In the early days the timber industry was of much importance; but, as the soil was well adapted for agriculture and pasturage, sawmilling was but a means to the establishment of the more permanent business of farming. Indeed, Blenheim soon became recognised as essentially a farming centre, and, as such, it has experienced a steadily increasing prosperity. The town was constituted a borough in 1869, and Mr. F. J. Litchfield was elected its first mayor. Population throughout the province has gradually grown, and the number of residents within the borough is now (1905) about 3,500. Though farming is the main industrial support of Blenheim, there are several page 313 flourishing subsidiary industries; namely, flourmills, flaxmills, fellmongeries, breweries, a large lolly factory, and several others of minor importance. The main thoroughfares in Blenhein are: Market Street, Maxwell Road, Grove Road, Walter Street, High Street, Alfred Street, and Manse Street. Blenheim has handsome Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian churches; a High School, and a Borough School, in addition to private schools; gas works, a fire brigade, municipal abattoirs, and three licensed halls; and a large public hall is (1905) about to be erected on a central site, at a cost of £4,000, more or less. Of the public reserves, Seymour Square is situated in the centre of the town, and possesses a fine band rotunda, built by public subscription in memory of the late Dr. Cleghorn. The town has a number of clubs, societies, and associations connected with sport and social entertainments and amusements. Blenheim is, by reason of its situation, a self-contained town, and business maintains its briskness throughout the year, with prices, in general, at a creditably low level. Communication with Wellington is by rail to Picton, and thence by steamer, or direct by boat from the town, via the Opawa river, which is navigable for vessels of about eighty tons.