Otakou , also known as the Maori Kaike, is about twenty miles north-east from Dunedin, and six from Portobello. There is conveyance by coach to Portobello, and thence by trap or horse to Dunedin. A steamer also calls at Portobello once a month. Otakau is a Maori settlement, but the land, which is excepticnally good, is largely taken up by European dairy farmers, who lease from the Maori owners. Otakau has a post and telegraph office, and also a school and church. The district is most prosperous, and local affairs are controlled by a road board. The Taiaroa Heads, with the lighthouse and fortifications, are about three miles distant, and are worthy of a visit.

Karetai, Joseph Timoti , Farmer, Waiari, Otakou. Mr. Karetai is the eldest of the two surviving sons of the late Timoti Karetai, and a grandson of Karetai, one of the leading Maori chiefs of the Middle Island. He was educated at the Otakou school, and now works his farm at the Heads. Mr. Karetai takes a leading part in the local affairs of his district, and has been for years a member of the Otago Heads Road Board, and the Otago Heads school committee. He is a Freemason of several years' standing, and is attached to Lodge Kilwinning, Portobello. Mr. Karetai married Miss Edmonds, of Otakou, and has, surviving, a family of eight.

Mr. J. T. Karetai.

Ryan, Patrick , Farmer, Otakou. Mr. Ryan was born near Carlow, Ireland, and came to Port Chalmers by the ship “City of Dunedin” then on her third voyage. Shortly after his arrival he started farming at the Otago Heads, on land belonging to his brother-in-law, Captain Stevens, and two years afterwards entered the pilot service for two years and a half. He was then appointed manager for Mr. George Wildon, butcher, and bought the cattle and sheep necessary for the business. Seven years later Mr. Ryan bought his present property of about 400 acres at Otakou, where he fattens cattle and carries on dairying. He possesses a thorough knowledge of stock, of which he is a well known judge, and he was the first man to drive a horse and cart to the Heads. Mr. Ryan was one of the first members of the Otakou Road Board, and helped to form the Peninsula Agricultural and Pastoral Association, at the shows of which he has been a successful exhibitor of cattle and horses. He served as a volunteer in the Portobello Rifle Corps until its disbandment, and is now (1904) a member of the Rifle Club. Mr. Ryan married a daughter of Mr. John Kerr, of Portobello, but his wife died in July, 1901, leaving four sons and three daughters.

Taiaroa, George Grey , Farmer. Otakou. Mr. Taiaroa is the second son of the Hon. H. K. Taiaroa, M.L.C., and was born at Otakou in 1864. He completed his education at the Otago Boys' High School, and for a short time studied law in the office of Messrs Kettle and Woodhouse, Dunedin, before turning his attention to farming. Mr. Taiaroa farmed at Southbridge for nine years, and subsequently spent four years touring round New Zealand. He then returned to Otakou, where he now carries on dairying on his extensive farm near the Heads. He has been a member of the local school committee for several years, and a trustee of the church and cemetery at the Kaike. At one time Mr. Taiaroa was a well known athlete, and carried off numerous prizes at football. He married a daughter of Mr. Tame Parata, M.H.R., and there is a family of six children.