Originally known as “Three Log Whare,” this settlement is likely to come into prominence, by the extension of the Hunterville Branch Railway Line, of which it will be the terminus. At/name> the time of writing (1897), it is the scene of operations of a large co-operative labour party.

The population of the township, by latest census returns, is 349. The local post-office is also an office for the issue of postal notes and money orders; it is likewise a post-office savings bank. Sawmilling and pastoral pursuits are among the leading avocations of the surrounding settlers.

The Mangaweka Post-Office is held at Mr. Thomas Munro's store. Mails north and south arrive at and leave the office daily.

Mangaweka Public School was opened on the 5th of March, 1894, by Mr. T. R. Bowden, with a very small roll number. The present building, which was designed to accommodate sixty, was opened on the 26th of February, 1896, and has the usual modern conveniences. The headmaster is Mr. E. W. Tompkins, who is assisted by a pupil teacher, Mr. E. Jarvis. The number now on the roll is ninety-eight, and there is an average attendance of seventy-three.

Mr. E. W. Tompkins, who has charge of the Mangawaka School, is the third son of one of Wellington's early settlers, Mr. John Tompkins. After three years as master of the Goal Valley and Porewa schools respectively, and a period as relieving teacher under the Wanganui Education Board, Mr. Tompkins was appointed to Manageweka in 1895.

The Wesleyan Church holds services in the Public School at Mangaweka, on alternate Sundays, under the charge of Mr. Arthur Hopper, Home Missionary. This is the centre for Kawhatan, Ruahine, Kaikora, Taihape and Moanwhango.

Stokes' Hall, Mangaweka, which is attached to Mrs. E. Stokes' boardinghouse, is situated in a centeral position in the township, and consists of a fine large hall suitable for dancing.

Medical Hall (E. F. Levy, proprietor), Main Street, Mangaweka. Established September, 1896. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Bulls. A really good stock of all kinds of drugs and patent medicines and sundries in kept, and in connection with the dentistry department there is a first-rate set of forceps by Hutchison, of Sheffield, of the latest and most improved pattern. There is a handsome dispensing screen, with carvings, etc., and shop drawers, manufactured by Messrs. Scoullar and Chisholm, of Wellington. The consulting room at the back of the shop is nicely furnished for the use of visitors. Dr. Smith, of Hunterville, attends here every Tuesday from 2 to 5 p.m. The room contains a small library of standard medical works. Mr. Levy is the agent for Messrs. Leith and Ross, homœpathic chemists, of Vere Street, London, and a handsome page 1297 some case of their goods adorns the centre of the shop. Mr. Levy was born at Brixton, near London, in January, 1865, and educated at Wellesley House, Brighton, and at Brondesbury College, Kilburn, England. Coming to New Zealand in 1882 by the “Loch Linnhe,” he bought letters of introduction from Messrs. Grimwade and Co., druggists, London, to Mr. T. W. Kempthorne, of the New Zealand Drug Company. Before making up his mind as to the best locality for business, Mr. Levy thought it wise to wait a year or two, being variously employed in the meanwhile until in 1888 he entered into business at Herbertville, Hawkes Bay. Finding that business was not good, however, and hearing of the rise of Mangaweka, he decided to settle there. Among the list of proprietary preparations are his Blood. Purifier, “Tuna” for toothache, “Colodine” for corns, “Neuralgia and Quinine and Iron Tonics,” cough mixtures, liver tonic, pills of all kinds, soothing syrups, headache powders, and many others. Mr. Levy was commissioned a Justice of the Peace in 1894.

White, R. H. and Co., Drapers, etc., Main Street, Mangawaka. This is a branch of the main business in Wanganui, Mr. J. H. Hicks being the local manager. Further particulars of this large concern will be found in the Wanganui section of the Cyclopedia.

Cole, George Henry, Boardinghousekeeper, Private Boardinghouse, Mangaweka. Erected in March, 1895, having six bedrooms and a large dining-room seated for twenty persons, this convenient house has also a pleasant sitting-room for the use of boarders and visitors. The establishment is cleanly and well kept, and the proprietor does his utmost to satisfy the travelling public.

Vulcan Shoeing Forge (Thomas Gordon, proprietor), Main Street, Mangaweka. Established 1893. This is a most commodious place, and is adapted to execute all kinds of shoeing and smithing work. There is a wheelwright's shop attached, and a capable man is employed. Mr. Thomas Gordon, the proprietor, was born in Glasslough, thirty-five miles from Belfast. After receiving an education in his native town, he was apprenticed to his father, who then carried on a very large agricultural and general implement concern. Upon the death of his father, he resolved to come to New Zealand, and first went into business in Wanganui with Mr. Leslie, buying the business of Mr. Bell. He has at different times started in business at Waitotara and Patea, both times selling out to good advantage. Having a taste for farming, Mr. Gordon turned his hand to that, and for four years farmed at the Goat Valley, near Wanganui. It was when leasing the farm that the opening for business presented itself at Waitotara, but upon selling out there he was employed by Mr. Bishop, of Feilding, and remained for six years. Mr. Gordon is a good all-round workman, and understands every branch of the iron trade. All the members of Mr. Gordon's family are grown up, and in first-class positions in Wanganui, the eldest son being chief clerk in the office of Messrs. Burnett and Co., solicitors, of Wanganui. In 1865 he entered the Volunteers under Captain Finnimore, and was in action against the Maoris, fighting side by side with the late Hon. John Ballance.

Caselberg and Stephens (Eli Caselberg and — Stephens), General Storekeepers, Mangaweka. Established in 1890, when the site of the settlement was all standing bush, and the only means of communication was by a back-track to Hunterville, Mr. Caselberg first used a tent as a store. Three years later, when trade had developed considerably, Mr. Stephens joined the business, and soon afterwards a commodious store was erected. This was unfortunately demolished by fire, the firm being heavy losers. Undaunted, they speedily rebuilt, and the illustration will give some idea of the convenient promises now occupied by them. The founder of the firm, and the pioneer of the township, Mr. Caselberg was born in Bristol, in 1856, and was educated and learned the clothing trade in Wales. Landing in the Colony in 1874, after engaging in various pursuits he came to Mangaweka, as above described.

Messes. Caselberg and Stephens' Store, Mangaweka.

Co-operative Store (Thomas Munro, proprietor), Mangaweka. Established 1894. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales, Bulls. This business covers all the district from Manaonoho to Taihape. Mr. Munro carries a very large stock of every kind—crockery, grocery, ironmongery, and drapery - with a full assortment of all patent medicines. The post-office is also conducted here. Mr. Thomas Munro, a native of Rosshire, Scotland, was born in 1837, and educated at Dingwall School. Leaving school after passing every form, he was apprenticed to the drapery business, and served three years in Scotland and another three years in London. Hearing the glowing accounts of the “goldfields” at Bendigo, Ballarat, he left the Old Country in 1856, and for a long time carried on a successful business on the goldfields. As soon as the gold fever had commenced in New Zealand, Mr. Munro came over and spent some time at the Dunstan, and in fact opened the pioneer store in that place. Afterwards removing to Deep Creek, and Hokitika, he was again successful at storekeeping. Twenty-five years ago he came to the North Island, settling in Bulls, and was there till 1894, when, selling out, he took up 1000 acres in the Mangaweka District and commenced a general store. Here a successful business is being carried on. Mr. Munro has always taken the keenest interest in local politics, and for a long time served on the Bulls Town Board and School Committee. He was married in 1880, and has three children.

O'Driscoll, Michael, Store and Accommodation-housekeeper, Mangaweka. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established in 1893, as the pioneer boardinghouse of the district, good accommodation is available, there being thirty beds, three comfortable sitting-rooms, and a large, cheerful dining-room. Mrs. O'Drisoll, who has had considerable experience in this business, is most attentive to her customers. Attached to the premises there is good stabling, as well as secure paddocks.

Officer, W. A., Storekeeper, The People's Depôt, Mangaweka. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established in 1894 as a branch of his business then located in Ohingaiti, where the premises were destroyed by fire, Mangaweka has now become Mr. Officer's headquarters. A large country trade is conducted, goods being packed to customers resident many miles inland. The youngest son of Mr. James Officer, of Belfast, the proprietor of the People's Depôt arrived in the Colony per s.s. “Kaikoura,” in 1892, and, settling in Hunterville, entered into business as a carter, becoming interested in town sections, on which he erected buildings. Mr. Officer married in 1895, and has one child.

McCann's Royal Mail Coaches (P. J. McCann, proprietor), corner of Main and Kawa Kawa Streets, Mangaweka. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. These coaches run regularly to Ohingaiti, connecting daily with the line to and from Mangaonoho. As a livery stable keeper, Mr. McCann, who came to the Colony in 1879 from the north of Ireland, supplies saddle-horses and vehicles as required. He has had a large experience in the business, and is known as a careful driver. [Messrs. Berry and Trevena have (1897) purchased the coaching business from Mr. McCann.]

Mr. and Mrs. P. J. McCann.