MEMOIRS

OF THE

KIHI KIHI DISTRICT

COMPILED BY

G. R. McGHIE Snr.

1947

• The early missionary History of Kihi Kihi and a full description of the Military, with their movements, also the Battle of Orakau, are well described by Jas. Cowan, in his book, “ The Old Frontier ”; so do not need repetition here.

• These Memoirs, or records, will give a list of the very first Settlers and Residents who came in those early days to make a home. All records given will be as far as possible before 1900, a few being carried past that date only to complete them.

EARLY DAYS

IN KIHI KIHI

HE BOUNDARIES of the Kihi Kihi district so far as this article is concerned, will be is follows:

Commencing at the junction of Main South and St. Leger Roads, following St. Leger Road, to Puniu River, then following Puniu River to S.E. Corner of Messrs. Brotherhoods’ Farm, along what is known as the " confiscated boundary ", until it strikes the Mangahoe Stream, following this stream and road running beside it until is crosses Golf Road to the Main South Road.

The Kihi Kihi Town District lies in the centre of this Block but will be dealt with separately.

As with most Pioneer Towns and Country Districts, no records have been kept as to who were the very first settlers. In this article it is the intention to try and give the names of those who first took up or bought sections and started to make a home in a new land.

As is well known, when the Maori War in 1864 ended, with the Battle of Orakau, there were Militia and Imperial Troops stationed in Kihi Kihi for some time. The Militia were men between the ages of 19 and 45 who had been conscripted or joined the various Companies, every man between those ages being compelled to join up.  New arrivals were treated in the same manner.  The Imperial Troops, or the " 1/- a day men ” as they were called, had served in India and various parts of the world, some had many years' service to their credit before being sent to New Zealand.

When it was decided that there was no further danger from the Maoris, the Militia were disbanded.  Every private was given a grant of 50 acres and a town section; a corporal 60 acres; a sergeant 80 acres and a captain a much larger block.  They were also given a few hundred feet of timber and some rations for a year or two.  The timber was pit sawn by various Militiamen

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at several places handy to the township.  The Bush in those days extended to about Mr S. Temple's.

The Imperial Troops were given the option of taking their discharge on the same terms as the Militia, and quite a number did so.  Most of the grants of land were not in the Kihi Kihi district.  Some idea of the value of these grants may be had when, as is well known, a number of men who bad no intention of settling in the district, sold their grants, including their town section for from five to ten pounds, and departed to Thames Goldfields or some other district where work was more plentiful.  A few who could not find a purchaser, even on those terms, not wanting to settle there, went away, not even bothering to get their Title.

At that time a dense bush extended for several miles alone, the Mangahoe River or Valley, from both sides of the low Kihi Kihi - Te Awamutu Road to Orakau; a block of Ti-tree and scrub from below the Schoolhouse, Kihi Kihi, to near the Freemasons' Hall, Te Awamutu.

All who have written about the early days refer to the numerous peach groves about Kihi Kihi and Orakau, also the number of large almond trees.  There is no doubt that in the springtime, it was a beautiful sight to see the peach and almond trees in full bloom.  Judging from their size they must have been planted about 1845 or even earlier. Their origin has never been satisfactorily explained.  Did the Missionaries give the Maoris young plants? Or give them the fruit, the stones being thrown out wherever they were crimped?  Some idea of some of the almond trees can be gained, from the fact that a swing for children and adults was attached to one at the front of the schoolmaster’s house where the annual school picnic was held for several years.

Then the railroad was one hundred miles away.  All goods and produce were carted to and from Alexandra (Pirongia), and along the Waipa and Waikato Rivers to Mercer.

Was it to be wondered it that men who had no experience of farming would go to another district where, work was to be found?  Several settlers' wives took three days to come from Auckland to Kihi Kihi; first day by coach to Mercer, 

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second day by steamer (Bluenose) to Ngaruawahia, delivering goods on the way, third day up the Waipa River to Pirongia, then to Kihi Kihi by dray some time during the night.  Others arrived by road in dray or trap, taking about the same time or longer.  There were no buggies in those days; when they arrived at their destination there was no modern bungalow to go to, no coal or electric range - their dwellings would now be described as "whares".  Camp ovens were used for bread making, and also for the family roast.  A few years later the Colonial oven as it was called, did away with the camp oven.

During those early days, there were several scares that the Maoris were going to raid the district, so all women and child­ren went in to the township and slept in the barracks or some cottage close to the barracks, while the men did sentry duty, all returning to their homes during the day.  One sturdy settler (Jas. Henderson), held that there was never any danger, and remained on his farm when all the others went into the township at nights. He always bluntly declared that a certain interested party raised those scares.

It may here be stated that credit should be given to the Maoris that they never made any raids on this district, although it was generally admitted that they could have wiped out the early settlers.  The only incident of any account was the murder of a man near the Puniu River, for reasons, 'tis said, that has caused many such events - the Eternal Triangle!

When the settlers went on to their sections, there were no Government grants or loans, no fences, only survey pegs, and lines cut through the fern, swamp, Ti-tree and bush.  The houses they built would not be described as modern.  All kinds of temporary fences were erected.  Nearly all started with a three-sod ditch, planting gorse and white thorn on the ditch bank - some of the white thorn is still going.  The gorse in most cases has been grubbed out.

The pioneers had difficulties to contend with. Red Clover flourished for a few years and then disappeared.  During the early years cattle, horses and other stock came by road from the Auckland district and when bullocks were ready for market they were returned to Auckland by road crossing the Waikato

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River at Hamilton by punt.  Wm. Qualtrough told that when taking some bullocks by punt across the Waikato River at Hamilton, the punt capsized! Men and bullocks had to swim for the shore, no lives were lost but it took a day or two to collect the bullocks!

The following were the first to take up sections and start to make a home in a new land.  Following the boundaries given at the commencement of this article:

Along Golf Road:

In the centre of this district and along Orakau Road:

Sales and changes that took place during the " seventies”:

E. Bridgeman sold to P. McDonnell.

P. Corboy to Jas. Henderson.

J. Ross to Ogle and Sons.

Hastie to J. Short, Jnr.

J. Short to Ellis Bros.

E. Martin to Wm. Corboy, and moved on to a block on Puniu River.

The Baker family moved into " The Blockhouse “.

W. Cowan sold to J. B. Hutchinson and moved on to T. Qualtrough’s and an adjoining block.

Hill sold to Cockerline.

A. Hastie to Wm. Ashby.

F. Gordon sold to Wm. Corboy and came on to McGhie’s.

J. Bridgeman to J. V. Bryant.

The following never resided on their sections but their homes were in the township: T. Anderson, Wm. Corboy, G. Maunder, W. Molloy, and F. Gordon.

The above were the settlers and changes that took place during the early years of settlement.

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Changes from then to 1900 were:

P. McDonnell sold to P. Collins.

P. Collins sold to S. Armstrong in 1896.

Ogle sold to A. Armstrong.

Ellis Bros. to Dixon Trust.

A. Kay and family moved to the Parawera district, Wm. Qualtrough moved in.

Wm.  Cowan left the district in 1887, the farm being to

A. Potts for about 3 years.

H. Warden bought and sold to J. Kewish a few years later.

Wm. Qualtrough’s farm was leased to Walton, later taken over by A. Buckland who sold to N. McDonald in 1892, sold half farm to M. S. Lawrie, who sold to B. McGechie about 1898.

Apart from the farms mentioned, there were a number of reserves – Native, Education, Hospital and Domain, but these lay idle for years.

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FIRST CROPS AND

EARLY INDUSTRIES

DAIRYING: Milk was set in wide pans and skimmed next day.  Butter was made, salted, put in small kegs and sent to Auckland, realising 6d to 9d per lb or sold to local storekeepers to pay grocery bill.

POTATOES: Potatoes were grown, but owing to Freight and Cartage there were only a limited number planted until the railway came later.  Later a considerable acreage was grown in this and other districts, with the result in oversupply on the Auckland market, prices were so low that some settlers about 1890-1892 received only a few shillings return for a five-ton truck.  As the Maoris were paid 6d per sack for picking, sacks were worth about 4d each, plus cartage to station, it left ­the growers out of pocket.  That, with the blight later, put a damper on potato growing for a time.

HARVESTING: A favourite way of breaking in land in those early days was after clearing a few acres, to plough and plant swedes or potatoes, next season a crop of wheat or oats, then laid down in grass.  A limited acreage was sown in grass after the first ploughing; when wheat was grown the grain was taken to the nearest flourmill to be ground into flour for their own use.  A description of harvesting the wheat in those early days would be almost like a chapter taken from the Bible.  The wheat was cut by scythe or sickle, gathered up and tied by hand, stacked, later threshed by flail and winnowed by hand.  A little later R. Cockerline brought a mower with a back delivery attachment into this district.  It required two men on the machine, with another four or five men to gather up and tie the sheaves.

The first reaper and binder was brought into the district by J. B. Hutchinson, wire was used to tie the sheaves.  The driver must have often had a headache, as repairs were frequent!

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The first thrashing machine was introduced to the district by S. Short during the late seventies.  It was driven by two or three horses, the sheaves were put into the drum, the grain and chaff fell on a sheet on the ground, gathered up and put through a hand winnower.  It must be remembered that only small areas were grown.

Between 1885 and 1895 wheat and oats was grown on nearly every farm, reapers and binders could be heard all over the district: later the hum of the thresher was a familiar sound.

Some idea of the amount of grain grown can be given by stating that off one farm, J. B. Hutchinson's over 1000 sacks of wheat and oats (chiefly wheat) was thrashed in one season, about 1891.  Which in those days was worth about 2/6 per bushel or less.  Oats under 2/-: Now (1948), not one acre if grain is grown.  Reapers and threshers have now about rusted away! Later oats for chaff was grown, but the price went down to about £2 per ton, so chaff growing languished for a time.

INDUSTRIES: During the seventies two saw pits were working in Wm.  Qualtrough’s bush, one by the Armed Constabulary another by D. Donovan, E. Sullivan, J. Mattrass and J. Verner.

SHINGLES: Shingles covered all the early buildings, they were mostly split by C. Temple or F. Gordon.  Both the Alpha and the Star Hotels were covered with shingles when first built.

BRICKMAKING: About 1876, a man called Stronach made an attempt at brick making on Wm. Corboy's farm (now G. McGhie).  He made by hand two small kilns, but was not very successful owing to the fact that he had no proper kiln to burn them in.  He made another attempt nearer Kihi Kihi, on what is now W. McGhie’s farm, with a like result.

FLOUR MILL: During the early seventies S. Short started a small flour mill on the Mangaohoe Stream, a few chains outside the boundary given at the commencement of this article. It was water driven.  Farmers would take a sack or two of wheat, getting it ground into flour for their own use.

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It may be here stated that, prior to the Maori War, there was a flourmill worked by Maoris on a stream running into the Puniu River from the western side of Kihi Kihi Township.

SAWMILL: About 1880, Berry, Gairdner and Neil started a sawmill on J. B. Hutchinson's property.  It continued there for some years, cutting out all timber on Hutchinson and Cowan's property. The price of timber at that time was 8/- per 100 ft. Rimu, 7/- for Kahikatea, first grade!

FRUIT GROWING: F. Gordon started fruit growing about, 1879, gooseberries, and later apples and plums.  In a few years, R. Buckworth, E. Martins, W. H. Grace, F. Moody, G. Jen­nings, Mrs Sullivan and a number of others were growing gooseberries.  It was estimated that from the seasons 1887 to 1895 about four tons of gooseberries were sent to Auckland in one season from Kihi Kihi district.  Other districts were doing the same.  Like other produce in those days, the demand did not keep up with the supply, prices during those years rang­ing from 1d to 3d per lb in Auckland, less freight and commission, averaging several seasons between 1 ½ d and 1 ¾ d per lb nett, so gooseberry growing began to peter out.  Now the local demand exceeds the supply!  Apples and plums suffered the same fate.

DAIRYING: The early residents of Kihi Kihi Township, front the early days till after 1890, nearly all kept two or three cows which were kept on the owners' sections at night and turned out on " The Run " as it was called, during the day. “ The Run " consisted of several hundred acres of unoccupied land, town sections, Native land and reserves, only about ten per cent of town sections being fenced at that time.  However, as the sections were gradually fenced, cows had to be kept on the owners' sections, and that reduced their number to vanish­ing point in some cases.

The first farmer to supply milk to a factory creamery from this district was A. Ross, who supplied the Te Awamutu Cheese and Bacon Factory, situated on the Hairini Road, some time during the 'eighties, continuing until the Kihi Kihi

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Creamery started.  A little later J. B. Hutchinson and W. Ashby also supplied for some years and A. Potts for one season.

When Henry Reynolds and Co. was asked to erect a creamery at Kihi Kihi they asked for a guarantee of 300 cows. The Promoters had some trouble to get that number.  However, they nearly succeeded, and the creamery started operations in 1892 on a site given by A. Henderson on Orakau Road.  Jas. Bannantyne was the first manager, then Johnstone Roach to 1896, G. H. Walker to 1900. The largest supplier for the first season after the creamery started was A. Ross with about 35 cows.  It was not long before there were several larger herds.

The milking season in those days commenced about the middle of September, finishing at the end of May and closing down till September.  It was all hand milking; the price for milk was about 3d per gallon.  About half way through one season the Dairy Company notified suppliers’ that owing to unfortunate circumstance they were compelled to ask suppliers to consent to a refund on all milk supplied to date, one eighth of a penny per gallon: also to accept for the balance of the season the same reduction from agreed price, otherwise they would not take any milk from suppliers who would not consent to a refund!

Until 1897, all milk received at the creamery was measured, then weighing was adopted.  Here is a copy of how payment was arrived at in 1897:

8834 lbs=841 gals. at 3.57=834 gals at 3.6 @ 3d -£10/8/6. When the creamery commenced, milk was tested in a narrow graded tube. 10% cream was the standard milk testing, under or over was paid accordingly.

"Going to the Creamery" in those days provided a lot of excitement for the younger (and the older) generation, racing their neighbours.  It was no unusual sight to see two vehicles coming along the road; horses at a gallop, milk spouting up now and again, like a small volcano - roads were rough in those days! More than one lad arrived minus a can that had dropped out and was not missed until arriving at creamery.  One turned the corner a little too soon and upset horse and cart! A man arrived one morning with his baldhead shining

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in the sun; his hat bad blown off and he could step to pick it up as his neighbour was coming along.  Another came down the road (in a trap) at a gallop and in turning into the creamery gate, the hub hit a gatepost, the horses went straight out of the trap, the driver shot up in the air and turned half over, landing fair on his hat! For a wonder there was never a serious accident.

“ The Green " at the front of the creamery during Elec­tion time was used by older men to settle affairs of the world, discussions and arguments got so interesting that they forgot that hungry calves and pigs were waiting for breakfast - to say nothing of an irate wife!

To give some idea of the way in which farms have increased their carrying capacity, a farm that in 1893 would only carry 12 cows, is now carrying over 70 (in 1947).

The first Milking Machine to be brought into the district was by Henderson Bros. in 1907 or 1908.

The credit for bringing the first Jersey Bull auto the district goes to Henderson Senr., when the Jersey breed was not as popular as it is today. The early breeds of cattle were mostly Shorthorn or Hereford Shorthorn cross.

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THE KIHI KIHI

TOWN DISTRICT

LOCAL BODY AFFAIRS: The first Local Body was the Rangiaohia Highway District.

Jas. Farrell was the Rate Collector till 1880, then H. L. Sibley from that time till the Rangiaohia Road Board was formed some time later and remained the controlling body until merged in the Waipa County many years later.

The early settlers took an active interest in local body affairs. A. Kay was a member of the first road board, chair­man of the Kihi Kihi School Committee in the early days: J. B. Hutchinson and W. Cowan also were members of local bodies: A. Henderson was a member of Rangiaohia Road Board, later G. Mackiner represented this district on the Waipa County Council and Rangiaohia Road Board.

THE KIHIKIHI TOWN DISTRICT: was, in those days the most southerly pioneer settlement in the Auckland Pro­vince.  When first laid out, it consisted of over 400 acre sections and over ten miles of streets.

A large number of those sections were allotted to men who did not reside or intend to reside in Kihi Kihi. Many paid rates on their sections for years and then sold to adjoining owners or to new residents coming to the township. A small percentage paid no rates at all, so about 1885 the Town Board very wisely sold them for non-payment of rates, so were not troubled with absentee sections like some other Local Bodies.

The Kihi Kihi district first came under the Rangiaohia Highway District; until a Kihi Kihi Road Board was formed in1884 a Town Board came into being, the first election being held on 5^th January 1884. The following were the candidates for election: -

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The same year a loan of £ 200 was raised for street improvement in Lyon Street.  Jas.  Kennedy and Wm.  Stuart was the contractor’s for Earthworks (sixpence per yard) and P. Mc­Donnell for gravelling (two shillings and sixpence per yard). The above loan was the only one ever raised by the Town Board, rather a unique record.

GENERAL ELECTION: The population of Kihi Kihi was not very great in those early days. At the General Election in 1878 all Kihi Kihi electors had to go to Te Awamutu to vote, the two candidates then were E. McMinn, who scored 58 votes and F. Whittaker 21 votes.  The total votes cast in the Wai­kato Electorate, which included Hamilton and Cambridge, was 471, E. McMinn 252 and F. Whittaker 219.  Women's Franchise did not become law until years later.

The first polling booth in Kihi Kihi for a General Election was in the School in 1884.

STREET NAMES: When the Kihi Kihi Road Board was first formed, they were asked from Wellington to forward names for the various streets.  A meeting was called and it was arranged that all the first residents were to have the choice of having their name put on the map for certain streets, either their own name or any other that they fancied.  This was done, and the map with its names was duly sent to Wellington.  After some considerable time the Board received a map from Wellington, but not one local name was shown thereon! When the Board wrote asking for an explanation, the answer was to the effect that the Kihi Kihi map had been lost or mislaid, so they bad given the streets names of leading men in the Ministry of the time! So Grey, Herbert, Bryce, Rolleston and others were not to be altered, Lyon Street was the only one that had any " local flavour ".

" THE TOWNSHIP ": To describe the approach to Kihi Kihi about 1878 might not be amiss.  Coming from the present golf links, the only buildings before coming to the Alpha Hotel were a small cottage, a blacksmith's shop and slab dwelling.  Both sides of the road were unfenced scrub, fern and swamp.  The Kihi Kihi Hotel was on the corner opposite the "Alpha," to

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the west of which, and on the same section, was a small chemist's shop then Corboy's General Store, and further east, Corboy's Bakery.  Along the Main Road, the one roomed school, a small post office on the south corner of the section and no other buildings until Farrell's Store and Butcher's Shop on the Orakau Road.  Opposite the post office was the barracks building, surrounded by a deep trench and drawbridge and from the corner of the barrack section a gorse hedge to G. Maunders dwelling (now the Star Hotel). Behind this gorse hedge, Denny Harrigan had a small shoemaker's shop, where the town hall now stands.  A number of small cottages were dotted around the township.

The Town Board in 1900 was J. G. Elmsley (Chairman), J. Q. Tristram, Wm. Thomson, F. Moody, P. Corboy, R. Mainwaring, Clerk.

Farms continuously occupied by original owners and direct descendants:

• Only two come under this heading - P. Hayes and G. McGhie.

• Mrs Wynyard is on her grandfather’s farm (Jas.  Henderson), but it was leased to others for ­some years.

The first white child born at Orakau was Wm.  A. Cowan, now residing at Ellerslie, the next the late Wm. Kay.

The oldest local born adult now residing in Kihi Kihi is S. E. Temple.

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KIHI KIHI

CHARACTERS

In 1884 there were over 150 names on the rate Roll, but numbers were not residents only those who in early days were resident for some time will be mentioned.

JAS.  FARRELL: Jas.  Farrell might be called " The Father of the Township) ". Coming to Kihi Kihi with the Troops as a Hospital Orderly, his services were often called upon in those early' days, to bandage cuts, bruises and broken bones when it was difficult or impossible to get a doctor.  He was the first to start a butcher's shop and later a general store.  Like a true born son of the Emerald Isle, he soon took a keen interest in local body affairs, was rate collector for Rangiaohia Highway District till 1880; chairman of the Kihi Kihi Road Board when it was first formed, and when Kihi Kihi was constituted a Town District in 1884 he was the first chairman, continuing to hold that position till about the time of his death.  When seen fighting a keen town board election he was seen at his best.

M. D. DINNEEN: Before coming to Kihi Kihi with the troops had seen service in the Indian Mutiny after serving in the Waikato and Taranaki Wars as Sergeant till 1868, he joined the armed constabulary is sergeant-major until it was disbanded in 1884. He was chairman of the town board from 1890 for several years and also chairman of the school committee for some time.

MAJOR JACKSON: of the " Forest Rangers " after selling his farm in Hairini built a house in Kihi Kihi about 1877, bringing a gardener with him. He laid out in acre in flower ­and shrubs and it the show place of the district in those days.  Major Jackson represented this district in parliament for two terms.  After his mysterious disappearance from the steamer between Wellington and Onehunga, his widow resided in Kihi Kihi until her death years later.

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F. MOODY: Came to Kihi Kihi as gardener for Major Jackson, but shortly afterwards started a nursery and garden carrying on that business for many years.  He planted most of the fine trees that are growing around the town, was a member of the Town Board and chairman of the Cemetery Board.

W. THOMSON: Came to take charge of the house built by the government for " Rewi ", afterwards taking up carting.  With W. Qualtrough at one time he carted some of the material for Poro-o-tarao Tunnel, from Te Awamutu railway sta­tion to Te Kuiti.  He was also one of the early members of the Town Board.

W. H. GRACE: Was one of the early residents of Kihi Kihi always taking an interest in local matters.  Chairman of the school committee for several years, chairman of Town Board for some time.

J. G. ELMSLEY: Came to Kihi Kihi in 1881 to join his brother in business.  After his brother's death he carried on until his death in 1916. In 1900 he was chairman of the Town Board; chairman of the school committee for several years, and a member of the Waipa County Council.  During his term as chairman of the Town Board he was responsible for the plant­ing of a number of English trees around the town, a number of which are still flourishing.  He also bought W. Corboy's bake house, rebuilding it on its present site.  He also took over Moncrief's butchery.

J. Q. TRISTRAM: Came as a bandsman with the Imperial troops.  He started a tailor's shop near the Anglican Church, continuing till near his death.  He was at one time a member of the Town Board and the school committee.  Mrs Tristram was the first dressmaker to start in business in Kihi Kihi.

THOS.  POWER: Who, previous to the war, had been sent by the Government to Rangiaohia to teach the Maoris the rudi­ments of agriculture, came to Kihi Kihi after the fighting was over. He took up road contracting, and with his Maori wife, a kindly soul, always spoken of as " Granny Power ", lived for years in the township.

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A. RYSDALE: who was one of Von Tempsky’s Forest Rangers was beside Von Tempsky when he was killed during the Taranaki war in 1868.  Alf could tell some thrilling tales “when in the mood!”

R. MAINWARING: Settled in Kihi Kihi in 1884 and a few years later became Town Clerk for many years.

C. TEMIILE: A member of Major Jackson's Forest Rangers (later a Militiaman) with other Forest Rangers, lived for a time in buildings on the North East corner of the ten acre reserve, surrounded by a trench, the marks of which are still to be seen.  Some of the timber from those buildings is now part of S. E. Temple's house.  C. Temple later spent most of his time in the bush splitting shingles, palings, rails, etc.

" TOMMY THE CLOCK ": (Surname unknown) was, as his name implies, a repairer of clocks and watches, going around the district from house to house wherever his services were required.  While he was in a house, a radio or newspaper was not neces­sary!  He sometimes remained for the night and next day would invariably be found sleeping off the effects of what he had purchased with the few shillings his work had realised.  However... someone stole his small kit of tools when he was sleeping out so Tommy left, never to return.

BARNEY QUINN: A militiaman once made some hay, almost filling his little shack with it.  He then took sick, going to be nursed by " Kelighers " where lie died later, leaving his hay to them for their kindness.  The lads of the village knew this, and spread the story that Barney's Ghost had been seen looking around for a pot of money he was supposed to have buried! The lads also found out when Keligher was going for the hay and made a point of going there a few minutes before him.  They lifted up a portion of the hay one; of their number crawling in as far as possible the others hid and waited.

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JACK LANDERS: Came with the Imperial Troops, having served in India and other places, he had a stock of great exploits, real or imaginary, to tell  “ The Boys ". He was never guilty of hard work, a born huckster, he hawked fruit and vegetables, which he grew and " acquired " in various ways. Rabbits were, not as plentiful then as they became later and be used to catch them with a pack of dogs.  Jack was a well-known figure at every sports gathering within 15 miles with his little trap, selling fruit etc., in season.  During the winter months, he could be seen with a pack horse loaded with dangling rabbits and an odd hare, sometimes going as far as Cambridge. However it became known that he had a nice cat-skin mat in his little shack, so these who had been in the habit of buying skinned rabbits from him, demanded that rabbits should be delivered in their skills or else, skinned in their presence! Jack would celebrate now and again and after one of these celebrations, when he was suffering from a bad "hang over" two lads went to his shack to annoy him.  Jack came out with his gun, looking like business, so they thought it time to move, one along the road, the other across an open section - when the lad on the road was about a chain away, he heard a report of the gun and a fearful yell from his mate.  Without looking to see what happened, he tore up the road to safety.  Once he was out of harm's way, he ventured to survey the scars of the “tragedy” and beheld his mate - minus his nether garment - trying to pick pellets out of a very soft part of his body!

ALEX. CAMPBELL: " Trout in Puniu Episode." During 1886, the Kihi Kihi Town Board entered into negotiations with those controlling the trout hatchery at Hamilton, re introducing trout into the Puniu River.  During July Mr Gelling wrote to the clerk of the Town Board and in the same month instructed Mr F. B. Gordon, town clerk, to go to Hamilton to take delivery, which was duly accomplished by train and

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coach.  Members of the Town Board, with some leading citi­zens, proceeded to what was in those days known as  “Anderson’s Crossing," to introduce with due ceremony, the trout to the Puniu river. The container was placed on the bank of the stream, and while, no doubt, the members' attention was occupied discussing the correct way to perform the introduction, Alex Campbell, who bad unofficially accompanied the party, tipped the trout into the river and always afterwards claimed that he was the first to put trout in the Puniu.  It was a very disgusted " official " party that returned to Kihi Kihi.

JOCK HUNTER: Was one of the Militia, a genuine " ne’er do well” but his wits got him out of trouble on more than one occasion.  When the Militia were on the road from Auckland to Kihi Kihi they were camped for some time at one place.  In the vicinity of camp a farmer had about a dozen ducks in a pen at night - in the morning only a few feathers! After looking around the farmer was seen coming towards the camp - about a dozen men went at once to the temporary cookhouse, where ducks were being cooked in various ways! All pots and pans were quickly hidden in the fern or scrub.  Jock Hunter was the last to hear about the farmer's arrival, but quickly made for the cookhouse, the sergeant and farmer a short distance away.  Jock had been boiling a duck in a kerosene tin and its legs were sticking out of the boiling water - he quickly grabbed its legs, swung it around his head a couple of times to get rid of the boiling water, put it inside his jacket and marched out, meeting the sergeant and farmer at the door and going straight on to the parade ground as alarm bugle sounded " Fall-in ", he had no time to get to the scrub.  Naturally, the duck soon made itself felt on the wrong side of his stomach, and Jock was forced to shift it frequently to a cooler spot - that was all very well while the sergeant was asking questions it the other end of the line, but when he came near, Jock had to stand at attention and when asked if he knew anything about duck, answered “No, Surr".  The sergeant, noticing the uneasy look on Jock's face, repeated his question, and Jock, with a very indignant movement shifted the duck with his elbow to a cooler spot and drawled out in broad Doric, "No Surr, and it's a graan thing to hae an honest conscience. The Sergeant passed on and

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Jock was at liberty to keep moving! For many years after Jock Hunter and his “honest” conscience was not forgotten.

THE KELLY GANG: During 1885 three youths who no doubt studied the performances of the Kelly Gang in Australia some years previously, called themselves by the same name. They started out by " borrowing " a horse, saddle. etc., and living in empty shacks and whares in the bush and scrub around the district.  For about two weeks they kept the womenfolk worried as their most desperate deeds were raiding meat safes at night! On one occasion they bailed up a man, and demanded his money but when be showed fight, they bolted! The police had some lively chases before they were caught and dealt with. That cooled their ambition to emulate " The Kelly Gang”.

THE WHITE MAORI: Among a group of Maoris who came into Kihi Kihi regularly for some years, from about 1880, was a woman known as " The White Maori ". She was tattooed could hardly speak a word of English, her hair was flax coloured with complexion to match - in fact she could have been described as a blonde, and appeared to be about 30 years of age.  Naturally she was very conspicuous among a group of Maoris and aroused a good deal of curiosity as to her history, but all inquiries then and for years afterwards among the Maoris, received the one answer only, that she was born down on the East Coast, that her parents were pure Maori and she had lived with then as their daughter till coming with other members of the tribe to the neighbourhood of Kihi Kihi.  It is well know that it is impossible to get information from Maoris if they do not wish to give it.

Some years later the death of " 'The White Maori " was reported, and the mystery of her birth remained unsolved.  Various theories were advanced: (1) Albino-but she was not that type. (2) That she had been given to or adopted by the supposed parents.

However, it was generally supposed that she had been stolen from some distant parts, and some parents mourned the loss of a little one whose fate they never knew.

A number of cases are known where a child has been stolen, taken to a distant district, and there lived as one of the tribe. Maoris as a rule, treat all children in their care in the same manner as their own.

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EARLY SETTLERS

AND TRADESMEN

G. McKEOWN AND FAMILY arrived in 1874, shortly afterwards building a small cottage which is still inhibited.

McKeown was accidentally killed a few years later on the Te Awamutu - Kihi Kihi Road.

W. M. KELIGHER of the Imperial Army, and Wife, lived just below the Catholic Church, and could be heard all over township after " celebrating ".

OWEN MURRAY was one of the Imperial Troops but did not appear to like water outwardly!  However, he was reported to have a good wash twice a year, and looked like it!

G. JENNINGS was one of the Imperial Army who resided in the Township for many years.

JOE FRATUS (a Portuguese) came in the early days.  Worked in the bush, later making a nice garden.

E. GILL arrived in New Zealand in 1859 and in Kihi Kihi after the war.  He was a most unfortunate man.  His wife and children were to follow later; they were on a ship that was classed, as “one of the mysteries of the sea," after leaving England it was never head of or seen again.  Some years later, he met, with an accident and was badly disfigured.  Later, when work­ing horses in disc barrows, the horses bolted and the discs passed over his two wrists, so he had two useless hands for the rest of his days.

BILLY MOLLOY and BILL BURTON were two of the first residents.

The following remained in the district for only brief periods: McSHANE, " HAPPY MACK " McCUTCHEN, McCART­NEY, BILL NAYLOR (a runaway sailor), and his Maori wife, NAVVY JACK, DARKIE DIXON (a negro), who declared be was the first white man to plant cabbages. etc., at Poro-o-tarao.

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F. Van DAMME was a builder about Kihi Kihi for years.

J. HARRIS and wife were early residents.  Mrs Harris started a LAUNDRY BUSINESS (all hand work), but never required to buy firewood: she was a familiar sight with a load of Ti-tree or any wood on her back, pack fashion, carrying it long distances, a load that would surprise any man.

T. KEENAN came in the early days and spent the rest of his life in Kihi Kihi.

DENNY HORRIGAN: When war was over, started as a shoemaker in a small building where the hall now stands - eventually moved into a little shop next to the Anglican Church.  Denny was a first class tradesman.  After his death W. SOPER started boot making and carried on for a few years. G. WILLIAMS: Was the first to start as a blacksmith in a shop opposite the Anglican Church, he was of an ingenious turn and made the first bicycle seen in the township.  It was of the " Penny Farthing " type made entirely by himself - no rubber, it did not need a bell to herald its approach along the road!

J. R. ANDERSON:  Took over the business early in the eighties, moving to its present site and carrying on for about forty years, taking an active part in many local affairs during that time.  The first SADDLER to start was named LAWSON, but he remained only for a brief period.  W.M.  McNAUGHT then carried on for years, F. OLDHAM for a time and J. P. GARDINER till after 1900.

The early settlers and residents received all their groceries, etc. via, or from, Pirongia.  The first store to start business was G. MAUNDER'S, early in the 'Seventies.  It was situated where the Star Hotel now stands, the mail for the district being distributed from there.

WM. CORBOY: Started shortly afterwards and when "Maunder's Store " was burnt, mail came there until a postmaster was appointed years later.

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The first POSTMASTER to be appointed, was named E. LOGAN, then BRAME, C. EMPSON, R. BOYNE, JEF­FRIES, and in 1889, C. A. OGLE.

SALE YARDS (Cattle etc.) : Were erected on the section next to the Alpha Hotel during the 'nineties, when regular monthly sales were held for some years.

During the 'eighties C. W. HURSTHOUSE, one of the earliest official government surveyors in the King Country had his headquarters here for a time.

It is not generally known that Kihi Kihi for one term possessed a LICENSING COMMITTEE, elected during February 1884.  J. B. HUTCHINSON was the Chairman.

MR ROCHFORT, who was responsible for much of rile engineering work on the Main Trunk Line, resided here also.

The Te Awamutu railway station was not officially opened till 1880, but the Public Works ran a train for some time previous to official opening, carrying the mail and passen­gers.  When the train reached Ohaupo, the mail was carried to Kihi Kihi by coach three times a week by A. FAULKNER.  After the train reached Te Awamutu, JAS.  KENNEDY, with a buggy, brought the few passengers who traveled.  D. DONOVAN took over and started a coaching business. W.  PATON also ran a coach to the station and W. CORBOY for a brief period.  Later, T. FLOYD controlled the whole coaching business, carrying it on for years.  DUG.  MEREDITH took over from T. FLOYD about 1898.

Before the Couch ran from Ohaupo, the mail was carried by the mounted men of the constabulary from Pirongia or Hamilton. For years, three times a week, one of the HARWOOD BROS. would bring the " Waikato Times " to Kihi Kihi, from Hamilton, by horse, after delivering the paper at other townships.

In 1884 JAS. CLARK started a wheelwright business on the Presbyterian Church property, also a blacksmith shop with

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T. WILSON in charge. After J. Clark's death, T. Wilson carried on the business for years. He was chairman of the Town Board for a term.

During the early 'Eighties Kihi Kihi was a very busy Town.  The Land Court was sitting for quite a time, with Judges and a number of officials beside several hundred Maoris.  Some of the businessmen erected large sheds in various parts to accommodate the Maoris attending the Land Court.  Shops were doing good business.  The following were in business during that time:

Wm.  Corboy, in addition to owning store and bakery, was Licensee of the Alpha Hotel, managing three farms, and for a time, a butchery.

The builders who did most of the carpentering during the early years were: G. MAUNDER, T. THOMAS, J. ALLEN, W. BLENCOWER.

After the militia and troops were disbanded, the armed constabulary were formed, a group of them being stationed as a safeguard in each of the frontier towns.  During the winter months they were in barracks, drilling, etc., during the summer they were camped in the out-districts, road making. The first work on the Kihi Kihi Streets was carried out by the constabulary. They were in charge of Major Minnett who was stationed here till they disbanded in 1884.  While stationed here, several built houses in Kihi Kihi.  Sergeants Cooper and Addi-

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son, also W. Rishdale, W. Howell, Finnerty, T. White, J. Cotter, J. Clifford.  The mounted men were J. Ready, H. C. Tanner and W. Howell.  After they were disbanded, several of the men joined the police force, others joined the artillery, and others took up various occupations.  Only J. Clifford, J. Clark and M. D. Dinneen returned to reside permanently in Kihi Kihi.

After Major Minnett left Kihi Kihi, Inspector Kiely of the police force was residing here for some time, also others of the police force.

The following extracts from early household accounts may be of interest.

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CHURCHES:

Before a building was erected. The Catholic’s held services in a Maori Whare or Meeting House, a little to the north of the present site. The first church to be erected after the war was the Catholic Church on the present site, not however, the present building, the first one being sold for removal.  To the late Father Luck credit must be given for the present building on its commanding position.  Father Luck was in charge from 1880 to 1899, was respected by all and known to be an exceptionally skilled woodworker.  A number of Churches have beautiful samples of his work.

The METHODIST CHURCH was built by G. Maunder and Co. in 1881. Years afterwards it was purchased by J. G. Elmsley for removal and some of its timber is part of Rathbone’s Store.

The ANGLICAN CHURCH was built by A. Miller in 1882. The original building is still standing.

The PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was built by T. E. Doyle in 1885, was burnt in 1923 and rebuilt by McInness and Ross the following year.

Before Churches were built, Methodist, Anglicans and Presbyterians held services in the Old School next to the Post Office, and barracks when unoccupied.

HOTELS:

The first license for a hotel was granted to a man named Kenny, for a small building on the rising ground across the road from Grice's and called the Kihi Kihi Hotel.  It was shifted while occupied to the corner opposite the Alpha Hotel, by F. van Damme, a builder.  The building was added to then sold to T.  Anderson who made other additions, carrying on the business for many years, and eventually selling the license to be transferred near Pukekohe.  Mrs Anderson then carried on as a boarding house till the building was destroyed by fire some years later.  R. Cockerline had the next license for the Alpha Hotel, but being a bachelor could not hold a license so he sold to Wm.  Corboy who built the present building, conducting it

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for years, then leasing it for years for various terms to Balan,  Field,  Gillett,  R. King, Baker and others. Wm. Corboy died in 1882, the Estate resumed the license during the ‘Nineties, finally selling out.

The Star Hotel was erected for Geo.  Wilkinson and J. Ready during the 'Eighties: they sold a few years later to W. Bond; sold again to G. Maunder, later to F. Hendwood, who was " Mine Host " in 1900, and later.

KIHI KIHI RESERVE:

At one time there were five buildings on what is known as the Ten Acre Reserve - three dwellings, a suite of offices, and a lock-up.  The offices, one dwelling and the lock-up belonged to the Police Department.

Eventually the dwellings and offices were pulled down and the lock-up moved to Otorohanga without being dismantled, by A. Kay, who altered a wagon to go under the building, then taking it to Te Mawhai railway station, as it would not go under the traffic bridge south of Te Awamutu railway station.

KIHI KIHI RACECOURSE:

During the 'seventies and early 'eighties the Kihi Kihi races were the event of the year, and that day was a general holiday, nearly every man, woman and child was there.  Some rode, some walked, some in dray, trap or wagon, some two or three in a buggy, but they came from outside the district. The Maoris represented about half the gathering - all came ­ to make a kind of picnic day.

 One turn out arrived on the course one day with a family party – it was all home made, the four wheels were cuts from a tree of a suitable size, each looking like a huge flat cheese, drawn by an old grey mare, whose harness was mostly cow hide, rope and wire!

There were no bookmakers in those days, so owners had an eye for the prize money; there were not many non-tryers. Local owners were A. Kay, D. Donovan, Wm. Bond, G. Wil­kinson, M. Corcoran, A. Given and several Maoris besides out­siders.

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All races were held on the Domain Ground, but it was not fenced in those days and no roads, so the course was longer.  After the Domain Ground was fenced, the races were held in W. Qualtrough’s (now J. G. Sutherland's) for several years.  Then in Mr T. Anderson's near Puniu, an old race card shows that the races were to be held on T. Anderson's on 17/3/86, the chief event being the Kihi Kihi Cup £25.  T. Anderson, advertising on the race card, said that " plenty of good beer and beef was to be had at the Kihi Kihi Hotel! "

G. Rigg arrived in Kihi Kihi about 1880 and a year or two later with C. Empson, who was postmaster, took a lease of domain land, then neither fenced nor cleared.  They fenced, cleared, and cultivated this ground for some years.

EDUCATIONAL:

The early residents recognised the need for education, but children were few and the Education Board had not reached Kihi Kihi, so parents had to make their own arrangements. The first to start teaching was J. McAdam, but only remained for about three months.  Then Jas. Farrell taught for some time in a house on the hill above what is known as " Graces “. A small one roomed building was erected about this time on the site next to the Post Office, Mrs Schofield and then Mrs LaTrobe were the next teachers, from what can be gathered the first two or three teachers were paid by pupils paving 9d or 1/- a week and the government gave a grant.  The Education Board now appointed a teacher named Rothery who was most popular, then came Messrs Goertz, Burns, N. Matheson and Miss Allen, assistant: then W. H. Nicholson and Mrs Nichol­son, assistant.  It is doubtful if any of the local teachers named had been trained, then education boards were only too glad to get anyone with a reasonably good education to take up teaching in country schools.

During the time that the last named two head teachers were in Kihi Kihi school affairs took a very hectic turn, one group of parents wanted the teacher transferred, another group being in opposition and a great amount of heat was developed: one morning one party locked the school door.  When a group

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of opposing parties met in the street discussions were so warm that one committeeman pushed an opposition man rather roughly - result, a fine of £5 5s and bound over to keep the peace.  One of the groups, to show its opinion of the other party, made a scaffold beside the main street, hung two scare­crows with a large placard on each bearing the name of two committeemen, placed some scrub under the effigies, christened them with a liberal amount of kerosene and set them on fire!

Another committeeman, after a lively meeting (and a visit to an establishment that closed at 10 p.m.) went home, and with his rifle fired a bullet over an opposition member’s house about half a mile away - just to scare him!

In 1883 the Education Board erected a new school build­ing on the Orakau Road.  T. E. Doyle was the contractor, the building being completed and officially opened on the last school day of that year by Mr Whittaker, member for the district, and other prominent citizens were present.  W. H. Nicholson, the head teacher then, was moved, and when school re-opened in January 1883.  Mr Budd was appointed.

In 1884 the Education Board very wisely made two temporary appointments, Messrs Budd and Talbot, about six months each, so school matters returned to normal and with the appointment of T. E. Isemonger as headmaster in 1885, school affairs ran smoothly on.

W. H. Arnold was the next teacher, then Christie, then T. H. Chapman until 1898 and A. M. Perry for many years.

At one time about one third of the scholars were Maori boys and girls.

REWI (MANGA):

Before the government built the house for Rewi, he sel­dom came to Kihi Kihi, unless he was accompanied by A. Ross who was then on very friendly terms with Rewi.  After the house was erected opposite the Star Hotel, he, with his wife and daughter lived there till his death - his daughter died in her early 'teens.  Rewi was a very quiet and unassuming man, living in peace and harmony with all men.  When Sir George Grey left New Zealand, he left a sum of money to erect a monu-

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ment to Rewi after his death. Rewi, in 1894, feeling that he did not long to live, asked that the monument be erected at once - that was agreed to and the monument was erected and unveiled with due ceremony - the old " Chief " sitting in an armchair watching the proceedings from his veranda a few yards away!  He was buried at the foot of the Monument shortly afterwards.

Rewi, Wahanui, Hitire, Tupotaki, Hote Tamekana and others seen in Kihi Kihi were fine stamps of the Maori Rangatira. Wahanui was a man of weight, it was said that he could never get into a pair of store trousers! Rewi was not given to talking about his deeds, no one ever heard him tell how he escaped from the Orakau Pa, or who was responsible for giving the famous challenge.

LINDAUER PAINTINGS:

In the Auckland Art Gallery are a number of valuable oil paintings of old Maoris, several of which were painted by “ Lindauer " in Kihi Kihi during the 'eighties of last century.

“ Lindauer " lived in Kihi Kihi for some time and painted a number of the Old Maoris.  It was reported that his charge for planting was £5 or £6 each.  About 1892 two of these paintings were offered by Auction at a clearing sale, but failed to reach a reserve of £5 each.  People could see the originals at any time, also scores of old Tattooed Maoris, so failed to recognise their value in the years to come.

RABBIT DAY:

At one time the Government give the Maoris on a certain day each month, 3d each for rabbit skins.  A considerable sum of money would be paid out each month: when this business was first started, delivery was taken in a whare on the south side of the Puniu, the skins, when counted were thrown in a heap against the wall until bagged up and taken away at the end of the day.  Report hath it that enterprising owner made a neat trapdoor behind where the skins were thrown, so quite a number of the skins " walked " out, coming round to the front door to be counted again another day! Later, skins

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were counted in a small disused shop near the Anglican Church, when another " get-rich-quick " scheme was upset! A Maori woman smuggled into the building (before the buyers,), going up into the loft with a sack, and coming down when the buyers were at lunch, to fill the sack and take it up aloft! However, the police took a hand when it was found that several others were implicated and came before the Magistrate.

ATHLETICS:

During those early days the younger generation had to make their own recreations.  Every village held an annual athletic meeting.  The outstanding sprinter in the early days in this and other districts was E. J. Farrell.  A number of the constabulary were keen athletes.  Early in the 'eighties C. and A. Julian came from Taranaki and proved to be experts at pole vaulting, hurdling, etc.  Other local competitors were J. Farrell, W. Young, R. Patterson, W. and G. Emery, C. Harrison,.  C. Marshall, also a number from neighbouring districts. In 1884 A. Julian challenged D. Craig of Cambridge to run a 320 yards hurdles race for £ 10 aside, winning the event.  D. Craig, not being satisfied, challenged Julian for another race, the event being run on T. Anderson's farm near the Puniu, and again won by Julian.  A few years later J. Corboy, J. Warren, T. Floyd, T. Wilson, J. Gardner, W. Baker and others competed at various meetings with a fair amount of success.

FOOTBALL:

Football was first played by the constabulary, but there was no proper organisation until the beginning of the 'nineties.  Several matches were played previous to then, but they would be described as " scratch " matches!  Football begin to wake up about 1892, and Kihi Kihi for some years had quite a strong team, among the players being M. Webster, M. and K. Gorrie, E. Short, T. Wilson, C. Wilson, A. Brett, J. Corboy, G. H. Walker, G. McGhie, H. Lang, T. Gordon, R. Henderson, W. Baker, A. Maunder, T. Maunder and others.

Those good sports, O’Connor Bros. gave a banner to be competed for by Kihi Kihi and Te Awamutu teams and for several seasons this banner caused many very keen contests with honours fairly even.

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CRICKET:

As would be expected, the national game of Great Britain was not forgotten by those who had only left the old land a few years.  Cricket was played in Kihi Kihi during the 'seventies, but all names are lost.  During the early 'eighties, teams were playing regularly against teams from other districts.  Among the players then were J. Clifford, J. McCabe, J. Clark, J. Swain, M. Bates, C. Marshall, Chapman, W. H. Nicholson, Ogle, H. Valderm, R. Buckworth, F. Moody, G. Rigg, C. Elmsley and some others belonging to the constabulary.  About 1887 another group) of cricketers arose, W. Bond, S, Bond.  W. Soper, Graham, J. Henderson, G. McGhie, W. Grey, D. Long, R. Buckworth, W. G. Park, J. Case, G. Rigg, C. W. Hursthouse, E. Lawrence, J. Higginson and some others.

In 1895 another group came along: T. Wilson, J. Corboy, F. Gordon, M. Webster, C. Elmsley, E. Short, G. McGhie, J. Gairdner, C, Ellis, C. McDonald, H.  Doyle, J. Clifford, G. H. Walker, F. Corboy, Edwards A. Ross, W. Johns, A. Brett, M. Gorrie, R. Kewish.

After 1898 it was found that dairying and cricket did not work very well and the Kihi Kihi Cricket Club went into recess.

POLO:

The first Polo Club in the Waikato, Kihi Kihi, was organised by B. Hewitt, who arranged with J. Corboy to call a meeting of intending players.  That was done, and a committee was formed in 1893, comprising the following players: B. Hewitt, Wm. Kay, G. Rigg, T.  Wetherall, Wm. and G.  Wilkie, S. Lawson, J. Corboy.  President, J. B. Hutchinson: Vice ­Presidents, A. Kay, R. Cockerline, W. Ashby, T. Anderson. B. Hewitt to be Captain and J. Corboy, Vice Captain.

Ponies were to be 14.2 hands and under. There was some difficulty in getting enough ponies of a suitable height to start but that was overcome by getting some smart Maori ponies to make up the number required.  It is said that prices ranged from £9 down to a few shillings for what was after­wards in outstanding pony.

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After practicing for some time on J. B. Hutchinson's farm the Auckland Club was asked to send a team to play the Kihi Kihi team and explain the finer points of the game.  An Auckland team arrived with eight ponies and two grooms.  That evening the Auckland captain explained the rules etc., and the team were then entertained by Kihi Kihi.  Next day Kihi Kihi defeated the Auckland team by a good margin.  Whether the previous night's entertainment had any effect on the day's play is not on record!

Later Kihi Kihi sent two teams to Auckland:

A Team: B. Hewitt, T. Wetherall, J. Corboy, W. Kay - Won, 3 to 2.

B. Team: S. Lawson, W. and G. Wilkie, R. Rigg - Lost.

An Auckland team visited Kihi Kihi at a later date, playing on the Kihi Kihi Domain and Auckland won 6 to 3. For several seasons Polo was played and teams were formed in other districts.

The South African war in 1889 caused the Club to go into recess.

CEMETERY:

The first of the early Militia who died previous to 1873 were buried in what is now a Town Board Reserve.  Allotment No. 165 facing Herbert Street, adjoining the Apiary.  About six or seven were buried there, including Jack Lyons, who was murdered near the Puniu.  The Maoris also had a burial ground adjoining, also five or six burial places in the same neighbour­hood.  They buried their dead (in groups), in very shallow graves, then dug a deep trench around, throwing the earth in to make quite a mound.  Years ago they were all dug up by the Maoris who removed all the bones they could find.  There was also talk, years ago of removing the remains of those early Militiamen, but doubt whether it got any further than talk.

During 1877-8 diphtheria swept over Kihi Kihi and other districts, and in a very short time seven or eight children under 8 years of age were taken to the cemetery.  As the present cemetery was, with adjoining sections, still open country and unfenced, the parents could only guess where to bury their children - all except one were buried on the rising ground at

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the cemetery gate where the hearse now stands.  Some years later when surveys were made and the cemetery laid out, it was discovered that the children were buried on the road.  After some years most of the remains were moved to the cemetery proper, but two or three were never moved.

It was a wonder that there were not more deaths at that time, as there was no Doctor in the district and all the medical treatment the children got was from a chemist in Te Awamutu.

PIANOS:

Pianos were very scarce in the early days. The old Town Hall did not possess a piano and for many years, if an enter­tainment required a piano, it was generally borrowed or hired from the Alpha Hotel - that piano being carted, to and from the hall many times by various means! It is reported that “ Donald Dinnie ", the world's most famous athlete of his day gave, with his troupe, an entertainment (not very remunerative) in the Town Hall and next morning, refusing to pay the 5/- to cart the piano back, carried it on his back to the hotel, two of his troupe assisting to balance it!

The first to commence teaching music in Kihi Kihi was Mrs R. Buckworth, in 1878.  Pupils were very scarce in those days.

CONCLUSION

Those of us who were born about or before 1870, grew up in an atmosphere of the Old Land, there was not one Colonial born adult except Maoris.  Every man and woman had arrived in New Zealand only a few years previously, and one and all hoped at some future time to revisit the old land, but very few were able to do so.

We witnessed sights in Kihi Kihi that will never be seen again. TAWHIAO, the Maori King, with about 600 followers, marched into Kihi Kihi, when peace was definitely declared

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in 1881.  It was Carnival Week with war dances and speechmaking.  The Hakas were a sight never to be forgotten, they were the most realistic ever seen here, in fact it is safe to say that their like was never seen again in Kihi Kihi or in any other town in New Zealand.  Six hundred tattooed warriors, almost naked, with hundreds of Wahines assisting - the warriors had been engaged in the war a few years previously and were still feeling sore over the loss of their country, so they put plenty of vim into their actions.

Another sight was strings of packhorses loaded with goods for the King Country when it was being opened up.

Also Jack Davis, with bullock teams hauling heavy timber for the old Puniu bridge and other work.

Coach horses, during the winter months, were so covered with mud that it was hard to say what was their natural colour.

TE KOOTI, the famous outlaw of Poverty Bay often came to Kihi Kihi after he was pardoned in 1883, but it was noticed that he was always accompanied by two or more of his followers who kept at a handy distance from him. He did not take any risks it would appear.

Time brings changes! Christmas time in the old days brought all the young men from the King Country to spend Christmas in Kihi Kihi, so the township was a comparatively busy place.  Now, 1947, the great ambition of most residents is to go to beaches or camping grounds.

At this point it can be stated that all the early pioneers of this district have long since passed away.  Mrs Maunder, who arrived in Kihi Kihi during the latter half of the 'seventies, and passed away in December, 1947, aged 92, being the last of those who came under the heading of " Old Identity."

The Compiler of these Memoirs is indebted to S. E. Temple, whose long memory has assisted greatly in making the Memoirs possible; also J. Corboy; and to Mr Gifford for placing old papers and records at his disposal.

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ADDITIONS

Page 7    (Page 4 - Original Manuscript)

“ The families of some of the early settlers would be considered large.  The following are the names of families with seven children and over; -

Kay 14, Baker 10, Hutchinson 8, Cowan 8, Qualtrough 8, Ashby 12, MacKinder 13, Ogle 10, Ross 7 A. Henderson 7,

 

In Kihi Kihi Township;

Verner 12, Kennedy 9, McKeown 7, Stuart 8, Howell 7.

 

All were not born in the Kihi Kihi district, some being born overseas, some on shipboard and some at other parts of the Province.”

Page 8    (Page 5 - Original Manuscript)

“As there was little demand for wheat, J. B. Hutchinson, in order to find a market, purchased and conducted the Te Awamutu Bakery for about two years, getting his wheat ground at the Te Awamutu Flour Mill.”

Page 15    (Page 9 - Original Manuscript)

“At one time the Militias had a Rifle Range to the West of the Township. Until work on the Main Trunk Railway started about 1886, wages were very low, a labour 5/- or 6/- a day, Carpenter 8/- or 10/-; a single man working on neighbouring farms 17/6 to 22/6 a week and found a number shouldered their swag and went to distant parts for a time.”

Page 26    (Page 20 - Original Manuscript)

Page 35    (Page 27 - Original Manuscript)

“The old Town Hall was built by (G. Saunder & Co.) a company who carried on under difficulties for some years – eventually the Town Board took over, and when the old Hall was burnt, the present substantial building was erected in 1904 by C. T. Rickit & Son. The Contract price was about £ ???”

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