EARLY PUTARURU

Putaruru Press, Volume XII, Issue 563, 15 March 1934, Page 5

EARLY PUTARURU

PIONEER’S REMINISCENCES Down the Years From 1904 (By “An Old Resident.”) No. IV. When the idea of writing these notes on “ Early Putaruru ” was first thought of it had no intention of running into all the details of life in Putaruru, but some of your readers think every event should be chronicled, and one hears remarks made here and there in reference to events that have taken place. I

would ask them to be a little lenient in the judgrtfent for the sole reason the notes are a tax on memory and not written from a diary. Old Personalities Unfortunately on looking over the last notes I find that I had omitted to mention Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Barnett, both of whom had been most indefatigable in working up the different functions already mentioned, and also very generous regarding gifts and money. I also negleted gifts and money. I also neglected the name of Miss Kells, of Lichfield, This lady filled the onerous positions of school and postmistress for a very large number of years, and was at all times ready and willing to promote amusements or entertainments for the residents. Highly respected and thought of by all with whom she came in contact, Miss Kells still resides a portion of the year in Lichfield.

The Waotu District Up to the present I have made no mention of Waotu or those who reside there. I could very easily fill the columns by reference to the very generous and monetary assistance Waotu extended to Putaruru in the early days. Waotu provided the winning queen in the queen carnival promoted to augment the hall funds, Miss Renie Jones, daughter of Mr. T. Jones. Waotu also provided the majority of stock for a cattle drive which in itself was a means of swelling the hall funds. Among those who worked hard for Putaruru’s advancement were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Barnett, Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Mrs. H. Barnett, and Mr. and Mrs. Proctor, and also the Ashley family. I am pleased to say that most of those named are still residents of Waotu. Business Development

About 1908 the Tokoroa Land Company sprang into existence, and the Tokoroa Plain was being settled on; all these little happenings tending to further Putaruru. Businesses were established, and the residential part of the township was being built on. The block of shops in Princes street known as Tomalin’s was occupied by our first hairdresser and tobacconist, Mr. C. Brown, Mrs. Graffas, fruiterer, and Mr. Tomalin, bootmaker. I do not know who was our first fishmonger, but I believe it was Mr. Stevenson. Mrs. Edwards built a little higher up and the shop was occupied by the Farmers’ Trading Company; then McDermott Bros., drapers, built. Talking of drapers, our first draper was Mr. S. Beca, who supplied the residents for years before finally building in Kensington street, where he carried on business as general storekeeper, afterwards building at the comer of the Arapuni road and Princes street. Mr. F. C. Barnett was carrying on business as butcher in the shop adjoining the Taupo Company’s yard. There was also a tailoring business in one portion of the shop. This shop is now occupied by Mr. W. Yandle.' Tearooms also sprang into being, Mrs. Edwards building one on the vacant land outside of the railway gates. This served the dual purpose of railway refreshment room and also for the public.

Parliamentary Tour About this time a visit was paid to this district by members of Parliament under the leadership of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey. I believe the visit was by invitation of the Taupo Totara Timber Company, who placed a special service at their disposal. This party inspected all the properties along the Taupo railway at Maraetai. They were entertained by the residents, and at Lichfield they inspected what was supposed to be an experimental farm, which was afterwards cut up into two farmlets. I rather think they are at present untenanted. On arrival at Putaruru they were entertained by the Taupo Totara Timber Company at a luncheon in the Pub-

lie Hall. The company invited all and sundry to meet the members. Mr. Massey, in acknowledging their indebtedness, expressed his pleasure in the trip, and also surprise at the country this railway would open up and the effect it would have on the future of Putaruru. During the afternoon the party inspected a property at present occupied by Mr. A. M. Leslie on the back Lichfield road, to be shown a pasture that had been down for a large number of years under the Thames Valley. Land Company, which at that time was still showing good grazing, although allowed to go back into a rough state. This at that time was one of the very best advertisements we could have desired for immediately after the land was being, shall I say, snapped up. This still more added to the prosperity of our little township. Residents’ Houses

The town sections began to be taken up and residential houses erected on the outskirts. Houses were erected on Marchant street for Messrs. Portas, Halse and a little later for Mr. M. McDermott. On Kensington street, in addition to the store already mentioned, Mr. Beca erected a store and on the opposite side adjoining the post office a residence which is still in occupation by the family. A little further along a house was erected by Mr. Jansen, of Mokai; then one for Mr. Flyger. Mr. James Edwards built one at the comer of McKenzie and Kensington streets, and also one a little further on in Kensington street. Houses built by the late Mr. J. Rutherford and Mr. Howland completed the building arrangements at that time. Later on Mr. McDonald built a wheelwright shop and a dwelling house.