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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 7 (October 1, 1936)

Home to Hokianga

Home to Hokianga.

On returning to New Zealand, in 1855, Webster married the eldest daughter of his old friend, Mr. G. F. Russell, who was dying at Kohukohu. After Russell's death he carried on his timber business at Kohukohu. Kauri cargoes were shipped to all parts of the world. Kohukohu was then the largest settlement on Hokianga Harbour, as it is to-day. It was always the most favoured loading place in the North; the harbour entrance was far safer” than that of the Kaipara. One has seen large barques loading sawn kauri and great logs for Australia and more distant parts. Vanished ships! Never a square-rigger ties up at old Timber-Town to-day.

Then, that serene loophole of retreat, Opononi. There, after disposing of his Kohukohu business, the hero of so many strange hazards which had left him unscathed disposed himself amidst his treasures. With his sons and daughters about him his books and pictures, his trees and flowers, he was content. There, retaining to the last his enjoyment of the bright world about him, he lived to his nineties, the grand old figure of the North.

(Rly. Publicity photo.) A scene in the New Railway Goods Yard at Wellington.

(Rly. Publicity photo.)
A scene in the New Railway Goods Yard at Wellington.