A FORGOTTEN PORT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 192, 10 May 1940, Page 14

A FORGOTTEN PORT

Whakahara In The Far North Only a few Pile stumps of au old jetty remain at Whakahara, in the far north, to remind the curious that, at one time there flourished a thriving port at this spot. The Clark family still reside in the district, descendants of Charles Clark, who founded the settlement, and helped, in the middle of last century to make a thriving river port of the place now silent and deserted. During its hey-dey Mr. Clark's chief activity was supplying ships with kauri spars, and nothing equal to them could be found for 5000 miles around. He employed Maoris on cutting down the mighty kauris and hauling them to the river side.

There is a story told concerning a shortage of skid grease which was necessary to help propel logs toward the river bank from the heart of the bush, Mr. Clark had discovered that boiled riee acted much in the sameway as grease, so he supplied the Maoris with a quantity to help them in their work, giving them full instructions as to how to apply the grain when boiled. A little later be found himself all behind with deliveries, as the logs were not coming to hand with the regularity his trade demanded. On inquiry he found that the Maoris, instead of using the rice for the skids, had preferred eating it and that had delayed their work.' lie got even with them when he sent them the next lot ■by mixing with it a liberal quantity of salt.

The decline and fall of Whakahara was due to two factors —the cutting out of the kauri timber supplies and the silting up of the river.

Pupils of Shirley Intermediate School have devised a novel scheme to assist tlie school funds, stated the school committee’s report at the meeting of householders. Some boys in the agricultural classes had prepared half au acre of ground and planted it in potatoes. It is expected that if the venture succeeds the school funds will benefit to the extent of £2O.