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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Poroti

page 559

Poroti.

Poroti is situated about twelve and a half miles from Whangarei. It was formerly a native settlement, and is now the centre of a considerable kauri gum trade. The total area of the gumfields is upwards of 24,000 acres, and they have been known for many years past as affording the best diggings north of Auckland. A large portion of the soil is of a volcanic character, and ranks with the best class of land to be found in the county for agricultural purposes. The whole district was formerly in the hands of the natives, and it was not till Mr. Rawnsley's advent at Poroti, and by dint of energy and perseverance on his part, that he succeeded in obtaining the gum rights over the land, at a cost to him of over £3700. The deposits on this field are of a superior quality, known as East Coast, and have always been worked in a systematic manner with a limited number of men. Poroti is situated at the junction of the Mangakahia and Wharekohe roads, and on the Ngairua and Wairoa rivers. The surrounding country is more or less covered with native bush, so that in years to come, when one portion of Poroti is a worked-out gumfield, the remainder will be available for development and will keep a number of settlers fully employed. The Whatiti Block, on the southern boundary of Whangarei, has become a place of verdant pastures which surround the small township, consisting of the schoolhouse with master's residence, and post office, in addition to the dwellings of the settlers. There is telephone connection and regular mail communication, besides the ordinary savings bank and money order facilities.

The Poroti Native School was opened in 1881, and is situated on two acres of land. Forty-three scholars are on the roll with an average attendance of thirty-four. All the standards are taught, and the pupils display very intelligent aptitude in their studies.

Mr. Jack H. Broughton, Teacher at the Poroti school, was appointed in 1888. After his arrival in New Zealand he entered the service of the Auckland Education Board, and in 1885 transferred his services to native schools.

Rawnsley, Samuel, and Co., Exporters of Kauri Gum, Flour, Grain, and General Produce Merchants, Poroti. Central Mart, Whangarei. Branch Store and Gum Depot, Mangarei. Private address, Poroti. English Bankers, J. S. Morgan and Co., Old Bond Street, London. Cable address, “Valour.” Code, A.B.C., Colonial Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Whangarei. Telegraphic address, “Rawnsley, Poroti.” The business premises of the firm are very complete throughout and consist of a large wood and iron building, having a floor space of over 1000 square feet; the produce store, which is a separate building, contains 750 square feet of space. The number of men employed on the gum-field varies from 150 to 250 in equal proportions of British, Maoris, and Austrians. Speaking of the latter, Mr. Rawnsley considers them as a class, honest and straightforward, and by them he has never been put to the loss cf a single penny. The firm have bullock and horse team continually on the road, conveying stores to the fields and bringing in the gum to Poroti and Mangarei. As a private purchaser and exporter of kauri gum, Mr. Rawnsley has exceptional opportunities, having his own fields and thorough knowledge of the trade. The gum stores are roomy and well adapted for preparing and packing the article for export. The process of grading requires great care and discernment, and Messrs. Figgis and Co., of 44 and 45 Fenchurch Street, London, commenting upon one of their sales, singled out Messrs. Rawnsley's mark “S.R.” as pre-eminently superior in all the different grades. Mr. Rawnsley is a cash purchaser of kauri gum both in small and large quantities dealing very extensively with most of the gum page 560 buyers in the district within a radius of fifty miles. He is also a familiar figure at the gum sales in Auckland, buying large parcels of superior classes of gum which are systematically graded prior to being shipped to the Home markets.

Messrs Rawnsley & Co.'s Premises, Whangarei. Destroyed by Fire, January 8th, 1900.

Messrs Rawnsley & Co.'s Premises, Whangarei.
Destroyed by Fire, January 8th, 1900
.

Gum-Sorting (Messrs Rawnsley & Co.'s Premises).

Gum-Sorting (Messrs Rawnsley & Co.'s Premises).

Owen, Arthur, Settler, was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, in 1858, and completed his education in Norfolk, where he engaged in farming pursuits for two years. Mr. Owen came to New Zealand per ship “Orari” in 1876, and found employment on a sheep run at the Wairan, afterwards farming at the Kaitara. He next became engaged in storekeeping at Manganarewa for a year, afterwards at Kaitaia for twelve years, and two years later took over the Poroti Hotel, which he gave up after a time.

Mr. A. Owen.

Mr. A. Owen.