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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Whirinaki

Whirinaki.

Whirinaki is a native settlement in Hokianga, 208 miles north of Auckland and sixteen miles from Rawene. The population consists almost entirely of natives, who cultivate a large extent of land and possess a number of live stock of all kinds. The dwellings of the natives are numerous and grouped together in a beautiful valley about 700 acres in extent. Large quantities of maize and potatoes are grown, as the natives are more than usually industrious, and they also show great interest in the education of their children. Whirinaki Valley is formed of rich alluvial deposit yielding splendid crops; and sub-tropical fruits, especially oranges and lemons, grow to great perfection. The settlement is one of long standing and of great tribal importance, being an ancient ancestral burial place of many noted warriors and chiefs of the Ngapuhi nation. Now
Whirinaki River.

Whirinaki River.

page 619 there is a semi-Europeanised appearance about it with its fine new native school-house, post and telephone office, all of which are in the charge of Mr. C. P. Winkelmann, who displays uncommon interest in the Maori population. Many of the natives, who are nearly all half-castes or quarter-castes, have comfortable, well-built houses.

The Whirinaki Native Technical School is a substantial building situated on a hill, and has accommodation for seventy scholars. There are more than sixty children on the roll, and the average attendance is fifty. The Government has recently converted the school into a technical school, and a large and substantial workshop has been fitted with all the tools necessary for the instruction of classes in carpentry and joinery. Metal working will also receive attention, and form part of the instruction for pupils. The master, Mr. Winklemann, who is a registered pharmaceutical chemist, has fitted up two laboratories, in which there are valuable and instructive apparatus appertaining to almost all branches of science. As an old medical student, he has also established a complete surgery and dispensary for the benefit of the Maori people, and this has done much to bring about a decided improvement in the general health of the settlement.

Government Technical School, Whirinaki.

Government Technical School, Whirinaki.

Mr. Charles Peter Winkelmann, who was appointed to the Whirinaki Native School in 1897, was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, was at Askern College, near Doncaster, and finished his education under a private tutor. He came out to New Zealand per ship “British Empire” in 1877, intending to engage in sheep farming, but obtained an appointment at Te Aute College as assistant master. After five years' service he resigned his position, entered the Native School Department, and was given charge of the school at Kaipara, where he remained seven years, and was subsequently at Waimamaku for a like period. Whirinaki was always considered a troublesome school to manage, and it was not in a peaceful condition when Mr. Winkelmann was asked to take charge of it. However, he has succeeded in overcoming all difficulties and has placed the school on an excellent footing.