IN THE FORTIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1921, Page 6

IN THE FORTIES.

NEW PLYMOUTH SETTLEMENT PROVISION FOR THE FUTURE. THE COST OF LIVING. (By “Juvenis.”) That the founders of the New Plymouth settlement were -far seeing, im- 1 aginative men, is obvious from a perusal of the old records and writings. They visualised New Plymouth as a quiet and thriving city, as the gateway of a thickly populated and prosperous province, directly in touch with the markets of the Old World, and as the home of a contended and happy people. And they made provision accordingly. Eighty years and more have passed since the foundations of the settlement were laid, and though they were shaken more than once by events that could never have been anticipated, such as the Maori wars, they have proved strong enough to carry the super-structure that has since been slowly but surely reared.

In the original plan of the settlement, the land was cleared as follows:—sso acres town land, divided into 2,200 quarter acre sections; surrounded by 10,450 acres suburbs, divided into 209 sections of 50 acres each; outside this 57,500 acres rural, divided into 1,150 sections; making a total of 68,500 acres, of which one-ten th was reserved for the Maoris. So one sees that even in those days the founders had a keen appreciation of the value of town-planning, and of establishing a model town.

Later the area was cut down from 68,000 acres to 60,000 acres, as the result of Commissioner -Spain’s award. The price,-of quarter acres was fixed at £l2 10s; and of 25 acres £5O, of which a certain proportion was returned to the purchaser. REDUCING THE TOWN’S AREA. Some of the critics of those days ridiculed the idea of the planners in providing so much land for* the town. Charles Hursthouse (who wielded a facile and trenchant pen), for instance, wrote at the time: “Considering that Taranaki, as a marked agricultural district, must necessarily have a rather scattered population, it will probably bo said that the planners of the settlement exhibited great want of judgment in reserving 550 acres, or rather 2.200, £l2 10s sections for its town. It would easily contain half a million inhabitants; the “great unbuilt,” it looks important on paper, but bears a ludicrous proportion to the actual or probable future wants of the settlement. Of the 2,200 town sections, there are about 800, or 200 acres, still unsold. For the com pany, the proprietors, the public, it would be an excellent ‘measure to com. ’press the town by drawing a circle from i the Police-office, so as to include only I 1,400 sections, the number sold. A purj chaser whose section w-as outside would I then exchange it for a company’s sec • tion inside, in the order of choice, in [which he originnlly selected; and thus, the company’s 800 would all be left outside and contiguous. The company would benefit in this way. They now hold 800 scattered quarter acres which are uterly unsalesable at their upset price of £l2 10s; first, because, in all human probability, not even one-eighth of this number will ever be required as I town land. The present village may re--1 main the seat of business for some 'years; but the Omata settlors will eventually form a village in their district, and ship produce from Moturoa; whilst on the acquisition of land at the Waitara, another town or village will undoubtedly arise on the hanks of that fine river. And, secondly, because sections belonging to proprietors can be purchased for half this sum: whereas if the company |iad these 800 sections as a belt round the town, the land would be readily saleable, and at good prices, if divided into five or ten acre lots.”

At this time (1846) New Plymouth certainly was not a very imposing place, and the planners must have had great faith and confidence in its future to have laid such comprehensive plans. It contained St. Mary’s church (described as a “granite built, handsomely fitted up”); another in rustic style, at the To Henui, a Wesleyan and Primitive Moth odist chapel: two taverns, a gaol, and police barracks, and a native hospital. On the various streams were three flour mills, two breweries, and a tannery; at Moturoa,i two whaling establishments. There was a mail once a fortnight, carried overland by natives. THE OFFICIALS OF THE SETTLEMENT. It is interesting to recall the men who were at the head of the little settlement. They were: — Government Officers and Appointments.—Commander Henry Kina, R N., Resident Magistrate and Sub-Treasurer. James Webster, Esq.. J T*., Sub-Collector of Customs, harbor and post-master. Thomas Standish, Esq.. Magistrate’s clerk. Donald Mac Lean, Esq., J.P., Inspector of Armed Police, consisting' of 1 Sergeant, 13 Europeans, and 3 Natives. John Hursffouse, Government auctioneer. John Watson, acting pilot and beach master. John Newland, gaoler. Richard Cock, coxswain. New Zealand Company’s Establishment.— William Haise, Esq., J.P., resident agent. John Rogan, clerk. Magistracy.—Commander Henry King, R.N. George Cutfleld, Esq. William Haise. John George Cooke. John Tylston Wicksteed. James Webster. Donald Mac Lean. Josiah Flight. Clergy.—Rev. H. Govett, 8.A., Church of England. • Rev. H. H. Turton, Wesleyan. Rev. R. Ward, Primitive Methodist. Professions.—Peter Wilson, Esq., George St. George, R. SL’eriff Low, medical. W’illiam Turner, Esq., Thomas Standish, solicitors. Wellington Carrington, Edwin Harris, Messrs. Charles and Edwin Davy, surveyors. THE POPULATION. Th total European population of the whole district was 566 adults and 571 children—4l37. The native population was 729. The total area of land cultivation was 2103 acres. The live stock consisted of:—Cattle 726 Horses 48 Sheep 898 Pigs 535 Goats 177 THE COST OF LIVING. The cost of livius was not verj heavy

then, as will be seen from the undermentioned figures: —

Retail Prices of Articles of Consumption.— Wheat, per bushel 4s to ss; fine flour, per lb l%d; seconds flour do Id to l%d; bread, fine, per 4 lb loaf 6d to 7d; potatoes, per cwt 2s to 2s 6d; pork, by the joint, per lb 3d; ditto, by the pig l%d to 2d; mutton 6d; bacon and hams 4Q to 6d; lara 6d; fowls, per pair Is 6d; ducks, per do 2s Cd; turkeys, each 2s 6d; wild pigeons, per pair is. Wearing Apparel.—-Fine clothing little worn, but very dear; Fustian trousers 10s; sailor’s blue frock shirts 6s; common blue shirts 3s 6d to ss; men’s boots. Colonial make 60s; women and children’s shoes very dear; common calico, 36 inches, per yard 6%d; ditto prints, per yard 8d; blankets, per pair 15s to 40s,

From 1839 to 1846 the total sum spent on public works in New Plymouth was under £l2OO. The founders got little assistance from the central Government, against whom their complaints were loud and long.