IN VAN OF PROGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1932, Page 12 (Supplement)

IN VAN OF PROGRESS

GRIT AND PERSEVERANCE

STORY OF MR. K. KALLIL, OHURA.

EXPERIENCES OF “HAWKER JOE.”

Probably there is no better known personality throughout the Ohura than the genial Mr. K. Kallil, a resident of the township of Ohura, who has always time fbr a cheery word, no matter how busy he may be. Associated with the progress of the town and district for the°past > quarter of a century, he has ever been in the van of progress, and from a small beginning has extended his activities in numerous directions. Despite-his varied business calls he still finds plenty of time to identify himself with the. public and social activities of the district, being a member of the Town Board, Domain Board and various other institutions. His story is another instance of the result of the pioneering spirit combined with a keen business brain. . Mr. Kallil still remembers vividly his experiences when, as “Hawker Joe,” a name of which he is very proud, he made his first trek out east from Stratford, on foot. It was in June, 1903, just 29 years ago, when he left Stratford on foot, leading his well laden horse. The metal at that time extended very little past Toko. Gradually he worked his way through to Strathmore. At times, in negotiating a particularly bad stretch of road, he had to clasp his horse’s neck to be pulled out of the mud. Strathmore, with Meredith’s sawmill in full swing and two boardinghouses in operation, was a busy place. Thence he made his way to Pohokura, where he stopped with the late Fir. J. McCluggage’s ‘‘bullocky.” He arrived a day or two later at Whangamomona, where Mr. McCluggage was conducting a small store. There was no hotel at Whangamomona then, but two or three years later the late Mr. Fred Calgher established the first licenced house there. . . From Whangamomona Hawker Joe trekked on to Tahora, where he, stayed at the late Mr. McCutcheon’s, and next day he proceeded to the Moki Saddle. However, he had quite’ enough of it. in attempting to get over the Moki, which even to-day. is the bugbear of the traveller, So .at that point he turned back. He slept that night in a bush , camp, and well he remembers. it, for it was a bitterly-cold night, with, snow to add to the discomforts. There was nothing for the horse to eat, while as far as he was concerned . the ■’choice was limited to hard bread and butter. But as long as it was ■ something • they. were, quite satisfied in those days. He then gradually made his way back to Stratford through the mud, having taken nearly a month-to do the journey. Next, year he made The trip in to the Ohura district, journeying up the East Road and striking in through Mokau and Paemako. In crossing the Mokauiti he fell into difficulties, and but for his horse it is doubtful whether he -would have got out. ’ He eventually reached Matiere, then called the “seventeen miles.” Through the Aria district there was very little settlement at the time, only one or two settlers having just arrived. He came on as far as Ohura- before turning back. There was no township at Ohura, but Mr. -W. K. Williams was established there in a little shed that acted as a store to which goods were carted from Te Kuiti.

Mr. C. J. Ryan, now a member of the Land Board, was also then on his section. At the Wairere Falls at Aria he crossed' the river by taking his horse over between the cliff and the falling water. Even then he recognised the possibilities of the falls, which he remarked are operating to-day as ■ the cheapest power scheme in the Dominion. Thereafter “Hawker Joe” made regular periodic trips, between Stratford and Ohura,. which he soon made his headquarters. He was the first to drive any kind of vehicle into Ohura or out of it, the first vehicle being a Cortland waggon that he had purchased from the late Mr. Newton King. This, he drove in from Stratford, and he recounts how at some of the streams, where there were no bridges, the buggy had to be lifted over.. A young lady who had come straight off the steamer from Melbourne made the trip in with him. .

At Ohura Sir. Kallil started a billiard room and draper’s shop, later opening as a tobacconist. Indeed he was the first to start practically anything that was started in the township, showing throughout a commendable spirit of enterprise and always possessing great faith in the Ohura district. He was the first to start a motor business in the Ohura, running a motor service between Ohura and Taumarunui as early as 19116. His enterprise has provided the township with a modern picture theatre in which the latest talkies are screened twice a week. This theatre is now in process of .being enlarged and equipped with up-to-date dressing room facilities to' provide for the dances and other social activities of a growing district. Among his other business activities may be mentioned a large garage that would be a credit to any town, as well as the ownership of a number of shops. He recognises 'that with the coming of the railway some of his motor carrying ac.ti.yities which have, been of such great service to the district in the past will suffer, but as he has done throughout life he takes reverses as smilingly as he does success, and realises that it is part of the march of progress.-. •