MR TAPLIN'S NEW WAREHOUSE

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1066, 30 July 1883, Page 2

MR TAPLIN'S NEW WAREHOUSE

Among the many improvements that private enterprise has added to the town of Patea from time to time none; presents a more striking appearance than the line building recently erected by Mr S. Taplin, at the top of Bedford street, or, as it is more familiarly known, Taplin’s corner. Situated on a commanding position at the southern entrance to the tovvn.'it is one of the first things to strike llie eye of the new comer and impress him with a conviction of the progress that Patea has been and is malting. Responding to the invitation of Mr Taplin we had a look through the new premises the other day, and, ns ..'affording a fair illustration of the growth of local business, a brief

account ofwhatwe saw may not bo, .considered ont of place in these columns. And how rapid that growth has been, only those who' are able to look back to: Patea in ’6B can thoroughly realise. The township—for it had bat little claim to be otherwise called—was then situated on the. sandhills by the river side, a site about as uninviting as could have been selected. Considering the state of the country, however, it was, perhaps, the best that could be had at the time. The community consisted of about forty people,, independent of the military, and even at that early day trade reared her head and was flourishing. Amongst those who were in business may be mentioned Messrs G. Beamish, Wi Dale, E. Lewis, Finnimore Ussher, and others. Situated as the township was, it is not extraordinary that it was somewhat noted for the production of two things, sandflies and thirst ; and although no satisfactory cure could be discovered for the former,, residents wore able to satisfy‘the other by the aid of the “ sparkling ” from the brewery kept by Mr Emory. Yes, even then Patea had its brewery; and although the. local beer did not attain the celebrity that Mr Gibbons has since won for it, still it passed muster. Then there were a couple of “ shops,” hotels we had better say, kept by Messrs Campbell and Summers; and down on the flat ivas a largo building known as Casey’s Hotel, . The, last-named was removed when the township was abandoned in favour of the present site, and Mr Casey then built .the Australasian Hotel, part of which is composed of material from the old structure on the flat. The block-house stood- on the edge of the township, and was manned by a company of old soldiers called the Patea Rifles, who were commanded by Captain Richard Blake. The other troops wore at the headquarters, where the Bank of Australasia now stands. The redoubt, or whatever it was, was built round Captain Wray’s old house, in Egmont-street, a modest dwelling of two rooms. On the other side of Lin-coln-street, about where Mr Dale’s new house is, was an iron building which was used os an orderly room and these, we believe, were at that lime the only erections in the vicinity. Colonel Lyons was in charge of the troops here* and skirmishes with the natives were not unfrequent. About that time, the end. of ’6B, or the beginning of ’69 the Otauto pah was taken, and Tauroa and other natives made prisoners, and sent to Dunedin. The attacking party was led, we think, by Major Noake, and with him were a company of old soldiers called the veterans, commanded by Captain Kells, who is now living at Waitolara. Soon after the pah was taken, Titokowarn came down the coast and carried; everything before him almost to Wanganui. He ultimately took up his quarters at Nukumaru, and constructed a pah there. His subsequent actions we need not refer to here, but it seems strange that on his passage through the district he did not attempt to molest the little community on the sandhills, and left to themselves they commenced to prosper. The shipping trade was represented by a small steamer called the Tongariro, which ran from Wanganui at intervals of six weeks or two months. If circumstances were favourable she would sometimes come once a month but such occasions were rare. ‘Besides the steamer there was a little vessel called the Dart, commanded by Captain Odgers, and another named the Patea whose skipper’s name was Tilly.. Both these craft traded to Wanganui and their visits were ; uncertain in the extreme. The river then used to'ruu along under the cliff and it required a fortuitous combination of circumstances to enable the sailing craft to get in, and when in it was often a long while before they could get out. The breakwater wasn’t thought of in those days, and as the course of the river was somewhat erratic, the gallant captains were very much more dependent upon the caprice of the wind than they would be if they were trading here now. It required a favourable “slant” to enable them to steer the course, and as the said “ slant ’’ was often a long while coming it is not surprising that their stay in port was frequently protracted to a vexatious extent. We grumble now if through bad weather our handy little steamers are delayed a day or two) but we tremble to think what the consequences would be if we had to put up with the inconveniences which were borne—like philosophers—by the pioneers of the settlement. By and by the troops moved 1 ' farther up the coast and as native affairs got quieter settlers began to return. Roads were made and townships laid off in ten acre blocks, and by arrangement with, the Government, of which Sir William Pox (then Mr) was premier, settlers were enabled to defer the payment of their land over a term of years. This worked very well, and many who took up those sections have since'had good cause to be thankful. Blockhouses wore erected at Waverley, Manutahi, Hawera,. and at Waihi, where the troops were, and were manned chiefly by the. settlers, many of whom were familiar with military life. . As might be supposed, when things commenced to be a bit settled, it was not long before the people on the sandhills began to think how much more comfortable they would be at the other, (present) township. Bat before there was a general move in this direction;: Mr Taplin, early in 1870, made a bold resolve. He had then been in business nearly two years, and satisfied with the prospect,, he determined to permanently locate in the new town. He interviewed Mr Carrington, and the result was that he chose a, block, which for business purposes was then, as it is now, one of the best in the place. As we mentioned before, the only buildings in Patea.wero the redoubt surrounding Captain Wray’s house, and the small iron shanty usedas an Orderly room. When, therefore, Mr Taplin announced his Intention of shifting his quarters many people thought he had taken leave of liis senses as on account of the Maoris it was an extremely risky thing to venture beyond

where Haywood’s Hotel now is. Mr Taplin, being possessed of a tolerable share of English doggedness, was not to be torned from his purpose, and in due time the cutter Patea arrived with the material for the new store.- This was erected, the contract being taken by Messrs Holtham and Locker, who are yet residents in Patea. Of. course the new building was the feature of the district, and in those primitive days was looked upon as something magnificent. Well, to make our story short. It was not long before the rest of. the residents on the sandhills followed Mr Taplin’s example, and gradually buildings were put up, new people came, and the district went ahead. For a period of twelve years Mr Taplin has occupied his store, and business has grown and prospered, until finally, last' year, the necessity for more commodious premises could not be delayed any longer. Mr Taplin then decided to build upon bis corner section, and Mr Knott was instructed to prepare the plans for a twostorey building, large enough to meet the requirements of an extensive and increasing trade. That the architect succeeded no one who looks at the handsome premises which.;grace the southern end of the town will deny. The outside is pleasing to the eye and the s internal arrangements are quite in keeping. The main shop, the entrance to which is at the corner, is a commodious and lofty apartment, and so arranged as to display to the best advantage : the well assorted stock that it contains. There are two handsome counters filled with drawers and the usual conveniences, while the cannisters, displaying the proprietor’s name are so arranged upon the shelves as to attract the. attention of everyone who enters the shop. Te the loft is the office, a cosy little room with fire place, and it is here that the genial owner is usually found, ready either to discuss business or politics with his numerous visitors. At the rear of the shop Is the warehouse which contains a large goods in bulk such as . are ally to be found in a merchant’s store Off this is a convenient cellar or bottling room, the,contents of which we are able to say are first class. - -Water is laid on, and there is a sink-and-waste pipe to carry off the drainage.- On the the right hand side of the’ shop is situated the boot room, which is fitted with cupboards to preserve the stock from the dust. The windows are enclosed with glass as are also those in the shop, and this has been found most- useful in preventing an accumulation of.dustupon the articles therein displayed. A door leads from the boot room into the private hall which also has an entrance from the main ?treet. A handsome staircase ascends to the upper storey which is the dwelling house. At the top is'a commodious hall, wainscoted and papered and lighted by a window at; either end. Immediately to the left is the bathroom, with water laid on and the usual conveniences. Resting upon the 'roof of this and the adjoining room, a comfortable little bedroom, is the watertank which has a capacity of. 2000 gallons. From it a supply is led all over the building and besides being a great convenience’ it affords good protection against fire, a hose having been provided of sufficient length to -enable it to be used anywhere on the premises. The next room is .a bedroom, wellproportioned and lofty, as indeed all the rooms are, and containing a and large wardrobe built in a recUR Adjoining this is the dining-room—-a fine apartment, 24-x 16. - Further on there is another bedroom,,’ and on the other side of the passage is the drawing room, handsomely papered, and ■ with fireplace, &c., in keeping. . All these rooms command fine views of the sea. Returning along the passage we come, to the kitchen, which is fitted with a double-range.made by Messrs McCarty and Hunger,' and which gives the greatest satisfaction to those who s use it. Adjoining the kitchen are the sciillery with water laid qq, and the .’servant’s bedroom, while outside the building is a flight of stairs leading down”!to the yard. There are two linen closets in the passage, and three more bedrooms go to make up as convenient and pleasant dwelling as one could wish for. No - room appears to have‘been wasted and the whole presents a substantial and comfortable appearance. .Of course difficulties had to be overcome,, owing to defaulting contractors, - but these, troubles have been surmounted,.and the result is that Mr Taplin now.possesses one of the best contrived stores and dwelling honses upon the Coast, and = one of which no town, need be ashamed. Mr Boagey. has had n great deal to do; with this happy result, the work having been, carried out by day labour under his supervision, after the defection of the contractor. Mr McComisfey was also called in to finish the painting, &c., which he did quickly, and to the proprietor’s satisfaction. We, must' congratulate Mr Taplin upon his enterprise, which no doubt " will, be’ • rewarded and in conclusion’ wo venture to expressthe hppe)that[we may, before many years, be again called upon to witness a furtherextension of premises not only on his part but upon those of other business men in -town. It will be our pleasure always to notice ! such improvements because they are a sure index of the progress of the surrounding- country upon which we depend so. much.