Dargaville the River town (Northland ) Traditional Cache
TheCoddiwompler: I am archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in a prior reviewer note.
Dargaville the River town (Northland )
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In Northland, today's Dargaville started life as a privately owned town. When an Irish businessman and politician Joseph McMullen Dargaville , realised the potential of the kauri and gum trade he first set up a trading station a few kilometres up the Kaihu River. 1837 - 1896 In 1871 Dargaville paid 171 pounds to local Māori chiefs represented by Te Awha Parore Pirika and Te Rore for 171 acres of land where Kaihu River meets the Northern Wairoa River. A strategic purchase. It became freehold in 1872. Known as' Tunatahi Block' it seemed to be mostly worthless swamp. The Northern Wairoa district however, held the largest area of kauri trees in the north. The timber trade grew and Dargaville's town prospered with it. Briefly Dargaville had New Zealand’s largest population. As all the trees were being cut down, the timber milled and exported, the kauri gum digging trade became important for the river town. The river was used to transport huge logs downstream to shipbuilders and as a primary means of transport to Auckland. Hundreds of men arrived to work the gum fields including large numbers of Dalmatians who often stayed on to become permanent settlers. Many of their descendants (Maori and Dalmatian) still live in the area of Dargaville today. The Dalmations were one of New Zealand’s few non-British immigrant groups in the 19th century. They were often referred to as 'Austrians'. Joseph McMullen Dargaville built this town and his own private fine home was built on a slight hill overlooking the river of which is now the 'Norfolk Court Resthome. Today, innovative farming, local industry, tourism and kūmara cropping are at the heart of Dargaville. It lies on the Kauri Coast Tourist Route, which runs from Brynderwyns to Waipoua and the Hokianga, taking in vistas as varied as the wild west beaches, the green rolling hills (which frame the harbour itself), and the mighty kauri forests and azure dune lakes to the north. Well worth a visit.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
unatvat nobhg