Helensville is situated on the banks of the Kaipara, and is connected by rail with Auckland, thirty-eight miles distant. Steamers leave regularly for North Wairoa and other branches of the Kaipara. There are many pleasant farms and homesteads in the neighbourhood. It supports three hotels, four churches, two halls, and public library. There are a public school, post and telegraph office, and a daily mail service.

Helensville.

Mr. Richard Monk, who represents Waitemata in the House of Representatives, first stood for Parliament for Parnell, in 1881, but was defeated. He was elected for Waitemata in 1887, but was defeated at the general election of 1890. Mr. Monk was again elected for the same district by a large majority at the general election of 1893, but was unseated on petition. He, however, again stood for the district at the general election of 1896, and was returned by 1715 to his opponent's 1544 votes. Mr. Monk had two rivals at the election of December, 1900, but he received 1713 votes, and the next man on the list polled only 1263. Mr. Monk has been a member of the Auckland Board of Education and of the Waitemata County Council. He is now sixty-nine years of age, and arrived at Hokianga with his parents when he was too young to be aware of his advent in that romantic and historic region. He therefore stands in the front line of seniority amongst the European colonists of New Zealand. Mr. Monk's father and mother both came of old Lancashire families, and he was educated by his father who, in 1819, took him to California, whence, after a time, the father went to England, and the son, who was much impressed with American methods, returned to Auckland via Australia. After his return to New Zealand Mr. Monk worked at carpentry, and started the joinery factory of Monk and Morgan. In 1866 he went to England and procured plant for the Union Sash and Door Company, with which he was identified until 1881, when he first stood for Parliament. After that Mr. Monk was connected with the Mercury Bay Timber Company until 1887. Mr. Monk has a thorough knowledge of the Maori langauge and is well versed in Maori lore and well acquainted with the character of the Maori people. In politics he is a conservative Liberal, and is opposed to Mr. Seddon on account of what he considers his political recklessness. As a public man, Mr. Monk is just and fearless, and he is an effective speaker. He has an enthusiastic appreciation of the value and glamour of the Union Jack as a symbol of British unity, and as an incentive to and preservative of British patriotism, on account of its associations with immeorial national development and achievement. For similar reasons Mr. Monk has a corresponding regard for the blue ensign of New Zealand with its impressive badge of the Southern Cross, and never tires of visiting schools and adressing the children on its claims to devotion as the flag of their country. One of his speeches on the subject, delivered in Parliament during the session of 1900, was so highly thought of, that many thousands of copies were specially issued from the Government Printing Office for distribution amongst the public schools of the colony.

Mr. R. Monk.

The Helensville Town Board District has 135 ratable properties, on which a general rate of 3d. in the £ is levied. The annual value of ratable property is about £2700; the total annual revenue from all sources is about £277.

Mr. C. H. Spinley, who has been elected Chairman of the Helensville Town Board for he fourth term, has brought about many improvements in the township, including street channelling and other necessary works. He has been secretary to the school committee, page 635 chairman of the library committee, and circuit steward to the Wesleyan church for many years. Being an old English Volunteer and a good shot, he tried to organise a corps at Helensville, but was unable to arouse sufficient enthusiasm to make the movement a success.

Mr. C. H. Spinley.

Helensville Railway Station, Post And Telegraph Office, is a building of the ordinary pattern of country stations, with waiting-rooms, public lobby, and offices. There are also goods sheds and an engine-house, and a platform at the wharf for facilitating traffic by the river steamers.

Terminus Hotel, Helensville (R. L. Somers, Proprietor).
Winkelmann, photo.

Mr. David Aitken Wright, Postmaster, Customs Officer, and Stationmaster, Helensville, was born in Essex, England, in 1846, and came to New Zealand when very young, being afterwards employed in farm work in the Taranaki district. When the war broke out he joined the Taranaki Mounted Volunteers, and served with credit through the entire campaign, being present at most of the engagements. Mr. Wright received the New Zealand medal, and, after leaving the volunteers, entered the armed constabulary, remaining in the force until 1874, when he resigned and joined the post and telegraph service. At the opening of the Hastings office he was appointed to the charge of the post, telegraph, and railway station, and remained there for nearly nineteen years, when he was transferred in 1893, to his present position. He was married to a daughter of the late Mr. W. Goodwin, of England, but she died, leaving two daughters.

Mr. D. A. Wright.

The Helensville Public School was established in 1878. Since then owing to the increase of the population and demand for greater accommodation, two more class-rooms have been added, making the present building a complete school of its kind. There are about 150 pupils on the roll with an average attendance of about 135. The staff consists of a headmaster, two assistant teachers, two pupil-teachers, and one probationer.

Mr. Joseph Robert Whitaker, Headmaster, was born in Auckland in 1866 and educated at the Thames High School. He received his present appointment in 1900. Mr. Whitaker is married and has one son and one daughter.

Spinley, Charles Henry, Engineer and General Smith, Helensville. Mr. Spinley was born at Great Grimsby, England, in 1853, where also he was educated and brought up to the trade of a general smith. Later, he decided to try his fortune in the Colonies, and in 1880, departed for New Zealand in the ship “Wanganui.” Early in 1881 he went to Helensville and established himself in business there, was very successful, and becoming popular, was elected to the town board in 1884. At the present time he is serving his fourth term as chairman. Mr. Spinley was married to a daughter of Mr. Edward Ingham, farmer, Middle, Rasen, Lincolnshire, and has five sons and four daughters.

Downer, William, Timber Merchant, Helensville, Mr. Downer, who is a well-known timber merchant in the Wairoa district, was born in London in 1844, and educated at Home. After leaving school he was apprenticed to a shipwright and thoroughly mastered the trade. He came to New Zealand at the age of seventeen per the ship “John Duncan” and landed in Auckland, where he entered the yards of Mr. Taylor and Captain Solomon. Afterwards he went to Riverhead, where he worked as a contractor for two years, then went with the first “rush” to the Thames goldfields, and was for some time manager of the “Never Too Late to Mend” mine. He finally settled in Helensville, where he has been a resident off and on for more than thirty years. Mr. Downer has taken a prominent part in local affairs, having been a member of the town board, and the school committee, and chairman of the domain board. He owns a very fine property on the river, of about 4000 acres, stocked with over 200 head of cattle. The homestead, called “The Pah,” is page 636 prettily situated. Mr. Downer is married to a daughter of Sergeant-Major Inglis, and has six sons and two daughters.

Mr. W. Downer.

Mcleod, Isaac, Settler, Helensville. Mr. McLeod, who is one of the pioneers of the district, was born in New Brunswick in 1845, educated there, and brought up to farming. Being ambitious to see the world, he came to new Zealand in the ship “Seagull,” in 1862, in company with his brother. They first went to Coromandel and afterwards to Helensville, and were the first Europeans to settle in that district. Here they opened a timber trade and carried on the business for a number of years. They also carried on a general store, bakery, and smithy. Mr. McLeod was one of the promoters of the Helensville Timber company, Soap Works, and the Flour Mill Company. He was the pioneer of local self-government in those parts. Helensville being the first township in the district to come under the Act, and he was chairman of the Town Board for a considerable period; he was also member of the Waitemata County Council for six years, and local postmaster for some time. Mr. McLeod conducted a line of coaches running from Riverhead to Helensville and had cutters to distribute goods along the many scattered settlements on the Kaipara. In fact Helensville (which was named after a relative of his) to a very great extent owes its present position to the energy of Mr. McLeod. He takes a lively interest in colonial politics, but although several times urged to stand for Parliament, has hitherto refused the honour. He has been married twice, his present wife, a daughter of the later Mr. William Little, of Paparoa, being his first wife's sister. He has one son by the prior marriage, and a son and two daughters by his second wife.

Mr. I. McLeod.

Makiri Farm is one of the prettiest properties in Helensville, and is situated near the railway, It comprises 2000 acres, half of which is grass land and carries 600 sheep and about 250 head of cattle. The property has been kept in excellent condition and is very English-like in its aspect, the homestead being a two story wooden building of nine rooms, commanding a splendid view of the surrounding landscape. The property was purchased some twenty years ago by the late Mr. James Hand, father of the present proprietor.

Mr. James Hand, Proprietor of “Makiri Farm,” is the eldest son of the late Mr. James Hand, and was born in Helensville in 1877. He was educated at St. Joseph's College, Sydney, on leaving which he returned to the farm, and together with his brother, Mr. John Hand, has worked there ever since, with a sister.

Bartlett, photo.
Mr. J. Hand.

Reynolds, John Joseph, Farmer, Helensville. Mr. Reynolds was born in Dublin in 1851 and educated at the Irish National School. He came to New Zealand when a boy and gained experience in country pursuits, was engaged in the timber industry and subsequently was manager for Messrs. P. and I. McLeod, Messrs Metcalf Bros, and other employers in that trade. During 1867 and 1869 he identified himself at the Thames with goldmining at a time when there was great activity on the fields. Ultimately, he took to farming, and settled in Helensville, where he is now well and popularly known. He has been a member of the Helensville Town Board for a number of years, is member of the school committee, and for some time has represented Helensville on the Waitemata County Council. His farm is pleasantly situated and consists of some 350 acres mostly in grass. Mr. Reynolds was appointed a Justice of the Peace some years ago, and in 1898 became district valuer under the Government Valuation of Land Act, 1896, for the counties of Manukau, Eden, Waitemata, and Rodney, and still (1901) holds the office. He is married to a daughter of Mr. William Snook, an old Auckland settler, and has two sons and one daughter.

Mr. J. J. Reynolds.

Slatter, John, Farmer, Kiwitahi, Helensville. The subject of this sketch was born in 1860, received his early education at Home, and completed it at the Auckland page 637 Grammar School. When only thirteen years of age, his parents came to Auckland in the ship “Queen Bee” and settled for a time in that city. Mr. Slatter visited Australia and gained some experience of sheep farming in South Australia. On returning to New Zealand, he purchased his present property at Kiwitahi, which consists of about 3000 acres, and is mostly in grass, and devoted chiefly to the breeding and fattening of cattle. Mr. Slatter is a member of the Waitemata Licensing Committee, on which body he has done good service. He is an enthusiastic amateur photographer, and some of his work is reproduced in this volume. Mr. Slatter is married to a daughter of the late Mr. R. J. Duncan, once a well-known auctioneer of Wellington, and has two sons and three daughters.

Stewart, Daniel, Farmer, Helensville. Mr. Stewart, who has had rather varied experiences in the Colonies, was born in Fifeshire, where he also was educated. In 1858, he came to New Zealand on the last voyage of the “Joseph Fletcher,” and served his time to the joiners' trade. About the time of the Snowy River “rush,” he went to Australia, and was on the goldfields for nearly a year, when he returned to New Zealand and was at Gabriel's Gully, in Otago, for a time. In 1866, he moved north to the Thames and was in charge of the Lucky Head battery until it closed down. Mr. Stewart then settled at Helensville, where he has been a resident for thirty years, cultivating his property most successfully. The farm contains about 390 acres of cleared land and meadows, carrying over 800 sheep and several head of cattle. For a number of years Mr. Stewart carried on a general store, but afterwards retired from the business, which is now conducted by his sons under the style of Stewart Bros. Mr. Stewart has been a member of the town board for several years, and was chairman for two years. He is a leading Freemason and past master of Lodge 2073, E.C. Mr. Stewart is married and has five daughters and three sons.

Mr. D. Stewart.

Wilson, John Alexander, Farmer, Helensville. Mr. Wilson was born in Wairoa South, and is a son of Mr. J. S. Wilson, of that place. He was educated at the local school and remained with his father for some years, until he acquired the property at Helensville on which he now resides, and of which he has been in possession for about sixteen years. The farm consists of 350 acres of level grass land, and carries over 200 sheep and about 200 head of cattle. Mr. Wilson has always taken an active interest in local affairs, and was a member of the Wairoa Rifles until the corps was disbanded. He is married to a daughter of Mr. Charles Simcock, of Kaukapakapa, and has one son and one daughter.

Mr. J. A. Wilson.

Northern Union Steam Boat Company, Ltd (James Stewart, Manager), Head Office, Helensville.

Mr. John D. Stuart, Chief Engineer of the Northern Union Steamship Company's s.s. “Aotea,” was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, and came to New Zealand in 1867 by the s.s “Midge,” owned and commanded by his father, the late Captain Stuart. After being with the “Midge” in the coastal service, Mr. Stuart was apprenticed to the well-known Auckland firm of engineers, Messrs Fraser and Tinne. On the expiration of his indentures he entered the service of the French Government at Tahiti, but finding the island life uncongenial, he returned to Auckland and joined the late Auckland Steam Packet Company, as assistant engineer. On the sale of the vessel in which he was employed, Mr. Stuart joined the Anchor Steamship Company at Nelson, and remained with it for some time. He then went to Sydney, and joined the Eastern and Australian Mail Steamship Company, trading to India and China. Not liking the trade. Mr. Stuart returned to Auckland in 1876, and rejoined the Auckland Steam Packet Company as chief engineer of the pioneer inter-island steamer “Star of the South,” trading to Fiji. In 1887, he was appointed chief engineer at the Waitara Freezing Works, but left some time afterwards to embark in a venture which ended in the total loss of the steamer. Mr. Stuart was for many years popularly known as the chief engineer in Messrs Donald and Edenborough's island steamer “Richmond,” and was the first New Zealand bred engineer to receive a sea-going engineer's certificate as a second and, also, as a first-class engineer.

Mr. J. D. Stuart.

Mr. John Harrison, Formerly Managing Director of the Northern Union Steam Boat Company, was born at Wairoa in 1862, and served his apprenticeship to the boot and shoe business. For some years, Mr. Harrison had a most varied experience, and at different times followed the occupations of gum digging, billiard marking, and trading on the river in a small yacht. He was then employed by Dr. Campbell in the river trade for about six years, and on the Kauri Company buying the business, he engaged in bush contracting, in which he still conducts extensive operations. For some years he ran a line of steamers on the Wairoa river in opposition to the Northern Rivers Company, and in 1897 he purchased page 638 half the interests of that company, in which he afterwards held the position of managing director. Mr. Harrison resides at Aratapu. He is married, and has a family of three children.

Mr. J. Harrison.

Rawson, Thomas, Master Mariner, Helensville. Captain Rawson, who is now residing in Helensville, is one of the oldest skippers in the Auckland province. He was born in Hull in 1843, educated there, and took to the sea at an early age, his first voyage being on board the “Prince.” He was afterwards on the “Meteor,” and came to Melbourne by the ship “Robert Small;” moving thence to Invercargill and finally to Auckland. For four years Capt. Rawson traded between Auckland and Mercury Bay as master of the s.s. “Gemini,” and afterwards as master of the s.s. “Lily” between Auckland and Helensville. He then entered the service of the Northern Steamship Company, and has had charge of various of the company's boats on the river between Helensville and Dargaville. In June, 1897, he retired and settled down to a well-earned repose. Captain Rawson is married to a daughter of the late Mr. Gavin, of H.M.'s service, and has eight daughters and six sons.

Kauri Timber in Trucks, Helensville.
Winkelmann, photo