The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
[Ballance]
The special settlement of Ballance was named after its originator, the late Hon. John Ballance, who, as Minister of Lands in the Stout Vogel Government, introduced the legislation under which a number of the special settlements have been formed. The township is about eight miles from Pahiatua in a westerly direction, and is reached by a very good but rather narrow road. After crossing the Mangatainoka bridge, and passing the Pahiatua railway station—still in embryo—the road winds over a hill somewhat after the manner of the Wadestown road from Wellington. On descending into the valley of the Mangahao, a fairly large area of level land is met with. The road as far as the Mangahao bridge leads also to a district called Nikau, but at this point the road diverges, Ballance being on the right and Nikau on the left.
The settlers of Ballance are a hard-working, go-ahead community. The church and public hall have been built by volunteer labour, and the people are bent on self-improvement. The schoolmaster, Mr. Anderson—a gentleman of wide experience, and possessing exceptional facilities for acquiring a knowledge of the facts—speaks very hopefully of the future of Ballance. The people, he says, are sober, industrious, and intelligent, and their children are being trained to make good settlers.
Tourists and others visiting Pahiatua, and having a day, or even a few hours, at their disposal, should certainly drive over to this progressing settlement, for there is much of interest on every hand. Where but seven years ago the silence of the forest reigned supreme, may now be heard the lowing of cattle, the merry laughter of children, and the friendly ring of the builder's hammer.