EAKLY MASTERTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1942, Page 4

EAKLY MASTERTON

ARRIVAL OF FIRST SETTLERS LATE MR. DAVID DIXON’S STORY. ROTARY CLUB ADDRESS. • Some Sidelights on Early Masterton History," W.'is the subject of an ((duress given at today’s luncheon oi tile Masterton Roiaiy Club by Mr N. .1. Bennington. Mr J. H. (Tinninghniii, vice-president, occupied the Mr P.ennlni'.ton quoted a statement by the late Mr David Dixon, one of the small band of first bona lide settlers to reach Masterton, which stated, inter alia: "In company with Mr Michael Dixon and Ids daughter (the late Mrs Wm. Adams), and Mr Henry Cole, our long and tiring journey across the rugged Kimutaka highway—at that period a mere saddle-track—commenced. Our lirst day's journey brought us no further afield from Wellington than Kaiwarra; our second day's effort being somewhat less retarded and bringing us to Upper Hutt; our third dav seeing still greater progress made as far as Paknratahi, at which stage of our cattle-laden journey the lirst real hindrance began. Here, at the foot of the rise leading to our real ascent of the Rimutakas, a hillfed stream Jay athwart our track, whose rain-sodden current had obscured its ford for several days—and then began that long and winding trail which even today under most favoured circumstances is one fraught with no small peril in the safe accomplishing; and for us a matter of intense solitude and uncertainty as to its duration. "Driving the cattle (150 head at that) ahead of us in that 'two by two’ fashion associated witli Noah's Ark nursery rhyme,”' says Mr Dixon's Press interviewer, "this small intrepid band of pilgrims experienced all the joys of herdsmanship and minor joys as well; for, at this primitive stage of its existence the Rimutaka track was a strong man’s journey horse-bestridden, and to this small band afoot, it meant especially tiring days for them. This lone lane, forsooth, had many turnings; and its summit, hard attained, was but the signal for an equal downward track of equal many turns. At the foot of the Hill, however, a small and primitive wayside inn was there awaiting them. "The next day,” continues Mr Dixon’s narrative, “the cattle were driven as far as Tauherenikau ; and, the day following, to a river ford near adjacent to Martinborough of today where, on this occasion, the Ruamahanga and its tributary streams flood-barred ourj further progress for four days until Wairarapa Lake had taken its fill of floodwater and, bursting its bar at Palliser Bay outlet to the ocean, caused its depth to subside. At this point a canoe was hailed and in which these ‘Pilgrim Fathers o£ the Plains’ crossed over the now less-turbulent stream, the cattle swimming their way across it, some distance further down.

“From now on,” he continued, “their journey lay in directions less severe a strain upon their nerve and tissue, but always some stream to ford, some swamp to fringe, some bush to penetrate, until at last, a Sabbath and fitting day, May 21, 1854,. brought their pilgrimage to a safe end.” Mr Duncan McGregor, though not arriving in the Wairarapa until August, 1865, found in Masterton’s chief business thoroughfare, Queen Street, but seven buildings all told; and a deep ditch each side thereof, where giant trees had stood before, and pigeons “cooed and cawed,” said Mr McGregor’s narrative. “Rosetta” cottage, had just been built (on the site adjoining the Opera House of today) and was the only other striking feature of the town. . . Until 1879, when ended that temporary boom which followed the big expenditure of loan money raised by Sir Julius Vogel for public works and railway building, Masterton, said Mr McGregor, was steadily increasing in population and importance ; but the crisis came which brought, as he so aptly put it, “this young and struggling community of Masterton to its very knees.” Since then there was evidence of progress that enabled their successors to look back upon such pioneer efforts with feelings of admiration and of greatest pride. Speaking of a journey to Masterton in 1880, another arrival in the town referred to the beauty o£ Masterton Park and stated: “Of hotels there were four, the Royal, Queen's, Club and Empire; and of lawyers two, Mr C. F. Gawith and Mr A. R. Bunny, the latter advising counsel to the Borough and other early-established institutions, although other luminaries paid occasional visits to the town.” Thanks to Miss Sutherland, a sister of Mrs Peter Grant, of “Bannockburn,” Gladstone, the sick and injured pioneers were cared for in approved medical way. A monument to her was later erected in the heart of Melbourne. It stood as a perpetual memory to one who spent both time and fortune in relieving the distress and uplifting the souls of Masterton’s poorer and hitherto neglected citizens. On the motion of Mr H. H. Daniell, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Bennington for his interesting address.