OHAKUNE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1088, 29 March 1911, Page 16

OHAKUNE.

TIMBER CAPITAL OF THE MAIN TRUNK. , ' ' Ohakune', the sawmill capital' of the Main Trunk line, has the distinction, ]iko Pahiatua of four different pronunciations. The principal of these are-! O-ar-ku-nee, O-ha-ku-nee, and O-a-koon." Tho last-named is much patronised by British tourists, while the residents y of tho place stick ,to the first pronunciation. The correct method to pronounce the name, according to - Maori , authorities, is a, sort, of cross between the first and 6econd systems, and this can only bo attained 'by a fairly long ccurso of study'. The very early "days of Ohakuno havo been briefly touched upon by Mr. Nathan, Mayor of Taihape,"who was one of tho road contractors in tho district, and tho place had practically no great existence except as a bush settlement' for. many years. Mr. G. F. Manson, who came to tho place in 1893, is said to have been tho first storekeeper; -while other early residents were Messrs. W. T. Bowater and Merson._ The first 'school was opened in ■ 1806 \yith eleven pupils. . By 1906, Ohakuno district had a population of 63, amongst them being Messrs. W. J. Armstrong, C.E., Inspector of Works, Boyd Loftus, storekeeper, G. Buckley, baker, G. Carter, watchmaker; A. Oelto, carpenter, J. Fcrgusson; storekeeper, G. M. Millar, surveyor, N; Hoald, sash and door factor}', A. Kerr., J. M'Aincli, A. Marsh, J. .Quinn, W. Slieohy, ■ : and others. About this time' thero were about 20 children attending tho school, but 13 months later it had risen to 40, and to. show the progress tho piace was making it may be mentioned that when tho railway first went through thero were fully 100 scholars on the- school books, tho daily average being over 70. Tho school bccamo too small to accommodate tho attendance, and a new one was opened across' the banks of the stream which gurgle 3 and splashes past the town.

Tho town lies 49' miles from Taihape, 60 miles from Taumarunui, and almost midway'between Wellington and.Auck-. land, and following on past'-example that every fifty mi'los of railway produces a town, which usually 'progresses much • faster,, tbau' tho intermediate settlements, tLc Government decided, to spend a Targe, sum of money in developing a railway, station and yards as a sub-terminal contre. It is estimated that fully £-10,000 Tyero spent on tho station and yards, and the result was n railway contro which was a credit to tho line. Tho town was then subjected to a land boom. Quarter-acro sections were gold at wonderful prices, nmguig

from £50 to £700. Several sections were cut up with extraordinarily narrow frontages, some of which wero resold for £6 por foot. One man bought an allotment for £5 and sold it for £50 a few days afterwards. Ho did very well cut of his bargain, bub tho next man did better. He cut tho section in half and built a billiard room on it, the other half ho sold for £350. Just now these prices aro not being maintained, but there is every reason to believe that the town has an excellent future. In tho Main Trunk towns it leads tho railway timber export with an output of over 7,000,000 feet annually, and this quantity is on tho increase. Further development in the district may bo expected when the railway is connectcd with Pipiriki, via lJaet'ihi, a prognostication made last session by' Sir Joseph Ward in tho promulgation of his fifteen years' .railway policy.. There are at present two

towns growing up in Ohakuno, one in Ohakuno proper, the other in Ohakune East. Each is separated by a distance of about 120 chains, and their ultimate connection as a whole . town can only be attained in the course- bf years. The. town possesses u cheese factory which is run. on very up-to-date linos. The progress of. Ohakune recently.necessitated it being formed into a Town Board with a population of about 700 people. A proposal to mako the placo into a borough' has. been deferred, but a sum of over £2000 has-been spent oil developing-the s.treets of the place, and placing -the roads in a proper condition.

Messrs. Brice, Broad and Co., grain and produce merchants, and insurance agents, Marton, insert a special advertisement. in this issue'.. Large J quantities ;of ,wljeat, chaff, oats, andbrail,,etc., arc the firm, ancl aUJvili(ls,yf;grain ii "crushed at.the lowest cuireliT lilies. An advertisement oi special interest to those.about to build a.tiouso is inserted by tho Marton Sash; Door, and Timber Company. The. firm-being, direct importers of builders' and general hardware arid glass, offer special advantages to customers. Full stocks of nails, corrugated iron, locks, cement, ! and glass are kept, and may be had in any quantities. Further particulars may be had on application to the firm. At the Gretna Hotel, Taihano, firstclass accommodation , is provided for travellers. * The bccirooms arc. largo. and well furnished, "and'tliere. is a hot and cold water service. The hotel is under the 'management'of Mrs. J?. .Gibbons. Messrs. 11. D. Bennett..and..Co., siipplv agents, North Knngitikei, have a special announcement in this issue. Messrs. G. Gardner and Sons, sawmillers, Manunui, 'are . suppliers of totara, matai, red and white pine, in any quantities.... Further particular? will'be found in an advertisement in this issue. Situated in. the main street of Ohakune, is Messrs. Christie and Christie's; furnishing establishment. Those in search of hich-class furniture should not fail to pay this firm a visit Several - good grazing runs and also a number of sheep farms are advertised for salo by Messrs. A. 11. Willde and Co., laud agents, Ohakune. On application to the firm' further particulars relating to the farms may ho obtained. Mr. D. Neagle, saddler, Taihape, inserts in this issuo nil advertisement of interest to those about to purchase a new set of harness, referring to the workmanship and excellent material used. Messrs. Lloyd and Co., Broadway House, Marton, notify that the autumn and winter fashions have now. arrived, and all postal orders will receive immediate attention. " Tlio Federal Coffee Palace, opposite tho Railway Station,. Taihape, is under entirely now management, and has firstclass accommodation. Mr. G. C. Armstrong, chemist, Mangaweka, inserts in this issue a special announcement referring to ■ his" assorted stocks of toilet requisites, and sick-room necessaries. . A choice display of jewellery is on'view at Mr. G. H. Carter's establishment, Mangawcka. > \

Messrs. Fraser and Company aro manufacturers of every description of sad.dlory and harness, and are cash buyers of horse hair. Tho proprietor i.f the Tasmaa Cafe ■ilnntcrville, Air. It. 0. I'arlcer, notifies that in order to cater for travellers fish and grills aro obtainable at all hours! , Mr. 11. Robinson, Marton, notifies that he has two well-appointed, up-to-date confectionery shops in tho llangitikci district, and a full stock of tho best English and colonial confectionery is always kept on hand. 'IVo hundred and fifty acres of excellent "srazinj land is advertised for sale by Messrs. Officer and Co., land brokers, ilangawekas