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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Riverhead

Riverhead.

Riverhead is situated on one of the tidal rivers of the Waitemata, fifteen miles from Auckland by steamer, and twenty-four miles by road. It is within three miles of Kumeu, the nearest railway station on the Auckland and Helensville line, and is in the Waitemata County. There is a population of about 120 persons, who are engaged chiefly in gum digging, but the systematic cultivation of strawberries is becoming general as a local industry, which promises to assume large proportions. The soil, of which considerable areas are still in their virgin state, is similar to that of Birkenhead, whence Auckland has hitherto received the greater portion of the strawberries for which there is a large demand in the city. At Riverhead, in midwinter, 1901, magnificent ripe strawberries were growing luxuriantly in the open in several favoured spots, sheltered from the cold westerly winds, and there is no doubt that, with an increase of population, the comparatively barren country will be covered with flourishing orchards, vineyards, and strawberry plantations. Riverhead, about the sixties, was of some importance as the landing place between Auckland and the Kaipara, where a large timber and gum trade was carried page 645 on, but the advent of the railway diverted the traffic from the district, and diminished its prosperity. In the summer months a daily steam service is maintained, and there are numerous excursions to Riverhead, which is a charming place to spend a holiday in. Though laid out as a township, little has been done in the way of building. There is a public school, with an average attendance of about twenty-eight scholars, and a paper mill, and Riverhead also possesses a hotel which would do credit to places of greater pretentions.

Riverhead Hotel (Thomas William Deacon, proprietor) Riverhead. This hotel, would, in every respect, do credit to a much more populous place than Riverhead. The host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs Deacon, are noted for their courtesy, and for their studious regard to everything which bears upon the comfort of visitors to their house, which is situated close to the river, and within a minute's walk of the boat landing.

Riverhead Hotel.

Riverhead Hotel.

Mr. Thomas William Deacon, Hotelkeeper and Storekeeper, was born in Cornwall, England, in the year 1823, and joined the Royal Navy at an early age. He came to Auckland in 1843 in H.M.S. “Calliope,” commanded by Captain Edward Stanley, and was stationed with her at the Bay of Islands until the end of the war with Heke. After that the “Calliope” proceeded to Wellington, where she had Te Rauparaha, the celebrated Maori chief, on board as a prisoner of war. Mr. Deacon then left the “Calliope” and joined a barque going to Hokianga to load spars; Dr. Logan Campbell was on board the same barque. On his return to Auckland Mr. Deacon left the sea, and after travelling around the country for a considerable time, he settled at Riverhead, where he started storekeeping and built his present hotel, which was the first in the district. Riverhead was then the outlet of an extensive timber trade from Kaipara, whence the timber was brought overland and shipped to Auckland. The return cargo was landed at Riverhead and taken in bullock drays to Kaipara. Mr. Deacon then purchased a boat, in which he carried passengers from Riverhead to Auckland, but when steamers came on the scene that means of travelling ceased to be necessary. Mr. Deacon's hotel is replete with every comfort and luxury, and all the accessories of a first class houses, and is much frequented in the summer months by visitors from Auckland. The large store, from which all the supplies in the district are obtained, is also owned by Mr. Deacon, who also owns a large hotel, store, bakery, and blacksmith's shop at Kumeu, where his son has the management. Mr. Deacon married Mrs Ellis, widow of Captain Ellis, and has a family of eight children, and about forty grandchildren.

The Riverhead Paper Mills. About 1898 a company was formed in Auckland for the purpose of manufacturing brown and grey paper, and after considerable difficulty in finding a suitable place within a moderate distance of the capital, with conveniences in the way of water carriage, the company selected the site on which the mills now stand at Riverhead. The site had the advantage of possessing extensive buildings which could be easily converted to the requirements of the company. They were originally erected for the purpose of a flour mill, and during the early prosperity of the district the mill did a considerable business, but it had been closed for several years previous to its acquisition by the Riverhead Paper Mills Company. Large additions and altertions were made to the buildings, and the paper mill is now a most prosperous concern, furnished with the latest and most improved machinery, and giving employment to about thirty hands. The process of paper manufacturing is most interesting, from its first stage when all sorts of rags, pieces of ropes, and various discarded odds and ends, are thrown together, down to its final production as a strong, handsome glazed paper.

Mr. John Greenhalg, the Manager, is a gentlemen who has had extensive experience in England and in the colonies, in the manufacture of paper, and the company is fortunate in having his services.

Mr. Mark Thompson, Engineer of the Riverhead Paper Mills, is a native of Berwickshire, Scotland. He served three years in the well known foundry of Messrs Brown Brothers, engineers and ironfounders, and completed his apprenticeship with Messrs Bertrams, engineers, Edinburgh. These firms possessed a great reputation for the manufacture of paper making machinery. At the expiration of his apprenticeship Mr. Thompson went to Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he worked in the foundry of Hawthorne, Les[unclear: l]ie and Co., engineers. After a considerable experience in Edinburgh and Glasgow foundries, noted for the manufacture of paper machinery, Mr. Thompson came to Australia, in 1886, and landed at Melbourne, where he worked for three years at Longland's foundry, one of the largest firms of engineers in Australia. He received the appointment of engineer at Barwon's paper mills, Victoria, where he was for nine months in charge. In 1893 he came to New Zealand, under a special engagement for the Mataura paper mills, where he superintended the erection of all the extensive machinery, and where he remained for eighteen months. He left the Mataura mills to accept the position of engineer for the Southland Frozen Meat and Produce Co., with which he remained five years. In 1899 Mr. Thompson removed to Auckland, under a special engagement to superintended the erection of the splendid up-to-date machinery in the Riverhead Paper Mills. Mr. Thompson is associated with the Oddfellows, but has not been an active member since his arrival in New Zealand. He has been vice-president of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in Australia, and has been much connected with school committees since his arrival in New Zealand, and has also been secretary of various cricket clubs. Mr. Thompson is married, and has a family of four children.

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