MR JESSE BARROW

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 13 (Supplement)

MR JESSE BARROW

STOCK DROVING IN OLD DAYS

Mr Jesse Barrow arrived in Hawera in ISi i, bringing over stock from Hawke’s Bay. Most of the rivers on route had to be negotiated by punt or "ford, and the number of his charge was seriously depleted by the time -*e reached Hawera, through tlie ravages which the poisonous leaves of the rangiora, tutu, and ngaio had made among tneir ranks. Arriving hero he found the future borough in a very primitive condition, on 1 v the main street being formed, and that unmetalled. Deep ditches ran on cither side of the formation, and ns these were uncovered and generally full ■of water, nocturnal wayfarers often experienced an unsought bath in their slimy depths. There were two hotels here at the time, the Egmont, and the Empire, each doing a busy trade. There were two or three stores, that of CUT. ,1. Davidson being the principal, and several butchers’ and bakers' shops. A small number of settlers had started to farm their military grants in the vicinity of the future town, but few had the courage to stock their holdings, leaving Mr. J. Winks and one or two others to obtain grazing at their oiVn

price. After a short sojourn here Mr. Barrow returned to the East coast, but was so impressed with the appearance and capabilities of this district that he came back again tiwo years later and secured a portion of Colonel Gudgeon's leasehold near the Waihi fort, and here he resided for the next Id years. Mr. Barrow was well known in the old days as an excellent rifle shot, and as the rifle range and butts used by the Armed Constabulary were on his property, he had ample opportunity to exercise his skill. Bo proficient was he with the old Enfield rifle that none of the A’s, some 350 in number, could successfully compete with him at the. target, and in one day's competition, lie won three prizes out or the four allotted. Captain Marshall was .in command at Waihi during the late 'seventies, and 'Sergeants Kiddle and Hattie held office under him. jMr. Barrow married in 1880, and seven years later removed to the Te Koti district, where he acquired a fine . piece of land from the late Mr. W. A. MciCutchan, formerly teacher of the Normanby Public 'School, and ho still holds an interest in this property. Mr. Barroiwi has been a constant subscriber to the “Hawera Star" , during the whole term of its existence, 1 a record of which lie is naturally somc--1 what proud. Ho, together with his ‘ good lady, now resides in George Street, and occupies a considerable ’ part of his time in cultivating an excellent garden and orchard, but is always pleased to have anyone interested* in pioneering history drop in and : chat about the days when wild pigs rooted across the Waingongoro, and ripe peaches abounded in season in every clearing around.