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Tales of Banks Peninsula

No 10—Little River

page 313

No 10—Little River.

Little River was one of the latest settled portions of the Peninsula, although it is one of the most important places now It is the outlet from the harbour to the Plains, and all of the Bay roads converge towards it. The settlement, consisting as it does of large valleys and fertile flats, well watered, was, it is not difficult to perceive even now, covered in dense hush. When the mills were at work it was a really lively place, and is still very prosperous. The timber has now been all cut, and most of the bush has disappeared. Since it has gone—once the chief export—Little River has depended on its dairying and cocksfooting, there being a large area of land suitable for dairying purposes.

The Maoris in the early times had a pah at the mouth of the Little River. Tikawilla, or a person of some such name, was the chief. These Maoris obtained their food from where Little River now is, hunting the wild pigs, and killing the wild birds. Little River was famous far its birds. The traveller through it in former years was always enchanted by the songs, scarcely ever ceasing, of the denizens of the bush It was also a most beautiful place—prettier than it is now, —and some of the largest trees on the Peninsula grew there The Maoris were rich in provisions, for the river and lake swarmed with tunas (eels) and other native fish. When Rauparaha came down with his warriors he sent some of his men over to Little River, but hearing of their approach, the Natives did not wait their arrival, but left their home for a time. It has always been, however, the district where the Maoris were in the largest number. A great many still live there, are on terms of equality with the European settlers, and own much of the best land about there. The Maoris annually grew large patches of kumaras on the hills above Harman's track.

Mr. Price was in Kaiapoi as early as 1831, Shortly afterwards he was whaling along the Peninsula Bays, and while at Ikeraki came over to Little River. Seeing the page 314excellent timber there, he set two sawyers at work in 1840. The whalers at the stations in the Bays about Piraki often came over to the River, either walking over the hills, or sailing round to the outlet of Lake Forsyth into the sea Messrs Smith and Robinson (the latter of whom was the first Magistrate in Akaroa) owned that property now belonging to Mr H. D. Buchanan. Mr Buchanan's father came over from Ikeraki and bought them out, Smith going to Australia. This was about 1850.

Mr Birdling also came from the fisheries, and bought up land about the River, forming that grand property now possessed by his family, and from which some of the best stock in New Zealand is sent to the Addington market. There was a good deal of sawing done in Little River in the old times, a great many runaway sailors from the whaling vessels around the coast congregating there. The lower flats were covered with tutu, Maori cabbage and other vegetation, and it was difficult travelling to reach the valley. Wm. Wood, commonly known as Paddy Wood, who started Oauhau whaling station, was in Little River early, and bad land there. Messrs White and Coop were the first to start the saw mill. The old building is still to be seen just opposite the Railway Station. To start a saw-mill there was a much more difficult matter then than could be considered possible now. The engine was dragged from Christchurch by bullock, and a great undertaking it was. When the mill was fixed up, there was no lack of material for it to work on. A tramway was made to Lake Forsyth. This carried the timber, which was punted over the small lake to Birdling's Flat. Here it was put on another tramway, and conveyed to Lake Ellesmere, over which it was taken in punts and crafts to Hart's Creek, Leeston. At one time there were several vessels employed oo the lake for this purpose. A steamer aiso was built at Stoney Point. There is very little left now to remind one of these doings. A jetty is still standing, which runs into Lake Forsyth, where the Christchurch Regatta is sometimes held. The tramway has disappeared. The timber page 315had to undergo a lot of handling, but its scarcity, and the good price then ruling, justified the labour. As may be supposed, a great many men were at work in connection with this mill, and these, with their families, settled the place. A school was built for their children close to where the Forsyth Arms Hotel now is, There was another school built at Stoney Point, of which Mr Dowling was master, The house now belongs to Mr Birdling. About fifty years ago the road from Christchurch to Little River was made by Messrs Radford, Buckingham and Edmonds. Before this travelling was guess work, and those who wished to go to Little River, travelled round the points and over the lake flats, making the journey mueh longer than it is now.

The first dairies started in Little River were those of Messrs Stanbury and G. W. Joblin. These dairies supplied the men working at the timber, and were very profitable then. As the bush was cleared the land was sown down and cocksfoot cut. As soon as the railway line was made to Birdling's Flat the Terawera sawmill was started, and did a lot of work. The Western Valley mill was started over twenty years ago, but has now completed its work. Mr. Stanbury made the road over the hill into the harbour. Little River has a County Council, called the Wairewa County Council, of its own, and it has charge of a large district.

The new school was built about 1880, and the English Church before that, also the Maori Church on the Maori reserve. Both of these churches are prettily situated on the top of small hills, and are very picturesque. The Maori Hall, a commodious building, was erected in 1885, and is a great boon to the settlement, and public amusements have been held there for some years. Formerly the inhabitants were badly off in this respect. An up to date town hall has recently been built there. The Lake Forsyth Arms Hotel was built many years ago, and it is unfortunate for travellers that it was not built nearer the spot where the railway ends, The horrible murder which took place at this hotel will be long remembered. A Russian Fin page 316named Nils Jacobsen quarrelled with his mate, Max Johnson, and stabbed him to the heart on the hotel verandah This was in October, 1887, and caused much excitement. Mr. George Robinson, the well known half-caste, captured the murderer. The settlement of Little River has been a quiet one, and unfruitful of startling events. It has been a history of quiet prosperity. Some day, perhaps, the railway will be extended to the foot of the hill, and the tunnel bored to the harbour, tapping the Peninsula. Little River has a prosperous future before it, and is like the rest of the Peninsula—a collection of fine farms—whose export is cocksfoot, butter and cheese.