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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Kamo

page 557

Kamo.

Kamo is a considerable agricultural settlement in Whangarei County, and is also a large coal producing district. It has a number of business places and a good hotel. Cattle sales are held periodically, and there is a post and telegraph office with a bi-weekly mail.

Kamo.

Kamo.

Kamo Pioneer Warui Mineral Springs (James J. Taylor, proprietor). These valuable springs were discovered by Mr. Taylor in 1889 and have been open to the public since 1894. There are two baths, one a large, well-lighted swimming basin, 12 by 20 feet and about 4 feet deep, the other—the electric bath—which is rather smaller, is so heavily charged with gas that the water appears to be violently boiling. Bathers in the latter experience a most pleasant sensation as the gas “pricks” the skin, and produces an electric friction all over the body. Its curative properties are unique and very effectual in stubborn cases of rheumatism, dyspepsia, and other complaints, affording also a refreshing and invigorating tonic. The springs are now visited daily by large numbers of people, who spenk in the highest praise of their medicinal value. Rheumatic patients, who have had to be carried to the baths, have been completely cured in a fortnight and able to take long rides on horseback. Good accommodation is provided at the house adjoining the baths for visitors and invalids, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor doing all in their power to make their patrons comfortable. The temperature of the baths is 80o Fahr., and the following analysis of the waters was made by Mr. J. A. Pond, F.C.S., Government Analyst. “No. 1 sample, total solids, 164.54 grains per gallon. Silica, 10.08; alumina, trace; oxide of iron, 28; carbonate of lime, 57.68; carbonate of magnesia, 17.05; bi-carbonate of soda, 38.64; chloride of sodium, 38.01; chloride of potassium, 2.80; sulphates, nil; boron, traces; lithium, traces; total, 164.54. Specific gravity at 71o Fahr., 1.00026. No. 2 sample, total solids, 149 grains per gallon. The salts thus shown to be present are held in solution owing to the water being super-saturated with carbonic acid, which on being liberated precipitates some of these salts in a crystalline form. The water is interesting in the entire absence of sulphuricaeid and in the presence of traces of boron and lithium, as evidenced by the spectroscope. This is a very pleasant drinking water and may prove of value medicinally in dyspepsia, rheumatism, and urinary diseases. The estimation of lithium would be of interest, as this is a valnable curative agent, but a large amount of water would be required for this purpose, the
Mr. J. J. Taylor's Mineral Baths, Kamo.

Mr. J. J. Taylor's Mineral Baths, Kamo.

page 558 evaporation of which would be advisably carried out on the spot”

Mr. Taylor, the Proprietor, was born in London, in 1848, came to this Colony in 1865, and five years later purchased and settled on his present property. He holds many vaulable testimonials from prominent men of the benefits derived from the baths; His Excellency Lord Glasgow spoke in high terms of the springs.

Mr. J. J. Taylor.

Mr. J. J. Taylor.

Sissons, Richard, M.R.C.S. (Lond.), Physician and Surgeon. The late Dr. Stssons was a native of Hull, England, and was born in 1819. He graduated as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1842, came to the Colony in 1866 and commenced practice in Kamo. Dr. Sissons, who was highly respected in the district, was chairman of several road boards and was for many years a member of the Whangarel County Counell. He took an active interest in church affairs and in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the district, in 1868, Dr. Sissons was married to a daughter of the late Mr. Gilbert Mair, and died in 1803 leaving no family. Mrs. Sissons has erected a pretty villa in Kamo, which is one of the landmarks of the neighbourhood.

The Late Dr. R. Sissons.

The Late Dr. R. Sissons.

Meinnes, Murdoch, Farrier and General Blacksmith, Kamo. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Whangarel. The business was established in 1874 and taken over by Mr. MeIunes in 1874. His premises have a total floor space of 600 square feet, and are favourably and centrally situated on the main road, and having resided in the locality for some years, Mr. McInnes is Widely known as a good tradesman. He was born in Kaurihohore in 1873. After farming for some years he joined his father under whom he served five years and learned his trade, eventually taking over the business when the former retired, Mr. MeInnes is an enthusiastic cricketer.

Barnes And Sissons (Thomas Barnes and —— Sissons), General Storekeepers and Produce Merchants, Kamo, Branch Store at Kiripaka. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Whangarei. Established by the original partners (Messrs Bessell and Barnes) in 1893. This firm's business in acknowledged to be the largest in Kamo. The premises are situated on the Bay of Islands and Grant roads, with a frontage of sixty-five feet, embodying a shop well and methodically stocked with groceries, drapery, boots, ironmongery, etc. Adjoining is the crockery and glassware store, which forms a specialty of the business, and contains all the latest novelties and fancy designs. All articles are sold by this enterprising firm at city prices, therefore a targe trade is carried on with the town and surrounding districts. Mr. Walter Bessell was born in London in 1856, where he spent several years in an accountant's office. He came to New Zealand per “Rimutaka” in 1875 and was accountant for Messrs. Whitelaw and Day, of Kamo, for eleven years, on the conclusion of which period the present business was established by himself and Mr. Barnes. Mr. Thomas Barnes halls from Dublin and was educated at Strathallen, Isle of Man, where he followed the occupation of a draper in Douglas for four years. Mr. Barnes landed at Auckland per ship “Fern Glen” in 1879, was in the employment of Messrs A. M. Rust and Co., Kamo, for two years, and subsequently with the firm of Messrs. J. Mitehelson and Co., for a like period, followed by a term of ten years in the employment of Messrs Whitelaw and Day.

Whitelaw, James, General Storekeeper, Gum and Produce Merchant, Kamo. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Whangarel. Mr. Whitelaw established his business in 1880. His shop has a frontage of fourteen feet to the main road and does a very steady trade. Formerly he had a very extensive business, but through the Bank of New Zealand crisis, he had the misfortune to lose the larger portion of his property and connections. Mr. Whitelaw is now gradually re-building his fortunes.

Tremaine, George, settler. Mr. Tremaine is a native of Devonshire, England, and was born in 1853. Shortly after his marriage he came to New Zealand by the s.s. “Northumberland,” landing at Wellington in 1880. After visiting Christchurch he lived for twelve months in the Waikato, then went to Kamo and took up 200 acres of land on which he worked for eight years, spending a considerable amount in improvements, in 1890 he bought the Kamo Hotel to which he made large additions and two years later he became his own landlord with a perfectly free business; but he has since left the hotel. Mr. Tremaine was for some years a member of the Kamo town board, and also of the school committee.