youth. Nearly all have passed to the life beyond, and old memories will be stirred if he wanders among the white headstones on the hillside where we bury our dead.