STRATFORD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9123, 2 July 1891, Page 18 (Supplement)

STRATFORD.

PUNIHO, WAKEA, PUNGARBHU, AND RAHOTU. The distance from Okato Post-office to the town of Opunako is about 22 miles. The road between New Plymouth and the village of Okato is very hilly, especially through Tatara and on towards Okato ; but after leaving Okato the character of the country changes considerably. All the way from Okato to Opunake there is not a single hill worth mentioning. The land on the east, or mountain side of the road is, with the exception of about two or three narrow strips, all in the hands of the natives, who do not appear to be cultivating much of it, except in a few small patches. Thero are a large number of native settlements — Parihaka, the stronghold of Te Whiti, being about a mile and a-half inland from Pungarehn, There are several flax mills at work, affording employment for a large number of men. The European settlement is between the road and sea shore, and there are villages at Puniho, Warea, Pungarebu, Oaonui, and Rahotu. OPUNAKE. Opunake was the scene of the headquarters of the Artned Constabulary force Borne years ago, when the activity of the natives under Te Whiti and other hostile chiefs caused alarm to the European resi dents. The present population of the town is about 300 persona, many of whom in various ways reap a great advantage from tho flax industry, wh eh has assumed such large proportions along the west coast. THere are two large blacksmithing establishments, three grocers and general storekeepers, two butchers, one shoemaker, a barber, and representatives of each of

sections in this township wero sold by auction by the Government in February, 1875, and according to the last returns there were in the township 71 dwellings, 120 ratepayers, and 193 rateable properties. The rateable value is estimated at ±'6,962, and the population at about 400. A raihvav and a good metalled road now run through what in 1876 was a dense bush. Distance from New Plymouth by rail 17 miles : by the Junction Road, 12} miles ; from Waitara by rail 11 miles. There are a large number of stores. and a good business is done with the settlers who have farms round the township. There is a good library and reading room, well supplied with books and papers. Nearly all the denomination have churches in the town, and there is a Town Board who look after the streets, as well as other affairs connected with the well doing of this town. NGATIMARU. This district is best reached by the road from Inglewood, and is about twenty-four miles from New Plymouth. The Waitara river passes through the district, and is bridged, and about four miles from it the Taramuke Valley is reached, as well as Dr. Hutchinson's residence. In this district is some very fine scenery, and Mr Kidd, of Inglewood. recommends visitors who are fond of the picturesque to go up the Richmond Road as far as the Wortley Road school, then to take the road to the left, and when about a mile up it ho says a most extensive view of the country is obtained. WAIPUKU is a village that the train next stops at. It is about 7 miles from Inglewood. Its distance from New Plymouth is 24 wiles.

The first sections of this town wero sold by the Government on August 31st, 1878, and according to the Litest returns (1889) there were 60 dwellings ; 167 ratepayers, and 266 rateable properties. The rateable property is estimated -it £ 14,054. The population must now be close on 400. \Vhen this township was laid out it was expected that tho trunk lino of railway from Auckland would join the New Plymouth-Wellington line here, and a large block of land was set apart in consequence. The East Road is n >\v being made, and in a short time it is expected it will connect with tho Waikato railway at Te Kuiti. The chief buildings in the town are tho Town Hall and Court House, Church of England, Presbyterian Church. Catholic Church, and the State school There is also a Sash and Door Factory, a steam cooperage, steam forge, and wheelwright, besides all other trades being represented. Mr Newton King and Messrs Vickers and Stevens hold fort nightly cattle sales here, this being a very central position. A newspaper called the Ejmont Settler is published twice a week. The Patea River runs through tho town, flowing down from Mount Egmont. This is the chief town

of the county of the same name, and there ia a Town Board to look after the locnl wants. Distance from New Plymouth 30 miles ; from Ingle wood 13 miles ; from Hawera 18 miles. NGAIHE. This township is situated about four miles south of Stratford, and is likely to become a place of some importance. There are a large number of houses, and the uopnliilion, though a scattered one, is likely to increase fast. ELTIIAM. This place is two milos further on. It is here that Mr Chew Chong's Butter Factory is at work. There are several stores, and the nucleus of a thriving village is already in existence. NORMANBY. This is a pleasantly situated township on the margin of the bush and plain lands, 45 miles from New Plymouth, on the Mountain Road. The main trunk railway lino runs diagonally through the township. HAWERA This town is situated at the junction of the Mountain Road with the Southern Trunk Road, being about 4 miles from Normanby and Waihi, and tho same distance from the bridge leading over the Waiongongoro River to the Waimate Plains. The town is in a lovely spot, being slightly elevated in the midst of an extensive plain, well clear of the bush, and bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, with graceful snow-capped Mount Egmont on tho north, full in view from its extreme base, at Capo Egmont, to its summit 8,000 feet above sea level. From comparative

insignificance this town has grown to equal, if nut exceed, in size and population that of Carlyle, as since last census many additions iv buildings and population havo hion made. There is a Post Office and Telegraoh Station, Police Station, Town ILil I, Literary Institute, School House, places of worship, Banks, &c. The local paper, the H-wira Sta; is published every evening. Hawera is a municipality, and its estimated area is 729 acres. Its estimated population is 1300, there being 30 0 dwellings in the Borough. The estimated net annual value of rateable property is £8,034. Distance from Xew Plymouth, 48 miles ; from Carlyle, 18 miles. MAN UTAH I, a township on the main line from New Plymouth about 84 miles north of Carlyle. Distance from New Plymouth, 58 miles. WHAKAMARA. A settled block lying about four miles inland between Mokoia and Manutahi. There is a roadway to it from the main trunk road at tha Manawapou Gorge. PATEA (Tho official name of this town is Carlyle, though seldom used) is tho chief town and port of the Patea County; about GG miles by rail from Now Plymout h. The public buildings comprise Resident Magistrate's Court, Post Ollice and Telegraph Station, Immigration Barracks (now used as Police Oiiice and County Council Chambers), Hospital, Town Hull, Literary Institute, four hotels, public schools, and four places of Worship — Episcopalian, Wesleyan, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic, the services of which aro supplied by ministers resident elsewhere. The following local bodies hold periodical .V- , U<

mcctino-s at Carlylo :— County Council, Town Board, Harbour Board, Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Patea East Road Boar.], School Cominittoc, two Building Societies, Cemetery Tiustces, Steaiii Shipp ng Company, and Cricket Reserve Trustees. There" are several athletic and other societies. The chief industries are a felhnongery, canning and refrigerating works. The Patea' County Press is the name of the local newspaper. Patea is a Municipality, and its estimated area is 1420 acres. The estimated population is 730, there being 204 dwellings in the Borough. Theestimat d net annual value of rateable properly was £4867. Distance from New Plymouth, G6 miles.

ADDENDA. On page 16, in the list of passengers by the Oriental, the names of T. Davies, wife, and sen were o.nitted. Mrs J. C. Sharland, of Auckland, was the first white girl born in New Plymouth. The following illustrations were specially engraved for this paper at Mr H. Brett's Star Office, Auckland : — Devon-street (pagO 1), St. Mary's Church (page 6), New Plymouth High School (page 7), Taranaki Jockey Club's Grandstand (page 12), Views in New Plymouth 1852 and 1858 (page 13), Egmont Boot and Shoe Factory (page 15), New Plymouth Investment Society's Office(page 16), Mr Newton King's Waiwakaiho Saleyards (page 17). We are indebted to Mr Courtney for tho following engravings:— Old Boating Service, Central School, the Harbour from end of Breakwater, View of New Plymouth from Mount Eliot.