KAMO'S FOUNDATION.

Northern Advocate, 22 November 1922, Page 5

KAMO'S FOUNDATION.

EARLY HISTORY RECALLED.

"You may not all know that Whangarei is only an offshoot of Kamo," said Mr. F. chairman of the Kamo Town Board, at the electric light inaugural function last night. For many years Kamo was the centre of industry in the North, and he was sorry many of .the old identities were not present that evening, especially Mr. W. Carter. As time went on, however, Whangarei, with its port and other advantages, grew at the expense of Ivanio. When he first saw Kamo the land was covered with bush and titree and the stillness was' only broken by the Maori hen and the bittern. It remained like that for many years, until his father' built the sale yards. Then development took place, until it was found necessary to get a caterer from Whangarei to supply luncheon to the stockmen. As time went on it was thought advisable to build an hotel, and Mr. Wakelin's father built the first public house cn the site where the present Kamo hotel stands. It was of the same size and pattern as the present building, but subsequently was burned down. The hotel was always crowded at sale limes by cattleincu from Auckland and the North.

The advent of the hotel brought other requirements in its train, and his father then set about the establishing of a butcher's shop to meet the need not only of the hotel, but also of the settlers. Then followed a baker's shop, which Mr. Wakelin, senr., had an interest in, and lastly he' built ft blacksmith's shop on the back of the section where the present shop now stands. These buildings and businesses formed the foundations of Kamo. It jvas nof much, but it showed what one man could do, and he knew that it was an uphill job for his father. Ivamo was spoken of in the early days as the healthiest place in New Zealand, and he was satisfied that more people went away from it in debt than died in it. He hoped now fliat Kamo would be made a more cheerful, brighter place, and that with the advent of the electric light the homes of the people would be more comfortable and attractive. Speaking after Mr. Wakelin, Mr. Jack claimed that he had not been a very good witness, as though they had sale yards in Kamo they had to come to Whangarei for a caterer. Amidst laughter, he presumed that it would not be long before Whangarei was taken into Greater Kamo. Mr. Rishworth also, during his remarks, referred to the statement . made by the chairman that Whangarei was an offshoot of Kamo. He added that the child seemed to have outgrown the parent, but he was glad that Kamo had again shovyn signs of virility. • Mr. Crawford also pointed out in his reply to "The Press" toast that Mr. Wakelin had omitted, when talking of Kamo's early history, to mention the Press of Kamo. a pap:r called the "Echo," which had been published in the district, but had ceased to exist.