Notes on Waiuku.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2172, 19 February 1877, Page 2

Notes on Waiuku.

[BY OUR SPECIAL I.EPOP-TER.]

THE KENTISH HOTEL.

On landing from the steamer, the first important building is Mr Sedgwick's Kentish Hotel. Mr Sedgwick has of late considerably improved the appearance of the building and its surroundings. A contract for large additions to the hotel, Avas taken some Aveeks ago by Messrs Henessy and Hammond, Avho enjoy a good local reputation as builders. The Avork is nearly completed, tlie verandah and balcony only requiring tlie finishing touches. Tlie balustrades have been turned out at Mr Hockin's Waiuku Manufactory, and are of totara. A walk through the new suites of rooms shew that travellers, visitors, and the general public have every desirable convenience. New furniture is observable in every department. Ncavlv married couples desirious of spending the honeymoon ma quiet coantry spot might do Avorse thai, go to Waiuku. Tlie hotel has 20 rooms r.\ addition to the large hall Avhere the Waiuku and Waipipi Highway Boards hold their meetings. There is also a large kitchen, scullery, and other outbuildings, a large stable, kitchen garden and paddocks withm a hundred yards. Horses and a .hides may be had on hire at the hotel. WAITANGI FLAX-MILL, WAIUKU. Mr J. Craig's flax-mill is a mile or so down the river, behrw Waiuku landing, and was established some 16 years ago. It was here that some of the principal experiments Avere made to discover the correct method of dressing flax. Messrs Purchase and Innes, Aye are informed, spent about £5,000 without succeeding in their enterprise. Mr J. Dougall, about ten years ago, carried on experiments at this place for some time, and Avas fortunate enough to bring them to a successful issue. Mr J. Craig took possession some I'iA'c years since. The mill had been left idle, and everything Avas going to rack and ruin. In a A rery short time, lioaa'ever, Mr Craig transformed the inert appearance of the mill to a scene of bustle and acti\-ity. After fixing two of Gibbons'flaxmachines, the old water-wheel was repaired, and answered admirably. Subsequently, with the labour only of his oavh family, a very large quantity of well-dressed flax has been produced, which has been a staple article of export from Waiuku. Upwards of 60 tons of (lax per year has been turned out, realizing, when priceshve're good, £33 per ton. Mr Craig's son, a, youth of about 17 years of age, is keeping up the inventive character of this spot by inventing a shotmaking machine, by which he manufactures his OAA'n duck-shot. This youth can also turn out half a hundred'-Ayeight of dressed flax in a day—a good sample of Avhich has been shown, us. WAIUKU HOTEL. v Mr Campbell, as an hotel keeper at Waiuku, has been favourably known for many long year, and has enjoyed the reputation of a conscientious, straightforward man. Until lately he has been landlord of the hotel near the lauding place, but has uoav a fine establishment on the hill about fifteen minutes walk from the steamer. The bedrooms are airy and Avell-furmshed, and the hotel altogether is a very creditable and Avell kept establishment. It is situated at the junction of several roads, and is near Hunter and Nolan's cattle sale yards. Adjoining is a commodious hall 56 by 35ft. in which the Horticultural, and other exhibits Avere recently placed. There is a fine garden, and an extensive orchard adjoining the promises. THE COW WITH THE CRUMPLED HORN. Au anecdote is in circulation at Waiuku, which Avliether true or otherwise serves to show the attachment formed by dumb animals to human beings, Avho are in the habit of attending to their Avants and treating them with kindness. Mrs Oldficld had a little cow, a good milker, with one horn up, and one horn down, a peculiar looking creature, but her looks Avere not half as peculiar as her temper. She Avould not aIIOAV any other than Mrs Oldfield's hand to milk her. When her mistress avus absent it often avus a source of great annoyance It happened that the mistress tell sick, and the person it attendance was determined not to be thwarted by the cow. ' When a woman will she Avill, depend out, says the proverb. In this case, However, the feminine elements came into collision, and the coav Avould not give in. V, liV pl iau } vas tric(l of dressing iv Mrs Jldhelds dress and hat, but without success, for the coav would not alloAV her milk respository to be touched, and the last resourse was to take the coav into the house, This was done, and she was milked in that way—-by the only hand that dare attempt it. °. v tho West Coast, at a place called Waitara Gap, is said to be a phenomenon m the shape of two lakes in close proximity to each other, separated only by a bank of sand—yet the Avater of one is 30 feet higher than that of the other. The proprietor of the Oregon contemplates budding a store at the Waiuku wharf. The telegraph station is, so far as the mam structure is concerned, nearly complete In connection with this building will be the post-office. The necessary nttmgs avill take considerable time to make and hx j the contract time expires in April. Mr iJroAvnlee has the contract, and employs three men. The owner of [the Tarn O'Shanter has in view a project to build a new wharf and a store here. The Waitangi Saw-mill Tub and Bucket factory is situated a short distance frtun 1 thewharf and does a steadily increasing buei.

Mr llixman's store presents a businesa like appearance, Avith tlie settlers producp constantly coming in,and shop goods movbj off. His growing trade has necessitated th* proprietor securing the services of a smart assistant from Auckland. Wli Waiuku butter has attained to a wpll deserved name, although many otiierwita good makers spoil the market valn e 0 | +i . butter by carelessly moulding' jl^ eir Mr Adam's Post-office si /_ j ß ' a .. stocked establishment, and| commands „ good share of trade. Horses and carta ar generally to be seen at the door,behig fo_d_? with general goods for settlers. a The annual public picnic held in conn tion with the Waiuku Band of Hope ami Good Templar Societies will take plac,. on Thursday, March Ist. It is probable tW a cricket match will be played in the oarl v part of tlie day—married v. single. ' ■-—_l_———_HJi._J-_. _!■ _____