A Tribute to George Herbert Stubbs
Mr. Stubbs came to Mangatangi in l9l2 to take up his block of land, an area of 7213 acres.
A virgin country such as ours in the l9th Century had to rely on its natural resources. Our district was no exception to this rule for we hear of tales of the vast Kauri timber industry, flax, kauri gum, a little gold and traces of coal. I believe a quartz seam was worked sometime in the l890’s and taken to Thames for processing, but assayed at only l0/- per ton.
A flax mill was in operation in the l89O’s on the Shuker property under the Surrey Redoubt, by Mr. Hastie Dean. An interesting point here is that the mill boiler was fired with coal from a nearby coal seam, and was later used to fire the boilers of traction engines hauling road metal.
The Kauri gum industry also provided what we would term today overseas funds. No doubt this vast “no-man’s land” provided a free for all for the gum diggers of the early days. Later on the Gum Digger worked on the owners property on a royalty basis and at one time a gum shop was in evidence on the Kaiaua road, stocking the modest wants of the diggers. This industry gradually petered out and by the middle 1920’s was practically nonexistent, except for “ bled gum “ which commanded a good price. The method of harvesting was to climb a Kauri tree with spiked boots and rope, make a small scarf in the bark and insert a catcher or small piece of galvanized flat iron. Over a period the tree would bleed into the catcher and the harvest would be collected at a later date. This method of gum collection was frowned upon by the forest authorities as the damage to trees was extensive.
These industries provided the livelihood for many of our forefathers and some small fortunes were made, especially by merchant dealing in these commodities. It is said that the City of Auckland was built on the prosperity of the Thames Goldfields.
The true prosperity of the district and country was to come later when grass was planted and the meat, wool and dairy industries started to function. After all if one owns a Kauri tree and sells it for timber the transaction is complete. On the other hand that cow you own will have a calf next year and the ewe we hope will have twins. We are building up and not destroying.
Exploring the journey: a comprehensive look at our origins, key milestones, and evolution through the years, celebrating the stories and achievements that have shaped our legacy.
Mr. Stubbs came to Mangatangi in l9l2 to take up his block of land, an area of 7213 acres.
Little did I think at the time that I would be returning in 1924 and spending most of my life…
ln the early 1930’s an attempt was made to establish a Tennis Club in Mangatangi.
Captain William Field Porter arrived in Auckland in 1841, having embarked with his family in his own brig, the “Porter”…
In December l927 we did our first shearing at Mangatangi. In those days we relied on the Maori.
Maori had long used the gum for making torches, lamp black for tattoo pigments and mixed it with sow thistle…
In 1957 the Smith family purchased from Mr. Ted Waller, a block of land comprising 956 acres of hill country…
John Cummings was born in County Antrim, Ireland in 1869 and came to New Zealand in 1874, on the ship…
Richard A Henderson was the sole charge teacher at this (Mangatangi) school when it opened in July 1923.
The Barton family arrived from England in 1885 and after a period in Auckland, farmed in Onewhero and Pukekawa before…
A virgin country such as ours in the l9th Century had to rely on its natural resources. Our district was…
In 1915 Mr. George S Johnston, set off from Auckland with a wagon drawn by two horses to Mangatangi.