Ohinemuri Regional History Journals

The Ohinemuri Regional History Journal (ORHJ) was first published in 1964 by the Historical Section Waihi Arts Centre and Museum Association (Inc.) and Paeroa & District Historical Society District History Museum.

Editors were:

COPYRIGHT: The Societies retain their copyright in all the material presented in these journals. Please acknowledge any use of this material to the "Ohinemuri Regional History Journal".

The Societies are not responsible for the opinions and statements of writers in the Journal. They are the author's own views and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Societies.

The Journals are presented here by permission.

Jim Say Foundation, Valder Ohinemuri Charitable Trust Inc. and Waihi District Walkways Inc. contributions to this project are gratefully acknowledged.

The First Editorial - Vol 1, No.1, June, 1964

By Mrs N. S. Climie, Editor, Member of the Council of the Waihi Arts Centre and Museum Association and the Paeroa and District Historical Society.

Mrs N. S. Climie, M.B.E.

When the Waihi Art Centre & Museum Association (W.A.C.M.A.), was established about two years ago, it first concentrated on its Museum, but also aimed to link this with written Historical records, a well as to provide for Ohinemuri, a Cultural Centre which would cater for several fields of interest. Its Constitution provided for an Historical Section thus:- "To publish papers, Periodicals, Journals, Books, Reproductions or Photographs relating to the History of the Ohinemuri County and connected Areas." - - -

For various reasons it has not been easy to bring this aim to fruition but considerable work has gone on behind the scenes supported by valuable "lone rangers." However the arrival in Paeroa of the Rev. L.M. Rogers, M.A., Past-President of the Whakatane Historical Society, has given us both inspiration and impetus and now affiliated groups in Waihi and Paeroa are more formally active, holding meetings for Speakers, Discussions, Films and Tapes; also, we hope, Maori topics. Hence we are at last venturing into print – perhaps as an act of faith – and launching this first Journal of a series.

The seeds of our story were sown long before our time and even before the first white men settled here – McCaskill at Hikutaia in 1839, and Joshua Thorp at Paeroa, the cradle of Ohinemuri in 1842. Inevitably it will be the story of two races; the Maoris whose ancestral home this was and the Europeans, who ventured here. It will be the story too of Rivers that were life-lines; of Forests; Mountains & Plains, that have required the most arduous labour to make them yield their rich abundance. Our "golden" background gives our history that flavour of romance that makes it at once lively and unique, for the Ohinemuri Goldfields were different in character from others in N.Z. – our extensive "underground" was a world of wealth coupled with stark realism and great dangers.

We are indebted to Mr. Isdale for his scholarly article which provides a sound foundation on which we can build. However we do not set out to tell the story in chronological order. Our aim is rather to record the findings of our research in the hope that we may preserve facts which ultimately will be of use in completing an overall picture.

Those who have personal recollections of pioneering days become fewer as the years go by. We are proud to honour some of these by presenting their stories in our early issues and congratulate them on their fine efforts.

Karangahake and Waihi celebrated Jubilees fairly recently and Paeroa is planning one for 1965, so it is by no over-sight that we have concentrated on adjacent areas in the meantime. There is still much to glean and we earnestly seek the co-operation of all those who are able to make some literary contribution; also to those willing to support our efforts by subscribing to the Ohinemuri Regional History Journal. Your Membership is needed in order that we may carry on.

N.S. Climie

Presidential Foreword - Vol 1, No.1, June, 1964

By The Rev. L.M. Rogers, M.A. (President of the Paeroa Historical Society)

Rev. L. M. Rogers, M.A.

This Journal is the result of a conviction that, without a knowledge of its past and an appreciation of the work of its pioneers, a community is like a tree without roots. The conditions under which we live to-day did not come into being by accident, but were created by the vision, sacrifices and toil of pioneer men and women. Unless we show some awareness and some appreciation of their work in laying the foundations of our society, we are unworthy heirs of a great heritage. Moreover, if we have no appreciation of the price which was paid in human endeavour and sacrifice for our present liberty and prosperity, we are liable to hold them too cheaply and so to make possible the weakening of the foundations of our civilization.

A further result of an interest in local history is the increased delight in our enjoyment of the present. The beauty of the land around us is enhanced when its features are peopled with the memories of those who lived and worked there in earlier times & who have left their mark upon them. Heroic events and courageous people have made their marks there for perceptive eyes to see. To give this knowledge and this interest is the task of a local historical society and its journal.

The purpose of an historical journal is twofold. On the one hand, it sets out to make residents aware of the rich history upon which their present prosperity and security is founded. On the other hand, it has to record the story of the past so that the historical facts may be preserved before they disappear with the pioneers who made them. Unfortunately, many of the pioneers have gone and for knowledge of their ideals and their work we have to depend on the journals and letters they left behind. These are invaluable and such a Journal as this serves a most useful purpose by recording and preserving such manuscripts. Photographs and sketches made in earlier days play an important part in our endeavour to recapture the past and these too are material of value for societies and journals.

There are two elements in all history, persons and events – and of these the former is the most important. It is true that, in the broad sweep of national history, persons are liable to fade into the background of events and movements. Nevertheless, it should never be forgotten that there are no historical events or movements without the persons who originated them and those others who kept them moving and developed them. For example, we may write of a war or of a battle in such a way that it would appear that these were events or a series of events which conditioned the lives of the people of the time and which dominated the lives of those who followed. But there are two factors that must not be overlooked in such a situation. The first is that the war would not have happened except for the decisions and actions of persons; that the battles were fought and won by generals and soldiers. The second factor is that persons are never really at the mercy of events – they can and do control them and transform them.

Thus in our own district we are heirs to a rich history created and developed by men and women, each of whom helped to lay the foundation of our present affluent society while it is obvious that some by their personal abilities and force of character had a greater part to play in this development than others and deserve our special gratitude. It is also true that much is owed to men and women of lesser abilities, since no one can be a leader without those who are willing to follow. It is, therefore the privilege and delight of local historians to delve into the past and to reveal to present-day citizens both the events and the persons which made possible the kind of life we now enjoy.

Let it be clear, however, that our debt to the past dates further back than to the coming of our pakeha pioneers. Those Maori inhabitants, who possessed the land long before the Pakeha came, have also made their contribution to the conditions of to-day. Their impact upon our modern New Zealand way of life has been considerable and has not always been given its due place in historical research. This is an error which our two local societies will not perpetuate.

To this exciting and rewarding research we invite the co-operation of all local residents and, in particular, those whose own historical roots are firmly embedded in this district. We are confident that both the societies and their Journal will receive this co-operation and so confer a lasting benefit upon the present and future citizens of our district.