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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]

Tariki

Tariki.

Tariki is a thriving settlement situated twenty-three miles from New Plymouth by rail, and is the nearest railway station to Mount Egmont. It is in the Moa riding of the county of Taranaki, and forms part of the Huiroa survey district of the Taranaki land district. Tariki was originally known as a sawmilling centre, and for many years a mill belonging to the New Plymouth Sash and Door Factory has been in operation. There are two creameries situated not far from Tariki; one at Waipuku, two miles to the south, and one at Ratapiko, about five miles inland. Tariki has a hotel, and a public hall; and business firms are represented by two stores, a butchery, a saddlery, a bakery, and a blacksmith's establishment. At the railway station, which stands at an altitude of 948 feet above sea level, the business of the post office and telephone bureau is conducted. There are Anglican and Methodist churches in the settlement, and a well equipped public school. The Mountain road from New Plymouth to Hawera, runs parallel with the railway through Tariki; good shooting and fishing are obtainable in the neighbourhood.

The Tariki Railway Station and Post and Telegraph Office has been under the management of a stationmaster since the year 1902. The building is of wood and iron, and contains a ladies' waiting room, a public lobby, a general work room, and a post and telegraph office. The station is connected by telephone with Hawera and New Plymouth, and the intermediate stations.

The Tariki Public School was opened in the year 1897. It stands on a site of an acre and a-half of land. The original building was enlarged in 1903, and the old school had been removed from Waipuku. There are two class rooms and two porches, with accommodation for 150 children. There are 125 names on the roll, and the average attendance is 105. The headmaster is assisted by a mistress, and a pupil teacher.

Mr. Harry Albert Eason, Headmaster of Tariki school since its inception, was born in Dorset, England, where he was trained as a teacher. On arriving in New Zealand in 1888, he was appointed to Opunake school, whence he was transferred to Tariki.

St. Philip's Anglican Church at Tariki stands on a quarter-acre section. It is of wood and iron, with seats for sixty persons, and was erected in the year 1899. There is a Sunday page 160 school with about fifty children. The Rev. H. Reeve officiates monthly. A lay reader takes service on Sunday evenings.

Hancock, Robert, General Blacksmith, Tariki. This business was established in the year 1898. The premises consist of a large smith's shop, with a residence adjoining. Mr. Hancock was born in the year 1875, at Plumpstead, Kent, England. He came to New Zealand with his parents as an infant, and was educated at Wanganui and Wangaehu. Subsequently he learned his trade at Stratford, where he remained for about seven years. Mr. Hancock then removed to Tariki, where he acquired his present business. He has been a member of the Tariki school committee, and the Caledonian sports committee, and is secretary of the local Lodge of Odd-fellows—a position which he has held for ten years. In 1899 Mr. Hancock married a daughter of Mr. Alfred William Hewitt, of Stratford.

Collis, photo.Mr. and Mrs R. Hancock.

Collis, photo.
Mr. and Mrs R. Hancock.

Jones, G. and W., Butchers, Mountain road, Tariki. Head establishment, Midharst. This business was opened in 1894 by Messrs G. and W. Jones. Mr. David Jones is manager, and is further referred to as a farmer.

The Tariki Road Sawmills, the property of the New Plymouth Sash and Door Company, were established some years ago. The plant is large and up-to-date. A special feature is the steam haulage of logs in the bush, which Mr. Nixon was the first to introduce into Taranaki; this was tried by the company on his recommendation, and has proved entirely successful.

Mr. Hugh Nixon, Manager of the Tariki Road Sawmills, was born in the year 1856, in Northumberland, England, and was afterwards in charge of engines and machinery at the Stonecraft lead mine. In 1879 he came to New Zealand, and, after a year's farming experience in Otago, he engaged in sawmill work at Normanby for several years. He next spent a year in the kauri mills at Tairua; but returned to Taranaki in 1884, and remained at Ngairs nine years, most of the time in the service of the New Plymouth Sash and Door Company. Mr. Nixon subsequently received his present appointment. He has taken considerable interest in local matters; he was a member of the local school committee for four years, and was also one of the promoters of the church at Tariki road. Mr. Nixon is a Justice of the Peace.

Canning, Alfred, Farmer, Tariki. Mr. Canning was well known as a business man in Eltham, where he was agent for the United Fire Insurance Company, and was secretary to the Eltham Athenaeum, the Caledonian Society, and the local Lodge of Oddfellows. He was born in the year 1849 at Devizes, Wiltshire, England, and was educated at the Southwark Grammar School. For eight years subsequently he was a member of the London Corn Exchange. In 1876 he came to New Zealand by the ship “Avalanche,” and was for seven years manager of a station at Porangahau, in Hawke's Bay. In 1887 Mr. Canning removed to Taranaki, and four years later established himself in Eltham as a land and commission agent. This business he successfully conducted for a number of years, and then, having disposed of his interest, he became a farmer at Tariki.

Mr. A. Canning.

Mr. A. Canning.

Jones, David, Farmer, Tariki. Mr. Jones's property consists of 105 acres of freehold land, which is used chiefly for grazing purposes. There is a comfortable homestead, and the property has been much improved. Mr. Jones was born in March, 1871, in North Wales, England, where he was educated and brought up to farming. He came to New Zealand in 1894 by the s.s. “Gothic,” and settled in Taranaki with his brothers, Messrs G. and W. Jones. Subsequently he took over the management of their branch butchery business at Tariki. Mr. Jones is a member of the Tariki school committee, and of the Caledonian sports committee. In 1899 he married a daughter of Mr. Robert Hooker, of New Plymouth, and has one son and one daughter.

Kelsey, Walter Herbert, Farmer, Tariki road. Mr. Kelsey was born in the year 1868. in Surrey, England. He was educated at Whitgift Grammar School, and afterwards served an apprenticeship in the engineering trade. For six years he was employed on different steamers belonging to the well known firm of Wood Brothers, page 161 and made many voyages in their vessels to all parts of the globe. However, he grew tired of a seafaring life, and decided, in 1892, to settle in New Zealand, and acquired his property on Tariki road, shortly after his arrival in Taranaki. His farm, which consists of 246 acres, is pleasantly situated, and runs a large number of milch cows for supplying the local creamery. The homestead commands an extensive view of the country. Mr. Kelsey married a daughter of Mr. A. C. Fookes, at one time Mayor of New Plymouth.