THE COMING OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE COMING OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.

(By “Sheila Macdonald.”) I. Ve who love your nation's story, Love its legends and traditions, Love to trace its evolution, Love to harken to the echoes Of its history enthralling, Like a strain of music floating Down the long dim aisles of memory. Hearken to the tale enchanting, Of New Plymouth’s early story, Of her mild primeval beauty, Of her wondrous native glories, Of the coming of the white man To her shores—the men of Devon, Men of Devon and of Cornwall. Tales of hardship and endurance, Of heroic deeds of valour, Of great hearts that strove and conquered Noble minds that read the future, Saw a greater, grinder future, Gazed with glowing eyes, and visioned Glories hidden from the masses— Tales of hands that toiled unwearied, Tales of heroes do 1 tell you, Worthy of your recognition. That their deeds may be remembered, And their graves go not untended; That their names be consecrated, And their noble lives recorded On the tablets of your memory. 11. Hearken to the sounds of feasting, To the joyous sounds of revelry, Songs and music, lilt and laughter, Joy of feasting and of merriment; Farewell toasts, and ardent wishes For the welfare of the toasted, For the sturdy men of Cornwall Immigrants to far New Zealand. Brave display and sumptuous feasting— Songs and music, lilt and laughter, But, at times a brave voice faltered And at times a tear-drop glistened And a sudden hush descended As the farewell words were spoken, And the future loomed before them. in the middle of the feasting Came a sudden stir and bustle, Came the bearer of glad tidings To the noble Earl presiding— Cries of “Welcome!" rose around him, Welcome to the genial Wakefield - From the numerous guests assembled. And his tidings cheered their bosoms, Kindling ardent hopes within them, That the far Pacific Islands Destined for their habitation Had become a far-flung jewel For the regal crown of Britain. J Ji 111. Fqur long months had passed on ship board, On the trim barque “William Bryan,’’ Weary months and uneventful; Hearts were longing, eyes were straining Daily for a glimpse of coast-line, For a trace of land uprising From the wastes of wave and water. Suddenly the breeze came laden With an odour aromatic, Odour of the ferny woodlands, Of the cool refreshing woodlands, Dear as sight of purpling heather To the exiled Caledonian. In the chill of early morning, Suddenly the land was sighted, ’Gainst the eastern sky appearing Cold grey mountains dimly outlined. Slow the scene became illumined With the promise of the sunrise; Dazzling orange swept the heavens, Deepest azure robed the ocean; Then the coming of bright Phoebus, All the glories of the sunrise. And the longing hearts, wave-weary, Thrilled with rapture and rejoicing, Bright hopes kindled in each bosom, And the daylight was a blessing. All was busy stir and bustle, Hurrying steps and cheerful labors. Soon they entered port, and wide-eyed

Saw the land of their adoption

Maori maidens met their vision, Saw the dark-eyed Maori beauties, Thought them like Hispanic beauties In their rich and vivid coloring.

Brief their stay at port. Good tidings Of their future home they gathered, Learnt that Taranaki claimed them, That “The Garden of New Zealand” Was their destined habitation

After further days of sailing Suddenly a vision smote them, Vision of unearthly beauty, Of a mountain robed in glory. Breathlessly they gazed before them At old Taranaki’s grandeur, Taranaki high uprearing, Bathed in tints of wondrous beauty. Rearing high his stately summit High his stately snow-crowned summit, Gazed upon that form majestic, All the wonder of his contour, All his majesty of outline, Clothed in solitary grandeur, Lonely sentinel of the Pacific, Idol of the adoring native. Soon the Sugar Loaves they sighted Saw their rugged forms appearing. Soon the sturdy vessel anchored, And its human freight had landed, Saw along the beach their tent homes Ready for their habitation; Gazed with kindling hearts around them, Prayed for courage and endurance, Knelt and prayed for hearts that failed not, Faith that wavered not, nor faltered, Lives of tireless love and service. IV. Ye who love your nation’s story, Revel in the deeds of heroes, Of the famous men of Devon, Of her valiant old sea-dogs, Listen to the tale I bring you How the barque “Amelia Thompson" Bore the noble sons of Devon, Sons and daughters of old Devon, To the shores of far New Plymouth.

Acclamations and rejoicings, Merriment and joyous feasting ! Celebrated the departure ; Of the emigrants from Devon. ‘ Still the memory of those happenings ; Lives within the heart of Devon, | Green the memory of their going, I How the tender strains of music Floated down the streets of Plymouth; How in accents sweet and moving Was the farewell message chanted, Sung in sweetest tones pathetic By a sweet-voiced English singer; Farewell to the sons of Devon Floating down the streets of Plymouth. Thus they came, these souls courageous, Thus the sturdy sons of Devon, Sons of Devon and of Cornwall, weaving Albion’s shores beloved, Sadly watched her coasts receding. Faced the future all unflinching, Hearts of oak and thews of iron, Upright souls that strove and conquered, Eyes that kindled with the vision Of a free untrammelled country, Where their sons might live and flourish, Grow to sturdy noble manhood in a land that Nature favoured, Land endowed with richest blessings, Fanned by all salubrious breezes, Richly watered by deep rivers, Smiling land of peace and plenty. These the glories that they visioned. Thus the coming of the white man, Of the iron-hearted settlers, Of the sturdy sons of Devon, To this far-off Southern Plymouth, Lovely sun-kissed town of Plymouth, Nestling 'neath the slopes of Egmont, Under Taranaki’s shelter. Wise, benign old Taranaki, Gazing seaward, gazing landward, I Gazing o'er the wide Pacific, O’er the smiling plains productive This the tale that 1 would bring you Of the valiant deeds of heroes, Of your noble-hearted fathers, Of their courage and endurance In the land of their adoption, In this lovely Southern Plymouth.