OKAIAWA 52 YEARS AGO

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1933, Page 11

OKAIAWA 52 YEARS AGO

MEMORIES OF MR. B. PHILLIPS MAIL CARRIED ON HORSEBACK. NAMES OF THE PIONEER SETTLERS. The oldest resident of Okaiawa is Mr. Ben Phillips, who arrived in the district 52 years ago and has resided there ever since. When he arrived the country was all covered with fern, flax and tutu and there? was not a fence in the whole countryside, he told a Daily News representative. There were only one or two small whares and he helped to dig out the cellar for the hotel, which was one of the first principal buildings to be erected. There was a small store and a post office before that, but no houses. Mr. Phillips camped in a tent at the back of where Mr. Jim Bailey now lives, the place then being in possession of a Mr. Hatcher. With two mates, Emmitt and Dick Collins, he secured work putting up ditch and bank fences. But life did not run smoothly in those days. There was a very large Maori population, particularly at the pas on Hastings Road and what is known as the Okaiawa pa. The Natives were annoyed at the encroachment of the white man and not long after Mr. Phillips’ arrival trouble occurred at Parihaka which caused a ferment among the Maoris. The pakeha residents were in peril and feared a native outbreak at any time. One night Mr. Phillips and others kept sentry on the roads, each armed with a rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition. They kept themselves in training for any hostilities, but fortunately their worst fears were not realised. The Okaiawa district is historical from a Maori point of view, the rebel chief Titokowaru having had his headquarters there, while at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu, a few miles away, is the spot where Major von Tempsky and his warriors were ambushed and shot down. Many Maori ovens and other interesting relics were discovered by the pioneer settlers, and in some parts of the district there may still be seen the earthworks and remains of Maori fortifications.

The first store was built by Mr. Beresford for Mr. F. Arden. The latter was succeeded by Mr. Appleyard, and later Mr. Tom Joll took over his store. Mr. Joll was also the pioneer of dairying and bought butter from the settlers, giving stores in return. Then he started a factory and was responsible for starting many on the land and developing the dairy industry. He was a splendid man, well liked and “as straight as could be wished for.” Many a settler owes his independence to the start received from Mr. Joll. He also financed many Maoris, and they held him in very high esteem. For 17 years Mr. Phillips carried the mail between Okaiawa and Normanby ,\ but prior to that Mr. Hicks had been mailman for two years, riding the distance daily on horseback. Mr. Phillips,. Mr.. Oughton and Mr. Betts are the oldest settlers. Among some of the pioneers recalled by Mr. Phillips are the Carroll family, John and Alex Murdoch, Burgons, Mick Tour, Scotts, Hatchers, Joe Hicks, Shorts, M. Roberts, Bill Cogger, R. O. Hendy, Charlie Newsham, Caverhills, ; Daltons, Shearers, A. Hill, H. Betts, Allan Wilson, Tom Struthers, Popes, Dick Kasper, Reids, Jack Leo, Tom Joll, F. Lowick, W; W. Mitchell, Campbell, Captain Wilson, Hilles, Dick Collins, F. Arden, Brightwell, Cam-

erons, F. A. Bremer, Pat Harris, Law Bros., Arnolds, Edward Collins, Fraei, Bill Jones, William Dingle, Jerry Crowley, Tom Holroyd, Knox, Wallace, Brophy, Cheevers, Adam Wilkie, Tom Russell, T. I. Hinde, McCracken Bros., and Miss Hinde. Among his experiences, said Mr. Phillips, was one that might have had tragic results. With Mr. Betts he was working in a gravel pit at the Waingongoro River; near the Tokaora factory, when the metal collapsed and buried both men completely. They gasped for breath and struggled strenuously and managed to get their heads out into fresh air, and they were safely extricated from their unenviable position.. The first hotel was built by Mr. Beresford, but Mr. Phillips does not remember who the first proprietor was. Mr. Fred Hatcher commenced the first blacksmith’s shop on the site of the present one. Mr. Jim Bailey was one of the first to open a butcher’s shop. The first church was a Union Church erected by. public subscription. Later a separate one was built by the Anglicans. The Catholic community also erected a church. A Maori Methodist mission hall was built later. The public hall was erected about 40 years ago. The first land sale was held in August, 1880, when much of the Okaiawa district was taken up either for cash or on deferred payment.