PIONEER REVISITS FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4506, 18 September 1930, Page 2

PIONEER REVISITS FOXTON.

One of Fox ton’s early residents, in the person of Mr. YV. J. Staff, of Wellington, was a visitor to Foxton on Tuesday. Mr. Staff, uho is now S 8 years of age, arrived in Foxton about 78 years ago, from Boston, Lincolnshire. At that time, of course, Foxton was merely the site of a Maori pah, and very few Europeans were in residence in the district. During his youth Mr. Staff was closely associated with the late Rev. .las. Duncan, and can recall most of those who were known along this coast in those days. The name “Foxton” does not find favour with Mr. Staff, who is of the opinion that Die Maori name,. “Te Awahoti,” should have been adhered to. This Maori name, it was explained to our representative, was given to the locality by the Natives through the small stream running through the area having cut a new channel for itself, hence the meaning of the term is literally “the new channel.” Mr. Staff is a brother of Mrs. Honore, snr., of Foxton, and although verging on 00 years of age is still active and enjoying good health.