OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 October 1942, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

LATE MR HENRY JONES

(To the Editor.) Sir, The Youth Rally in association with the Campaign for Christian Order recalls to mind the year 1858 in which the late Mr Henry Jones, of Makora, rallied to his home that first small band of pioneer-family youth to whom he imparted Biblical knowledge of lasting value to them in after life, the association of Mrs Jones and family with these occasions cementing a warm friendship between parties which likewise proved beneficial to all the boys and girls concerned. A pamphlet printed in Masterton many years back, and entitled “Short Sketch of the Life o£ Mr Henry Jones, of Masterton, .1811-1902,” has just come to the writer’s hands from Mr Percy Dixon, of Blenheim, a grandson of Mr and Mrs Jones, whose respective spheres of influence upon all they came in contact with in the early day life in our town, its anonymous author, “Delta” recalls. The la‘te Mr and Mrs Jones and their family of four young children left the Homeland for New Zealand in'the ship London, sailing from London Docks on Sunday morning, January 1, 1842, and arriving at Port Nicholson on Sunday... May 1, of the same year. Incidental' mention is also made of the fact that upon arrival in New Zealand Mr Jones had but fourpence to his name, to which a shipmate (the late Charles Dixon, Senr.) contributed a like amount in the purchase of a loaf of bread to be shared among both families as a rare treat after a four-month sea voyage. The menu during the voyage consisted almost entirely of salt junk and ship’s biscuits. This fare left Mr Jones so weak that he could only stand up to his first job, of navvying, for three days. But later on, as a survey party labourer, he was able to hold his own, a huge weight of gear, food and blankets on his back (some 601 b. weight all told) not debarring him from negotiating the rough bushcountry hillsides. Of the journey to Masterton, in 1855. as a prospective Small Farm landowner, Mr Jones's trouble with the local Natives and return to his family at Karori, and his second more, happy arrival in the township area in the following year, more anon. Meanwhile it is safe to say that the name of Henry Jones is one that should at the present juncture iq the religious life of our community be remembered with considerable pride, irrespective of denomination, as was his help to the sons, and daughters of local pioneer worthies so long ago.—l am, etc., N.J.B. Masterton, October.2o, 1942.