IMMIGRATION COTTAGES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

IMMIGRATION COTTAGES

MR JAMES BARTLETT LOOKS BACK

Perhaps no resident of Hawera is better or more favourably known than Mr James Bartlett, who came to this neighbourhood in 1878, and has been connected with the local carrying trade for no- less than 3/ years. Air Bartlett’s parents (hardy and adventurous types of the old virile pioneer stock) came cloiyn from the l Opunake district with their family and resided for a while in this then little township. Shorty afterwards Air Bartlett, senior, acquired a farm on the South Hoad near the township, bui-lding theie the large residence (on the corner of AYhareroa and South Roads) that is still existent to-day. This homestead was later known a;s Gill— Carey's, and was considered one of the most up-to-date houses in the district at the time of irs erection. Settlers then living in that neighbourhood were Messrs Dick Hicks, O’Shea, Gore, Peterson and Douglas. Young James Bartlett. in the meantime, took service in Mr A’Court’s smithy, and later with his successors. Donoghue, Chisholm and Smith. Presently he was indentured in the same trade to Air Cockburn, hut the latter’s business failing through his' premises being destroyed by fire, our friend was free to join his

brother Tod in c. partnership business. The latter’ went to South Africa later and acquired a good position there, seeing considerable military service. "When ho retired from tire firm Janies continued on Ins own account for a time, hut .soon relinquished it to take up the trade which lie lias conducted witli such pertinacity ever rtnoe. Mi- Bartlett has interesting recollection of early days on the Plains, when only a few homesteads existed between Opunnko and Maw era; Lambic's at Pihama. Conti's at Oeo, and Luke’s at K’aupokonui. Mr Bartlett remembers when mast of tin' site of Unworn Borough was divided'tiff into live and 10-acre sections, known a* ’fail's paddock, Barnlord's, Sweeney’s, Flynn’s, •Home’s, Livingston’s, etc*., and when the group of temporary buildings known as the ‘ 1 i migration cottages” existed in Princes Street. He Inns seen the town emerge from the shingle root’ stage to that of tin* Marseilles tile, and from the period of the bullock waggon to that of tlu* limousine. Through it all he lias preserved his cheery outlook on life and that unfailing ■courtesy which 0. lx. Chesterton extols as Ca rare and commendable gift.”