MANAKAU   SCHOOL CENTENARY

1888 - 1988

 Thanks to :-

Alistair Ross-Taylor, Manakau, & Kevin Russell, Tokomaru,
for the aerial photography.

Photoghrapy on page 26 by courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library. W. H. Field Collection.

Typeset in 'New Century Schoolbook' at Printshop.
Printed and finished by Printshop, Levin. (069)82258
               
 One of Manakau' first school house       

 MANAKAU SCHOOL CENTENARY
1888 - 1988
..................................... 

Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way,
With blossomed furze unprofitably gay,
There in his noisy mansion, skill'd to rule,
The village master taught his little school.
A man severe he was, and stern to view,
I knew him well, and every traunt new:
Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace
The day's disasters in his morning face;
Full they well laughed with counterfeited glee
At all his jokes, for many a joke had he.
Full well the busy whisper circling round
Convey'd the dismal tidings when he frown'd
Yet he was kind, or severe in aught,
The love he bore to learning was in fault." 

" The Village Schoolmaster"

( Oliver Goldsmith )

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A view of the Manakau Railway station circa 1860's

Railway station on the left 
Photo taken from the east looking to the west 

Forward

       This Historic Record of some of the events which took in Manakau School during the past 100 years will serve to remind those who follow, of the courage and toughness which was inherent in the early pioneers of our school and district.
       The Centennial committee wishes to thank those who provided information and photographs, and register their appreciation to those who compiled this publication.

   J. M. Staples
                              Chairman Centenary  Committee

CENTENNIAL  PROGRAMME

Friday 5th February 
Hangi and Get together 6.30 - 9.30

Saturday 6th February

   12.00 pm    Paradeof Vintage Cars 
   12.30 pm    Reception and Welcome at School
   01.00 pm    Roll Call and Group Photos
   03.30 pm    Afternoon Tea
   07.00 pm    Buffet Meal
   08.30 pm    Cabaret, Manakau Hall

Sunday 7th February

  
   10.30 pm     Interdenominational Church Service
                      Manakau Hall.
   11.30 am     Wreath Laying Ceremony
                      Luncheon to follow               

Page 2

 Message from the Chairman of the Horowhenua County council.

         In conveying its heartiest congratulations to the Manakau School Township and district of attaining their Centenary, the Horowhenua County Council wishes to publicly acknowledge the debt that the present residents owe to those early settlers who endured hardship and some personal suffering to develop the basic services necessary in the formation of the Manakau District.

          Thought should also be given at this time to those who , since very early days have served the area, be it as councillors or staff on the Horowhenua County Council, or in the Services, during previous World Wars, helping to make Manakau a better place for following generations to live in.

         We remember too and pay our tribute to the drive and initiative apparent from the early settlers, who started schools, halls and churches in the then back country areas.

        Change with progress, as with many rural  settlements, has seen the railway houses disappear and the nature of the surrounding farmland alter from flax and timber to shelter belts and horticulture, leaving conventional farming having less significance with in the area today.

        The Horowhenua County Council is proud of the Manakau community and its residents, for the part they have played in the development of the County during its 100 years, which you all know was celebrated in 1985.

        All councillors and staff join with me in wishing you well with your Jubilee celebrations in February, and look forward to continued involvement in your district's activities in the future.

                                        Malcom Guy
                                        County Chairman

Page 3

MANAKAU SCHOOL CENTENARY COMMITTEES

 Manakaus School's first School Teacher 1888-1896

Mr. F. Bethune

         Manakau's first School 1888 at North road, Manakau

               
    
      Manakau Schools first Girl pupil Julia Whiley in front of the school.

Page 4

ROLL OF  HONOUR

      Tothe Greater Glory of God and in thankful remembrance
     of the ex-pupils of Manakau School gave their services for
     Empiie. Commonwealth, Home and Duty.

1914 - 18 
 

    Bennett, H.        Campion, H.        Nees, W.M.
    Bennett, O.H.     Campion, T.        Nicholson, B.
    Bevan, A.           Carkeek, R.        Ransfield, D.
    Bevan, E.           Drake, C.            Ransfield, J.
    Bevan, L.           Drake, Rolland     Ransfield, R.
    Bevan, M.          Edhouse, H.         Ransfield,R.S.*
    Bevan. P.          Fowler, P.             Reidy, T.
    Bevan, S.          Gorrie, Jas.           Rickard, J.
    Bird, C.             Hapeta, W.M.       Scott, J.
    Bird, W.           Horn, Jas. G.M.M.   Silbery, J.
    Brown, E.          Houghton. H.         Simeon, D.
    Bryant,W.L.)*    King, P.                Taylor, A.*
    Campion.D.      Mcleod, W.M.        Thomson. B.
    Campion, N.      Mouldy. J.*  

1939 - 45

    Atkins,S.           Duncum, C.          Marks, L.  
    Atkins, S.          Duncum, M.          Morton, A.
    Bevan, K.          Gardiner, H.          Morton, G.
    Bevan, L.          Gardiner, John       Perawiti, G.
    Bevan, S.          Gardiner, W.         Perawiti, R.
    Blair, R.            George, A.            Ransfield,B.
    Bregman, V.      Horn, David.         Robinson, I.
    Bryant, J.H.        Horn, David.        Robinson, J.
    Cliford, S.          Hornig, R.            Robinson, L.
    Cook, G.C.        Hughes, V.           Silbery, John.*
    Cotter, S.          John, H.               Scholes, H
    Crafar, F.           Knight, F.            Sunley, W. H.*
    Dalzell, K.         Leen, D.              Swainson, .
    Drake. Ray.       Leitch, A.             Wallace, D.
    Duncuum, A.      Leitch,D.             Wallace, H.

    *They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
     Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn;
     At the going down of the sun and in the morning                            
    We will remember them.

 Page 5

A TRIBUTE TO PAST SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Colin Smith
Chairman of the School Committee

    Manakau School was conceived in response to a need recognised

  by the community it has now served for 100 years. The quality and quantity of the nourishment afforded by the community has largely determined its vigour and growth. Like the children it has served, a school may fail to attain or may even surpass the expectations held at the time of its birth. Exceptionally it may follow almost without deviation the intentions and purposes for which it was created adapting itself to the changing needs of the times and new situations as they arise. If the times are favourable and the community well disposed it will adapt more easily to changing demands and new responsibilities.

    During its 100 years Manakau School has had its time of achievements times of stagnation and at times even regression. All these changes reflect some measure of current trends, circumstances and attitudes in the larger community and the response to these influences in the school and community that has served it.

     It is my privilege to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the past school committees that have worked and given life to the Manakau School in its 100 years of existence. An occasion for reflection and reminiscence about what has gone before, a tribute to the memories of those committee men and women who have varying measure fulfilled so many of the expectations of the Manakau people of 100 years ago.

    As a relative newcomer to Manakau, though my childen have links through their maternal side to Manakau School's first years I am conscious of the strong local family links with the school which are healthy and strong and perhaps it is easier to have someone who can stand back and objectively look at the school and its hundred years.

    For the old school buildings the preservation and maintenance of which has been the special responsibility of the present committee a befitting epitaph could well be the words of the poet Horace

NON / OMNIS / MORIAR
( I shall not all die )

    Truncated though it may be it still stands proudly and in daily use by a preschool group and a normal class, living on borrowed time but a fitting tribute to the work and concerns of past Manakau School Committee Members.

    No school committee in recent years could properly  survive and prosper without support of its PTA Committee Members. Parents' and children's expectations of what schools can provide and do are often out of balance with the funds made available through Education Board grants. How can one recognise or indeed thank all the helpers and money raisers, the suppliers of transport, those donate their time and talents or cash. Together they express community interests and concern for children and mine over 100 years.

Manakau school 1930      

Page 6

     Together children, parents, school committees and friends have made Manakau School, so much depended on the quality of the understanding between the school and the community which gave birth and nourished it for 100 years.

     To the chronicler and to those who read this centennial booklet the dates and names of the first students or what is happening at school today may be of the most interest. Important though these may be and to some they may mark the beginning and the end of their interest in Manakau School, the spirit or essence of the school will live on in the hearts and minds of all of us who in some way have been involved with Manakau School.

      Unfortunately the list of committeemen of the past is incomplete, but the names of the first committee were recorded in the log by Mr. Bethune. They were:
C.S. Houghton (Chairman), J. Sherratt, H. Bevan, T. Bevan Snr., E. Wilson, G. Bartlett        and R. Whylie (Secretary).

        Ex - Committeemen whose names have been located were :-
       A. Carkeek, J. Carroll, J. Atkins, W.A. Milne, H. Fraser, H. Saint, D. Nees, G. Smith, J. Bolton, J. George, E. Rainbow, G. Newsom, C. Eden, S. Norrish, A. Winge, J. Cameron, G. Hanlon, J.H. Andrew, T. Reidy, S. Morgan, T. Clifford, A. Hurley, A. M. Atkins, A. Scholes, George Phillips (25 years' service), F. Burnell, R. Bryant,
J. Blair, A. Hornig, R. Eagle, C.P. Cotter, M.B. Anderson, C.R. Cottle, J. Leen, D.W. Robinson, F.M. Marshall, M.F. Miles, R.L. Robinson, R. Evans, W.I. Hazlitt.      

        Committee Members during the period 1923 - 1931 and not included above were :- Mr. Bowling, Mr. Thompson, Mr. C. Evans, Mr. H. O'Donnell, Mr. Latham, Mrs, E. Willis, Mrs. Cowen, Mr. T.D. Bathgate, Mrs. B. Sheargold, Mr. D. Ransfield, Mrs. E.B. Clifford, Mr. W.J. Willis, Mr. George, Les Atkins.

         1946 - 1962:- Mr. R.L. Robinson Snr., Mr. L. Jensen, Mr. L Barkla, Mr. R. White, Mr. G. Martin, Mr. R.L. Robinson Jnr., Mr. C. Williams, Mr. H. Piper, Mr. C.N. Nielsen, Mr. V. Bregman, Mr. R. George, Mr. A. Corbett, Mr. W.H. Swainson, Mr. A. Keeling, Mr. I. Campbell.

      1963 - 1979:- G. Fairley, B. Cudby, W. Gordon, P. Judd, T. Smith, A. Hazlett, L. Staples, C. Jensen, B. Miles, G. Snowdon, A. Fogden, D. Tate, W. Vander Veen, S. Ransfield, H. Cook, R. Williams, G. Newcombe, C. Murray, R.Clarke, Margaret Keeling. C. Nevill, F. Hamlin, M. Black. 

        1979 - 1988:-  L. Robinson, J. McDonald, R. Williams, Margaret Keeling, M. Black, J. Moretto, C.P. Smith, P. Kay, G. Ransom, M. Guerin, L. Matthews, C. McIntosh, J. Blenkorn, B. Hanlon, B. Holden, C. Gordon, S. Taylor, J. Martin, Sue McIntosh  

Page 7

Page 8

A HISTORY OF MANAKAU SCHOOL 1888 -1978

     Much of the history of Manakau School has been related in various Jubilee publications, but still bears repeating in this our Centennial booklet.

     The first known references to the school are entries in the Wellington Education Board's Minute Books, dealing with applications to have a school opened at Manakau, dated 28th. September and 26th. October, 1887. However local residents showing the community spirit that has typified Manakau over the years, did not wait for a school to be built and the first entry in the School 'Log Book' was:- "July llth., 1888: This school was opened on the 21st. June, in Mr. Whiley's residence at Manakau." This is the house now occupied by John Cudby on the North Mana­kau Road. The first teacher was a Mr. Donnelly about whom not a great deal is known, save that he had a long white beard. His last entry in the log refers to the visit of Mr. Lee, School Inspector who passed Julie and Elizabeth Whiley and John Rickard.

by henryphillips 

The first school on the present site was completed and the school re-opened in the new building on 22nd. October, 1888, the first permanent teacher being Mr. Findlay Bethune who recorded in the log:-

  "Manakau School re-opened by me today in the building which has just been completed. It was a very disagreeable day."

 Page 9.

       As well as the twenty-three from the above list, William Bartlett, Daisy Houghton, George Houghton, Ernest Saint and Louis Hedley also attended on that day.

       The next entry of interest states:- Dec. 17th. 1888: "A number of settlers wishing to provide the children with a proper playground has subscribed suffi­cient money to clear and level about an acre. The work was taken in hand to­day."

       There is no record of the first committee but at a householders meeting on April 24th., 1889, the following were elected:- Messrs C.S. Houghton (Chairman), Sherratt, H. Bevan, T. Bevan Snr., Wilson, Bartlett and Whiley.

        The first Assistant Mistress, Miss Howan arrived on 1st. April, 1889.

      The first visit of an inspector to the school took place on June 13th., 1889, when Mr. Lee passed the following pupils :-

      Standard 1:- Edward Bevan, Richard Bevan, Isaac Palliver, Peter Blackfern, Ernest Saint, William Jukes, Fred Rickard, Charles Rickard, Hannah Ransfield, Sophia Fowler, Elizabeth Akenson, Edith Bartlett, Georgine Bartlett and Clara Tantrum.

       Standard 2:- Edward Wison, Hugh Dunlop, Elizabeth Wilson, Annie Jukes.

       Standard 3:- David Dunlop, Elizabeth Whiley.

      Standard 4:- Walter Tantrum, Frank Houghton, James Fraser, Maysie Fraser, Susan Tantrum, Mary Houghton, Emma Bartlett.

       Standard 5:- George Houghton, Ernest Houghton, Stephen Carkeek and Julia Whiley.

     Standard 6:- Annie Dunlop, (Messrs Houghton, Bevan and Whiley were present during the exam, Poor children.)

      Unfortunately there is not enough room in this publication to include all the entries in the old Log Books and there is very little reference made to the children or their activities and they record mainly the steady growth and history of the school. However some entries of interest are :-

      12th. February, 1889:- ''Twelve new pupils admitted today. These children travel by train from settlements north of Manakau." These were from the Levin and Ohau areas before schools were opened there.

      7th. February, 1890:- "Bush fires raging all around but the school has escaped so far."

      10th. February, 1890:- "School caught fire today but was put out."

      In the first few years of its existence Manakau School had very close ties with the Railways, many pupils being the children of railway construction workers and great reliance was placed on the trains for transport as the following entry shows.

      25th. September, 1890:- "No trains running today and attendance very small in consequence." The annual Railway's picnic also resulted in an unofficial holiday for all the children as an entry shows :-

Mr. McBain & Family. Teacher at Manakau School 1903 

Some  of the Teachers at Manakau School from 1944 - 1990s

   
   1  Lynn Patchett  2  Ken Prankherd,  3 Frank Mayman  4 Fred Armour
        1953 -1957         1961 - 1964        1944 - 1948      1958 - 1961

   5  Ian Tollan   6  Miss Leila Langtry  7  Leonie Barkla  8 Maureen Black

  9 Miss Maxwell  10 Miss Betty Hooper  11 Nola Ryder  12 Anne Denton  

    For a number of years the school picnic was held at Paekakariki and as usual all transport was by train and there are many attending these celebrations who can still recall those days. There was a famous occasion when the carriages on the train en route to Paekakariki suddenly became uncoupled from the engine and were left stranded. Mr. Ivan Drake well remembers this incident. The Log records the first time Manakau children used the trains to attend the Levin District High School. This was February 3rd., 1908, and continued on until the opening of Horowhenua College in 1940. Trains were also used by Manakau children to attend the Palmerston North Technical College and also many will recall using the trains to attend cooking and woodwork classes in Otaki. Good use was made of the trains for sporting and cultural trips by school groups to Wellington, Palmerston North and other places.

     In those early days children seemed to have had plenty of holidays, more so than at present, and they included such days as the Prince of Wales Birthday, St. Patricks Day to mention just two, and during the Boer War and the 1st. World War it was a regular thing to close the school to celebrate military victories. Floods also played a large part in keeping children away from school as there were few bridges and there are frequent references to drops in the roll due to rivers and creeks being flooded. How present day pupils would appreciate such an excuse?

     Children in those days were just as inclined to 'play the wag' as their modern days counterparts as an entry of 19th. March, 1907, records :- "Very poor attendance, over 50 absent. Three causes operating : (1) Levin Races, (2) Besses O' The Barn Band giving a performance in Levin and (3) rough weather."

      Some entries assist in fixing the dates of other events of interest in the district and the opening of the Ohau School is confirmed by an entry of 1st. October, 1891, where a drop in the roll is recorded as being due to children transferring to the new Ohau School. The opening of the Ohau road bridge on 21st. August, 1903, was deemed worthy of celebration with a school holiday. Other entries give the building of the first Manakau Hall as 1892 and in 1918 apparently an arsonist was operating in the Township as the Log records an outbreak of suspicious fires. One such fire was lit in the washhouse of the teachers residence but was put out before too much damage was done. It is recorded that a detective and the Police investigated but does not say if the offender was located.

       In those first decades, sickness unfortunately played a large part in school attendances and there are frequent references to outbreaks of mumps, measles, diptheria, scarlet fever, whooping cough, polio and very severe influenza epidemics. In November, 1918, the school was closed and used as a hospital for the worst influenza outbreak in New Zealand's history and this is still remembered by some past pupils.

       Infantile Paralysis or Polio was probably the most tragic of the diseases of those days but fortunately it was finally eliminated in 1959 after immunising injections were given to all school children by Health Department teams.

       Although the school started with just one room and a sole teacher, the roll increase was quite spectacular and by only 1893, the roll had reached 96.

Provimi Veal, ( Alistar Ross - Taylor ) 1988

     Only a year after the first day of the new school it was found that a second room was needed and this was added by Mr. Nees to make the old building much as it is today. While the building alterations were taking place between 21st. October and 10th. December, 1889, school was temporarily transferred to the Maori Meeting House at the Pa, thus beginning a long and enduring relationship between the school and the local Maori people.

      By 1906 the roll had reached 114 and a third room was added - older pupils will remember this room as housing standards 1 to 3 but it was later dismantled.

      From its origins as a sole teacher school, the staffing kept pace with the increasing rolls and after the appoitment of Miss Howan in 1889, a third teacher, Master William Bennett was taken on as a pupil teacher in 1893. When the third room was added a third permanent teacher was employed.

      The roll fluctuated around this level for many years reaching a maximum of 149 pupils in October, 1951, but dropped to under 100 when a bus began carrying students to the Otaki Convent. At this time a pre-fabricated classroom was added but was replaced by a modern Infant Room in 1962.

      In 1971 a change in the education system saw the opening of a Form 1-7 college at Otaki and Manakau became a contributing school and the roll dropped to 72. Since then the main changes have been the extensions to the new two classroom block with the addition of better toilet, staffroom and storage facilities and the old block was handed over to the School Committee for use by the community. That this building is still useful and well preserved is a tribute to the skill and workmanship of its builder, Mr. C. Nees and the quality of the local timber which went into its construction.

       During its existence the school has been fortunate in the calibre of its teachers, especially the head teachers, each of whom left his mark on the character of the school and on its ex-pupils. Mr. Bethune set the standard and a tribute paid by Mr. Fleming, Inspector of Schools in the Log on the occasion of his promotion and departure in 1896, could well apply to his successors:- "Mr. Bethune has been in charge of this school since its opening. His record has been that of a good teacher, earnest in his work and most attentive to his duties. The condition of the school has improved very much under his charge and everything has been well looked after."

        Mr. William Foster was the next headmaster, arriving in 1896, being succeeded in 1898 by Mr. Everton. He was in charge during the years of the Boer War and dutifully observed the various victories in South Africa by closing the school for the day on at least four occasions. An entry in the Log of 28th. June, 1901 reads :- "The children assembled in front of Milne's Store to hear the King's Proclamation read and were dismissed for the rest of the day." From the day of its opening the school has been well served by dedicated parents on School Committees and the Log records the gradual improvements to the amenities over the years. From the effort in 1888 to provide a playground grew the present school grounds and amenities of today. Trees and shrubs were planted, fences built, a horse paddock provided, shelter sheds erected, toilet facilities provided and a tennis court and rugby and cricket pitches provided. In later days probably the

page 12

most appreciated amenity of all was provided, the school swimming baths were built in 1951 and filtration added in 1962. A note of interest the baths were built by Mr. Laurie Roberts of L.B. Roberts, contractor and mayor of Levin for many years and Mr. Alex Shepherd of Manakau. The School Committee also provided paths, Jungle Gyms and countless other projects were undertaken by these dedicated parents. Even more recently the present library was established and the school provided with a photo copier.

   There are many who will recall riding their horses to school. Pupils rode often bareback or with just a sack for a saddle and in some cases there would be three children to one pony. The horses were a great favourite with those unfortunate enough not to have a pony to ride and there was always plenty of competition after school to catch them in the horse paddock for their owners. With progress and the provision of a school bus in 1935 the horses gradually disappeared and now are remembered only by the older ex-pupils.

  During the years of its history there has been no lack of drama and the Log records on the 4th. September, 1893 :- "Received notice from Mr. Hurley (Chairman of the School Committee) that the committee has resigned in a body owing to the Board having decided that the teacher had control over the school grounds." However at the following month's householders meeting the committee was elected again.

   Also recorded that in 1913, on the day before Guy Fawkes Day, Willie Hiwi was playing with a detonator during lessons, apparently pricking it with a compass point and the resulting explosion caused considerable damage to his hands. It is said that the marks of his missing fingers were clearly visible in the ceiling for many a year.

   Tragedy struck when the very popular head teacher Mr. Murray lost his life on Mt. Egmont in 1915 and in 1959 the school was shocked when Miss Adsett died in a motor accident.

   School pupils in those early days were probably no better nor worse than their modern day counterparts, but fortunately punishment and discipline have much altered. In early days wide use was made of corporal punishment as the Log of 1889 records :- "caned William Robinson today - four strokes." The Log does not say where these were applied. Discipline was still very strict early in this century as it is recorded in 1911 :- "Two boys severely punished ( 4 cuts on each hand and twelve strokes on the posterior with a short stick ) for bad behaviour on the way home from school . What a furore such punishment would cause today. The then head teacher Mr. McBain was well known as a strict disciplinarian but was highly respected by his pupils as were all the head teachers.

   Sport has always played a large part in the recreational activities of the school from the early days where stumps had to be cleared from the playground before cricket and rugby pitches could be laid. Over the years Manakau School has made its mark in interschool competitions, especially rugby and basketball and there is little doubt that the most successful years of rugby were those under the stewardship of Mr. Green between 1931 and 1937. For two years the school was unbeaten in the Horowhenua Primary Schools' Competition and many players.

Page 12

   There are many highlights of the school years too numerous for this small publication, but who remembers the school photographs taken by the man with the limp, Mr. Thompson, the school picnics and travelling to Waikawa Beach on the back of factory lorries, walking or riding bicycles and horses to school and all those activities that went into making such vivid memories of the old school days. Social activities such as those fancy dress balls and concerts were a highlight of the school year.

   I hope this brief resume of the years 1888 to 1978 will bring back pleasant memories of those pupils gathering to celebrate the centenary of their old school, and that they will remember with pride and affection the part it has played in the formation of their character, the cementing of life long friendships, and not the least in its contribution to the community.

 Manakau,School before remodelling

 Manakau School being remodelled

page 14

                                       1978-1988

     During the last ten years, from a low of 34 pupils, roll numbers grew to the point where in February 1983 the school was entitled to the permanent appointment of a third teacher. One of the classrooms in the Old Block; still maintained by the School Committee, was cleaned and returned to active duty. It is now hoped by everyone that we shall be able to retain our three teacher status as it has enabled the children to have a lower teacher - pupil ratio, with less range of ability in each classroom.

     There have been several principals during this period. Towards the end of 1977 Mr. D. Gregory was appointed to the task, but owing to illness was replaced by a reliever, before Mr. G. Geismar took over in 1979. In 1981 Mr. F. Dawber was appointed, followed in 1987 by Miss H. Crosbie (Relieving).

    Throughout much of this time Mrs. Letty Rangiuia taught the junior children - a stable face for the school! She retired in 1984 after 13 years of service at Manakau.

    Another long serving staff member to be fare welled was Mr. Arthur Woolley, the school caretaker for 25 years. He retired in 1980.

    In 1981 an intriguing edifice began to arise in the playground. It was the first stage in the construction of the FORT, which has entertained many children over the past 7 years, and which it is hoped will be enjoyed by many future< generations. It was built in 3 parts - the fort; the pole hut (which was joined to the< main fort by a barrel) and to complete it, a slide, constructed in 1983. I wonder whether the children ever consider how many people were involved in providing their Adventure Playground.

    A highlight of 1982 was a most unusual fundraising venture. The school and district took part in TVl's filming of an episode in 'Jocko'. Amidst mud excitement well over the minimum requirement of 50 adults, plus children arrived for the day of filming. We were told to wear old clothes, it was just as well for we were all dusted rather uncomfortably by a topdressing plane!!

     For some years now the preschoolers of the wider Manakau district have been served by an informal playgroup organized by the mothers and housed in the< spare classroom in the old block - most of these children have gone on to become pupils of the school, by then quite familiar with their new surroundings.

    Previous Principals and School Committee members will be pleased to know\ that in 1986 major renovations to the school house were completed by the Education Board. No longer 800 sq.ft. the house now has 3 reasonably sized bedrooms,; laundry that is not a passage way, and a separate toilet and bathroom.F.D.

Kiwi Grill   1988

 
page 14 

Page 16 
Manakau School Remodelled 

10 YEARS ON

     In the 10 years from the 90th. Jubilee the main changes have been:- new fencing for and painting of the swimming pool and overhaul of the filtration equipment, provision of adventure playground, within the school a restocking of library and provision of a photo copier, new mats for the children to sit on and new equipment in the staff room, and painting of the old school building.

     The School Bus now plays a more significant part in the life of the school with most children now arriving by bus. Regretfully some trees have gone, some sacrificed to the demands of the Power Board that their lines are safe and free of encroachment from trees and few due to old age; however planting has continued and the grounds retain their old attraction.

     A feature of the school is the use to which the school grounds and facilities are used by the Manakau Community. Pre-school group use the old school building, local children use the grounds and facilities on weekends, the swimming pool is open for use by the public, rugby and league use the grounds for practice, and netball and tennis are frequent on the old tennis courts.. The present school committee holds $3000 in reserve towards resealing the tennis courts and an active program me is underway in seeking help with the upgrading of this important amenity.

     Methods of fund raising for the school include, sale of firewood to the Wellington Education Board, community dances and discos for the children, raffles for which Mine Host at the Manakau Hotel has been most helpful - bottle drives alas no longer profitable, and gala-days strangely no longer as popular as they once were.

    Donations and grants from the Manakau Township Association and the Waikawa Rate Payers Association have been most gratefully received and individuals from Manakau at times also have been most generous with cash donations.

    The tradition of the combined Christmas party/school closing has continued and is the highlight of the end of each year. With the School Committee and Parents/Teachers Association co-operating, all pre-school and school children are catered for - the teachers and children entertain, Father Christmas distributes gifts to all and supper ends the evening. Each child who leaves standard four to move on to form 1 receives a dictionary from the school committee and Women's Div. Federated Farmers also give a book prize to the most improved pupil.

    Agriculture day retains its magic and is still well supported, even though the Horowhenua continues to move increasingly towards horticulture and light manufacturing.
C.S.

     Meridith Electrical 1988                          Edhouse's 1988
             
 Page 16

Misses Howan, Cundy, Farmar, Banks, Dynan, Rolls, Fellingham, Lee Bevan, Jensen, Mrs. Balding, Misses Piggott, Simons, Cheek, Greig, Windley Burnell, Malcolm, Gunn, Dyer, Wadsworth, Grenside, Hearle, Collier, Waller, French, Richell, Green, Stewart, Anderson, Mrs. Shanly, Misses Roy, Witta. Ankar, Maxwell, Smith, Langtry, Black, Denton, Ryder, Lumsden, Mr. Adams Miss Hooper, Miss L. Barkla, Mrs. Empson, Miss Grice, Miss V. Barkla, Mrs. V. Webster, Mr. I.W. Tollan, Misses B. Grice, Murray, Beasley, M. McLeod, B.A. Giles, S.Crawford, McAdam, Mr. D.F. Yeates, Miss J.M. Lette, Mr. Thomas Taylor (relieving head teacher), Miss R. Campbell, Miss D. Adsett, Mrs. B. Stanley, Mrs. A. Day, Mr. T. Campbell, Miss Billey, Mrs. E. Theobold, Mr. R.M. Silver, Miss R. Smith, Miss J. Congalton, Miss J. Burns, Mr. D. Jeffries, Miss B. Cameron, Miss S. Fowke, Miss A. Galpin, Miss R. Clifton, Miss P. Rogers, Mrs. M. Atkins, Mrs. R. Hutton, Miss G. Lowe, Mrs. S. Taylor, Misses B. Leighton, Sommerville, Shoebridge, MacLachlan, Patterson, Watts, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Pratt, Mr. J. Meyer, Mrs. Meyer, Misses E. Davies, P. Wright, Mrs. L. Rangiuia, Miss P. Weldon, Mrs. B. Vincent, Mr. P. Sannazarro, Miss L. Wanless, Mrs. R. Hoskins, Mrs. V. Roberts, Mrs. E. Butler, Mrs. I. Rook.

                      Penelope's  ( Penny Bregman ) 1988
 

  Page 17

REMINISCENCES OF THE FIRST PUPIL

    My father, Mr. Robert Whiley, took up land at Manakau when it was practically all bush. He and my elder brothers went there and cleared a small portion of the land to build a house. When the building was completed in 1887 the remainder of the family shifted down. The property was about half a mile up the North Manakau Road. There was standing bush on both sides and no metal on the road.

    My father began to worry about our education, for there were four of us of school age. My sister, Lizzie, and I had been attending the Longburn School, which was then the nearest school to Manakau. My younger brothers, Fred and Bob, had not started school, so my father got in touch with the Education Department to see what could be done. He offered them one of our front rooms, free of charge, to carry on with until such time as a school could be built.

    They accepted his offer and sent up desks, a blackboard and the necessary books. The teacher was Mr. Donnelly, who was quite an old man with a long white beard. In the meantime my father had been round to the few settlers to get them to send their children. He also went to the Maori Pa, there being two of them at that time. The Maori people were very pleased with the suggestion, and I think we soon had more Maori pupils than European. Some of the children walked from the South Manakau Road, and the mud was terrible. They had to wend their way between logs and stumps along the side of the road.

    When the school was finally built, the grounds were covered with logs and stumps; except for the road and the railway, the standing bush was up to the boundary. We started in the new School with a new teacher, Mr. Bethune, and later on we got an assistant, Miss Howan. After that there was added another room, which was built by Mr. Nees and Mr. Williamson. During the time they were building the second room, we were shifted to the Maori meeting house.

    There were no sports such as tennis, basketball, or football in those days, but still I think we all enjoyed our school days. We were very fond of our teachers, and had some lovely picnics and concerts; the latter were held in the Maori meeting house, the whole village turning out. The church services were held at the Railway Station and our minister, the Rev. Raine, rode on horseback from Otaki.

- by the late JULIA WHILEY (Mrs. Winstone)
              ==================== 
    In 1962 Mr. Fred Abernethy discovered a number of Moa bones on the property of Mr. W.I. Hazlitt, Takapu Road, and many hours of work by Mr. Abernethy and local residents in recovering the bones were much appreciated by the Dominion Museum.

Bank of New Zealand   1988

Page 18

The Manakau State School and its Maori People.
The People and their Original Home.

    This short and compact story of the above School and its people of the Maori race, is a summary of the greater and wider history of the Horowhenua Manawatu district.

    There were other people or tribes inhabiting these parts long before the present occupiers were known of, or even came; they had produced men what played a prominent part in suppressing rebels against the Treaty of Waitangi. signed by the two races, Maori and Pakeha, in the year 1840. Major Keeps Taitoko, for instance, a most noble character, was one of the great soldiers in the service of the revered Queen Victoria. When he was a very young man, the area under our review became subjugated and fell into the hands of usurpers, the Ngati-Raukawa, these new people now being the principle occupiers of the aforementioned districts.

    These hapus or sub-tribes of Ngati-Raukawa migrated to this area by invitation of Te Rauparaha, ( I speak of the local Maori inhabitants). They arrived accompanied by Kauwhata, the progenitor of these tribes and under the guidance of their respective chiefs.

Tuko rehe                             Koroneira and Harehemi

Ngati-Wehiwehi                    Paora Pohotiraha

Ngati-Te Rangitawhia            Te Akawhare and Houkoutuku

Tamatatai                             Horopapera and Hikitanga

Kauwhata                             Whakanoarangi and Nepia Taratoa

    Because of the continuous conflicts and warring between the Waikato Confederacy of tribes, Ngati-Raukawa reluctantly forfeited their original home at Maungatautari near Cambridge, Waikato; and domiciled that area of the Manawatu known as Matahiwi that is; the upper reaches of the Oroua River, along the coastal area of Rangitikei to Whangaehu. Interiorly, that part now known as the Rangitikei-Manawatu Block.
      This area comprised 250,000 acres of virgin land.
      Ngati-Wehiwehi along with Kauwhata occupied both sides of the Manawatu River from the vicinity of the Hamilton Line to the mouth of the Oroua River; they also took possession of the rich food resources of the nearby Taonui swamps.
    Ngati-Raukawa and Kauwhata made peace with the original inhabitants. Ngati-Apa and Rangitane.

    It was also very clear that Ngati-Wehiwehi and their allies were the dominant military power in the district and could easily have occupied the land by force had they found it necessary to do so.

During negotiations of the land sale with representatives of the Government, Ngati-Raukawa, the conquerors and masters of this land, took no money from the sales of this vast area of land which made the Honourable Fox exclaim ;

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    "I am truly amazed at the generosity of these people........ They have given
up large tracts of land which they might have sold themselves and taken all the money!" The purchase money was handed over to Ngati-Apa and Rangitane.

    After this block had been sold, the occupying tribes, migrants from Waikato were a people left with no land.
    Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeata relocated these tribes in the Horowhenua district :-

Huritini                  This was left to Ngati-Wehiwehi

Waikawa                                       Ngati-Te Rangitawhia and Tamatatai
Ohau                                    Tukorehe
Papaitonga                             Rangihaeata
Horowhenua                           Te Whatanui
Lower Manawat              Horomana Te Remi and                                          Nepia Taratoa

    Ngati-Kuia, a southern tribe, formally occupied all that land at Waikawa and Ohau, but were succeeded later by Te Ati Awa.
   Te Rauparaha moved Te Ati Awa to the north of Te Horo, to a marked boundary; the Kukutauaki Stream and the Waikanae River,
    The complete sale of the Rangitikei-Manawatu Block was finally completed in 1869.    With the proportioning and allocation of lands to various sections of the tribes of Ngati-Raukawa, Ngati-Toarangitira, Te Ati Awa, it became a popular proverbial saying "Mai o Whitireia ki Miriatekakara ka tawharau Raukawa". Translated into English this would be "From Porirua to Rangitikei, Raukawa reigns supreme".
   Thus Manakau-Ohau became the possession and home of the Ngati-Wehiwehi and Tukorehe, Ngati-Te Rangitawhia, Tamatatai etc., remaining so to this day, though much of the originally owned greater area has become leased or sold to Pakehas.
    It is one of the most interesting and absorbing stories, fascinating for old and young alike, this unfolding of the history of how the Horowhenua-Manawatu was conquered by Te Rauparaha and his raiding party.
    Following the death of the mighty Hape Tuarangi, (Paramount Chief of Ngati-Raukawa) Te Rauparaha, known as the Napoleon of the Maori Race, succeeded the leadership after the demise of this chief back in their original home, Maugatautari, Cambridge, Waikato, but was never recognized nor accepted by the whole tribe. However, by sheer force of character, together with prowess in battle, he was able to win and retain the confidence of a great many. Ever spurred by love for adventure and exploration, Te Rauparaha, with a number of his kith and kin, raided these parts and usurped the original inhabitants of the whole mentioned areas.

    But that of course is another story.
    After years of wild and turbulent life, Te Rauparaha gradually lost not only Ms Dash in war, but all powers and virtues consistent with efficient leadership. So it was he came to resign himself to the inevitable.

Page 21

    On his return from a peaceful trip to Sydney, the then Metropolis of Australasia whither he had gone to see the Pakeha way of life, he was a changed man. The old look of savagery, that had been the dread of many, had disappeared. While in Sydney, he had attended Divine Services at several churches. At one of these, he was prompted to ask his guide, "To what God were the Pakehas worshipping?" "Ihowa (Jehovah)" was the answer. The word so impressed him, it recalled latent memories of 'Io' in other words, 'Io matua te kore ' the God of his ancient fathers often mentioned by his elders back home in Maungatautari, during his boyhood days. He remembered, too, the 'Whenua Tapu' or 'Sacred Soil', that was brought to this country when the Maori people left their home in the Sandwich Islands some 500 years before. It had belonged to the site where the altar or shrine stood on the island of 'Raiatea' or 'Rangiatea' of 'Io matua te kore', 'Io the parentless'. He became determined in his heart, to see that the Sacred Heirloom be deposited somewhere in this newly won Horowhenua-Manawatu, and a church built over it, to worship 'Io' or 'Ihowa' therein.

    Arriving back, he found the whole of Ngati-Raukawa, with neighboring tribes, in full force, awaiting at Rangiuru, now Tasman Beach, to welcome him.

    Among them were two sub-tribes of Ngati-Wehiwehi and Tukorehe, led by Paora Pohotiraha and Koroneira. This was just what Te Rauparaha had hoped for, as it enabled him to have discussed the very thing he thought of and desired so much to accomplish.

    After several of the chiefs had expressed their delight in seeing their great chief and leader among them again, Te Rauparaha rose to reply.

    He made brief references to the cordiality of the welcome, the sights and the new way of life he had seen and met with overseas, then he unsheathed a sword he was carrying and thrust it to the ground, beckoning at the same time to the chief Paora Pohotiraha to approach and take away the weapon, with the words that have become a household utterance among the Ngati-Raukawa today.

    "Tikina mai te mea nei, kua mutu taku ruri ki te whenua, kua ruri ahau ki te rangi, hangaia he wharekarakia mo tatou."

    "Come, take possession of this sword, I no longer seek honor on earth, I seek honor in heaven. Go to, and build us a church."

    Te Rauparaha knew full well that they, of all the sub-tribes of Ngati-Raukawa, had men expert in the hewing of large trees, and the use of the adze. Also master builders of houses. Above all, the Sacred Soil, referred to previously, was in their keeping. He had been aware of these things, before the people came to settle in these parts. Hence the sword and Paora Pohotiraha.

    The directing and supervision of the great undertaking, from the forest to I the erection of the Rangiatea Church, was thus placed in their hands with Koroneira as the master-mind, supported by the two early missionaries, the Rev. Octavius Hadfield and the Rev. Samuel Williams.

    The church was completed in the year 1849, marking the cessation of I hostilities for all time, also the sealing and signing of the peace between Ngati-Raukawa and the neighbouring tribes.

  Page 22

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    A little later, a school was built on the site where the Maori college stands at Otaki today. It was the first European-built school throughout the Horowhenua-Manawatu area. Thus, with the school and the church, the Ngati-Wehiwehi -Tukorehe were responsible for the erection of these two famous institutions which first developed the minds of the people in the White Man's way of life.

REMINISCENCE OF PAST AND PRESENT

    When Ngati-Wehiwehi settled Manakau, they built their first Pa at the mouth and on the banks of the Waikawa River. In those days Ngati-Wehiwehi was a very powerful tribe, and it was observed by Mr. Thomas Bevan Snr., when he arrived at Waikawa to establish his Rope-walk, that both sides of the river were occupied by Maoris and in his estimation, numbering at least 3,000 people. The actual mouth of the river comprised two tributaries; the Waikawa and the Ohau Rivers.

    Later, Ngati-Wehiwehi built their next Pa, further inland adjacent to Kiore Cemetery and below the Te Hiwi Ransfield Homestead now on Ian Campbell's property, this Pa they named, 'Kotare'. One of the sub-tribes of the Ngati-Wehiwehi also built a Pa opposite where the late Mr. Peter King's former residence, now dilapidated, stands. They called this Pa, 'Kete Maringi'. It was directly across the Manakau Stream and situated on an elevated plane, on property now owned by Mrs. M. Robinson.

    Tarei alias Ihaka Ngapari was a Tohunga of Ngati-Wehiwehi; he was the grandfather of Rahurahu Eru. He had erected a large building at the back of his whare, (about opposite where the present cook-house of Wehiwehi now stands) this edifice was known as 'Wharekauri' and Ihaka used this place, one half as a kitchen and the other half as accommodation. His whare was known as 'Tokowhitu' which referred to his seven powers of his wharewaananga or 'House of learning'.

    A lot of his followers returned from Taranaki, among them his own kin Karehana and Reweti Te Whena, and it is through these brothers that the Pa, 'Kotahitanga' was built. This was a massive structure. It was opposite the Waikawa Beach and main road turnoff on the 'Hanuwera' side of the railway line just north of the late Mr. M. Miles' residence.

    Ngati Te Rangitawhia built their Pa next to Whakahoro Road and was known as ' Te Uawhaki'. Tamatatai had their Pa at the back of the 'Whakahoro' clearing across from 'Patupaiarehe' swamps. All these Pa have since disappeared along with their populations, victims of the great epidemic.

    'Namatahi', which was the Pa used by the people right up till the end of the late sixties, was replaced by the erection of 'Wehiwehi' which is the present Pa.

    There are many versions in the interpretation of the name 'Namatahi'.
    One quote is that, the Maori King, 'Tawhiao' named this meeting house, which means 'Number One'
    The second quote is that it was named after 'Ihaka' because he was the first Tohunga to teach there.  

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    'Wehiwehi', the present Pa, is shared by the hapus of Ngati-Wehiwehi, Ngati Te Rangitawhia, Tamatatai, and Pihaka.

    Present day facilities have overshadowed the smoke filled cook-houses of the past, with up to date modern electrical bakers ovens (capable of cooking 25 roasts at a time), 3 conventional electric stoves, walk-in cool storage, gas-fired units capable of heating 8 full size boilers, with supplementary gas units for warming, as well as six steaming units (capable of preparing 1 pig, 1/2 beef, 24 fowls, plus potatoes, pumpkin, kumara etc.,) all under roof in an ultra-modern kitchen approved by the health department. Other facilities include showers (hot and cold water), toilets, hand basins, etc.

    Many of the conferences for schools, Police, universities are hosted by the local Marae. Current projects include the enlarging or replacement of :he present accommodation area. This has been brought about by the changing economic climate and also people returning to the maraes not only for support, but for guidance and to help with projects in the form of maintenance and contributory factors which they were unable to do before. Families are also becoming larger and needs must be met to accommodate this growth.

    Noted among the present day Maori settlers, descendants of the Ngati-Wehiwehi - Tukorehe are the Bevans, Ransfields, Gardiners, Wallaces, Wehipeihanas, Miratanas and King families and their descendants.

 

Wehiwhehi Marae ( Manakau 1988 )

 

 

 

 

 

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  Page 26

     A SURVEY OF THE SETTLEMENT OF MANAKAU TO 1940

The forty-two sections realised £9,878 16s.4d. or an average of £2 12s. 8d. per  acre. Those who purchased the town allotments were :- W. Smith, W. McFarlane, J. Morris, W. Bell, R. Coneys, H. Sullivan, P. Meenkin, J.F. Anderson, Palmerston and Scotty, T. Walsh, T. Stratton, J. Myers, C. Sweeny and H. Freeman.

    In all there were thirty-eight sections, ranging in area from a quarter to one acre, the average price being £14 per section.
    Of the suburban sections there were twelve, varying in area from one and one quarter acres to ten and three quarter acres, and these sold at an average price
 of £6 11s. 7d. an acre. They were purchased by :- A. Coleridge, A. Luff, B.A. Greenless. W, Smith. F. Meenkin, J. Plimmer, T. Gilmour and W. Eglinton.

 Page 26

    From early rimes community spirit seems to have been strong in the distric:. Despite distances to be travelled on horse and on unsealed tracks, settlers supported the various organizations which came into being when the first decades of hard work gave way to a little more leisure. The Anglican, Methodist, and Brethren congregations held services and eventually built churches. The Parish Hall closed by St. Andrews was the venue for many social events over the years, and the teaching of scores of Sunday school children. This hall was a casualty of the great storm of 1936,

    Dairy farming became an important factor in the district and the Otaki Dairy Company built a creamery on the banks of the Manakau Stream. This was a receiving depot and the cream went to Otaki for manufacture. In 1916 several farmers combined to form the Manakau Co-op. Dairy Co. and the factory was built immediately south of the Methodist Church. Both cheese and butter were manufactured; the butter sold under the label 'Canoe Brand Butter'. About 1920 a few farmers began supplying the Wellington City Council Milk Department, the milk being railed to the capital on the Field's Express. The arrival of horse drawn carts at the station with their loads of milk cans was a regular morning event during the next decade. In 1935, under the direction of the Dairy Commission chairman amalgamation with Kuku was mooted, and the Kuku-Manakau Dairy Company was formed in 1936. Today with the amalgamation of companies and the introduction of tanker collection the milk required for bottling goes from the farms directly to the treatment stations at Rahui, Naenae and Tory St. in Wellington. The surplus milk for manufacture goes to Longburn. Now with deregulation of the town milk industry in 1987 all of the milk produced on the west coast of the North Island, from Wellington to Raetihi, is controlled by Manawatu Dairy Company at Longburn. The town milk enterprise of Manawatu Dairy Company and Wellington City Council, known as Capital Dairy Products, handles all the dairy product needs of this large area.

    An earlier survey of the settlement tells of the enterprise of Mr. Thomas Bevan Jnr., who in the early 1900s maintained a small village in his property, on the corner of North Manakau Road, employing 40 to 50 men. Roading, haulage, land clearing, a flax mill and carriage building were all under his hand, and a blacksmith and carpenter shop kept all the gear in order. A dozen teams of horses and two traction engines were almost daily to be seen working somewhere about.

    On the sporting scene in the 1890s meetings of the Ohau-Manakau Racing Club were held at ‘Tikorangi’, then the property of Thomas Ransfield, the Club's president. From the programme of the January 1897 meeting (price 6d) we learn that the Hon. Sec. was C. Nees, Judge Mr. G. McBeath, Clerk of the Scales G. Hanlon, Treasurers C. Nees and R. Bevan, and the Clerk of the Course K. Brown. The handicappers were Messrs G. McBeath and G. Royal and the stewards were J. Swainson, R. Bevan, T. Bevan Jnr., A. Shaw and C. Nees. There were six races on the day including a hurdle for the sum of 7 sovereigns, the Ohau Cup -15 sovereigns, and the Stewards Cup - 4 sovereigns.

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    The recently opened Manawatu Railway Company ran a train from Palmerston North and one from Wellington. Both trains ran right to the gates of 'Tikorangi' and then backed to the Ohau and Manakau sidings to await the end of the meeting. Subsequently the authority of the day decided not to renew the Club's license. Messrs Thomas Bevan Jnr., Frederick Rowe, J.R. McDonald and others formed the Park Racing Club in Levin and purchased the land now owned by the Levin Racing Club.

    A women's hockey team and both senior and junior Hui Mai rugby teams were fielded in the 1920s. All were enthusiastically supported and a regular rugby fixture was a match between HuiMai seniors and the Wellington Athletic Club, whose star was Cliff Porter. This match was held each Easter alternately at Manakau and Wellington. Tennis was played on the school courts with a very strong following of local women, most of whom had to push prams over metaled roads to attend. Later in the decade new courts were laid and a pavilion built where the district hall now stands. The croquet club lawns were where the bowling club is now sited.

    Before cars were common school picnics were held at Paekakariki Beach, children and parents travelled by train. We must admire the organization of these events as all refreshment was provided by the school committee. Later when cars became more general the picnic was held at Waikawa Beach, and the dairy company lorries were used for transport. Planks were laid across butter boxes for seating and the journey added great enjoyment to the day's events.

    In the first decades after the Great War the parades on Anzac Day drew large attendances. The old hall on the main highway was filled for the commemorative service, and following this all present paraded around to the Cenotaph headed by the Otaki Brass Band playing martial music. Wreaths were then laid on the Cenotaph.

    Manakau was largely self-contained and all public functions were well supported. The school concerts and fancy-dress balls drew good support and the children were rigorously drilled in the plays and country dances and in the Grand March which preceded the judging of costumes. These occasions gave enjoyment to the whole community. A less enjoyable occasion was when a circus Big Top collapsed during an evening performance in the field behind the post office. The audience was enveloped in canvas and the screams of people, shouts of the circus crew and noise of excited animals created a furor seldom equaled in the history of the village.

    Manakau, like all early settlements, possessed a large moving population -Bushmen, saw millers and navies at work on road construction. At the turn of the century there were two hotels, two bookmakers, two billiard saloons, and five shops. The first shops were owned by Messrs Tomsitt and Houghton, other storekeepers were Mr. F.W. Bills and Messrs J. Morris, C.R. Smith and Greenless. The first butcher: s shop was owned by Henry Bevan and the first sawmill by N.A. Anderson. Later Gardiner and Brown worked a mill on South Manakau Road and later still mills operated on Waikawa Beach Road and the
North Manakau Road. There were several flax mills on Waikawa Road and at a much later date Mr. Thomas Bevan of Levin worked a large mill on the main road by the Waikawa River. Tomsitt's Family Hotel occupied the site of the present hotel and Dwan's Hotel was situated south of the service station. These two hotels were opened on the same day and the local inhabitants were treated to free beer for the day. 

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    By the 1920s there were two blacksmith shops, a boot maker, a bakery, a branch bank, two halls, two general stores, a fruitier and a dairy, the post office and hotel, tennis, rugby, hockey, and croquet clubs. Manakau had a branch of the Plunket Society and the Plunket Ball was the social event of the winter. A Country Women's Institute and a badminton club were formed in the 1930s. The ease of modern transport has greatly eroded the village, but some things do not change. Chief among these is the warm feeling of homecoming that enfolds, whenever we return, those who had the good fortune to spend their school days in Manakau. 

                                                Lois Atkins Easton
                          =============== 

  An early pupil, Mr. George Hanlon, now of Levin, remembers being taken for a day at Manakau School by his two elder sisters.
   What happened is only conjecture.

   George enjoyed the experience, but apparently the infant teacher did not. Her farewell admonition to the Hanlon sisters was: “Take your brother home and don't bring him back!"
    The teacher could have had a premonition of what was to come.

George had always been fascinated by the sound of the school bell and he longed to ring it. So when he eventually did attend school he wasted no time in going along and giving the bell rope a mighty tug.
    This swung the bell into action........ and just as swiftly, the headmaster's cane.
    George was mystified by this course of events - the bell was there for ringing, not to mark the hours of the day. A clock could do that!

                              ====================

Brown Acres  ( Hubert H. Brown ) 1988

                      ========================== 

    How many people know that the late Jack Gleeson, very successful All Black selector and coach was born in the Manakau Hotel; his father, Bill Gleeson, being ar. old Hui Mai stalwart, and his mother, Myrtle, a member of the Bevan family.

Page 29

A SURVEY OF THE HISTORY OF MANAKAU

    Although Manakau was actually founded in 1885 and thus its centennial actually predated that of the school by about three years, no actual ceremony was held to mark this milestone and it is felt that this publication would be incomplete without some reference to its history which is so closely interwoven with that of the school.

    Perhaps Manakau is only a whistle stop to people passing by in modern vehicles on State Highway 1, but to its residents it is a place of unique charm with all the benefits of rural living but adjacent to large towns and cities not much more than an hour away. The past 100 years have seen the district grow and then decline and is now on the way up again as the study of section prices would indicate. Those who have lived in this close knit community have shared the fortunes and misfortunes of the country together and also the joys and sorrows of neighbours while living in close harmony with the Maori people of the Wehiwehi. Those that gather here to celebrate this centenary have good reason to feel proud of Manakau and may take satisfaction in the part they played in making it such a desirable place to live.

    While few at this centennial will be able to recall the First World War, there will be many with memories of the Second World War. England and the then Empire had been at war with Germany for 3 months when 1940 dawned and this was to change the lives of many families in the district as young men enlisted and sailed away too far off shores to defend our freedom. Many will recall the Patriotic Committee which was formed to farewell servicemen and undoubtedly there are those here today who will recall being presented with a wallet at a farewell dance in the old hall. Members of the C.W.I, and Women's Division, knitted, baked cakes and rolled bandages for the Red Cross and farming families did their bit in entertaining soldiers and sailors from British and other Allied ships in port. Many lasting friendships were formed. The Patriotic Committee ran a successful Queen Carnival in 1942 with Maureen Bevan, Doris Cottle and Mavis Robinson being the Princesses. Anzac Day Parades from the old hall to the Cenotaph led by the Otaki Band will be well remembered by many and the writer still has a fondness for the Hymn, 'Oh God Our Help in Ages Past,' sung with feeling during those war torn years. As the war in the Pacific moved nearer, a strong Home Guard Section was formed, many training with their horses in the Mounted Troop at Waikawa Beach.

    Preparations were made for invasion and kerosene boxes were filled with tinned food.

    War ended in 1945 and most of the men came home again and the district returned to normal although war time rationing of petrol, and food and clothing coupons were with us for some time. Silk stockings and later nylon were almost unprocurable and were carefully mended with a dab of nail polish to stop runs.

    Manakau residents started growing flowers for the Wellington Markets before and during the war and this continue successfully to this day and vegetable growing was undertaken on a small scale before and during the war.

                            Lu's Toilet Rentals ( N.Z.) Ltd. 

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    The Post Office has always been the center of the village and a popular place for residents to meet and gossip as they collect their mail, and its history is woven into that of the district. This was evident when on Monday 3 August, 1987, a large number of residents both past and present together with school children, gathered to celebrate the centenary of the Post Office which first opened its doors for business on August 1st., 1887. It was first known as Manakau Post Office until 1st. October, 1899; the name was changed to the present day Manakau. William Tomsitt was the first Postmaster, his appointment being without salary, until 14th. September, 1888, he applied for a salary and was granted eight pounds a

       Ross Cars 1988                               Pukehou Nurseries
                                                     ( Mary & Dean Robertson ) 1988 

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year, this rate being the usual rate for an agency Postmaster in those times.

    Telephone facilities were added on 1st. March, 1894 with the call sign Mnk and around early 1960 the manual exchange was replaced with an automatic one. The village has been indeed fortunate with the caliber of the Post Office Staff over the years, especially those manual operators to whom nothing was too much trouble. No reference to the Post Office would be complete without some mention of the longest serving employee, Peggy Ransfield who served the public with dedication for 33 years.

A more recent event of some excitement in Manakau was when the township was selected as a location for scenes of the T.V. Film "Jocko" in 1982. A section of Honi Tapua Street and the Manakau Hotel became the set and the hotel was temporarily renamed the Middleborough Hotel. This event resulted in a windfall for the school as children and adults were required as extras for crowd scenes and the school received a substantial donation. Fortunately the local extras were told to wear old clothes as they will never forget being showered with lime from the topdressing plane which swooped low over the crowd gathered in front of the hotel. Apparently the script called for the crowd to be attending a political meeting which the opposition party was trying to sabotage. Catering for the event was done by the ladies of the C.W.I, and this was much appreciated by the film crew. The district was also involved in another T.V. production when part of 'Governor Grey' was filmed at Allan Reeling's property at Forest Lakes where a realistic facade of the Mansion House and a jetty were built by the lake and at another site a Maori Village was created.

    Another focal point of community life in Manakau has always been the Manakau Hall from the time the first hall was built until the present day. Twice destroyed by fire but immediately rebuilt this hall is a tribute to those dedicated residents over the years who have served on the Hall Society, now known as the Manakau District Community Association (Inc.). This grew out of the Manakau Township Association formed in 1978 but which amalgamated with the Hall Society in 1983, to form the present association. The Association's objects are to promote, protect and assist the interests of the residents and ratepayers and the Manakau area, to be the channel of communication and representation between the Association's members as a body and the Horowhenua County Council, Government Departments or any other local authority , or any other body, person, society, association or institution, to consider all questions and matters of interest for the improvement of the district, and to act accordingly if thought expedient. As well as maintaining the hall to its present high standard it has been responsible for many improvements in the township.

         June Woolley (nee Dimock)

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 The Drake Homestead   The European history of this area pre-dates the settlement of Manakau by several decades and one of the earliest recorded references to European occupation is to the establishment of a dwelling and rope walk by Thomas Bevan, father of Thomas Bevan Snr. in about 1844. Prior to this the area was also frequented by whalers and some well-known local families can be traced back to these people. A house built by second Thomas Bevan, about a mile from the river mouth will be remembered by many as the Drake family homestead for many years, Arthur Drake having taken up land in the area about 1880.

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    Incidentally Drake was the son of Thomas and Ceres Drake, original who arrived in New Zealand on the ship Aurora, landing at Petone Beach on January 22nd, 1840. It may not be generally known but in those early days the the Waikawa and Ohau Rivers had a common mouth to the sea, north of the present settlement, and quite large coastal boats used to enter the river at high tides to collect flax, rope and other produce. One was the 'William' owned by George Bevan who kept the Accomodation House at the mouth of the river, also the 'Emma Jane' was owned by the Bevan family and the vessel 'Fidele' maintained a regular trade between Waikawa and Wellington. In about 1847 a flour mill was built beside the Waikawa River and remains of the sluice used to drive the water wheel could still be seen in the 1930's. Part of the grinding stone from this mill lay beside the War Memorial at Manakau for many years but has now been taken possession of by the county for restoration and suitable mounting.
   There were also some five flax mills on the southern bank of the Waikawa and altogether it «as quite a populace place. In 1845 Governor George Grey visited the area to settle 2 dispute between the Ngati Wehiwehi chief Tohutohu and Thomas Bevan and in 1856 Foley's Circus even visited there. George Bevan's accommodation house would seem to have been the social center and there are believed to have been at .east two churches attached to the Maori villages. In the year 1865, a regular ferry service was operating between Wellington and Waikawa and beyond and of course the beach was the main coach road along the western side of this part of the North Island. In 1870, also thought to have been as a result of an earthquake, the Waikawa and Ohau Rivers resumed their separate mouths and never again were used by ships. Horse racing was also a popular past-time and races were held on a flat near the river's mouth. Later these races were transferred to Bevan's
"Tikorangi" property near Manakau and were very popular and are believed to have been the forerunner of the Levin Racing Club.
   On April 6th. 1888, about the same the Manakau School was being formed, the iron Baque 'Weathershield' went ashore near the mouth of the Waikawa and was stranded. She was condemned and sold as a wreck but after lying on the beach for four and a half years and changing hands several times she was refloated. This was done by means of sacks of sand being used to divert the river around her and she was pulled off by the tug 'Mana' during a spring tide. After being towed to Wellington for overhaul, she resumed the wool trade and made several trips to England. Incidentally in 1909 she again went ashore on Horowhenua Beach near the wreck of the 'Hydrabad' but this time was refloated after 24 hours.
   References to the stranding of the 'Weathershield' are to be found in the farm journals of Arthur Drake, and his widow, Mrs. Drake who died at Waikawa at the age of 99 years, often spoke of visiting the Captain who apparently stayed with his ship for some time after stranding. About this time there was a track between Waikawa and the newly formed village of Manakau and local residents began using the beach, famous in the area for its toheroa, pipi, fishing and whitebaiting. The track improved over the years into a road and about 1916 Messrs Ray and Ivan Drake, using shovels and a horse and dray team, scooped and levelled the road and in about 1920 it was metalled and local residents began erecting baches and temporary shelters at the beach.

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THE BEVAN FAMILY

(Contributed by the late V.H. Bevan, grandson of Mr. Thomas Bevan, Senior)

    Before trying to compile a brief outline of the Bevan history, I would like to say it is true that my great-great-grandfather was the first European in Manakau.

But the main feature of this episode is the families that followed - the Ransfields, the Drakes, the Atkins, the Staples, the Phillips, the Burnells, the Bryants, the Robinsons and the various other families too numerous to mention,

    To my knowledge there is no complete record of all settlers, so if any family feels they have been neglected I apologise. The main reason would be the Limitation of my knowledge.

    I must not forget all the Maori families of Ngati Wehiwehi and Ngati Tukorehe - the true settlers as far as we are concerned.

    The original Tangawhenua would throw a different light on this fact again.

    However I want to state - Everyone who lived in Manakau at one time or another, I refer to the flaxmilling and sawmilling days; the families that have been overlooked have not been forgotten.
    Above all - all the pupils who attended the Manakau School.

THOMAS BEVAN - FARMER, MANAKAU

This gentleman, who is described as the oldest settler in the district, was born in Yardington, Shropshire, in 1840.

His father was a rope maker by trade, and bringing a plant from England, he established himself at Te Aro. In 1842 however, he had trouble with the Maoris cutting off his supply of flax and in 1843 he went to Waikawa and again set up his p'ant, or ropewalk. In 1845, his children, who had been left in Wellington, were brought up to the coast by a Maori whom Mr. Bevan had engaged for the purpose.

After the death of his father, young Thomas Bevan carried on the business rill 1881, taking many prizes at Dunedin, Melbourne, Sydney and Vienna.

He was brought to New Zealand by the Lady Nugent in 1841, and had the misfortune to lose his mother on the way out.

His father was induced to come to the colony by the glowing accounts given from time to time of the great future for those who would throw in their lot with the New Zealand Company.

Mr. Bevan senior paid the company for 500 acres of land, which was to be rheir future home, only to find on his arrival that the land was in the possession of :he Maoris.

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SCHOOL BUS

    School buses have played an important part in school activities over the years, the first privately owned bus starting in 1935 driven by Jack Blackburn on the Waikawa Beach Road, beginning at Peka Peka.

    Mrs Roland Drake (nee Eva Atkins) continued the service for a period, succeeded by Mrs. R.L. Robinson for a number of years, followed by Ian Robinson for some six years, then by Mavis Robinson (nee Hazlitt) for 10 years before a department bus was provided.

    This was driven by Mr. and Mrs. Pat Judd for 10 years, Jill White for three years and Nan Stern (nee Swainson) for 18 months.

    The bus started with only a few pupils on the Waikawa Beach Road and grew to the stage where every road was serviced.

    Mrs. Janet Carey the present driver describes the last 10 years................

    'I took over the position of School Bus Driver from Nan Stern in 1978. A decade later we continue to pick up 39 children each day from the Manakau and Waikawa Beach area and travel 53 kilometres a day. A recent change from a 17 to 19 seater new Bedford bus has been appreciated by driver and pupils alike.

    It is essential to have a reliable and willing relief driver and Mrs. Jocelyn Moretto has served faithfully in this capacity.

    At the present time the Education Board are beginning to put the School Bus routes up for tender to private operators. This will take place over a three year period but services will continue to be free.

    Living on a hill has many advantages when frosty mornings and flat batteries make starting difficult. One morning during my first week of driving, I turned the bus key on to be assailed by a high pitched scream. I sought my husband's advice who suggested I ring Scott's Garage. Bob Miratana was soon on the scene. Turning the key he was greeted with the same ear piercing noise but this did not seem to disturb him. Calmly, he walked to the back of the bus, gave the emergency door an almighty slam and peace and quiet reigned in our valley. Not being aware of the safety warning signal when the emergency door had been tampered with, caused an embarrassed new bus driver to drive off in haste.

    Being a school bus driver was a great introduction to a new community and I have enjoyed getting to know many children who have passed through the Manakau School in the last 10 years'.

Janet Carey.

********

   In the last ten years a band of interested Manakau residents have begun to beautify the Railway - Main Highway verge and have planted shrubs there and also around the Hall, thus following their predecessors of the 1920 - 30 era who were responsible for planting many of the trees around Manakau.

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    Bing Page  Spreaders Ltd 1988
 

Corbons Auctions 
( Tim Corbett - Arne Jansson ) 1988

    The company entered into a contract with the Government in 1882, where on completion of the railway line within five years, they were promised 210,000 acres of Crown land. The line was originally surveyed to go through Foxton but this was later altered to go through Shannon and so avoid the lower Manawatu which was subject to heavy flooding.

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                                TATUM PARK

    Tatum Park, the Scout Association of New Zealand's National Training Headquarters, was formerly owned by Major Charles Tatum who had purchased the land from Henry Bevan, son of the pioneer, Mr. Thomas Bevan Senior of Manakau. Major Tatum bequeathed the property to the Scout movement and after his death in 1943; it became the Scout training base for New Zealand. A Tremendous amount of work was necessary on the estate to transform it into a suitable venue as the place had become overgrown with weeds and creepers and — any of the buildings were rotten and had to be demolished.
    In 1967 an experiment was run and business firms and Government Departments were invited to use the facilities for staff training and this proved very successful.
    With the development of Tatum into a full Training and Conference Centre. In the 1970's the Scout Association found a very successful venture which today has a turnover in excess of $1.5 million per annum. The facility is still quite unique in New Zealand, in that it was developed, and caters primarily for this type of business. Most Conference Centre’s are generally attached or form part of a hotel complex, whereas Tatum provides the facilities mainly for training and conferences.
    Today Tatum has a staff of 1 3 permanent and up to 21 hourly workers.
    The accommodation caters for 66 persons, in 19 twin bedded rooms, 26 single rooms and 2 executive rooms. A new kitchen was built and the dining room extended, to seat between 80 - 100 clients. Recreation facilities have been added also with a Games Room and a Fitness Centre.
     Another development in the middle seventies was the Caravan and romping Grounds. The grounds are very sheltered and ideal for a camping holiday, as well as for caravans. There are 5 tourist cabins within the grounds.
    Tatum is now well known throughout New Zealand and it is envisaged it will continue to be a major focal point in the Manakau district for many years to come.
    On 26th. August, 1891, a visitor passing through Manakau described it as having two hotels, the Family Hotel being the larger of the two and owned by Mr. Tomsitt and described as being well furnished and appointed. The Manakau Hotel on the opposite side of the railway line was owned by Mr. A.W Dwan. The visitor described the settlement as progressing rapidly with some very nice residences, notwithstanding the bush tracks being very bad. He goes on to speak of a large muster that night in the little school to hear pupils perform in a concert followed by dancing which continued on after l am.

    Interestingly there is an entry in the School Log dated, 20th. July, 1892, describing a dance held in the school but which resulted in a great deal of damage to the furniture.

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    Who remembers the then Manakau Hall Society committee arranging a casino evening to rai.se funds for the building of the new hall when the evening was suddenly terminated by an accident outside the hall. A gentleman had the misfortune to be knocked over by a car, receiving a broken leg and the authorities were called. Never have games of chance been so hurriedly dismantled and the committee was left wondering what to do with the saveloys left over.

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     Tatum Park 1988

Pukehou Polled Herefords ( Marsden Staples ) 1988

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    COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN MANAKAU

    Over the years the Manakau community has been well catered for by its cultural, service and sporting organisations which have been many and varied and which have flourished in this very community minded country village.lt is indeed a tribute to its residents that at one time or another Manakau has supported most of the organisations which one would expect to find only in the larger towns and while they may have waxed and waned and gone into recess with population fluctuations, there has always been something there to interest the people in the district.

HUI MAI SENIOR FOOTBALL CLUB

WINNERS HOROWHENUA CHAMPIONSHIP, 1922
Back row, Standing:
W.Dalzell,  P.King,   Tana Te Hiwi,   K.Ransfield,   J.Martin,   T.Gardiner,
T.Te Hiwi,   R.Creed,   A.Trevithick,   W.Bevan
2nd Row:   D.Wilson,   C.Dimock,   R.George(Captain),   C.Porter,  R.Robinson,  A.Cook. Front Row: MJohnston, A.Bevan, Waka Hepe,  Tao Weiepehana

No mention of Manakau would be complete without reference to the famous Hui Mai Club and rugby generally. The earliest record of rugby in Manakau goes back to 1899 when M. Carruthers and W. Greenhough played for the Horowhenua team. Rugby Union records show that in 1903 the Manawatu-

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Horowhenua representative match was actually played in Manakau. In 1905 there was a club called the Swainson and Bevan Football Club and it is thought there were then the two clubs in existence. In 1908 five players from the Hui Mai Club and five from Manakau represented Horowhenua but by 1909, Manakau had disappeared from the records but Hui Mai remained for many years until about 1938 when it combined with Kuku and formed the Kuku-Manakau Club and in 1939 this club won the Championship. 1946 again saw Hui Mai as the preferred name and it continued under this name. However at the beginning of 1951 season, Hui Mai were unable to field a senior team and two of its most prominent players, Roy Robinson and Graeme Bryant transferred to Athletic and the club gradually faded out and went into recess.
    In the early 'nineties Manakau possessed a very fine cricket team, winning outright the J.G. Wilson Shield which was presented for competition in the Horowhenua-Manawatu area by Sir James Wilson the then Member for the District. That club went into recess but was revived in 1949 following two picnic games at Tokomaru. A meeting to discuss the formation of a cricket club decided to go ahead and decided to hold a Paddy's Market to raise funds to purchase necessary gear. The Paddy's Market being very successful, the club was equipped and affiliated to the Horowhenua Cricket Association in the Junior Grade. Mr. F. Atkins became the Patron, having made available a paddock on his South Manakau farm where the first games were played. The club was very successful in the Junior Grade and in 1952 was accepted into the senior grade. In this year the Sports Ground was established on the Waikawa Beach Road on land purchased form Mr. I. Bertram and a concrete wicket was laid. At the end of the 1957-58 seasons the club went into recess, brought about by insufficient numbers, due to players leaving the district and a dearth of young players coming into the game. Outdoor Bowls was established in 1948 and was nurtured in its early days by Mr. Fred Abernathy and today is a strong club. Its club rooms and greens are a tribute to its hard working club members. Actually in the 1920-30 eras the same area was used for croquet and half the greens were then also used for bowls. Croquet is another of the old Manakau Clubs which no longer exists.

    Tennis is a sport which has always flourished in Manakau and has always had a close association with the school. On the 4th. October, 1912, tenders were called by the Manakau School for two tennis courts and later a further two courts were built where the Manakau Hall now stands.
    The club played for many years both competitively and socially finally going into recess in the late 1940's. The original school courts are still used and plans are in hand to upgrade them soon.
    Indoor bowls began in 1954 and was carried on during the winter months, and still flourishes today.
    The Country Women's Institute was formed in about 1930, the first meeting taking place in the St. Andrew Sunday School Hall, later destroyed in a storm in 1936. For many years in C.W.I, ran a successful flower show, including floral art, cut blooms, vegetables, handwork and cooking and there were classes for school children to compete in. Drama in the form of concerts were organized for

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 the district, but after the old hall was burnt down in 1967, the flower show was discontinued.

Opening of The Manakau Tennis Club 1914

    Today a band of ladies meet every 3rd. Thursday of trie month with the same devotion to the C.W.I, ideals of service to home and country, continuing a history of over 56 years of service. The Women's Division of Federated Farmers (W.D.F.F.), Manakau Branch began with monthly meetings in 1939 and will soon be celebrating their 50th. Anniversary. This branch had the honour of one of their Presidents, Mrs. Bridie Bryant O.B.E., becoming the Dominion President. The branch still meets every 4th. Thursday of the month and is always ready to help whenever necessary in the District.
    The Manakau Branch of the Plunket Society is one of the oldest continuous Manakau organizations in existence, having been formed on 19th. October, 1938. At that meeting Mrs. Ina Atkins was elected President and Mrs. Ruby Miles Secretary-Treasurer. The original rooms were in an old shop, since demolished, leased from Mr. Lew Bevan. This building was quite old and in need of repair and was situated on the western side of State Highway 1, north of Scott's Garage, It is significant that at about that time there is note in the minute book, asking Mr. Scott if he had any bits and pieces of timber about that he would let the Society have to repair the outer walls of the building. The building was also made available to other local organizations at a charge of 2/6d (25 cents) or 3/6d (35 cents ) if the heater was used.

    In 1945 it was first proposed that fundraising begin with the object of building the plunket its own rooms. The Hon. Robert Semple was elected Patron and gave valuable advice and practical help in many ways including obtaining the Education Board's approval for the building to be sited on its Manakau School property. When tenders were called for the new building, the tender of Messrs A

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Sheppard and Sons was accepted for £575. Work began in the spring of 1947 and was completed in July 1948 and the new rooms were opened on 20th. November, that year. The District was canvassed for financial support and donations were received from Wellington Commercial firms and it is a tribute to the many hard working people of the District that the building was opened debt free. Over the following 40 years the rooms have been kept in good repair by succeeding committees and today continues to provide a valuable service.

    As well as its prime use, the care of mothers and babies, the Plunket rooms have filled other roles. For some years the Bank of New Zealand used the foyer as an agency one morning a week and local associations continued to hire the rooms for meetings. Prior to the building of the Dental Clinic the Dental Nurse used the building on her twice yearly visits to the school and for two and a half years in the early 1960's a school class for remedial reading and mathematics was held there.

    Another activity is that of the Manakau Spinning Group. About 16 years ago, a group of ladies met a private home in Manakau to learn the art of spinning wool. The group now has 17 spinners and weavers who meet on the 1st. and 3rd. Tuesday of each month in private homes. The group has had several successful ‘spin-ins’ for other clubs and at the end of each year holds a luncheon. Meals on Wheels is another activity. In 1973 the St. Andrews Women's Fellowship undertook to help deliver meals in Otaki and for one week in approximately six, 10 people assist and there is a list of 30 volunteers to call on in this worthwhile voluntary effort.

     Boxing flourished in Manakau for a period, the Manakau Boxing Club being formed in 1974 by Manakau resident Mr. Ken Ward, himself having been a boxer. Budding Boxers were drawn into the club from Otaki, Levin and Manakau and five New Zealand Champions were trained there. Ken was helped with the training of the team by Mr. Henry Wallace, who himself gained a training license after two years of dedication with the team. The club during its existence took local boxers on five tours to Australia and four to the Cook Islands and on another occasion raised funds to bring out a team from the Cook Islands to New Zealand.

    New Zealand Champions from the club were Tony and Dean Ward, sons of the trainer, Jimmy Marshall, Mark Flipp and Mark Daly and Shane Perawiti -vas runner-up to a New Zealand title.

    Many boxers won provincial titles; the best of these were Rolling Lewis, Adam Hori Te Pa, Brent Ruruku, Tamati Raika, Peter Edwards and Kylie Manga. Over 200 boxers went through the doors of the club until it closed in 1985 when the trainer retired and all boxing equipment was given to the Cook Islands Government to assist boxing in that country.

    Another highlight in Manakau for local residents was the Manakau sports. The Sports Club was formed about 1945, with the idea of raising funds to re-furbish the old hall which was at that time situated on the main road south of Scott's Garage. Mr. Bob Robinson was the first President but unfortunately the first minute book has been lost and memory cannot recall the first secretary.

    The first Sports Days were held on Anniversary Day in Mr. Leo Jensen's

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paddock on North Road, now owned by Mrs. Janie Jensen. In those early days the whole District turned out and the ladies were seen from early morning making sandwiches to feed the multitude. Unfortunately one year the sports had to be cancelled and 12 dozen left over pies take a lot of eating.
    Later the venue was changed to Mr. Ivo Bertram's property, later known as the Manakau Domain where it is still held and the date was changed to Easter Monday and still later to Easter Sunday. The land was purchased by the H.C.C. from Mr. Bertram in 1952 and the pavilion was built by voluntary labour under the guidance of a carpenter. It was opened on 22nd. April, 1957, and it is interesting to note that the total cost of the building was £777.5.11, the cost of materials being £614. In those days the Sports catered for every taste, Baby Shows, Children's Races, Lollie Scrambles, Tug-of-War and young wrestlers under the leadership of Joe Greig of Waikanae were a great draw card. Archery was well supported and of course the Highland Dancing, which is still part of the Sports today.

    Unfortunately today interest appears to have waned but there is still great support from competitors for horse events, the wood chopping which brings competitors from far and wide, and the Merry-Go-Round and Hot Dog stand still do well. However we look back fondly on those early days when everyone worked together to improve the old hall and then building the new one.
    The first hall to be built in Manakau, erected by the late Mr. Thomas Bevan, was later destroyed by fire on 24th. July, 1912. The hall immediately rebuilt on the same site was opened on 5th. December, 1912, being built by Richard Bevan. Unfortunately in July 1967 the hall was again destroyed by fire but the present one was erected on its present site in 1968.
    Another feature of old time Manakau was the picture shows in the old hall. They started with the silent movies and the hall would be crowded and many of the Maoris who could not read or could not read fast enough, brought a cobber to read for them which they proceeded to do from all parts of the hall. The more exciting the picture, the louder they talked and it had to be heard to be believed and the pronunciation of some words was incredible.
    A stranger in the hall those days certainly got his money’s worth. The remarks and warnings shouted to the characters on the screen, the poor musician who usually had her boyfriend to turn over the music for her, were all little extras thrown in.
    Talkies followed the silent movies and the pictures were originally run by Mr. Dick Bevan and later by Mr. Stuckey, then Roland Drake, Will Dalzell and Mr. Banks. Later buses ran to the picture theatre in Levin and the Manakau Pictures closed down.
    Hunting was popular in Manakau from 1909, many Manakau properties being used as venues and in the 1930's drag hunting was introduced and for many years Mr. Bill Swainson being Master of the Hunt. The hunt those days began in North Manakau Road at Swainson's and culminated at Mr. Tom O'Rourke's in South Manakau Road. The South Road area hunt was revived in 1950, hares being hunted. Collis and Helen Blake hosted the hunt which continued
successfully until 1973. 

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    In the mid-1930s the Manakau Badminton Club was formed and played twice ice weekly in the old Manakau 'All, the 'H' having been removed to allow entry of new power lines and the old hall situated on State Highway One was quite a land mark until its destruction by fire in 1967. Playing nights and visits from inter -club teams were looked forward to with great enthusiasm. The huge open f re and the copper used for making tea provided warmth during the cold winter evenings. Tea and biscuits were served for supper but on inter-club competition rights the delicious suppers provided by members were great talking points.

    The old hall wasn't quite long enough for the court markings and the base line was marked up the back wall and if the shuttle was hit into the low ceiling it was a fault, these being great decoys for visiting teams.

    There being few other entertainments about, the club had a large membership and many players made representative status for the Manawatu Association and for the Horowhenua sub-association and some played in New Zealand Championships.

   R.Saulbury,  D.Cottle,  S.O'Rourke,  A.Leitch, S.Robinson,R.Ransfield
        D.Dalzell,   J.D'Ath,   R.Robinson,   E.Mudgway,   J.Bowling

       Other sports which were popular for a period but which have now ceased to exist were the Ladies Hockey Club in the 20's, the Hui Mai Ladies Basketball team and undoubtedly others even further in the past which research has failed to uncover. Older residents will also remember the Girl Guides and the Cub and ::out Group which flourished for a while but these too became a casualty of changing life styles and modern transport which opened up new dimensions to later generations. I wonder how much effect Television has had on many of these community activities in small villages such as Manakau.

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Inspection Welcome :
 

         Haigh Family, Queen St. East, R.D. 1, LEVIN,  ph 834537 / 81158

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  A very happy day for the residents of Manakau
 Celebrating the fiftieth year since the opening of the
Manakau School 

     A snippet from the Dinner Celebrations

     In the evening some 350 to 400 people sat down to a splendid repast in the regent Hall, Levin, the hall at Manakau being in-
adequate for the purpose. Mr. Alf Atkins precided, while among those present, were Mr.L.G. Lowry, M.P., and Mrs. Lowry,and Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Monk. 
     Mr. Atkins, after welcoming all, and hoping those present would spend a very enjoyable evening, asked that all participate in a toast to " The King. " 

THE GOLDEN JUBILEE

    The following are extracts from the account of the celebrations as published in the "Otaki Mail' March 8th. 1939.

    Probably never in the history of Manakau has such jubilation existed as prevailed on Saturday, when the 50th. Year of the opening of the school was celebrated. The day broke beautifully fine and there were scholars from far and rear in attendance, while Mr. P.A.D. Mickle, a former teacher made the trip from Australia to attend. The town was gay and at the school grounds bunting was greatly in evidence, while crowds assembled early in the morning to participate in the Jubilee celebrations. The pupils of the school divided themselves in decades and the oldest scholars led the procession which started from the post office and marched to the grounds. In the 1888-98 decade (first) there were some I00 old scholars, over fifty in the second decade, 120 in the third, and about 160 in the fourth, followed by a large number of present-day pupils. Each decade was beaded by banner-bearers with the year of attendance, and on arrival at the school grounds assembled in front of a dais set apart from teachers of the school and officials. At the gates Natives met the procession and welcomed them.

    Mr. Alf. Atkins, Chairman of Committee, extended a very warm welcome to all, making special mention to the past scholars. Among those present he was pleased to see ex-teachers, ex-scholars, and others keenly interested, and he regarded it as wonderful to be able to meet and renew acquaintances. Mr. Atkins regretted that there were many unable to attend and made feeling reference to those who had passed away. However, their memories were ever dear. Mr. Atkins trusted that all who had assembled to take part in the celebrations would have a most enjoyable day, and that old friendships would be renewed.

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE, 1948.

    Over 400 past pupils of Manakau School were present at the School's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which began in perfect weather, with a get-together and roll call after the march to the school led by the Otaki Brass Band. The Parade was welcomed at the bedecked entrance to the School by a party of Maori women, and then commenced those joyous scenes of re-union as old class-mates met for the first time for many years. Mr. Alf. Atkins who opened the proceedings welcomed the large gathering of old pupils, teachers and committee men. He was particularly pleased to welcome Mrs. Bethune, wife of the School's first headmaster.

    Mr. 'Bunny' Carkeek spoke on behalf of the Maori Race, and congratulated the Jubilee Committee for their excellent arrangements, while Mr. French spoke on behalf of ex-teachers, and Mr. R.L. Robinson spoke for the Manakau School Committee. Mrs. Bethune after having been presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, spoke of the early days, and recalled how they had to use a lantern to walk at nights in the mud and slush that constituted the roads of those days.

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    Teachers had a tremendous responsibility in training their pupils in early-days, commented Mr. French when speaking to the toast "Old Pupils".

    The greatest tribute which could be paid to the School was the huge gathering of old pupils at the celebrations.

    Mr. Maher paid tribute to the "Educational Authorities" in his toast, for their provision of amenities in the District, and referred to the work done for education by the early pioneers - in reply Mr. D.K. Guy spoke of the high standard of the Manakau School pupils, the beautiful setting of the grounds and the foresight and patience of the teaching staffs.

    He appealed to all present to get behind the school committees and give them their full backing.

         JUBILEE WEEKEND WAS HAPPY AND MEMORABLE.

    "School's in, children", the celebrations committee chairman, Mr. J. N. Bryant, proclaimed in Manakau on Saturday afternoon as he placed at his feet a bell he had just tolled - and hundreds of pupils who had been taught at the Manakau School during three-quarters of a century were re-united under a common bond.

     Drawn from many parts of the Dominion they reassembled to live again in the past when renewing childhood friendships, making and cementing new ones, and to pay tribute to administrators, past and present.

MARCH TO GROUNDS

    The attendance was swelled on Saturday when ex-pupils formed themselves into decade groups, and led by the Levin Municipal Band and preceded by bearers carrying banners, marched from the post office to the school grounds. Here seating was provided in front of a dais on which the official party, comprising the following, were seated:

    The Member of Parliament for Otaki, Mr. A. McCready, and Mrs. McCready; the ward member for Horowhenua in the Wellington Education Board, Mr.V.J. Cottle, and Mrs. Cottle; the No. 1 on the school roll, Mr. Robert Whiley (from Christchurch), the celebrations committee chairman, Mr. J.N. Bryant, and Mrs. Bryant; the Maori People's representative, Mr. Taha Gray, and Mrs. Gray, and the, chairman of the Manakau School Committee Mr. G. Fairley, and Mrs. Fairley.

    Tendering best wishes for a successful jubilee from the Manakau School Committee, Mr. Fairley said he felt the jubilee celebrations were not only for ex-pupils but for the present day pupils because as the citizens of tomorrow they would be arranging the next jubilee. "This then is their challenge - to carry on what you have started."

     After reading a message from the Minister of Education, Mr. McCready said : "We remember, today, and pay our tribute to the drive and initiative put in by those early settlers who started schools in the back country areas.

     "At jubilee functions such as this when people come from one end of the

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country to the other we cannot help but be reminded that we owe a lot to the early Manakau settlers for their fine contribution to the welfare of their town and district."

    The late Mr. Atkins was to the fore with education in Manakau, being a committee member, and also representing the whole area on the Wellington Education Board for ten years. His name can be linked with others, who have also given their time and energy for the benefit of our school.

NORTH ROAD - MANAKAU

     The Waikawa River extends from the sea to the forks and then divides into The Kaitawa (right fork) and the Panatawaiwai (left fork).

Waikawa means bitter water and in the early days stock were supposed not to drink the water. The Bird family established the first Timber Mill by the Waikawa, that burnt down in 1912 , but was rebuilt along with a second Mill 1880) where the parking area has been established by the Forest Service. Very little remains of these mills. A bridge built by the original Bird family over the Panatawaiwai was removed about 25 years ago because of unsafe decking foundations are visible in the river). In 1916 one of the mill workers a Mr. Bates with wife and daughter were camped near the second mill when a fierce easterly gale blew over a huge Rata tree killing the family.

     Before World War 1 a syndicate was formed to clear approximately 600 acres above the forks, the area is still known as "The Syndicate". This area has now reverted back to native forest. The regeneration of native forest species, since the forest service took over removing stock and controlling opossums, has been spectacular. The Waikawa Picnic Area is becoming a feature with annual plantings of more exotic trees undertaken by the Forest Service. The school also participates in plantings every year. A full day (in summer) exploring the Kaitawa reveals relics of milling days including huge logs, with wire ropes snatched, which were felled and beat men and bullock teams getting them out. Over the years trampers have been lost but now with well defined tracks the area has become very safe to tramp.

    Do you remember the dances held in the old Manakau Hall before it was destroyed by fire in 1967. They were always well supported and in those days most organizations held a Ball once a year and these were a real social occasion in the District. During the war years dances were very popular, especially with servicemen from the Air Force Station at Kimberly and with American servicemen on leave in New Zealand from the Pacific theatre. Remember dancing to those old Glen Miller tunes?

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   A Snippet from the Jubilee Ball 1948 
Manakau School function ====== Celebrations Conclude

       The celebrations in connection with the fiftieth anniversary of the Manakau State School were brought to a fitting conclusion on Monday with a grand jubilee ball. The public hall gave accommodation to some 400 ex-pupils, residents and visitors from all parts of the district, and under a canopy of coloured streamers, greenery and magic lanterns they spent a night of pleasing gaiety.
       Proceedings opened puntually at 8.30 p.m. with the grand  march, led by Mrs. Bethune, wife of the late Mr. F. Bethune, who was school's first teacher, and Mr. A. M. Atkins,the popular president of the jubilee committee, and then the orchestra broke into the strains of the first waltz.

 

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A REPORT ON THE 90TH JUBILEE

- LEVIN CHRONICLE 7.2.1978

    Waitangi weekend was a time for reminiscences for hundreds of past pupils of the Manakau School who gathered for the 90th. Jubilee celebrations.

    The group of over 600 comprised past and present pupils ranging in age from Mrs. Grace Jukes aged 92, who attended the school from 1890 to 1894, to Aroha Cook and Jamie Haigh both present pupils aged five.

    Opening the Jubilee Celebrations, the Chairman of the Wellington Education Board, Mr. C.W. Hesketh, recalled that the first classes at Manakau were held in the home of Mr. R. Whylie, because the Board could not afford to build a school.

    The Meeting House at the local Wehiwehi Marae also served as an early classroom, thus beginning the close association between the Manakau Maori people and the European community.

    This harmony between Maori and European members of the Manakau community was a feeling which was brought out time and time again during the celebrations, especially in the speeches of welcome.

    Mr. Umu Miratana, a former pupil of the school spoke in English and Maori on behalf of the Maori community. He said that it was fitting that the celebration of the school's jubilee should be held on the weekend of Waitangi Day.

    "Both races are standing in harmony in this place, on this marae, in these school grounds in historic recognition of this day," he said. "They represent 90 years of Maori and Pakeha standing and working together." Mr. Miratana implored present day Maori pupils to continue their education so that they could stand by their European friends in enjoying the fruits of success. Mr. Miratana concluded, "Te marae e takoto mai nei e Papatua nuku. Tena Koe. Hei tunga mo nga uri whakatipu. A kia noho te ariki kaia kautou i nga wa katoa - The hallowed ground of mother earth on which we stand today, may it be a standing place for generations to come. May the Blessing of God descend on each and every one of you and remain with you always."

    The chairman of the Horowhenua County Council, Mr. J.S. Blenkhorn welcomed the four women present from the first decade, Mrs. Eva May Hood, Mrs. Grace M. Jukes, Mrs. Myrtle Mary Boniface and Mrs Lillie Pepperell.

    "We change our attitude to our school days as we get older," said Mr. Blenkhorn, "We did not like school much when we went there, at least I didn't, but we realise its value and enjoy renewing the friendships formed in our school days.

    Mrs. Jukes aged 92 years, was one of the first pupils at the Manakau School and remembers it as a little two class school with few pupils. She travelled down from Mt. Maunganui for the celebrations and though she was only 8 years old when she left Manakau, she still found it interesting to compare the Manakau of those days with the town of today.

    Another old pupil, Mrs. Hood was at Manakau from 1891 to 1893. Her father originally came from Wales, and after a term in South Australia helping with

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the construction of the Great Northern Railway, he moved to Manakau to help build the present railway from Longburn to Wellington.

    At the time she lived there Manakau was only a small village with Otaki the main centre. Her memories of Manakau include landmarks such as the old Bird Sawmill and the thriving Maori Pa beside the Waikawa stream.

    "The school was only a house then," she recalls, "the headmaster was then Mr Bethune. The only thing I remember closely was playing see-saw with the logs in the school ground." "During the evenings we used to crowd into a dray and go out to Waikawa Beach and spear flounder In those days you could go out and pick up as many as you wanted."

    Sunday included the formal part of the festivities with a church service in the morning, a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and an official luncheon.

    At the luncheon especially, the air was thick with nostalgia as old friends and old memories were recalled. Those who attended emerged with many  memories of past experiences, both happy and sad, refreshed, and many of them already talking of the centenary coming up in 1988.

      Clarks Menswear 1988             Geerling's Flower Barn 1988

GERMAN MINE ON BEACH

    During World War One there was considerable interest and excitement when it was learnt that a German Mine had been found washed up on Waikawa Beach just north of the Wairongomai Stream. The mine was discovered by Miss May Drake of Waikawa and was reported to the Otaki Police. Constable Satherley notified the authorities in Wellington and secured the mine with a wire to prevent it being washed out to sea again. The mine was described as oval shaped and about 3ft. 6 in height and 4ft. 6 in. in width with five horns.

    The mine was destroyed by Captain Hall-Thompson of the Royal Navy and the following are excerpts from newspaper reports of the day. "Out on the beach a crowd began to sing, "Its the Navy, The British Navy". The ends of two fuses were exposed and attached to another fuse timed to burn for seven minutes. The crowd was requested to retire about 5oo yards. The mine was exploded and the air was rent and torn with the explosion and a huge pillar of black smoke rose. The crowd sprinted back to the spot but the mine had disappeared without trace leaving a hole fifteen feet across and eight feet deep and all that could be found were a few pieces of schrapnel. The explosion was clearly heard in Otaki, a distance of four to five miles where houses shook and windows rattled".

********

( Extract from a letter from ex-pupil John A. Reid 1924)

    " I went to school with Audrey Bryant but alas she was one of a group of girls who initiated me to Manakau School, beginning in 1920. They used to put the new pupil's head under the water tap .Our headmaster at this time was Mr. Mickle who had a bad habit of throwing his cane across the room at any pupil he caught talking, or who might offend him. One day he did this to a big lad, who was a Welfare lad and the boy picked up an inkwell and threw it at his headmaster, catching him full in the face and temporarily blinding him. The boy was expelled from the school as a result. I also recall the class being asked who was going to unveil the new War Memorial on Anzac Day, 1923, and being the first with my hand up was asked for the answer which I gave as Bill Massey. I was smartly taken to task and was informed the Right Honourable the Prime Minister was to be addressed as the Right Honourable W.P. Massey, and I inherited a penalty of fifty lines, " You must maintain your respect for the Prime Minister."

********

An old tale worth telling

    An old tale worth relating is about a German shopkeeper named Smith or Schmidt who kept a shop in front of the old hall in the days before the First World War. He was known as a very mean man and one morning his shop did not open and he was missing. A search was organized by the school master and the whole district was combed without result. Some years later a skeleton was found by Herbert Bryant on a ridge on his property at South Manakau. All around the body were small piles of money and it was thought that death had overtaken Smith while he was counting and sorting his money. In actual fact the body was never identified but there seems little doubt that it was that of Smith

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SPONSORS

L. & K. Matthews & Family, French Farm, Akaroa. Birds Toyota, Car Sales & Service, 330 - 334 Oxford St., Levin.

Peter Black Industries Ltd., Honi Tapua St., Manakau. Kerslake, Billens & Humphrey Ltd. (Levin Chronicle), 248 Oxford St., Levin.

Horrobin & Hodge Nurseries, Ihaka St., Manakau. Stirling Sports. Lambton Quay, Wellington. (Verna & Brian Seymour)

(nee  Williams)
 John Jenkins, Waikawa Beach Rd., Manakau.
H.J.Phillips Electrical Services Ltd. Levin

Ransfield Incorporation , Beach Rd., Manakau

DO YOU REMEMBER?

The farm union meeting to protest against the Government intention of taking over Titirangi (Bevan estate) for market gardening purposes.

The uproar in class while Mr. French and Mr. Scott were talking politics.

Mr. George Phillips boiling the copper for school picnics. From the PTA balance sheet 1960 :12 loaves of bread for 7/6. 51b butter 10/-.

Land values : 87 acres 1951 - $8360,1976 - $76,000. A section at the beach 1951 - $2400,1976 - $14,000,1988 - $20,000 Sections at Manakau 32 perch 1951 - $1920,1976 - $7000,1988 - $20,000 plus.

The first meeting of the PTA, October 13,1955. 32 members attended.

Club Day 1959 ...40 animals.

Mr. Tom Leitch, Blacksmith from about 1927.

Mr. Bill Phillips, General Store built in 1952.

The Butchers Shop, Occupied by Messrs Hudson, Price & Bob Skelton.

The Fish & Chip Shop, used occasionally as a Sunday School and Hairdressing Salon, now occupied by Peter Black.

Mr. Louis Darou, Who lived where the forest ranger now lives, invented the

Bloodless emasculator.

Albert Bird, Kept a small private saw mill going on his North Road property until the late 1940's

       G.S.Scott ( Garage ) ltd. 1988

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CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

Back Row:  B.Miratana, H.Cook, M Phillips, K.Dalzell, J.Martin,

R.Williams, Br.Bregman, T.Leen, I.Miratana, M.Staples.

Front Row: Mesdames: P.Bertelson, M.Staples, R.Bryant, B.Bryant,

Bridie Bryant, M.Robinson, K.Fox, H.Crosbie, J.Wooley.

Absent:  M.R.Miles, F.Dawber, W.Robinson, M.Slater,

Mesdames: J.Reid, L.Slater, P.Smith, E.Sweetman, L.Jones, L.McLeavy,

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                                       The Manakau Hotel 1988

The Manakau Railway Station in 1916
With the then Staion Master Mr. M. Monk standing in the doorway  

Manakau Branch of the Bank Of New Zealand
(circa 1900)

The Waikawa River Bridge
(North of Manakau)

Damaged  during a flood in 1922

Flax Mill beside the Waikawa River at Manakau

An Aeroplane that crash landed in a paddock
near Waikawa Beach Road, Manakau 1930 

 Children by a water wheel on the banks of the waikawa river at Manakau 

Honi Taipua Street Manakau,
showing the Post office, Cenotaph, Bank of New Zealand, Grocery Shop and The Manakau Hotel.

Manakau Co -op Dairy Co.Ltd. Factory

    Manakau's first Dairy factory was built on the main road just south of the Railway station and accross the road from the subway under the railway line. Before trucks were available, farmers would deliver their cream to be proccesses at  the factory by horse and cart. 

        AB Steam Train Engine, used on the main trunk line. 

    Steam engines like the one below were used extensivly hauling freight and passenger trains on the Manawatu main trunk line and were a commonsight in Manakau.They passed very close to the school and shunted carriages in the Manakau railway station. This activity went on day and night. 

      Aerial Top Dressing at Manakau North Road during the 1950's 

 During the 1950s school children would cycle from Manakau to North Road and watch Tiger Moth air plane, ( similar to the one below), spread fertilizer over the hills behind Manakau. 

        Manakau School Pupils having fun on old Tractor 1962

Aerial Top dressing with a Tiger Moth air plane on the hills behind Manakau

 Aerial View of Manakau 1951

   Manakau School Class 1949

Many more of these type photos on Manakau school photos linked to this subject 

  1 Peter Hornig, 2 Henry Phillips, 3 Leonard Patterson, 4 Gary Phillips, 5 Francis McCown, 6 Dan Ransfield, 7 Ike Miritana, 
8 Ronnie Nicolson, 9 Bruce Allen, 10 Lawence Nicolson,
11 Barry Mather, 13 Hannah Wallace, 14 Pamela Findlater,
15 Beverly Phillips, 16 Pat McCashin, 17 Milly Eru, 18 Barbara Marshal, 19 Janie Marshal, 20 Joy..?  21 Enid Bevan.