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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Molesworth And Saies

Molesworth And Saies (William Henry Saies), Merchants, Gum-buyers, and General Storekeepers, Totara North, Whangaroa. Branches at Te Kao, Parengarenga, Awanui, Taipa, Takakuri, Otongaroa, Kauriputete, Pupuke, Matauri, Ngaire, Omawhapuka, Te Mata, Waieri, and Waihapa. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. This firm have an extensive business which Mr. Saies established in conjunction with the late Mr. Molesworth in 1890 and to which the partners devoted their united energies. Owing to the rapid increase of trade they decided from time to time to open branches on the gumfields as occasion required, and now they have in all fifteen of these establishments carrying full stocks of general merchandise. The conntry operated upon by the firm extends from the Bay of Islands on the south to the extreme north of the island, and from coast to coast. As gum-buyers Messrs. Molesworth and Saies have probably few equals in New Zealand, their purchases averaging over 400 tons annually, or about five per cent, of the total exports from the colony. This at £60 per ton shows an annual turnover in this commodity alone of £24,000. Formerly the firm used to ship direct to London and New York, page 583 but owing to the fluctuations in the Home markets, it was deemed more advantageous to effect a speedy and certain realization in Auckland. They now, therefore, deal with Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co., of that city, to whom they consign the whole of their gum and of whom they speak in high terms. Messrs. Molesworth and Saies hold the gum rights from the Kauri Timber Company for the whole of that company's properties situated in Whangaroa County and throughout the whole of the North; the firm have 700 acres at Pupuke, and some valuable ground at Te Mata. The largest leasehold, consisting of 30,000 acres, is at Te Kao, over which they hold a seven years' right. The stock of merchandise kept on hand by the firm at their headquarters, Totara North, and the several branches, is very large and comprises every class of goods suitable for a rough country business. Over forty hands are kept continually employed, exclusive of the many hundred diggers, whilst twenty pack-horses are used at their various depots for forwarding stores to the depths of the kauri forests, where the gum-digger and bushman live and labour, and find Messrs Molesworth and Saies always willing to give them a helping hand. The late Mr. Molesworth was drowned in Whangaroa Harbour on the 11th of June, 1897. He was a man of sound common sense, an accomplished Maori linguist and one in whom the natives placed great confidence. Mr. Saies is also thoroughly conversant with the Maori language.

Messrs Molesworth & Saies' premises, Totara North.

Messrs Molesworth & Saies' premises, Totara North.

Messrs Molesworth & Saies' Employees. Wi Ngatau. Robt. Bell, junr. John Sherman. F. Sanderson.(Accountant.) D. Molesworth.(Late Partner.) W. Saies.(Proprietor.) G. Foley. W. Saies, junr. Geo. Andrews. Thos. Fleming (Head Gum Classer). R. Sherman.

Messrs Molesworth & Saies' Employees.
Wi Ngatau. Robt. Bell, junr. John Sherman. F. Sanderson.(Accountant.) D. Molesworth.(Late Partner.) W. Saies.(Proprietor.) G. Foley.
W. Saies, junr. Geo. Andrews. Thos. Fleming (Head Gum Classer). R. Sherman.