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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Hobson County

Hobson County, which comprises an area of 688 square miles, with a population of about 5000, exclusive of Maoris, extends from the Kaipara Heads—its most southerly point—to Maunganui Bluff. On the west its borders are laved by the Tasman Sea, and the Tangihua Range forms its most easterly extremity. Hitherto in Hobson county sawmilling and gum digging have proved more popular than the settlement of the land. Recently, however, a change has taken place, and land is being so eagerly sought after, and the country is progressing so favourably, that, when the timber and gum have been worked out, it is expected that the land will be well stocked with cattle and sheep, for which the country is well suited. At present (July, 1901) the principal industry is sawmilling, and the county has seven sawmills, which cut up annually about sixty millions of superficial feet of timber, which is mainly exported to Australia and the southern ports of New Zealand. The industry employs a large number of men, supports the various small towns in the county, and keeps in addition to numerous rafting steamers, a fleet of steam and sailing vessels trading in and out of Kaipara harbour. Kauri gum digging supports a large floating population, and is also a source of wealth to the country stores, where the gum is bought from the diggers and shipped to Auckland for export. The Kaipara harbour is the best port on the west coast north of Auckland, and has never less than 30 feet of water on the bar at low tide. A large lighthouse stands on the North Head, and a powerful tug steamer is employed in towing sailing vessels, but the port requires more attention from the authorities, as there are not sufficient buoys to mark the channel, nor beacons to mark the sand banks. The Wairoa river, which flows into the Kaipara harbour, is an extensive sheet of water, navigable for vessels up to 1000 tons for a distance of forty miles, and for smaller craft for ninety miles; while, with a fresh in the river, which often occurs, launches are enabled to reach Mangakahia, a distance of 110 miles from the river's mouth. In the upper reaches of the Wairoa the river is made beautiful by the romantic weeping willows (planted by the early missionaries) overhanging its banks, which are backed by picturesque native bush, and overlooked by the Tangihua Ranges in the background. Along the banks of the lower Wairoa, in addition to the general bush country suitable for grazing, there is a large extent of flat land, of first-class quality, which, when drained, will be eminently suitable for agricultural purposes. Communication between Auckland and Hobson county is regular and frequent, the main route being by train to Helensville, and thence by steamer across the Kaipara harbour and up the winding Wairoa river, calling first at the North Heads (Pouto), which is the southernmost part of the county, and distant from Auckland sixty-five miles. The county is managed solely by the Hobson County Council, into which the Town and Road Boards were merged years ago, so as to reduce the cost of administration. The first meeting of the Council was held on the 21st of February, 1877. Mr. David Balderston was the first chairman, and the other first members were Messrs Thomas S. Webb, Edwin Mitchelson, Thomas N. Wilson, John Kurndall, and George Skelton. At present (July, 1901) the members of the Council are Mr. W. A. Spiers, chairman, and Messrs A. E. Harding, J.P. (lately chairman for eight years), Thomas Bassett, J.P., John Dennin, Edwin Harding, M. N. Downey, J.P., and Samuel Dodd. Mr. Horace Hammond is the county engineer, Mr. M. G. Lambert, the county clerk, and Mr. N. A. McLeod the county solicitor. The Council chambers are situated at Aratapu, but as Dargaville is more central and fast increasing in population, it is intended to remove the offices shortly to Dargaville and make it the county town. With that end in view sketch plans have already been prepared by the county engineer.