A YEAR'S GROWTH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 52, 18 October 1907, Page 3

A YEAR'S GROWTH.

King Country Progress.

The growth of a district, from its earliest beginnings is always worthy of record, and the real progress of the King Country, which may be said to have begun with the throwing open of Native-owned lands for settlement, is of such recent origin that all the present settlers will be intimately interested in the advance made locally during the past year. Since this paper was established in October last, considerable strides in the march of progress have been taken. Naturally the change has been more marked in the towns than in the country, but the surest indication of widespread rural growth is to be found in the activity displayed in the centres. At Te Kuiti the various industries and businesses have thriven and expanded in no small degree. The limestone industry, which was the first settled branch of industrial activity known to the locality, is represented by Messrs Wilson, Ltd. and Mr W. Lovett. The Wilson Company has now a very extensive plant, and during the year a comprehensive ! scheme of improvements was undertaken. Large additions have been made to the plant and the improvements are still being effected under the supervision of the local manager, Mr Walsh. Mr Lovett, whose attention is at present chiefly devoted to supplying road metal, also contemplates an extension of his operations. The building trade, as was to be expected, has shown the greatest degree of activity during the past twelve months, and this branch of industry is still thriving apace. Messrs Mordaunt and Bailey, as the oldest established firm, have naturally had an extremely busy year. After completing the Chronicle office the firm were engaged on the additions to the public school, and have since erected buildings to the number of about twenty, including business places and residences. These buildings were erected at prices varying from £7OO to £SO. In addition the firm has erected a large workshop and installed a very complete machinery plant in connection with their business. Mr R. Taylor, who commenced business about ten months ago has also been kept busily engaged in the same trade and has completed fourteen buildings, including the Congregational Church. Mr Taylor has also erected a workshop, and established a very sound connection in both town and country. Mr J. Mclndoe has also been instrumental in improving the appearance of the town by adding to its buildings. He started operations at the latter end of last summer and is now completing the erection of the Anglican Church. In addition to the firms mentioned, additions to several premises have been made privately. Among the new businesses that have been started may be mentioned the bakery branch of Messrs Green and Colebrook, and a similar business of Messrs Lever Bros. Other businesses include Mr McColl (hairdresser), Mr Cole (restaurant), Mrs Bowden (store and library), Mrs Matheson (tea rooms), Mr Harrison (bootmaker), Mr Larritt (plumber), Mr Phillips (painter), Mr Verrall (blacksmith), Mr Chilcott (jeweller), Rutherford, Wright and Co. (blacksmiths), Mr Rouse (tailor), Mr Stevens (grain store), Mr Hacket (tailor), Mr V. S. Hattaway (stables), Mr F. Hattaway (carrier), Mrs Phillips (dressmaker). Various improvements and additions have been made to Messrs Green and Colebrook's and Mr Nicholls' stores, and other mercantile projects are mooted. If private enterprise has been active it is gratifying to note that the public requirements have not been neglected. From being an unimportant station on the railway Te Kuiti has risen to the dignity of a terminus with an extra passenger train stopping overnight. A stationmaster was appointed a few months ago, and his advent was quickly followed by that of an assistant. An extensive scheme of improvements has also been undertaken by the Department, and the station yard is being equipped with a number of new buildings comprising an engine shed, a station, and a number of residences for a greatly increased staff. The Department is also opening up a new ballast quarry, under the supervision of Inspector Sellars, and installing an up«to-date plant. The opening of the remaining township sections was the means of providing a large number of residents with building sites, and the fact that all the sections were disposed of at highly satisfactory prices, was an indication of solid progress. New Saleyards were built by the Loan and Mercantile Agency and the Farmers' Co-operative Auctioneering Company during the year, and Te Kuiti is now provided with one of the largest and best yards in the Auckland district. That the erection of suitable yards was warranted, is shown by the fact that the summer sales average about 1000 head of cattle, while the number of sheep dealt with is expected to be greatly increased each year. While the town has been extending, th,e country ftas not been stagnant as may be inferred from the fact of two dairy factories have been started at Ohura, while a factory at Aria is being installed. .In addition, the number of sheep in the district is being added to in thousands, and the area of land being brought into grass is being materially increased each season.

In one article it is difficult to do more than touch on the various matters which indicate progress in any district, and there are numerous other features which may not have received their due measure of notice. However, the fpfegoing will serve'lo illustrate'to some extent the growth in many directions which has attended the opening up of a new country, and with its proximity to Auckland, and served by the railway, it is safe to predict a much more rapid growth for the district during the twelve months next ensuing.