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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Utiku

Utiku.

About ten miles beyond Mangaweka, on the main coach road to the Hot Lakes District, Utiku first became a settlement in 1893, when a body of co-operative labourers, engaged on railway construction, was located there. Surrounded by native land, it was named after the original owner, Utiku Potaka. At the recent census the population of the village was sixty-six. Utiku, which is in the County and Electoral District of Rangitikei, has a sawmill, two boardinghouses, and a few homesteads. Mails are received and made up twice weekly, for both north and south, by the local postmaster. The township has already secured a public hall, and there is a comfortable accommodation house.

Utiku Public Hall, which was completed and opened in October, 1896, was raised by public subscription, supplemented by labour famished by a few residents. It is a convenient building, having seating accommodation for about 100.

Temperance Hotel (Maurice Thompson, proprietor), Utiku. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This hostelry, which was completed and opened in May, 1896; contains seven bedrooms, two parlours, and a dining-room to seat twenty. The stables of five stalls and large loose-box are supplemented with an excellent paddock, which is specially available for travelling stock. Tourists are considered in every way, and their wants receive personal attention from the proprietor. Born at Saltwater Creek, Canterbury, Mr. Thompson became proprietor of the Railway Hotel, Hunterville, in 1894, and successfully conducted that house till opening at Utiku. He is a member of the Oddfellows' Order, being attached to the Ohingaiti Lodge.