The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]
Opononi
Opononi.
Opononi is situated on the south side of the Hokianga River, three miles from Hokianga Heads and fifteen miles from Rawene, the township, which is also known as Herd's Point. Opononi is part of the property owned by Mr. John Webster, and is a convenient landing-place for goods for distribution in the surrounding scattered districts. The land is used for grazing sheep, but Mr. Webster has a fine orchard; the place is, however, chiefly a trading centre. The Canterbury and Auckland special settlements are about twelve miles from Opononi. There is very good anchorage, where vessels drawing twenty feet can lie safely; the largest sailing vessels have crossed the Hokianga bar and lain off the Opononi wharf on their way up the river to the sawmills at Kohukohu. Some fine scenery is to be found in the neighbourhood. The Blow Hole at the Heads is a grand sight, and the Pakanae Gorge on the road to the Waimamaku settlement is worth a visit, besides numerous waterfalls easily accessible. The climate is healthy, and good shooting and fishing can be found in abundance. There is regular steam communication with Auckland and a weekly overland mail service by coach by way of Horeke, to and from Kawakawa, at the Bay of Islands. A hotel near the beach offers good accommodation for travellers. There are several native settlements in the page 615 small, rich valleys formed by numerous tidal creeks on the Hokianga river, in which the easy-going inhabitants do a limited amount of cultivation. Europeans settled on the Hokianga in the earliest period of the colony, and at one time both Maoris and pakeha settlers grew wheat and maize to a considerable extent, and did a good export trade with Sydney. Of this there is now no trace, and the principal industry at the present time is timber, very extensive forests of kauri, totara, and other valuable trees existing over a large area of country. There is also a large trade in kauri gum, and the Government obtains its principal supply of puriri sleepers from the district.
The Opononi Post And Telephone Office is situated eight miles from Whirinaki, and two miles from Omapere and was opened in 1892. There is a regular mail service despatched on Tuesday at three p.m., the incoming mail arriving at midnight, and an occasional mail service from Onehunga by West Coast steamers.
Mr. Bernard George Howe, Postmaster at Opononi, entered upon his duties in 1894, having for many years been previously stationed at Omapere. Mr. Howe served in the militia during the Waikato War and came to Hokianga in 1865, eventually entering the employ of Mr. A. S. Andrewes, storekeeper, in whose store the Opononi post and telephone office is located.
Opononi Hotel And Sanatorium (A. S. Andrewes, proprietor). Bankers, Union Bank of Australasia. This hotel was acquired by the present proprietor in 1894, and is claimed to be the finest anywhere to be found in the “Far North.” Its situation is a very salubrious one and commands a fine view of the heads and harbour bar, as well as of the upper reach of the splendid estuary with its surrounding scenery. There is a beautiful beach below the hotel affording charming opportunities for bathing, boating, fishing, riding, or cycling, whilst the broad waters of Hokianga offer splendid cruising ground for yachts. The neighbouring natural scenery, and rides to many adjacent settlements are most interesting; and for sportsmen, pheasants, wild duck, quail, pigeons, etc., abound in plenty. The hotel is very commodious and tastefully furnished, has good attendance and an admirable table; in fact, is just the ideal place for a quiet holiday away from the worry and cares of restless civilisation. A qualified medical man resides in the district and can be summoned by telegraph in case of necessity.
Mr. Alfred Spry Andrewes, Proprietor of the Opononi Hotel and Sanatorium, was born in London in 1852, and is a son of the late Mr. Thomas Andrewes, barrister, of Lincoln's Inn. He received his education in London and came out to Auckland per ship “Queen Bee” in 1869, where he shortly afterwards entered upon a mercantile life. After twelve months' residence in Auckland, Mr. Andrewes went to Dargaville, and was an employee of the late Mr. J. M. Dargaville at the same time as the Hon. E. Mitchelson, late Minister of Public Works. A year later he proceeded to Hokianga and started business at the age of nineteen on his own account at the Hokianga Heads, and two years subsequently admitted Mr. A. C. Yarborough into partnership under the style of Andrewes and Yarborough. The business of the firm grew into a very extensive one with several branches. In 1874 page 616 it took over the business of Mr. John Webster at Kohukohu, where it established its head-quarters. Messrs. Andrewes and Yarborough also erected hotels at Kohukohu, Rawene, Omapere, and Horeke. The firm successfully carried on the Kohukohu sawmills and practically built the township. It was succeeded by the Kauri Timber Company in 1891, at which date the firm dissolved partnership, and brought to a close the largest trading concern in Hokianga County. Mr. Andrewes then began afresh as auctioneer, land agent, and Government valuer, and in 1894 took over the Opononi hotel and store, in conjunction with his land agency and general business. In local politics he has been a member of Hokianga County Council for many years and for a period chairman, and he generally interests himself in all matters tending to advance the locality.