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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Whananaki

Whananaki.

Whananaki. It is a relief after riding through miles of uninteresting country to come suddenly upon the pretty little settlement of Whananaki, which is one of the most flourishing in the north. The land is of excellent quality, and work in the locality being constant, the settlers have succeeded in creating comfortable homes with well grassed and securely fenced properties. Mr. J. C. Johnson, who arrived just before the village settlement was formed, has done a great deal to secure its prosperity, as Messrs Galbraith and Johnson's mill provides regular employment. That gentleman's own homestead has a pretty English appearance, surrounded by shelter trees which with orchard and flower garden together make a very pleasing rural picture. His farm consists of some 900 acres, carrying splendid stocks of sheep or cattle. The township has stores, a comfortable boarding-house and a public hall. The school, with teacher's residence attached, occupies a prominent position, and is used for divine service when opportunity offers. Monthly communication is provided by steamer with Auckland, and there is a good summer buggy road via Whangarei and Opuawhanga.

Morris, Thomas Henry Winwood, General Storekeeper and Produce Merchant, Importer of Groceries, Drapery, Iron, China, and Glassware, Whananaki. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. The business, originally established by Messrs. Johnson and Galbraith in 1883, was taken over by Mr. Morris in 1890 and is conducted in premises situated on the southern side of Whananaki harbour — the Kauri Timber Company's old position. Heavy stocks of general merchandise and seasonable goods are always kept in hand. Mr. Morris was born in Colombo, Ceylon, in 1831. Proceeding to England he was in the shipping trade in Gloucester, and subsequently served sixteen years with the Midland Railway Company and Messrs. Chaplin and Horne, the great railway agents and carriers, being stationed at Gloucester and Birmingham. Mr. Morris landed in Auckland per ship “William Miles” in 1862, and followed the occupation of a carpenter; afterwards, he kept a store at Hamilton during the Waikato War for ten years and afterwards followed various pursuits, such as farming, etc., for some eight or nine years before finally settling down in Whananaki. Mr. Morris is chairman of the school committee, domain, and cemetery boards, and takes an active part in general politics, calling himself a “true Liberal.” In company with two others he founded the Hamilton school before the Education Act came into force. He is married to a daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Page, steel-toy manufacturer, Birmingham
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Palmer, John, Farmer, Whananaki, Mr. Palmer was born on the Great Barrier in 1843 and is a son of late Mr. James Palmer, the well-known ship builder of that island. On his mother's side the family inherited several large blocks of land, which are now supervised by Mr. Palmer. He removed to Whananaki in 1890 to manage a fine property there of 400 acres. Besides that, Mr. Palmer has a considerable interest in other blocks containing valuable growths of the finest kauri timber, and runs a large number of cattle both at the Barrier and Whananaki. Mr. Palmer is married and has three sons and five daughters.

Willowbank, Whananaki, is considered to be the finest block of land in the district, and contains an area of 900 acres. It is well-watered undulating country, sub-divided throughout, and grazes some 700 sheep and a small herd of cattle. Mr. John on has expended a considerable sum in bringing his farm into a high state of cultivation, whilst his homestead and grounds are exceedingly fine, the former being a handsome building of fourteen rooms.

Mr. John Charles Johnson, J.P., Proprietor of “Willowbank,” was born in the Isle of Wight in 1851, and educated at the Bedford Grammar School. He came to New Zealand per ship “Edinburgh Castle” in 1870, landing in Wellington, where he afterwards served two years in the Armed Constabulary. In 1871 he engaged in contracting in the Waikato, After a visit to England in 1884, Mr. Johnson, on his return to New Zealand the following year, settled in Whananaki, where he conducted large sawmill for some time in partnership with Mr. C. Galbraith. Mr. Johnson has the welfare of the whole district at heart and is ever ready to forward its interests. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1891.

Mr. J. C. Johnson's Homestead.

Mr. J. C. Johnson's Homestead.