HONORING OUR PIONEERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 317, 17 June 1915, Page 4

HONORING OUR PIONEERS.

Taranaki is rich in the services of its brave and sturdy pioneers, whose workin laying the foundations for future greatness and prosperity cannot be too highly honored, nor should those, services be allowed to be dimmed by the lapse of time. Yesterday was the jubilee of Tikorangi, and the settlers vied with one another in doing honor to those who founded the settlement fifty years ago. These were times of troubles, when the settlers of Taranaki had not only to contend with, the ordinary difficulties of pioneer life, but had to war against the hostile natives. It seems like the irony of Fate that a settlement founded in a time, of internal warfare should celebrate its jubilee when the greatest and most terrible war in history should bo proceeding. The gathering was one that was in every way worthy of the occasion, no pains being spared in the attainment of the objective—honoring the founders. All too frequently there is a disposition on the part of the community to take things as they find them without troubling to recognise or give a thought to the troubles and peri's which were experienced by those who prepared the way for times of peace and prosperity. It is for that and other worthy reasons that the commemoration of such an important event as the founding of a settlement reflects ere lit on those who desire to recognise an 1 applaud the work of those who have borne the burden and heat of pioneerim.'. It also operates as an object lesson to the younger generation, whom it should stimulate to higher aims and nobler ideals. One of the remarkable features of tho gathering \va< the presence of such a large number of settlers of advanced years, whose sturdy appearance put to shame many of the younger generation, and showed most conclusively that the nier. and women who formed the brave band of pioneer settlers were of an exceptionally fit type, or ihey could not have undergone the trying experiences that fell to their lot and yet '.ll the autumn of their lives be cheery and in the best of health. The same spirit of courage and daring that they possess is reflected in " our boys " to-day in thfor gallant services at the front. AVe congratulate the settlers of Tikorangi on the inception of the idea of honoring the pioneers, and in the very thorough and generous manner in which the project was carried out. It should be a solemn obligation on the, part of succeeding generations to venerate these old identities, and ever to keep in memory the deeds of the brave pioneers, who have well earned a title to the respect and esteem of posterity.