Tikorangi's Jubilee.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 317, 17 June 1915, Page 7

Tikorangi's Jubilee.

CELEBRATION BY SETTLERS. ' The custom of commemorating jubilees is one that does credit to the hearts of the people. In the case of Tikorangi I there are special reasons for bringing t» mind the settlement of that block, for the circumstances mere closely concerned with the establishment of that peace and prosperity which Taranaki to-day enjoys. It was the outcome of the warlike troubles with the natives. Sir H. Atkinson, the then Defence Minister, conceived the plan of placing settlers of military fitness on the land so that they might assist in developing the county's resources, while "being able to suppress native risings. Under that scheme two companies were given the Tikorangi block, and if all the other military settlers weer of the same grand calibre as those at Tikorangi it accounts for the progress and development of the province.

( Yesterday was the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the Tikorangi settlement, and the younger generation, 'with most commendable zeal and good feeling, arranged a foregathering of' such of the old identities as are living in order to, fittingly celebrate the occasion. Of the original selectors on the block there are but five remaining in residence there. Some have gone to other parts of the Dominion, but many have crossed that bourne from which no traveller returns. When the gathering was first mooted it was hoped that the commandant of the veteran pioneers, Captain Armstrong, would have been present to do honor to the occasion and receive honor from the settlers of to-day, but a few weeks back he joined the mighty host of the departed, much to the regret of all who knew him. The scene at the Tikorangi Hall, where the luncheon was held, was unique in character as well as most impressive in the suggestions and thoughts it engendered. It was a gathering of generations venerable great-great-grandfathers approaching a century in their age, here and there an infant of the youngest link in the chain, and numerous intervening links, paternal and maternal. All had happy expressions and gave evidence of their appreciation of the honor and respect being shown one towards the other. So large was the gathering that scarcely one-half could be accommodated at the tables which had been lavishly provided with all that the heart of man or woman could desire in the way of food and other refreshment, while an abundance of flowers added greatly to the pleasing appearance of the hall. It was not until after the toa'sif list had been exhausted that the patient and probably hungry spectators were able to partake of the good things awaiting them, but they did not seem to mind, for they knew how to wait, and the old proverb says with much truth that everything 'comes to those who know how to wait. 'One thing is certain, the ladies of the district, who were responsible for the luncheon, deserve , the heartiest praise for the signal success that attended their efforts. 'lt 'was another evidence of the thoroughness which (formed so prominent a trait in the character of their forefathers. It was more than a sue-1 cess; it was a. triumph that did honor j [and justice to the occasion. The settler who, presided at the luncheon was Mr. James Hine, and from! the start he struck just the right note, with the result that throughout the proceedings all went happily. The proceedings commenced with a verse of the National Anthem, after -which grace was sung, and then the luncheon proceeded. This,important detail having been overcome, the chairman proposed " The j the toast being honored in the i usual hearty and loyal manner. | Mr. McKenzie, in proposing " The Army and Navy," ' referred to the excellent j work done by New, inlanders in the , present war. and to what the Dominion j owed to the superiority of the navy. The toast was warmly applauded, anil was followed by appropriate songs. Mr. P. Wills briefly replied, and in doing so referred -to the time, fifty years ago. when the two companies that founded Tikorangi were camped together at Waitara. THE TOAST OF THE DAY. , The chairman, in proposing the toast of the day, expressed bis great pleasure j at such a large attendance, which in l . eluded visitors from far a.way. Such. 1 gatherings were in the best interests of j a district, leading to an exchange of ideas and the strengthening of good feel-, ing town and country. In the course of an eloquent and forceful speech Mr. Hine said:— '■ - . ,;; . , ..

It was indeed a ..happy inspiration which prompted the decision to celebrate, the, jubilee | of the settlement of Tikoranglby a reunion of Its early settlers, and I was, extremely pleased and honored wjieiutlw. , committee vcrv kindly asked met 0 pi* J side here to-day. Unlike many present, ,i I have no personal knowledge of events of 50 years ago, but I can vividly recall , how, as a boy fresh from a great English city, I with my parents, came to live at Tikorangi on New Year's Day, of ISSO. We were strangers in a Btrange land, and I shall never forget how the right hand of fellowship was freely extended to us, nor the many kindnessei around about, and the favorable impression then created in my youthful mind has ever remained, so that in voicing the sentiments of those gathered here to-day I am also expressing my owa personal feelings of respect and esteem. It was on June Kith, 1805, when the first company of military settlers ■ nrrived at wliat was for long afterwards known as the "Block House Hill" in order to occupy and to hold, if necessary," by.force of arms, the lands which were to be granted to them, and we had hoped that we should have in our midst Ur day the honored commander of that company. But the divine decrees which are inscrutable' ordained otherwise, and only a few short weeks ago Captain Armstrong received his last marching orders, and with his accustomed cheerful readiness, crossed into that vale of mystery, which, sooner or later, we too must enter. But his memory will CV3J ; remain with us as that of a true pa.- I triot, and sincere churehaiM- an ;} n, ga!« hint gentleman. ««■ ,;^ r)- U dlea K H'° nt '':,en, half a'cenUiry in the life .' an indvidnal is a very consideis'„.,;« | i span, and during that fifty years whit enormous changes have been seen. But there are some things 'which neve! change; they are eternal. And amongst them may be mentioned the. cardinal virtues of energy, perservancc, and integrity, and ill tiiO.se. our pioneers excelj led. 'When our guests of to-day look aruund and see the district lis it is, and what it was before they so b jldly put their hands to the plough, Ui dJ - m ay surely be pardoned if soma flight sentiment of pride permeates * their hearts. (Applause.) That thsy ! laid the foundations of successful setj tlenient solidly and well is apparent, and j it is fitting tiiat in the autumn of theil lives they should gather the harvest. I The poet' Longfellow lias used words pe-M-uliiivlv appropriates to the occasion:

'; Turn, turn, my wheel, 'tis nature's plan j The child should grow into the man. The man grow wrinkled, old and grey. In youth, 'the heart exults and sings, ] The pulses leap, the feet have wings, j In age the cricket chirps and brings The harvest home of day.

Our pioneers' harvest lies in the knowhedge' of duty done and iu the ha pp.?

consciousness that their work, is appieeiated by the succeeding generations, whoso affection, respect, and confidence they will for ever retain. (Cheers.) Mr. J. iW. Foreman returned thanks on behalf of the old settlers and veterans for the very cordial way the toast had been received, and he also thanked the chairman for his kind remarks. He briefly referred to the conditions that led up to the settlement of Tikorangi, explaining that in 1800 the European population was penned up in New Plymouth,' and the natives prowling about the outskirts of the town to murder Europeans. One man (Sarten) was shot near To Henui Church, another in the vicinity of the present East End bathiing reserve, and yet another near the 1 racecourse. It was a sorry spectacle to j see the volunteers drilling on the racecourse: and the Maoris potting them. Then came a temporary cessation of hostilities, followed by the massacre at Wairau. The Government called for volunteers, whose duty would be to scout round the out districts, and keep them clear of the enemy. The old settlers had the same spirit as that which was being shown by our boys today, and they entered on their work with eagerness. Major Atkinson (Defence Minister) formed the idea of placing these volunteers on the land for strategic purposes, and that was how Tikorangi got ' settled. The' younger people of the present day could barely remember, what Tikorangi was like in its original condition of fern, tutu, and bush. . None of the old settlers could visit Tikorangi to-day without being grateful at the change'. Fifty years did not seem to be a long way to look back in order to visualise the scene. Most of the original 140 settlers were 25 or 2(i years of age, and now the greater number had passed to the Great Beyond —such was Nature's decree,- and it afforded a lesson on our lives, for all those young settlers were physically sound and fit, yet fifty years afterwards only a few remained. Human beings were, after all, merely specks on the wheel of time.

Mr. Noland also returned thanks briefMr. \\ right said he could not i express the pleasure he felt at : being present and visiting the place he inhabited fifty years ago. He could not believe that such remarkable progress could have been, made; it was beyond all anticipation. He concluded by thanking the people of Tikorangi for their kind hospitality to the old settlers. OTHER TOASTS. "Our Boys at the Front" w-as the toast, and : in proposing it, Mr. MeKenzie said New Zealand was justly proud of the boys she had sent to the front. (Musical honors.) In the course of his reply, Mr. Bertrand expressed his thanks for being invited to be present. He had a son at the front whe was wounded, but he hoped to be soon in the fighting line again. After all, what better end could a man wish for than laying down his. life lor

his country? We were, he said, vp against a very stiff proposition. Germany never thought the dominioug would chip in, but they did, and would do so again. He considered that New Zealand should send 50,000 men. At the Dardanelles was given a striking illiißtratbii of the, feeling that inspires the, "cub';''i of the Empire, the same spirit that Wits j exhibited by the heroes of old. It was the British Navy that we. had to thank for having the seas clear for our produce. Hud ho twenty boys, he would pack -them off to the front. {Applause.) . He concluded by wishing Tikorangi all ; prosperity in the years to come. Mr. Robinson proposed "The Ladies," I Mr. J. Andrews responding, in a very humorous speech, during - which he said the mothers in Taranaki were a noble ; band of women, whoso,courage,and fo> titude in the early days was beyond all praise. We could not do too much to honor these brave jioneer women, who were an example to the younger women, of today. ... "The Press" was proposed by Mr. Whitehead, and responded to by : Messrs T. V. List and Nosworthy. In proposing tho health of the, chairman, Mr. R. C. Hughes paid a tribute lo Mr. Hine's services on public bodies for the good of the district. This concluded the proceedings, with the exception of the usual photographing of groups. HISTORICAL. The five original settlers on tile block who have continued in residenco there till the present time arc: Messrs George Jupp (80 years of age), who landed in 1851, Samuel Whitehead (who will be bO in July), J. W. Foreman, James Sarte.n (who landed at New Plymouth from the ship William Bryan iu'lß4l), and John Richards (one of the original settlers who arrived here in 18,42), The'veteran of the assembly was Mr. Richard Hicks, who will he 98 years of age in September, and is in remarkably good health, and looks likely to enjoy several years yet." Others included' are Mr. J'l Lye (one of the priginal settlers* and tio«' S'i years of age), Mr, F, Vie'kery (aged 84' years), Mr. G. Bertrand (who arrived in New Zealand in 1801), Mr. S. Knuckey (who was born in Fitzroy in 1843), Mr. J. Andrews, Mr. R. C. Hughes, Mr. Jas. Reynolds (aged 73, landed here in 1851, and : now residing in New Plymouth). Other visitors connected with the : early settlement were:, Messrs K. Wright (Wanganui), F. James, (New Plymouth), H. Rowe (Bell Block), K. Langman (New Plymouth), W. King (New Plymouth), H. Newland (New Plymouth). R. Wells, T. Andrews (Huirangi), J. Corney, G. Bertrand (Urenui), J. Thomas (Ngaere). Widows of original settlers present were: Mesdames Gollop, John Elliott, H. Faull, J. H. Armstrong, Jones, and Jas. Surtcn. Other ladies included Mesdames T. Jury. J. Vickory, Rolfe, Wells, J.-An-drews, Purdie (Waitara), D. Telfar, T. Elliott (Waitara), Langman. Scriingeonr, W. Smart, .E. Cole, W. West, Surry, Furze, Corney, and others. The committee in charge of the arrangements consisted of Messrs J. Whitehend (chairman), S. Alleman, D. Alexander, P. Scriingeour. J. P. Smart, A. Corney, J. McKenzie, IX. Foreman, R. F. Lye, F. Sarten and L, Faull (secretary), and they are to be congratulated, on the success of a most unique Sabering. Songs were contributed 'during W proceedings hy.Mesen.M- cKenz i e am i u.L LcaH, the iWyai- iiiniat w j lr w . Toll;

OU t^V; r arrival at Wflitara in the li'ioining viaitors were entertained to morning tea,' and shown over the freezing works and driven over part of the district.

In the evening a social and dance was held at the hall, which was again thron.fi;. ed. The Waitnra Brass Band assisted, and the proceeds will be given to the Belgian Fund. It was a worthy ending to a very memorable day.