The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1914. ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROVINCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 31 March 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 1914. ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROVINCE.

The keeping of an anniversary such as that of the foundation oi the province of Taranaki requires no justification, for it is the natural outcome of a sentiment that does honor to the best tradition of the British race. In most of life there is not a great inducement to look backwards at the milestones passed; rather is it urgently required that we look forward and press onward to the attainment of great or little ends, as the ease may 'he. The love of country—whether if be that of birth or adoption —is inherent in all rational (beings. Those who have emigrated and worked out their destinies in a new land should have a double share .of this affection, for they never lose the tie which binds them to the Motherland, while they acquire a natural love for their home, not only because it is a home, but by reason of the toils and hardships, as well as the dangers they have undergone in making tlwt home, even though the dwelling itself may be but a rough building of slabs, raupo, or other accessible material. Those who only know Taranaki as it is to-day cannot have the faintest conception of what it was like on March 31, 1841, when the first settlers arrived here in the sailing vessel, the William Bryan, or by those ships that followed—the Amelia Thompson, tfie Oriental, the Timandra, the Blenheim and the Essex. After braving the perils of the ocean on a voyage lasting some three months or more, the sturdy pioneers were faced with the perils of reaching the shore through treacherous breakers, and then their real troubles began. Those who are acquainted with pioneering work in the backblocks today may have some slight conception of the task which the original settlers in Taranaki had to face, but only those who, with indomitable pluck, stoutness of heart, fertility of resource, and grim determination to overcome all obstacles, set out from the New Plymouth foreshore to work out their destiny as settlers in Taranaki can have any just idea of the magnitude of their undertaking. Fern, flax and heavy bush then had possession of what is now known as "The Garden of New Zealand," while looming behind was a host of warlike natives—a veritable sword of Damocles over fjielieads of the pakehas. Xothing daunted, the brave band of emigrants set to work, and what they accomplished is seen in the marvellous prosperity which the province enjoys to-day—the richest in the whole Dominion. Wo leave to the historian the record of ho-,v this marvellous change has been effected, merely reminding the present generation what they owe to these gallant pioneers. The courage «f the men of Cornwall and Devon, so strikingly evidenced iu the case of those who pioneered the Pilgrim States of America, was reflected in those who camo to Taranaki, and it was those men and women who have helped to make brilliant Ihc story of the English in New Zealand. Taranaki has been rightly regarded as the outstanding triumph of English character. Again and again the West Country folk have had to take the field in defence of their hearths and homes, and always has their record been a credit to them and to the country to which tiiey belonged. It is, therefore, only fitting that their magnificent work should be held in remembrance, and the anniversary of their advent observed with every feeling that emanates gratitude and a desire to do honor where honor is so justly due. To-day is the anniversary of the province, and it is a matter of sincere gratification that arrangements have been made to bring together as many of the representatives of the first settlers as can attend the proceedings organised in their honor. The spirit which prompted this admirable project is one that does great credit to the originator, the Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr. 0. W. Browne. We trust the function will be a pronounced success, and that in each succeeding year there will be similar gatherings. The fact tfiat the anniversary of the province is marked by a whole holiday renders the obssrvancc of this important historical event all the more interesting and impressive. There are many public holidays throughout the year, but not one of these has a tithe of the significance or appropriateness that rightly belong to the momentous event of the landing on the shores of Taranaki's seaport ol those brave pilgrim pioneers whose names and deeds should be handed down for all time, and the memory of their glorious work be always held in grateful remembrance by those who are receiving the fruits of their labors.

feel sure that if some definite system were adopted for marketing fish by the men who toil in the boats, better financial results would be their portion, and the public would be better supplied ■with fresh fish at reasonable rates. As far as New Plymouth is concerned, there will, we think, bo little export trade, unless a market can be found for the tremendous catches that are to be made at certain seasons.