PIONEERING IN MANGARAKAU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 13 February 1909, Page 3

PIONEERING IN MANGARAKAU.

SUCCESS OF ERSTWHILE MANAWATU RESIDENTS.

In a recent issue of the Nelson Colonist, is published a report of a banquet tendered to the Hon. R. McKenzie, at Mangarakau, at the head of West Haven, formerly known as West Wanganui. As several of those who were prominent in the function are erstwhile Manawalu residents, we re-publish a portion of the report: The banquet was held in the loft of the large stables of Messrs Prouse and Saunders, the pioneer sawmillers of that district. Mr N. L. Buchanan, attorney and manager of the Taitapu gold estates, presided, and Mr N. G. Saunders occupied the vice-chair. The latter, in proposing “ the uture prosperity of the district,” said that it was five years since his arrival, and during that time there had been great development. A large area of land was about to be cut up for close settlement, Haven provided an excellent sheltering place for vessels when delayed by bad weather. In acknowledging the toast proposed in his honour, the Hon. Mr McKenzie referred to the coal fields and quartz reefs in the district

In speaking of the timber industry he congratulated Messrs Prouse and Saunders on their enterprising spirit in investing so much capital in Mangarakau. He felt sure they would reap their reward, and hoped to see in another five years’ time 500 people where there were 150 that day. Mr Percy Prouse, late of Kevin, is reported as having proposed the toast of “ Kocal Bodies.”

la proposing the “ Mining Industries,” Mr J. Williams said that on the Taitapu estate large areas of coal were now being developed, and seams varying from three leet to nine feet in thickness had been traced for some three miles. In a few years he believed the place would be a busy coal centre, and West Haven would be a busy harbour. The Taitapu estate was not only rich in minerals, but it contained rich farm lands, which could now be purchased on easy terms. It also contained large areas of milling timber and flax, and he congratulated Messrs Prouse and Saunders on their enterprise in installing up-to-date sawmilling and flaxmilHng plants, which had materially added to the prosperity of the district, With better roads and harbour improvements, Mangarakau would be one of the most prosperous places in the Island. Mr E. J. Graham, late of Levin, and clerk to Messrs Prouse and Saunders, in a capital speech, proposed the Ministry. In the course of his reply, the Hon. Mr McKenzie said that, as far as it lay in his power, he was going to push on the mining industry in that country. Mr Hounsell, late of Foxton, is reported as having proposed the toast of ‘‘The Old Folks at Home.”

At a deputation which subsequently waited on the Minister, Mr Buchanan mentioned that the Taitapu estates were about to cut up about 10,000 acres of land for settlement.

The Minister promised to have a trial survey made for a track across from Collingwood via Kaituna. The question of beaconing West Haven would also be brought under the notice of the Minister of Marine.

We might mention that Messrs Prouse and Saunders dig their own cdai* for motive purposes in the flix and saw mills. We feel sure that the many friends of the ex-Manawatuites, whose names we have mentioned, will be pleased to hear of the success which is attending their pioneering enterprise. It would also appear that there is plenty of room in the district mentioned for enterprising young fellows in this district who desire to carve out a bright future in fresh fields.