Our family tree

In Memorium JOHN JEFFERSON 1834 -1903 by "Backwoodsman" The fern and the toi toi are fast dissapearing Which once waved freely o'er each hill and glen, No pidgeon is seen through the air careering And the mokomok's gone far beyond our ken. I never now hear in the silent gloaming The challenging sound of the wild bull's roar Nor enjoy as over the hills I'm roaming A battle for life with the Fierce wild boar. The great long stock whip is coiled forever Which once sent echoes o'er hill and plain When the pioneer stockmen met together To muster the stragglers home again. For most of the hands and hearts are cold, Victims of nature. and times decay. The real pioneers of days of old, Who to present prosperity paved the way. They have withered away like the vegitation Which waved in our valley's once fresh and green God grant that the rising generation May be just such a people as they have been. Strong and industrious, with a kindly heart. Honest and upright, frank and free. Where man to his fellow does act his part, Harmony and sweetness shall ever be. Our friend who has solved death's dumb dark mystery. When asked of his stewardship here on earth, Can give a truthful and honest history Of kindly actions and manly worth. 1 _FA1 2 PLAC . Dropped dead of a heart attack in the wash house at Elmdale. by "Backwoodsman" The fern and the toi toi are fast dissapearing Which once waved freely o'er each hill and glen, No pidgeon is seen through the air careering And the mokomok's gone far beyond our ken. I never now hear in the silent gloaming The challenging sound of the wild bull's roar Nor enjoy as over the hills I'm roaming A battle for life with the Fierce wild boar. Departed 21 Oct. 1840 from Gravesend, London England,.and emigrated to New Zealand aboard the 'Lady Nugget". Arrived 17 March !841 at Port Nicholson, Wellington. The great long stock whip is coiled forever Which once sent echoes o'er hill and plain When the pioneer stockmen met together To muster the stragglers home again. For most of the hands and hearts are cold, Victims of nature. and times decay. The real pioneers of days of old, Who to present prosperity paved the way. They have withered away like the vegitation Which waved in our valley's once fresh and green God grant that the rising generation May be just such a people as they have been. Strong and industrious, with a kindly heart. Honest and upright, frank and free. Where man to his fellow does act his part, Harmony and sweetness shall ever be. Our friend who has solved death's dumb dark mystery. When asked of his stewardship here on earth, Can give a truthful and honest history Of kindly actions and manly worth.