THE PIONEER SPIRIT OF CONTENTMENT

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 3

THE PIONEER SPIRIT OF CONTENTMENT

The Real Need of To-day HITCHMAN’S CORNER MEMORIAL Speakers at the unveiling of the memorial stock drinking trough to district pioneers at Hitchman’s Corner on Kimbolton Road yesterday afternoon gave expression to reflections on the contented lot of the early pioneers. One speaker was moved to refer to the state of peace, love and harmony which existed among the pioneers of the district compared with the spirit of dissatisfaction and discontent so prevalent to-day. There was an excellent and representative attendance which included many of the descendants of early settlers as well as those who had lived for many years in the district. Among these were the grown-up children and grandchildren of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hitchman whose original homestead stood at the corner of the Colyton Road turn-off. Mr. H. D. Richardson, president of the Feilding branch of the Fanners’ Union, presided and was supported byMrs. H. Bcatson, president of the Women’s Division, the Hon. J. G. Oobbe, M.P., Mr. W. W. Andrews (Feilding Borough Council) and Mr. T. Green (Oroua County Council). Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hitchman (Dannevirke), Mr. K. B. Gordon, M.P (Rangitikei). and Mr. A. Campbell (chairman of the Oroua County Council). In welcoming the visitors and local body representatives Mr. Richardson expressed his thanks at the gathering to mark the opening of this distinctly appropriate Centennial Memorial to the pioneers of the Feilding district. Forty and fifty years ago the roads about the district were long and weary and at the corner opposite the memorial stood the homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Hitchman which was ever the hospitable refuge of the wayfarer. This stock watering trough had been erected to commemorate the pioneers and to mark the corner which was for so long in the pioneering days of the settlement, the common hatting place. The old homestead had disappeared but the memorial would help to recall its existence. Mr. Richardson went on to mention that years ago there were a number of watering places for livestock along the Kimbolton highway but with improving roads built to meet the needs of present day traffic these had disappeared and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union had alighted on the happy thought that no more fitting memorial to the pioneers of the district could be visualised than a drinking trough for live stock. The new bridge over the Kiwitea Stream had eliminated another drinking place so that the opening of the drinking trough would now prove doubly valuable to stock. He went on to recall the experiences of some of the pioneers, mentioning the case of one individual who, living some 16 miles out of Feilding, used to take two days to walk in carrying the produce he had for sale. To-day’s settlers would find it difficult to put up with what thoso pioneers accepted without demur. Mr. Richardson concluded by inviting Mrs. Beatson to turn on the water into the t rough. As Mrs. Bcatson proceeded to do this she was greeted with applause and presented with a handsome bouquet by little Dorothy Maegaard, daughter -to± the contractor. Addressing the gathering Mrs. Beatson stated that she could claim to be numbered among the jdoneers of the district for her late father, Mr. Taylor, of Iviwitea, was the first chairman of the Kiwitea County Council, and was the first district representative on the t’almerston North Hospital Board. Mrs. Beatson went on to express her thanks to all those who had contributed towards the cost of the memorial. She had found it very easy to obtain funds for this object. She particularly desired to thank the Feilding Borough Council for making available the water free of charge and this generous consideration had made the proposal possible. (Applause.) Mr. Andrews apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. T. L. Seddon) and went on to say that the memorial would prove of the utmost value to those droving stock along the Kimbolton highway. Touching on the early days of the settlement of the district, he said that such functions as that in which they were taking part would attract settlers from far and near and they would make a day of the celebrations. But times had changed. What happened to day? Everything was generally left to the last minute, then it ! was a case of a race to the gathering in a motor-car. The ceremonies were rushed through and everyone departed apparently satisfied with having done their duty. There was an absence of the old spirit of happiness and goodwill and desire to remain in rriendly discourse without a care for time. To-day with all modern amenities we were seemingly dissatisfied with everything. In the olden days the poor old pioneer was satisfied wilh his lot and lived in peace, love arid harmony. Times, had, indeed, changed. He concluded by congratulating the Women’s Division on the fine memorial which they had erected to the pioneers of the district. (Applause.) ‘‘ There has been one important omission in this ceremony—the president of your Farmers’ Union should have taken the first drink out of the trough,” remarked the Hon. Mr. Cobbe in opening his address. The first idea of this type of memorial came from the Women’s Division, that very fine body of women that was doing so much good in the

country. After it was suggested others took the idea up and the trough was now an accomplished fact. Since thoso four-footed animals for whose conveni ence the trough had been built could not return thanks he would say that they would always feel grateful for the provisiou of water when passing along the highway. Not only was the trough useful for live stock but it served the other purpose of being a memorial to the pioneers of the district. Those pioneers were people with stout hearts. They had accepted the task of building up this country and to-day their children and grandchildren were living here honoured and admired those pioneers who with great fortitude departed from the then offerings of civilisation to build up a country. They wore a line type of people, honest, straightforward and upright with the true spirit of independence. They did not lean on anyone but worked alone and solidly. They helped to build up the finest country in the world and to make this the best district in New Zealand. In the memorial something had been built which would not only prove useful but would last and he trusted that it would always be used for the purpose for which it was erected. In the years to come, he concluded, the people of the district will be proud of this useful memorial to the old pioneers. (Applause.)

Air. Green said that his council had never been in favour of spending money ou anything but roads and bridges but the idea of this memorial had appealed as being so reasonable that the council had lent its support. It was his council’s view that public money should not be spent on things outside the affairs of the local authority but he agreed with the water trough. During the next few months many memorials, commemorating New Zealand’s Centennail, would be unveiled, but he ventured to say that very few of them would be as useful as the ono they were unveiling that day. Concluding he expressed thanks on behalf of the Oroua County Council for the invitation to take part in the proceedings. (Applause.)