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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Totara North

Totara North.

Totara North is a settlement in Whangaroa County in the neighbourhood of extensive gumfields. It is 169 miles from Auckland, with which it has communication by steamer and a weekly mail service.

Totara North Public School, one of the best situated schools in the province, stands on an eminence overlooking Whangaroa Harbour. It was erected in 1872, and has one class-room with accommodation for about seventy scholars. There are seventy-five on the roll and an excellent average attendance is maintained; the numbers have considerably increased during the last two years and it is probable the school-house will soon need extension. Mr. G. Wilson, the headmaster, is assisted by Miss Bertha Lane and Miss Amy Copland.

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.

Mr. W. H. Saies, Sole Proprietor of the business, is a son of the late Mr. Robert Saies, formerly well known in commercial circles in South Wales. He was born in 1848, was privately educated, and began life as a clerk in the offices of Messrs. Clayton, Rooke and Co. Two years later he came to New Zealand per ship “Lancashire Witch,” landing at Auckland in 1865. After a short farming experience he obtained employment in the kauri timber industry, at which he continued for nearly six years, when he undertook the management of Mr. A. T. Knee's general store at Whangaroa. Three years later, when Mr. Knee sold out, Mr. Saies found employment at Totara with the late Mr. D. Sanderson, in whose employment he continued till he joined Mr. Molesworth in 1890. Mr. Saies was for over five years in the Whangaroa County Council, has been chairman of the Totara School Committee, and chairman of the Totara Road Board. He has filled various offices in Freemasonry, being attached to Lodge Zealandia. His favourite pastime is cricket. Mr. Saies married a daughter of Mr. Robert Bell, of Totara, and has one son.

Mr. Dover Nassau O'Doyer Molesworth, J.P., late Senior Partner of the firm of Molesworth and Saies, was born at Porchester, page 584 Southampton, in 1860, and was a son of Dr. T. B. Molesworth, surgeon of H.M.S. “Mersey.” He was educated at King William's College with a view to entering the navy, but owing to defective eyesight he was compelled to abandon that career and came out to New Zealand about the year 1880, in company with his brother. He was for two or three years in the Waikato district and afterwards went to Whangaroa, where he worked at the kauri timber trade and was storeman to Mr. Haggar, of Waipuna, for nearly six years, at the expiration of which time he established himself in business in partnership with Mr. Saies. With a character for determination combined with energy and excellent business principles, he soon succeeded in making the firm's name a household word throughout the “Far North.” His kind-hearted and generous disposition made him a general favourite and universally respected, and when he was cut off in the prime of life by the capsizing of a boat in Whangaroa Harbour on the 11th of June, 1897, his untimely death cast a deep gloom over the country. The respect in which he was held may be gathered from the fact that his funeral was the largest which had taken place in Whangaroa. Mr. Molesworth was foremost in matters affecting the public welfare; he was a member of the Whangaroa County Council, Licensing Committee, and Acclimatization Society. In Freemasonry he was a past master, and he was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1892. Mr. Molesworth was married in 1882 to a daughter of Mr. G. T. Fergusson, of Waipuna, and left a widow with two sons and a daughter to mourn the loss of a loving husband and affectionate father.

The Late Mr. D. N. O'D. Molesworth.

The Late Mr. D. N. O'D. Molesworth.

Mr. Albert Smith, Baker for Messrs. Molesworth and Saies, Totara North, who has been in that firm's employment since July, 1897, was born in 1877, and is a son of Mr. J. Smith, of Auckland. He was educated at Parnell, and apprenticed to Mr. R. Forgie, baker, with whom he remained over three years, and was then in Mr. Cross's employment for about six months. Mr. Smith's favourite pastime is yachting.

Lane And Brown (Thomas Major Lane and William Brown), Shipbuilders and Timber Merchants, Totara North, Whangaroa. Cable address, “Lane, Totara North.” Code, A.B.C. London agents, Messrs. Macdonald, Scales and Co. Bankers. Union Bank of Australia, Auckland. Private residences, Totara North. The extensive business of this firm may be regarded as the leading shipbuilding establishment in New Zealand and was established in 1870. The total floor space of the premises is over 15,000 square feet. There are two building sheds measuring over 140 x 40 feet, 120 x 30 feet respectively, the larger affording facilities for the construction of vessels up to 350 tons, and the smaller for building vessels of 100 tons and under. The machinery, which is very complete, includes two vertical, one band, and five circular saws, besides machines for planing, trunelling, moulding, turning, etc. The motive power consists of a Marshall's semi-portable engine. The timber is wholly cut on the premises, kauri being largely used, but the harder woods, such as puriri and pohutukawa, and the imported woods blue gum and iron bark, are also much used. Messrs. Lane and Brown take special care in having the harder woods used for frames cut during the winter and wellseasoned for at least twelve months before being brought into requisition, consequently they have never had any complaints that the vessels built by them have been otherwise than satisfactory. It is their opinion, formed by extensive experience and from tests after twenty years' hard wear, that pohutukawa under these conditions is one of the best of timbers for the framework of wooden vessels. The whole of the iron work, too, is done on the premises, only competent tradesmen being employed. The offices are situated at the back of the yards, where there is a store set apart for the necessary fittings, which are all imported direct from English and Continental firms, specially to the order of Messrs. Lane and Brown. Nothing but the very best materials are used with most skilful workmanship in shipbuilding. No vessel is launched until guaranteed in every respect, thus ensuring reasonable prices for their vessels. Messrs. Lane and Brown have a wide reputation not only in New Zealand but also in the sister Colonies. They have supplied vessels for Sydney and other parts of Australia, South Sea Islands, New Guinea, and constructed a fleet of fourteen pearling boats for Messrs. James Clarke and Co., of Thursday Island, who, in a letter to the builders expressed in glowing terms their complete satisfaction with the faithful manner in which the contract had been executed. Up to September, 1900, the firm had turned out seventy vessels from pearling craft of twelve tons to sailers of 320 tons. The first large vessel was the “Active” of 157 tons register, built in 1878 and afterwards lost at Samoa. The “Alert” was launched in 1870, followed by the “Rainbow,” a fine schooner of 320 tons. The “Maile' a beautiful three-masted schooner of 270 tons, won universal admiration. The illustration accompaying this article will convey to readers some idea of the taste and finish displayed by this firm. They have built to the order of Captain Skinner, of Auckland, the “Ebenezer,” “Minnie Hare,” “Gisborne,” “Waiapu,” “Awanui,” and “Aotea,” the last named being the first auxiliary in the Colony piopelled by oil-engines. Messrs. Lane and Brown built also four vessels to the order of Mr. James Subritzky, the last of which was the well-known auxiliary schooner “Greyhound.” Some of the workmen at the yards have been in the employ of the firm since its inception, which is evidence of the good understanding always existing between employers and employees. In all about sixty men are employed, whose average monthly wages total £450. Messrs. Lane and Brown have done a large amount of experimental work with regard to the construction of vessels both as to style and fittings with very satisfactory results, as in the case of the “Whangaroa,” a fine three-masted sea-going scow, which was in every way a decided success. A telephone and post office is situated on the premises, so that no delay is occasioned in the delivery of telegrams and letters to the firm.

Mr. Thomas Major Lane, Senior Partner, hails from the Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire, where he was born in 1847, and received his education at the Northleach page 585 Grammar School. He came with his parents to Auckland per ship “Persia” in 1860, and eventually went to Waiapu, Bay of Islands, where he was apprenticed to the shipbuilding trade in the yards of the late Mr. W. P. Brown. After completing his apprenticeship Mr. Lane engaged in house-building, bridge contracts, etc., till 1870 when in conjunction with Mr. W. Brown he established the flourishing concern reviewed above. In public affairs Mr. Lane has rendered yeoman service to Whangaroa. He was long chairman of the Whangaroa County Council after its creation in 1886, and was previously chairman of the Mongonui County Council; he is a member of the Rechabites and has been associated with the local school committee for many years.

Mr. T. M. Lane.

Mr. T. M. Lane.

Mr. William Brown, Junior Partner, is a New Zealander by birth and a son of the late Mr. W. J. Brown, of Waiapu, Bay of Islands, where he was born in 1850. He followed the trade of a ship-builder under his father, afterwards trading in his vessels with coal and produce to the South Sea Islands. When twenty years of age he joined Mr. Lane in establishing their present business. Mr. Brown is associated with the order of Rechabites, and is married to a daughter of the late Mr. William Lane.

Mr. W. Brown.

Mr. W. Brown.

Mr. John Gow, Shipwright for Messrs. Lane and Brown, served his apprenticeship with the firm, after which he learned the trade of a “saw doctor” at Holdship's mill, Whangaroa. He was subsequently in the employment of Messrs Wigmore and Co at the Whangaroa sawmills, but went to Melbourne
Mr. J. Gow.

Mr. J. Gow.

Schooner “Toroa,” 162 Tons, Fitted With 50-Horse Power Auxiliary Hercules Oil Engine. Built By Lane and Brown, Totara North.

Schooner “Toroa,” 162 Tons, Fitted With 50-Horse Power Auxiliary Hercules Oil Engine. Built By Lane and Brown, Totara North.

page 586 in 1886 and gained considerable knowledge of the building trade there. Thirteen months later he came back to New Zealand and in 1889 returned to his former employers, Messrs. Lane and Brown. Mr. Gow is well-known as a tradesman throughout Totara North and Whangaroa, nothing in the manufacture of woodware coming amiss to him. In this respect he is much patronised by the inhabitants, and his leisure hours are therefore well occupied. He is married to a daughter of Mr. John Bradley, late of Birmingham.

Lawrence, W. R., and Co. (William Richard Lawrence, Thomas Major Lane, and William Brown), General Storekeepers and Gum Buyers, Totara North. Telegraphic address, “Lawrence, Totara North.” A.B.C. Code. London agents, Messrs. Macdonald, Scales and Co. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia Ltd., Auckland. This firm's business was established in 1882 and has been conducted by the present partners conjointly since 1884. The firm's connections extend over a wide area of country, and as the members are direct importers they do a large wholesale trade with local storekeepers. Messrs. Lawrence and Co. are large gum buyers, and ship considerable quantities regularly to Auckland. The facilities offered for shipping are excellent as vessels of 100 tons can without any difficulty berth alongside the premises.

Mr. Lawrence, the Senior Partner, was born in Leitrim, Ireland, in 1860, and educated at Mohill where he served three years in Mr. Robert Stratton's drapery warehouse. In 1882 he came to New Zealand in the “Weathersfield.” After a brief stay in Auckland he went on to Totara North and was under engagement to Mr. A. T. Knee till 1884 when he bought out Mr. Graham and joined Messrs. Lane and Brown in the business. Mr. Lawrence is fully occupied with his business and has no time for public affairs. He is, however, an enthusiastic cricketer, is associated with the Rechabites, and identifies himself with the Wesleyans. He is married to a daughter of Mr. Joseph Hare, senior, of Kaeo.

Hanna, photo. Mr. W. R. Lawrence.

Hanna, photo.
Mr. W. R. Lawrence.

Mr. E. G. Douglas, Accountant for Messrs W. R. Lawrence and Co., was born in Dunedin in 1875. He accompanied his parents to Auckland, and was educated at the Mount Eden public school and also attended the Auckland Grammar school for three years. After being for some time in the service of the Bank of Australasia, he removed to Totara North, where he has since been in the employment of Messrs W. R. Lawrence and Co.

Mr. W. P. Brown, Old Colonist, Bay of Islands. Mr. Brown was one of those early Colonists who have had a very varied experience of life in New Zealand. He died in September, 1896, at his residence, Te Wahapu, at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. The late Mr. Brown first landed in the Bay of Islands in 1836, a shipmate and fellow-apprentice of his being the late Captain Oakley. For three and a half years after landing in New Zealand, Mr. Brown was mate of the Church Mission schooner. “Columbine,” and during his cruises in that vessel he gained a considerable insight into the various phases of Maori character. At the outbreak of the native war in 1845, be with his wife and two little children, had to abandon their home at Te Wahapu. Before this, in 1840, he had engaged in ship-building in the Bay of Islands, much frequented then by English and American whalers, as many as thirty or forty often lying in the harbour at one time. Of his four sons, two are connected with the firm of Messrs. Lane and Brown, shipbuilders at Totara, another is following the same trade at Fremantle, West Australia, and the fourth is living at Te Wahapu.

Thr Late Mr. W. P. Brown.

Thr Late Mr. W. P. Brown.

Mr. Patrick Campbell, sometime Old Settler, Totara North, was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1839. The son of a farmer, he followed agricultural pursuits till he came to New Zealand in 1866 per ship “Alexander.” At Auckland he was engaged in the construction of water-works, afterwards following the calling of a brickmaker for a few months, when he went to Whangaroa and resided in the old mission house and engaged in timber work. He purchased 200 acres and continued to farm the property up to the time of his death. Being a most industrious worker, Mr. Campbell improved his farm wonderfully and having a retiring disposition never mixed up in public affairs. He was a conscientious, religious man, and a regular attendant at the district church, in which he took more than usual interest, and was on friendly terms with all his fellow-settlers, by whom his death was deeply regretted. He left a wife and four sons and two daughters.