Community Contributed
Cyclopedia of New Zealand - Manakau section
The text from these pages is reproduced here along with a picture showing the layout of the page. MANAKAU - Pages 1102-1105
Page 1102:
MANUKAU is fifty-two miles from Wellington on the Wellington-Manawatu railway line. Although the township itself is small, there is yet a busy appearance about it, and the streets and by-ways are clean and well laid out. A mile or so out of the village, to the eastward, some noble-looking terraces and well-grassed haunch-backed hills lend a picturesqueness to the country. The settlers have all carved their now richly-grassed lands out of the forest, and are well-to-do, a characteristic which may be said to be general of the industrious farmer all through the Manawatu.
Manakau has four divisions, and at the taking of last census contained 336 souls, divided as under:- Manakau Village,149 ; Manakau Road, 101 ; North Manakau Road, 43; South Manakau Road, 43. It is 97ft above sea-level, and situate in the Otaki Riding of the Horowhenua County.
Mails for Manakau close daily at Wellington at 6 a.m., arriving at Manakau at 9.30 a.m. Mails close at Manakau for Wellington daily at 8.15 a.m., arriving in Wellington at 1 p.m.
Page 1103:
The Manakau Public School-a building of two fair-sized rooms, with master's residence and spacious playground attached-has a roll number of eighty-three with an average attendance of fifty-nine scholars. The teaching staff consists of headmaster, Mr. W. Foster, assistant master, Mr. Farmer, and pupil teacher, Mr. Bennett.
Mr. William Foster, Headmaster of the Manakau Public School, who is an under-graduate of the New Zealand University, was appointed to the position in October, 1896. He was born in 1866 in Christchurch, where he was educated, and after a term as a pupil teacher at East Christchurch School he gained his D1 certificate in 1883. After five years at Leithfield School, he spent four years as first assistant at Campbell Street School, Palmerston North, being appointed headmaster at Paraparaumu School in 1892. Mr. Foster was married in 1891 to a daughter of Mr. J. B. Banks, of Christchurch, and has two sons.
Carkeek, Arthur Wakefield, Civil Engineer and Authorised and Licensed Surveyor, Manakau. Mr. Carkeek, a son of the late Mr. Stephen Carkeek, was born at Nelson in 1843 where he was educated. He took part in several encounters with the natives at Tokaanu, Puriri, and Taupo; and was present when the last prisoners were taken in 1870. He was at that time awarded the Victoria Cross, being the third rnan in New Zealand to gain that honour. In his younger days he was an enthusiast in boat racing. An old cricketer, he still umpires for his district in county matches. For three consecutive years he was the winner of the county shield presented by Mr. Wilson, ex-M.H.R. Mr. Carkeek has been employed on the Provincial and General Government staff for some years past. He is well known as a thoroughly competent and reliable engineer, and has passed many examinations, including those authorising him to act in the capacity of a fully qualified surveyor.
Anderson, Neils Andrew, Coachbuilder, Blacksmith, and Wheelwright, Manakau Coach Factory, Manakau. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This thriving industry was founded by the energetic proprietor in 1894. The factory building is a structure of wood and iron, of one storey in height, affording ample space for the conduct of a large trade. It is fitted up with all necessary machinery for the business. Mr. Anderson's customers reside in all parts of the district, many of them travelling long distances to secure his services. Born in Denmark, Mr. Anderson, was apprenticed to the business near his native town; where he soon became a skilful workman. In 1874 he came to the Colony, per ship "Loch Aird," landing at Auckland, where he readilysecured employment at Messrs. Fraser and Tinney's Foundry. Subsequently he removed to Wellington, and was for some time employed at the leading coach factory. About 1880 he started in business at the Lower Hutt, and continued for about three years, when he removed to the Manawatu district. For five years he worked a sawmill in Manakau, which he eventually sold and commenced the present line. An eight-horsepower engine has recently been added to his workshop. Mr. Anderson, who is an enterprising settler, has been able to find time to assist in local matters, having served as a member of one of the school committees.
Tompsitt's Family Hotel (William Tompsitt, proprietor) Manakau. This fine hostelry was established in 1890. It is a handsome two-storey wooden structure, and contains in all twenty-nine rooms. On the ground floor will be found a convenient dining-room, well appointed in every respect; there are also sitting-rooms and parlours.
The excellent bedrooms, for which Tompsitt's Family Hotel is noted, are situated on the first floor. Behind the hotel are splendid stables. A full staff of servants will at all times endeavour to make travellers and visitors comfortable during their stay at the hotel. Mr. Tompsitt, the popular host, is well and favorably known in the Colony, and particularly through the Manawatu district. He is a colonial, having been born in Melbourne. At the time of the West Coast rush he crossed over the Tasman Sea, arriving in Hokitika in1866. After some years of experience in the Colony, Mr. Tompsitt established himself as a storekeeper in Otaki, and subsequently founded the first business in Manakau. He has for years been a farmer and grazier in the district, and has been successful in the rearing of thoroughbred stock.
In racing he has long taken keen interest, and has attained celebrity as a handicapper. Mr. Tompsitt has also taken a lively part in shooting competitions. As a public man he has served the ratepayers for six years as a member of the Otaki Highway Board, of which he was for some time chairman. For five years he was a member of the Horowhenua County Council, and at different times he has been elected a member of school committees. Mr. Tompsitt has been most active in procuring the formation of roads in the township.
Smith, George, Bootmaker, Manakau. This business was established in 1888 by Mr. Smith, who came to the Colony fourteen years previously. He has had forty years' experience in the trade, and was manager for Messrs. Ashton and Jacobs and Mr. Pallant in Wellington. Mr. Smith was also for some time with Messrs. W. and J. Staples and Co., whom he left to commence business on his own account at Manakau. He keeps a small but well-