Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 17, June 1973
(The following notes supplied by the late Mr. Gough Banks shortly before he died last year are a welcome addition to the reference on P. 40 - Journal 16 [see Journal 16: Porky Banks of Waihi - E]) Ed.
Mr. & Mrs. Banks came to Waihi about 1899 and on the corner of Consols St. and Silverton Rd. built the house where their four children were born. Having learned his trade in Yorkshire, Mr. Banks set up business as a Pork Butcher in Seddon St., next to the Rob Roy Hotel. The family agree that there was no cooking of meat on Sundays, but they all remember having to hang round (or go to sleep) waiting for customers to come and collect parcels after the pictures on Saturday nights!
The shop machinery consisted of a kerosene engine, later replaced by gas, to drive a Buffalo meat chopper, with a circular bowl in which spun four curved knives. There were two large coppers and a smoke-house (for german sausage, saveloys etc), as well as other utensils. All benches were of wood which had to be scrubbed daily. Anyone who purchased goods from Banks would remember the quality and taste! The Xmas Hams were cooked free of charge and the buyer's initials, cut in the skin, would show up when cooked.
All the baked small goods, pies, faggots, stuffed roast pork, etc. were cooked in Newdick's bake house ovens, four doors up Seddon St. The small pies were 3d. each or 5 for 1/- and the large ones 6d. each, We believe cooked trotters were delivered to the Hotel for "counter lunch".
The first deliveries were by horse and basket, the stirrup leather on the basket side being shortened to raise the knee. When dismounting you balanced the basket on something high before struggling to the house with your load, sometimes to be told "Nothing to-day butcher!".
Mr. Banks left Waihi just before the end of 1st World War. Times had changed and he had to close his business because of shortage of supplies, such as would be experienced by a Pork Butcher again to-day.