Situate in the Erewhon Riding of the County of Hawkes Bay, while a part of the newly-constituted Electoral District of Rangitikei, Moawhango is eighty-nine miles from Napier, and ninety-nine from Wanganui. The direct road from Wanganui to Napier, which has lately become very popular as a tourist route, passes through that settlement, which lies five miles to the eastward of the coach road to Tokaanu and the Hot Lakes, the surveyed line for the Main Trunk Railway being four miles further to the west. This small township, which contained seventy-four inhabitants, as ascertained at the census of 1896, stands at an altitude of nearly 2000 feet above sea-level, and is frequently snow-clad during the winter. The Moawhango River, which crosses the road near the village, is safely forded by vehicles—save during rainy seasons—and pedestrians cross by a foot-bridge, provided by funds contributed by residents, and subsidised by the Government. The post-office, which is also an office for the issue of postal notes, is located at the leading store, mails leaving bi-weekly for Wanganui, and weekly for Napier. There is a weekly coach during the tourist season to and from Napier, via Kuripapanga, which communicates also with Pipiriki on the Wanganui River, the coaches between Ohingaiti, Tokaanu, and the Hot Lakes, running twice a-week. Many influential natives live in Moawhango and its vicinity—a large tract of open country, extending from Taupo to the Ruahine, and the Rangitikei River, and estimated to contain 20,000 acres of land, being owned by them.

Adamson, Thomas, Sheep farmer, Ngaurukehu, Moawhango. Mr. Adamson passed his early years at Wanganui, where he was born in 1847. Visiting Otago on the breaking-out of the goldfields, he soon found his way to Auckland, where he joined the Militia at the age of fifteen, under Captain Roberts. He was afterwards in the Land Transport Corps and in the Forest Rangers, on the East Coast, under Major Brassey, and in an expedition to the Urewera Country. Mr. Adamson was one of an expeditionary force under Colonel McDonnell, which took part against Titokowaru, and he afterwards joined Colonel Whitmore's forces as a scout, in which capacity he was more or less engaged during this war. He took part in no less than twenty-five pitched battles, receiving the Victoria Cross for his bravery in carrying his wounded mate out of reach of the enemy's fire, while suffering personally from four bullet-wounds. He also received the New Zealand war medal.

Batley, Robert Thomson, J.P., Sheep-farmer and Storekeeper, Moawhango. The pioneer of this settlement, Mr. Batley, who was born at Yarmouth, Norfolk, was educated at Portsmouth, and leaving Home as a sailor was wrecked on the coast of Hawkes Bay in 1863, from the ship “Royal Bride.” After five years' experience at sheepfarming in Hawkes Bay, for the most part on Sir Donald McLean's estate, he went inland, and was for ten years in the employ of Messrs. A. and W. Birch, the latter part of this period as manager of their Erewhon Estate. Subsequently, he established the large business which he still successfully conducts, wool-carting being an important part of it. Upwards of 1200 bales were taken to the nearest railway station (Mangaonoho), and 600 to Pipi-riki, during the last season. At his sheds about 30,000 sheep, belonging to Mr. Batley and his clients, were shorn last season. As an employer, he has twenty hands engaged permanently, the number being more than double during the summer. During his long residence inland Mr. Batley has acquired a very fair knowledge of the Maori language. In 1877 he paid a visit to the Old Country, where he was married to a daughter of Mr. W. A. Snelling, of the Royal yacht “Osborne,” and has five sons and one daughter.

Birch, William John, Sheepfarmer, Erewhon, Moawhango. Born in 1842 in Oxfordshire, and educated in England and in Germany, Mr. Birch arrived in the Colony at the age of eighteen. After three years as a cadet in Hawkes Bay, with his brother, Captain Birch, he took a small run at Waimaramara, Hawkes Bay, but soon afterwards the brothers crossed the Ruahines, becoming the first white settlers in the district, which they named “Erehwon,” which, if spelt backwards, fittingly describes the state of the country at that time. Vast improvements have been made in the property, 5000 acres being under the plough, 100 miles of fencing completed, and a very pretty homestead erected. As a member of the Hawkes Bay County Council, Mr. Birch takes a keen interest in all local matters. All field sports are supported by him, his name appearing as patron of racing and other clubs. During the Te Kooti trouble he served in the Volunteers under Colonel McDonnell; Captain Birch was acting as Brigade Major. In 1874, while on a visit to England, Mr. Birch was married to a daughter of the Rev. W. Larden, Arkel Rectory, Shropshire.

Jones, Robert, Farmer, Ngáurukehu, Moawhango. Mr. Jones was born in 1862 at Wanganui, where he spent his early years in farming pursuits. He took up his present holding of 3000 acres in 1878, in its virgin state. The property has been greatly improved, being well grassed, fenced and subdivided, with neat and comfortable buildings, carrying 3000 cross-bred sheep besides cattle. Mr. Jones' outlet was, for many years, via Moawhango and Napier, but it is now by Ohingaiti.