Makaretu, which Maori legend gives as the settling place of the first Maoris who came to New Zealand in the canoe Arawa, twenty generations ago, is sixty-one miles south-west from Napier, in the county of Waipawa. It lies at the foot of Park's Peak, the highest point of the Ruahine Ranges, and mountaineering parties take their departure from Makaretu. It was at Makaretu that on the 25th of November, 1868, eighteen Maori rebels, and on the 3rd of December thirty-seven rebels, all under Te Kooti, were killed. Hares are plentiful in the district, and good fishing can be obtained. Dairying, sheep-farming, and saw-milling are the chief industries. In the township there are two churches, a public school, and a good boarding house, and the business of the post, telegraph, and money order office is conducted at the general store. There is a tri-weekly mail-coach service with Takapau.

Cohr's Sawmill, Ashcott, Makaretu. This mill was first established near Takapau in the year 1902, and was removed to its present site in 1904. It is fitted with a complete plant of the most up-to-date machinery, driven by an eighteen horse-power Marshall and Sons' portable engine. The output is about 8,000 feet of timber per day. Totara, matai, rimu, and white pine are dealt with, and the best market prices are realised. About twenty-six men are employed, and timber rights are held over sufficient bush to keep the mill in full operation for about five years.

Mr. Peter Marius Cohr, proprietor of Cohr's Saw-mill, was born in Denmark, in January, 1866, and was educated at Fredericia, in his native country. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1891, and was for a few years engaged in contract work in connection with saw-mills at Palmers-ton Nortb. In 1897 he paid a visit to Denmark, and in the following year returned to New Zealand. Subsequently he engaged in turn-milling, later, became part proprietor of various saw-mills, and has since worked entirely on his own account. Mr. Cohr is a member of the Hawke's Bay Saw-millers' Association. He is married and has one daughter.

Inglis Brothers, Sheep-farmers, Makaretu. Messrs Inglis Brothers acquired their present property of 2,200 acres in the year 1887. It was then Government leasehold, but has since been converted into freehold. The land is chiefly hilly and undulating, and is highly suitable for sheep grazing. About 3,500 sheep and 150 head of cattle are depastured on the run; and four persons are constantly employed. Mr. A. J. Inglis also holds in lease a property of 602 acres at Onga Onga (part of the Forest Gate estate), which carries about 1,000 sheep and thirty head of cattle. This latter place is chiefly used for growing turnips and grain, for which it is very suitable. Four persons are also employed there.

Mr. Alexander Joseph Inglis, senior partner of the firm of Messrs Inglis Brothers, was born in Takapau, on the 20th of January, 1868. He was educated at the Hampden public school, and was afterwards for several years on his father's farm. At nineteen years of age he acquired his present property in conjunction with his brother. Mr. Inglis is a member of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and the Makaretu School Committee, and is a member of the committee of the Hawke's Bay branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Mr. James David Inglis, of the firm of Messrs liglis Brothers, was born in the year 1872, at Hampden, where he was educated. He was afterwards brought up on his father's farm, and at fifteen years of age, joined his brother in partnership. Mr. Inglis is a member of the Hawke's Bay branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and is a member of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

“Paraetotara”was originally native property, and in the “seventies” was cut up, with adjacent properties, to form a Danish settlement. It was at first divided into small dairy farms, but these were afterwards amalgamated and formed into sheep-runs. The portion now known as “Paractotara,” was subsequently acquired by Mr. Ross, and bought by its present proprietor in the year 1900. It comprises 3,300 acres, of which about 1,500 acres are flat, the rest being undulating and hilly country. The land is of first-class quality, and about 8,000 sheep, and 600 head of cattle are depastured. In the summer months as many as 14,000 sheep are carried, and between 4,000 and 7,000 sheep are annually frozen and exported. Twenty persons are constantly employed on the estate. There is a fine two-storryed residence on the property, sheltered by a surrounding belt of trees. The out-buildings, including a large wool-shed, are well fitted up, and the homestead and stables are lighted with acetylene gas.

Mr. Nathaniel Hewson Beamish, proprietor of “Paraetotara,” is the third son of Mr. N. E. Beamish, of “Stoneycroft,” Hastings. He was born at Turakina on the 10th of January, 1866, and was educated at the Napier Grammar School, and at Warwick House and Christ's College, Christchurch. He afterwards learned sheep-farming, was for some years on his father's station at Whana Whana, and then took up an area of 20,000 acres at Mohaka. This property was then capable of carrying only 6,000 sheep, but it was so improved by Mr. Beamish that when he sold it, six years later, it carried over 13,000 cross-bred sheep, and 300 head of cattle. Mr. Beamish was the principal promoter, and for three years chairman of directors, of the Onga Onga Butter Factory, was for three years chairman of the Onga Onga branch of the Farmers' Union, and has also been a member of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the school committee, and other local bodies. Mr. Beamish married Miss Margaret Mary Allan, of Wairoa, in 1897.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. N. H. Beamish.