SOME EARLY HISTORY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3848, 22 September 1928, Page 3

SOME EARLY HISTORY.

PAIAKA THE FIRST SETTLEMENT. RANGIHAETA’S WARNING. PIONEERS OF FIRST INDUSTRIES. [Excerpts from Manawatu Herald.] The site of the Paiaka mill is one of the most historic in the Manawatu from a local history point of view. Before the purchase of the land by the- Government from the Natives, a few settlers located themselves in this district, about the year 1844 when the Rev. Mr. J. Duncan came here as missionary to the Natives, and Messrs Kebbell started a mill at Haumearoa, Mr. Cook, at Paiaka, on the opposite side of the river, opening a store, and Mr. Robinson taking a run for cattle lower down the river. Afterwards Messrs H. and C. Symons settled at Oturoa.

The Maoris in those days welcomed the arrival of the Europeans and considerable trade was carried on by them with the Europeans at Paiaka up to the time of the Wairau massacre. There were several thousand Natives living on the banks of the river at the time, nearly every reach between the Heads and the Gorge having its pah, or settlement. As a result of the increasing demand arising for wheat, potatoes, flax, rope, etc., in the. Wellington market, Mr. Cook built two schooners of about 40 tons each, the shipwrights being Messrs F. Abel and G. Nye. These vessels and one purchased by Messrs Kebbell were the first to conduct a regular trade between the Manawatu and Wellington. Messrs Kebbell, after a time, however, found that so much wheat was being grown locally that they converted their timber mill into a flour mill and were successful millers up to the time of the Wairau massacre. With the coming of Rangihaeta from across the Straits, with his armed followers, however, there was a general breaking up of the friendly relations between the Europeans and the Natives. Rangiheata and his followers retreated to Poroutawhao, and the various tribes along the banks of the Manawatu abandoned their industrious pursuits. Rangihaeta, apprehending an attack from the Government in relation for the horrible massacre, sent several notices to the settlers warning them to leave, on receipt of which Messrs Kebbell, Cook, Hartley, and Compton proceeded to the Poroutawhao pah to ascertain the meaning of the Rangihaeta’s orders. Rangihaeta reiterated his request for all Europeans to leave the district and gave as his reasons for so doing that he would not be responsible for their safety as he expected other tribes to join him from Waikato and Taupo to whom the settlers would be unknown and hence their danger.

The Government, hearing of the critical state of affairs, chartered a schooner to take all those wishing to Wellington. All families availed themselves of the opportunity excepting Messrs Cook and H. and C. Symons, who elected to remain and take their chance. The Government refrained from taking any action in regard to the massacre and things gradually quietened down and nearly all those who had left returned and settled once more on the banks of the Manawatu. Since that time and even during the Taranaki, Waikato, and Wanganui wars, and the Maori King movement, the tribes south of Wanganui to Wellington, -viz., the Ngatiraukawas, Mokukus, Ngatihapas, Ngatitoas, and Ngatiawas, were, on the whole, loyal to the Government, and friendly with the Europeans.

Conditions at Paiaka flourished thereafter for some years until the native trade fell off and Mr. Kebbell removed his flour mill to Te Aro, Wellington, and Mr. Cook removed his store to Foxton. Then for a time this erstwhile busy spot in the early days of the Manawatu was deserted and the scene lapsed into its native solitude. Thus it remained until 1882 when the demand for timber again arose, and once more, but on the opposite side of the river, the steam engine was requisitioned for turning the trees into suitable building timber. On this trade once more becoming slack the plant was used for flax dressing, but after passing through three different hands the most saleable portions of the mill were taken away and peace and quietness was once more allowed to reign at Paiaka. Mr. Robert Gardner was the next person to revive industry at this spot in 1889, when he started the Paiaka Hemp Mill. A ferry was constructed across the river, and the finished article was transported to the Kereru railway station on the Manawatu Railway Co’s. line. Mr. Thompson was mill manager, and the buildings were erected by Messrs Bacon and Speirs, of Foxton. Mr. Gardner acquired a block of bush on the road to Kereru station and his carts loaded firewood for the mill, on their return trips. Coal was also used when the mill first started, but owing to the cost being 35/- per ton landed at the mill, wood was later substituted. Three strippers were engaged and they turned out 15 tons of fibre a week. Over 40 hands were employed. Hemp at the time was quoted at Wellington as follows: Fine, £3B to £39; good, £36 10/- to £37; mid., £36 to £36 10/-; com. and mid. (nom.), £34 10/- to £35 10/-.