A SKETCH OF MAKETU.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4722, 12 October 1872, Page 3

A SKETCH OF MAKETU.

Maketu is situated on the East Coast, about IS miles south of Tauranga, on the river Kaituna. It was at one time a place of great importance to the Maoiis, the pa being thickly peopled and very strongly fortified It was however stormed and taken in 183G by Waharoa. At the present time it has a considerable native population. Maketn must always be a place of considerable trade, being as it is one of the keys to the interior. Vessels can enter the river and discharge their cargoes, which, by means of a good road already made, can in a few days he distributed over the Hotorua. This road is not of that uninteresting character one so often meets with in New Zealand. Here the traveller at one time is riding through an avenue of willows, interspersed with peach trees, affording at the proper season both shade and refreshment. Besides the pa mentioned previously, Maketu has the remains of a large redoubt built by the Imperial and Colonial forces in ISGS, who garrisoned it for a considerable time. The rebels, 700 strong, on one occasion marched on Maketu, but were met and driven back at Waihi. Maketu cannot be looked upon as a European settlement, all the lands being in native hands, who, however, cultivate a considerable quantity. At Waihi is a flax mill, worked by steam, the raw material being supplied from tho neighbouung swamps. Although there are few Europeans engaged in agricultural pursuits, Maketu has a fair number of settlers. There are two very comfortable hotels, two or three large stores, church, and schoolhouse. The school, principally of native children, is highly spoken of. There is a telegiaph •station, and in fact all the elements of a Tfcown, not forgetting a Resident Magistrate and a Courfc-house. The Mission house and grounds, a little distance from the river, must not be missed. Everyone must acknowledge that we have to thank these early pioneers of civilisation for the introduction and distribution of English and other trees not indigenous to the country. It would be hardly fair to close this slight notice of Maketu without mentioning the name of Tapsell. Air. Tapsell i^> most probably the oldest European resident in New Zealand — oldest m yeais (being over 100 years of age), and oldest in settlement. He has been identified with Maketu and the neighbeurhood many years. Years ago when the country was disturbed by tribal wars, and many places now pleasant to the eye were scenes of slaughter and cannibal feasts, Tapsell was theie. Even when Te Waharoa made his raid, it was in Tapsell's whare the head chief of the defenders died. — Bay of Plenty Times.