The Waiuku reservoir, ca 1935. Waiuku’s reticulated water supply was first turned on on 22 May 1930. The water was piped from this concrete reservoir on Barnaby’s Hill, high on the ridge above Victoria Avenue. The reservoir was demolished in 2002. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/39732/rec/1
WAIUKU WATER SUPPLY.
SEVERAL UNUSUAL FEATURES
WELLS SUNK AT HIGH LEVEL.
The new water supply system for the town of Waiuku, which has just been completed, presents a number of interesting features, one of the most unusual being that the wells from which the supply is drawn are at the highest point in the town, about 150 ft. above sea level, alongside the storage reservoir. There is therefore no need to raise the water from the bores through long pipe lines to the reservoir, which is high enough to give a satisfactory pressure.
The site was first tested with a small pioneer bore, which gave a sufficient supply to warrant proceeding with the scheme. The test bore was driven to a total depth of 240 ft., or 90ft. below sea level, but very little water was found below the 160 ft. level. The country passed through comprised clay, hard basalt and pumice, with sands of various textures. So hard was the basaltic rock that occasionally the permanent bores could be sunk only 1 in. a day with a very heavy set of tools.
There are two permanent bores, one sunk to a depth of 162 ft. and the other to 192 ft., the casings being in diameter. Precautions have been taken to exclude sand, and this has been achieved, the report of the Health Department showing that the water is one of the purest in the province.
The total field drawn on by the wells is not known, as the pumps working at their maximum capacity have little influence on the level of the supply. It is necessary to pump into the 100,000-gallon reservoir only every three days to cope with the present demand, while there is a wide margin for contingencies. Nearly the whole of the work, except the installation of the pumps, was carried out by residents of the district holding subcontracts, while the remainder was done by the Town Board’s staff.
Today’s featured item from this digital archive is a map. It is the Camps Occupied By US Troops and has information on where there were camps of US tropps during WWII in Auckland. It can be found at the link below:
On Thursday evening last a terrific whirlwind or tornado, or something similar, passed over Waiuku East. It was seen first near the village, and seemed to travel in the direction west to east . It passed over the properties of Messrs. Walters, Barriball, Hodge, Hull, &c., tearing up a number of large puriri and other trees, and destroying several chains of post-and-rail fencing. Such a thing, has not been witnessed in this district previously. Fortunately no houses happened to be in its course, or else they would have been destroyed with its mighty force. — [Own Correspondent, June 25.]
Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward inspects the Waiuku School cadets during a visit to the Franklin electorate on 23 November 1911. The event was reported in an Auckland newspaper thus: “Several hundred people awaited the Prime Minister’s arrival at Waiuku in the afternoon. The school cadets paraded, and across the main street were lines of bunting …”, ‘Visit to Frankton’ [sic], Auckland Star, 24 November 1911, p. 7. Here, the cadets are seen standing proudly at attention wearing their corps uniform of jersey, belt and cap, with rifles on their shoulders. The man in uniform with a sword, next to Sir Joseph, is Richard John Harris, a long-serving headmaster of Waiuku School. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/37353
VISIT TO FRANKTON.
PRIME MINISTER IN MR. MASSEY’S DISTRICT.
A CORDIAL RECEPTION.
(By Telegraph.- Special to “Star.”)
WAIUKU, Thursday.
After a series of friendly demonstrations, which made his progress slow but pleasant, the Prime .Minister reached Waiuku early this, afternoon. He arrived at Pukekohe from the South at 5.30 a.m. The Pukekohe Town Board members awaited him at that early hour, and their formal welcome to the district took place at breakfast at the Pukekohe Hotel. With a hearty cheer from a crowd of! Pukekohe residents as a send-off the party started on a twelve-mile motor journey to Waiuku over heavy roads, which enabled the perennial subject of I the Waiuku branch line to be appropriately introduced. On every public occasion during the morning en route the party were cheered by a gathering of settlers, who displayed on a large banner “Pukeowera Liberals welcome their leader.” At Patumahoe the school children presented Sir J. Ward with an address, and listened to an interesting response from the head of the Government. The Mauku school children paraded as the motors approached, and a youthful signal corps flagged the message “Welcome to Mauku.”
ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
The residents of Patumahoe and Mauku and Waiau joined in entertaining the visitors to luncheon at Patumahoe, which was decorated with bunting. Sir Joseph Ward being presented with an address signed by the chairmen of the local bodies, the reception committee. Farmers’ union. and leading settlers, in which they expressed pleasure that the Prime Minister’s visit had enabled the settlers to show that they did not allow political differences to deter them from honouring the merit and ability he had displayed in the public service and the credit he had also shed upon New Zealanders as a people by his able and forcible presentation of their affairs at the Imperial Conference. The address urged the speedy construction of the Waiuku branch railway.
A VIGOROUS POLICY.
Sir Joseph, in his reply, said he recognised that railways must be made for the people, and the Government had carried on a vigorous policy of railways, road and bridge construction, for which it took a very large sum of borrowed money. It would continue to borrow for such purposes, even though this policy was used at election times as a means of keeping the Government out. (Applause.) He could not, on the eve of a general election, make promises, because he did not want his opponents to say he was attempting to buy votes. Referring with satisfaction to his reception by the people during his tour, the Prime Minister said he was in as good form as could possibly be. (Applause.) The people everywhere had given him a warm welcome. (A Voice: “They will stick to you, too.”) They realised that the Government had done valuable work for the settlers, workers and other classes, and, that being so, he as its head, went out to meet the people with feelings of great confidence. (Applause.) He very much appreciated the enthusiasm of the settlers of that district, and would promise to come back after the election — (applause) — as Prime Minister. (Renewed applause.)
THE FARMERS’ VIEW.
In proposing the Prime Minister’s health at the luncheon, Mr. D. McLarin declared that as a practical farmer he appreciated the Government’s record in passing the Advances to Settlers Act, Lands for Settlement and State Fire Insurance. It was all very well for some to declare that they had thought of these measures, but the Prime Minister had brought these things into concrete form. The Advances to Settlers Act had raised New Zealand farmers from an impoverished state to one of comfort and prosperity. (Applause.)
In acknowledging the toast, the Prime Minister said he was continually receiving personal and written acknowledgments from settlers in New Zealand who ascribed their prosperity to the measures passed by the Government. All over New Zealand he had been impressed with signs of rapid progress. Farmers were in great heart, and this was due to the successful operations connected with the working of the land, as success was made possible by the use of cheap money obtained from a State institution. (Applause.) He noticed with some amusement a Wellington Opposition candidate’s speech, in which he put the difficulties of the people down to cheap money. He could only say that only a man who made his living by moneylending could make a complaint of that character, because it was cheap money which had enabled the farmers of New Zealand to succeed.
ARRIVAL AT WAIUKU.
Several hundred people awaited the Prime Minister’s arrival at Waiuku in the afternoon. The school cadets paraded, and across the main street were lines of bunting.
Mr. Martin Barriball (chairman of the Waiuku Road Board) voiced what he termed a real hearty welcome from the residents and settlers to Sir J. Ward upon his second visit to the district. They believed that, what he saw would enable him to realise the urgent need of proper transit, and they hoped to see him in Waiuku again at an early date to turn the first sod of the new branch railway.
Lady Ward was presented with a basket of roses from the ladies of the district. Sir Joseph said he very much appreciated the welcome. He had noted the fine quality of the land in the district, which could not be excelled anywhere. (A Voice: “And a good Government, too.”) He bad been reminded of the transit facilities which were wanted, and he could assure his hearers that the Ministry believed there was nothing more valuable than to pierce New Zealand with railways. Although they were accused of over-borrowing, that was not going to stop the Government from providing in the future the necessary money to build needed railways, roads and bridges for the legitimate requirements of the settlers. (Applause.)
Rounds of hearty cheering for Sir Joseph. Lady Ward, and Miss Eileen Ward concluded a very enthusiastic reception. The visitors were driven around the district during the afternoon.
Today’s featured item from this digital archive is a cook book. It is the Choosing & Cooking Meat and has information as well as recipes for meat. It can be found at the link below:
A hump-back whale stranded at Karioitahi Beach near Waiuku, July 1913. Local residents cut up the whale carcass and boiled it down for oil. Local farmer Gordon Honey is standing in front of the whale wielding a knife. Slabs of blubber have been loaded into the cart to the right. Hugh McFadyen is standing on the whale, arms folded, third from left; the young women on horseback are Clarissa McFadyen and Minnie Knight. Photograph published with the caption ‘Stranded: a hump-back whale found near Waiuku, on the Auckland West Coast’ in the Auckland Weekly News, 31 July 1913, supp. p. 51. Photographer Stephen Tracey https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/39239/rec/9
WHALE COMES ASHORE.
ON BEACH NEAR WAIUKU.
[By TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
Waiuku,Thursday.
A whale, which a conservative estimate judges to be more than 35ft in length, was discovered on the coast at Waiuku Gap, about five or six miles from Waiuku, yesterday. The creature when discovered had a harpoon in it, and also the mark of a shot in its body. Whether there was any brand upon the harpoon establishing the identity of those who attempted to capture the whale has not transpired.
It is understood that Messrs. Honey and Scouller will undertake the “trying out” for oil. The carcass is lying on a level sandy beach, well up towards high-water mark, and the conditions are considered good for the operations of rendering down the blubber. The whale is said to have been alive when first it came ashore.
A procession of decorated cars and trucks proceeds along Queen Street, Waiuku, 19 September 1923. This ‘fancy-dress’ parade was one of a series of events held in the town during a week-long carnival to raise funds for the development of Massey Park. This shot was taken from outside Wesley Methodist Church. The National Bank building can be seen across the road, with the two-storey Arkles building on the far side of the Kitchener Road intersection beyond. https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/36495
DOMAIN FOR WAIUKU.
CARNIVAL THIS WEEK.
The Waiuku people are having a carnival during the whole of this -week, the object being to raise the sum of £500 for the purpose of making the Waiuku domain as near up-to-date as possible, so that the different clubs, such as football, cricket, hockey, and athletic sports can give better facilities to the public to witness matches and sports. The around is an ideal spot for all requirements, and most convenient, being only about 200 yards from the railway station.
An application was made to the Government for a subsidy, and £ for £ has been authorised up to £150.
The first event opened on Monday with a grand fancy dress ball, which was well attended, and the large hall was taxed to its utmost to find room for the dancers. The event was a complete success, the sum of over £40 being obtained.
Last night a local company of pierrots provided the evening’s entertainment. To-day is to be devoted to a procession in fancy costumes and decorated vehicles and hockey matches.
Waiuku Museum Society wishes to gratefully acknowledge the funding grants we have received from the Auckland City Council via Franklin Local Body Grants.
Support for Administration and the Newsletter in 2015
Washing and cleaning of historic buildings in 2018
The Maioro School
Hydestor storage and specialised shelving for our store room in 2018
The shelving in situThe shelving in situ on the other side of the store room
Waiuku Museum 