NOTES OF A VISIT TO HELENSVILLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6818, 24 September 1883, Page 6

NOTES OF A VISIT TO HELENSVILLE.

In paying a visit to Helensville the other day, oa the occasion of the opening of an Oddfellows' lodge in the district, we were greatly surprised at the progress which had been made there and in the surrounding district since we> last visited Eelensville. The contrast created and the changes that have intervened were brought home to the mind of a visitor ?','■. the more forcibly that seventeen years haa roller! on in the interval. The progress of Helensville, however, ia but a type of what is going on in most districts in the province, in a greater or lese degree, through' the improvement in the means of communication, the advance of settlement, and the increase of population and material wealth. '■-... . NOW AND TEEN. :■ ..' ! At the period of our last visit, after getting toßiverhead by a waterman'a boat, we tramped across the bullock track, yclept a road, with knapsack on back, the sixteen miles to Helensville. Mr. John McLeod was then Helensville, and the bushmen at hie timber mill near the landing kept the place lively at times, the other settlers might be counted on one's fingers. Among tne residents there then were Mr. Isaac McLeod, aenr., and his family, Mr. Nelson and Commissioner Rogan. In accordance with' frontier custom, Mr. McLeod kept "op;n table," and no respectable settler passed his door, eri route for theKaipara, without being made welcome to his unstinted hospitality, till the increase of traffic rendered a house "of accommodation' a, necessity. was then in! the doldrums, and Mr. McLeod, failing to get a home market for sawn-timber, wa.3 shipping it in baulk to Australia^; The meane of •.communication with'' the r now, flourishing settlements on the. Kaipara consisted of the royal mail packet, the cutter Julia, Captain Onthank, wbich made ii'eeuly trips from Helenaville to Port: Albert, the Otamatea.and Pahi. The Albertland.rs.were .then,vstill v ih\;;the midst of their difficulties, 1 their pr'ospects'still tinged with that' "hope deferred which thnketh the heart sick," and earning that wisdom, iu-tie school "of-"ex-! perierioe" which seems to-be, tho lot -'of all' settlers!' As. "for ctbo : 'Northern Wairod; ; with:;/ its townships' — Kopiiru was little; ■ more ''■■ than^a/ , name;' Ara.tapu..- was .-in 'its- .Infancy :as; ; Bonar's, Mill ; ; - Mauhgawhare, had simply, a depot,; where one. Auckland firm bought all the gum; and shipped all the timber-;:the Kaihu' had: nptyet:beeh:blessed : .w yille— with his 'energy from the ; sea'to Jitnuiy; Jbbhstori's) lahdiiig,' ■ seventy s 'miles ! there were; hbii t'woV.Ebore'suttlers on either. . bankoi: that noble river;!: What tliefacilitiee; \ for cpmmunicatioii." were -and : :f6r'- a. market •.■for, produce may : be guessed 'when ,it ;ie. stated: that oil'the'Northern Wairoa, in some , the:-pigs; ■[fyefe'ied!;an-tjfapesi there;-beipgino [ inea'na of sendibg to market. '~-:■■■ .;'...".'-:

That is the Past; now for the Present. | Wo.were whirled up from Auckland by train to Helensville in some threo hours in the evening, and on looking at the township on tho following morning, after 17 years' absence, felt v<--ry much like Kip Van Winkle on awakening from his prolonged slumber. There wjre to bo found the outward and visible 'signs of modern civilisation—the public-house, the church, and the policemau. But thesn were not the only signs, for tho tall cliimney ■ stacks showed that .several local industries, had found a footing there. Looking round for the old landmarks, we found that McLeod'a timber mill—o.ice the scene of busy industry—had disappeared, and tint on its pilo foundation, as good as ever, had been erected a " whisky null," the Terminus Hotel, which was being run by host Scott, aud wbere the weary traveller will find th>3 good old ptogramir.e carried out, "accommodation for man and beast." Where formerly stood the little lauding was the spacious wharf, and breastwork, costing some £30,000, with railway, goods and coal sheds, postal and telegraph statioD, and a steamer, with steam up, lying alongside, showing that the day 3 of the Julia had gone qynevec more to return. We found, 011 looking round, that tho township now boasted its timber and flour mills, fish an J fruit preserving establishment, soap factory, brickyard, its slaughter-bouse, blacksmiths' and engineering workshops, drapery warehouse, two general and its baker, butc'sers, siddler, and shoemaker. A chemist, too, is prepared,, at tho shortest notice, to «ive anybody a pill, while two doctors are prepared to " kill or cure," according to tha latest rules of medical science. On the crest of tho hill is a spacious and neatly-designed school, and adjoining a comfortable teacher's residence—one of the blessings the s Ltle--ment owes to our excellent sys:cm of national education. Over 100 children are at school, under the tuition of Mr. Metge, who appears to be giving every satisfaction to the parents of the pupils; and the school committee show that they are alive to their duty to support the teacher, by deciding to enforcu the compulsory clause of the Act with regard tochildren of school age not attendiug any I school. Helenaville also has its Public Hall, ' which has paid a dividend of 10 per cent, to its promoters ; and in no way deterred by the intention of the Delti Lodge of Oddfellows to erect a now hall, the directors of the present one have determined to lengthen it some 20 fcut. The Anglicans have a church in the township; but the"Presbyterians have already taken steps to erect another for ths members of that communion, the pulpit of which will bo occupied by Mr. Hutson, student, whose services are much appreciated by the residents, and who is highly respected for his work's sake; though he canuot in reason expect more than a Conditional Immortality. The new church will cost about £250, is of neat design, and occupies a commanding position, In both Helensvillo North and South buildings and population have increased of late years, but at present the tido of settlement seems to flow in the direction of Helensville South. This arises to some extent from its

being well situated for residence; being in a commanding position, and having a splendid view: of the surrounding country— from fclio sandhills at Paeroa, along tho ranges of" the..West Coast, with the intervening plains,, and,a panoramic view of the country to Aotea (Shelly Beach), with the Kaipara rjver winding like a siiyer ribbon through the plain and debouching into the Kaipara estuary beyond. There is now in Helensvillo a population of 500, it having doubled itself in threo years, aad it' is contemplated to make Helenavillo into a town district, as it is believed it could be worked more economically than as a borough. During the last year some '60 buildings have been erected there, all on, freehold property! In laying out the Helensville South township, Mr. Isaac McLeod has kept in View the 'future 'which awaits , Holensville, aud there IB not a street under a chain.wide.' Had the Government made'the road between the two railway stations—North and South —100 feet wide, Mr. McLood would have been willing to have continued the road through hia property the same width, as ho has a holy horror of tho lanes vhich disgrace our city. The greedy, land speculators in Auckland, who are desirous of cutting up property, without regard ' to pubiic 'convenience or tlie laws .of health, provided the Inst shilling 13 wrung nut of the unforturiato purchaser, ,■ had better take a leaf out' b£ the' ,boqk of Mr. AlcLeod... The' progiess of' Helensville, ■ no doubt; is at present largely due to tho timbsr iiylustrv,' but tho community .is not putting all i\s ,es»gs into oho-basket, .for its local industries —the through traffic—arid the settlement' now going on across the river in the Babylon distriut; will go to mtke up very important factors in its future prosperity. Kyen at the present enormous rate of consumption of forest timber, there ars supplies in the district for a quarter of a century' to come, and this'will be supplemented by the coutribu-. tions of. districts connected with Helensvilleby a notwork of Nature's waterways'. Apart from" . the timber,, industry, the township' of Heleusville'/ enjoys -' the great advantage of standing- >n the gangway of traffic between Auckland anil the Kaipara settlements—botli' divisions having' to' pay toll, to- it—and. when the Kaihu.; Valley Railway is' completed, no; doiibt a I large accession- of traffic from as Far. north as willgravitate Helensvillewards: , At' present its population is increasing through the employes of the steamers, &6., the' Railway Department, and those engaged in .the':, various local industries, taking up. their abode there with their families, and the men engaged in the bushes in the adjacent district are also making their homes there, as the most convenient place for visiting their families. AH these things tend to circulate money, and to keep the place alive and brisk. There is no fear, therefore, that Holensville will resemble one of tHe American townships which "strikes ile," and, after growing up like Jonah's, gourd,,- under the

influence of its leading industry, also decays as rapidly when that industry is worked out. During our brief • stay in -Helenrville we took occasion.to visit some of its industries," and fee for ourselves what was going on. And'first of all we were courteously shown round the ■

HELENSVILLE TIMBER COMPANY'S . MILL by tho working manager, Mr. Curtis Moore. The mill is putting through four million feet of timber per annum, obtained from : various quarters. The most of the kauri timber on the Awaroa has been picked out, but in the Waigogo there is still, it is computed, some twenty million feet available. Supplies are also got from Eaukapa-kapa,-Makarau, Tauhoa, Otamatea, Pahi, and Northern Wairoa. Two logs were lying at the time of our visit to the mill at the yard of the girth of 29 feet 6 inches and 27 feet respectively. At the swing bridge wero lying seven logs, containing 83,000 feet of timber, perhaps the largest logs for mill nse that have been seen of late years. On the opposite side of the river to the mill has been erected a boom capable of holding three million feet of baulk cimber. About eO.OOO feet of timber is turned out per week, which is forwarded totae Auckland market, Waikato, and even to the Piako. Fifteen thousand shingles are also put out weekly,-most of which is absorbed by the local demand. The mill has special facilities for cutting timber in large dimensious, being capable of cutting, up to 60 feet lengths. A railway siding has been put in to the mill at a cost of £600. The company have obtained permission to erect a wharf alongside the mill, 250 feet in length, which will enable it to load up vessels alongside drawing 15 feet. There will shortly be erected a planing and moulding machine shed, witli : separate engine, and drying sheds; adjacent to the railway siding. Tho present engine has an 18-inch cylinder, with 40-inch stroke, which gives power for driving any additional machinery necessary for some time. In the event of requiring more power, provision has beea made in the plans for an additional boiler. Abont thirty hands, all told, are at present engaged. Every precaution; is taken against fire. The men are drilled aa a • biiokot brigade, about eight dozen buckets being numbered and distributed over the works, with a man in charge of each division responsible for their being filled and ready for use ; while in the .event of an alarm every man knows his, post and his duty. ' ' '" In addition to this company, Mr. Isaac •McLeod is "also shipping timber from Helerisville and.- Makatau, Messrs. Jagger and ■Parker from Kaukapakapa, and Mr. Drenuan;"also;obtaining timber from Kaukapa-: kapa'for shipping and mill purposed ' :; V;

- THE FLOUR COMPANY'S MILL. Tue Helensville Flour Company's mill is. now nearly. completed. It ia being ereuted under the supervision of. Mr. Moses Bite, ■who will also manage the mill when finished. It is three storeys in height, of wood on brick foundations, and is 41 x 31 on the ground floor. The machinery will consist of three pairs of French milleton- s, three silkdressing machines, smutter, wheat-shifter, worms, elevator,' and hoists comple. No handling of the wheat will take place after' pacing the smutter, until i: is,turned out as the manufactured article in flour, etc. Adjacent 13 the engine and boiler, storage shed for wheat, also'wharf will be erected for vessels up, at which vessels can lie. drawing fifteen feet of water. There will be a patei.t lift for Hoisting wheat,out of vessels into the mill, and facilities for shipping flour, etc., direct iuto the waeg'ins, as the railway runs within a few feet of the building, in addition to which a.goud cart road is in course of construction. Thb machinery and mill «ear is being supplied by Messrs. D. Bate and Sons, Wolverhampton, and boiler and engine., by Masefield and Co., of Auckland. The machinery is of the most modern construction, - and comprises, all the latest improvements in inilliag ; the mill will be capable of turning out 40 to 50 tons of flour per"week when ruu-' ning up to its full capacity. The wheat will come from the South and Adelaide, and brought by vessels coming for timber. By this means freight of wheat will be reduced' to ouehalt of rates paid by Auckland millers. Mr. Isaac Ak-Leod has had pffera of six different cirgoes of wheat from tho South and Australia, under such conditions as above stated, at 4s 6d per ton, which the vessels seeking timber cargoes would carry instead of ballast. Cartage charges from vessel's side to mill will also be saved, as delivery direct from vessel's hold. Tho coat of fuel for engine will also be a bagatelle, as the A-aste odds and ends from the Helensville Timber Company's yanl (which the company is glad to get taken' away) will keep the furnace, going. Owing to these"advantages, tho Helensville Flour Company feel they will be able to secure tho whole local trade on the Kaipara line of railway. The'supply required by JUelensville and surrounding stations is about 12 tons per week, and that output alone will «ive a. handsome percentage' on the out-, lay" on the mill. The principal dealers in flour and bush contractors in the district are shareholders. The cobt of the mill and machinery is about £2250, and the enterprise is likely to turn out a profitable one to the I promoters.

HJORTH AND CO'S. FANCY SOAP MANUFACTORY; . This manufactory is noyv in full working order,-and has a' frontage.cf 100' feet.to therailway and 30 feet to tiiestreet.. It consists of tallow room formelting tallow, store room, and apartmeut containing the machinery, comprising circular planing machines, soap mill, compressor, cutting and stamping michinss; adjacent is the.. dr> iug, room, the laboratory, and the apartment for storing and"packing the soap The Jouildingsand plant.have coat I clo.saonjEiOOO; All the fitrequiredisobtained' frotnthe local batchers. One of -'the,specialities turued ■ out. is glycerine soap, which is riot manufactured elsewhere in.the colony, and 'which ia quite equal to anything of the kind, imported. The soaps, which-are all of a fancy toilet , character, perfumed, and of thirty different varieties;-are -made.after the Continental', style,-got up in all' sort? of ornamental designs, aud'.packed ■ in neatly prepared . card' boxes/-, with ' tissue paper. There is a steady demand for all that can b.e •produced, largely■. from the Southland Mr. Hjorth anticipates having ehortly to employ more hands. " He intends also.conirnancinij the 'manufacture of toilet perfumery and card, boxes, having at present to import the latter for his, soap factory from Christchurch, -and ■ for which article there -is a good demand in. Auckland also., Hr. Hjorth has also p'anted out a number of fig trteeand soft-shelled -'almonds, with a view of commencing the industry of dried figs, and prepiriug'fig cakes, which.are'made of soft-shelled almonds aud figs.'. Figs grow to perfection at Helensville. ' There are several Italians and Spaniards in the dis-trict-who are woU acquainted-with this industry; and ! they state that tho white fig is not,needed to produce a good drying figj but that a tolerably large-sized fig is .necessary. The yellow fig, with red spots, is said to answer well for drying oa account of its sweetness. The red fig, is more easily dried, but it requires a greater quantity, of,sugar. FISH, FRUIT; AND 'PRESERVING FACTORY.' - The late Helensville ' Fish Preserving Factory, which ■ was carried on by Mr; Wilson, is to'be again, re-establithed by Mr;. Maaeiicld, of Otamatea, on an enlarged basie, and operations it is expected will be commenced this'week.'- \lr. Wilson was'unduly handicapped, for want' of. capital, ■ but tho present proprietor'will be abie to carry it through on. his own'.resources. '-Mr. MaseV Held -.is; getting' an',, additional plant, and; -intends to add -fruit and meat preserving to his'business. Thermit will', ■be preserved/on the American principle. Mullet .will be principally preserved, which will bo fiot from the Kaipara , river and from the West., Coast. The :Girdiner" Brothers','' ai Koinoko'riki,* have also started ia tlie fish, | fruit, and- meat, preserving '; business, and drive the cattle from ■ Auckland which are' ! used for their meat 'preserving operations. They are kept constantly with 'orders,' and find the enterprise a profitable'one.' The cattls coming from the North pass' through the Helensvillo district, so that Mr. Mase{ield .will have-a certain supply at: his command .for meat preserving'.' "The steamers-will in the-aummer time'bring fruit from' Port Albert, Otamatea, Northern ■'Wairoa',,',and ' other . 'settlements' on'' the Kaipara estuary, where it grows abundantly, and can be delivered,; in a 'few hours at Helensville ; after.: being • put'on board the steamer, thus securing regularity of supply. A couple of gentlemen who not long ago (visited the whole North' for the purpose of loo'iing out a site for a fish and fruit preserving factory, came to the conclueion that Helensville possessed in the largest degree the conditions necessary for making such a business a success. OTHER INDUSTRIES. ~ A.t HelensviUe ■■ South Me. Robert Alexander. McLeod taa recently commenced the

manufacture of bricks,;aid lias supplied to the local market some 50,006 bricks, which •were immediately taken up. This is likely to become a large and importantindustry in Helensville, as there is a good area'of land available and suitable for brick-making pur,pose3. The township also possesses a blacksmith and engineering shop (Spindley and Co.'s), which has turning lathes, drilling machines, and where the engineering work of the district aud most of the repairs of the local steamersareefiected. Itisintended to add a steam-hammer and other machinery shortly. THS HOTELS. There are three large hotels in Helensville, which in point of accommodation' would not disgrace Auckland. Considering, that • the population is but 500, it looks on ; the face of it as if the-Helensville community contained a good many thirsty souls, notwithstanding that the Blue Ribbon Army is there sixty strong. The inference is a delusive one r however. Aβ the entrepot of the traffic, j goods and passenger, from the various Kail. \ para settlements, an , abnormal amount, oii accommodation for travellers is requires Mr. W. Scott's Terminus Hotel and M : Daniel AlcLennan's Kaipara . Hotel are both commodious, while Mr. Flood's Helensville Hotel, which at' present contains 21 rooms, is having additions made which will make it contain about 40 rQoms, at accost of close on £2000. These improvements are being carried out under the supervision of the proprietor. The through traffic of tourists anu settlers going northward is increasing yearly, and the Helensville Uotelkeepers are layiag themselves out for it. iff ■;-■■ HELENSVILLE'S WANTS. ;? Among other needs of the township is a good water supply. This could be obtained from the head of. the Awaroa, and brought iuto the township at a cost, it is stated, including mains, of from £7000 to £10,000. The railway, the ■ Helensville Timber Company, and the other local'industries would be largeand steady customers, and the execution of the scheme 13 simply a question of time. Another pressing want of the community is the establishment of a bank agency. The wonder, is that the Bank of New Zealand, which is generally early to the front in local districts, has not yet taken up the position. The whole of the money taken by the Railway Department has to be taken down by train, and paid m at Auckland at the Bank of New Zealand to the Government account. By the establishment of a bank agency this trouble would be saved, and the companies and, business residents also spared a good deal of inconvenience and annoyance. ,:, Complaints are also made in some quarters a3,tp ; the Heleneville South railway station being insufficient to meet the requirements p.t the growing. traffic there, and requiring .enlargement/..,. ■■~.;-.' ..... . .:. Our remarks as to the progress and improvements -being -effected '■ in the district across the river,;.towards the West Coast, as , well as thbse'.manifest along the line of the railway, ..with some references to railway management, we;.mus.t iea,ye..for.another article. „. :, : . .. ,