Years of Growth South Waikato 1950-1980: The final of trilogy

By Elsie Monahan

South Waikato in the years 1950 to 1980 saw a period of rapid expansion, based around the increase and improvement of farming, the building of Hydro dams on the Waikato River and the utilisation of pine trees and the building of a large pulp and paper mill at Kinleith. To support this a town ( Tokoroa) grew from a small village to “almost a city”. The local government changes, the building of the infrastructure and the provision of a wide range of amenities are all part of the book. The people who came to the area came from many areas of the world and the developing of a community for all ensued. An amazing range of national and international achievers particularly in sports are also highlighted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris NZ
• Release date: Jun 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9781669881490

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Copyright © 2024 by Elsie Monahan. 858065

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2024905608

Rev. date: 06/10/2024

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all the people who I have been lucky enough to know and interact with.

I hope this writing stirs many great memories of places and events over the years.

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Putaruru High School 1957

The first class of 6A (now Year13) in South Waikato

Vic, Brian, Jim. Beverley, Jane, Elsie, Diana, Mary

Introduction

This book covers the period 1950 to 1980.I certainly have not investigated all sources available, especially the Local Papers. There have been many reasons for this. My own health issues (including both eyes cataract) along with the local library not having a workable Microfilm reader along with events all of us have been thorough – Covid & lockdowns etc.

Despite these I have tried to give a general outline to the huge development of the area. With the railway opening to Kinleith we became the prime route for all that was needed to develop and build the dams and the farms over the river, so I have included area like Tirohanga.

The enormous growth of Tokoroa over this period is unequalled for any town in the country dependant on a private enterprise business. The governments of the time were very slow to respond leading to their services being under extreme pressure. The people who were working in areas such as education, health, post office, social services, police and justice, then all government controlled, worked hard to deliver the best they could.

Often forgotten the farming improvements and development was enormous, Farms went from rather scrubby large paddocks to green grass being controlled with electric fences. The figures for milk production increased to a level where South Waikato was rivalling much of the whole Waikato area.

The Timber industry was, also improving with the trees, the methods of cutting and transporting. the variety of products pine was being used for, all contributing. The growth of New Zealand Forest Products and their acquisitions of smaller companies, all led to a company that was considered the country’s premier investment.

The task of covering all the events, all the development, of such a wide area has been extremely difficult. What to put in? what to leave out? Who should be mentioned. Am I doing justice to the happenings. I have tried to do my best.

I am aware that there is much to tell. I hope others will pick up a pen and write- maybe about an old mill, or driving a logging truck in the old days. Working for an engineering firm. A local sporting clubs. Each of these could be small A4 booklets but would cover the details and people worth remembering. A good example is the TTT small booklet. This is my effort to allow others to remember and appreciate some of South Waikato’s history.

Foreword – from the Mayor

The past is never dead. It lives on through relics strewn across today’s landscape, our memories, photos of yesteryear and our inherent obligation to remember it. Understanding our history, the good and the bad, reminds us of where we have come from and in doing that, reminds us to pave a better way forward for future generations.

History provides us with a sense of identity. It shapes who we are today. And who we will become tomorrow.

I am proud to have been asked to write a Foreword for this book – the third in Elsie Monahan’s historical trilogy of the South Waikato from pre-historic times to 1980.

I have a long connection to this district. I was born in Putāruru and have lived here most of my life. My personal connection to these timberlands started not with me, but before me. Indeed, my own father Marshall Petley was the last Manager of the Putāruru mill at the [now] New Zealand Timber Museum site. Certainly, my own first job was working in the silviculture industry right here in the South Waikato.

And that is why this third book’s focus on the clusters of small sawmill villages that drove our district forward is close to my heart. These sawmills of times past across the South Waikato such as Pinedale, Te Whetu, Wiltsdown may have long since closed but their contribution to life in the South Waikato is not forgotten. It is captured in these pages.

Elsie’s work has encompassed countless hours of dedicated research, relentless digging and careful sourcing. Her skill in capturing the essence of the South Waikato history has produced a trilogy that provides readers with a depth of understanding of the South Waikato never before captured in one place. I believe this trilogy from Bedrock and Rail, through Hard Times and Hope and now Years of Growth captures where we have come from. In doing so, we can better understand where we are going.

My heartfelt congratulations to Elsie and her many sources for their years of dedication that brings our history to life.

History, saved and preserved, is the foundation for future generations. Thank you, Elsie, for giving our tamariki and their tamariki and theirs… this beautiful foundation.

Mayor Gary Petley, February 2024

Contents

CHAPTER ONE: SETTING THE SCENE

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL (MCC)

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

INDIVIDUALS

1951 ANNUAL REPORT

ADMINISTRATION OFFICES

ROADING

STATE HIGHWAYS; HEAVY TRAFFIC AND EXPORT ROUTES

RESERVES AND ENVIRONMENT

RUBBISH AND SEWERAGE

WEEDS & PESTS, WANDERING STOCK, HYDATIDS ETC

SOCIAL AND PUBLIC AMENITIES

HEALTH INSPECTIONS

BUILDING INSPECTIONS

CIVIL DEFENSE & FIRE CONTROL

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING

EVENTS

COUNTY TOWNS

TIRAU

RAILWAYS

EDUCATION

HEALTH

POST OFFICE

TELEPHONE EXCHANGES

CHAPTER TWO : RURAL FARMING DEVELOPMENT

FARM ADVISORS AND EDUCATION

1951 PAPER- PUTARURU PRESS:

TRAINING

FARM SUPPLIES AND IMPLEMENTS

NEW FARMS

PRIVATE FARM DEVELOPMENT

FARM SALES

DAIRYING

HERD TESTING AVERAGES 1952-3

PIGS

SHEEP & CATTLE

DEER

TRUSTS

FEDERATED FARMERS (FF) & YOUNG FARMERS (YFC)

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOWS (A & P) TOKOROA

PUTARURU

WHAKAMARU

WOMEN ON FARMS

ADVERSITIES

PESTS AND DISEASE.

SERVICING THE FARMS – TRANSPORT

CHAPTER THREE: ENERGY AND COMMUNICATION

(DAMS, PUMPS, PIPES; RETICULATION, POSTAL & TELEGRAPH SERVICES ETC)

ELECTRICITY – DAMS – GENERATION

MANGAKINO

MARAETAI DAM (1953)

MARAETAI 2 (1962)

WAIPAPA (1962)

WHAKAMARU (1956)

ATIAMURI (1958)

OHAKURI (1961)

ARATIATIA (1964)

THANKS TO ALL THE WORKERS

THE OLDER DAMS & LAKES;

POWER DISTRIBUTION THAMES VALLEY ELECTRIC POWER BOARD (TVEPB)

EARLY 1950S

NATURAL GAS

CHAPTER FOUR: THE BOROUGH OF PUTARURU (PBC) 1950 – 1980

COUNCIL MAYORS OF BOROUGH OF PUTARURU 1950 – 1980

DEVELOPMENT AND NEEDS

MAIN HIGHWAYS

INFRASTRUCTURE

SCHOOLS

HOSPITAL

LAW AND ORDER

COMMUNITY:

AMENITIES; PARKS, HALLS, THEATRES

CHURCHES

WELFARE, EMERGENCY AND SERVICE CLUBS

FIRE BRIGADE

BUSINESSES

TIMBER BUSINESSES

BUILDERS

HAPPENINGS AND SOCIAL

SPORTS

CHAPTER FIVE: FORESTRY 1950-80

THE TREES

FIRE PROTECTION

TRANSPORT

MILLS

EGMONT BOX CO, TOKOROA

POST MILLS

NEW ZEALAND FOREST PRODUCTS LTD; -

LABOUR

FLEET OF VEHICLES

MILLS

KINLEITH

PULP & PAPER

OFFICIAL OPENING

A HEADING IN THE INSIDE STORY - PEOPLE ARE THE NO 1 ASSET

REPORTED AT THE MILL.

CHAPTER SIX: TOKOROA

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

1953 – THE RAW TOWN – WHERE EVERYONE HELPS!!

TOWN HOUSING GROWTH

EDUCATION

POLICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

EARLY BUSINESSES AND SHOPPING AREAS

FACILITIES

CHURCHES

LATE 1950S TO 1966

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

BUSINESS AREA.

INFRASTRUCTURE

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

EDUCATION

SCHOOLS;

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESSES

OTHER ACTIVITIES

CHURCHES

SWIMMING BATHS AND CLUB.

1966 – 1975 TOKOROA COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL (TCBC)

GOVERNMENT DEPTS

EDUCATION

BUSINESSES

1968 GOVERNMENT REPORT

ORGANISATIONS & CLUBS

THE BOROUGH OF TOKOROA (BOT)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

HEALTH

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESSES

FACILITIES AND ORGANISATIONS

EVENTS

CHAPTER SEVEN: PEOPLE

DIFFERENT CULTURES

MĀORI

PACIFIKA

FROM AROUND THE WORLD

THE IMMIGRANTS - NEW NEW ZEALANDERS.

BORN IN NZ – PAKEHAS

SERVING NZ

THEY SERVED SOUTH WAIKATO WELL.

H J SPEAR

THE EX WW2 SERVICEMEN

THEY SERVED THE WORLD.

THE ARTS

OTHER AREAS

CHARACTERS TO REMEMBER

THE COMMUNITY

CHAPTER EIGHT: END OF ERA

STRIKES

THE BIG ONE - THE 1980 3 MONTH STRIKE

SOUTH WAIKATO – DISCOVER IT, LIVE IT, LOVE IT.

Chapter One: Setting the Scene

The early 1950s had seen the end to the worst of the hardships of the depression and WW2 years and the world was looking forward to a brighter future. However, there were dark clouds internationally. The Cold War between the West and the East was to be there in the background. Wars continued – Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam were part of the international news and NZ soldiers were involved. In the Middle East the Israel-Palestine conflicts continued with different levels of intensity. There was always the threat of nuclear bombs. In the 1970s we were to see the effects of oil prices that caused major concern as we were so dependent on overseas supplies.

For New Zealand after looking to Mother United Kingdom a shock was to come when in 1973 UK joined the European Union, thus pulling the rug from traditional trading scene for New Zealand, leading NZ to look for other markets. The countries from the Pacific Ring started to become very important markets. We also were starting to diversify exports from the staples of wool, lamb, butter, and cheese. As the American market developed so our beef exports rose. Timber became a much more vital export item. Casein and milk powder used the dairying products. Sheep farmers were starting to feel the pinch, and some converted to dairying. Other farmers experimented with crops – apples, kiwi fruit and farmed deer and goats. The population of pigs was to fall as there was no longer the need for farmers to use whey on the farm. Our own manufacturing industries started to assume more importance. There was a rapid expansion of many support and supply businesses for all the primary enterprises.

In homes, garages and factories and indeed the streets and shops used more electricity and demand increased rapidly, the Waikato River becoming the prime source of Hydro Electric power in the North Island.

The post war building boom was in full swing and with the country’s population rapidly increasing timber and all sorts of timber products were sorely needed.

Homes were now using many new items that either were unheard of prior to these times, or only the things wealthy had. Becoming common were washing machines, vacuum cleaners, fridges, radios, telephones cake mixers, toasters, record players and later the early televisions, starting with the black and white snow machines. The tvs had very poor reception and limited hours to view. WOW- what a transformation in technology! We were really WITH IT. To allow people to meet their desires more Hire Purchase opportunities became available, so the adage of save before you buy was being eroded.

In general, New Zealand had very stable Government with National Party under Holland and Holyoake as Prime Ministers, except for the blip in the late 1950s when the Black Budget was to earn the ire of the population against the then Labour Government. 1973 was to see major political change when Labour under the very popular Norman Kirk stormed into power, but his death and a short period of Bill Rowling, saw a return to National under Rob Muldoon. It was the 1970s that led NZ into looking at the relationship with other countries as trading partners, as allies, as reflecting good human rights. The larger numbers of well-educated young people were making their views heard and wanting NZ to be heard. Hence protests were beginning on a wide range of issues. It was during this period that there were many immigrants from overseas, both the traditional British, but also from many European countries and the Pacific Islands.

As the economy tightened there was a back lash against the overstayers, mostly Pacific Islanders. The economy was being badly affected by international events, such as the Oil crisis and subsequent trading problems. Interest rates increased to a very alarming rate- around 20%. Unemployment figures started to rise. New benefits such as Solo Parents benefit were enacted. Māori were becoming more active in their grievances and needs. People were concerned increasingly over many issues- Nuclear Power, Manapouri, apartheid in South Africa etc. Change was beginning to occur.

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New Zealand was no longer Little Britain even though there was extensive celebration with the visit 1953-4 to the country of the beautiful, young new Queen Elizabeth 2. Exports to Britain fell from 66% in 1950 to 36% in 1970. New Zealand was starting to have views to be heard by the world and internally with many Māori wanting the Treaty to be honoured in such a way that most Pakeha were ignorant about.

The country was humming with a great need for all sorts of services that were government provided ’from the cradle to the grave. The government departments employed an army of civil servants; - In 1949 there were 51,000 ; by 1972 there were 72,000 and they controlled – our health, education, wage rates and other employment conditions, unionism, telephone, radio, housing finance, postal, death, pensions, benefits of old age orphans, transport (road, railway, traffic officers, police, many forests (but not those owned by NZFP) hydroelectricity, Public Works, Customs dept, censorship, permissions and licences for many things, drinking hours . Weekend were sacred with shops closed. No doubt there are others not listed! More importantly the government was in control of rates of exchange" and still looked at the British Pound sterling as the basis for the value of first Pound New Zealand, and after decimalisation in 1967, the NZ dollar. The government also controlled what overseas purchases could be made which affected imports and contributed to NZ aging vehicle stock.

Youth were starting to flex their muscles. The term teenager really came into vogue in the 1950’s and with films like Rock around the Clock, the music of many including Elvis Presley and the Beatles, dances such as rock & roll, the twist etc, the modern clothes and ownership of cars for the swinging singles. Teenager now had their own money. Previous generations had had to hand their pay to Mum if they were earning money. They contributed to the family budget. Now they were free to spend- clothes, records, players, their cars, and holidays in a way not seen before. The youth born during the war years and the baby boom years had freedom but generally still conformed to the values they had been brought up with. Church attendance was lessening so this led to slippage of values. The advent of birth control in the form of the pill in the 1960s saw loosening of more standards. Then of course the Hippie and flower power" days were with us.

The country was touted as harmonious, law abiding (mostly) and peaceful. By the late 1960s into 1970s a period of change was occurring the results of which were to be seen over the remainder of the century. The seeds of discontent had been sown and were germinating ready to blossom with events in the 1980s. James Belich in ‘Paradise Reforged’ sums up as a sense of sea-change was widespread from the mid 1970’s, but people found it difficult to put a shape on it. The new volatility was manifest in many ways.

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South Waikato was poised to be the centre of the development in farming, power construction and had the forests to provide the timber needed during this period and the seeds for the district change during that time were becoming evident. A level of industrial work increased with new bigger innovative mills and the associated businesses to support them. It was a centre for energetic young people to work hard, play hard and make things happen. Most were still community minded, so this energy went into sports clubs, service clubs, local arts, and crafts. The district change was rapid. Each of the 3 main towns changed, but in Tokoroa the change was so profound that a small village became almost a city.

SOUTH WAIKATO

GOVERNMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

During the period of this book the nation’s governments were doing all they could to develop the country. The country needed power, so the Ministry of Works undertook a very ambitious programme of developing Hydro dams, especially in the North Island on the Waikato. Maraetai One and wo were opened; Whakamaru and Atiamuri built, and these will be told about in the power chapter.

Farm development was undertaken by the Public Works Dept. Most of these were for the benefit of Returned servicemen. Areas that were being developed earlier were settled and new areas like Tirohanga and near Mangakino were developed and settled. Through the Ministry of Agriculture many experiments were undertaken that led to the improvement and intensification of farming.

Roads and Railways were being expanded. Many Highways were widened, straightened, and sealed. The Railway line to Kinleith was completed to the NZR standard and the Kaimai tunnel led to South Waikato produce going to the growing Port of Tauranga.

The population of South Waikato, especially Tokoroa led to all the service Ministries- health, education, welfare, law, and order etc being under enormous pressure and were behind the eight ball in efforts to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding of the community for most of the period.

Government members and officials visited and made typical comments were We are looking into …., When funds are available. Many officials cocooned in Wellington and other cities could not grasp the huge development that was taking place in the area, or the overstretched health services, schools, etc. Rules were often so rigid that they could not allow for emergency supplies (e.g. schools) It was only in the later part of this time frame that the most urgent needs were adequately addressed.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE

MATAMATA COUNTY COUNCIL (MCC)

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The area of MCC stretched from the borders of Cambridge to the Atiamuri bridge, from the Maungatautiri riding over the Waikato to include Waharoa to near Mamaku on St Hwy 5, with the Waikato River being the boundary for most of the rest. It encircled the 2 boroughs of Matamata and Putaruru. For this book the part that now is South Waikato is the focus of research. By 1950 MCC overed an area of 1,000 square miles with a population of 13,374, The two boroughs had a further 4,000 people. There was 657 miles of roading, of which 200 miles were sealed.

In 1948 Parliament passed an act allowing for limited local government for small towns in the form of development, to be called County Towns In South Waikato area Tirau and Tokoroa became County Towns in 1954. Their development and finances were still subject to approval by MCC, and they were able to use the equipment and staff of MCC. The local committee could suggest and prioritise areas for development. Tokoroa was to become a "County Borough’; Tokoroa Empowering Act 1966 with more responsibility and independence before finally becoming an independent borough on 1 Aril 1975.

As early as 1951 councillors were complaining about the amount of time Tokoroa affairs were taking and saying "I wonder if we could set up a sub-committee. Mind you some councillors from the Northern end had never been to the area. G E ENSOR the County Engineer said that these members would be surprised at the amount of time he was obliged to devote to Tokoroa and the ultimate responsibility on his proposals must be the responsibility of MCC. The time spent on Tokoroa was a recurring theme. It was recognised that many of the Councillors were unaware of what was occurring in the county, so periodically a bus was hired, and a tour would allow them to see first-hand the rapid development in the area they were responsible for.

Headquarters for MCC were based in Tirau and like all County Councils were responsible for the administration of the area, the roads, the drainage, bridges, the pest and weed control, the reserves, the District Health, Fire Control, Emergency needs and a host of other responsibilities. We need to thank those who have served or are serving, either in elected or employed roles, for their amazing contribution to the area and people.

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

THE ADMINISTRATION of the area starts with the elected representatives who set the policies that are carried out by the employed administrators.

Chairpersons ED WHITE from Okoroire Riding, who was the Chairperson until 1955. He was followed as Chairman by I K WOOD from Lichfield 1955-65, RF STRAWBRIDGE from Maungatautiri 1965-66, H T A MCGAHAN from Waharoa 1966-72, AW TEMM from Te Poi 1972-

Elected officials from South Waikato (SW) area included; L T DAVEY (Maungaiti) J E DUXFIELD (Putaruru), G C DUNHAM (Tokoroa), H W TINKLER (Tirau),W H G ALLEN (Okoroire) FQ BURWELL (Putaruru), J K LOGAN (Tokoroa), H KENDALL (Maungaiti), H J SPEAR (Tokoroa),R S WHITEHOUSE Maungaiti, L J C ASHWORTH Maungaiti, J E BENNETT (Putaruru) J M GRAY (Tirau) C H COCHRANE (Okoroire), A J Ingram (Tokoroa),J F HIGGINS (Tokoroa), J R CRESSWELL (Lichfield, D B FOOTE (Tokoroa), G R SCARLETT(Maungaiti) B L O’SULLIVAN(Tokoroa) E J WHITE (Okoroire), G S FLAVELL (Maungaiti), T W SWALE (Maungaiti, J ALLEN (Tirau and S J LANE (Lichfield).

INDIVIDUALS

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E D WHITE M B E; Councillor 1932-1955, being Chairman 1941- 1955. The legacy left by Mr White for the area was massive. He was known for his regular meetings with ratepayers and smoothly running meetings in the County administration. He was forward thinking and showed great understanding of the area and its needs. He was a discreet benefactor, and for 10 years was Director of the New Zealand Rennet Co Ltd and later as a Director of the Auckland Farmers Freezing Company and the New Zealand Co-Op Dairy Company Limited. His son Mr E J White also served as a Matamata County Councillor until his untimely death in 1983.

I K WOODS Irvine Kirkham WOODS served on the MCC from 1950 to 1965 and was Chairman from 1955.He was ideally placed at this time to be very knowledgeable about the pressing affairs of the new developments as well as the older areas of the County. During his time as Chairmen many of the major developments of the area occurred. He represented the Lichfield Riding, and his 300-acre dairy farm overlooked the current cheese factory. He had also been active in Putaruru Presbyterian Church and the Hodderville farms as an advisor. His wife was active in Country Women’s Institute becoming Dominion President and Deputy World President of the movement. They retired to Coromandel and were passengers on the plane that crashed on Erebus in 1979

PROMINENT EMPLOYEES Noted are.

JOHN BECK; County Clerk to 1958. Prominent in helping with the establishment of the County towns and after his retirement acted as consultant helping both the County and Putaruru Borough with by-laws and reports. Mr BECK kept a very watchful eye on the finances and administration. He was very aware of future needs, so planned for those needs.

Speaking at the MCC Golden Anniversary he commented on the spectacular material progress made and stated it was up to the council to see that "The