Kaitoke Railway Station, Post and Telegraph Office is situated twenty-eight miles from Te Aro Station, Wellington, and eight miles from the Summit Station at the top of the Rimutaka incline. It consists of wooden buildings, which include ladies' and general waiting-rooms, stationmaster's office—which also does duty for postal, telegraphic, money order and other business—porter's quarters, and large refreshment rooms. The station is prominent in the latter respect, eight minutes being allowed for refreshments.

Mr. Richard Kearney, the Stationmaster, Postmaster and Telegraphist at Kaitoke, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1869. When he was but five years old his parents came to Wellington per ship “Edwin Fox,” and settled in the Upper Hutt district. In 1833 the subject of this notice entered the Upper Hutt telegraph office as messenger, and two years later was transferred to the clerical department in the railway. Mr. Kearney was promoted to the position of stationmaster in 1830, and filled that office at Greatford for over three years, and at Ngahauranga for about two-and-a-half years, receiving his appointment to Kaitoke in 1895.

Mr. R. Kearney.

Kaitoke Public School —situated about a mile and a half along the main road from the railway station—is a single-story wooden building, containing one room and a porch, and was established many years ago. The number of pupils on the roll is twenty-two, with an average attendance of eighteen.

Miss Dorothea Hamilton is the Mistress in charge of the Kaitoke School. Miss Hamilton, who has had a professional career of seventeen years, was born in Ireland, where also she was educated. Arriving in Lyttelton in 1878, per ship “Waitangi,” Miss Hamilton came on to Wellington, where she joined the Board of Education, taking at E4 certificate. Before her appointment to Kaitoke in 1892 she was mistress at Gladstone, Horokiwi Valley, and Paikakariki respectively.

Kaitoke Railway Refreshment Rooms (Mr. Broadbent, lessee). This popular stopping place has lately been very much enlarged and thoroughly renovated. The main room has a long counter and three tables, and opens into the ladies' refreshment room, where there is another table. Mrs. Broadbent, who is well known throughout the Wairarapa, has been in charge since the beginning of 1896. She is noted for the refreshing tea and other beverages supplied, and her ham sandwiches and confectionery of her own baking are delectable. Mrs. Broadbent has leased the commodious six-roomed residence adjoining the station, which she has furnished so as to provide accommodation for tourists, including cyclists and fishing and shooting parties. There is good trout fishing in the Pukeratahi River, and quail, rabbits and other game abound in the bush.