Letter by Harcourt Richard Aubrey, New Plymouth District to Sir Donald McLean
New Plymouth, Dec. 19th, 1846.
Sir, I have the honor to inform you that in compliance with instructions received from you some time since, I have obtained a Census of the European population located in this Settlement, likewise the extent of their cultivations and number of Live Stock.
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The wheat throughout the settlement has generally speaking a very healthy colour; I must however except that between the Town and Captn. Creagh's residence which looks both yellow and parched and will I fear produce but a poor return for the labour bestowed on its cultivation. As far as it is possible to judge at present, I think I shall not be far out in my calculations in putting the average crop this year at 25 bushels per acre; there are many of course who will obtain more, but a great number are likely, if the dry weather continues to obtain much less. Taken as a whole, the Messieurs Davy have the heaviest crop and it has attracted my attention more on account of its having been grown upon Fern land, which fully proves that land of that description can be made as productive as timber land if properly managed. The long continued drought, will it is feared be the reverse of beneficial to the barley and prove very injurious to the Potatoes and turnips.
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A good threshing machine to reduce the price of threshing by hand would be a great desideratum, and I cannot help feeling surprised that some of our men of Capital have not been spirited enough to introduce one; they would by so doing, put money in their own pockets and confer a benefit on the Settlement - In addition to the 2 mills already put up, there is a third in the course of erection to be named the Union Flour Mill. So called from a number of parties having contributed towards the expense of construction - On the 9th inst. the ceremony of laying the foundation Stone took place and it is long since New Plymouth witnessed a gayer scene; in the evening the Shareholders had a grand dinner to celebrate the event and did not separate until a late hour - an attempt at extortion on the part of the millers, induced in the first instance 2 or 3 influential Settlers to suggest the scheme which is now being carried into effect; if the original plan is adhered to, that of only charging the lowest possible price for grinding, every Settler in New Plymouth will have reason to bless the day the Union Mill was put up.
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I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your most obt. Servt., H. Aubrey. Donald McLean, Esqre., Inspector of Police.
Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13793, 27 October 1908
MR. HULKE COMES TO NEW PLYMOUTH.
In 1847 at the invitation of Mr Flight and other Taranaki settlers, Mr Hulke visited New Plymouth; and after conferring with its people decided to bring on the machinery of his flour mill standing at Wanganui, which had been at a standstill for some time on account of the Maori troubles. A site was fixed upon in Queen Street for the establishment of a water-power flour mill, and a substantial structure was erected, the motor power being provided by the Mangaotuku stream. This mill was called the Union Mill, and was owned for a short time by a company but eventually passed into the hands of Mr Sam Oliver, who worked it for many years. At his death it passed into the possession of Messrs Honeyfield and Read, and quite recently the old structure was reconstructed by the Crown Dairy Company, which had purchased the property. At the opening of the Union Mill in 1848 a grand fancy dress ball was given, in which the late Sir Francis Dillon Bell and other prominent settlers took a leading part. It was one of the great functions of early New Plymouth and the first fancy dress ball held on the West Coast of New Zealand.
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