Mangatainoka is the name by which the township between Pahiatua and Woodville is known. With the exception, of course, of Pahiatua, it is the largest coach calling place on the Eketahuna-Woodville line. Notwithstanding this distinction, it is by no means large, and may be roughly described as consisting of a fine public school, a Salvation Army Barracks, an hotel, a temperance hotel, a creamery, a brewery, a farrier's shop, one or two stores, a boot shop, page 1059 and a boarding-house, with a few empty business places, and a limited number of private houses. The Mangatainoka River, from which the township derives its name, cuts the settlement in halves, but its banks at this point are not far apart. The fact that more than 200 children attend the public school proves that Mangatainoka is the centre of a fairly populous district. In the daytime the signs of life, apart from the school, are not very striking; but the people of Mangatainoka are of a decidedly political turn of mind, much given to the holding of public and semi-public meetings, and to the despatching of deputations to the county and colonial “powers.” The voting strength of the district, if not very great, is still such that Mangatainoka is a force to be reckoned with in all political contests.

This is the most northern of the eastern districts in the Wellington province; but its nearness to Pahiatua (about four miles) must always stand in the way of its becoming an important centre. It will, however, be much better served by the railway than its more extensive neighbour, for the closing in of the surrounding hills has compelled the “iron horse”—so timid of the towns in the Wairarapa—to draw very close to Mangatainoka.