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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Ohaeawai

page 572

Ohaeawai.

Ohaeawai. The township of Ohaeawai, 173 miles from Auckland, is situated on the coach road between Kawakawa and Hokianga. It is the centre of a rich volcanic district, and when more of the adjoining country, which is at present in the hands of the Maoris, is opened up for European settlement, there is every probability that Ohaeawai will grow into a busy town. There is a large and commodious hotel, and the central post office for the district is situated in the township, which has also, many other places of business.

The Hon. Henry Williams was born at Paihia, in the Bay of Islands, in the year 1823, three weeks after the arrival of his parents in New Zealand. He is the third son of the late Archdeacon Henry Williams, who came to New Zealand in 1823, as missionary under the Church Missionary Society, and he was educated in the Mission School, under the late Bishop of Waiapu. In 1842 Mr. Williams joined his brothers on their land at Pakaraka, where he has resided ever since. During Heke's war in 1845, he and his brothers were left in undisturbed possession by Heke, who maintained that his quarrel was against the Government and not against the settlers. Mr. Williams has been a Justice of the Peace since the year 1858, and was chairman of the Bay of Islands County Council continuously from 1876 to 1899, when he retired and did not seek re-election. He was called to the Legislative Council by the Whitaker Administration in 1882. Mr. Williams is one of the few who have seen the gradual development of New Zealand from the savage state it was in in 1823, to its colonisation in 1840, and its present position as one of the company of nations—offshoots of, and under the aegis of the great British people. He is an ardest imperialist, and the position that New Zealand took up in connection with the war in South Africa, going as a young whelp to the assistance of the mother lion, had his heartiest support. His aspirations are to see not merely the federation of England and her colonies, but the federation of the whole Anglo-Saxon race; a consummation which he believes to be in the near future.

The Hon. H. Williams.

The Hon. H. Williams.

The Ohaeawai Sale Yards, the property of Mr. George F. Dickeson, are very centrally situated and substantially constructed of puriri and heart of kauri. Monthly sales are held by the auctioneer, Mr. G. F. Dickeson, and are largely attended by farmers and dealers from the district lying between Whangarei and the North Cape. Sheep and cattle in great numbers are penned and find a ready market, and the yards are considered the best in the north of Auckland.

Stanton, Joseph, Boot and Shoemaker, Ohaeawai. Mr. Stanton established his business on “The Coruer” in September, 1895, and has gained a wide circle of patrons, his business extending over a large radius, especially in bespoken work, which he always turns out most satisfactorlly to his customers. He was born in Auckland in 1870, where he was educated and followed his trade for eight years. In aquatic matters he has taken a leading part.

Woods, George Henry, General Storekeeper, Gum Buyer, and Licensed Native Interpreter, Ohaeawai. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. Auckland kauri gum agents, Messrs. Garlick and Lyon. The business was established in 1887 and taken over by Mr. Woods in 1894. His premises, situated on the corner of the Waimate and Kawakawa roads, have a total frontage of over 100 feet and the main building contains 1200 feet of floor space, with a shop well-stocked in each of its respective departments. Mr. Woods keeps pack-horses and carts employed in conveying merchandise to and from the gumfields, is a cash buyer of wood and makes advances on the season's clip. His fine large gum-sheds form a not inconsiderable feature of his business. Mr. Woods was born in Awnui North in 1873, and is a son of Mr. G. E. Woods, schoolmaster of Ngawha. He was for twelve months with Mr. G. W. S. Patterson, five years with Messrs. Dickeson Bros., and two years in the employ of Mr. W. E. Goffe at Ngawha. Mr. Woods is secretary and treasurer of the Ohaeawai Brass Band and takes a lively interest in the football and athletic clubs.

Hanna, photo. Mr. G. H. Woods.

Hanna, photo. Mr. G. H. Woods.

Bindon, John Waller, “Pahake Farm,” Ohaeawal. Mr. Bindon's property, has been popularly known as the “Model Farm” of Bay of Islands County. It is of rich alluvial pastoral land, and for agricultural purposes is unsurpassed. There is a fine commodious two-storey dwelling which was erected in the early sixties, and is picturesquely situated in front of a pretty artificial lake and page 573 playing fountain. A view of part of the property accompanies this notice. Mr. Bindon, who was born in Tipperary in 1849 is a son of the late Dr. Bindon, and was educated at the Dungannon Royal School, Tyrone. Coming to New Zealand per ship “Mary Shepherd,” he landed at Russell in February, 1865, and shortly afterwards settled down at Whangai, where the family had each received a grant of forty acres. Mr. Bindon stuck to the land with indomitable pluck for twenty years, but ultimately was compelled to relinquish it. In 1890 he purchased “Pahake Farm,” and in 1877 became engaged in carrying on a coaching business with various parts of the Hokianga and Bay of Islands county. He is married to a daughter of Mr. James L. Kinsella, of Wellington, and has three sons.

“Pahake Farm“—Mr. J. W. Bindon's Property.

Pahake Farm“—Mr. J. W. Bindon's Property.

Pouerua Station (Hon. H. Williams, M.L.C., proprietor), Pakaraka, consists of 2700 acres. It is now leased to Mr. H. S. Ludbrook, of Tupetupe, Ohaeawal. The country is of a rich volcanic soll and undulating nature, and grazes two sheep to the acre. The stock are of a high class Lincoin Romney strain, with a fine herd of Shorthorns, all of a remarkably healthy character. Wheat and oats readily yield heavy crops, but the land is more suitable for sheep and cattle.

Mr. William Williams Ludbrook, Manager of the Pouerua Estate, Pakaraka, took possession in 1895. He was born at Ohaeawai in 1865, educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, and is a son of the late Mr. S. B. Ludbrook. He entered the civil service in Wellington and served nine years in the property-tax department. Preferring a country life, he left the service. Mr. Ludbrook was for nearly three years on Mr. J. N. Williams' estate at Frimley, Hawke's Bay. In 1895, he returned to the north and took the management of the Pouerua estate, leased by his brother, Mr. H. S. Ludbrook, from the Hon. Henry Williams, M.L.C. When in Wellington Mr. Ludbrook was a member of the Star Boating Club and rendered yeoman's service to his crew. He is an ardent supporter of all kinds of healthy sport.

Tupetupe Station, the freehold property of Mr. H. S. Ludbrook, contains 2000 acres and extends through to Pakaraka, with a frontage to the main road nearly the whole distance. The run originally belonged to the late Mr. S. B. Ludbrook. It is of a volcanic nature and, with the Pouerua station, runs 5000 Lincoin and Romney sheep, besides 750 Shorthorn cattle. It is stated that, in former times when the Maoris were numerous, the native owners had over 5000 acres of this property under cultivation, their only means of tilling the soil being the old Maori wooden spade.

Mr. Henry Samuel Ludbrook, Proprietor of Tupetupe Estate, is the eldest son of the late Mr. S. B. Ludbrook, who was one of the first European settlers in Ohaeawai. Born in Auckland, the subject of this notice was educated at the Parnell Grammar School, after which he spent three years in farming pursuits on his cousin's (Mr. J. N. Williams) estate at Frimley. Hastings. Mr. Ludbrook then returned to Ohaeawai and took over the property on his father's death, and has leased the Pouerna station since 1895. He is a Justice of the Peace, a member of the Bay of Islands County Council, vice-president of the Bay of Islands Agricultural and Industrial Society and has filled many positions in connection with local affairs. He is married to a daughter of Mr. Kinsella, of Wellington.