EARLY TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1921, Page 1 (Supplement)

EARLY TARANAKI

LIFE IN NEW PLYMOUTH. (By A.H., Inglewood.) New Plymouth folk are, with good reason, proud of their little town, which impresses ail the more those who, like my: elf, pay occasional visits, and recall the “days that are no more.” noting the great Jimprovemients in the style of buildings, -ovely gardens and plantations, which make it a “pleasant land” indeed | So it may be useful to record something of the far distant past, when life was vastly different, pleasures much simpler and fewer, comforts and conveniences undreamed of which are inovr considered simple necessities. In the early fifties, long before our neighbors named the little town (in veiled derision)J “The City of the Breakwater.” When aj

schooner appeared in the offing there was much excitement; a cargo boat would be launched by stout sailor-men, bearded, bronzed and bare-legged. They would push through the surf to the often distant vessel, loaded with passengers, mails and cargo, and land where ] the railway station is now located, the ’ wondering passengers sexted amongst the | “sons of Anak,” after possibly being drenched with spray and carried through the surf. The writer well remembers girls and women clinging closely round the necks of the gallant fellows vho so tenderly conveyed them to “terra firma.” The bolting service was excellent, accidents being few and far between. Sometimes a false step would be taken, and a soaking would result, but would be sooh forgotten in the joy of escape from the cramped and comfortless accommodation on the small coastal craft of those faroff days. Men were carried on the backs of tne sturdy boatmen, who had their antipathies and opportunities for reprisals.

On one occasion an unpopular resi- ’ del t made an accidental false step. . Sequel: A rough and tumble in the surf, not dangerous, bijt an unpleasant form of Nemesis. The first printing machine arrived about this time. There was great pride and excitement when our first paper appeared, and partially ousted the board on the town bridge which had been the, only mode for advertising sales, lost possessions, etc., also an opportunity for the wags to write comments on the names there inscribed, often witty and amusing, possibly not so to those remarked upon. The roadways were awful, mud ankh deep on bur most imposing bridge. stalwart missionary took his small wif< through the slime in his arms. They had cor..e from remote parts to enjoy comfort and luxury for a while,, in a modified form c.rta’inly. A young girl armed for conquest in virgin white fell while crossing the said bridge. Tableau! Pain-

ful in‘ the extreme. Envious stories of still earlier days were told us of how a party of bluejackets were allowed leave from one of Hij Majesty’s ships in the offing. They re'reshed themselves “not wisely but too well.” When the one and only guardian of the peace protested they placed, him in the primitive gaol safe under lock and key. Tn an excess of virtue they closed the two public-houses and returned to the ship proud of their doings. . Such an incident would lighten the

monotony of life to the brave handful of hardy pioneers who wrought better than they knew. All honor to them. The then Governor came to hearten tna lonely little band by his presence and sympathy. By way of doing him honor tftfey mounted him in a bullock-cart with his suite, and conveyed him across the Wa’.wakaiho (then bridgeless) in safety to view the surrounding country. Alas, as they returned an obdurate boulder barred their progress. Nothing daunted, they beguiled themselves with songs till help came—a sharp contrast to the entertainment provided foi their Excellencies recently. . The writer has a grim recollection or a war dance, not actually hostile, but following a heated discussion as to the sale of their lands. It was not altogether amicable. It took place where the Courtenay Street school now stands. tho Natives danced from there to the beach, the eround literally shaking 'beneath their 'tread, their spears quivering, then tongues hanging but, at intervals giving wild discordant yells of derision. It was awe-inspiring. What must it have been when they went out to battle m grim, earnest ?