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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

Kanieri

Kanieri.

Kanieri is situated on the Kanieri river, three miles and a-half from Hokitika, and is in the Kanieri riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. It lies to the north of the Hokitika river, and is east-by-south of the borough of Hokitika, on the main south road. It was the first township of importance south of Hokitika, and sprang into existence in the year 1865, when the “rush” to the West Coast diggings set in. At one time it contained fourteen hotels, and diggers from all parts of the Australian colonies were then at Kanieri. At the present time, a fair amount of sluicing goes on, and those employed make good wages. There is still a considerable area of unworked land which is said to be highly auriferous, but owing to lack of local capital nothing can be done with the property. At Woodstock, two miles from Kanieri, a rush took place many years ago. Kanieri has three churches; namely. Church of England, Roman Catholic and Methodist. The journey from Hokitika to Kanieri is by a good road or by tramway. The local State school is well attended, and the Roman Catholic church has a local school, which has between thirty and forty pupils. Mails close daily at 2.15 p.m. and arrive at 3 p.m., and there is a telegraph office attached to the post office. There are two hotels, three stores, two smiths shops, a butchery, and a bakery, and a resident constable has been stationed at the township. The population at the census of 1901 was 149, with an additional thirty-five at Kanieri road, and seventy-two on Kanieri tramline. There is game in the neighbourhood. Kanieri Lake, one of the finest of New Zealand mountain and forest lakes, is within driving distance. The district roads are suitable for cycling.

The Kanieri Public School was built in 1878, and stands in about two acres of ground, consisting of worked out tailings. The school building is one of the handsomest in the whole of Westland. The roll numbers sixty-six pupils, with an average attendance of fifty-five, many of whom come from a considerable distance. All standards up to the seventh are taught, and the school is in charge of Miss Potts and one assistant.

Beck, Richard . Mr. Beck was formerly a wholesale and retail butcher at Cobdon Quay, Kanieri. He is a son of the late Mr. R. Beck, of Hauhau, and was born in Victoria, Australia, in the year 1863, and brought up near Hokitika. After being engaged at school teaching at Blue Spur he went to Victoria, and shortly afterwards returned to New Zealand, and joined a survey party on the West Coast. He was subsequently county overseer for Mr. R. Beck's butchery about four years, and then he leased a butchery business from the executors of the late Mrs Rose. Mr. Beek is a Freemason, and was a member of the Westland Racing Club, and the Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Empire Store , Kanieri. This store is conducted by Mrs Staines wife of Mr. John Staines, of Koiterangi.
Mr. Staines' Store

Mr. Staines' Store

It is well stocked, and a good business is done with residents throughout the district.