TEMUKA: ITS RISE AND PROGRESS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 187, 18 October 1879, Page 2

TEMUKA: ITS RISE AND PROGRESS.

No 1

The portion of South Canterbnry usually termed the Temuka district, is a block of land north of the Opihi River, extending a few miles eastward and westward of the Great South Road, which leads from Christchurch to Timaru. It is watered by the Temuka and Waihi Rivers. The land about is of good quality. For the most part the land was purchased fr. m the Government some 12 or 15 years back, a poation of it at 10s an acre, but the greater part at the upset price of £2 per acre. On the west side of the road, the land, by being so much liable to the floods, has been from time to time greatly altered by the soil being removed, and shingle deposited in its place. Where it has not been disturbed from this cause, the land is really fine, possessing a kindly soil, and the grass for sweetness and feeding qualities, is not surpassed in any other district in Canterbury. East of the road, the soil is heavier, and a good part of it deep swamp. A considerable part has, however, been brought under cultivation, and invariably produces good crops. In the middle of this district, on the east and west aides, but particularly on the east side of of the Great South Road, has sprung uxJ a township, or townships, for, like most portions of the Middle Island, where one township is laid out, some one surveys another township, till, what is termed Temuka, there are five townships. The township of Epworth, composed of a small clump of houses, excepting a neat cottage belonging to Mr John Myers, and one owned by Mr H. Holloway, may be termed the cut and nail sort. Next comes George Town, both being on the south bank of the Temuka River, the former west, and the latter east, of the main road. Then there is the township of Wallingford, N. of the Temuka River, partly W., but chiefly E., of the Great South Road. Fourth on the list is Arowhenua. This is a Government township. It is bounded on the E. by the cemetery ; on the S. by the domain ; on tiie W. by the railway reserve; and on the N. by a road which divides it from Mr Tavender’s farm. Lastly, cornea Sod ! Town, so-called because of its being solely

built of sods. It is a small township, and peopled mainly by laboring men, who came out as immigrants a few years ago. The oldest of these townships does not date back beyond 18 or 20 years The beginnings were small, stimulated by bus!) trade. The progress of the two firstnamed was never great. Latterly they have been going back. This is not the case with Wallingford, or the other townships, Although some fourteen or fifteen years ago, the only houses between the Rangitata River and Timaru were four accommodation houses— Rangitata, Or&ri, Temuka, and Arowhenua. Other houses were Captain McPherson's residence, Orari Station, William Kenneth McDonald’s Rakapuka Station. Mr Alfred Cox’s Arowhenua Station, Mr William Hornbrookes with Mr William Neil’s and Mr_ George Dyson’s farmhouses. At time the journey from Christchurch to Timaru was a weary and monotonous ride. There were no telegraph poles, no railways, no bridges, not even a wooden culvert. Tins made crossing the rivers extremely dangerous, and many lives were lost. All that then existed of Wallingford was the Nugget Hotel, kept by Mr Joseph Dews. is now the Crown Hotel. For a year or two little change took place. Some small buildings werepntup, amongst the rest a store by Mr Thomas Copestake. This also served as a Post Office. The Christchurch bag was usually made up with three letters. By-and-bye, Mr John Hayhurst, who had erected a flour-mill at Milford, built a store of some 30ft by 30ft, which was no inconsiderable building in those days, and what made people stare it bad two storeys. Mr Julius Mendeison, who had with his partner, Mr Morris, commenced storekeeping at Pleasant Valley shortly before, agreed to become salesman of Mr Hayhurst’s flour, and rented the building, or part of it, and commenced atorekeeping in Temuka, or rather Wallingford. About this time also, Mr Henry Forward established the first local manufactory in the Temuka district. He erected a brewery, called the Eclipse Brewery. About this time the Canterbury Education Act came into force. A.school existed in George Town, taught by Mr Daniel Ferguson in his own house. This being considered inconvenient, the following gentlemen met and formed the first committee —Dr Raynor, Mr John Hayhurst, Mr Henry Forward, Mr Andrew Paterson, and Mr Alexander Wilson. The latter gentleman was elected chairman. Steps were immediately taken to procure funds to put up a building. This was no easy matter in those days, when the district had to find three-fourths of the money, instead of the liberal allowance under the last Canterbury Ordinance. when the Provincial Government furnished five-sixths of the expense. Notwithstanding the sparseness of the population, and the little money that was in the district, the committee mailaged to gather the sura required, and a small wooden building, measuring sixteen feet by thirty, was the result. When the building was finished the occasion was celebrated, by an opening soiree, or tea party. Although this was the first of this sort of entertainment in the district, over two hundred, gathered from all quarters, were present, and enjoyed a very happy evening. About the close of the entertainment, one of the far-famed southwest busters of those days came on of wind and rain, bringing with it such pitch darkness that few ventured out, and those particularly from Timaru (Mr Horton, the editor of the ‘Tomahawk,’ amongst the: number) had to spend the rest of the night in the new school-room, making a raid upon the cakes that the ladies had provided for the tea, and quenchir g their thirst with good beer of Temuka brew. Shortly after this Messrs Clarkson and Turnbull purchased and enlarged Mr Copestake’s store, by-and-bye a post-office was built, also Dyson’s Royal Hotel, Mr Gray’s foundry, Mr Marshall’s bakery, Mr C, J. Rayner’s chemist shop, and other buildings. Mr J. Martin, who had a store in the Arowhenua Bush, also removed, and built and opened a general store. For a time the little town seemed to hang in the balance. Such was Temuka, or Wallingford, some ten or twelve years ago, A few houses scattered here aud there, with no bank, no post or telegraph office, no church, no Mechanic’s Institute, not a tailor or shoemaker’s shop, or a cabinet-maker’s, or any other trade except a blacksmith shop, and a butcher who managed to dispose of a sheep and a-half a week. Comparing that state of things with what we now see, there is not so much to complain of, considering the dull times. Not only has the township of Wallingford greatly increased, but the Government township of Arowhenua has also made considerable progress. What may be termed Temuka (taking these townships together) would cover over a square mile. Houses have sprung up in every direction. There are five churches —the English Church, the Wesleyan Church, the Catholic Church, the Scotch Church, and the Maori Church. It is noticeable that Temuka is one of the few towns in the Middle Island where the churches exceed the number of the hotels There are only four hotels—the Crown, belonging to Mr Leonard Toombs ; the Star, belonging to Mr Michael Quin ; the Royal, belonging to Mrs Heap ; and the Caledonian, belonging to Mr Bartley. The first and third are the oldest; both have had a good deal of money expended upon them, but it has chiefly been upon back buildings, each of the proprietors intending at some future time to put rip new front buildings of a more substantial sort. The accommodation in each is fair, considering the state of the buildings. The second hotel, the Star, has avery handsome building put up in front of the old one. Indeed tae proprietor, Mr Quin, seems to have spared no expense in making the new building a very handsome one of two stories high, a handsome balcony, and extremely ornamental The interior of the new building is also well planned and well furnished, providing accommodation equal to first class hotels in large towns. The Caledonian is a iery plain building, the architect, who was the first landlord, aiming more at making money than a name for being a good arfchifcect. In Canterbury hotels aro not so numerous as in Otago.. For curiosity s sake we counted twenty-three hotels within a distance of twenty-two miles in a district not far from Dunedin ; while in one of the inland towns, a whole street was lined on each side with hotels, and at top of the street stood a largo building, like an old patriarch, with the ominous words in large letters painted above the door “ Temperance Hall-’’ Wo could not heip thinking what ‘ an unruly family the old patriarch would have to deal with

when the steam got fairly up. The town possesses only one bank, the "New Zealand. At one - time there was another, the National. Indeed it may be said to have been the first, as they both opened on the same day. The National, however, having first resolved to open in Tenmka, got the lion’s share of public and private accounts. Nor a time it was well and 1 ably conducted by Mr MTntosh, and the Bank of New Zealand by Mr Cuff. For a time the National did a good business, until a change of management took place, the Jnew agent, being rather eccentric, not always pleasing his customers. Some very amusing incidents may be related in connection with this gsntleinan’a stay amongst us. It appears the little shanty had oniy a but aud a ben, the bank in the one end, and the I.© 1 room, drcß;ing-room, parlor, and kitchen in the other. The occupant being at times a little nervous, and being his first promotion to the honor of banker, bis business could not let him sleep, and the grounds around the bank were not fenced in. Some good dame hard by kept a lot of fowls, and one of the loosters prided himself in perching on the door step and kept up a crowing in the morning too soon for her friend, and disturbed his rest. A complaint to the old dame soon put an end to that, but there live I near by a wag of a painter, who, knowing the nervous temperament of the banker, took pleasure in going below his bedroom window just as the poor young gentleman began to sooth himself to sleep, with the proud thought passing through his mind that he was a banker, and could make or break Temuka as ho pleased, when confound that rooster, up he starts and claps his wings and crows, or rather the wagish painter blew the blast night after night. This went on, till what between the fightings with the owner of the rooster, aud the thoughts of the quires of dishonored bills that stared him in the face, the poor young banker was completely worn to a skeleton. He now declared that the house was haunted, and that be must seek new lodgings. With the care and worry and want of sleep, his hair forgot its sleekness, and stood out like a porcupine’s quills. A change of lodgings he must have. He, therefore, removed to the Crown Hotel, and went, to bed with a six-barrel revolver alongside the cash-box, placed underneath his pillow. Here he composed himself to rest, thinking for once he was safe from the old dame’s roosters. It happened however that a neighbor’s cow had just calved which, for some reason or other, the owner had removed. Poor old Crum my took it into her head that her offspring had got into the hotel, and, placing her muzzle to within a foot of the young man’s bedroom window, she opened with such a bellowing as fairly drove the sleeper out of his senses Waking up, he first thought that bankers were like lawyers—doomed to be removed to hot quarters, to await their examination and fina 1 discharge. The poor cow kept lowing all the night. In the morning he came to the conclusion that Temuka must belong to an owner who hailed from a warm climate, and that it was already too hot for him. Shortly after, the inspector who was another of the same kidney, gave orders to shut up the bank, and, regardless of the interests of those who had supported the bank, drove some to destruction and others to Bedlam. Thus ended the career of the National Bank in Temuka. Since then, the Bank of New Zealand has conducted the whole business The building in which the business is now carried on is a handsome wooden building of two stories, constructed of wood and a concrete foundation, having a manager, an accountant, and two clerks, who do a good business. We have stated a’ready that there was a schoolroom, but no schoolmaster’s house. From a beginning, with about 30 children, the school has increased to over 200, with nearly 400 on the books, with some private schools besides, A two-roomed house was, after a time, built for the teacher, and the small schoolroom was added to by a wing on the east, a building 18ft by 60ft. The school is still increasing. Another supporter to our little bantling, was added, of similar dimensions, on the west end. One would think with two such sturdy supporters the old . “ classical ” building in the centre would stand for a century. Such however is not the case. From whatever cause, whether from the high price of nails, the suppleness of the timber, or that its new neighbour does not care for its company, we know not ; but so it is that the new part has sheered off, and looks like a liberal imbiber of Sfrank’s beer, rather corpulent to be in really good health. The other supporter has yet a good constitution, and may hold on until the £5,000,000 loan is negotiated. During the time passed over, the school has also seen many changes in its masters. Mr Ross, a good teacher, and a better pugilist, kept the schoolt ogether. He had a quaint way of settling grievances. When anyone came with a complaint, ho took OxT his coat, and told them he was ready to settle it with them. Complaints, as may be imagined, were few and far between. There is sometimes a little need for this summary way of settling accounts even now. Parents .neglect to send their children to school, and do not help them at home, and yet complain that they don’t get on. Mr Ross however left for a higher situation. After him came Mr McFarlaue, then Mr Thomson, after him Mr Barrett, next Mr Raynor, then Mr Rowe, all of whom, we are proud to say, have been promoted. This speaks well for the judgment of the committees in their work of selection. The last of the number —poor Mr Rowe ! —wo hope, has got the highest promotion. Kind and obliging to all, beloved by his pnpils, after a lingering illness he died, it may bo said, in harness. The school is now under the head mastership of Mr Alexander Mclntosh, who apparently is ccaially entitled" to promotion with any that has gone before. Mr Mclntosh is ably assisted by Mrs Rowe as head mistress, also a second master and mistress, with several pupil teachers. With a town or township, and such a numerous rising generation, the school buildings are simply a disgrace to flourishing South Canterbury. There is a Mechanics’ Institute, with a fair library, and large membershsp. Other institutions are The Masons’ Lodge, only opened a short time since ; the Ancient and Independent Order of Oddfellows, numbering about 80 members, with their neat, concrete hall, facing the main road; the Manchester (J.1.0.0.F., but the former has as yet the largest number of members ; the Good Templars, and the Junior Good Templars, with a new hall built of wood. The Good Templars

are a numerous body, which continues to add to its membership. The No. 1. T.R. Volunteers, numbering about GO, commanded by Captain A. Young, Lieuts. Findlay and Whyte, and Sergeants E. Brewer and Wood head. The company possesses a large hall. It was the first hall built in Teranka, and has been a most useful building for holding public meetings in. The Fire Brigade has a hand engine, and a most actine, but illrewarded, company of ready uolunteers, A Post and Telegraph Office, with Mr Smith manager and three clerks ; Magistrate’s Court which meets every Wednesday, presided over by Franks -'Gniuess, Esq., Resident Magistrate Geraldine, Ashburton, and Temnka; a Licensing Court with John Gamack and Samuel Barker, Esqs., jis Licensing Comniissfoners ; Police Station, in charge of Sergeant Carlyoa and Constable Rooney; the Road Board Office, a very neat and convenient building of wood—the Board consists of five members, John Talbot, Esq. (chairman), and Messrs R. Barker, M. Quinn, A Ensor, and J. Hayhurst’ Esqs , as members. This Board is also the Board of Health for the district, with Dr Rayner ns its medical officer ; a Public Park or Domain Board, with Dr Rayner (chairman), J. Paterson, J. Meyers, A. Wilson, and K. F. Gray, Esqs., as members ; a Cemetery Board, with R. Wood (chairman), .J. Uayluirst, J. Brown, J. Mendelson, M. Quinn, and K. F. Gray, Esqs., as members ; Clergymen—Rev. Mr Clynton English Church, Rev. Mr Harper Wesleyan Church, Rev. Father Pavel Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church vacant, Rev. Mr Stack visiting minister of the Maori Church ; Dr Rayner, Dr Gumming, and Dr Hayes medical gentlemen, the latter two dispensing their own medicines ; there is also a long established dispensary carefully watched over by J. C. Rayner, Esq. Manufactories, Com mercial, and Public Buildings in our next Saturday’s issue.