Puke Ariki - Taranaki Stories - The 10 wonders of 'Wilkie'

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				Taranaki Stories

				Business And Industry - Charles Wilkinson Known as Father of Eltham

		\| The 10 wonders of 'Wilkie' \| Back to list

In 1884, Chew Chong opened a new store at Eltham and gave 16-year-old Charles Anderson Wilkinson the job as manager.
Two years later, at age 18, he became Eltham's Post Master. He is believed to be the youngest person in New Zealand to have ever held that role.
Wilkinson was the force behind Eltham getting New Zealand's first macadam (tar-seal) road in 1906.
In 1918, as MP for Egmont, Wilkinson fought and won the battle for the controversial law that forced the 6 o'clock closing of hotels.
He commissioned architect J.W. Chapman-Taylor to design an English-style stone and timber beam house at Pukearuhe in North Taranaki. This is known as "Wilkinson's Castle" and still stands today.
He was responsible for New Zealand minting its own coinage in 1933.
In 1936, he narrowly missed out on being the first leader of the New Zealand National Party, a role that would have seen him become Prime Minister.
Wilkinson was the Mayor of Eltham from 1941 to 1947.
He became a mercantile giant, with the franchise for Portland Cement, which came through New Plymouth's Port Taranaki.
In 1951, Wilkinson was made a Commander in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his long years of public service.

Published 24 April 2003

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	BOOK RESOURCES Gustafson, Barry, The First 50 Years: A History of the New Zealand National Party, (1986), Auckland: Reed Methuen Standish, Russell, Eltham: One Hundred Years, (1984), Eltham: Eltham District Centennial Committee Drabble, Don, The Life and Times of Chew Chong, (1996), Eltham: Don Drabble WEBLINKS Puke Ariki is not responsible for the content of these external websites. The National Party - Wilkinson's political party The History of Asphalt - Everything you ever wanted to know about asphalt road covering! Portland Cement Association - Tour a virtual cement works Cement and Concrete - History and Deverlopment - Everything you ever wanted to know about concrete! RELATED TARANAKI STORIES Chew Chong Plays Leading Role in Dairy Industry Eltham - Town of Many Firsts EDUCATION Worksheets For help with downloading and saving these worksheets, see the Help page. PLACES TO VISIT Take the walking tour around Eltham and see Wilkinson's legacy in concrete. Download the Historic Eltham: A Town of Firsts brochure: ORGANISATIONS Eltham & Districts Historical Society Cnr Bridge and York Streets, Eltham (open Thursday - Friday 1pm - 3.30pm or ring for an appointment) Charge made for research. Resources include: Early copies of Eltham Argus newspaper; Valuation rolls; Land titles; Local district resources and considerable local research material. Secretary: Mrs R. R. Jenkins, 23 George Street, Eltham, Telephone: 06 764 7107 Email: philrobenn@xtra.co.nz. Information South Taranaki 55 High Street Hawera Contacts: Fiona Greenhill and Tarin Meyer Phone: 06 278 8599 Fax: 06 278 6599 Email: visitorinfo@stdc.govt.nz

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