THE PREMIER'S SPEECH.

Upon the question of Chinese in New Zealand the Premier had a very extraordinary proposal to make. One of the difficulties in the way of their exclusion, he said, was the fact that the Chinese have almost a monopoly of the market garden business, and large numbers of people who would prefer to obtain vegetables from Europeans find it impossible to do so. Therefore he proposes to establish at the four centres market gardens to be worked, by prisoners, hoping thus to grow enough vegetables to supply very large proportion of the requirements of the people, and incidentally to provide prisoners with useful employment, for which they would be paid. Fancy the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand, the brightest jewel in the Empire's crown, becoming a grower and purveyor of the "qabbagee," the "lubarb," and the "waterkless" for the free and independent electors, with the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., a* Minister for Market Gardens. If his vegetables are only as delicious as the idea is what a demand there will be for them. Yet Ministers are not, he declares, revolutionary socialists, nor of any school, though their policy of embarking the State union all sorts of industries certainly savours; of socialism.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13627, 10 February 1908, Page 4

CHEW CHONG Wholesale and Retail

GROCER and GENERAL DEALER

DEVON STREET

Opposite the Taranaki Herald Office

HAS on sale for CASH, at VERY LOW PRICES

TEAS, SUGARS, RICE, SOAP, AND ALL KINDS OF GROCERIES. CHINESE AND OTHER FANCY GOODS. JEWELLERY of THE LATEST DESIGNS.

Also A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF CHILDREN'S TOYS

HIGHEST PRICE GIVEN FOR FUNGUS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 2183, 11 March 1874, Page 1

THE DISTRICT ITS RESOURCES. IDEAL DISTRICT FOR VEGETABLES

One thing that strikes a visitor to the Otaki district is the splendid quality of the soil, and the truly remarkable growth on the cultivated areas. The soil is reputed to be about the richest in New Zealand; at least that is the opinion held by practically all the market gardeners, who should know it best. As for climate, the place is unequalled. Is it not strange, then, that so little of the ground is cultivated, and so much of it taken up by dairy farms? The district is only 47 miles from Wellington, where there is a market which as never completely' satisfied. The demand for more vegetables always exists, and there is a great opening for more extensive market gardening. DOES MARKET GARDENING PAY? Does market gardening pay? That was the nature of the question put to. practically all the gardeners who were seen by a Post reporter during a tour through the district, undertaken through the courtesy of Mr. J. G. Stevens, of Otaki. The reply was, for the most part, naturally, a guarded one; but, when pressed, the gardeners usually admitted that they 'were quite satisfied with the place. One said: "Does it pay? Well, I have been in most parts of New Zealand. I have had experience in Auckland, Taranaki. Hawkes Bay, and the Hutt. lam going to stay here." Surely that is an admission that market gardening, in Otaki at any rate, pays. The Otaki township does not in any way reflect the general condition of the district, which must be put down as flourishing. Last season somewhat of a set-back was experienced, owing to the exceptionally dry weather, but after the rain came the ground made a remarkable recovery, and when visited it was in the best of condition, and the prospects decidedly encouraging. The whole district is eminently suited for extensive sub-division and there is evidence - ample evidence—that this is gradually being brought about. Just now Otaki is a dairying centre, but it would be wrong to say that dairying is progressing rapidly, or even likely to progress much more. Of course, it is carried out more extensively now than was the case ten years ago; but it has probably reached its height. Already some of the dairying lands have given place to orchards and gardens, and it is likely that this transformation will go on and on. Just now there is a mixture of all sorts of land activities, which proves the worth of the holdings in more ways than one. BIG ESTATES CUT UP. Practically all the big estates on the splendid flat land between the hill and the sea have already been cut up into holdings of from 50 to 200 acres, and, of course, dairying is most favoured. Much of the land was of a swampy formation, but as there is a gradual fall to the sea, drainage has not been a difficult matter. The Pahiho Swamp, about a mile and a-half from Otaki, provides a typical example of what can be done,. This property is known as Monckton and Addington's, and a large proportion of it was swamp just below a terrace. Water continually oozes out from beneath the terrace, and until draining was undertaken the property was practically useless. Big trenches have since been dug through the land, which is now largely used for fattening purposes. With the stock upon it the land improves, and the whole of this vast area should eventually become the pick of Otaki for market gardens. Already many Chinese have established themselves on from 20. to 30 acres, and the splendid results are surprising. The soil is fine and peaty.

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 11

Poll Tax Family History Research

Remaining legible Poll Tax payer records for the period 1888 to 1930, collected at the Port of Wellington.

http://www.ethnicaffairs.govt.nz/oeawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Advisory-Services-Consultations-Poll-Tax-Family-History-Research?OpenDocument

OBSERVING THE HALF-HOLIDAY CHINESE RETAILERS IN TROUBLE That the retailers of Hawera are law-abiding citizens and do as they are told was the opinion of Mr Houston, expressed at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when he appeared in defence of the firm of Wee On and Co who were proceeded against by Mr J Mountjoy (Inspector of Awards and. Factories) on a charge of to keeping their shop open on the statutory half day. Mr Coleman (borough Inspector) conducted the case in the absence of Mr Mountjoy He said that on the afternoon of July 4 he found Wee On's shop open and knowing that the sale of silks and cigarettes made it necessary for the shop to close on the statutory half holiday, he informed the Chinese assistant of the fact The assistant immediately closed the premises. Mr. Houston said that the position had since been pointed out to the defendants, they being told that if they open on a Wednesday afternoon for the sale of fruit they must register as a fruit shop and have a separate entrance for customers who wished to purchase silks or cigarettes. His Worship inflicted a fine of 30s and 7s court costs. The Inspector also pro-ceded against Wong Ling Pow on a similar charge. The defendant was not represented and did not appear. A fine of £2 and 7s court costs was imposed Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, 10 August 1923, Page 8

From date, 6th March, a FIRSTCLASS LAUNDRY will be conducted by the Proprietor of WEE ON Fruit Store, High St., Hawera, next Blair and Sellar. Patrons can rely on the best of work ard promptness. All articles received and delivered at the Fruit Store. PRICE LIST: Starched double collars, 1 1/2 d; Soft Collars, 1d; Soft Shirts, 3d; Waiter's Aprons, 6d. All other garments at equally reasonable prices. For the BEST of FRUIT Patronise the WEE ON FRUIT STORE. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIV, 16 April 1924, Page 7 ( Blair and Sellar, Quality Ironmongers.)

TARANAKI JUBILEE. - History of Taranaki

The fine contrast afforded by the sombre tinted forest at the base, and the dazzling snow nestling on the summit increases the spectator's admiration to the point of enthusiasm. There is a peculiar charm diffused over a fine morning in Taranaki, which a writer some fifty years ago described as follows On this occasion a succession of lines and tints imbued the aspect with an Italian loveliness, from the far spreading waves of evergreen foliage, grateful and refreshing odours delight the senses, with rich notes of multitudes of birds, mocked by the tui, filling the air with joyous melodies at times like silver bells, touched by a master hand and mellowing afar with a peculiar softness, till the bright rays of day spread over the scene, when the enchanting choir gently lapses into that of the songsters peculiar to the day."

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TH18910702.2.23&cl=search&srpos=117&e=-------100--101----0frederick+edgecombe--&st=1

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9123, 2 July 1891, Page 1

MAGISTRATE'S COURT WEEKLY SITTING.

weekly sitting of the Hawera Magistrate's Court was held to-day, when Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., presided.

ALLEGED COMMON ASSAULT. Frederick D. Edgecombe was charged by the police with common assault on a Chinese named Ah So, a previous information being withdrawn by leave of the court. Sergeant Henry prosecuted, and Mr Ryan appeared for accused. Sergeant Henry said that on the 16th of the present- month Ah So called at Mrs Ling's gardens on the Beach road to get vegetables for another Chinese named Wee On. Ah So drove into the yard, and Mrs Ling accused him of taking customers away from her, which argument she follow-ed up with punishment from a whip. Edgeeombe then came rushing out, and in the struggle which followed hestruck the Chinese over the head several times with a knife. (A knife with a blade about 10 inches long was produced in court.) Accused when interviewed by the police denied having used the knife. Mr Ryan, said that accused assured him that he did not use the knife and that the knife was held by the Chinese. Accused was only 20.years of age. Accused was put in'the witness box. where he stated that he was in bed when he heard words between his employer, Mrs' Ling, and the Chinese. He went to a window, and saw the Chinese with a knife to Mrs Ling's stomach, whereupon he rushed out to give assistance. While they were rolling on the ground the knife was knocked out of the hands of the Chinese, and was picked up by Mrs Ling. Accused did not use the knife, but only itruck vvith his fists. After the struggle the Chinese gave Mrs Ling 7s for the return of the knife, but Mrs Ling threw, the money out into the yard. The" Chinese then offered £1 f 9 r the knife, but he was told that the knife would be handed to the police. He then retired, leavhalf a crown of the 7s lying in theyard. (This half-crown was also produced in court.) Sergeant Henry: The Chinese says that accused had a revolver in one hand. His Worship: Then the Chinese says that accused had a revolver in one hand and a knife in the other! At this stage his Worship deferred the case until next Thursday in order to give the police opportunity to. procure further evidence as to the ownership of the knife and the truth of accused's statement that he had no revolver and there was not even one kept m the house. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 September 1924, Page 9