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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

[introduction]

page 1012

In many respects Pahiatua differs considerably from the other towns of the Wairarapa. Its growth has been so much more rapid that it has attained quite imposing proportions while surrounded with most unmistakable signs of newness. Even within the borough boundary there are many acres still covered with stumps and burnt logs, and only the principal streets are formed, yet the public buildings, hotels, and shops would be a credit to many a town four times as old. A dozen years ago Pahiatua was laid out, and it was the opinion of some that its development would be very slow. Its nearness to Woodville was thought to be a fatal disqualification. The accompanying pictures will show how erroneous were the views then and thus expressed.

Pahiatua is about seventeen miles from Eketahuna, on the main road to Woodville, some ten miles further north. Quite recently the railway has been opened to Newman (two miles north of Eketahuna), and the people of Pahiatua
Main Road, Pahiatua.

Main Road, Pahiatua.

page 1013
Main Road, Pahiatua.

Main Road, Pahiatua.

still have faith that a point in the neighbourhood of their town will eventually be connected with Wellington and Napier by rail, notwithstanding the disgracefully slow rate of progress made on this by no means difficult piece of line. In the opinion of the authorities the twenty-five miles of line now in course of construction should be completed and handed over to the Railway Department by about October, 1897, but it is expected that the distance to Pahiatua will be completed some five or six months earlier. At present a very good coach service exists, and it is worthy of remark that it belongs to Pahiatua, being owned and run by Mr. Job Vile, one of its leading townsmen, and the immediate ex-mayor. When the line is completed the distance to Wellington by rail will be about 110 miles by the Wairarapa, and 116 via Woodville, Palmerston and the West Coast. By the former route the journey will occupy about seven hours, and by the latter, perhaps half-an-hour less. It is said to be the intention of the Government, however, to run a special express train from Wellington to Woodville and on to Napier as soon as the line now under construction is completed. Not only is the speed to be greater, but the number of stoppages will be reduced. This saving of time will be of immense advantage to the Wairarapa line. The fares to Pahiatua will be slightly in favour of the Wairarapa route; but the difference will be unworthy of consideration. This choice of routes should be of great convenience to Pahiatua, for the variation in the time tables will be such as to give a fairly effective double service. Whether the convenience of taking the round trip at anything less than full single rates will be granted remains to be seen. It is probable that no change in that direction will be made until the Company's line be taken over by the Government, when no doubt every reasonable inducement will be held out to travellers and tourists.

On entering Pahiatua the stranger is surprised to find a town of such imposing proportions. The main street is three chains wide, and the shops are in fairly large blocks. Rows of trees divide the principal street into three parts, and though the traffic is thus well spread, a good deal of grass grows even in the most thickly populated page 1014 parts. There are four handsome hotels, the Commercial and the Club being the oldest established and best patronised by the travelling and resident public. Unfortunately for the appearance of the town, by far the larger proportion of the shops are of only one story. Not-withstanding this, however, many of them are much larger and more handsome than are to be found in any other town of the Wairarapa, Masterton excepted.

When Main Street was laid off, it was expected that the railway would be laid down the centre, and that all trains would thus run through the town; but, unfortunately for both Pahiatua and the railway, this very sensible proposal is not being carried out. Passengers and goods for Pahiatua will be dropped at Scarborough, or thereabouts, and all the inconveniences and expense of cabs, 'buses, expresses, drays, etc., will be ruthlessly cast upon the people, unless, indeed, they indulge in the luxury of a tram service from Scarborough to Pahiatua. This would be a bold undertaking, but the people of Pahiatua are stout-hearted, and great things may be fairly expected from them.

Pahiatua is the natural centre of a very fine stretch of country, and as such it must continue to grow in size and importance. It has already so far out-paced Eketahuna that places equidistant—and even those somewhat nearer Eketahuna—look upon Pahiatua as the town round which they group. The opening of the railway may in a measure detach some of these; but all such rising districts as Ballance, Nikau, Scarborough, Mangaone, Kaitawa, Ngaturi, Makuri, Makairo, and Tiraumea, must ever make Pahiatua their centre. And the land comprising all these is of such quality that there can be no doubt about the profitable continuance of its cultivation. Fortunately for all concerned, the holdings around Pahiatua are small enough to admit of the resources of the country being thoroughly developed, and yet large enough to admit of that development being remunerative to all engaged therein.

Wool, mutton, and dairy produce are the staple exports of the district, though the timber industry is of considerable importance. Among the sheepfarmers may be found all classes of colonists, from those born in New Zealand, who have made their wealth here, such as the Messrs. A very and others, to recent arrivals like the Messrs. Bayley and Mr. Breeds, who brought their wealth with them, and such experience of rough colonial life as was to be gained in the Colleges of Cirencester and Oxford. The attention of readers at the Antipodes is particularly called to the articles in the following pages describing the farms and farmers of this newly occupied district. What these gentlemen have done may still be done by others. Of men with fair capital, willing hands, and stout hearts, New Zealand can accommodate a practically unlimited number, and few districts offer attractions equal to those of Pahiatua.

Pahiatua Post-Office.

Pahiatua Post-Office.

page 1015
Main Road, Pahiatua.

Main Road, Pahiatua.

In the opinion of shrewd investors and speculators, Pahiatua has a steady future. When such experienced capitalists and colonists as Mr. T. C. Williams take sufficient interest in a country town to erect extensive blocks of brick buildings, others of less experience may safely risk something on the stability of that town and district.

The most remarkable climatic feature of the Pahiatua county is the abundance of rain. The townspeople think they have too much rain; but the dairy-farmers and run-holders, who well know the advantages of green grass and plenty of it throughout the dryest season, are slow to condemn the abundant moisture. For some years it was thought that the denuding of the hills would diminish the quantity of rain, but the effect so far has been hardly noticeable, and there is every reason for believing that while the Tararuas exist droughts will be unknown in Pahiatua. The winds are not remarkable either for prevalence or force, and the climate generally is more equable than in many other parts of the Wairarapa.

The scenery in the immediate vicinity of the town can hardly be called pretty. It was all beautiful before the bush was felled, but the charred stumps and logs will for several years yet be somewhat unsightly. Even now, however, some patches of acclimatised trees relieve the bareness, and plainly foretell that at no very distant date Pahiatua will be not far from beautiful. The Mangatainoka River winds round the back of the town on the western side, and as its banks become clothed with willows the effect will be more marked. The river is too wide in proportion to its depth to have much beauty about it. Though a large volume of water rumbles over its broad acres of stones, there are places where it can be crossed even in winter without finding a greater depth than two feet. In other parts, however, little stretches of smooth water relieve the monotony of the rapids. Advantage has been taken of one of these, at a spot near the town, for the erection of a bathing-house. In the very hottest weather the water of the Mangatainoka is surprisingly cold, and, therefore, particularly refreshing. The bridge across this river, on the way to Scarborough, Mangahao, Nikau, and Ballance, is one of the finest in the page 1016
Mr. J. Dawson, Contractor. Mangatainoka Suspension Bridge

Mr. J. Dawson, Contractor.
Mangatainoka Suspension Bridge

district, as will be seen from the picture given herein. Its distance from the town is about half a mile, and on the further, or western, bank a very pretty patch of native bush has been left. The Pahiatua Brass Band occasionally delights a crowd of listeners on Sunday afternoons by giving a special performance on the banks of the Mangatainoka, while the people sit about on the grass or the bridge, or seek the shade of the trees. The band, under the able leadership of Bandmaster Starkey is most decidedly a credit to the town, the performers being individually artistic and collectively well trained.

The public hall or concert room adjoins Mr. Sullivan's Commercial Hotel, and is a part of the property. It is a comfortable, well-appointed hall, and is well patronized. The residents of Pahiatua are never so completely engrossed with politics that they cannot enjoy a good concert, and in this respect the various musical and other societies cater well for the public. The Burns Society concert, held annually in the early spring, is always most successful, and it is generally the precursor of what is known as a “long night.” The Scotsman is no stranger in Pahiatua, but he is hardly so well represented as a visitor might be led to suppose by the crowded gatherings at the Burns Festivals: for there are men of all other nationalities, who have never seen the bonny hills of Scotland, or read a page of Burns, and who yet have no objection to the somewhat peculiar manner of perpetuating the “inspired ploughman's” memory. The Burns banquet in Pahiatua is something not to be missed, though doubtless there are some who would miss the next day if they could. On the whole, however, the Pahiatua folks are sober, intelligent, and industrious; and, although there are four hotels, all well patronised, hard drinkers are reported to be few and far between.

One of the most important of the commercial institutions is the Farmers' Auctioneering Association. The title in this case is in no way misleading, for the farmers themselves not only subscribe the capital, but undertake the actual management, and prove by experience that an outside middleman is not a necessity as a medium between buyers and sellers of stock and produce. The picture of the Society's yards was taken on the opening day, and represents a busy scene. Mr. Charles Avery and his co-directors have taken a great interest in the affairs of the Farmers' Auctioneering Association, and are determined to achieve success. The sales are held on Saturdays page 1017 days so as not to interfere with those of Mr. David Crewe on Tuesdays, or those of Messrs. Abraham and Williams on Fridays. It is difficult to decide on any special market day, the market business being pretty evenly divided between Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Wednesday is the day chosen for the half-holiday in Pahiatua, and it is very closely observed. Many of those not affected by the Act close regularly on that day, the whole town indulging in sports and milder varieties of recreation. In football matches the enthusiasm runs
Farmer's Auctioneering Association's Stock Yards.

Farmer's Auctioneering Association's Stock Yards.

high, especially those between the players of Pahiatua and of the neighbouring town of Woodville, the rivalry between the two being very keen, probably because Woodville is so much older and the younger town is rapidly catching up in the matters of growth and general development. The recreation ground is near the town on the Eketahuna main road, and is well cared for and well patronised.

The Press is represented in Pahiatua by an exceedingly well advertised and well conducted paper, published thrice weekly by the editor and proprietor, Mr. Alexander Baillie. The Pahiatua Herald is in its fourth volume, and has incorporated the Pahiatua Star. It consists of thirty-two columns, each about two feet long; and being connected with the Press Association, every issue contains all the latest cable and telegraphic news. Doubtless one of the early results of the increasing population of the district will be the daily issue of the Herald.

Visitors to Pahiatua will not, for some few years, find many pretty walks; but there is a fine variety of drives, and the roads, in good weather, are very much better for cyclists than the streets of the Empire City. Ballance, Nikan, Kaitawa, Ngaturi, Tiraumea, Makairo, Woodville, and several other places may each be comfortably visited in less than half a day, but, a whole day is needed for a trip to Makuri. In all directions the scenery is very good; but the Makuri drive carries off the palm for beauty and grandeur, the Makuri Gorge being considered by many to be much superior to that which makes the mighty Manawatu so famous. This favourite gorge is also within easy reach of Pahiatua, the drive to Ashurst via Woodville page 1018
A Meet of the Pahiatua Hunt Club.

A Meet of the Pahiatua Hunt Club.

and the gorge being a little under twenty miles. There is a fairly good bridle track through the Tararua Ranges to Palmerston North, the distance by this route being about seventeen miles. A good road for this short cut between Palmerston North and Pahiatua is among the many advantages which must soon accrue if the present rapid rate of settlement be kept up. It is said that the engineering difficulties are not great, and a portion of the road from both centres has already been formed.

As is the case with most country towns—and especially the infant centres, which are so much in need of bridges, roads, and railways—the people of Pahiatua are all politicians; and the recent changes resulting from the addition of an electoral district have greatly increased the interest and excitement. If the Pahiatua-Woodville constituency had to supply the members for the whole Parliament, it is probable that there would be no dearth of candidates. The necessity for only one member brought nearly a dozen aspirants into the field; and the largest party meeting ever held in Pahiatua was recently called upon to select one out of seven in the interests of the Opposition. That 150 electors belonging to that party—besides scores who were known to favour the Government—could be got together in Pahiatua in the daytime to talk politics, shows how high party feeling runs; and how greatly the real interests of the people are affected by changes of policy in such departments as “Lands” and “Public Works.”

Of institutions for the improvement and assistance of the people, Pahiatua has its fair share. The library and free reading room are highly appreciated. The Debating Society flourishes, as also the chess, rifle, cricket, and football clubs, and the Masonic and Friendly Societies.

The picture above represents a meet of the Hunt Club. This club is very popular with the residents in and around Pahiatua, and great enthusiasm is shown at the meets. On some occasions every horse in the district is pressed into the service, and the whole town turns out to see the “throw off.”