EARLY MAKERUA.

Shannon News, 31 October 1922, Page 3

EARLY MAKERUA.

EELS AND PTJKEKO. In his preliminary remarks at the opening ceremony of the Makerua Drainage Board’s new dredge yesterterday, Mr Joseph Liggins, the chairman, touched on the early history ,of the Makerua swamp in some interesting reminiscences. The first. sa.le of the Makerua lands, said Mr Liggins, was conducted by the Manawatu Railway Company on March 8, 1887, or, rather, the portion adjacent, to the railway line was offered, but no sale of these lands was effected. Long previous to> this Mr Akers purchased many miles adjacent to the Manawatu River. The land sale of the Company was conducted by Kennedy, Macdonald and Co., and one of the inducements to buy was the statement of Mr Macdonald that he “had been on the land and had seen daisies growing upon it.” (Laughter.) This was purely imaginary, as at that time these lands were a morass inhabited only by eels, pukeko and bittern.' The eerie boomi of the bittern and the call of the pukeko were the only sounds heard. There was not- enough flax for one mill in those days. Maoris used frequently to visit the swamps in boats for the purpose of catching eels. This swamp was historic ,and many fierce battles were fought, for possession of it, as it was rich in eels, some- 1 of .which were of enormous size.

What was known at that time (about I'JOO) as the Makerua. Estate Company Took over these lands, the company consisting of John Plimmer, the “father of Wellington,” and some of • his friends, and later by Dr. Chappie and Dr McNab. What, was known as the main drain connecting with the natural drain, the Tokomaru River, and extending to Linton, was cut before this purchase, by the railway company, under the direction of Messrs. Fulton and Marchbanks. The land was offered for - sale, bv the Makerua Estate Co. on April 0, 1903, the speaker •saying he thought he was the only purchaser. However, the lands offered at that sale were eventually purchased.