RARE MAP OF OLD HASTINGS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 66, 10 December 1937, Page 4

RARE MAP OF OLD HASTINGS

Original Subdivision of Heretaunga Plains PRESENTED TO MUSEUM .A rare map, believed to be the only one in existence> of the Heretaunga plains, (showing the original subdivision of Hastings into eight blocks, varying' from 22 acres to 100 acres in area, which for over half a century has been in the possession of the Taradale Town Board is shortly to be placed in the Hawke 's Bay Museum m Napier. The plan, which is a most interesting linlc with the early days, was compiled by Mr Guy Roehfort, C.E., of Hastings, father of Mr Guy Eochfort, C.E. At the time that it was made the Ngaruroro river flowed along its old course by Havelock North, Other interesting features are the inclusion of the subdivision into small areas of Havelock North, Taradale and Clive, indicating the progress of settlement in these centres, before Hastings was subsequentty subdivided into mueh smaller areas. Loaned to Borough Council. At last night 's meeting of the Taradale Town Board, the clerk, Mr W. G. Jarvis, reported that Mr Noel C. Barding, Town Clerk at Hastings., had asked for the uge of the map for a short time. The board willingly decided that the Hastings Borough Council should have the use of the map before it was linally lodged in the museum. The original oight blocks all lay to the west of Karamu road, the whole of the arpa on the east side being iucluded in the large block of over 5000 acres owned by Mr Thomas Tanner. These blocks were taken up by the following:— Messrs S. Eoe 120 acres, Ohapman 2Si acres, G. Hamilton 901 acres, J, Boyfe 100 acres, M. Groome 22 netcs, and F. Hicks 100 acres. The iiames of the purchasers of the two romainiug areas of 78 acres and 102 acres are not shown on the map. Outside the area of 640 acres which comprised ' Hastings, the country was divided into large holdings, owned by settlers whose descendants are well known in Hawke's Bay. Frimley and Karamu were divided11 into four areas each of 1231 acres, which extendad from the present road to Fernhill back to the Ohiwia stream., which later became the present course of the Ngaruroro river. Two of these areas were taken up by Mt J. N. Williams, one by the Hon. J. D. Ormond and the other by Mr A. H.. Russell. The next block to the south was 2300 acyes which was taken ' up by Messrs A. H. and W. Russell. Adjoining this area on the south was a block of 3255 acres, taken up by Mr J. G. Gordon. Both of these large blocks were bounded on the west by the Waitio stream. West of this stream was the Waipiropiro block of 1197 acres bought by Mr R. D. Maney. To the east, Mr Tanner 's block of 5332 acres extended from the present Pakowhai Toad right across to the old Ngaruroro to Havelock North which was then tke course of the river. South of the old river and extending to Pakipaki was an area of 3043 acres, known as the Kakiraawa block. Adjoining this block to the south was the Te-Awa-o-te-Atua block of 5070 acres.

Mangateretere District. The Mangateretere district was divided into two areas that, on the west consisted of 1253 acres, the other, whicii reachod to the Tukituki river, consisting of 2047 acres. On the west side of the present Ngarhroro river was the Pakowhai block, which was lcnown as Oaldey until subdivided about 30 years ago. This block consisted of 1242. acres. To the seaward was the Puninga block of 622 aeres and between it and Farndon was the Waitahu block of 764 acres. North pf the Waitangi creek, wkich bounded the Waikahu block, was the Whataangaanga block wkich reached to Awatoto. The old Plumpton Park raceeourse, consisting of 92 acres, where sport was carried on in the early days, and which for many years has been a reserve of the Napier Borough Council, is also shown, In the south-east of tke map appears the Te Mata block whieh appears spelt as Ti Mata, and which was purchased by Mr J. Chambers, father of Mr T. Mason Chambers of Tauroa, Havelock North.