TAIHAPE’S TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 September 1919, Page 5

TAIHAPE’S TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.

j .The truth, of the saying “Time flics" [ was never more forcibly brought home to one than when, in looking back over the past, avc are reminded that twentyfive years ago to-day Taihape Avas but a name on the map. It is just that space of time ago since three weary, travehstained pioneers Avended their way into the virgin forest where now the flourishing town of Taihape stands. They were the advance party deputed to select a spot on the banks of the jiautapu on Avhich to erect huts wherein women and children and other members of the Canterbury Pilgrim band might rest after their long and tedious journey. The names of this adventurous trio of hardy pioneers were, Messrs W. H. McCormick,’ Thos* Shute, and Geo. Barren, and. the two first-named are still in our midst, taking part in the social and’ commercial life iof the community. The full party of what was called the “Collinsville Special Settlement,“'consisted of some twenty individuals, Avho possessed large hearts and a larger stock of optimism. They followed the pioneering trio on. September Iflth of the same year, and out of the virgin bush and roadless -and almost trackless country, started to found what is now known*as the town of Taihape. The settlement then formed was on communistic principles, and on looking back on those strenuous days, some oil the fwhicji arose through the carrying out of those principles bordered on the ludicrous. Store s replenished to last two mnoths were emptied in less than tAvo weeks, and on a search being instituted it Avas discovered that some had laid up amply for a rainy day, leaving others with nothing. Only married men were eligible as members,'hhd none could become members who had more than four children. Every person, male or female, over 21 years of age had a vote at all meetings. We mention these details in order to give present day residents an idea of the conditions under which Taihape had its