TAUPIRI OF OLD

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14712, 29 July 1921, Page 7

TAUPIRI OF OLD

INTERESTSNG REMINISCENCES. BY DRAY TO HAMILTON. TEDIOUS AND VENTURESOME JOURNEY. A brief but interesting history' of Taupiri, compiled by Mrs R. E. Lovcll, Mrs Littlcwood, and Messrs T. T. White, and A. 11. Waring, was given by the Postmaster-General, Hon. J. G. Coatcs, during his address when opening the new Taupiri post office yesterday. "Taupiri," he said, "lakes its name from Taupiri Hill. 'Tau' means hill. 'Piri' means two things attached; there is a small hill attached to the mountain. The Maori king, Tawhiao, was buried on Ihc lop or the small hill over 30 years ago. There was once a Maori fortification there, and many battles took place. Over 50 years ago, when Mrs Lovell first went lo Taupiri, the whole countryside was covered with li-lree and scrub. Before a telegraph office was opened at Taupiri Ngaruawahia was the nearest place from which lo send a. telegram. If a doctor was wanted, it was necessary for someone Jo go lo Hamilton on horseback. Passengers from Auckland used lo come overland as far as Mercer and thence by steamer. The steamer that plied between Mercer and Taupiri was called the 'Blue Nose.' Forty-five years ago the Waikato River overflowed its banks and flooded the whole of the surrounding country. All the. bridges were covered with water. It was possible at the lime or Iho flood to, lake a boat down past the shop of Mr Waring, the butcher, and through his orchard lo the river. Many settlers had narrow escapes from drowning. It is about 40 years since the railway was built. The work was done by armed constabulary. It was found necessary to Lake the line through an old Maori burial ground at Hie foot of Taupiri mountain, and the Maoris, objecting lo this, refused to allow the work to go on. The Government then offered them the small lull for use as a burial ground. This offer they accepted, and the railwaywas permitted lo proceed. At one'timc there was at Taupiri a lloiirmill worked by water-power. It was situated at. the back of Mr Tristin While's properly. The mill dam is still to be seen. For many years Mr While possessed the only piano in the district, and this was often requisitioned for concerts, etc.

There Wiis only one road In Taupiri— Hi,- Groal Souf.li Road. If llic settlers wished In so I" an entertainment 'n Hamilton, their only means of conveyance was by horse and dray. As many as eight ladies would fro in such a c.nnveyance In a hall in Hamilton. The roads were generally in a very mud ly slide, and it was necessary to carry a spade and an axe, the spado for digging mil the horse when it gn|, stuck in 1.. e mud, and the axe for cutting tl-true fascines In enable Llio horse lo pull itsol r old. 11. was also necessary to lead a second horse to assist when the oilier was playeil-oul or hog-ired in Hie 1. The journey had In commence at "2 p.m. -,i [hal Hie pari y eimld arrive at Ilamil|,,n iihnul S p.m. The' road then was vi :l llukanui, now called Oordonton. The only a ss I" llukanui was by a hush track. II was 'essary to srn tins way. as at the lime the traffic hridge across the Waikato Kiver at .Xgaruawahia had not been built, and l.lf, |y means nf crossing Ihe river was by a punt.