MANGAWEKA WAS ONCE “THREE LOG WHARE”

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 May 1949, Page 8

MANGAWEKA WAS ONCE “THREE LOG WHARE”

Something of the early history of Mangaweka is mentioned in the “Cyclopaedia of N.Z.,” extracts from which are quoted as follows: —“Mangaweka, situated on the Main Trunk railway line, 32 miles north-east from Marton, is a comparatively old settlement, originally known as “Three Log Whare.” Sawmilling and farming are the chief pursuits of the settlers, and the country is well suited for grazing purposes. The townshin stands on a small flat close to the Rangitikei river bank, nearly a mile north-east from the railway station, with which it is connected by a good road. A good coach service runs between the station and the township. Mangaweka has one principal street extending from the railway station through the township. It contains a large hotel, three boarding houses, a post office and savings bank, a public school, churches, two public halls, a public library, a local newspaper and a branch bank.’’ The Mangaweka public school was opened on March 5. 1894, by Mr. R. T. Bowden, with a very small roll number. Later a building designed to accommodate sixty nupils was opened on February 26. 1896, the headmaster at that time being Mr. E. W.. Tomkins, who was assisted by a pupil teacher, Mr. E. Jarvis. The number on the roll in 1897 was 98, there being an average attendance of 73, Mr. Tomkins was the son of one of Wellington's early settlers, Mr. John Tomkins. After three years as master oof the Goat Valley and Porewa Schools respectively, and a neriod as relieving teacher under the Wanganui Education Board, Mr. Tomkins was ’ appointed to Mangaweka in 1895.” (Note: Although time has brought about certain changes, the township of Mangaweka remains very much the same as described above. The school and the Langholm Hotel were boT' 1 destroyed by fire, being replaced by new buildings. Mangaweka is a very old settlement still retaining its age-old charm. In the “eighties” it published a newspaper known as the “Mangaweka Settler.” Its courthouse has been closed for many years, all cases being heal’d at Taihape. Mangaweka continues to pursue the even tenor of its way and its early settlers recall with pride the time when it was called “Three Log Whare.’’)

UTIKU’S EARLY HISTORY. Brief reference to the early history of Utiku is contained in the 1897 edition of the N.Z. Cyclopaedia. It says: “About 10 miles beyond, Mangaweka, on the main coach road to the Hot Lakes district Utiku first became a settlement in 1893, when a body of cooperative labourers, engaged on railway construction, was located there. Surrounded by native land it was named after the original owner, Utiku Potaka. At the recent census the population of the village was 66. Utiku, which is in the county and electoral district of Rangitikei, has a sawmill, two boarding houses and a few homesteads. Mails are received and made up twice weekly, for both north and south, by the local postmaster. The township has already secured a public hall, and there is a comfortable boarding house. The Utiku Public Hall, which was completed and opened in October, 1896, was raised by public subscription, supplemented by labour furnished by a few residents. It is a convenient building, having seating accommodation for about 100. The Temperance Hotel at Utiku is a hostelry that was completed and opened in May, 1896. It contains seven bedrooms, two parlours, and a dining room to seat 20. The stables of live stalls and large loose-box, are supplemented with an excellent paddock, which is specially available for travelling stock. Tourists are considered in every way and their wants receive personal attention from the proprietor, Mr. Maurice Thompson. Born at Saltwater Creek, Canterbury, Mr. Thompson became proprietor of the Railway Hotel, Hunterville, in 1894, and successfully conducted that house till opening at Utiku. He is a member of the Oddfellows’ Order, being attached to the Ohingaiti Lodge. Utiku was formerly known at “Kaikora.”

(i.’ote: Utiku has developed in many respects since 1893, but it still remains a small village about six miles south of Taihape. Its public hall has served the social needs of the community for over half a century. It has a comparatively modern post office, an excellent public domain, good country school and other amenities, general store, box factory and dairy factory——not a bad effort for a tiny settlement. Life in Utiku is what you make it, and the inhabitants seem perfectly satisfied with their lot. Many of them prefer the quiet peaceful atmosphere of the village to the hustle and bustle of the towns. Utiku has played its part in the progress of the Taihape district as it marches proudly on towards its diamond jubilee, it carries with it the goodwill of all its neighbours).