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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Port Albert

Port Albert.

Port Albert is sixty-five miles north-west from Auckland, and is situated on the Oruawharo river, which flows into the sea south-east of Kaipara harbour. The township consists of two stores, two boardinghouses, one public hall and a few private houses. The district was first opened up by the Albertland settlers, but a large number of them left, and are now engaged in business in Auckland. Those who remained have made, for themselves and families, comfortable homes on what was once a waste of ti-tree and fern. There is no hotel in the district, as the temperance principles of the settlers are very decided. Communication with Auckland is kept up by the steamers of the Northern Steamship Company, which leave Helensville every Thursday on arrival of the 7 a.m. train from Auckland. The steamer takes about five hours to reach Port Albert. Auckland can also be reached by coach from Port Albert to Warkworth on the east coast, thence by steamer. The Port Albert mails arrive, and are despatched on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The post office has a savings bank department, and there is telephone communication with Warkworth, whence messages are telegraphed to Auckland. The Stipendiary Magistrate's Court is held in the hall every three months, and minor cases are taken by the local Justices when necessary. The chief page 644 industries are cattle and sheep rearing, gum digging and fruit growing, and the latter is rapidly rising in importance. A large and commodious wharf runs out into commodious wharf runs out into deep water, and is kept in repair by the County Council. Timber is also exported from two mills, one owned by Messrs Bradley and Mander, the other by Mr. Gibbons. The school and Wesleyan church are situated about a mile and a half from the wharf. The Christian Brethren have a meeting house, and Anglican Church services are held quarterly. The districts adjacent to Port Albert are: Wellsford, distant about four miles—the proposed local terminus for the North Auckland railway; Hoteo North, distant fourteen miles; Wharehine, the same distance; and Tauhoa, about fourteen miles, on the west coast road. Albertland is situated north of Wellsford, and is about eight miles from Port Albert. The settlers in these districts are engaged chiefly in farming and gum digging, and some of the land is especially suitable for the rearing of cattle. The only hindrance to the advancement of Port Albert and the surrounding districts is the want of cheap and quick railway communication with Auckland. This obtained, these districts will be second to none in the Auckland province.

Lichtenstein And Arnoldson (Max Lichtenstein and Louis Arnoldson) General Storekeepers, Importers, and Kauri Gum Merchants, Port Albert. Head Office and Gum Stores, Auckland. This recently established business is the latest development of the well known firm to which it belongs, and was opened in April, 1901. The large premises were erected by Messrs Lichtenstein and Arnoldson, and specially adapted to meet the requirements of their extensive trade. Like those at the parent store at Matakohe, the Port Albert buildings are divided into three departments—one for the general store, one for produce, and one for kauri gum. Mr. Arnoldson resides at Port Albert, and personally supervises the business of the branch. The history of the firm is given at some length under the heading of the Kauri Gum Industry.