HITCHMAN’S CORNER MEMORIAL OPENED

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 2

HITCHMAN’S CORNER MEMORIAL OPENED

Pioneers’ Landmark Commemorated The demolition of the old Hitchman homestead on the Colyton Road turn-off on Kimbolton Road some several months ago prompted a delving into tho history of the old land mark and this in turn gave birth to the idea of creating on this location a memorial to the pioneers of the district. Yesterday tho memorial was unveiled or, perhaps, more properly, opened, in the presence of a large gathering of settlers and local body representatives. The Folding branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union sponsored the idea of the memorial and its members are to be congratulated. Hitchman's corner goes back to the pioneering days of Feilding—in fact to the beginning of the settlement which absorbed a clearing surrounded by heavy bush stretching away northwards and eastwards. Its birth as a land-mark synchronised with the pioneering progress. The track to Menzies’ Ford struck out eastwards from the main track northwards from Feilding and as the bush fell to make way for grazing the corner was taken up by tho Hitchmans and their homestead was erected almost on the roadside at the corner. It was not long beforo the genial hospitality of this pioneering family made the homestead a popular halting place for all wayfarers. The old coach which used to ply between Feilding and Kiwitea and thence later to Kimbolton always drew rein at Hitchman's, as did the bullock-wagons. In fact all traffic found Hitchman’s the most convenient and popular halting place and here It was customary to exchange gossip or news over the friendly cup of tea. The homestead grew to oecome an institution in the lives of the pioneers. It was almost the district news-centre and the chat of the day was mostly concerning the progress of bush-felling eastwards in the Colyton district and northwards towards Cheltenham and Kiwitea. Along both tracks < amo wayfarers and creaking transport to halt at Hitchman's before proceeding on to Feilding, or if proceeding out from Feilding, the halt was made before proceeding out-back. On the outward journey Hitchman's was the last touch ot civilisation and tho camps away back would always look for a report on tho latest gossip from Hitchman 'b. The family enjoyed the friendship of all and the children of the pioneers can remember those happy days when a call was made at this popular half-way house. Its passing prompted the idea that some steps should be taken to commemorate the pioneers and it was a happy thought that suggested the idea of providing a concrete stock drinking trough. This appealed as a very fitting manner of commemorating both Hitchman's corner and the pioneers and although it could not be built directly on the corner as it would have interfered with traffic, the trough is sufficiently near the location to serve both objectives. Money for the trough was raised by the Women’s Division, the Farmers’ Union and through individual donations. The Oroua County Council’s contribution amounted to the laying of the water connection, while tho Feilding Borough Council undertook to provide water for the trough free of charge. The Kiwitea County Council made a straightout donation of £5, while the local branch of the S.P.C.A. also contributed to the cost. Certain fencing and protective work remains to be done but the memorial has been erected by community effort without any subsidy whatsoever and this is all to the credit of the sponsors. It will prove a boon to live stock whose one-timo watering places along the Kimbolton highway have almost all disappeared. The inscription on the trough is as follows: 1 * Erected by tho W.D.F.U. and Farmers ’ Union to Commemorate the Pioneers of the District and to mark Hitchman’s Corner. December, 1939." At the conclusion of yesterday’s ceremony the gathering was entertained at afternoon tea at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Hockeu. Hero on the tennis court in the shade of stately walnut trees the tea was served al fresco and it proved a fitting finale to a happy and noteworthy occasion in the history of tho district. Mr. and Mrs. Hocken were cordially thanked for their generous hospitality.