The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1905. OUR EARLY SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 783, 29 March 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1905. OUR EARLY SETTLERS.

On Friday next, the Hint insl., another year will have been added to the existence of Taranaki, which, ns most of our readers will remember, was founded on March 31st, 3841. It is only natural, therefore, that some thought should be given to the pioneers of (his district; and the work accomplished by them and their successors. Some few arc still with us, but year by year the common fale of humanity has overtaken the majority. The result of. their struggles, however, is apparent to all, and it is only fit and proper to mark each anniversary of the province by honouring those whose indomitable pluck, energy, and enterprise laid the foundations of what is now regarded as one of the most prosperous districts in the colony. In Otago there is an Early Settlers' Association, which meets annually to eplebrate the founding of that province, and it was only on Friday, the 25th ins-t., that the- fif-fy-seventh gathering was held, His Excellency the Governor honouring the event by his presence. In reply to the very cordial welcome accorded to him, Lord PlunKet said he was delighted to be there ! co do honour to the memory of the early settlers, adding that he thought the association was a magnificent institution — an opinion that should receive universal endorsement. It is a matter for much regret that Taranaki has not a similar organisation forming a connecting link between ; the past and present, as well as a perpetual means ipr stimulating the rising generation to emulate ,lho good deeds of those who, in spite of enormous difficulties and trials innumerable, maintained the best traditions of the British race and paved the w/a-y ,foji- ja gjlcjrious future -for'thip well-favoured colony. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible for the young and comparatively voung people of to-day to realise the wild waste that greeted the eyes of their fathers on landing here six-ty-four years ago. Yet if they look around our town and district thcy should havo some conception of the change that has taken place—a wilderness metamorphosed into "the Garden of New Zealand." Xor must they forget that this transformation was not due to the waving of a magician's wand, but was a gradual process dependent entirely on genuine pluck, consistent determination, and unfaltering purpose, displayed by the heroic band, of whom it inav truly be said they left their land better than they found it-. The comfort and prosperity which exists hero to-day is a consequence of thenconstant labour, and to each, without invidious distinction, is due a warm tribute o( praise for those c.forta of which wv aft? reaping the fruit. Well may the memory of those who have passed to their well- ' earned rest be held in honoured rei membrance, and 'the few survivors congratulated on the task they have so splendidly performed. No better praise can be bestowed upon our early settlers than by continuing the work they cowiuoncod. If this is done the lives of our pioneer settlers will not have been lived in vain. The same enYhimiastn should actuate the men and women of today in the direction of helping forward tho improvement—moral, monI tal, and social—of the community. There is- no place for narrow-minded prejudices or selfishness in 'the performance of this duty, but if we arc desirous of adding to the lustre ol our early settlers it c.uu on y be by joinVrig 'hands, hearts, and intellects for the furtherance of tho pub- • lie good and the advancement of [the district. It would bit a graceful act, moreover, for the present generation > to erect a permanent memorial to those early settlers, who are Hilly entitled to have their memory l>erpetuated, not by ft useless stone column, but by some useful means such as a museum, or, ns is Buggeste.d in Otago, some "''permanent home l»r enshrining the names, portraits, and mementos of those to whom we awe so much, and without whom our social status to-day would have-.lwen other than it is."

ON THE i'OL'UTH PAGE. Literature.:

The public hall at Taihape r* used lor many purposes. The irthcr day, according to the Post, it hail to'n leased by a commercial traveller, but as it was re.'inired for the ends of justice, two .Jay Pays, l\v 0 constables, ami other sundry individuals entered the hall in a dignified manner. The wrath of the i'commercial" bubbled over. *•' Here, I say," he expostulated, •' Out you go ; I've hired this hall and you can have your Court somewhere else," and ho glared viciously ut the Clerk of tile Court', wlrilo he grasped Mgiiificantly at a No. 14 lllucher. The two Jay Pays seated inc-niselves at the table on the stago, and the Court orderly announced that " this Coort is now open l'er the transaction uv business." "You can't hold your Court hero," exclaimed the angry drummer, " Take o(V your hat sir," bellowed the orderly. '•' I'll see you in Utiku lirst," .said the hootmun, VIX you don't I'll have to put you outside whether you like it or not, - ' bawled the orderly. "You'll lit guilty of contempt ofCourt if this conduct continues," said the Hench with all the dignity it could assume. Hcluclantly the man of boots took his hat oil, but completely ignored the Court proceedings and went on showing his samples to a customer who plainly would rather have been elsewhere. However the law had gained its point—two men and a woman had their doom announced, and .Justice was satisfied. Then the Clerk of the Court gathered up hia books and documents, the orderly announced "The fooit Hhtanids adjourned," arid Up pillars of the law filed out in solemnity into tliu outer world.