Mount Pleasant
Dates: 1898-1918
Location: 292-254 State Highway 3A, Sentry Hill, Taranaki (-39.044758, 174.205284)
Registration No: 247 (1898 only) and then 397
Brand name: MOUNT PLEASANT
Alice Ford Sampson (1858-1927), the wife of Frederick Henry Sampson (1851-1937) operated a small butter factory on their property on Mountain Road, Sentry Hill near the site of Paponga Pā. Butter was manufactured using machinery powered either by water from a nearby stream or, when water levels were too low, by horsepower. In dry periods, horses walked in a circle to turn a shaft that drove the factory's equipment.
Evidence of the factory remained visible well into the 21st century. As recently as 2011, relics of the machinery could still be seen in the paddock, together with a cave and its associated air shaft. Unclear whether there are any visible remains now.
Before being sold, the factory's butter was stored in a cave excavated into a hillside. The cave was fitted with an air shaft that channelled cool air underground, creating a natural refrigeration system that helped preserve the butter. The butter was sold to Cock & Co., whose principals, together with Newton King and J. George, were promoters of the Crown Dairy Company. The butter was then exported to the UK under the brand name MOUNT PLEASANT.
The first record of the factory is in 1898 and the last record in 1918.
This photograph dating from 1909 shows the Sampson herd and the factory buildings. More than fifty cows can be seen in the image. At the far right are the pigsties, beyond which stand trees on the bank of the Waiongona River. A swing bridge once crossed the river at this point. The cows were milked in the open, each milker seated on a stool with a bucket held between their knees.
The pond supplied water to a water wheel situated to the right of the factory, the larger of the two buildings shown. The wheel powered a separator, churn, and butter-making machinery. The smaller building served as the wash-house, where all dairy equipment was cleaned.
The people pictured in the photograph, from left to right, are Frank, Percy, Beatrice, Lilas (holding a child), two unidentified individuals, Frederick Henry Sampson , Alice Ford Sampson and Norm.
1903 plan showing location of factory
Deed showing Sampson section on which factory was built