IN THE EARLY DAYS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 194, 12 May 1914, Page 1

IN THE EARLY DAYS.

More About Tuakau. Some time ago we reported the official statement made by the Hou. F. M. 13. Fisher, when opening the new post office, about the early history of Tuakau. Since then we have received the following letter from Holen F. C. Corbett-Soott, The Manor House, Epsom :^

i "I am astonished that in -the i history of Tuakau's early days you did not give my father more ruen- : tion, aa he madi Tuakau. In this way, when we arrived we found a batch of immigrants from Ireland practically penniless and my father (Dr R. T. Corbett) gave work to nearly all the settlers as ours was a new place, and if it bad not been for the work they obtained on our run I think a great many of them would have starved. My father was J.P. for the district. He came to Tuakau tor his health, not to practice, and gave a church site'. My untie, the present Lord Rowallan's father, said he would give £IOO if the people subscribed a hundred, but it fell through. 1 rern3inber the day' well of the men being sent to Mercer. We were all at breakfast when our maid-servant rushed in to eay that the captain bad sent word the Maoris were In the bush and we were all to fly. It would he too long a story to tell; only we stayed all day at the redoubt (only a few sticks on the top of a little conical hill at the back of Jones' hcusej. We had a fright! My father got the school for the settlers, fro, ar.d a great many other things. We sold Mr Madill part of our place, about 400 acres with the house, so that we were the largest land-owners in Tuakau. Captiin Scott, my husband, was captain the same time as Major I usk, and you do not mention hm. My father did so much for the settlers in the eailv days and so many of ttoac who worked for bim on our run are alive still—Poland, Miller, Fergie, Logan, Ueragbty ani a great many others. The church was on our place; my mother gave them the site.''