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Volume 5.— Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland Provincial Districts.
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The Directors of The Cyclopedia of New Zealand have pleasure in placing the fifth volume of their work in the hands of subscribers.
The volume, which covers the provincial districts of Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland is, so far, the smallest of the set, and is likely to remain so, for the last and sixth volume will deal not only with the districts of Taranaki and Hawke's Bay, but with some of the large agricultural areas of Wellington. It is, therefore, practically certain that there will be much more matter to deal with in the sixth than there has been in the fifth volume.
But though the present volume is comparatively small, it is far from being insignificant in itself, and in no sense is it less interesting than any of its companions. In the nature of things it could not well be so, for Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland have been the scenes of some of the most memorable incidents and developments in connection with the colonisation and progress of New Zealand. It was at Nelson that the first known contact of white men with the Maoris took place. That was as long ago as the year 1642, and, unfortunately, not under happy circumstances, as the Maoris killed some of the crew of the famous navigator Abel Tasman, who fittingly named the scene of the tragedy Massacre Bay. The earliest history of Marlborough is associated with a somewhat similar incident, which was, however, on a larger scale in itself, and much more far-reaching in its effects on the colonisation of the country. This was the massacre of Captain Wakefield and his party by Maoris, at Wairau, on the 17th of June, 1843. In this instance, there is little if any doubt that the white men were the aggressors, or that, at least, it was grave want of judgment on the part of those in authority that led to the massacre. Mistakes or misunderstandings about land were at the root of the trouble, and these, with the ill-judged action of the officials, and the part taken by the Maoris in the Wairau tragedy, had an incalculable influence on the relationship of the races in the North Island, and, in fact, on colonisation throughout the whole country, for more than a quarter of a century. In contradistinction to all this, there were the rich gold discoveries in Westland, which poured more wealth into the lap of New Zealand in that way than any of the other provincial districts, brought thousands of first-rate colonists to the country, and gave a very great and by no means merely local impetus to colonisation.
With such facts as these in the histories of Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland, a volume dealing with the earlier and later developments of these provinces—interesting also
As in the case of its predecessors, the contents generally of the present volume will be found to be representative in many ways; in respect to early colonisation, with its drawbacks and achievements; the ancestry of the men and women who took part in it; the heroic hardihood and strenuous characters of the pioneers; the later developments of settlement, industry, and commerce; and in respect to many of those who have captained enterprise, or otherwise cordially or sturdily co-operated in producing large and beneficial results. These and other things of interest will be found plainly set out at large, or definitely suggested in each of the three sections—Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland—of the present volume; which, were it in the line of the conductors to deal in prophecy, might also contain a forecast of the memorable future in store for Southern Westland—a region rich, not only in scenic marvels, but in the factors of a far-reaching industrial progress. But though the theme is a tempting one, its treatment is not for this place or this occasion.
In addition to the biographical, professional, and industrial contents common to the body of each number of the set, the present volume has a special shipping section, which— though it does not profess to be fully representative of the mercantile marine of New Zealand—suggestively shows how the coastal and oversea trade of the colony has grown; what great improvements have been made in the class of the ships in use; and how much better traders and travellers are served in these days than they were even only a few years ago, not to mention the earlier periods of the colony's history.
The Wellington volume contains articles about the Governor of its date, the Earl of Glasgow, and about his family and the official staff; the Auckland volume, about the Earl and Countess of Ranfurly, and staff; and the present volume has articles about his Excellency Lord Plunket, Lady Plunket, and the staff at Government House, together with portraits, as in the case of the earlier vice-regal sections.
Articles which have come to hand too late to appear in their right sequence, and amplifications and corrections which have been received after the original articles had been printed off, are given in supplementary pages. This is in continuance of the plan which the conductors, out of consideration for subscribers, have followed throughout the work; and a similar course has been taken, at intervals, in connection with photographs that have been late in coming to hand
To the success of a work like the Cyclopedia of New Zealand much is contributed by many who have nothing to do with the management; and, of the services thus rendered, not the least prized or valuable consist in the assistance given to canvassers and compilers
In conclusion, subscribers and shareholders will be pleased to know that the sixth and last volume of the Cyclopedia of New Zealand is already in hand, and that it will be conducted to completion with the utmost despatch that is possible with such an undertaking.
The Cyclopedia Company, Limited.
, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., fifth Baron Plunket. Governor in and over the Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, was born on the 19th of December, 1864. He is the son of the fourth Baron, who was Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, and of Annie Lee, eldest daughter of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, and sister of Lord Ardiiaun and Lord Iveagh. The barony was created in the year 1827, and the first holder of the title became Lord High Chancellor of Ireland in 1830. The second Baron was Bishop of Tuam in 1839. His Excellency was educated at Harrow, and at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated B.A. At Harrow he was a member of the rifle team which represented his school, and while at Trinity he was captain of the College Rowing Club. Lord Plunket joined the diplomatic service in 1889, as Honorary Attache to the British Embassy at Rome, where he continued till 1892. During the succeeding two years he held a similar position at Constantinople, and retired at the end of that period. Subsequently he was appointed Private Secretary to Lord Cadogan, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. In that position he had to arrange all the details in connection with Queen Victoria's visit to Ireland, and Her Majesty decorated him with the C.V.O. His Excellency was also Private Secretary to the Earl of Dudley, when that nobleman was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and had much work to do in connection with the two visits made to Ireland by King Edward the Seventh, who raised him to a higher grade of the Royal Victorian Order (K.C.V.O.). Lord Plunket is a Freemason, and was a member of the Grand Lodge of Ireland until he came to New Zealand. The Grand Lodge of New Zealand has proposed him to the brethren for election as Grand Master at the next vacancy. His Excellency is a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in England. In the year 1894 His Excellency married Victoria Alexandrina, youngest daughter of Frederick, first Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, and has two sons and four daughters. Lord Plunket was appointed Governor of New Zealand on the 9th of March, 1904, and assumed office on the 20th of June in that year. His residence is Old Connaught, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, and he is a member of the Carlton Club, and of the Royal St. George Yacht Club.
was born at Ottawa, while her father, then Earl of Dufferin, but afterwards Marquis of Dufferin and Ava, was Governor-General of Canada. She is a god-daughter of the late Queen Victoria, in whose personal favour she held a high place. As her ladyship's father was Governor-General of Canada from April, 1872, until October, 1878; British Ambassador at St. Petersburg from February, 1879, till 1881; then in the same position at Constantinople from May, 1881, till October, 1882; then in charge of British affairs at Cairo, in Egypt, from the 30th of October, 1882, till April, 1883, and Viceroy of India, for the usual term, from November, 1884, Lady Plunket has, naturally, seen many lands and peoples in her time. Besides being educated privately, her ladyship studied at Cheltenham College, in England, for two years.
Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency the Governor, was born on the 2nd of November, 1875. He was educated at Clifton College, and entered the Royal Military College, at Sandhurst, in 1894. On the 28th of September, in the following year, he was gazetted to the Northumberland Fusiliers. Captain Braithwaite served in South Africa during the Boer war in 1899–1900, obtained the Queen's medal with four clasps, and was promoted to his captaincy on the 1st of July, 1900. In the year 1902 he became Assistant Staff Officer to the Home Counties Volunteer Brigade, and in the following year Garrison Adjutant in Dublin. Captain Braithwaite was appointed to His Excellency's staff in May, 1904. He is a member of White's, and of the Junior United Service Club, London.
Aide-de-Camp to His Excellency Lord Plunket, is the eldest son of the fifth Baron Clanmorris, of Creg Clare, County Galway, Ireland, and of Bangor Castle, Belfast, Ireland. He was born on the 22nd of June, 1879, educated at Eton College, and gazetted to the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, in October, 1899. During the Boer war he served in South Africa from 1899 to 1902, and obtained the Queen's medal with five clasps and the King's medal with two clasps. He was appointed to His Excellency's staff in July, 1904, and was promoted to the rank of captain in May, 1905. Captain Bingham is a member of the Cavalry Club, London.
, Private Secretary to His Excellency the Governor, was appointed to the staff in March, 1904. He is the second son of Sir Henry Waterfield, G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., C.B., late Financial Secretary of the India Office. Mr. Waterfield was born on the 12th of April, 1876, and was educated at Westminster School, and at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, where he gained the Brown Scholarship, Diploma of Membership (M.R.A.C.) and the Haygarth gold medal. Subsequently, he took a first class certificate of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and was elected a Fellow of the Surveyors' Institute, London. Mr. Waterfield then became a resident land agent, and in that capacity he successively held appointments on estates belonging to Lord De Saumarez, the late Marquis of Anglesey, and Lord Iveagh, before coming to New Zealand.
covers an area of about 4,686,000 acres, in the north-western portion of the Middle Island of New Zealand. As at present constituted, the district differs considerably from the original province of Nelson, from which the two counties of Cheviot and Hurunui—both north of the Hurunui—were subtracted and annexed to Canterbury. The present area of Nelson is thus about 1,420,000 acres less than it was before the abolition of the provinces. The provincial district covers about two-thirds of the area of Wellington, and less than half that of Canterbury or Otago, and thus ranks among the smallest of the administrative divisions of New Zealand.
Nelson is bounded on the south by the land districts of Westland and Canterbury. The boundary line separating it from Westland runs up the Grey to its confluence with the Arnold, then up the Arnold to Lake Brunner, whence it strikes straight across the Dividing Range, in a south-easterly direction, to the Hurunui Saddle. The boundary between Nelson and Canterbury runs from the Hurunui Saddle along the summit of the Spencer and St. Arnaud Ranges to Tophouse, whence the western boundary of Marlborough runs down through Barefell's Pass towards the Conway. North of Tophouse the eastern boundary of Nelson follows a somewhat irregular line, from the St. Arnaud Range running north-west to the western arm of Pelorus Sound. The northern coast of Nelson is washed by Cook Strait, of which Cape
The greater part of the Nelson land district is rugged and mountainous, and the western and inland ranges are covered with dense bush which, except along well defined tracks, presents an almost impenetrable barrier to the traveller. From Pelorus Sound, a range of granite and serpentine formation runs southwest, forming in succession the St. Arnaud and Spencer Mountains, and attaining a height of at least 8000 feet. From Separation Point, between Blind Bay and Golden Bay, another mountain system runs south-west, approximately parallel to this first chain. South of Mount Owen, the Lyell and Brunner Ranges run almost due south towards the Westland border line. This system is crossed in its northern half by the Tasman Range, radiating in a northwesterly direction from Mount Owen towards Cape Farewell. The average height of these chains is from 5000 to 6000 feet. West of these, again, there is a coastal system, comprising the Paparoa Mountains between the Buller and the Grey in the south-west corner of the district; the Papahaua Mountains (4500 feet) behind the coastline on Karamea, Bight, and the Whakamarama Range, extending from Rocks Point along the north-west coast to Cape Farewell. Among these ranges are many notable peaks the chief of which, Mount Franklin (10,000 feet high), forms the natural centre of the inland mountain system. Other peaks—Mounts Murchison, Arthur, Peel, Snowdon, Rintoul, Travers, McKay, Richmond and Domett —range from 5000 feet to 8000 feet in height.
The chief rivers that water the northern section of the Middle Island rise on the slopes of the Spencer Range. “On the southern slopes of this wild alpinestack,” says Sir Julius von Haast, “we find the principal sources of the Grey, or Pohaturoa; on its north-east side the sources of the Wairau; on its eastern side, those of the Acheron and Clarence; and in the deep recesses of these snowclad giants, those of the Waiau-ua, or Dillon; so we may say that, with the exception of the Takaka and Aorere, which fall into Massacre Bay, the Wangapeka and Motueka, which run into Blind Bay, and the Karamea and smaller streams, which reach the sea on the West Coast to the north of the Buller River—all the rivers of any size in the northern part of this island take their rise in this magnificent chain.” Of the rivers contained wholly within the limits of Nelson, the most important is the Buller or Kawatiri. The chief source of this stream is Lake Rotoiti, about sixty miles south-west of Nelson in the St. Arnaud Range. It flows nearly due west through the parallel mountain chains that obstruct its way to the sea, passing a succession of magnificent rocky gorges and reaching the coast on Karamea Bight, after a course of about a hundred miles. Its chief tributary, the Gowan, drains Lake Rotoroa, another Alpine tarn about 1600 feet above sea level. Other tributaries are the Maruia, Matakitaki, Owen, and Inangahua, all snow-fed mountain torrents. Apart from the Buller the chief river of the district is the Grey, which rises in Lake Christabel, on the western slope of the Spencer Range, and flows west and south-west, reaching the sea at the southern extremity of the Paporoas, with a complete length of nearly a hundred miles. But the most important part of the Grey's course belongs strictly rather to Westland than to Nelson.
As might be expected from the character of the country, the lakes in Nelson province are all mountain tarns, embosomed in forests and set in magnificent scenic backgrounds. The chief are: Diamond Lake at the head of the Takaka, Lakes Christabel and Hochstetter in the Grey Valley, Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa near Mount Murchison, from fifty to sixty miles distant from Nelson, and Lake Matiri, west of the Owen Range, nearly 1000 feet above sea level. None of these are of any great extent; Rotoiti, for example, is six miles long by one mile wide; but their beauty fully compensates for their comparative insignificance in area.
Of the 4,686,000 acres contained in the Nelson land district, it is calculated that there are still 1,382,000 acres of forest below the 2000 feet level. There is, approximately, an area of 915,000 acres described as open land below the 2000 foot level; and above that altitude about 581,000 acres of open land, including the bare mountain tops. The total area of wooded country is set down at 3,200,000 acres, or just about three-quarters of the total area of the district. But nearly 900,000 acres of this is scrub or dwarf bush, and not more than 700,000 acres at the outside is worth clearing for the value of its timber. In the hill country, towards the west coast, there is a considerable variety of valueable timber—red, black and white pine, red and black birch (beech), totara, rata, silver pine, and cedar (kawhaka).
The rugged country which constitutes a large proportion of Nelson, is diversified by a number of valleys and sloping uplands, which afford good sheep pasture and give limited scope for agriculture. The lowlands proper are almost entirely confined to the shores of the bays; but there are many open areas generally described as plains in the interior of the country. Near the town of Nelson the Waimea Plains, including the Lower Motueka, Riwaka and Takaka Valleys, formed part of the original settlement, and are still held chiefly by small settlers. The Waimea and Maruia Plains, drained by the Buller, lie west of the Spencer Range, and cover about 30,000 acres of second-class land. Nearer the west coast are the Totara Flat and Ikamatua Plains, Mawhera-iti and Inangahua Valleys. On the south side of the Buller, Addison's Flat has a considerable area of level land. But on the whole, the surface of the country is irregular and broken, and may be fairly described as mountainous.
From this description it will be gathered that the natural resources of Nelson are mineral rather than agricultural or pastoral. The wealth of the district has always consisted mainly in its minerals, chiefly gold and coal; but though the area of soil suitable for cultivation is limited, good use is made of it. On the Waimea Plains, first class barley is grown, and oats and chaff are exported in considerable quantities for the West Coast. In and about the town of Nelson hop gardens form a prominent feature of the landscape. The humid but mild and equable climate of Nelson, at least in the coastal districts, renders the country exceptionally productive; and root crops and fruits of all ordinary varieties reach a high degree of
The earliest historical notice of the portion of New Zealand, now called Nelson, is to be found in the Journal of the Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman, whose visit in 1642 is commemorated in the name of Tasman Bay. The name of Massacre Bay was conferred by Tasman on the north-west portion of the inlet now known as Golden Bay, because of a murderous attack made by the natives upon his crew. When Cook visited New Zealand in 1769 he surveyed this part of the coast, and changed the name of Tasman Bay to Blind Bay, the title by which it is perhaps more generally known. Between Cook's flying visit and the end of the eighteenth century, little was heard of New Zealand by the outside world, and it was not till the attention of Australian and American sealers and whalers was directed to these waters as a profitable field that this island became to Englishmen something more than an abstract geographical expression.
The inhabitants of the Middle Island long retained the evil reputation which was perpetuated in the name of Massacre Bay. As far as can be judged from the somewhat confusing native chronology, the Maoris whom Tasman met at Massacre Bay belonged to the great Waitaha clan who came originally from Hawaiiki in the Arawa canoe. After spreading over the habitable parts of the Middle Island the Waitaha, towards the end of the sixteenth century, appear to have been conquered by the Ngatimamoe, a tribe from the East Coast of the North Island. But in a little over a century the Ngati-mamoe in turn were overcome by the Ngai-tahu, another East Coast tribe. About 1830 this tribe in turn fell before the might of the famous Te Rauparaha, who led the Ngatitoa and Ngatiawa tribes from his stronghold at Kapiti to take vengeance on the southern natives for the treacherous murder of some of his warriors. Rauparaha with Te Pehi and Rangihaeata had established themselves at Kapiti about 1820, and exercised a sort of feudal lordship over the northern half of the Middle Island, when the New Zealand Company was founding its first settlements. The Maori inhabitants of the districts now known as Nelson and Marlborough were thus of mixed race—Ngatiawa, Ngatitoa and Ngapuhi conquerors, with a few survivors of the Ngaitahu and Ngatimamoe dispossessed by the invaders. But the native population of the Middle Island was never large. Mr. Halswell, in a report provided for the New Zealand Company in 1848, estimated the total number of the Maoris in both islands at 107,000. But of these over 100,000 belonged to the North Island, and only about 2600 are described as located on the south side of Cook Strait. There were a few in the
Apart from the aborigines, the only people to whom Nelson district was known before the settlement was established were the whalers and sealers who occasionally touched these shores. By the end of the eighteenth century whalers from America and Australia had found their way to the New Zealand waters. In 1827 the Australian Whale Fishery Company was floated, and whaling was established as a regular industry in Cook Strait before 1829. Even before this, the more southern portions of the island had become the home of white men; for Polack, in giving evidence before the Committee of the House of Lords in 1838, stated that on the Middle Island there were Europeans who had lived there for thirty-five years. Most of these married Maori wives, who were frequently much superior to their husbands in dignity and morality. For the whalers of those days, although they were undoubtedly brave and often generous, were usually violent and reckless, and addicted to coarse dissipation. But even among these waifs and strays, many of the virtues of a higher type of civilisation were preserved. “Many of the men,” writes Mr. Sherwin (Brett's History of New Zealand) “were outlaws and crime-hardened without doubt, but they kept the remembrance of one day in seven as a day of rest. They taught their boys the English idea of fair play, and their daughters while unmarried, the theory, if not the habit, of chastity. There were no women of his own race for the sealer to mate with. White women and white civilisation were behind him and beyond his reach; but the woman who cooked his food and sockled his children became his life companion, and the main element in a new home he was founding in a new world.” It was by such men as these that the first lessons of civilisation were taught, and the foundations of European social life laid, in the Middle Island.
The colony of Nelson was not formally founded till 1841. But long before that date attempts were made to acquire tracts of country in New Zealand for the purpose of colonisation. The first New Zealand Company was formed in 1825; it was succeeded in 1837 by a New Zealand Association, and this was followed, in 1838, by a New Zealand Colonisation Company; but the New Zealand Company which first succeeded in establishing colonies here was formed in 1839. The object of the Company was largely commercial; the first prospectus issued to the public offered, as an inducement to investors, the hope of “profit by means of the sale of land.” But the New Zealand Company was to many of its original promoters much more than a trading concern. In the annual report issued to the shareholders in 1841 the directors claim that the Company has other motives than merely selfish profit. “Whilst it does not pretend to disclaim a due regard for its own interests, it is also powerfully actuated by an enlightened and generous desire to promote to the uttermost the concurrent benefit of those who have undertaken under its auspices the bold enterprise of planting another scion of the Anglo-Saxon race and of Great Britain in a remote island of the Southern Hemisphere.” The Earl of Durham, the Company's first Governor, Mr. Joseph Somes, its Deputy-Governor, and many of the able and distinguished men whose names are to be found in the Company's records, were very different in character and purpose from the land speculators usually associated with such enterprises; and they were guided in their policy chiefly by the theories of colonisation propounded by that gifted and resourceful Empire-builder, Edward Gibbon Wakefield. The author of the “Art of Colonisation” left a deep impression on every public undertaking with which he was connected; and he has been justly described by Dr. Hocken as the life and soul, the moving spirit of the New Zealand Company throughout the ten or eleven years of its existence. The leading principle of the Wakefield system of colonisation was that what he termed a “sufficient price” should be paid for “waste land,” and that a portion of the proceeds so raised should be devoted to an immigration fund to procure labour from the Old Land. The theory of the system was that the land in the new colony would not be sacrificed to the “land shark,” but would remain a valuable source of income to the settlement, and at the same time labour would be attracted to work the soil and promote the growth of the young colony with extreme rapidity. The marvellous progress made by the colonies founded on these principles has been a sufficient proof of the soundness of Wakefield's judgment and of his statesmanlike ability.
Unfortunately the New Zealand Company early drifted into a position of hostility to the British Government. There was an idea current among English politicians that the Company intended to set up in New Zealand a form of constitution independent of the Imperial authorities. Moreover, the Government objected to the vagueness of the
The first colonising expedition sent out by the New Zealand Company reached these shores on the 16th of August, 1839, in the ship “Tory,” 400 tons. It was under the command of Colonel William Wakefield, brother of the great coloniser, who was instructed to acquire land from the Maoris by purchase. The only semblance of title to property that the Company could so far boast appears to have been based on certain agreements made by Captain Herd, of the old New Zealand Company, in 1826, which were supposed to cover, as the Company's prospectus put it, “extensive tracts of the most fertile land, in situations highly favourable both for agricultural and commercial settlements.” Rusden has pointed out that 100,000 acres of land had been sold by the Company in London before a sound title to a single acre had been acquired. When the “Tory” reached Port Nicholson, Colonel Wakefield set about his purchases with all speed, and soon obtained from the natives an agreement to dispose of most of the country now known as Wellington and Taranaki. He then turned his attention to the south side of the Strait, where he found that much of the Wairau district had been already disposed of to a certain Mr. Blenkinsopp for “an old six-pounder gun.” But to secure the southern districts it was necessary to get the consent of the Ngatitoas and Ngatiawas, who had their headquarters at Kapiti under the famous Te Rauparaha. According to Wakefield's own account he proposed to the natives to buy all the Ngatitoa possessions “on both sides of the Strait,” and though Te Rauparaha at first strenuously objected, he was won over by a display of the “trade” and presents that Colonel Wakefield was prepared to offer. In the end the Company claimed that these negotiations put them in possession of all the land in the two islands between Aotea harbour and
However, for the time being all went well with the Company's projects. The settlement at Port Nicholson was established under what seemed to be very favourable conditions, and the directors decided to found another colony further south on similar lines. The locality was to be somewhere near Port Nicholson or Port Cooper—that is, Lyttelton—but the choice of the exact spot was to be left to the commander of the expedition. The terms of settlement are sufficiently interesting to deserve detailed notice. The original area of the settlement was to include 201,000 acres, to which native reserve of 20,000 acres and a town area of 1100 acres were added. The land was offered to purchasers in 1000 lots, each allotment comprising one town acre, fifty acres of suburban land, and 150 acres of rural land. The price of each allotment of 201 acres was £300, and priority of choice was settled by ballots taken before the expedition started. The Company reserved to itself the right of purchasing a hundred allotments on the same terms as the shareholders. Of the sum of £300,000 received from the sale of allotments, £150,000 was to be devoted to promoting and assisting immigration, £50,000 to defray the Company's expenses in establishing the colony, and £50,000 to “public purposes”; among which were included the items, £15,000 for education, £15,000 for religion, and £20,000 for steam communication. The balance of £50,000 was to go to the Company as profit on its investment. The price of land was intentionally fixed at a high level not only to discourage speculation and to provide a fund for the improvement of the young colony, but also to prevent the immigrant labourer from starting on his own account too soon and leaving the colonists without the industrial help that they were certain to require. Unfortunately, while the Company kept the land out of the reach of the artisan immigrants, it failed to supply a sufficiency of employment for them; the long delay over the allotment of the land subsequently caused much suffering, as it was necessarily accompanied by scarcity of work, lowness of wages, and an insufficient suppy of food.
The expedition sent out to form the second settlement—that of Nelson—left England in April, 1841. It consisted of three vessels—the “Whitby,” barque, 437 tons, Captain Lacey; the “Will Watch,” barque, 215 tons, Captain Walker; and the “Arrow,” brig, 200 tons, Captain Gear. The expedition was in charge of Captain Arthur Wakefield (another brother of Edward Gibbon Wakefield), and it brought out the surveyors, labourers, and stores required for the foundation of the settlement; while the purchasers, or colonists proper, were to follow in 1842. Most of the purchasers were under the impression that the colony was to be located near Banks Peninsula in the neighbourhood of Port Cooper (Lyttelton harbour); and that was the Company's original intention. But when Captain Wakefield reached Port Nicholson he found that Governor Hobson was strongly opposed to the establishmest of another colony so far south. Finally, as a compromise, Captain Wakefield decided that the land purchased on the shores of Blind Bay was a suitable locality. The relations between the Company and Governor Hobson at this time are sufficiently indicated by the despatch to the Secretary of State dated the 25th of May, 1840, in which his Excellency states that, in his opinion,
On the way from Port Nicholson the little fleet was driven by stress of weather to Kapiti; and here Captain Wakefield first met Te Rauparaha. The great chief was evidently disturbed by the advent of so many Europeans, but made no attempt to interfere with them. The ships, continuing their voyage, passed close to Cloudy Bay, and were much struck with the attractive appearance of the Wairau district. They anchored in Astrolabe Roads, and the first choice of a site for settlement was made at Kaiteretere, towards the Riwaka. But the pilot, Mr. Cross, took a boat down the coast toward the south-east, and discovered the inlet of Wakatu, or Nelson haven, and there it was decided that the new town should be built. When the strangers reached the shore they were met by a number of the natives, who were evidently at a loss to understand their purpose. Captain Wakefield promised them presents when the land bought by the Company should be handed over. But it was clear that the Maoris either disbelieved or disapproved of the sale, for the chiefs made answer that they would accept no presents lest they should seem to admit that their land had been fairly sold. Thus early it was manifest that the precipitate methods of the New Zealand Company or their agents were likely to raise serious difficulties with the owners of the soil. However, for the time there was peace. The Maoris welcomed the newcomers and gave them valuable assistance in setting about the construction of their homes.
The first colonists were enthusiastic
The first immigrant ship to reach the new settlement was the “Fifeshire” (557 tons, Captain Arnold), which arrived on the 1st of February, 1842, a day ever since celebrated as the anniversary of the province. Tents pitched among the fern and scrub, and a few frame-houses brought out in sections, accommodated some of the pioneers; but most of them had to live in whares built of fern and mud, and thatched with toi toi. Before the buildings were finished a heavy rain storm and flood severely tried the endurance of the strangers. In the same month of February another barque, the “Lloyds,” 450 tons, arrived with the wives and children of the first batch of colonists. The “Fifeshire” was wrecked as she was leaving the harbour early in 1842 on her return trip; but other immigrant ships in rapid succession brought people from the Old Country to the settlement—the “Mary Anne,” “Lord Auckland,” “Brougham,” “Bolton,” “Hope,” “Martha Ridgway,” “London,” and “Clifford.” Considering the remoteness of the country, it is somewhat surprising to find that between November, 1841, and July, 1842, no fewer than sixtyseven vessels of various kinds visited Nelson. The New Zealand Company was able to carry out its contract with the settlers by finding employment for them while arrangements were being made to allot the land; and the little colony soon began to put on a somewhat civilised appearance.
One of the earliest evidences of progress was the establishment of the “Examiner,” the first Nelson newspaper. The printing plant was brought out in one of the first ships, and the first number of the paper appeared on the 12th of March, 1842. It was published weekly at a shilling a number, and was from the first extremely popular with the settlers. Another proof of social activity amongst the pioneers was the founding of a Temperance Association, chiefly through the exertions of Mr. Alfred Saunders. In the same year Mr. Ben Crisp inaugurated the Band of Hope movement, and every year thereafter, for fifty-three years in succession, he gave the children of Nelson a treat on the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birthday. A Literary and Scientific Institute and a Benefit Society (of which the inaugural meetings were held on the voyage out, aboard the “Mary Anne”) were also started in 1842. In this same eventful year the first furrow was turned by the plough in Nelson, the first ladies' school was opened (by Miss Husham), branches of the Masonic and Rechabite orders were established, the Rev. S. Ironside held the first Wesleyan service, and Bishop Selwyn visited the settlement, and consecrated as first Anglican resident clergyman the Rev. C. Reay.
As was natural, considering the relations that existed between the central authorities and the New Zealand Company, and the distance between Nelson and Auckland, the settlers had frequently good cause to complain that their interests were neglected by the Government. There were no customs officers, and no officials competent to grant publicans' licenses. A gaol and a pair of stocks weer already established in the town, but there was little provision for the preservation of the public peace or the defence of the settlers against the natives. Moreover, the long delay over the distribution of the allotments kept many people wasting time around the township. But in spite of all drawbacks, the progress of the settlement was rapid. Within seven months of the arrival of the first immigrant sliip there were about 2000 people in the young colony. Before the end of the first year there were 250 good houses standing, fifty more were under erection, and there were in addition 230 whares and huts. The new arrivals at first depended to some extent on the natives for their food supplies, and all prices were high. A price list, dated June, 1842, quotes mutton at 1s 2d and beef at 1s per pound; bread, 9d per two pound loaf; salt butter, 1s 9d per pound; milk, 6d per pint; eggs, 4s per dozen. Cows were sold at £20 to £36 each, and mares from £50 to £60. Wages were necessarily high; mechanics earning 12s a day, and unskilled labour about 7s. As the year went on the people began to spread outward into the country, and the survey of the Motneka and Moutere districts was completed. A little later Captain Wakefield and a small party made an expedition along the coast as far as Massacre Bay, and discovered both limestone and coal. Some traces of gold were also found, but the settlers refused at first to attach any importance to this discovery. An attempt to work the coal and lime was frustrated by the natives, who, without using violence, showed that they were not prepared to tolerate any interference with what they regarded as their property. Captain Wakefield and Mr. Thomson, the Police Magistrate, arrested the chief offender, who was fined; and this display of firmness certainly had a salutary effect on the attitude of the local natives towards the newcomers. But unfortunately the settlers were as yet unfamiliar with the Maori character, and this ignorance was likely, sooner or later, to lead to disaster.
Towards the end of 1842 Mr. J. S. Cottrell had explored a way into the Wairau district, and found that the character of the country in no way belied the attractive appearance which had roused the enthusiasm of the settlers on their voyage to Nelson. A little later Mr. Edward Stafford found another route into the Wairau, and the glowing accounts of the district that reached Nelson determined Captain Wakefield to take up land there on behalf of the settlers. It must be remembered that Colonel Wakefield and the New Zealand Company held that the whole of what is now called Marlborough, was included in the purchases they had made at the time of the Wellington settlement. Mr. Tuckett, the Company's surveyor, visited the district, and reported on it in very favourable terms; and preparations were
To discuss the confusing question of native land tenure would be outside the purpose of this work; but it must be remembered that the New Zealand Company's title to many of its most extensive purchases was based upon a very flimsy substratum of right. For instance, a large portion of Taranaki was bought from a few Ngatiawas, who were certainly in subjection to the Waikato Te Wherowhero who claimed the country by right of conquest. Mr. George Clarke, then chief Protector of Aborigines, and the Rev. Henry Williams, both frequently called attention about this time to the unsatisfactory nature of the Company's claims. In one instance the Rev. Henry Williams relates that he pointed out that the southern half of Auckland province had been acquired by the Company at a time when none of their officials spoke Maori, and no one had ever consulted the natives at such important centres as Wanganui, Taupo, Tauranga, Kawhia and Rotorua. Under such circumstances, and taking into account the complicated way in which tribal and personal ownership were interwoven among the Maoris, it is extremely probable that the Company's title to the Wairau was altogether baseless. According to the account of the original sale given by Te Rauparaha to Governor Fitzroy, the only land sold in the Middle Island by him to Colonel Wakefield was the country around Massacre Bay and Blind Bay, and his version of the transaction has at least the merit of being entirely consistent with the statements he made to Captain Wakefield. But the Captain, who believed that only firmness was necessary to overcome the Maoris, is said to have threatened that he would arrest or even shoot the chief, if it were necessary; and this mistaken severity probably had much to do with the later sequence of events.
In accordance with Captain Wakefield's instructions, early in April, 1843, Messrs Cottrell, Parkinson and Barnicoat, surveyors, with forty men, left Nelson for the Wairau. When news was brought to Kapiti of this step, Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeata openly declared their intention of preventing the survey; and though Mr. Spain, the Native Lands Commissioner, did his best to pacify them and obtained a promise from them to do nothing without consulting him, they started for the Wairau with a considerable body of followers. Landing at Cloudy Bay, they proceeded to put their threats into execution by destroying Mr. Cottrell's and Mr. Parkinson's houses, and compelling the surveyors to come down to the mouth of the river. Mr. Cottrell conveyed the news to Nelson, and the Police Magistrate, Mr. Thomson, issued a warrant against the two chiefs for arson. To carry out the arrest about forty men were got togeher, and, accompanied by Captain Wakefield, the Magistrate, and other officials and settlers— forty-nine in all—they set out for the Wairau. No one appears to have anticipated resistance, and the preparations made, no loss than the subsequent events, reveal entire ignorance of the serious nature of the project they had so rashly undertaken.
The story of that fatal morning of the 17th of June, 1843, has been often told, and no two accounts appear to correspond precisely. But from Te Rauparaha's own statement and the official account published in the New Zealand Gazette of the 1st of July, 1843, there does not seem any doubt that the Europeans acted without much wisdom or discretion. When the white men found Te
The terrible news was brought to Wellington by Mr. Tuckett and Mr. Barnicoat, who succeeded in reaching the Government brig with seven other survivors. Colonel Wakefield at once set out for the Wairau, and on reaching the spot heard for the first time of the massacre of the prisoners, including his brother. The horror created by this news spread even beyond the colony to Australia and England; but it was naturally felt most keenly in Nelson, where the sight of the widows and orphans of the murdered men constantly reminded the settlers of the dreadful calamity that had overtaken them. It was expected that the massacre would encourage further attacks on the Euroepan settlements. But the natives near Nelson had little reason to sympathise with Te Rauparaha; and though the settlers enrolled themselves as a militia and fortified Church Hill, they had no further difficulty with the local Maoris. As for Te Rauparaha and Te Rangihaeata, they seem to have considered that the Wairau, in native fashion, was paid for with the lives of the Europeans, and they sailed back to Kapiti shortly after the massacre. Naturally enough, it was confidently expected by the settlers that the Governor would take prompt action and would inflict severe punishment on the guilty chiefs. But Governor Fitzroy was by no means inclined to be led blindfold by the party which loudly demanded “blood for blood.” In February of the following year, he met Te Rauparaha and his followers at Waikanae and invited them to give their version of the story. After hearing the Maori account of the whole affair, the Governor surprised and shocked the great majority of the European colonists by deciding that he would do nothing to avenge the victims of the massacre. The English, the Governor said, were wrong in building houses upon disputed land, in acting upon claims that were still undecided, and in trying to apprehend men who had committed no crime. He reproved the Maoris for the killing of the unarmed prisoners, but informed them that as the English had been very largely to blame, and as the Maoris had been “hurried into crime by their misconduct,” he would not attempt to inflict any punishment for the massacre. Looking back upon the events from the present standpoint, it cannot be denied that Governor Fitzroy was in the main right in his conviction that the Europeans were primarily to blame for the tragedy. But he did not appear to appreciate the fact that such leniency as he displayed, though based on a keen sense of justice, was certain to be interpreted as weakness by the Maoris. In any case, it was not to be expected that such tolerance would meet with the approval of the colonists; and in Nelson, more especially, the Governor's refusal to exact any penalty from Te Rauparaha roused the bitterest resentment. This feeling was heightened rather than dispelled by the tone of his Excellency's remarks in reply to a deputation from the people of Nelson early in 1844; and the hostility thus stirred up against the Governor had much to do with his subsequent recall. But even after the lapse of sixty years it is still difficult for any colonial to speak dispassionately of or judge impartially the conduct of those chiefly concerned in this fatal episode.
It was inevitable that the tragic events just recounted should for the moment paralyse the activity that had hitherto pervaded the young colony. It was rumcured that Te Rauparaha and his followers intended to attack the settlement at once; and there is some reason to believe that they had designed to anticipate the vengeance of the white men in this way. The settlers, as stated above, enrolled themselves as a militia and fortified the Church Hill; but the natives in the vicinity had no sympathy with Te Rauparaha; in fact, they more than once interfered to protect Mr. Tuckett and other Government officials from the threats of the strangers from the north. But this dreadful incident naturally alienated the whites from the natives throughout the colony; and the bitterness felt in Nelson was aggravated by the conciliatory tone adopted towards the natives by Mr. Shortland, the Acting-Governor, and subsequently by Governor Fitzroy. A deputation consisting of Mr. Alfred Domett and Dr. Monro
The experiences of the early settlers were in many cases calculated to test severely their courage and endurance. The New Zealand Company was unable to continue employing all who required work, and the Company's pay fell from 28s to 18s a week. Before the end of 1843 the Company had to suspend all its works, and even this resource was withdrawn from the settlers. In some instances seed potatoes and mussels from the seashore were almost the only food available for the poorer colonists. But in spite of all these disadvantages, the progress of the settlement was from the first steady and rapid. In February, 1844, the first flax mill and the first brewery were established in Nelson—the latter by Mr. Hooper, whose name was long connected with the industry. By the time the third anniversary of the colony came round there were 1460 inhabitants in the town and 1576 in the country—a grand total of 3036. There were already about 6000 sheep and 1000 head of cattle. Roads had been made to Wakefield, towards Wakapuaka, and around Motueka—fifty-four miles in all. There were 1262 acres of ground in cultivation, mostly in wheat and potatoes; while a rope walk, a flour mill and three saw-mills had already been erected. There were five public houses, a bank, a Wesleyan chapel, two Anglican churches, five schools, a Literary Institute with a library of 600 volumes, and an Agricultural and Horticultural Society. In 1845 Mr. Lightband started a tannery, which was to be the foundation of a great industry; and the progress of settlement in the country was as rapid and successful as the growth of trade in the town.
For the next three or four years the
Already Nelson had begun to take an active interest in the political life of the colony. Sir George Grey appointed Mr. Alfred Domett Colonial Seeretary, Mr. W. Fox Attorney General, and the Hon. C. Dillon a member of the Executive Council. As early as 1850 an agitation for representative Government was begun in Nelson, and at a large public meeting held in the town, resolutions were passed in favour of the ballot with a six months residential qualification, and triennial parliaments. But when the Constitution Act was finally passed in 1852 it met with little approval in Nelson. One centralised executive would have suited public feeling in Nelson better tnan six provincial governments. However, a great deal of interest was taken in the first elections for both central and provincial parliaments. In the first New Zealand Parliament, Messrs Travers and Mackay represented the town of Nelson, Mr. Weld the Wairau, Mr. Cautley, and Dr. Monro the Waimea, and Mr. Picard, Motueka. The first Superintendent of the province was Mr. E. W. Stafford; the speaker of the first Provincial Council was Mr. Donald Sinclair; the Provincial Treasurer was Mr. Poynter; and the Provincial Solicitor, Mr. Henry Adams. Subsequently Mr. Henry Seymour, Mr. Ralph Richardson, and Mr. Matthew Richmond were called to the Legislative Council to represent the province. As it will appear in later seetions of this work, Nelson supplied to public life in the colony a number of eminent and able raen far more than proportionate to its comparatively small area and limited resources. With reference to the post of Superintendent, it may be added that Mr. Stafford resigned office when he was appointed Colonial Secretary in 1856, to New Zealand's first responsible Government, and was succeeded by Mr J. P. Robinson. In 1865 Mr. Robinson was drowned in the Buller river, and his successor, Mr. Alfred Saunders, held office until 1867. He was succeeded by Mr. Oswald Curtis, who retained the post till the abolition of the provinces. Of these gentlemen it will be more convenient to speak at length in a later section devoted to Nelson's public men.
Between 1847 and 1850 there was constant trouble between the settlers and the New Zealand Company. The colonists had good cause for complaint, both as to the failure of employment and the long delay in the allotment of land; but eventually the Company compromised by granting additional areas of land, with a special allowance on behalf of the widows of the victims of the Wairau massacre. But the chief land difficulty that had to be faced, arose, not through the mismanagement of the Company, but through the action of the Central Government. Before Governor Grey left the colony, he had passed new land regulations, throwing open large areas at five shillings or ten shillings per acre. The runholders, afraid that their holdings would be encroached upon, bought up as much land as possible around their pastoral runs; with the result that, not only were they as a class financially embarrassed, but a large amount of land was locked up and rendered no longer available for purposes of settlement. The evil effects of these well meant regulations have not yet been wholly obliterated by a more enlightened legislation as to the tenure and disposal of the colony's lands.
The first efforts of the colonists were naturally devoted to the cultivation of the soil; and fruit growing was early found to be a paying industry. But the discovery of mineral wealth soon turned the attention of the settlers in another direction. In 1852 a company was formed to work the coal deposits to the west of Nelson; and a certain
The religious life of the little community was quickened in 1857 by the appointment of the first Bishop of Nelson —the Right. Rev. Edmund Hobhouse. The educational interests of the town and colony were promoted by the foundation of Nelson College in 1859. In the same year was founded the Nelson Institute, which had the good fortune to be inaugurated by the distinguished scientist, Dr. von Hochstetter, who was then studying the natural history of the colony. The establishment of a second newspaper, “The Colonist,” in 1857, and the appointment of a Board of Works to construct and maintain a system of public works of the town, are further proofs of the high level of the social and civic progress to which the little settlement had already attained.
About this time, however, the settlement sustained a serious material loss. The settlers in the Wairau had begun to agitate for separation. This demand for separate provincial existence was precisely similar in origin to the movements which led to the secession of Hawke's Bay from Wellington and Southland from Otago. The settlers in the outlying districts complained that they were taxed for the benefit of the town, and were themselves left without sufficient roads, bridges, public buildings, or even Government officials. As they were always in the minority on the Provincial Council, they had no means of redress. They were further aggrieved because large areas of land in the district had been disposed of under the new Land Acts without benefiting the Wairau. The people of Nelson were not disposed to coerce the Wairau settlers, as the public feeling was not generally in favour of the provincial system. As there was little opposition to the request of the discontented colonists, an Act was passed by the General Assembly, in 1859, separating the Wairau district from Nelson, and incorporating it under a separate government as the Province of Marlborough.
The population of Nelson was materially increased in 1860 by the outbreak of the Maori war in the North Island. There were as many as 1200 refugees from the Taranaki district in Nelson by the end of that year, and they were welcomed with hearty and generous hospitality both by the settlers and the Provincial Council. In 1861 many diggers from Australia passed through on their way to Otago, where gold had just been discovered, and prospected and worked some of the auriferous districts in Nelson province. They had some success in the Buller and Wangapeka districts, but the lack of roads and the difficulties of transport and communication soon wearied them of the country. But by the end of 1863 splendid specimens were obtained at Lyell Creek and a “rush” followed. Over 10,000 ounces were obtained in the Buller district in a few months, but the old difficulty about roads once more checked the development of the country. However, in 1864 a more important discovery of gold was made in the Marlborongh province, at Wakamarina, only thirty-one miles from Nelson. The Maungatapu road was already open, and a great “rush” to the new field at once took place. Canvastown, at the mouth of the Wakamarina, and Havelock soon grew into townships of considerable size; and Havelock was able to boast of a newspaper and several resident Government officials. The Wakamarina field, however, was altogether overshadowed by the discovery of gold on the West Coast in 1865. In January of that year 1300 cunces of gold came into Nelson from the Grey and the Hokitika river districts. The usual “rush” ensued, and by the end of May there were nearly 10,000 men on the field. As there was then no road from Westland to Canterbury, Nelson was the natural starting point for the diggers making for the Coast, and the gold was all passed through Nelson. Prices rose to a fabulous height on the West Coast, and the commerce of Nelson profited accordingly, until the protests of the Canterbury people, jealous of Nelson's monopoly, induced their Provincial Government to make a road over the ranges at the head of the Bealey. The immense influx of population and the rapid growth of trade that followed upon this, gave rise to renewed agitation for better means of transit between Nelson and the Coast, and the project of a railway towards Westport and Greymouth was once more discussed. One unfortunate incident that marked the opening of the West Coast field was the death of the Provincial Superintendent, Mr. Robinson, who was drowned in the Buller river. His place was taken by Mr. Alfred Saunders, who was re-elected to the position of Superintendent when his term of office expired in 1866.
Early in that year the first number of the Nelson “Evening Mail” was published. It was the first daily paper in the new settlement, and soon attained a very considerable circulation. In the same year (1866) Nelson experienced another of the benefits of civilisation by being brought into telegraphic communication with the rest of the colony. But infinitely the most dramatic episode of the little settlement's history in 1866 was the dreadful crime known as the Maungatapu murder. The story has been often told, and details of such an incident are unnecessary here. It is sufficient to
Towards the close of 1866 Bishop Suter was appointed to the diocese of Nelson by the Anglican Synod, but did not arrive in the settlement till September, 1867, Earlier in that year Mr. Alfred Saunders had been succeeded as Superintendent by Mr. Oswald Curtis. About this time the Nelson Acclimatisation Society did good work for the provnce and the colony by introducing the trout and red deer, which now attract so large a share of the attention of tourists and visitors. The province was growing steadily in prosperity; and the establishment of a profitable trade in hops and barley was both cause and effect of the brewing industry that had already gained a firm foothold in the town. Flaxmills were started at several points in 1869. Nor was this prosperity much affected by the general depression which overspread the colony about that time. When the Duke of Edinburgh paid his longexpected visit to the settlement (in April, 1869), he found perhaps more general comfort and fewer signs of poverty than in any other town in New Zealand.
The year 1870 was for Nelson, as for the whole of New Zealand, an epoch of serious political importance. In that year the Fox ministry—which had succeeded the Stafford ministry in 1869— took up the Public Works policy of the Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Vogel, and proceeded to carry it out with great energy. Ten millions sterling were to be borrowed at once to be spent on the material development of the country; and a general election was held in 1871 to decide if the Vogel policy should be carried into effect. The Vogelites scored a decisive victory, and one of the first uses the Colonial Treasurer made of the increased strength that the elections gave him in Parliament was to make an attack upon the Provincial system of government, to which the colony owed all the success and prosperity that it had so far enjoyed. Mr. Vogel considered among
By 1871 the population of the town of Nelson had risen to 5424. It is true that this represented a falling off from 1867, when the census return gave 5652 as the town population. But the gold discoveries had much to do with the temporary inflation of 1867, and ten years later the reduction of population in the town was more than balanced by a steady growth in the country districts. It was on the country that the prosperity of the settlement depended, and in spite of occasional heavy floods and temporary depression the rural districts were steadily developing. Coal and wool were high, Nelson hops were a valuable commodity, and the prospects of the settlement were never brighter than in the five years that immediately preceded the abolition of the provinces. In 1873 the construction of the NelsonFoxhill railway was begun, and though the route finally chosen by the Government did not meet with the approval of the settlers, the line has been a very valuable public. asset to the district. The inauguration of the Vogel public works policy gave employment to large numbers of men throughout the colony, and the consequent dearth of labour for ordinary purposes was to some extent remedied by immigration. The province progressed steadily, and the expansion of the town was marked in 1874 by its elevation to the rank of a municipality. The first Mayor was Mr. J. R. Dodson, who helped to give to the municipal government of Nelson the tone of prudence and economy by which it has always been distinguished.
During the agitation for the abolition of the provincial system which Mr. Vogel stirred up in 1874 and 1875, Nelson took an active part in promoting the desired change. The Constitution Act had never been popular in Nelson, and provincialism found no such ardent advocates there as it found in Otago and Canterbary. When the elections were held at the end of 1875 and it was found that a considerable majority of the members chosen were abolitionists, the satisfaction of the Vogelite party was expressed nowhere more plainly than in Nelson. The Provincial Council, during its last years, had already shown signs of its sympathy for Mr. Vogel's policy by asking leave to borrow a quarter of a million for local public works. But Nelsón had little cause to be gratified with the practical results of abolition. Only a very small proportion of the millions borrowed under the Vogel regime went in the direction of Nelson, and the long-continued attempts to secure a through line to the West Coast have so far proved unavailing. But in spite of these disadvantages, the progress of the settlement was consistent and steady. One important sign of development, which applied to the whole colony as well as to Nelson in particular, was the completion of telegraphic communication with Australia by the cable which comes ashore at Wakapuaka. Another proof of the commercial growth of the province was the establishment of the Anchor line of steamships, which included the little fleet that had long monopolised the coastal trade in the hands of Nathaniel Edwards and Co. Meantime the mineral wealth of the province was being exploited with some success. More gold was found at Tadmor in 1877, and in 1881 another attempt was made to work the Aniseed Valley copper deposits. But as in many other parts of the colony, the money invested in mining ventures in Nelson has produced a very small return, and on the whole the mineral deposits have proved rather a disadvantage than a benefit to the province by diverting attention from more stable and permanently profitable industries. It has been asserted by many competent authorities that Nelson would have been more prosperous to-day if the people had never put a penny into mining enterprises.
By 1883 the rise in the price of hops attracted a good deal of capital towards the hop-gardens, which were for many years among the most beautiful features of Nelson's suburbs. Again, in 1889, there was a distinct “boom” in flax, and many mills were built only to be deserted or dismantled when the flax market collapsed. The establishment of a Chamber of Commerce in 1884 showed that the mercantile interests of the town and the province had become too extensive to be organised by individual enterprise. There had been an older Chamber of Commerce which maintained a precarious life from 1858 to 1864; but the later institution had better reason for its existence and more scope for its operations. By 1885 the agitation in favour of a railway to the West Coast had reached fever heat; but it was not till 1887 that the arrangements between the Midland Railway Company and the Colonial Government were completed and work was begun at Brunnerton. The subsequent history of the line is detailed in the Canterbury volume of this work; and nothing more need be said of it here except that little as Canterbury and Westland have profited by the work on this long desired line, Nelson has so far benefited even less. The Midland Railway Company let a contract at the Belgrove end of the line towards the end of 1890, but nothing very important had been done towards the accomplishment of the scheme on which Nelson had built so many hopes when the operations of the Company came to a premature end.
The year 1891 inaugurated for the colony the supremacy of Democratic Liberalism. The defeat of the Atkinson administration and the accession of Mr. Ballance to power encouraged hopes in Nelson that the district might enjoy a larger share of the benefits of colonial progress than it had hitherto received. But in spite of its many natural advantages, the position of Nelson has always been against its advancement to the highest rank among colonial centres of Population or industrialism. It lies somewhat off the track of New Zealand's coastal and intercolonial commerce, and the back country behind the harbour and the town is too broken and limited in extent to balance these local deficiencies. But though Nelson was not destined to realise the high hopes of its founders, it has still continued to advance steadily towards prosperity. Between 1880 and 1890 many large and imposing public buildings were erected, the town was improved by the purchase of a public park, and the municipal authorities did their best to make the most of the beautiful surroundings and natural attractions which render Nelson one of the most delightful places of residence on this side of the worid.
The casual references to the development of industries scattered through the foregoing pages indicate clearly enough that Nelson is primarily a mineral district; not that its resources in other directions are to be ignored. Its agricultural products are all excellent in quality. Barley and hops, chiefly
Among the extractive industries of Nelson, sawmilling plays an important part. Reference has been made to the many varieties of useful timber trees found in Nelson district—black and red birch (beech), red, white, black, and silver pine, rata and totara. A large amount of timber is of course used in the mining districts for props and planking, but apart from this the sawmilling industry has increased rapidly of late years. There are about forty sawmills now in active work, and the output from them, in a recent year, was about 9,000,000 feet of various timbers, chiefly black and red pine, though silver pine is coming largely into use for railway sleepers. Of other minor industries in the country, the preparation of flax for the American market has occasionally assumed some importance, but the constant fluctuations in price render the industry very unsatisfactory and precarious.
The chief manufacturing industries of Nelson are naturally located in the chief town; those include iron foundries, fruit preserving and canning works, breweries, biscuit factories, coach building and sash and door factories, boot factories, brick kilns and sawmills. One of the most important of the town trades is jam making, with which the name of Mr. Kirkpatrick is invariably associated. His celebrated “K” jam is known throughout Australasia, and it represents the output of the best fruit growing districts in Nelson—Takaka, Motueka, Richmond, Spring Grove, Foxhill and many other villages. The factory was started in a small way by Mr. A. Kirkpatrick in 1881, and is now one of the most important establishments in this, line of business in the Southern Hemisphere. The huge buildings are splendidly lighted, most efficiently equipped, and scrupulously clean. They not only take off a large proportion of Nelson's fruit crop, but give permanent employment to a large number of wage earners; and the various kinds of preserves turned out by the “K” factory have gained high awards not only in many colonial towns, but even in Paris and London. The
The development of the province has always been seriously retarded by the need of adequate means of internal communica tion. Even now, over sixty years after the first settlement, Nelson district does not possess so much as forty miles of railway. A line runs for about thirtyone miles southward from the chief town to Motupiko, passing through Stoke, Richmond, Brightwater, Wakefield, Foxhill, and Belgrove. It is soon to be extended over the Motueka river and ten miles on toward Tadmor. There is a small railway—the Westport-Mokihinui line—which connects the coal mines along the west coast of the district with Westport; and there is a branch of the abortive Midland railway—an extension of the Grey-Brunner line—which connects Reefton with Greymouth. But these lines lead nowhere—that is, they fail altogether as means of communication between the chief centres of industry and population. The West Coast railway, so leng advocated and desired, is still merely a hope of the future; and the connection between the more important towns and settlements in the district is still kept up only by roads and bridle tracks. The main road toward the West Coast runs from Motupiko to Reefton— nineteen miles form the Westland border —a distance of 136 miles, through rough country, including the fine scenery of the Buller Gorge. Along the West Coast the Karamea special settlement is connected with Westport on the south and Collingwood district on the north-east by a bridle track. There is a good road from the head of the Takaka Valley, passing through Riwaka, Motueka and Montere to Richmond, eight miles from Nelson. Towards the other coast of the South Island communication with Canterbury is by road—partly drag road, partly bridle track—which runs by way of the Tophouse, Wairau Gorge, Clarence Valley, and Jollie's Pass down to the Hanmer Plains, famous for their hot mineral springs. The road which runs cast from Nelson to Picton connecting the district with Marlborough, via the Rai Valley and the Pelorus, is a splendid highway; but the peoplé of Nelson may justly complain that the district has been worse treated in the matter of roads and railways than any other in the colony.
Though in some material respects Nelson has hardly kept pace with the rest of the colony, it has attained a high level in one of the most important essentials of social progress—education. The first public school in Nelson was opened in September, 1842, and ever since the early days great public interest has bee taken in all educational affairs. The Nelson School Society undertook the maintenance of schools throughout the province till the educational system was inaugurated in 1856. Denominational schools were also established by the Roman Catholics, the Wesleyans and the Church of England. One of the first pupils at Father Garin's school was the present Roman Catholic Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Redwood. In 1856 the education system was introduced, allowing denominational schools to receive the same subsidy as ordinary schools, provided they were open to the inspection of the Education Board's officers. Religious instruction was given at the schools to all children whose parents did rot object to it; and on the whole, the system worked well. In 1877 the New Zealand Education Act superseded the older scheme, and under the new Act Nelson has always produced results at least as satisfactory as those attained in any other district in the colony. As to secondary education, Nelson possesses two very efficient and successful colleges, endowed from the sums set apart by the New Zealand Company for educational purposes at the foundation of the settlement. It was not till 1857, however, that the Board of Trustees appointed, founded Nelson College, endowing it with £20,000 and appointing a Board of Governors to manage it. The boys' college was erected in 1860; the building, with twelve acres of land on which it stands, costing about £13,000. By 1882 the state of the endowments justified the establishment of a girls' college, which was duly built at a total cost of some £6400. Both colleges are well taught and admirably organised, and their long continued successes in the University entrance examinations have
Among other institutions of a more or less directly educational character may be noted the School of Music, the Museum and the Public Library. The Philosophical Society, the Debating Society, the Harmonic Society, and the Camera Club help to provide entertainment, as well as intellectual and artistic training, for those who appreciate it. Public sports are by no means neglected, as the records of the local cricket, football, rowing, howling, and cycling clubs can testify. The Botanical Reserve, including Zig Zag Hill, Trafalgar Park, Queen's Gardens and Victory Square are public reserves which add much to the attractiveness of the town and promote the health of its inhabitants. In spite of its comparative isolation, Nelson enjoys most of the advantages of civilisation, in the form of railway and steamer service, cabs and busses and telephones; but its chief charm consists in the serene and peaceful beauty of its surroundings. “A gem, an idyll, an immature Arcadia, a Sleeping Leauty”—the oft-quoted words in which Max O'Rell expressed his admiration for the little town, suggest perhaps better than any other phrase the impression which the sight of Nelson produces upon those who see it for the first time.
If space permitted a mass of interesting detail might easily be accumulated to give some idea of the varied and picturesque scenery to be found in the immediate neghbourhood of the town and throughout the provincial district of Nelson. Of walks and drives in the vicinity of the town, there may be mentioned the Rock's Road, the drive to the reservoir, the Matai Valley, and the drive through Richmond over the Wairau and back by way of Appleby—by the route popularly known as “Round the Three Bridges.” More extended excursions, such as tourists usually desire, can be made to Spooner's Range and the Aniseed Valley, where the Champion copper mine is still an object of interest. The two lakes, Rotoroa and Rotoiti, of which mention has aready been made, lie in the midst of broken and heavily wooded country, some fifty or sixty miles from Nelson; and with the assistance of
The geographical character of Nelson district, and the nature of its chief industries, are obstacles to the growth of a dense population. The total population for the whole district was returned in the census of 1901 at 37,915. The populations of the four largest provincial districts range from 141,000 (Wellington) to 175,000 (Auckland); so that Nelson compares very unfavourably in this respect with the more thickly-populated centres of the colony. The population of the district at the previous census was 35,734; and the rate of increase during the intervening five years had thus been a little over six per cent.; an increase which is entirely put in the shade by the rate of increase for Auckand (14 per cent.), Wellington (16 per cent.) and Taranaki (21 per cent.). It is manifest that Nelson does not present sufficient industrial or natural advantages as yet to attract any great influx of population.
The town of Nelson contains a large proportion—nearly 20 per cent—of the entire population of the district. The total population of the town and port recorded in last census was 7167; a total which is exceeded by only two among the New Zealand towns, outside the four great provincial centres. Westport is the only other town in the district that rises much above the rank of a village; its population, including those on shipboard, being reckoned at about 3100. Motueka with 886 inhabitants, and Richmond with 543, are the only other centres that deserve mention. The balance of the district's population is seattered over the sheep stations and through the mining districts that provide occupation for the people outside the few small country towns.
Perhaps some light may be thrown upon the progress made by the town and
The Provincial system of Government was brought into operation by a proclamation of Governor Gray, dated 28th of February, 1853, one month after the introduction of Representative Government in New Zealand. Fifteen members was the number fixed for the Nelson Provincial Council, and the province was divided into the following districts: Town on Nelson, five members; Suburban Districts, one member; Waimea East District, two members; Waimea West District, one member; Waimea South District, two members; Motueka and Massacre Bay District, two members; and Wairau District, two members. There were three candidates for the position of first Superintendent of the Province; namely, Mr. E. W. Stafford, Mr. Fran cis Jollie, and Mr. J. W. Saxton. The elections were held on the 1st of August, 1853, when the returns were: Stafford, 251; Saxton, 206; Jollie, 130. For the five town seats, Dr. Sinclair, Dr. Renwick, Mr. W. Hough, Dr. Bush, and Mr. H. Adams were elected. On the 3rd of November the first meeting of the Provincial Council was held in the Court House. The first business was the election of a Speaker, and this honour fell to Mr. Donald Sinclair. On the 6th of January, 1854, the first Executive Government was appointed, when Mr. Poynter was made Provincial Treasurer, and Mr. Henry Adams Provincial Solicitor. No provision was made for a Provincial Secretary. The Superintendent appointed Mr. John Sharp to be a member of the Board of Audit for the province. During the Council's second session, which opened on the 22nd of November, 1854, the number of members was increased from fifteen to twentyfour; and Amuri was brought in as a new district, with one member. Mr. S. I. Muller was appointed Provincial Secretary during the same session. The chief result of the third session, which lasted from the 22nd of January to the 5th of April, 1856, was the passing of the Education Act. During the next session the County Roads Act and the Nelson Improvement Act were brought into operation, and on the 30th of July, 1857, the first Town Board was elected. Mr. Stafford resigned the Superintendency of Nelson, in October, 1856, in consequence of his having accepted the position of first Minister in the General Government of the colony. He was succeeded by Mr. J. P. Robinson, who had contested the position with Dr. Monro, afterwards Sir David.
An agitation for the separation of Wairau from Nelson was set up by the Wairau settlers, who com plained that their country districts were left without roads and bridges and that they were insufficiently represented in the Provincial Council, whilst the greater portion of the revenue was spent in the districts nearer Nelson. This led to the passing of the New Provinces Act, in 1858, and resulted in the creation of the province of Marlborough, of which Mr. William Adams, of the Wairau, became the first Superintendent. After this, with a view to making up the loss caused to Nelson by the separation of Wairau, attention was turned to the West Coast. Three expeditions were organised in 1859–60 to explore this territory, and very favourable reports were sent in by the explorers. Unfortunately, the Superintendent, Mr. Robinson, who paid a visit of inspection to the district, was drowned in the Buller on the 28th of January, 1865. Mr. Alfred Saunders and Mr. J. W. Barnicoat then stood for the Superintendency, and the former was returned by 454 to 434.
On the discovery of gold at Collingwood the Provincial Government laid out the township there, erected Government offices, and appointed a Resident Magistrate and Government officials. By the end of April, 1866, the Provincial Government had made 115 miles of tracks on the Grey goldfields. On the 28th of March, 1867, Mr. Oswald Curtis was elected Superindent of the Province in place of Mr. Saunders, who resigned in order to visit England. Mr. Curtis held the office from that time up to the abolition of the provinces. In October, 1867, Mr. John Sharp, who was then Provincial Tieasurer stated that the Government had already expended £55,000 in necessary works on the West Coast. The Nelson waterworks, costing about £20,000, were inaugurated in 1867. In that' year the membership of the Provincial Council was increased to twenty-six, of whom three represented the Grey, and two the Buller districts. Two years later, however, the number was reduced to nineteen, with Buller and Grey each returning two members, and Charleston one.
The Executive Government Act was passed in 1870, and provided that the Executive Council of five members and the Superintendent should administer the Government of the Province. This Act held good until 1874, when it was repealed, and another Act was passed making the Executive responsible to the, Provincial Council; but next year the provincial system was abolished by the coming into operation of the Abolition of the Provinces Act, 1875. During the period the Nelson Provincial Council existed there were only two Speakers; Mr. Donald Sinclair, who resigned in 1857, and the Hon. J. W. Barnicoat who succeeded him.
The system of purchasing Crown lands on deferred payments was first introduced by the Nelson Provincial Council; to which the city of Nelson owed its first water and
who was three times Premier of New Zealand, and twice Superintendent of the province of Nelson, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1820, and reached New Zealand soon after the Wairau massacre in 1843. In 1846 he married a daughter of Colonel Wakefield, and was thus brought into close connection with the Now Zealand Company. The Nelson settlers, led by Dr. Monro, were at that time endeavouring to enforce their claims against the company, and Mr. Stafford was at first somewhat unpopular. However, his high character and sterling abilities rendered him the most suitable candidate in the province for the office of Superintendent, and he was twice chosen for that high position. The institution of a system of education, afterwards extensively imitated in the other provinces, and the establishment of Road Boards, were among his more important local achievements. In 1856 he gave up provincial for colonial politics, and accepted the office of Premier in New Zealand's first Government. He displayed marked political ability, and great energy in his conduct of public affairs; and in 1859 he visited England to arrange for the Panama steam service. On his return, in 1861, his Government was defeated, chiefly on account of its native policy. Mr. Stafford was Premier again from 1865 to 1869, and again in 1872. Some years afterwards he went to England to spend the evening of his life in retirement in that country, where he died on the 14th of February, 1901, and was buried at Kensal Green, London. A wreath was sent by the Government of New Zealand, on behalf of the colony, with the inscription: “New Zealand to her Statesman,”
was chosen to be Superintendent of Nelson on the resignation of Mr. Stafford, in 1856. He defeated Dr. Monro by a narrow majority, but so successful was his administration, and so highly were his honesty and impartiality esteemed, that he was twice re-elected to the office by large majorities, and held his position for eight years. He had been a member of the Provincial Council before his election as Superintendent, and he was remarkably well versed in English polities. As Superintendent of the province Mr. Robinson paid a visit to the West Coast to inspect the new goldfields and the coal deposits on the Grey and Buller, While on this official visit on the 28th of January, 1865, he and three other men were drowned by the upsetting of a boat in the Buller river, and his body was never recovered. Mr. Alfred Saunders was chosen to serve the remainder of the term for which Mr. Robinson had been last elected. Mr. Robinson was born in Surrey, England, in 1809. He was brought up as a wood and ivory turner, and afterwards established a large business of this nature in Birmingham. Shortly after arriving in Nelson by the ship “Phoebe,” in 1842, he opened a school in the township under the Nelson School Society, and was its master for some time. Mr. Robinson then removed to Auckland, where he entered into business, and carried it on for several years. Then he returned to Nelson, where he established himself, and subsequently went to Motupipi, where, with three other partners, he erected the first sawmill in the district. At that time a deputation went over from Nelson and requested him to contest the Superintendency, to which he assented. Mr. Robinson always evinced a great interest in education. While residing in Birmingham he was a member of the committee of the Mechanics' Institute, and he was afterwards a member of the committee of the Nelson School Society for many years. From early life he took an interest in politics, and occupied a prominent position in Birmingham during the agitation that preceded the passing of the Reform Bill. His Liberal political principles were formed during the struggle for just rights; and from intimate intercourse with some of the leading minds of that great district, he became imbued with a just and practical theory of enlightened Liberal institutions. Before leaving for New Zealand some of the directors of the New Zealand Company discovered in Mr. Robinson a man of superior judgment and good intellect, and the colonial officers of the company frequently resorted to him for assistance and advice in the early days of the settlement. Once when the works of the company were stopped, and many persons deemed themselves unjustly treated, Mr. Robinson's judicious influence with the people was enlisted; and by a wise use of his experience, at a time when men threatened to break open the stores of the shopkeepers, he saved Nelson from the disgrace of a riot. Mr. Robinson was married, in the Old Country, to Miss Gaskell, of Derby, and at the time of his death he left a family of two sons and seven daughters.
was the first colonist to land from the “Fifeshire,” the first of the vessels that reached the colony with the “Pilgrim Fathers” of Nelson. Mr. Saunders was for some years member for Waimea in the Provincial Council; and in 1859 passed through a contest with District Judge Travers, which led to his temporary imprisonment on a charge of libel. He was re-elected to the Provincial Council while in gaol without opposition; on his release, the same district chose him as its representative in Parliament, and he was offered the position of Colonial Treasurer in the Fox Ministry. In 1866 he was re-elected Superintendent, but in 1867 resigned for the purpose of visiting England. After his return to the colony, in 1872, he
, who was the youngest son of Mr. Stephen Curtis, a London merchant, was educated at private schools and the Hackney Grammar School, and matriculated at the University of London. He arrived in Nelson, in June, 1853, and two years afterwards he was elected to the Provincial Council. In 1867 he succeeded Mr. Saunders as Superintendent of the province, and in the same year was elected a member of the House of Representatives for Nelson city. He held his seat in the House for eleven years, and maintained his position as Superintendent till the abolition of the provinces. Mr. Curtis was Commissioner of Customs in the third Stafford Ministry, but apart from this, his public experience was confined chiefly to Nelson, where his practical ability and his zeal in the cause of education always commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow colonists. He was a Governor of the Nelson College, Trustee of the Nelson Savings Bank, a Fellow of the University of New Zealand, and a member of its senate from 1870 to 1878. Mr. Curtis died at Nelson on the 1st of March, 1902, aged eightyone years.
The political history of Nelson has been perhaps less eventful than that of most of the provincial districts of the colony; but its records contain the names of many men who would have gained fame and distinction in any sphere of colonial life. At the first election for the General Assembly in 1853 Messrs Travers and Mackay were elected for the town of Nelson; Mr (afterwards Sir F. A.) Weld, for the Wairau; Mr. Cautley and Dr. Monro for the Waimea, and Mr. Picard for Motueka. Early in 1854 the Hon. Henry Seymour, Hon. Ralph Richardson and Hon. Matthew Richmond were called to the Legislative Council to represent Nelson province.
In the second Parliament (1858–1861) the Nelson members of the Legislative Council were the Hon. M. Richmond and the Hon. H. Seymour. Mr. A. Domett and Mr. E. W. Stafford were members for Nelson city, Mr. H. E. Curtis for Motueka, Dr. D. Monro and Mr. W. T. L. Travers for the Waimea. In 1861, when the third Parliament met, Mr. M. Richmond was Nelson's only member in the Upper House, and it was not till 1869 that the Hon. W. Robinson and the Hon. T. Renwick were appointed. In 1870 the appointment of the Hon. T. Wigley brought up the Nelson quota in the Upper House to four. In the meantime several changes had taken place in the representation of the district in the Lower House. Mr. W. Wells was chosen for Nelson suburbs in 1861, and sat for that constituency through the sessions of the third and fourth Parliaments. In the third Parliament (1861) Mr. A. Saunders replaced Mr. Travers for the Waimea, and Mr. A. J. Richmond was member for Collingwood, being replaced in 1868 by Mr. A. Collyns. In the fourth Parliament (1864) Mr. O. Curtis took the seat vacated by Mr. Domett for Nelson city; Mr. J. C. Richmond was member for Grey and Bell; Mr. C. Parker had succeeded Mr. H. Curtis at Motueka, and Mr. E. Baigent was one of the members for Waimea. By 1869 Mr. Nathaniel Edwards had taken the Nelson seat in place of Mr. E. W. Stafford, who had left Nelson district for South Canterbury.
In the fifth Parliament, of which the first session opened in 1871, Nelson was represented in the Legislative Council by four members—Messrs T. Renwick, M. Richmond, W. Robinson and T. H. Wigley. The members in the Lower House for Nelson city were Mr. O. Curtis and Mr. M. Lightband, who during the season was replaced by Mr. D. M. Luckie. Nelson suburbs was represented by Mr. Ralph Richardson, while in the country districts Sir David Monro was unseated for Motueka, on petition by Mr. C. Parker. Mr. A. Collyns sat for
Of the city members mentioned in this list, Mr. Curtis kept his seat till 1879, when he was succeeded by Mr. A. Pitt, the present Attorney-General. Mr. Luckie was succeeded in 1878 by Mr. J. Sharp, who was replaced by Mr. ActonAdams in 1879. Mr. Adams was succeeded in 1881 by Mr. H. Levestam, who held his seat till 1889, when it was taken by Mr. J. Harkness. Mr. R. Richardson was succeeded for Nelson suburbs by Mr. A. J. Richmond, who in 1881 gave place to Mr. A. Collyns. Mr. Gibbs sat for Collingwood till 1882. Mr. Parker was succeeded at Motueka in 1876 by Mr. Richmond Hursthouse, who held his seat till 1887, when it was taken by Mr. J. Kerr. In 1879 Mr. J. Henry was superseded at the Buller by Mr. J. Bickerton Fisher, who was displaced in 1882 by Mr. J. Munro; and Mr. Munro was in turn superseded, in 1884, by Mr. Eugene O'Conor. In 1878 there first appears the name of a politician who long played a prominent part in Nelson affairs: Mr. R. H. J. Reeves, who sat first for Grey Valley, and subsequently, from 1887 to 1894, for Inangahua; and was raised to the Upper House in 1895.
In 1872 Mr. Nathaniel Edwards was added to the list of Nelson members in the Legislative Council; making five Nelson representatives in all. In 1878 Mr. T. Wigley moved to Canterbury, and in 1880 Mr. Edwards died and Dr. Renwick retired from the Council. Nelson was thus left with only two members. In 1883, however, Mr. J. W. Barnicoat and Mr. J. C. Richmond were appointed, bringing up the Nelson members to four. In 1886 Mr. Shephard, for many years member for Waimea, was appointed member of the Legislative Council, but this gain to Nelson was balanced by the loss of Mr. M. Richmond in 1887. In 1889 Mr. W. Robinson died, leaving Nelson with only three members, and in 1892 the retirement of Mr. J. C. Richmond reduced them to two. In 1896 the appointment of Mr. R. H. J. Reeves raised the Nelson total to three. The loss of Mr. Shephard in 1899 was balanced by the accession of Mr. A. Pitt in 1900; but the retirement of Mr. J. W. Barnicoat, in 1902, and the appointment of Mr. F. Trask in 1903, left Nelson with three representatives in the Upper House.
Among the members of the House of Representatives who have sat for variour Nelson constituencies within the last twenty years appear several noteworthy names, Mr. T. S. Weston sat for Inangahua from 1881 to 1883, when his seat was taken by Mr. E. Shaw. Mr. Kerr sat for Waimea and Motueka successively from 1885 to 1891. In 1889 Mr. Levestam was succeeded by Mr. J. Harkness as member for Nelson city, and in 1894 Mr. J. Graham, the present member, took his seat. In 1893 Sir Robert Stout temporarily replaced Mr. R. H. J. Reeves at Inangahua; and in 1894 Mr. O'Regan succeeded Sir Robert, sitting later for Buller from 1897 to 1900. In 1891 Mr. C. H. Mills took his seat for Waimea-Picton — Later the WaimeaSounds district, which he still represents. Mr. Mills has been Commissioner of Trade and Customs since the 29th of October, 1900. In 1893 Mr. R. McKenzie was elected for Buller, but in the Parliament of 1900 he sat for Motueka. while his place at the Buller was taken by Mr. Colvin. Mr. A. Guinness, now Speaker of the Lower House, who has been member for Grey since 1884, represents a constituency that is regarded as belonging more strictly to Westland than to Nelson. But taking everything into consideration, Nelson has good reason to be satisfied with the ability of the men who have represented the town and the district in Parliament ever since the foundation of the province.
was born in the town of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, in the year 1836, and educated at Barrow Grammar School, and subsequently at Tarvin, Cheshire. In early youth he went to sea and in 1852 he left the Old Country for Sydney, New South Wales. He has been in the Colonies ever since and has been in torn miner, storekeeper, cattle dealer and auctioneer, etc., etc. Whilst absent on a visit to Australia he was elected first member for Hokitika in the Canterbury Provincial Council, but resigned on his return to New Zealand, as he found that pressure of business prevented him from taking his seat. When the West Coast was separated from Canterbury, Mr. Reeves was elected one of the first members of the County Council of Westland. In 1878 he was elected member of the House of Representatives for Grey Valley in place of Mr. Martin Kennedy, who had resigned. Mr. Reeves at once allied himself with the Liberal Party, and all through his political career he has been a most consistent advocate of all liberal and labour measures. In December, 1895, Mr. Reeves was appointed to the Legislative Council. He is now and has been for many years a member of the Westport Harbour Board.
was called to the Legislative Council by a writ dated the 23rd of December, 1899. For thirty-five years he has been almost continuously connected with the New Zealand militia and volunteers, and only recently resigned the stipendiary command of the Nelson volunteer district, with a view to his being called to the Legislative Council. He was, of course, not officially connected with the volunteers while he sat in the House of Representatives as a member for the city of Nelson from 1879 to 1881. Colonel Pitt was born in Hobart, Tasmania, and first became a volunteer in 1861, when he joined a volunteer artillery corps in that Colony. Three years later he came to New Zealand, and was appointed, in 1865, to the command of the Nelson Artillery Cadets. He afterwards commanded the Nelson Volunteer Artillery Company till 1871. Two years later he became captain of a newly-appointed artillery company (now known as the H Battery, N.Z.R.A.), and in 1877 he was appointed to command the Nelson militia and volunteer
was called to the Legislative Council on the 18th of March, 1903. He was born at Merriott, in Somersetshire, England, in 1840, and in 1860 he came out in the barque “Minorca” to Christchurch, whence he went on to the Otago goldfields. After a stay of a few months at Wetherstones Gully, Mr. Trask want to Nelson, where he has resided ever since. In 1878 he was electod to a seat in the Borough Council, and held office as a councillor till 1890, when he was first elected mayor—an office which he held for ten successive years. Among the many works which were undertaken during Mr. Trask's term of office was the Rocks Road, a new main road from the town to the country, by way of the sea coast. This work was started mainly through his exertions; it is perfectly level for its whole distance, and forms the highway into Nelson from the fertile Waimeas, and thence to the West Coast. “Gunnersbury House,” Mr. Trask's residence in Collingwood Street, is oné of the best (if not the finest) in Nelson.
who resided for some years at The Wood, Nelson, was born in Cheshire, England, where his family owned the well-known estate of Capenhurst. He came to New Zealand by the ship “Maori” in 1851, and about 1866 he purchased “Meadowbank,” near Blenheim. This estate consists of 22,000 acres, and he leased it to Mr. A. P. Seymour till 1882, when his son, Mr. George Richardson, took charge of the property. Mr. Richardson was called to the Legislative Council in 1853, but resigned three years later. During the latter years of his life Mr. Richardson resided in London, where he died at Christmas, 1898. The Meadowbank estate then became the property of Mr. George Richardson, who had managed it for fourteen years.
became a member of the Legislative Council of New Zealand in 1853. He was British Resident in the Ionian Islands in 1836 and had had some experience of colonial administration in Canada before the came to New Zealand. In 1840 he was appointed to examine into the titles of land claimed by the New Zealand Company. When the Wairau massacre occurred he was despatched to the South Island to restore order. He was appointed Chief Magistrate of the southern division of the colony in 1843, and Superintendent and Deputy-Governor of the southern district in 1844. The southern district then included Wellington and the whole of the Middle Island. As Superintendent and Resident Magistrate at Nelson, from 1846 to November, 1853, he was widely known, and his capacity as an administrator was generally acknowledged by the colonists. He was a member of the Legislative Council from 1853 until he died on the 5th of March, 1887; and his large experience and cultivated mind gave exceptional value to his counsels and actions as a public man.
M.D., sometime a Member of the Legislative Council, was one of Nelson's earliest colonists. He came to New Zealand in 1842, in the ship “Thomas Harrison,” which brought out under his charge, as medical officer, the wives and families of the first pioneers, who had previously arrived in the Colony, and had begun the work of forming the Nelson settlement. Dr. Renwick was a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and the second son of Mr. Herbert Renwick, of the Parks of Dumgree. He graduated in the Edinburgh University, and after practising for a short time in Kent, and going a voyage to India as surgeon of a large passenger ship, he sailed for Nelson, where he quickly became a most popular doctor and good citizen. He was one of the first members of the Provincial Council of Nelson, and was called to the Legislative Council in 1863. In 1848 the
was appointed a member of the Legislative Council in 1863, but resigned during the same year without taking this seat. He was the youngest son of Mr. Harris Bigg Wither, of Manydown, Hants, England, and was educated at Winchester, and at Edinburgh University. Mr. Wither came out to New Zealand in 1843 by the ship “Ursula,” which touched first at Wellington, and then came on to Nelson. After the excitement of the Wairau massacre had subsided he took up a sheep run in the Wairau district, and he also owned a farm at Richmond, where he resided up to the time of his death in 1874. Mr. Wither was an elected Governor of Nelson College, and he sat for many years as Justice of the Peace on the bench at Richmond. He left a large family, and the sons, who distinguished themselves at Nelson College, are all settled in the colony.
was first called to the Legislative Council in 1865, but resigned in 1866. He was again appointed in 1883, but finally resigned in 1892. Mr. Richmond was a member of one of the most distinguished of all the early colonial families. He came out originally to Taranaki with his brother, Mr. H. R. Richmond, and they were subsequently joined there by Mr. C. M. Richmond (later, for many years, Mr. Justice Richmond), Mr. H. A. Atkinson (afterwards Sir Harry), and other members of the family. He was connected with Nelson chiefly as Provincial Secretary in Mr. J. P. Robinson's executive, but he resigned his position in 1865 on the ground that it was not compatible with his office as Commissioner of Crown Lands. He was Colonial Secretary in the Weld Ministry of 1865, and Commissioner of Customs in the Stafford Ministry of 1866–69, but he is chiefly remembered in Nelson as editor of the “Nelson Examiner,” which his literary culture and journalistic ability enabled him to make perhaps the most effective colonial newspaper of its day. He stood for Nelson at the 1870 election; but he was an opponent of the Vogel Public Works policy, and was defeated. Mr. Richmond was devoted to the art of painting, and it was the opinion of good judges that his talent would have entitled him to fame had he made art the serious business of his life.
was appointed a member of the Legislative Council in 1866, and resigned in 1869. He was an Englishman by birth, and one of the very earliest colonists in the Nelson district. He took a keen interest in volunteering, and, after the death of Major Richmond, was senior officer in command of the district. As a marksman he won the champion belt of New Zealand for shooting. Mr. Morse originally settled at the Moutere, where he carried on farming with Messrs Murray and Rodgers. Later on, he had a sheep run in the Wairau district, and he also owned a farm at Waimea West, where he resided until he left Nelson. On leaving the province Mr. Morse settled at Wanganui, where he died.
was appointed a member of the Legislative Council in 1869. He was also a member of the Nelson Provincial Council. Mr. Robinson was born in South Australia, and came over to New Zealand in the early days of settlement. In 1853 he bought the freehold of a portion of the Cheviot run from the Nelson Provincial Government, and subsequently acquired the whole block of 84,756 acres. On securing the freehold Mr. Robinson at once set to work to fence, subdivide and improve his property. He erected buildings, planted gardens, orchards, and plantations, and constructed about 200 miles of subdivision fences. Few station properties in New Zealand were so highly improved as Cheviot. In 1892 the Property Tax Department assessed the value of the estate at £304,826, and, on this assessment being objected to by the trustees, the whole property was bought by the Government at the trustees' valuation; namely, £250,220. It was immediately surveyed and subdivided, and now forms the highly prosperous town and settlement of Cheviot. Mr. Robinson, who died in 1889, earned the sobriquet of “Ready Money Robinson,” for having paid £10,000 in cash as a deposit on his first purchase.
was called to the Legislative Council in 1870, and continued to be a member for over twenty years. He was formerly a member of the Nelson Provincial Council. Mr. Wigley was born in England in 1825, and came out in 1830 to South Australia, where he completed his education, and afterwards became a squatter. He arrived in New Zealand in 1853, and was engaged in sheepfarming for many years. Mr. Wigley died in 1895.
who was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1872, was a member up to the time of his death in 1880; and, before his appointment to the Council, sat as a member of the House of Representatives, He arrived in Nelson in January, 1845, by the ship “Slams Castle,” and afterwards joined the Government survey staff, and was engaged in surveying the Awatere district. Mr. Edwards subsequently acquired the
was born at Falmouth, England, on the 3rd of June, 1814. On leaving school he was articled for five years to learn civil engineering and surveying with Mr. Thomas, of Falmouth. At the end of his term he began business on his own account at Falmouth, but he afterwards entered the service of a leading railway engineer in London. Some years later he was in business as a surveyor in Cornwall. In 1841 he left England for New Zealand in the ship “Lord Auckland,” and landed at Nelson on the 24th of February, 1842. Mr. Barnicoat was at once engaged by the New Zealand Company, and was employed in conjunction with his partner, Mr. Thompson, in cutting up suburban and rural lands at Waimea East, Moutere, and Wairau. The work at the latter place was still unfinished when the Maoris came to disturb the surveyors. The New Zealand Company had been pushing on the survey of land, for some of which at least it had failed to obtain a title in accordance with Maori rights and customs, and in resenting and resisting this, Te Rauparaha had burnt the huts of some of the surveyors. One of these had accordingly lodged an information against the chief, for whose arrest the police magistrate at Nelson issued a warrant. He also went with a body of armed men to execute it. It was Mr. Barnicoat who guided the armed party, through his own survey lines to the scene where it was intended to arrest Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeata on a charge of arson. Te Rauparaha said he declined to be manacled like a slave, and thereupon the magistrate ordered his men to fix bayonets and arrest Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeata. While this order was being obeyed, a shot fired from the European side had the effect of instantly killing Te Ronga, the wife of Rangihaeata and daughter of Te Rauparaha. At this Te Rauparaha wailed out—“Farewell the light, farewell the day; welcome the darkness of death.” Thereupon the Maoris opened fire upon the English, of whose bodies nineteen were afterwards found, and the natives killed numbered four. That was the Wairau Massacre, which took place on the 17th of June, 1843. [This version differs somewhat from other published accounts, but as it was revised by Mr. Barnicoat personally, it is retained here as passed by him.] As stated, Mr. Barnicoat was present at the fight, and he was one of those who escaped the slaughter. Soon afterwards, he gave up surveying, and settled on his land at Richmond. His farm there consisted of about 140 acres of the great Waimea East swamp, and from 1844 to the year 1900 Mr. Barnicoat continued to reside there (for fifty years of the period with his wife and family), and to cultivate and improve it; finding farming a healthy and attractive, although an ill-remunerated occupation. In 1853 Mr. Barnicoat was elected to a seat in the Nelson Provincial Council, of which he continued to be a member until the provinces were abolished in 1876. He was the only member who sat in the Council throughout its whole existence, and he was Speaker for the last nineteen years. Mr. Barnicoat was from the first a member of the Board of Education, and was chairman until he resigned on account of his annual absence in Wellington. He was also a member and chairman of the Waimea County Council, but he resigned for the same reason which led him to retire from the Education Board. Mr. Barnicoat was called to the Legislative Council on the 14th of May, 1883, and continued to be a member up to and inclusive of the year 1902. He was a member of the Nelson Diocesan Synod from its foundation in 1849. Mr. Barnicoat was married, in 1849, to a sister of Mr. William Hodgson, sometime inspector of schools for Nelson and Marlborough, and had a family of seven, of whom two sons and three daughters survived him. He died at his residence, Hardy Street, Nelson, on the 2nd of February, 1905.
who was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1885, was previously a member of the House of Representatives for a number at years. He arrived in Nelson in 1861, by the ship “Donna Lita,” and carried on farming for some time. Mr. Shephard was an able writer, took a great interest in politics and local affairs, and was for several years editor of the “Colonist.” He died in 1896.
, Member for Nelson, who is the eldest son of one of the earliest pioneers of that province, was born in 1843, in the district he now represents in Parliament. He was first returned at the general election of 1893, when the right of female franchise was for the first time exercised in New Zealand. Mr. Graham had three opponents, and he was returned by a majority of 279. For many years Mr. Graham was on a number of public bodies, including the Education Board, Nelson Town schools committee, and the Harbour Board. In the work of the school committee he took special and continuous interest from 1877 till 1894, when he had to relinquish his position as chairman as well as his seat on the City Council, to attend to his more pressing parliamentary duties. Mr. Graham is a member of the Board of Governors of the Nelson Colleges, and also of the Council of Victoria College, established at Wellington in commemoration of the sixtieth year of the Queen's reign. He is also a member of the Nelson Land Board. Mr. Graham was chairman of the banking enquiry committee of 1896, and frequently came into conflict with the Premier, the Minister of Lands and Mr. George Hutchison. In the session of 1894 Mr. Graham strenuously opposed, and, with the powerful co-operation of Sir Robert Stout, was largely instrumental in defeating a bill brought forward by the Government to give effect to a proposal of the Midland Railway Company to relinquish its contract to construct a railway from Canterbury to Nelson, in favour of a new undertaking to build only the Canterbury portion of the line. Under this new contract the Colony was asked to contribute £618,000 in debentures bearing three
, Member of the House of Representatives for Motueka, was first elected to Parliament for the Butler in 1893, when he contested the seat with Mr Eugene O'Conor, whom he defeated by over 300 votes. On the readjustment of the electorates, Mr McKenzie decided to contest the Motueka seat, and defeated Mr Hursthouse and Major Franklyn, of Wakefield. Mr McKenzie is a strong supporter of the Seddon administration. He assisted in passing the Loan Bill, which enabled the Westport Harbour Board to borrow £50,000 for extensive and muchneeded improvements. The member for Motueka was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1852, was educated at the Glasgow Academy, and entered the service of the London and Glasgow Engineering and Ironship Building Company, with which he remained over two years. Mr McKenzie then went to Canada for a time. He emigrated to this colony in 1869, per ship “City of Dunedin,” and followed mining in Otago. Subsequently he went to the West Coast and engaged in bridge building, and has completed some of the largest contracts in Westland, including the construction of the Westport Staiths at a cost of £22,000. He also built the railway bridge at Arahura and laid the rails to Hokitika, and constructed the wharf on Jervois Quay at Wellington. Mr McKenzie, who is a practical builder, is a member of the Westport Harbour Board, and is connected with many Westland societies.
, who was born at Camberwell Grove, Surrey, England, on the 20th of May, 1811, matriculated at Cambridge, where he studied for three years at St. John's College, but did not graduate. He travelled in America, Switzerland, and Italy, published a volume of verse, and, was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1841, and became an intimate friend of Robert Brownting, of whose “Waring” he was the original. Mr. Domett arrived in Nelson in 1842, and soon took a responsible position in political affairs. He was appointed Colonial Secretary for the South Island, and in 1851 became Civil Secretary for the whole colony. He then took up the duties of Commissioner of Crown Lands in Hawke's Bay, and subsequently was elected member for Nelson in the House of Representatives. In 1862–3 Mr. Domett was Premier of the colony, and for the next eight years he was occupied in the administration of Crown Lands. He returned to England in 1871 and died in 1887. In the interval he published a number of poetical works, of which “Ranolf and Amohia” is the best known and the most highly esteemed. It is said that Mr. Domett never disclosed himself to his colonial contemporaries as a poet; but “Ranolf and Amohia” has been highly praised by Tennyson and Browning, and other judicious critics, though more for its substance than its form; for it lacks concentration, and, as a literary work, it is more ornate than artistic. Still, as an attempt to idealise the native life of the South Seas, and to depict the beauties of New Zealand in appropriate language, “Ranolf and Amohia” should always possess a surpassing interest for colonial readers; and, in addition to his claims as a poet, Mr. Domett deserves to be held in honourable remembrance as one of the able early administrators and wise pioneer statesmen of New Zealand.
M.D., who was one of the most prominent pioneer colonists of Nelson and New Zealand, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 27th of March, 1813, and studied first at Edinburgh University, and later at the medical schools in Paris, Berlin, and Vienna. He was the fourth son of Alexander Monro, M.D., F.R.S.E., President of the Royal Society of Physicians and Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the University of Edinburgh. Sir David's greatgrandfather, known as Monro primus, was the founder of the Medical School of Edinburgh, in which so many young New Zealanders have in recent years taken an honourable position. Three members of the Monro family held the position of Professor of Anatomy consecutively, for a period aggregating more than a century and a quarter; namely, Sir David's great grandfather, Alexander primus; his grandfather, Alexander secundus; and his father Alexander tertius; and, in addition to their professorial work, all three made valuable contributions to the world's knowledge of surgery and anatomy. Dr. Monro, having bought land from the New Zealand Company in the future settlement of Nelson, arrived in Melbourne in the year 1841, as doctor of the ship “Tasmania,” in which the late Sir E. W. Stafford was a passenger, and came on to Nelson in February, 1842. He followed pastoral
, F.L.S., who sat for Nelson City in 1854, and for Waimea from 1854 to 1858, was for a short time a member of the Executive Council during the colony's first Parliament. He was born in Ireland in 1819, was educated in France, and afterwards entered the British Legion in Spain, as Lieutenant of the 2nd Regiment of Lancers, in which he served during the Carlist war, 183538. On returning to England, Mr. Travers studied for the law, was admitted to the Bar, and came out to Nelson in 1849 by the ship “Kelso.” For some time he was judge of the District Court at Nelson, but resigned that position to practice his profession. In after years he resided in Christchurch, which he represented in Parliament from 1867 to 1870, and in Wellington, for which he sat in 1877. Mr. Travers conducted a legal practice in the latter city for many years and took an active part in public affairs, almost up to the time of his death. He is further referred to at pages 263–264 of the Wellington volume of this work, and at page 94 of the Canterbury volume.
, who sat for Waimea in 1854, in New Zealand's first Parliament, came out to Nelson by the ship “Mary Ann,” in 1842, and took up a farm known as “Wensley Hill” at Richmond. Mr. Cautley took no part in local affairs, and did not remain long in New Zealand; but returned to England, and died in London.
, who represented Nelson City in the first Parliament in 1854 and in 1855, was born in Scotland, where he was brought up as a banker, and he was afterwards connected with the firm of Lloyds in London. He came out to Nelson by the ship “Slains Castle,” in January, 1845, and took up land, which he farmed to the time of his death. Mr. Mackay, who represented Lloyds in Nelson, was captain of one of the first volunteer companies in the city, and took a keen interest in local affairs.
, who sat for Motueka and Massacre Bay in the House of Representatives from 1854 to 1855, was an Englishman by birth, and a brilliant speaker. He died at Motueka.
, who sat for Nelson City in the first Parliament, in 1854–1855, was a surveyor, and came out to Nelson with the preliminary expedition ships, as principal officer of the New Zealand Company's survey staff. When Mr. Tuckett resigned he was appointed chief surveyor for the New Zealand Company,
, who sat for Motueka and Massacre Bay in the House of Representatives, from 1856 to 1865, held the position of Government Auditor for the Provincial district of Nelson for a considerable time, and, at his death, was senior lieutenant in the New Zealand Militia. Mr. Curtis was the senior partner in the firm of Messrs Curtis Brothers, merchants. He and his brother, Mr. Oswald Curtis, arrived in Nelson in June, 1853, having come out from England in the barque “Mohammed Shah,” which was burnt at sea, off the coast of Tasmania, where the passengers and crew were landed. Mr. Curtis was for many years an active Justice of the Peace. After a lingering illness of over three years, he died at Nelson, on the 10th of August, 1890, aged seventy-two.
, who sat for Waimea in the House of Representatives from 1856 to 1858, was a very active politician. He came out to New Zealand in the early forties, and he and his brother established the first paper in the province, the “Nelson Examiner,” which they owned during its existence. Mr. Elliott was also a sheep farmer, and owned the station of “Upcot,” in the Awatere Valley. He was subsequently Immigration Agent at Nelson, where he died very suddenly.
was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1856, when he succeeded Mr. A. C. Picard as member for Motueka and Massacre Bay, and subsequently he sat as member for Motueka from 1866 to 1875. Mr. Parker arrived in Nelson by the ship “New Zealand,” in 1842, and carried on business as a carpenter at Motueka.
, who sat for Waimea in the House of Representatives from 1859 to 1860, had been previously a member of the old Provincial Council, to which he was elected in 1857, and sat up to the time of the abolition of the Provincial Governments. He was born in 1820 in Mechlenberg-Schwerin, Germany, where he was educated and brought up to farming. In 1844 he came to New Zealand by the ship “Skjold,” and settled at Waimea East, where he took up 350 acres of land, which he reclaimed and brought under cultivation. In 1855 he purchased a run of 8000 acres in Marlborough, where he grazed about 4000 sheep; but in 1877 he gave up this property and bought between 500 and 600 acres at Stanley Brook, Motueka Valley. This land was afterwards transferred to his eldest son, Mr. Robert Kelling, who finally sold it in 1900, and took over his father's property at Waimea East. Mr. Kelling was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1859, and in 1863 he was sent to Europe as Emigration Agent, with the object of obtaining suitable settlers for the colony. He was for many years German Consul at Nelson, and on the abolition of the office, he was presented with the Order of the Crown by the late Emperor William I, as a mark of that monarch's appreciation of his services.
, who sat for Nelson suburbs in the House of Representatives in 1861, was at one time Provincial Secretary of Marlborough. Mr. Wemyss was a runholder in the Wairau district, but returned to England in the early seventies.
, who represented the Suburbs of Nelson in the House of Representatives from 1861 to 1870, arrived in Nelson in the early days of settlement. He was a man of independent means, and farmed a property at Wakapuaka, where he died many years ago.
, who sat for Collingwood in the House of Representatives from 1861 to 1867, and the Suburbs of Nelson from 1873 to 1880, was the only son of the late Hon. Matthew Richmond, C.B., M.L.C. For many years he managed “Richmond Brook,” a large sheep run in the Awatere district, Marlborough, for his father, and took an active part in promoting the welfare of the district. Mr. Richmond married, in 1856, a daughter of Captain F. H. Blundell, of the Light Dragoons, India, and at his death, in 1880, left one son and three daughters. His widow, who came to New Zealand with her parents, in 1851, by the ship “Maori,” now (1905) resides in Nile Street, Nelson.
, who sat for Waimea in the House of Representatives from 1861 to 1863, and for other constituencies in later years, was twice Superintendent of the Province of Nelson, and is further referred to in that connection.
, who sat for Waimea in the House of Representatives from 1864 to 1865, was a man of independent means. He did not remain long in New Zealand, but returned to England, whence he had come to Nelson.
, who was member for Nelson City in the House of Representatives from 1866 to 1879, is further referred to among the Superintendents of Nelson.
, who sat as member for Waimea in the
, who sat for Waimea in the House of Representatives, from 1867 to 1870, and again, from 1876 to 1879, arrived in New Zealand, in 1842, by the ship “Clifford,” In 1846 he put up a flour mill at Wakefield. It was the first in the Nelson province, if not in New Zealand, and was fitted up with the necessary machinery, which Mr. Baigent had brought out from England. The industry was carried on with success for three or four years, but was ultimately given up for sawmilling, in which Mr. Baigent was largely interested. Mr. Baigent was a member of the Nelson Provincial Council from the time of its inception until its abolition. He was also a member of the Waimea Road Board, and many other local bodies. Mr. Baigent was born at Wendlesham, Sussex, in 1812, and was brought up as a mechanic, but afterwards engaged in farming. He was a liberal minded man, and did much for the town and province of Nelson, Mr. Baigent died in 1892.
, J.P., represented the Golden Bay electorate from 1868 to 1873, and the Suburbs of Nelson in 1881. He was also for some years a member of the Provincial Council and of Mr. Curtis's Executive. Mr. Collyns was nominated by the Atkinson Government one of the Governors of Nelson College, and a member of the Marlborough Waste Lands Board; but he resigned the College governorship in 1885, on going to reside on his sheep run at Kaikoura. He was elected chairman of the Kaikoura County Council in 1885, and retained the position until 1887, when he ceased to reside at Kaikoura, and returned to Nelson, and sent his two youngest boys to Nelson College. Mr. Collyns was made a Justice of the Peace by Mr. Stafford's Government in 1868. In the winter of 1869, accompanied by Mr. T. Mackay, he went, at the request of the Nelson townsfolk, over the Mount Arthur range, to decide on a feasible pack track to the Karamea. In 1872, Mr. T. Mackay, having discovered the Rai Saddle, Mr. Collyns went there and “blazed” the track, which has since become the coach road to Blenheim. In order to dissipate the doubts which existed in Nelson as to the feasibility of this line, he rode through it to the Pelorus before any track was cut. Afterwards he took Bishop Suter and Sir James Hector through; and the favourable opinions of these well known gentlemen helped to raise the line in public esteem. The Bishop was so pleased with his ride through the wild bush that he gave Mr. Collyns five pounds to construct a bridge over a somewhat dangerous gully; and this was for years called the Bishop's bridge. Afterwards Mr. A. P. Seymour, then Superintendent of Marlborough, granted Mr. Collyns £100 from the Provincial chest to make a horse track, as far as the money would go. With this money he caused a fairly good horse track to be made from the Saddle to an old surveyors' camp in the Rai Valley, With the help of Mr. W. Wastney, and of other members of the Wakapuaka Road Board, of which he was then chairman, Mr. Collyns also laid out a track from Wakapuaka to the Saddle; and this track was afterwards altered and improved by Government surveyors. In 1881, being then in the House of Representatives, he, with the assistance of other Nelson members, induced Sir John Hall's Government to construct the present Rai road. Mr. Collyns, who is a member of the Anglican Church, was born in Devonshire, England, in the year 1832. He has on several occasions been a member of the General Synod, and now represents Kaikoura in the Nelson Diocesan Synod He came out in the ship “Pekin,” and landed in Nelson on the 31st of December, 1849. Mr. Collyns is a widower, and has eleven children; and his eldest son, Mr. John Ulric Collyns, is one of the masters at Christ's College, Christchurch.
, who sat for Nelson City in the House of Representatives from 1869 to 1870, is further referred to as a former member of the Legislative Council.
, who occupied a seat in the House of Representatives from 1871 to 1875, and again from 1879 to 1884, was subsequently a member of the Legislative Council, and is elsewhere referred to in that connection.
, who is referred to in another article as having been a member of the Legislative Council, sat in the House of Representatives for Nelson Suburbs during the sessions of 1871–72.
, who was member for Nelson City in the House of Representatives in 1871, was born in Worcester, England, in 1832. He came out to New Zealand with his parents when ten years of age, by the ship “Thomas Harrison,” and arrived at Nelson after a five months' voyage. He was brought up to the tanning business by his father, who was one of the first in New Zealand to make use of the native bark for tanning. Mr. Lightband carried on nis trade for nearly twenty-four years, and in 1896 started business as a grain merchant, which he still conducts. Mr. Lightband was a resident in Nelson at the time of the Wairau massacre, and has a vivid recollection of the time when the men were armed with flint-lock muskets. He was elected a member of the Nelson City Council in 1902.
, who represented Wairau in the House of Representatives from 1872 to 1881, and Waimea-Picton from 1887 to 1890, is elsewhere referred to as the last Superintendent of Marborough.
, who sat for Nelson City in the House of Representatives from 1872 to 1875, came to New Zealand in 1863, under engagement as editor of the Nelson “Colonist.” Mr. Luckie was placed on the Commission of the Peace in 1869, and soon afterwards entered the Provincial Council. At the time of his election to the House of Representatives, Sir Julius Vogel offered him the editorship of the “Daily Southern Cross,” which he edited until the paper was amalgamated with the “New Zealand Herald.” In 1878 Mr. Luckie took charge of the Wellington “Evening Post,” and a year later was appointed Commissioner of the Government Insurance Department; but, owing to ill-health, he resigned in 1889, and accepted the post of assistant Commissioner, which he still holds (1905), Mr. Luckie is a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society of London.
, who sat for Collingwood in the House of Representatives from 1874 to 1881, settled at Totaranui in the early days; but afterwards retired and lived in Nelson. Mr. Gibbs owned the land on which the township of Collingwood was built when the gold diggings broke out there, and was the local Magistrate and Warden. He died many years ago.
, who sat in the House of Representatives for nine years as member for Motueka, was born in New Plymouth in 1845, and was partly educated at the Bishop's school at Nelson, but on account of the unsettled state of the country caused by the Maoris, he received but one year's schooling and had to pick up the rest of his education at intervals. He left New Plymouth with his parents in 1860, on the breaking out of the Maori war. At the age of nineteen or twenty he went to the West Coast with a survey party, and was engaged in laying out Westport. He then returned to New Plymouth, where he joined the corps of Bush Rangers under Major Atkinson, and then saw two years of active service. In 1868 Mr. Hursthouse went to the diggings at the Thames, and thence to Melbourne, where he worked as a mechanical engineer for three years. In 1871 he was at the Gulgong “rush,” where he was fairly successful. After that he came back to New Zealand to the “Green Half rush,” at Coromandel, which did not pay. He then returned to Nelson. Mr. Hursthouse's public life began in 1875, when he was elected to represent Motueka during the administration of Sir Julius Vogel, and he continued in the seat for nine years. After that he followed the occupation of a farmer till 1893, when he became manager at the Australasian Gold Trust and Pioneer Company's works at West Wanganui. Mr. Hursthouse married a daughter of the late Captain Fearon, and eight children were born of the union. He died at New Plymouth on the 11th of November, 1902.
was returned as one of the members for the City of Nelson in 1875, and sat in the House of Representatives for three sessions. During that time he induced Parliament to pass an Act to enable the corporation of Nelson to purchase from the General Government—into whose hands they had fallen at the abolition of the provinces—the Nelson waterworks and gasworks. Mr. Sharp occupied the Mayoral chair from 1888 to 1890, and is one of Nelson's oldest settlers. He was born at Maidstone, in Kent, England, in 1828, and was educated at Chatham House College, Ramsgate, for the Navy. He joined the merchant service, however, and in 1843 came out to New Zealand in the ship “Ursula,” as clerk to Mr. Francis Dillon Bell, afterwards Sir Francis Dilton Bell. Mr. Sharp was subsequently engaged as a surveyor under the New Zealand Company. He then received the appointment of assistant clerk to Mr. John Tinline, clerk to the Superintendent and Resident Magistrate, and when Mr. Tinline resigned he stepped into his place. A few months later he received the appointment of Registrar of the Supreme Court. In the old Provincial Council Mr. Sharp sat for two years as representative for Waimea East; subsequently he represented the Amuri; and for three years he was Provincial Treasurer. On the death of Mr. Poynter he was appointed Resident Magistrate, Registrar of Deeds, and Deputy Commissioner of Stamps; and after holding these appointments for three years he retired from the public service, and entered private business; from which he retired in 1885. Mr. Sharp is an honorary member of the Nelson Rifles, of which he was captain in years gone by. He is also an honorary member of Lodge Southern Star, No. 735, E.C., and one of the oldest-made Freemasons in New Zealand.
was elected to represent Nelson in the House of Representatives, in 1878, but resigned in 1881, on account of ill-health. He was born at Wilden Manor, Worcester, England, in 1843, and his father, the late Mr. William Adams, was afterwards the first Superintendent of Marlborough. The family arrived in Nelson by the ship “Eden,” in 1850, and in 1862, after gaining some experience in sheepfarming on his father's runs, Mr. ActonAdams was articled to his father's firm, Adams and Kingdon, of Nelson, and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1867. During the seventies he represented Nelson in the Provincial Council, and was Leader of the Opposition. In 1872, Mr. Acton-Adams, as treasurer of the Nelson and West Coast Railway League, drew the first scheme for constructing the line by means of land grants. After removing to Canterbury he founded the firm of ActonAdams and Kippenberger, but subsequently retired from legal practice in order to give more attention to his large station properties. Mr.
who sat for Nelson City in the House of Representatives from 1879 to 1881, is elsewhere referred to as a member of the Legislative Council, and as Attorney-General in the Seddon Government.
, who was first elected to the House of Representatives as a member for Nelson City in 1881, was returned in the following year, and held his seat until 1888. He carried on business as an engineer in Nelson for many years. Mr. Levestam, who married Miss Hargreaves, a daughter of one of the pioneer settlers, died very suddenly in February, 1889, leaving a large family, all of whom are settled in the colony.
, who sat for Waimea in the House of Representatives from 1885 to 1887, and for Motueka from 1887 to 1890, came out from England with his father in the ship “Fifeshire,” which arrived at Nelson in 1842. For some time he farmed at Waimea West, but evenually bought the Lake Run at Roto-iti, and worked it until he met his death by drowning, a few years ago. Mr. Kerr, who was a keen sportsman and took a great interest in racing, introduced some good American stock into the colony. He also stocked Lake Roto-iti with white fish, which have since become very plentiful.
was first returned to the House of Representatives on the death of Mr. H. A. Levestam, in 1889, and he continued to represent the City of Nelson up to 1893. He is a son of the late Mr. William Harkness, an early settler in the Nelson district. Mr. Harkness was born in Nelson, where he was brought up and educated. He is now secretary of the National Dairy Association of New Zealand, Limited, Wellington.
When Nelson was first constituted a borough on the 30th March, 1874, the boundaries enclosed an area of 2761 acres. The boundaries, however, were extended by a proclamation dated the 27th of December, 1878, and the borough's present area is 4800 acres.
Municipal government in Nelson began long before the town was proclaimed a municipality. At first the city was under the jurisdiction of a Board of Works, which was elected under “The Nelson Improvement Act of 1856.” The first election was held at the Court House, Nelson, on the 30th of July, 1857, when the following gentlemen were elected: Charles Harley, Maxwell Bury, John Luck, Joseph Webb, Alexander Rankin, Nathaniel Edwards, and William Norgrove. Mr. Maxwell Bury was appointed the first chairman, Mr. J. L. Bailey, secretary, and Mr. William Jennings, overseer.
Amongst the first tenders for cartage was one from James Moore, “Dray and two bullocks, at 30s a day.” The first rate was levied on the 15th of October, 1857, and was Id in the £ on the capital value. The first meetings of the Board were held at the Trafalgar Hotel.
In December, 1873, a petition was presented to His Excellency the Governor, signed by all the principal inhabitants, praying that Nelson might be constituted a borough under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867, and on the 30th of March, 1874, a proclamation was issued accordingly.
At the last meeting of the Board of Works, held on the 6th of April, 1874, the following were the members present: Messrs J. Perey (chairman), D. Burns, J. R. Dodson, C. Y. Fell, Thompson, and Jennings. On the constitution of the borough the then members of the Board of Works became, ipso facto, members of the City Council. The members present at the first meeting of the Council were: Messrs J. Perey (chairman), R. Burns, D. Burns, Fell, Hooper, Jennings and Thomson.
The Municipal administrators of Nelson have done much to improve the city as the home of a cultivated community: waterworks, gasworks, street lighting and drainage all bear testimony in this connection.
The city of Nelson is supplied from a mountain stream situated three miles distant. The works consist of a service reservoir and impounding dam, and the usual reticulation of mains throughout the city. The pressure in town at midnight is 130lb per square inch, and during the day it is from 80lb to 90lb. The supply is drawn from a bush-covered watershed of 1416 acres, and the water is bright and pure and suitable for all domestic purposes without filtering. The works were originally constructed by the Provincial Government in 1867, and were purchased by the Corporation in 1877. Extensive additions and improvements have been made by the City Council, including a new concrete storage dam to contain about 20,000,000 gallons of water, and a new 3-inch main, in addition to the existing main, to the town; the work having been designed and carried out by Mr. Henderson, the present City Surveyor, at a cost of about £16,000. At the same time the water rate has been reduced from six per cent, to three-and-a-half per cent, on dwellings, and to two per cent, on stores, etc.
The city is supplied by gasworks, now the property of the Corporation. They were originally erected by the Provincial Government in 1873, but were purchased by the Corporation at the same time as the waterworks. The works stand at a low level, halfway between the town and the port, and consist of the usual carbonising and distributing plant. Upwards of 3000 tons of coal per annum are carbonised and produce about 30,000,000 feet of gas which is largely used for cooking and heating, as well as lighting. The price charged is 6s 8d net per 1000 feet for lighting, and 5s 10d net for cooking and heating. The profits earned go towards the extension of the works and reduction in the price of gas, which has been reduced from 14s 2d per 1000 feet to the present price. In addition to this, the Corporation has spent, out of profits, no less than £23,010 on extensions up to the present date. The working plant is now (1905) in course of reconstruction under Mr. Henderson, City Surveyor. The additions include a new retort house,
The streets are lighted by 132 street gas lamps at an annual cost of £612 19s 6d.
The city is drained by brick main sewers through the principal streets, and pipe sewers in the by-streets; and the main outfall is into the sea. Private connections with the sewers are made by licensed drain connectors, under the supervision of an official of the Council, and all water closets are required to be fitted with proper flushing apparatus. A loan of £55,000 for a complete up-to-date system of sewers, including a septic tank, designed by Mr. Mestayer, M.I.C.E., has recently been authorised by the ratepayers, and the work will be proceeded with as soon as the negotiations for raising the loan have been completed.
An earth closet system has been instituted by the Council to provide for those who are unable through not being within reach of the sewers, to avail themselves of water carriage for the removal of nightsoil. The pan service is carried out weekly by a contractor employed by the City Council, at a cost of 4d per service, and the soil is removed to a depot outside the city boundary.
The rates levied in the city of Nelson are: General rate, 1s 1d in the £; water rates, three and a-half per cent, on buildings used as dwellings, and two and a-half per cent, on buildings used as stores or warehouses. There is also a special rate of 5¾d in the £. on the annual value, and a Hospital and Charitable Aid rate of 3d in the £. The total rateable annual value of all rateable property in the city is £60,205, and the annual revenue of the Corporation from all sources is a little over £18,000.
The loans raised for municipal purposes are: Nelson City Loan, 1875 (gas and waterworks), £5900, interest 6 per cent.; Improvements Loan, 1885 £4000, at 6 per cent.; Rocks Loan, 1892, £4000, at 5 per cent.; Abattoir Loan, £7500, at 4 per cent.; Tramway Loan, £1250, at 4 per cent.; Gas and Waterworks (renewal of old loan), £30,000, at 4 per cent, and 4½ per cent.; and Waterworks Extension Loan £15,000, at 4¼ per cent; total, £67,650. The principal part of the interest on the gas and waterworks loan is paid by the gas and water departments, which are more than self-supporting.
On the 31st of March, 1905, these were: Assets (including Gasworks and Waterworks) £83,333; liabilities (including loans), £78,924.
This roll contains 2133 names of persons entitled to vote at the municipal elections.
The extinction of fires is undertaken by a volunteer body, the Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade, which was founded in 1866. The brigade is supported by an annual grant of £225 from the City Council. Two fire inspectors are appointed by the City Council, usually the captain and lieutenant of the Fire Brigade.
The main road leading from the city to the Waimea and other agricultural districts surrounding the city formerly passed over the hills to the southwest of the town. In 1892 the local bodies Interested—namely, the Nelson City Council, Waimea County Council, and Richmond Borough Council— agreed to construct a level road round by way of the coast, passing along the picturesque portion of the seaboard known as “The Rocks,” from which the road derives its name. Nelson city originally contributed £4600, Waimea County £1500, Richmond Borough £500, and Government £1500, in cash, besides prison labour towards the work. The work consists of a concrete sea wall of about a mile in length, and the necessary filling was obtained from the adjourning cliffs. The total cost of the work, including prison labour, has been about £11,000. A handsome addition to the work was made possible through the generosity of Mr. John Tinline, who presented the Mayor, Mr. Trask, with a donation of £520, to provide a coping and chain railing along the sea wall, on the outside of the road. Mr. S. Jickell, A.M.I.C.E., then City Surveyor, was the engineer of the work, which was carried out under his supervision. The name of Mr. Trask, ten times Mayor of Nelson, whose untiring enthusiasm was the chief factor in the initiation of the work will always be associated with the Rocks Road.
consists of Mr. Harry Baigent (Mayor), and Messrs M. Lightband, J. B. Harrison, C. Haggitt, E. Webley, T. Pettit, A. H. Hounsell, A. A. Grace, H. Atmore, and W. K. Turner. The principal officers are: Messrs H. V. Gully, Town Clerk; John Henderson, C.E., M.S.E., city surveyor; James Walker, collector of rates; G. A. Edmonds, assistant clerk; W. L. Hesseltine, junior clerk, and James Graham, inspector of nuisances, etc.
, Mayor of Nelson, was also Mayor from 1901 to 1904. He was first elected to the City Council in 1893, when he defeated four other candidates, including Mr. John Graham, now member of Parliament for Nelson City. He worked hard to ensure the progress of the improved water supply scheme, as well as in many other public works. Mr. Baigent was born in 1844, at Wakefield, near Nelson, and was educated and brought up in the district. His father, the late Mr. Edward Baigent, who served as a member of the old Provincial Council, was among the earliest pioneers, and arrived by the ship “Clifford,” in 1842. He brought with him a small grist mill, and also a sawmilling plant, and took up land at Wakefield, where he set up a sawmill. The mill was of a very primitive kind, but was the nucleus of the large sawmilling business now carried on by Mr. Henry Baigent, whose Nelson yards cover about an acre of ground. On this area the office, sheds, and factory stand, and the yards are heavily stocked with timber. Mr. Baigent has installed the latest English and American machinery, including circular saws, band saws, planing and moulding machines, and a chain mortieing machine, all driven by a steam engine. The machinery at his mills was erect-
who was elected to the Nelson City Council in 1901, is a member of the Public Works and Reserves Committees. He was born in 1857, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, and was brought by his parents to Nelson by the ship “Sir George Pollock,” in 1861. He was educated at the Nelson public school, and afterwards worked for about seven years in his uncle's— Mr. Joseph Webley's—woollen mill, which was the first, and, for a considerable time, the only, woollen mill in New Zealand. Mr. Webley subsequently learned the trade of a carpenter, and started in business as a builder, in partnership with his brother, under the style of Webley Brothers. This partnership was dissolved in 1901, and Mr. Webley and Mr. H. H. Johnson then constituted the firm of Webley and Johnson, which now carries on business in Vanguard Street, Nelson. Mr Webley has been connected with Court Robin Hood, Ancient Order of Foresters, since 1894, and has passed all the chairs. He served for four years as a volunteer in the Nelson Artillery cadets. Mr. Webley was married, in 1881, to a daughter of Mr. Robert Lockerbie, of Glasgow, Scotland, and has five sons and one daughter.
who was elected to the NelCity Council in 1902, serves on the Drainage and Public Works Committees. He is further referred to as a former member of the House of Representatives.
was elected a member of the City Council in August, 1902, and re-elected at the succeeding elections. He serves on the Public Works, Reserves, and Cemetery Committees. Mr. Pettit is further referred to in the mercantile section of this work.
was elected to the City Council in April, 1903, and is a member of the Public Works, Reserves, and Cemetery Committees. He was born at Bury, St. Edmunds, Suffolk, in 1863, and educated at Dodham and Bury Grammar school. Mr. Haggitt studied for the profession of a surveyor, and came out to New Zealand by the ship “Piako.” Prior to settling in Nelson some years since, he followed various occupations. Mr. Haggitt takes more than ordinary interest in sports, especially in cricket and football.
who was elected to the Nelson City Council in 1903, was born in 1847, in London, and took his B.A. degree in 1870, and his M.A. in 1873 at Queen's College, Oxford. Mr. Harrison was a master in the Richmond School, Yorkshire, for eight years before coming to New Zea and in 1879. He taught for some time at Christ's College, Christchurch, and was afterwards headmaster of the Akaroa High School for five years. Mr. Harrison was married, in 1880, to a daughter of Mr. John Marshman, of Christchurch.
was elected to the Nelson City Council in May 1904, and is a member of the Gas, Water, and Finance Committees. He is also a member of the Harbour Board, and Secretary of the Nelson Rugby Union. Mr. Hounsell was born in Nelson, in 1872, and educated at the Bishop's School. He carries on business as a wine and spirit merchant in Hardy Street.
was elected to the Nelson City Council on the 26th of April, 1905, when he polled 1046 votes. He is elsewhere referred to as a member of the Nelson Licensing Committee.
was elected to the Nelson City Council on the 26th of April, 1905, when he polled 1,065 votes, the highest number recorded at that election. He is a member of the Finance Committee of the Council. Mr. Grace was born in 1867 at Auckland, and is a son of the late Rev. T. S. Grace, whose interesting life as a missionary is sketched in another part of this volume. In 1875 young Grace went to England, and studied at St. John's college, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, where he took a scholarship. On returning to the colony, in 1887, he engaged in literary work, and for many years was a close student of Maori lore. He has written several books, including “Tales of a Dying Race,” “Maoriland Stories,” “The Tale of Timber Town.” and “‘Tales of a Stone Age People.” Mr. Grace is a member of the Incorporated Society of Authors, London, Secretary of the New Zealand State Control League, Lieutenant of the H Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery, and a member of the Committee of the Nelson branch of the Navy League. He is also a Past Master of the Victory Lodge of Freemasons, Nelson, No. 40, New Zealand Constitution. Mr. Grace was married, in 1890, to a daughter of Mr. David Jennings, of Pangatotara, Motueka, and has a family of two sons and two daughters.
J.P., was elected to the Nelson City Council on the 26th of April, 1905. He was born in Nelson in 1846, and is a son of the late Mr. Robert King Turner, one of the earliest settlers in the province. After receiving his education in his native city, young Turner went to sea, a calling which he followed for twenty years, and for the greater portion of that period he was a master mariner. About 1874 he took up a sheep run at Admiralty Bay, near the French Pass, and this he carried on in conjunction with his trading vessels. When he retired from the sea he settled on his run where he resided up to 1904, when he handed over the property to his sons. Since then Mr. Turner has lived in retirement in the city of Nelson. He was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace by the late Judge Robinson in 1899. Mr. Turner married a daughter of the late Mr. Isaac Harvey, of Happy Valley, Nelson, and has a family of two sons and three daughters.
, Town Clerk of Nelson, is the second son of the late Mr. John Gully, the well-known artist. The family arrived at New Plymouth when Mr. H. V. Gully was only two years of age, and after a residence of eight years there, they were compelled to leave for Nelson, on account of the Maori troubles. After receiving the usual course of instruction at the public schools and Nelson College, Mr. Gully entered the office of Messrs Adams and Pitt, solicitors, Nelson, and was admitted a barrister and solicitor in May, 1874. Practice was commenced in Nelson, but after a year the position of town clerk became vacant, and Mr. Gully was appointed, and has creditably filled the office since that date. Mr. Gully also holds the office of secretary to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board; he is a director of the Permanent Building Society of Nelson, and a prominent member of the Howard Lodge of Oddfellows. In 1874 he married a daughter of Mr. B. O. Hodgson.
, C.E., M.S.E., City Surveyor, Nelson, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was educated at the Normal School and High School, and was brought up as a civil and mechanical engineer. He was for some time a student of the Edinburgh University under Professor Fleming Jenkins, and afterwards obtained an appointment in the Edinburgh gasworks. Mr. Henderson shortly afterwards entered the navy as assistant engineer on H.M.S. “Jackal,” and after serving for some time in that capacity, left the service to take up the position of surveyor and gas and water engineer to the borough of Aberavon, in Glamorganshire, South Wales. He held this position for six years, during which he obtained a first-class certificate and silver medal and money prize at the examinations of the City Guild and London Institute for gas manufacture. Then he went to London, where he was engaged by the National Oil Gas Company of Victoria to go to America to investigate oil, gas, and paper water pipes and railway wheels, and other matters connected with gas, water, and other municipal works. At the conclusion of these investigations. Mr. Henderson went to Victoria, and was for fifteen months consulting en-
, at Annesbrook, Stoke, is a large concrete building on a site of forty-one acres, and was erected, in 1900, at a cost of £7500, including the cost of the grounds, fences, etc. It contains all the most modern improvements. The adjoining land is divided into five-acre paddocks, which the butchers rent from the City Council, and in which they keep their stock until required. The works are connected with Nelson by telephone, so that the butchers are able to ring up the works day by day, and give their instructions for killing as occasion requires. About 800 animals are killed at the abattoir every fortnight.
; M.R.C.V.S., Manager of the Nelson City Abattoir, was born in 1860, in London, and was educated at the London University College School. After qualifying as a veterinary surgeon he practised his profession in England for four years, and then came out to Queensland. Mr. Barnes was subsequently appointed Government Stock Inspector and Veterinarian, and was in veterinary charge of the Central Queensland Meat Export Company's works—the largest meat works in the Southern Hemusphere—for eight years. He went to South Africa as Veterinary Captain to the Second Queensland Contingent, and was on duty in South Africa at the time of Cronje's capture, the relief of Kimberley and Ladvsmith, and the capture of Bloemfontein. Mr. Barnes received the Imperial Government's medal with one bar for service in South Africa, and soon after his return to Queensland he left for New Zealand to take up his present position, under the Nelson City Council. He has since been appointed Government Veterinarian and Veterinary Inspector of Abattoirs in the Nelson district. Mr. Barnes was married in Queensland, to a daughter of Mr. H. Rogers, editor of the “Gympie Times,” and has four sons and three daughters.
were erected forty years ago, and the buildings, which are of brick and concrete, include a retort house with forty-three retorts, a purifying house containing four large purifiers, an engine house, containing a two-horse power engine, and governor house, containing an automobile governor. There are four Ketch purifiers, and 150 feet of seven-inch condensing pipes in the open; and a scoop on twowheeled trollies is used for charging the retorts. A foreman, six stokers, and two yardmen are employed at the works.
, Foreman of the Nelson City Gas Works, was born in 1842 at Galston, near Yarmouth, England, and was brought up to a seafaring life. When nine years of age he was working in the coastal trade on the east coast of England, and was, later on, in the fishing trade out of Yarmouth Harbour. Mr. Hart came out to New Zealand as a young man, and, after working for two years at Anderson's mill, Auckland, went to sea for about twelve years. In 1875 he settled in Nelson, where he was appointed to his present position as foreman to the Gas Company. As a Freemason, Mr. Hart has been connected with Lodge Southern Star, Nelson, for eighteen years. He is married, and has one son and two daughters.
. For equipment and efficiency this brigade ranks amongst the best in New Zealand. It was farmed in 1866, after a disastrous fire at Mr. G. McGee's Hotel, whereby the four corners at the crossing of Bridge and Collingwood Streets were consumed. The citizens then met to consider the advisableness of forming a brigade to protect themselves in case of further outbreaks, and the Provincial Council contributed liberally towards its formation. Support was obtained by annual subscriptions from the public, supplemented by a gift of £100 per annum from the various insurance companies, and £40 a year from the Provincial Government. In 1889 the insurance companies withdrew their subscriptions, and consequently the burden of support was cast upon the City Council, which levied a fire rate for the purpose, and now spends over £200 per annum on the brigade. The plant is most efficient, and is valued at about £1,000. It consists of one 24manual engine, one hook and ladder carriage, with over 50 feet of ladders, and all necessary appliances connected therewith. There are nine hose stations in various parts of the town, equipped with all appliances for the extinction of fires. In each of these stations there are hydrants and 600 feet of hose, with branches, etc. Upon the nine reels there is over a mile of canvas hose, which is the only kind of hose used by the brigade. There are twenty-five members in the brigade, and the officers in 1905 were: Mr. T. M. Wimsett, captain; Mr. T. Woodward, lieutenant; Mr. J. Lipscombe, foreman of the hook and ladder; Mr. J. Whiting, No. 1 hose, Mr. W. Miller, No. 2; Mr. E. Boyce, secretary, and Mr. J. E. Hounsell, treasurer. Mr. Wimsett, who is the only member who has been connected with the brigade from its formation, is elsewhere referred to in connection with his business.
, for many years Secretary of the Nelson Fire Brigade, became a member at the Brigade's inception in 1866. He was born in London, England, in October, 1834, and went to Ballarat, Victoria, where he worked for about ten years. Mr. Cooksey then came to Otago, where he was for three years on the Dunstan, and then he moved to Nelson. He died on the 23rd of December, 1902.
, Nelson, contain three acres and a-half, and were opened in 1891. They are tastefully laid out with flower beds, and there is a pretty little lake at one end, and a playing fountain in the centre of the grounds. There is an aviary, which contains some of New Zealand's rare birds, and on the lake there are black and white swans and other aquatic birds. Seats have been provided throughout the grounds, and the footpaths are all laid down in asphalt. The gardens are under the control of the City Council, which maintains them in excellent order as a popular resort.
, Caretaker of the Queen's Gardens, was appointed in 1891. He is a native of the Isle of Man and came to New Zealand in 1874.
Joseph Reid Dodson
arrived in Nelson from Australia in 1854, in the brig “Return,” and a few days afterwards purchased the late Mr. Richard Renwick's interest in the browery, which he carried on up to the time of his death. In 1858 he was elected a member of the Board of Works; two years later he went to England with his family, and remained there six years. In 1874, on the constitution of the Nelson borough, he was elected its first mayor; he was re-elected in 1877, and each successive year up to 1881, when he finally retired from the Council. In his capacity of mayor, he entertained Sir James Ferguson and Sir Hercules Robinson, on the occasions of their respective vice-regal visits to Nelson. In 1884 he sustained a severe loss in the death of Mr. George Hooper, who had been his partner in business for thirty years. He purchased his partner's share in the brewery, which was afterwards conducted under the style of J. R. Dodson and Son. Mr. Dodson was a member of Christ Church vestry and a churchwarden until the time of his death, at the age of seventy-eight years. Of a very kindly disposition and genial nature, he had, during his long residence in Nelson, made a host of friends, and his death was universally regretted.
was elected Mayor of Nelson on the 26th of February, 1875. At that time municipal affairs were in anything but a satisfactory state. There was a large overdraft at the bank, and the accounts were in a state of confusion. But Mr. Levion was not discouraged, for, having a good knowledge of book-keeping, he set to work in earnest at the accounts, and in a short time got them into perfect order. He also urged the necessity for economy upon the council, and the consequence was that instead of an alarming overdraft there was ere long a balance to credit. Mr. Levien died in 1876, and was buried with Masonic ceremonies.
was first elected Mayor of Nelson on the 21st of June, 1876, on the death of Mr. J. H. Levien, and continued in office until the 31st of August, 1877, when he resigned. In November, 1881, he was again elected, in succession to Mr. Dodson, and held office for a year. Mr. Everett was a member of the old Board of Works, and for twenty years occupied a seat in the City Council. He served on the first Hospital and Charitable Aid Committee, of which he was chairman for many years, and he was also a director of the Permanent Building Society. Mr. Everett came to New Zealand in 1851, by the ship “Sir Edward Paget.” He died on Christmas Eve, 1904, leaving a family of seven sons and one daughter.
was first elected a member of the Nelson City Council on the 1st of October, 1875, and on the 31st of August, 1877, when Mr. Everett resigned his office as Mayor, in order to take a trip to England, Mr. Waters was appointed by his colleagues to fill the position for the ensuing three months of the term. While he held office negotiations were entered into for the purchase and taking over of the gas and water works at a valuation, and this purchase was ultimately effected. Mr. Waters carried on business as a bootmaker in Bridge Street for a considerable time, but he died many years ago.
, who was Mayor of Nelson from 1882 to 1887, is elsewhere referred to as sole partner in the firm of Fell and Atkinson.
, who was three times Mayor of Nelson, was first elected in November, 1887, in succession to Mr. C. Y. Fell. He is further referred to as a former member of the House of Representatives.
who was ten times Mayor of Nelson, is referred to in another article as a member of the Legislative Council.
, who was a Member of the Nelson City Council for over twenty years, before becoming Mayor during the years 1899 -1901, was born in Nelson in 1843, and is a son of the late Mr. Charles Harley, a very early pioneer. He was educated at Nelson College, and in 1858 received an appointment in the resident magistrate's office. In November, 1863, he was appointed deputy-clerk to the District Court, and assistant clerk to the Resident Magistrate's Court, and he held this position until the District Court was abolished. He was also collector of the sheep and dog tax and education rates. In 1868 he was made clerk to the resident magistrate's court; a year later he received the appointment of deputy registrar of the Supreme Court and returning officer, and was afterwards appointed provincial accountant. After twelve years' service he received three months' leave of absence on full pay, and was given a month's salary for his holiday expenses. In 1871 he left the Government service to enter into business as a brewer. Mr. Harley has been Provincial Grand Master in the Order of Oddfellows, and Chief Ranger in the Order of Foresters. He is also a Past Mark Master in the Masonic Order, and perhaps the oldest Mark Master Mason in Nelson. Mr. Harley was married, in 1865, to Elizabeth Jane Disher, and has one son and one daughter.
was elected Mayor of Nelson in April, 1904. He had been a member of the Nelson City Council since 1890, and had interested himself in gas, drainage, waterworks, and other schemes for the advancement of the city. Mr. Piper was born in 1836, at Hastings, Sussex, England. As a youth he went to sea, and on the outbreak of the Crimean war joined the storeship “Apollo,” in which he sailed for Malta, whence he was transferred to the express boat “Banshee,” and thence to the “Britannia,” the flagship of Admiral Dundas. Mr. Piper afterwards served on the paddle steamer “Cyclops,” which conveyed the 28th Regiment—the first British regiment to land on Turkish soil— from Malta to Gallipoli. Owing to his having sustained an injury, Mr. Piper shortly afterwards received his discharge from the British naval service, and he rejoined the merchant service, in which he was employed till 1860. On leaving the sea he engaged in storekeeping in his native town, where he remained until he left for New Zealand in 1872, by the ship “Asterobe.” Mr. Piper took up his residence at Nelson, where he conducted a temperance hotel till 1885, when he retired from business. He and Mr. Henry Baigent stood for the Mayoralty in April, 1905, when the voting was—Baigent, 728; Piper, 563.
On the 29th Of September, 1881, the city of Nelson was, by proclamation, divided into four wards; namely, Brook, Wood, Waimea, and Port Wards, for which councillors were elected as follows: C. E. Bunny, James Moorhouse and Francis Trask (Brook Ward); Henry Budden, J. H. Harley, and J. K. Little (Wood Ward); M. Crewdson, Robert Levien and William Powell (Port Ward); Thomas
, formerly a member of the Nelson City Council, was born in Scotland in 1831, and came to New Zealand, via Australia, in 1863. He joined Mr. Neale in business in Nelson under the style of Neale and Haddow. Mr. Haddow was thrice elected to the City Council, and takes an active interest in local and social affairs. He was married, in 1856, and has two daughters.
, who was elected to the Nelson City Council in 1875, served on that body for fourteen years, during which he assisted in carrying out many important works for beautifying and improving the city. Amongst these were the Collingwood Street bridge, the formation of Halifax Street, the extension of Haven Road, and a new dam for an increased water supply. Mr. Harley unsuccessfully confested a mayoral election against Messrs Dodson and Graham.
Nelson has a natural harbour formed by a boulder bank running in a north-east and south-west direction for eight miles. The entrance is to the southward, and the tide runs through it at the rate of five to six knots an hour. The navigable portion of the harbour is about three-quarters of a mile long, by about two hundred yards wide, and the harbour is well marked with buoys and lamps. There is an average rise and fall in the tide of 12 feet 6 inches, giving a depth of 20 feet on the bar; and neap tides are 6 feet 6 inches. Owing to the shallowness and intricacy of the present entrance, only vessels of the smaller class are able to call at the port; the largest, so far, having been about 1000 tons. In the early fifties, however, vessels of considerable tonnage either sailed or were towed into the harbour, but there was no wharf at which they could lie afloat at low tides. The first deep water wharf, built in 1856, was known as the “Napier Wharf,” and this had eight feet of water at low spring tides. Subsequently the Provincial Government built another wharf, which gave from ten to eleven feet at low water. The present railway wharf was constructed at a cost of about £24,500. The wharves, which are controlled and worked by the Railway Department, have a total berthage of 900 feet, and at 700 feet there is a depth of 20 feet at low water, ordinary spring tides. The facilities for quick despatch provided by the Department include a steam winch, hand cranes, and sheerlegs for heavy weights up to fifteen tons.
The lighthouse is situated on the Boulder Bank, and also the telegraph and signal station, from which the general bar and tide signals are shown, as well as tidal signals indicating the depth of water at the entrance, as shown by the inner tide gauge. The lighthouse has telephone communication with the pilot station; and an efficient pilot service, which is compulsory, has been established.
The Harbour Board is now (1905) cutting an entrance through the Boulder Bank, and, when completed, this will be a great improvement on the old entrance. The new entrance is to be dredged to a depth of fifteen feet at low water, ordinary spring tides, and will enable coastal vessels to enter the harbour at any time, and cargo steamers at high tides. The whole undertaking is under the personal supervision of Mr. John Barrowman, the Engineer to the Nelson Harbour Board.
The members of the Nelson Harbour Board for 1995 are: Mr. John Graham M.H.R. (chairman), Mr. R. McKenzie, M.H.R., Mr. O. W. Hanby, Mr. A. H. Bisley, Mr. A. H. Hounsell, Mr. George Talbot, Mr. Philip Best, Mr. W. Coleman, and Major Franklyn. Captain H. Collins is Harbour Master and Pilot, Mr. R. Catley, Secretary, Mr. John Barrowman, Engineer, and Mr. John McHarg, Dredgemaster and Dredge Engineer.
, Chairman of the Nelson Harbour Board, is further referred to as member for Nelson City in the House of Representatives.
, J.P., has been a member of the Nelson Harbour Board since its inception. He also serves on the Waimea County Council—of which he has been chairman—and is a member of the Licensing Committee, the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and the College Board of Governors. Mr. Best was formerly on the Education Board, and was chairman of the Appleby school committee and the district Road Board.
was elected one of the members of the Nelson Harbour Board on the 13th of February, 1905. He is further referred to as a partner in the firm of Messrs Bisley Bros. and Co.
, one of the representatives of the Waimea district on the Nelson Harbour Board, is further referred to in the Military Section of this volume. Mr. Coleman is a Justice of the Peace, a director of the Brightwater Butter Factory, chairman of the Stoke Road Board, a member of the Richmond Borough Council, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Chamber of Commerce, Inland Communication League, etc.
, one of the representatives of the Waimea district on the Nelson Harbour Board, is also a member of a number of other local bodies. Mr. Franklyn is elsewhere referred to as a member of the Waimea County Council.
, who has served on the Nelson Harbour Board since its inception, headed the poll for the city members at the election held on the 13th of February, 1905. Mr. Hanby is further referred to as editor of the “Nelson Evening Mail.”
, who became a member of the Nelson Harbour Board in February, 1905, is elsewhere referred to as a member of the City Council.
, M.H.R., who is one of the members of the Nelson Harbour Board, is referred to in another article as a member of the House of Representatives.
has been on the Nelson Harbour Board since its inception. He has served on the Education Board since 1892, and for ten years of the time filled the office of chairman. Mr. Talbot has also been a member of the Waimea Road Board, the Richmond Town Board, the Licensing Committee, and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. He was elected the first Mayor of Richmond, and held that office, without opposition, for over eleven years.
, who was appointed Engineer for the Nelson Harbour Board in August, 1901, was born at Shettlestown, near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1835, and received his education at the Shettlestown and Cambusland public schools. His father, who was a mine manager, took him into the works, where he served four years underground, and afterwards attended an engine. At seventeen years of age he was apprenticed as a mechanical engineer to the Camlachie Foundry Company, Glasgow, where he served two years and a-half, and finished his time at the Cowlairs Engine Works of the North British railway. When his term had expired Mr. Barrowman worked in various engineering shops in Glasgow and Greenock, and then received an appointment as mill manager at the Grangetown Iron Works, near Cardiff, South Wales, where he remaiend in charge for nearly five years, before taking control of the Mount Stuart Shipbuilding and Engine Works. Two years later he returned to Glasgow, and entered the firm of Clarkson Brothers, and after two years as a journeyman he was placed in charge of the firm's branch shops at Maryhill. However, illhealth compelled him to seek a change of climate, and in 1874 he sailed for New Zealand in the ship “Auckland.” On landing at Dunedin Mr. Barrowman found employment at the Railway Foundry of Messrs Fraser, Wishart, Buchanan and Company, where he remained until the firm dissolved, when he was placed in charge, on behalf of Mr. Fraser, with whom he continued until the business was wound up. Shortly after the inception of the Greymouth Harbour Works, Mr. Barrowman became mechanical engineer at the works for the Government, and was afterwards promoted to be inspector. In 1885 he was appointed Inspector of Harbour Works at Westport, and early in 1899 was engaged to superintend the harbour works at Strahan, Macquaire harbour, on the West Coast of Tasmania, where he remained until receiving his present appointment at Nelson in 1904. Before coming to the colony Mr. Barrowman took a great interest in Home politics, and was the means of forming several political and social clubs in Cardiff, Glasgow, and elsewhere in the Old Country. While in Cardiff he was a prominent member of the Loyal Windsor Lodge of Foresters, No 2379. He joined the Greenock Artillery in January, 1859, and is consequently one of the oldest British volunteers residing in New Zealand. He was also lieutenant of the Greymouth Rifle Corps for a time, and subsequently organised and commanded the Westport Navals, now known as the Westport Artillery. Mr. Barrowman was married, in 1857, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Tennant, of Westmuir, Scotland, and has had one son and two daughters.
who was appointed Harbourmaster and Pilot of the Port of Nelson in October,
Although there are twenty-two licensed houses in Nelson, instances of drunkenness are rarely witnessed in the streets. The Licensing Committee exercises authority over the whole of the Nelson electoral district, and at the last election the highest number of votes polled by a Prohibition candidate was 484 below the number obtained by the lowest moderate candidate standing. The Committee consists of the Stipendiary Magistrate of the district, and five other persons who are elected for a period of three years. Meetings are held quarterly for the renewal, the transfer, or the removal of licenses. Hotels in Nelson close at eleven o'clock. The Licensing Committee is composed of Mr. H. Eyre-Kenny, S.M., chairman ex officio, and Messrs H. Atmore, Philip Best, John D. Beuke, William Coleman, and E. E. Trask. Mr. E. C. Kelling, clerk of the Committee, is also clerk of the Magistrate's Court.
, who is exofficio chairman of the Licensing Committee, is referred to in another article as Stipendiary Magistrate of Nelson.
, who was elected a member of the Nelson Licensing Committee in 1903, also represents the ratepayers on the Education Board. Six days before the general election in 1902, Mr. Atmore, at the request of a large number of fellowcitizens, offered himself as a candidate for the Nelson seat in the House of Representatives, his opponents being Mr. John Graham, M.H.R. and Mr. Jesse Piper. Although the time was so short, Mr. Atmore rose to the occasion, and travelled over a great portion of the electorate, delivering as many as five speeches in a day; the polling, considering the short time the candidate was before the electors, was most satisfactory, the result being: Mr. Graham, 2156; Mr. Atmore, 1633; and Mr. Piper, 521. Mr. Atmore has decided to again contest the seat at the general election in 1905, and his supporters have already predicted the return of their candidate. Mr. Atmore was born in 1870, in Nelson, and is the son of an old colonist, who arrived by the ship “Creswell.” He was educated at the Nelson public school, and was apprenticed to Mr. A. Lawson, signwriter and decorator, Wellington, with whom he remained for eight years, before returning to Nelson, and started in business on his own account. Mr. Atmore is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of Freemasons, No. 157, Scottish Constitution, of the Southern Star Lodge, No. 735, English Constitution, Nelson and of the Forest Lodge, New Zealand Constitution, Wakefield. In the past he has been associated with various athletic bodies, and has represented the province in interprovincial football matches. Mr. Atmore has made a deep study of the liquor question; and to his efforts, and those of the Rev. McKee Wright and others, is due the formation of the State Control League of New Zealand.
, J.P., a member of the Licensing Committee, is also a member of the Nelson Harbour Board and of the Waimea County Council.
, a member of the Licensing Committee, is elsewhere referred to as a member of the Nelson Harbour Board, and as MajorQuarter-Master Coleman of the Nelson volunteers.
, J.P., was appointed to the Nelson Licensing Committee by the Government in 1904, to fill the seat rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. William Ackersten. He was born at Nelson in 1864, and educated at the Bishop's School, and Nelson College, Mr. Trask is president of the City Club, and a supporter and office-bearer of many local athletic and social organisations. He was married, in March, 1899, to a daughter of Mr. R. Simpson, and has two sons.
The county of Waimea comprises about 1160 square miles, and consists of a series of hills and valleys. There is good agricultural land on the Waimea Plains, where most of the farming in the county is carried on. The hills are utilised chiefly as sheep runs, and the largest run in the county has an area of about 10,000 acres. Hops are extensively cultivated, and the industry is a source of much revenue to the district; and fruit growing is carried on in the Riwaka and Motueka districts. The Waimea settlement is one of the oldest in New Zealand, and the county is noted for its good roads, which are much prized by cyclists. The 1,300 miles of formed roads maintained by the County Council, include 300 miles of main roads. Since 1895 the Council has been steadily engaged in the re-construction of bridges and established roads. The county is well watered, and the main streams are the Motueka and the Waimea.
meets at the office in Nelson on the first Thursday after the first Wednesday in every month Its members for 1905 are: Mr. George Macmahon, chairman; and Councillors H. Everett, Philip Best, John D. Beuke, William N. Franklyn, William Gill, and J. L. Rollet. Mr. S. Blomfield is the county clerk and collector, and Mr. J. G. Littlejohn, the county engineer, Waimea County has an area of 1,162,000 acres; a population of 7,833; 1,750 ratepayers; 1,700 rateable properties; and there is a general rate of ¾d in the £., and a hospital and charitable aid rate of 1–7d in the £. The assets amount to £3,000, and the liabilities to £3,166.
, who was elected in 1896 to the Waimea County Council, as representative of the Motupiko district, is now the Council's chairman. He had previously stood against Captain Forsyth at a by-election, but was defeated; but in 1896, when he again contested the seat against Captain Forsyth, and also Mr. Palmer, he was returned by a large majority. Mr. Macmahon has taken an intelligent interest in the affairs of the council during his tenure of office, and has actively supported measures for opening up the back country, forming new roads, etc. He was born at Riwaka in 1853, and was brought up to farming. Mr. Macmahon has displayed great interest in local and colonial politics, and is a member of the school committee and president of the Athletic Association of Motupiko. He is married to a daughter of the late Mr. Isaac Mason Hill, of Nelson, and has one son and two daughters.
who was elected to represent the Wai-iti riding on the Waimea County Council in December, 1900, is also a member of the Education Board, and one of the College Governors. He is elsewhere referrred to as a member of the Nelson Harbour Board.
who was elected to represent the Motueka riding on the Waimea County Council in August, 1902, is also a member of the Charitable Aid Board and the Motueka Wharf Board.
who has represented the Whangamoa riding on the Waimea County Council, since November, 1902, is also chairman of the Wakapuaka Road Board and a member of the school committee. He was born in 1862 at Wakapuaka, and is the son of an old colonist, his father having arrived in Nelson in 1842 by the ship “Mary Ann.” Mr. Gill has always engaged in farming, and at present holds 380 acres of freehold land which he devotes to dairying. He was married, in 1886, to a daughter of Mr. John Withers, and has a family of five sons and four daughters.
J.P., who is a member of the Waimea County Council, has also held office as chairman of the Council. He is further referred to as a member of the Nelson Harbour Board.
who is a member of the Waimea County Council, is referred to in another article as the proprietor of “Villa Farm,” at Sherry.
, who was appointed Clerk and Collector to the Waimea County Council in 1893, was born in the East of England, in 1868, and came out to New Zealand in 1883. He subsequently re-visited the Old Country, but returned to New Zealand in 1891.
, Engineer to the Waimea County Council, was born in 1869, in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and came out to New Zealand in 1881. He was educated at Wellington College, entered the Government service as a surveyor, and was for fourteen years stationed in the Wairarapa district before being appointed to his present position at Nelson in July, 1901.
was a member of the Waimea County Council, and represented the Wangapeka riding for nine years. He was first elected in 1893, and was returned unopposed on the second last occasion; and on the last occasion on which he stood, in 1899, he got in by a good majority; but refused to be nominated in 1902. He was made a Justice of the Peace in 1899. Mr. Kidson was instrumental in having the Tadmor river bridged. He was born at Nelson in 1851, and was storekeeping in the Motueka and Tadmor Valleys for sixteen years. Mr. Kidson was formerly a member of the Motueka Valley road board, and was also on the Charitable Aid Board.
served on the Waimea County Council for two terms, and during a portion of that time, held office as chairman. He was a member of the old Provincial Council, and has served on road boards, the Education Board, and been chairman of the Suburban North School Committee. He twice contested the Waimea district seat in the House of Representatives, but was defeated on both occasions; the first time by Mr. A. J. Richmond, and the second by Mr. Joseph Shepherd. Mr. Wastney was born in 1831, at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, and came out to Nelson in 1842 by the ship “Lloyds,” accompanied by his mother. His father was one of the early pioneers, and had come out with Captain Wakefield, and helped to found the settlement. As a boy, Mr. William Wastney helped to make roads and took his share of the rough work necessary for the success of a new settlement. He afterwards joined his father in the building trade, and subsequently removed with the family to Wakapuaka, where they bought land, and started farming. On the death of his father, Mr. Wastney took charge of the farm, which he managed successfully for many years. In 1900, however, he retired from active life, and bought a property at the Port, Nelson, where he has since resided, Mr. Wastney has been twice married; first, in 1855, to Mrs. Fowler, formerly Miss Edwards, who died in 1884, leaving five daughters and three sons, one of whom was accidentally killed; and in 1885, he married a daughter of Mr. B. Macmahon, of Riwaka. One daughter has been born of this union.
, formerly Engineer to the Waimea County Council, Lower Moutere, was born in Middlesex, England, in 1832. After being educated at a private academy, he engaged in farming for a short time, and came to Nelson by the ship “Agra,” in 1852. For five years, he was employed by the Survey Department in laying out roads. As county engineer for Waimea, Mr. Tarrant superintended the construction of many of the roads in the district, besides building the Riwaka bridge and a number of smaller bridges. Mr. Tarrant was a member of the Nelson Provincial Council for six years, and held a seat when the provinces were abolished. For twelve years he sat on the Nelson Education Board, and was chairman for the last three years, but is not now a member. He was made a Justice of the Peace in 1872. Mrs Tarrant, born in 1838, is a daughter of the late Mr. John Saxon who died in 1900, aged ninety-seven years. Mr. and Mrs Tarrant have ten children, six sons and four daughters. Their third son went to the Transvaal as a member of the first New Zealand contingent, and died at Pretoria. Mr. Tarrant is now a commission agent, and has an office at Motueka.
The military forces of New Zealand consist of a permanent body of artillery and submarine miners, the volunteers, and the militia. The militia consists practically of all male colonists capable of bearing arms in the defence of the country, but this body would be requisitioned only in case of extreme necessity. His Excellency the Governor is Commander-in-Chief; the Right Honourable Richard John Seddon Minister for Defence; and Colonel James Melville Babington, of His Majesty's General Staff (local Major-General), is the Commandant. Captain John Edward Hume commands the permanent force; and Colonel Thomas William Porter, C.B., is the officer in command of the New Zealand militia. Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin is each the headquarters of a military district, and each district is under the command of resident officers.
The Nelson military district, which comprises the provinces of Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland, is under the command of Major (temporary Lientenant-Colonel), George Cecil. Burleigh Wolfe, N.Z.M. (late Captain R.L.M.I.). The Adjutant is Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Sydney Vincent Trask, N.Z.M.; and the Principal Medical Officer, Brigade Surgeon Lieut. Colonel Walter Relf Pearless. The forces of the district consist of two field artillery corps, four corps of mounted rifles, twelve infantry (including cycling) companies, one bearer corps, seven cadet corps, and fourteen rifle clubs.
On the outbreak of the first Maori war, in 1845, two companies of militia were formed in Nelson. The staff officers were AdjutantMajor Newcome and Quartermaster Henry Seymour. Dr. Greenwood was captain of the No. 1 Company, Dr. Renwick, lieutenant, and Mr. Charles Thorp, ensign. The officers of No. 2 Company were: Dr. Monro, captain, Lieutenant Dillon Bell, and Ensign A. le G. Campbell. Except for attendance at a number of drills, their services were not requisitioned, and on the settlement of the war the companies were disbanded, but one of the members, Mr. John Sharp, senior, still (1905) resides in Nelson.
When war broke out in Taranaki, in 1860, a company of militia was again called out, under the command of Captain B. Walmsley and Lieutenant John Sharp, but was soon abandoned, owing to the formation of volunteer corps. The first volunteer corps in Nelson owed its origin to a meeting which was held in the Wakatu Hotel, on the 16th of February, 1860, at which it was resolved: “That a company of volunteers for military service should at once be formed; to be called the Nelson Company of Volunteers, to consist of seventyfive rank and file.” Messrs W. T. L. Travers, B. Walmsley, D. Walmsley, D. Sinclair, H. E. Curtis, J. Percy, J. Millar, and C. Elliott were appointeded a committee to carry out the purpose of the resolution, and so well did these gentlemen work that, in less than two months, a company was formed, with Mr. Travers as captain; Mr. S. Kingdon, lieutenant; and Mr. H. E. Curtis, ensign. Shortly after the swearing in of No. 1 Company— owing to the strong military ardour aroused in Nelson—a second company was formed, with Mr. N. Edwards as captain; Mr. A. Kerr, lieutenant, and Mr. B. O. Hodgson, ensign. A Volunteer Naval Artillery Company was also organised at the Port, under the command of Captain William Akersten, and Lieutenants Thomas Trewhellar and Frederick Stock. With the advice and assistance of Lieutenant Pocock, R.N., this corps soon became an extremely proficient and useful branch of the service. The public spirit spread to the country districts, and corps were formed at Richmond, Waimea (three companies), Wakefield, Motueka and Moutere. It should, however, be stated that an intense dislike to join the militia was one cause why so many volunteer corps were formed; the men were desirous of learning something about military tactics before being called upon for active service, but they also knew that membership in a volunteer corps exempted them from serving in the militia. After various changes in the regulations, “The Defence Act of 1886” was passed by the Legislature, and the new regulations framed under it made the discipline of the forces stricter, and placed them on a firmer foundation.
In 1868 there were Maori disturbances on both the east and the west coasts of the North Island. They did not particularly concern Nelson, but about fifty volunteers from the district went to help the forces which were employed near Wanganui, in an endeavour to put down Tito Kowarau, the rebel chief. When the Te Whiti scare occurred in October, 1881, nearly 200 volunteers from Nelson responded to the Governor's call for active service at Parihaka; and the Nelson Naval Artillery, H Battery, City Rifles, Stoke Rifles and Waimea Rifles took part in the expedition. Although there was no actual fighting, the forces gained valuable experience in drill, camp work, and rough campaigning. The Nelson volunteers were the first to arrive at Rohotu (where subsequently 1,200 troops assembled from various parts of the colony), and in company with the Thames volunteers, were assigned an important position in the advance upon and investment of Parihaka, when Te Whiti, Tohu, and Hiroki were arrested by the Armed Constabulary. Lient-Col. Pitt, the
On their return to Nelson the volunteers received an enthusiastic welcome from the townspeople and the Mayor presented them with an address on behalf of the Council and citizens.
The Volunteer corps of the Nelson district have always held a high position in the defence forces of the colony. In numbers, drill, discipline, and general efficiency, a very high standard is maintained, and at tournaments and military displays the Nelson Volunteers have always been able to hold their own against all competitors.
The New Zealand Rifle Association's meetings have generally drawn a number of competitors from the ranks of the Nelson Volunteers and members of Rifle Clubs; and on six occasions the Champion Belt of the colony has been won by Nelson marksmen.
The Nelson military district has had as its commanders the Hon. Major Richmond, C.B., Captain Baigent, Captain J. T. Marshall, Lieut.-Colonel Pitt, and the present commander, Lieut.-Colonel G. C. B. Wolfe.
N.Z.M., officer commanding the Nelson Military District, was born at Plymouth, England, and is a son of Major-General Wolfe, late of the Imperial Army, and assistant British Commissioner of Basutoland, South Africa. Colonel Wolfe received his education at the Manamead School, Plymouth, and was subsequently at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for a year, before being appointed to the Royal Marine Artillery. In 1882 he was transferred to the Royal Marine Light Infantry, and served in the Channel Reserve and Mediterranean Squadrons, retiring in 1897 with the rank of captain He arrived in New Zealand in 1898, and was appointed to his present position at Nelson in September, 1900. Having been engagted in military matters practically all his life, Colonel Wolfe is admirably suited for the responsible position he holds, and during the time he has been in command of the district he has endeared himself to all volunteers by the earnest painstaking and thoroughly military manner in which he has upheld the prestige of the various corps under his control.
N.Z.M., Adjutant of the Nelson Military District, is a son of the Hon. F. Trask, M.L.C., of Nelson, and was born in Nelson, and received his education at Nelson College, where he was also a member of the Cadet Corps. Captain Trask was one of the New Zealand Contingent sent to represent New Zealand at opening of the Federal Parliament in Sydney.
one of the Nelson Staff of Instruction, was for many years connected with the Wellington Volunteers, and held the rank of Colour-Sergeant in the Civil Service Rifles. After passing the necessary examinations he was appointed to his present position in 1903.
, of the District Staff, Nelson, is a native of Dublin, where he was born in 1864, and educated in the Marlborough Street national school. He entered the 47th Regiment in 1878, and served at the Curragh, Dublin, Aldershot, Gibraltar, and in India. SergeantMajor Healy saw active service in the Duki Expedition in 1884, under Brigadier-General Sir O. V. Tanner. After seven years' service in India he came to New Zealand in 1891, when he landed at Wellington, where, in the following year, he joined the Permanent Artillery, in which he won the medal for “the best shot” two years in succession. In 1893 he was appointed drill instructor for the Nelson and Marlborough district. SergeantMajor Healy was married in March, 1896, to a daughter of Mr. A. Scott, of Hokitika.
was organised in Nelson in 1873, and the services of the Battery were accepted by the Government on the 16th of April, of that year. Captain Albert Pitt (now Lieutenant-Colonel and Attorney-General) was the first Commander, and was followed by Captain E. Y. Walcott, Colonel, retired from the Bengal Staff Corps; Captain A. J. Leggatt, a veteran doctor of the Abyssinian campaign; Captain A. T. Maginnity; Captain Joseph Hyde, a Crimean veteran, and Sergeant-Major of the Royal Field Artillery, and later one of the Field Artillery Instructors of New Zealand; Captain Philip Topliss, V.D.: and Captain Edward Kimble Madigan, the present commanden, who has associated with him in command, Lieutenants A. A. Grace and A. O. Russell. The Bishop of Nelson is chaplain to the Battery, and its medical officer is surgeon-captain S. A. Gibbs. The Battery's armament comprises four six-pounder Nordenfeldt quick-firing guns, with harness complete. Drill is held every Thursday evening; and in November, the Battery always goes into a training camp for sixteen days, during which a thorough course of drill and gun training is carried out, all ranks being examined at the termination of the outing for efficiency badges, etc. The battery has qualified on two recent occasions as first class. At the Field Artilery Tournament, held in Christehurch, in December, 1901. H Battery was represented by eighteen members, who won many events; and in the grand aggregate of points secured third place in the championship.
was gazetted Commanding Officer of H Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery Volunteers, on the 6th of June, 1902. He first entered the service in February, 1884, when he joined H Battery as a trumpeter; and after passing through all the non-commissioned ranks was appointed lieutenant in March, 1901. Captain Madigan holds the New Zealand Long Service medal, and the Colonial and Auxiliary Long Service medal, and at the Easter manoeuvres held at Cable Bay, in 1904, he commanded the Red Division, a mixed force of volunteers known as the attacking party, who carried off the honours of the day, and were complimented by General Babington, on the clever tactics displayed by their commander and themselves in outflanking the defending force. Captain Madigan was born in Nelson in 1867, and is the son of Mr. P. L. Madigan, an old settler living
of the H Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery, was elected to his present rank on joining the corps in March. 1901; a year later he passed his examination at the School of Instructions and ranked second highest in the district for number of marks. In 1901 he was in charge of the Battery detachment at the Military Sports, Wellington, where his team won the driving contest through pegs, and he commanded the Battery at the Easter manoeuvres of 1905. Lieutenant Grace is elsewhere referred to as a member of the Nelson City Council.
V.D. was born at Westminster, England, and came out to Nelson in 1877, by the ship “Himalaya.” For some years before leaving England he served in the third Middlesex Artillery, Lord Truro's well known battery, in which he gained valuable experience. Captain Topliss first joined the Volunteer Force in July, 1878, as a gunner in H Battery, New Zealand Field Artillery, and after two years' service was elected sub-lieutenant, and subsequently appointed captain of the Battery. In 1881, owing to the illness of the first lieutenant, he was in command of the Battery in the Parihaka expedition. Captain Topliss was secretary to his company for over twenty-one years. On account of illhealth he was compelled to relinquish the command of the Battery in 1902, when he was presented with a valuable token of the corps esteem and good fellowship.
has its headquarters at Nelson, and comprises A Company, Marlborough Mounted Rifles; B Company, Wakatu Mounted Rifles; C Company, Takaka Mounted Rifles: and D. Company, Motueka Mounted Rifles. The staff officers are
of the 1st Battalion Nelson Mounted Rifles, first joined the volunteers in 1879 as a private in the City Cadets, in which he afterwards attained the rank of sergeant. He then transferred to the City Rifles, and after five years' service resigned from that company, but re-joined it three years later, and remained an active member until the corps was disbanded. In 1901, on the formation of the Wakatu Mounted Rifles, Lieutenant Stringer joined the corps as a sergeant; subsequently he passed his examination, and attained his present rank on the 2nd of December, 1903. Lieutenant Stringer was born in 1862, at Ballarat, Victoria, came to Nelson with his parents at an early age and after leaving school was apprenticed to the carpentering and building trade, under Mr. Andrew Brown, Nelson. For ten years he worked at his trade as a journeyman, and in 1895 started on his own account as a builder and contractor, in Bridge Street. Lieutenant Stringer is a most popular officer among the volunteers, and by his kindly manner and genial disposition has earned the good wishes of his fellow officers and volunteers, He is a member of the Royal Howard Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, Nelson. Lieutenant Stringer has been twice married; on the first occasion in 1887, to Miss Catherine Calder, who died in 1894, leaving two sons and one daughter; and again, in 1897, to Miss Ada Cooper, of Greymouth, by whom he has a family of two daughters and one son.
have a strength of seventy-six, and are composed of three bodies of troops; one at Motupiko, one at Nelson, and one at Wakapuaka. Unmounted drill is held weekly, and mounted drill twice a month. The officers of the corps are: Captain Arthur F. Trask, and Lieutenants John L. Ching, Charles F. Faulkner and Alfred W. Clayden. Messrs Faulkner and Clayden are in command of the Motupiko and Wakapuaka troops, respectively.
was born in Nelson in 1872, and is the son of the Hon. F. Trask, M.L.C. He received his education at Nelson College, where he gained his first experience in volunteering as a private in the College Cadets. Subsequently, with the assistance of Sergeant-Major Weller and Sergeant Bird, Captain Trask formed the Wakatu Mounted Rifles, and after serving as lieutenant was appointed captain in 1961. In 1900 he went to Australia as a lieutenant in the Commonwealth Contingent, and shortly after his arrival at Sydney, was appointed lieutenantquartermaster. Captain Trask resides at Stoke, where he engages in hopgrowing and cattle-dealing. He is a member of Court Robin Hood, Ancient Order of Foresters, Nelson, and has passed through the chairs of his court. He is also a steward of the Jockey Club and Trotting Club, and honorary starter to the last named; and he was for many years Secretary of the Wakatu Rowing Club. Captain Trask was married, in 1895, to Miss Laing, of Nelson, and has one son and one daughter.
of the Wakatu Mounted Rifles, first joined the volanteer service in 1891 as a private in the Stoke Rifles, and transferred to his present corps
Commanding the Wakapuaka troop of the Wakatu Mounted Rifles, was gazetted on the 4th of March, 1903. He is referred to in another article as manager of the sash and door factory carried on by the executors of the late Mr. John Scott.
comprises A Company, Stoke Rifles; B Company, Blenheim Rifles; C Company, Waimea Rifles; D Company, Nelson Rifles; E Company, Waitohi Rifles; and the Nelson College Volunteer Cycling Corps. The first officer in command was Major W. S. Littlejohn, who was succeeded by the present commander, Major George Alexander Harkness. Captain William H. Bryant is Adjutant to the Battalion. Drill is held monthly in Nelson.
Commanding the First Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers, joined the service in 1875 as a cadet of the 1st College Rifle Corps, and subsequently attained the rank of captain. In 1889, he was elected captain of the Stoke Rifles, and appointed Major in command of the Battalion in March, 1904. Major Harkness was born at Richmond. Nelson, in 1860, and received his education at Nelson College. After taking his M.A. degree he was for three years and a-half assistant master at the College, and was then headmaster at the Bridge Street school for eight years. In 1893 Major Harkness accepted the position of junior inspector of schools for the Nelson educational district, and a year later was appointed senior inspector.
was appointed Adjutant of the First Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers, in June, 1904, and is now (1905) senior captain and second in command of the Battalion. He joined the Waimea Rifles as a private in 1886, and after serving through all the ranks was appointed lieutenant in 1889, and captain in 1897. Captain Bryant was born at Brightwater, and received his education at Nelson College, after which he became first assistant of the Westport public school, and subsequently master of the Hope school. Since 1890 he has had charge of the Brightwater school. Captain Bryant was married, in 1898, to the eldest daughter of Mr. David Max, and has two sons.
was formed in 1862, with Major Franklyn as its first commander. Subsequently the corps was disbanded, but was re-formed in 1879, and is at present attached to the First Infantry Battalion. There are sixty-three members on the roll, are the officers are: Captain Edwin Arnokl, and Lieutenants A. Wilkins and A. T. White.
of the Waimea Rifle Volunteers, joined his present corps as a private in 1873, and was for years the champion shot of his company. Captain Arnold was born in Waimea West in 1855, and has always resided in the district.
of the Waimea Rifle Volunteers, first joined the service in 1895, as a gunner in the H Battery, Nelson. Subsequently he held a commission as lieutenant in the Takaka Mounted Rifles, which he resigned on being appointed schoolmaster at Spring Grove. Lieutenant White is elsewhere referred to as headmaster of the Spring Grove public school.
(formerly the Naval Brigade) is one of the oldest Volunteer companies of the district, and dates back to 1875. In January of that year a few enthusiasts resolved to form a corps, ostensibly for the purpose of establishing a battery to protect Nelson at the entrance of the harbour. A preliminary meeting was held, and in March the corps was formed, with Mr. Ralph Richardson as captain, Messrs P. L. Gully and J. Infield, lieutenants, and Mr. E. H. Tribe, secretary. When the Marquis of Normanby, then Governor of New Zealand, paid his first official visit to Nelson, a crew of twelve members of the corps manned the boat which brought the Governor to the landing place. In 1876 the Government provided a boat for the corps, which was christened the “Aurora,” and also placed, on Haul-a-Shore Island, two 24-pounder iron guns for the use of the Brigade. The wreek of the “Queen Bee” at Farewell Spit on the 7th of August 1877, was the means of placing the Brigade prominently before the public, as the crew, with Lieutenants P. L. Gully and W. Simpson in charge, succeeded in picking up the shipwrecked passengers and bringing them to Nelson. Late in 1877 Captain Richardson resigned his command, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Gully; and on the death of that officer, in 1879, Mr. W. H. Drake was elected captain of the corps. Owing to a regrettable disagreement in the brigade, in 1881, the Government disbanded the corps, but in October of the same year it was roformed, with Captain Ralph Richardson in command. He was succeeded by Captain C. Y. Fell, who remained in charge for five years, and, on his resignation, Lieutenant William Simpson was appointed captain. In 1897, at the request of the Government, the brigade was changed into an infantry corps, and it was then decided to call the company the Nelson Coast Guards. The naval uniform, which had been worn for twenty-three years, was discarded, and khaki adopted in its place. Two years later Captain Simpson resigned his commission, after having had command of the corps for twelve years. Lieutenant R. W. Stiles was then elected commanding officer, and the corps changed its name
. Commanding D Company Nelson Rifle Volunteers, first joined the service as a seaman in the Nelson Naval Artillery, and passed through all the grades up to his present rank. He passed his examinations at the School of Instruction, conducted by Colonel Owen, and was gazetted a lieutenant on the 24th of November, 1895, and a captain on the 11th of April, 1900. Captain Stiles has served continuously since the 26th of January, 1886, and holds the sixteen years' long service medal. Throughout the various vicissitudes of the corps Captain Stiles has even been ready to give his time and attention to all military matters affecting the prestige of the company, and has done his utmost to foster and encourage the military spirit of his comrades. Captain Stiles was born in Middlesex, England, in 1866, and at an early age came out to New Zealand with his parents, in the ship “Strathnava,” which arrived in Nelson in 1875. Since 1883 he has been on the staff of the Nelson “Colonist.” He has taken an active part in social and athletic matters, and is vice-president of the Nelson Rugby Union, a member of the New Zealand Cricket Association, captain of the United Cricket Club, and a member of the Federal Hockey Club. He acted for five years as secretary of the Rugby Union, and, on retiring, was presented by that body with a testimonial in recognition of his past services. As a Forester, Captain Stiles is a member of Court Robin Hood, and as a Freemason, of Lodge Victory, No. 40 New Zealand Constitution. In 1904, he organised a re-union of the past and present members of the Nelson Rifles, and compiled a record of the corps, from its inception in 1875 up to 1901, which he had printed in pamphlet form and distributed as a souvenir to those who attended the gathering, Captain Stiles is married, and has three children.
of D Company. Nelson Rifle Volunteers, entered the service on the 10th of November, 1892, as a private in the original Nelson City Rifles. In that corps he passed through all the grades up to the rank of sergeant, and when the corps was disbanded he transferred into the Nelson Rifles as a private. After holding rank as corporal and sergeant, he passed his examination, and was gazetted lieutenant on the 5th of September, 1900. He is an enthusiast in all military matters, and gives most of his spare time to the study of volunteer tactics. Lieutenant Stewart was born in Nelson, in 1875, and is the son of Mr. William Robinson Stewart, an old colonist. He attended the Appleby school, and was subsequently engaged on his uncle's farm at Appleby. After some time spent in sheepfarming at Palmerston North, he returned to Nelson, where he became wharf tally clerk for the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company. Lieutenant Stewart is a Past Grand Master of the Loyal Nelson Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, and was at one time a member of the local branch of the Independent Order of Good Templars, in which he held the office of District Chief Templar.
was accepted by the Government on the 24th of May, 1902. It is attached to the Ist Nelson Infantry Battalion. The first officers of the corps were Lieutenant Commanding William Westbrooke Squires, and Lieutenant James Houlker. The formation of a cycle corps had long been urged by the officers commanding the district and the various units, and this corps was formed and accepted mainly through the recommendations of LieutenantColonel Pitt and Majors Littlejohn and Major. The want of a cycle corps had been much felt during the manoeuvres' of 1902, when a movable camp was held in the Waimea Plains under the direction of Colonel Owen, the Commandant of the School of Instruction, who pointed out the advantage which the district would derive from the possession of such a corps. In 1964 Lieutenant Squires resigned, and Lieutenant F. Whitwell, then Pay-and-Quartermaster of the 1st Battalion, was appointed Lieutenant Commander. The membership of the corps is twenty-seven of all ranks. Drill is held every Wednesday evening, and the corps attends battalion inspection once a month. Each member provides his own bicycle, and and the special work of the corps consists in signalling and scouting.
of the Nelson College Volunteer Cycle Corps, first joined the volunteers in 1874 as a private in the old Nelson City Rifles, and passed through all the ranks up to Colour-Sergeant and Sergeant-Instructor in musketry. In 1879 he resigned and went to Australia on business, but subsequently returned, and on the
was established on the 1st of October, 1901, and has its headquarters in Greymouth. The corps forming the Battalion are: A Company, 1st Westland Rifles (Hokitika); B Company, Greymouth Rifles; C Company, Denniston Rifles; D Company, Reefton Rifles, E Company, Brunner Rifles, (Brunnerton); F Company, Millerton Rifles. The Battalion officers are: Major Charles George F. Morice, and the medical officer, Surgeon-Captain Ebenezer Teichelmann.
, which comprises three companies, is composed of boys attending the College, and together with the Nelson Rifle Cadets, forms the cadet Battalion of the City Volunteers. Commissioned and non-commissioned officers have to sit and pass examinations before being allowed to command or bear any rank. Drill is held after school hours twice a week. The officers commanding are: No. 1 Company—Captain C. H. Broad, and Lieutenants C. H. R. Watts, and V. Rout; No. 2 Company—Captain G. Everett and Lieutenants H. Harley, and P. Scantlebury; No. 3 Company—Captain M. K. McCulloch and Lieutenants G. S. Collyns and L. Jennings.
Commanding No. 1 Company of the Nelson College Rifle Corps, is a son of the late Judge Broad, and was born in Nelson in 1872. He was educated at the Nelson College, graduated B.A. at Auckland University in 1893, and in 1901 was appointed third master of the Nelson College. Before occupying his present position, Mr. Broad was one of the masters of the Boys' High School in Dunedin, and as such is further referred to on page 160 of the Otago volume of this work.
. Commanding No. 3 Company of the Nelson College Rifle Corps, was born in 1880, in Dunedin where he was educated at the Boys' High School. He took his M.A. degree at the Otago University, and subsequently accepted the appointment as assistant master of the District High School, Hampden, Otago, where he was also captain of the school cadets. Captain McCulloch was appointed fourth master at Nelson College in December, 1903, and shortly afterwards identified himself with the College Rifle Corps. He is a valuable player in the Nelson Football Club, and has represented the province in several interprovincial matches. Captain MeCulloch is also a member of the Nelson Rowing Club, and is stroke in the Maiden Four-oar Team. At the Picton Regatta, held on New Year's Day, 1905, this team succeeded in winning the race of the day, and its members were heartily congratulated for their splendid performance by the members of the visiting clubs.
was established in 1901, and is attached to the Cadet Battalion, which includes three companies of the College Cadets, Drill is held every Wednesday, the roll call of rank and file averaging forty-six. Since the Rifle Cadet Corps has been formed 118 boys have passed through the ranks, most of them having joined the Nelson Rifles and other adult corps. The first officer in command was Captain Andrews. He was succeeded by the present commander, Captain George F. C. Glover, who is assisted by Lieutenants T. Krahagen, and Edgar P. Worley.
of the Nelson Rifle Cadet Corps, first joined the volunteer service in 1899, as a private in the Nelson Rifles; and shortly afterwards, having passed the sergeant's examination, he was promoted to the rank of corporal. In April, 1903, he sat for a lieutenant's commission, at the School of Instruction, and in November of the same year was gazetted a captain. He was appointed to his present command in April, 1902. Captain Glover was born in Wellington, in 1874, and educated at the public school, Nelson. After travelling throughout New Zealand for seven years he came back to Nelson, and entered the firm of Tasker, Levien and Co., where he is still employed. Captain Glover is a member of the Maitai Lodge of Druids; and as a member of the Albion Football Club he has represented the province in interprovincial matches since 1899. He was married, in 1899, to a daughter of Mr. G. Flemming, of Nelson, and has one daughter.
of the Nelson Rifle Cadets, was born at Nelson in 1885, and is a son of Mr. William F. Worley, one of the masters of the Boys' Central School, Nelson. On the formation of the Rifle Cadets he joined as a corporal, and was gazetted lieutenant in 1902. Lieutenant Worley is a member of the Nelson Rowing Club.
of the Nelson Volunteers, has the Victoria decoration, and also the New Zealand long service medals. As a competitor he represented the Waikato in the colonial prize firing at Christchurch in 1872, at Nelson in 1873, Napier in 1874, Thames in 1875, and Brightwater at the first meeting held in 1879, and also in 1880, when he joined the Waimea Rifles. Major-QuartermasterColeman was born at Wollongong, Illawarra district, New South Wales, on the 17th of February, 1844. He was educated at the national school,
V.D., of the Retired List, first joined the volunteers in Nelson as a seaman in the Naval Brigade, on the formation of that corps in 1875. He passed through all the non-commissioned grades, and was subsequently appointed captain; a rank he held for seventeen years. In 1877, when the “Queen Bee” was wrecked at Farewell Spit, Captain Simpson, who at that time held the rank of lieutenant, was one of the Navals who volunteered their services to search for the shipwreeked crew and passengers. H.M.S. “Sappho,” and several Nelson and Wellington steamers were all on the same errand, but the Navals had the pleasure of picking up the passengers at Elmslie's Bay, French Pass, and bringing them on to Nelson. The Navals were publicly thanked by the Bishop of Nelson (the late Bishop Suter), and five guineas were subseribed and presented to them by Mr. Acton Adams. In recognition of the Navals' services, the Premier (Major Atkinson) forwarded a sum of £50. When the Brigade was transformed into a rifle corps (the present Nelson Rifles) Captain Simpson resigned the captaincy, but still takes a great interest in the company, and occasionally attends battation parades and annual encampments; and with his thorough knowledge of military tactics he is thus able to assist the officers in command. Captain Simpson's one hobby throughout his life has been volunteering, and he has done much to strengthen the movement in the military district of Nelson. Captain Simpson was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1854, and when he was a lad he arrived in Nelson with his parents. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship to the printing trade in the “Examiner” office, after which he joined the staff of the “Evening Mail”; and he is still connected with that paper. He is an Oddfellow of many years' standing, and was for ten years a member of the Port Fire Brigade, in which he was a hydrant-man until the brigade was disbanded. While he was a seaman in the Naval Brigade, he did much to encourage the manly art of rowing, and was one of a crew that won many races in Wellington and Nelson, with a whaleboat, named the “Thistle.” Captain Simpson was married, in 1882, to a daughter of Mr. John Kitching, an old colonist of Nelson.
was formed in 1873, and was the first important band in Nelson. It was originally known as the Artillery Band, and Mr. Alfred Oakey was conductor. It was subsequently named the Garrison Band, and, as such, it continued playing with success till 1888, when it disbanded. Mr. Morrish then formed and conducted a band, but at the end of a year that also disbanded. The present Garrison Band was formed in 1890, with Mr. Fred House as conductor, who was succeeded in turn by Mr. Morrish, Herr Balling, Herr Handke, Mr. Charles Trussell, and the present conductor, Herr Julius Lemmer. The band first tried contest work under Herr Handke, and secured fourth place at the Wellington Exhibition.
Conductor of the Nelson Garrison Band, is elsewhere referred to as the Principal of the Nelson School of Music.
In New Zealand the Government owns nearly all the railways, upon the extension of which large bodies of men are constantly employed. The post, telegraph, and telephone services extend to every town and hamlet in the country, and carrier pigeon services have been established with some of the outlying islands. Government administers also, amongst many other things, old age pensions, industries and commerce, tourist and health resorts, labour, inspection of machinery, life insurance, public trust, advances to settlers, public health, and valuation. In 1894 the Legislature authorised a State Fire Insurance Department, which bids fair to become a permanent office. In Nelson some of the Government offices are located in a block known as the Government buildings, while others are in various parts of the city. The departments of defence, education, justice, mental asylums, and insurance, are referred to in other sections of this volume; the other departmentsrepresented in Nelson are grouped under this heading.
, in Trafalgar Street, which has done duty for many years, is now (April, 1905) about to be replaced by a more modern building, on a larger, though less central site. The building will be a two-storied one, with a tower, dome, and provision for a clock. The entrance to the Post Office and private letter boxes will be from Trafalgar Street, and the telegraph office will be approached from Halifax Street.
, Chief Postmaster at Nelson, entered the Government service in 1863 as junior clerk at Auckland, and has risen step by step in the service, Mr. Stevens was chief officer of the Money Order and Savings Bank Department at Dunedin, chief clerk at Christchurch, and assistant inspector of Post Offices for the midland district before being appointed to his present position in 1902.
, Nelson, is one of the oldest offices in the colony, as it dates back to 1842, when the first Customhouse was at the entrance of the harbour near the beacons; but later on it was removed to a site opposite to what is now known as Burford's Wharf. The next building was on the site of the fire bell at the Port—close to Franzen's store—and was taken possession of in 1862. In 1881 the present building, which had previously been the Post Office, was taken over. Nothing dating further back than 1850 is to be found in the records of the Nelson Customhouse, where Mr. Charles Logie was then sub-collector. In 1853 Mr. Logie was made collector, and Nelson became an independent port. The same year Mr. Edward H. M. Blackmore succeeded Mr. Logie, and he in turn was succeeded in 1856 by Captain D. Rough, who held the office until 1868, when he was succeeded by Mr. D. Johnston. Mr. Johnston retired on a pension in 1880, and in 1881 the late collector, Mr. Wilson Heaps, was appointed. For the year 1865 customs and other receipts from the Port were £41,374. In 1873 the revenue amounted to £41,222. The year 1885 showed an increase of revenue, which stood at £46,000; whilst ten years later the receipts were £45,000. The highest revenue reached was in 1888, when it was within a few pounds of £59,000. In connection with the department there are two private bonds owned by Levin and Co. and J. H. Cock and Co. On the retirement of Mr. Heapson pension, after forty years of service, he was succeeded by Mr. Richard Carter, the present Collector of Customs, who was formerly Landing Surveyor for H. M. Customs, Wellington.
, retired Collector of Customs and Stipendiary Magistrate, who was appointed in 1881 to his late position, was in the Government service from 1864 to 1904. He joined the Customs at Lyttelton, and remained there until 1868, when he became Inspector of Distilleries, and was sent to Victoria to see the working of the Distilleries Department in that Colony. He filled the office with marked efficiency until distilleries were practically abolished in 1874. In 1875, during the absence in England of the then secretary of Customs, Mr. W. Seed, he acted as collector in Wellington, while the collector acted for Mr. Seed. Later on he relieved the collectors at Gisborne and New Plymouth for short periods, and eventually was appointed to the post of landing surveyor and acting collector in Wellington until 1881. Mr. Heaps, who is a native of Yorkshire, was educated at Sedburgh Grammar school, Queen's College, and the Royal College of Chemistry at Liverpool. He came to New Zealand in 1864, and immediately joined the Customs. In 1891 the Government appointed him sheriff of Nelson and resident magistrate for Takaka, Collingwood, Motueka and Brightwater, also warden for the three former places and Nelson. He was ex-officio chairman of the Motueka licensing committee and Judge of the Assessment Courts for Collingwood and Takaka. Among many other duties, Mr. Heaps was also registrar of shipping, local officer for the payment of Imperial pensions and receiver of wrecks. He has been a member of the Diocesan Synod for over twenty years, and was churchwarden of Christ Church parish at the time the cathedral was built, and took a leading interest in that work. Mr. Heaps married, in 1870, Julia Gertrude Isabel, daughter of Darey Haggitt, Esquire, solicitor, Dunedin, and sister of the late B. C. Haggitt, Crown Prosecutor, Dunedin.
. The Nelson Lands and Survey district has an area of 8884 square miles. The offices of the Department are located in the Government Buildings, near the Queen's Gardens, Nelson. Mr. W. G. Murray is Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor; he has a staff of seventeen officers, and there are district offices at Takaka, Westport and Reefton.
, who was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for the Nelson district in 1902, had previously held a similar office in Westland, where he had been connected with the Department for thirty-five years. Mr. Murray was born in 1841, in Banfïshire, Scotland, where he received his education and training as a surveyor. When about twenty years of age he came out to New Zealand, and started to practise his profession in partnership with Mr. Seeley, but a year later he proceeded to the West Coast, and entered the Government service. Mr. Murray was married, in 1872, to Miss Smith, of Victoria, and has two sons and two daughters.
, Senior District Surveyor for the Nelson district, was born in Nelson in 1858, where he attended the public school. He obtained a provincial scholarship which entitled him to two years of free tuition at Nelson College, and after having passed the junior and senior Civil Service Examinations, he joined the Survey Office in 1874, at the early age of sixteen. Mr. Sadd was sent into the field as assistant surveyor when under twenty years of age, and,
in Nelson is situated on the ground floor of the Government Buildings. The department deals with the registration of documents under the Land Transfer Act.
, Assistant Land Registrar and Deputy Commissioner of Stamps at Nelson, was born at Porirua, near Wellington, on the 3rd of December, 1861. He was educated at a private school, and at Wellington College, and entered the Government service in 1875 as a cadet in the Government Life Department, from which he was transferred to the Lands and Deeds Office in 1878. After serving two years in the Wellington office, Mr. de Castro was promoted to Christchurch, and remained there for two years and ahalf before being appointed chief clerk at Hokitika, where he served for four years and a-half. He then became assistant Land Registrar and Deputy Commissioner of Stamps at Blenheim, and received his present appointment at Nelson in 1892. Mr. de Castro has been a member of the 1st Westland Rifles, and of the Blenheim City Rifles, and was secretary of both corps. As a Freemason, he is Master of Lodge Victory, Nelson, has been Master of the Wairau Lodge, Blenheim, of Killarney Lodge, Blenheim, and of the Motueka Lodge, as well as Grand Principal in the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter. He was formerly a member of the Star Boating Club at Wellington, and of the Canterbury Rowing Club at Christchurch, and in 1881 helped to found the East Christchurch Football Club, of which he was secretary. Mr. de Castro was married, in 1886, to a daughter of Mr. E. B. Dixon, Inspector of Schools, Hokitika, and has two sons and two daughters.
is in the old Savings Bank Buildings, in Trafalgar Street, Mr Edward P. Watkis, the District Agent, acts also as Commissioner of Native Reserves.
in Nelson is on the first floor of the Government Buildings. The department's duties include the inspection of all classes of stock, the inspection of dairies, and the extension of advice and assistance to orchardists and farmers.
, Chief Inspector of Stock for the Nelson District, was appointed to his present position in 1904. He is a son of the late Hon. Captain Fraser, was born in Inverness, Scotland, and was educated partly in France, partly in the Channel Islands, and partly in Australia. Mr Fraser arrived at Wellington with his parents in 1858. He joined the Lands Department of the Government service in 1892, and four years later was transferred to the Department of Agriculture, when he received the appointment of Assistant Chief Inspector of Stock for the South Island. Mr. Fraser is further referred to at page 141 of the Otago volume of this Cyclopedia.
. The office of the Public Works Department in Nelson is in Trafalgar Street, and Mr. W. A. Shain is the officer in charge. It is somewhat difficult to define the area of the Nelson public works district, as bridges and other road works, not done by the county council or road boards, are carried out by the Lands Department, but otherwise the departmental officer is in charge of all public works in the Nelson district, which includes the coast line round Tasman and Golden Bays to Cape Farewell, and what is termed the Motupiko end of the Midland Railway.
is in the back portion of the Government Life Insurance Buildings, in Hardy Street. An adjoining right-of-way gives a side entrance to the office. The Inspector of Factories and Agent for the Labour Department is Mr. S. Tyson.
was born in Scotland in 1864, and was brought up as a millwright. In 1884, he arrived in Wellington, and followed his trade in New Zealand for several years, and for a short period in Fiji. He joined the Labour Department in 1904, and was appointed to the charge of the Nelson branch in March of the same year.
, in Nelson, is on the first floor of the building occupied by Messrs W. Rout and Sons in Hardy Street. The office hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mr. Sidney Blomfield, the Registrar, is elsewhere referred to as Clerk of the Waimea County Council.
embraces the two provincial districts, but the Marlborough district is included in that of Wellington. Inspector E. Wilson, whose whose headquarters are at Greymouth, is the officer in charge of the district, and Sergeant John Bougan has charge of the Nelson station and the country embraced between Spring Grove, Collingwood and the Croiselles. There are twenty-two police stations in the combined district. For the year 1904 there were 100 offences reported at Nelson station alone, and out of this number ninety-four arrests or summonses were made; three prisoners were committed for trial; eighty-five males and five females were convicted, and eleven males and one female were discharged. The Nelson Police Station, in St. John Street, is convenveniently situated near the centre of the city, and is well appointed. The sergeant's residence adjoins the station. The staff for Nelson city consists of the sergeant-in-charge, a gaoler, five constables, and a plain clothes policeman. One of the constables acts as Inspector of Weights and Measures.
Officer In Charge of the Nelson Station and District, traces his descent to a Huguenot family, and is a native of the North of Ireland. He was educated and brought up on Lord Ranfurly's estate, and afterwards learned the trade of a millwright. In 1878 he came out to New Zealand, and the following year joined the police force at Wellington. Subsequently Sergeant Dougan was stationed in Sydenham, Christchurch, where he had charge for ten years. He has also been stationed in Christchurch and Temuka, and was promoted to his present position in 1898.
, situated in St. John. Street, between the Police Station and the Government Buildings, consists of four cells at the rear of the gaoler's house. They were constructed in 1901, and are built of concrete. A hot air service renders the cells habitable in the winter months. A small exercise yard is surrounded by a lofty iron fence, which is surmounted by rows of sharp iron spikes. Prisoners committed to this gaol may be kept there for one month, but if their sentences exceed that length of time they are transferred to the Terrace Gaol, Wellington. During 1904, eighty-seven males and three females were admitted to the Nelson Police Gaol; of this number eight were sent to other prisons, three were committed to the mental hospital and twenty
in Nelson, is in the buildings occupied by Messes W. Rout and Sons, in Hardy Street, at the corner of Church Street. Mr. W. Rout, junior, is the Deputy Official Assignee in Bankruptey.
. This section was opened to Wal-Iti (nineteen miles) on the 1st of February, 1876; to Belgrove (twenty-two miles) in July, 1881; and to Motupiko (thirty-two miles) in February, 1899. The section to Waiiti was constructed by the late Mr. John Scott, at a cost of about £7000 per mile. The contractors for the work from Wai-iti to Belgrove, were Messrs McGuire and Day; from Belgrove to Spooner's Range (including a tunnel three-quarters of a mile in length) the work was carried out by McGuire and party, and the remaining portion of the line by cooperative labour. The total cost of the railway up to the 31st of March, 1904, was £309,106. The line is under Government control. Since 1898, the Railway Department has had charge of the wharf at the Port, which has been re-built and added to at a cost of £8,000. The following are the stations in charge of officers of the department: Port, Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, Belgrove, and Motupiko. Six stationmasters, four clerks, one cadet, twenty-two maintenance men, and from twenty to thirty casual hands as required, are employed on the section. Trains are run twice daily each way, and extra trains on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
, formerly District Manager of the Nelson Section of the New Zealand Railways, was appointed to that position on the 9th of February, 1897. He was bornat Opawa, Christchurch, and is the son of the Hon. Edward Richardson, C.M.G., who has several times been Minister of Public Works, and who, in conjunction with Mr. G. Holmes, constructed the Lyttelton tunnel and other sections of railway in Canterbury. Mr. G. E. Richardson was educated at Midmont school, and subsequently attended the Boys' High school at Christchurch. He entered the service of the New Zealand Railways as an apprentice in the Addington workshops in June, 1883. After two years' service he was transferred to the Petone workshops, where he continued till 1887. Upon completing his apprenticeship, and after passing through every branch of the profession, he was sent to the Wanganui workshops. In 1889, Mr. Richardson was again transferred to the head office at Wellington, where for two years he was engaged in the head draughting office. He was then appointed relieving officer in the locomotive department for New Zealand, and filled that position until he was appointed district manager of the Nelson section, whence he was promoted to the managership of the Westport section in May, 1900; and in May, 1905, he was placed in charge of the railway workshops at Hillside, Duneedin. In 1895, Mr. Richardson married the daughter of Mr. H. W. Brabant, then Magistrate of Wanganui and adjacent districts, and now (1905) Stipendiary Magistrate at Napier.
, which is scheduled as 4th class, is sitnated conveniently near the town. The station buildings contain the usual offices and appointments, and the large yard has a goods shed, carriage sited, engine shed, store, and railway workshops. Mr. E., G. Wilson is the stationmaster-in-charge.
, Stationmaster-in-Charge of the Nelson section, was born in 1861, at Rangiora, Canterbury, where he was educated. On leaving school in 1875, he joined the railway service as a cadet, and was afterwards a railway telegraphist at Selwyn and Rangitata. Mr. Wilson was then promoted to the position of stationmaster at Ealing, and served in a similar capacity at Washdyke, Albury, Fairlie, Burnham, Leeston, Greymouth, Brunner, Feilding, and Woodville, successively, before being appointed to his present position in 1900.
consist of two sheds. The machine shop is 36 feet by 100 feet, and is fitted up with a three-horse power steam engine and boiler, by Messrs Ruston and Proctor, two lathes (6-inch and 8-inch centres), shaping, drilling and screwing machines, band and circular saws, etc. The whole of the rolling stock required for the section, which is an expensive one to work, is erected at the workshops.
, formerly leading fitter at the Nelson Railway Workshop, is a son of Mr. Robert Allan, who was for forty years a passengertrain driver on the Caledonian railway, and was born in Glasgow in 1854, and educated at the railway school. Mr. Allan was for more than two years in the running sheds at Carstairs, and finished the terms of his apprenticeship at the St. Rollox workshops, Glasgow. He afterwards worked as a journeyma in the Cowlairs workshops of the North British railway for about eighteen months, and put in a short time at the Marine Works on the Clyde. In 1877 Mr. Allan came out to New Zealand in the ship “Trueman, and was for twelve months in Dunedin before going to Wellington, where he is said to have driven the first steam tram in the Southern Hemisphere. In 1888, he joined the railway department at the Petone workshops, and was shortly afterwards transferred to Nelson.
Actual want is not common in New Zealand, where there are not such extremes of wealth and poverty as there are in European countries. Still the thing is at least elementally present, and Old Age Pensions have been instituted to aid those who, through no personal fault, fail to accumulate sufficient wealth to tide them over in their declining years. But the State pensions are not looked upon as a charity, nor the pensioners as persons who have suffered any loss of human dignity. In the province of Nelson, Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards sit at Nelson, Westport and Reefton. In the city there is a home for aged settlers in destitute circumstances; and many pioneers, of both sexes, have in their old age accepted the relief offered by this institution, where they may spend their remaining years without suffering any loss of self-respect. There are also private orphanages; such as the Girls' Orphanage, in connection with the Convent, and the St. Andrew's Anglican Orphanage. At Stoke there is the St. Mary's Orphanage and Industrial School, which is referred to in another section of this vol-
is sitnated on a site of seven acres on the Waimea Road; it includes the surgeon's residence and grounds, and commands an excellent view. The building, which is constructed of wood, contains two large wards for males and females respectively, a supplementary or overflow ward, two isolation rooms, two dining rooms, an operating room, a smoking room for convalescents, and a sitting-room for female convalescents, a kitchen and laundry, and rooms for the nurses and the dispenser; also a waiting-room and a consulting-room for outdoor patients. The hospital can accommodate forty-five patients, as the men's ward contains twenty-three beds, and the women's twenty-two. The staff consists of the resident surgeon (Dr. W. J. Mackay), a matron, dispenser, two charge nurses, an assistant nurse, and seven probationers.
, Resident Surgeon at the Nelson Hospital, was appointed to the position in 1900. Formerly, Dr. Mackay was in practice as a medical practitioner in Nelson. He graduated M.D. with distinction in first doctorate (Brussels, 1885), L.R.C.P. and L.M. (Ireland 1878), and L.R.C.S. (1878). Dr. Mackay is a prizeman in anatomy and practical chemistry, and in surgery, and the practice of medicine. He is a member of the British Medical Association (Medical Directory, 1887). He practised for several years in the Old Country, and is a member of the Junior Conservative Club, London.
, Matron of the Nelson Hospital, was born in Clifton, Gloucestershire, England. She received her training as a nurse in London, and afterwards followed her profession in Belfast, and in Sheffield. In 1902 she came out to New Zealand, and for a few months practised as a private nurse in Auckland, after which she received an appointment at the Government Sanatorium, Cambridge. Miss Davis accepted her present appointment in November, 1904.
is situated at the back of the Boys' College, on a splendid site of sixty-nine acres. It faces the Waimea Road, and commands a capital view of the neighbourhood. Originally the hospital was domiciled in the Taranaki Buildings, which were constructed for refugees during the Taranaki war of 1864. As time went on the building became too small and
, Superintendent of the Nelson Mental Hospital, received his present appointment in 1904. He was for several years on the staff of the Sunnyside Asylum, and is referred to in that connection at pages 158–159 of the Canterbury volume of this work.
, Stoke, Nelson. This institution is charmingly situated amongst hills, with gigantic blue gums and fir trees in the background, and an unsurpassed view of the harbour and Mount Arthur in the distance. The building, which is one of the handsomest of its kind in New Zealand, is an admirable monament to the taste and talent of the architect, Mr. John S, Swan, of Wellington, and to the skill and workmanship of the Buildér, Mr. William Grant, of Nelson. The style is slightly Romanesque; and the building, which is throughout of brick, on concrete foundations, has plaster facings, with five gables showing to the front, and is roofed with Marseilles tiles. The length of the building is 240 feet, depth 157 feet, and the average height of the rooms, of which there are thirty-five, is fifteen feet. Special attention has been paid to lighting, two wells having been placed in the centre for that purpose, and each room contains far more than the number of windows generally found in such institutions. To ensure perfect ventilation, Boyle's fan ventilators have been installed, and huge fireplaces have been built in the principal rooms to ensure the comfort of the inmates. There are three class rooms, each 22 feet 6 inches by 22 feet; a dining hall 43 feet 6 inches by 25 feet; two dormitories, 82 feet by 36 feet and 75 feet by 35 feet 9 inches, each containing 50 beds. Off these rooms there are dressing rooms, and a lavatory measuring 48 feet by 12 feet 6 inches, with a three-inch table running nearly the length of the room, with a pipe earrying running water, and a tap for each of the numerous bowls on either side of the table, A channel down the centre of the table carries away the water, and there are six large bath tubs with a supply of hot and cold water. The dressing room is fitted with lockers, wardrobes, and hanging presses. Over 257 feet of corridors with a width of 8 feet, run through the building, and in all the rooms and halls there is a five-feet dado. A little to the left of the centre of the building there is a chapel and sacristy, over which there is a bell tower, which rises to a height of about 60 feet from the ground. A beautiful memorial window has been placed in the chapel to perpetuate the name of the late Very Rev. Dean Mahoney. Thirteen concrete steps lead up to the main entrance, with a reception room on the right and an office on the left; and a beautiful arch spans the vestibule. To the rear and detached from the main building, there is further accommodation, which includes a hospital containing a ward 36 feet by 18 feet, the nurse's rooms, a Kitchen a bathroom, and a lavatory. All the bricks used in the crection of the Home were made in the kilns on the property, on which brickmaking has become an important industry. The hop fields connected with the Home have averaged as high as half-a-ton to the acre. The property is nearly 700 acres in extent, and has its own private reservoir. There are ninety-two boys at the school. The Rev. George Mahony is at the head of the institution, and is ably assisted by Mr. and Mrs. William Fitzgerald, and a staff of secular teachers.
Tyree, photo.
, Principal of St. Mary's Orphanage and Industrial School, Stoke, Nelson, is further referred to in the ecclesiastical section of this volume.
, Resident Master of St. Mary's Orphanage and Industrial School, Stoke, was born in Hokitika, in 1870. He was appointed to his present position in 1901.
, in Waimea Street, Nelson, is centrally situated. It was built many years ago, and was originally intended for an immigration barracks. The buildings have two stories, and contain fiftyfour rooms, of which forty are bedrooms. Services are held at the Home during the week and on Sundays by ministers of different denominations. The Old People's Home is in charge of a matron and one assistant.
The free, secular, and compulsory system of education, which has been in vogue in New Zealand since 1877, was avowedly based upon the system previously in forte in the provincial district of Nelson, in respect to government by a central board through local committees. The first private school in Nelson was opened on the 27th of March, 1842, and the first public school commenced on the 11th of September in the same year. Shortly alter wards the Nelson School Society was established, chiefly through the effoits of the late Mr. Matthew Campbell. Under the auspices of this society branch schools were opened at Wakefield in 1843, Spring Grove in 1845, Stoke in 1845, Waimea West in 1846, Richmond in 1846, Waimea East in 1848, and at Riwaka in 1848. In the latter year the number of children attending the public schools was 422. Subszquently schools were established at Clifton Terrace, Hope, Appleby, and Motupipi. Upon the establishment of the provinces in 1854, the Provincial Council appointed a Commission to prepare a system of primary education. This commission after some discussion, agreed: “That as every settler was to be called upon to pay for its support, whatever his religious opinions might be, the basis on which the scheme ought to rest must in equity be a secular one.” A Bill based upon this report was passed in 1856, with a clause allowing a Bible lesson to be read in schools at a special hour, with a proviso that parents, objecting to this, might withdraw their children during the lesson. It was also provided that separate schools established by Roman Catholics or other religious bodies, should be subsidised to the same extent as the ordinary schools, if thrown open by their conductors for inspection by the Central Board of Education. Under this system the province was divided into education districts, each with its local committee, and each committee returned a member to the Central Board. When the Education Act of 1877 came into force, the Nelson system was merged in the national one. At that time there were 3,839 scholars on the rolls. not counting the denominational schools which had been established; and the Roman Catholic schools had 590 scholars, with a staff of twelvé teachers.
has its office in Trafalgar Street, His Excellency the Governor is Visitor, and the members of the Council are: Messrs T. H. Bannehr, Philip Best, J. Henry Cock, C. Y. Fell, B.A., W. N. Franklyn, John Graham, M.H.R., F. W. Hamilton, G A. Harkness, M.A., and F. H. Richmond. Mr. James Blair is Secretary.
, formerly Secretary of the Nelson College Board of Governors, took office in July, 1896. He was born in Englánd in 1842, and landed in New Zealand in 1862. Shortly after his arrival he entered the service of the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland, and afterwards occupied various positions in the bank in different parts of the Colony. In 1880 he took charge of the Nelson branch, and about sixteen years later, when the amalgamation with the Colonial Bank of New Zealand took place, he was retired. Mr. Holloway has acted as churchwarden of All Saints, Nelson, for many years, and is also connected with the Sunday schools and mission rooms. He resides in Bronte Street, Nelson.
owes its origin to the New Zealand Company, which founded the settlement. From the moneys raised from the sale of land to the early settlers, the Company set apart the sum of £15,000, for the purpose of founding and endowing a college, In 1854 the General Assembly passed the “Nelson Trust Funds Act,” which provided for the electon of trustees to administer the whole of the trust funds, inclusive of the provision made for education. The election took place on the 1st of January, 1855, and the first trustees were: Messrs Alfred Fell, David Sclanders, Charles Elliot, David Monro, William Wells, John D. Greenwood, and John W. Barnicoat. These gentleman also constituted the first Council of Governors, with the addition of John Waring Saxton, Charles B. Wither, Alfred Domett, and Henry C. Daniell. It was provided that the Governors should be elected periodically, and the electoral body was constituted under the provisions of the “Nelson Trust Funds Act.” This, however, was repealed by the “Nelson College Amendment Act, 1870,” and the appointment of Governors vested in the Visitor—the Governor of New Zealand. In 1856 the College was opened in temporary premises in Manuka Street, but the present beautiful site, containing twelve acres of land, having been purchased, it was decided to erect thereupon a suitable building, and on the 7th. of December, 1859, the foundation stone was laid by his Excellency the Governor, Colonel Gore Brown. The actual amount with which the College was endowed was £20,000. and the building represented, with the cost of the site, and subsequent additions, a total expenditure of over £13,000. The first Headmaster was the Rev. J. C. Bagshaw, M.A., and since his retirement the following gentlemen have been successively Principals of the College: Mr. George Hepple, M.A., Mr. R. Broughton, M.A., Mr. J. D. Greenwood, Rev. C. L. MeLean, M.A., Rev. F. C. Simmonds, M.A., Rev. J. C. Andrew, M.A., Mr. W. Ford, M.A., Mr. J. W. Joynt, M.A., and Mr. W. S. Littlejohn. M.A., who was succeeded by the present Headmaster, Mr. H. L. Fowler, M.A. “Endowed Scholarships” were founded respectively by Mr. R. K. Newcome. Major Richmond. Sir Edward Stafford. Mr. Alfred Fell, and Mr. John Tinline, all pioneer settlers of Nelson. Numerous pupils or ex-pupils of the college have taken degrees at the New Zealand University, and Nelsonians have won a large number of senior and junior scholarships in competition under that body. The officers of the college are: The Visitor (His Excellency the Governor), and the Council of Governors, which consists of Mr. J. Graham, M.H.R., Mr. W. N. Franklyn, Mr. J. Henry Cock, Mr. C. Y. Fell, B.A., Mr. G. A. Harkness, M.A., Mr. T. H. Bannehr, Mr. F. W. Hamilton, and Mr. F.
, M.A., was appointed Principal of the Nelson Boys' College in January, 1904. He received his education at Rugby, and Balliol College, Oxford, England, where he took his degree. Before accepting his present appointment he was for ten years Rector of the Boys' and Girls' High School at Invercargill, which he raised to a high state of efficiency.
, M.A., First Assistant and English Master, Nelson College, was born in Nelson and educated at the college. Gaining a University junior scholarship, he completed his school course at Canterbury College, where he won an exhibition, and also the University senior scholarship in Latin. He obtained his M.A. degree in 1896, with first-class honours in Latin and English. Mr. Milner left Canterbury College on receiving the appointment of Junior Master at Nelson in 1897. His duties at first were chiefly confined to the junior school, and to the middle forms in classics and mathematics. The success of the “Nelsonian” was mainly due to Mr. Milner's exertions while he was Junior Master.
, M.A., was appointed Second Assistant and Mathematical Master at the Nelson Boys' College, in January, 1904. He was born in Liverpool, England, in 1875, arrived in New Zealand at an early age, and received his education at the Christchurch Boys' High School, and Canterbury College, where he took his degree, as well as a Senior Scholarship in Mathematics, with double first-class honours in Mathematics and Chemistry. Mr. Lancaster was married, in January, 1901, to a daughter of Mr. H. B. Hamlin, of Christchurch, and has two sons.
, M.A., Third Assistant Master of the Nelson Boys' College, is further referred to in this volume in connection with the volunteers, and also at page 160, of the Otago volume of this Cyclopedia.
, M.A., Fourth Assistant Master at the Nelson Boys' College, is referred to in another article in connection with the volunteers.
, Commercial Master of the Boys' College, Nelson, is a son of Mr. J. Thornton, of Box Hill, Sussex, England, whose text-books on book-keeping are well known throughout the civilised world, and recognised as authoritative on the subject. Mr. Thornton was born at Braintree, Essex, in 1877, and received his education at private schools. Subsequently he became assistant master at Wycliffe, College, in Gloucestershire, where he remained for three years, and was afterwards articled to Messrs J. R. Ellerman and Co., a large firm of accountants in London. At the end of three years Mr. Thornton resigned his position with that firm, and in the interests of his health, sailed for New Zealand, where he arrived in 1900, and was appointed examiner in bookkeeping to the Nelson Board of Education, a position of great responsibility which he filled with credit to himself, and satisfaction to the Board. After filling an appointment as Government Audit Inspector in Welling ton, he removed to Nelson, and commenced the practice of his profession as a public accountant, with rooms over the National Bank in Trafalgar Street. He was appointed Commercial Master at the College in April, 1901. In conjunction with his father, Mr. Thornton has writter and published a book entitled “Book-keeping for Business Men” which has had a wide circulation throughout New Zealand, Mr. Thornton is a member of the Nelson Club, Captain of the Nelson Cricket Club, and Vice-Captain of the Association Football Club. As a Freemason, he is a member of the Victory
was appointed Drawing Master of the Nelson Boys' College in April, 1901. He was born in Brittany, France, and at an early age accompanied his parents to New Zealand, Mr. Huddleston received his education in Nelson, at the Catholic and Bishop's Schools, and at the Nelson College. He studied drawing at the Technical School, Wanganui, and scenic painting under Herr Carl Vennermark, in Auckland. Mr. Huddleston has a considerable reputation as a painter of New Zealand scenery, and he was the pioneer of Mount Cook as a tourist resort. It was he who built the Hermitage there in the year 1883.
, M.A., formerly Principal of the Nelson Boys' College, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1859. He received his education at the Grammar School, and at the University of Aberdeen, where he graduated in 1879, After a couple of years' experience of boarding school life in the suburbs of Edinburgh, he determined to try his fortune in New Zealand. At the beginning of 1882, he was appointed by the Governors of Nelson College to the position of third master under the principalship of the Rev. J. C. Andrew. After four years' service he was promoted to the second mastership, and at the end of 1898, on the resignation of Mr. Joynt, he was appointed Principal. Mr. Littlejohn's particular line of work lies in the domain of mathematics and science. He resigned in September, 1903, to become Principal of the Presbyterian College, Melbourne, Victoria.
, Associate of St. Nicholas' College, Lancing, Sussex, became Third Assistant Master at the Nelson Boys' College, in 1888. He was born in Uruguay, in 1860, and educated at St. John's College, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. Mr. Cooke left the Old Country in 1879, by the ship “Cuzco,” and after a few months' stay in Australia, crossed over to New Zealand and established a private school at Tauranga. After eight years of successful work there he accepted the position of Third Master at Nelson College, and held it for many years. Mr. Cooke was senior lieutenant of the Nelson College Cadet Corps; he also personally conducted the staging of the Shakespearian plays annually produced by the boys and their friends. He married Miss Morgan, a lady artist, wellknown in Nelson.
was erected in 1882 at a cost of about £7,000. It has spacious grounds, tennis courts, a gymnasium, and other means of recreation and amusement. The teaching staff consists of Miss A. C. Tendall, M.A., Lady Principal, and the following assistant mistresses; Miss E. B. Gribben, B.A., Miss B. M. Pickmere, M.A., Miss Kirton, M.A., Miss McEachern, M.A., Miss Jenkins, M.A., Miss Livesey, M.A., and Miss Ghisholm. There are three terms in the year, and the school hours are: Morning, 9.15 to 12.30; afternoon, 1.45 to 3.30, with a whole holiday on Saturday. The subjects aught include: English language and heterature, mathematics, Latin, French, German, history, geography, physics, botany, physiology, sewing, music, class drawing, calisthenics, and drill. Cooking lessons are taken by at least two thirds of the pupils of the college. In the higher classes special attention is given to subjects required for the various University examinations. The college has an excellent library, which is supplied not only with books, but with periodicals and
, M.A., Lady Principal of the Nelson Girls' College, was appointed to that position in June, 1900. Miss Tendall was born in England, arrived in New Zealand at at early age, and received her education at the Christchurch Girls' High School and Canterbury College, where she was junior scholar and John Tinline scholar of the New Zealand University. Her first appointment was an assistant mistress at the Wanganui College, and when she resigned that position it was in order to take up her present duties. In 1903 Miss Tendall took a trip to England, Europe and America, and visited Paris and Rome, where, at several of the more famous colleges, she gained an insight into the educational systems prevailing in those centres.
, M.A., entered upon her duties as Lady Principal of the Girls' College in June, 1890. She was born in Lyttelton, and was educated at the Christchurch Girl's High School and Canterbury College; gained a junior scholarship in 1882, and two years later began to teach at the Girls' High School. In 1886 Miss Gibson carried off a Tinline scholarship, tenable at Canterbury College, and in the following year she graduated M.A., with honours, in Latin and English at the New Zealand University. Under her able tuition the attendance at the Nelson Girls' College increased year by year, and the high standard of proficiency attained by the pupils was evidence of the capabilities of Miss Gibson and her staff. Miss Gibson afterwards became the wife of Dr. Talbot, who now (1905) resides in Christchurch.
(formerly Miss Morgan), at one timeArt Teacher at the Nelson Girls' College, is a certificated teacher of the South Kensington School of Art, and was for some time a pupil in the studio of Signor Ludovici. The late Hon. J. C. Richmond, when on a visit to England in 1886, secured her services for the college on behalf of the Governors, and she took up the duties of the position in 1887. Mrs Cooke insists on all work being original, and students must study from nature or the round. As a result of this sound principle some very interesting and excellent work has been shown from time to time at exhibitions of work by her pupils.
The Education Board of Nelson has jurisdiction over a district which comprises the counties of Collingwood, Takaka, Buller, Mangahua, and Waimea, and all the boroughs within those counties. The members of the Board are: Messrs George Talbot (chairman), Harry Atmore, William H. Phillips, William Lock, William N. Franklyn, Andrew T. Maginnity, Thomas J. Baigent, John D. Beuke, and Thomas Bailie. For the last quarter of the year 1904, 118 public schools were at work, and the average weekly number of scholars on the
, Secretary of the Nelson Education Board, was appointed in 1879. He is a native of Bradford, England. At the age of sixteen he was articled to Mr. E. Milnes, architect, and subsequently was assistant to Mr. George Smith, architect, of Leeds. In 1879, Mr. Ellis left for New Zealand, by the ship “Euterpe,” and received his present appointment a few months after his arrival.
, Nile Street, Nelson, was built in 1894, and is a wooden building containing six class rooms. There are over 300 scholars on the roll, and the standards range from the third to the sixth. The headmaster, Mr. F. G. Gibbs, M.A., is assisted by Messrs F. Worley and W. Poole, Miss Hughes, and Miss Seldon.
, M.A., Headmaster of the Boys' Central School, was appointed to his present position on the amalgamation of the schools in 1894.
, Nelson, is situated in the Toitoi Valley, and is a large wooden building with five classrooms. There is an average attendance of from 260 to 280 scholars, who are divided into standards ranging from the third to the sixth. The technical work done at the school includes cookery (for which a special teacher is provided), sewing, modelling and brushwork. The headmaster is Mr. F. V. Knapp, and he is ably assisted by Miss Bond, Miss Johnson, Miss Kitching, Miss Shone, and Miss Pettit.
, Headmaster of the Central School for girls, was appointed to his present position early in 1903. For ten years he was first assistant master at the Boys' Central School and for seven years he was headmaster, of the Hampden Street School. Mr. Knapp is a prominent Oddfellow. He is secretary of the Nelson district branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute.
, situated on Wakapuaka Road, Nelson, is built on a site which commands a full view of the sea. The building has accommodation for fifty scholars; the number on the roll is thirty-six, and the average attendance is twenty-five. The school has always obtained good results at the annual examinations.
Headmistress of the Clifton Terrace School, entered the service of the Nelson Education Board as probationer at the Haven Road School, and was for two years and ahalf stationed at the Eighty-Eight Valley School. She held her present position since 1892, and has been most successful as a teacher since the commencement of her work.
stands on the section which it formerly shared with the Bridge Street school, which was destroyed by fire in 1896. The Hardy Street school was closed some years ago, and the Tasman Street school was then taken to accommodate one hundred pupils who had been in attendance at Hardy Street. The school is a mixed one, and when the second standard is passed the scholars are sent to the Boys' Central and Girls' Toi-Toi Valley schools respectively. There are 170 children on the roll, and the seating accommodation of the school is taxed to its fullest extent. There are only about two class rooms, and the teaching staff consists of the headmistress and two probationers. The reports have at all times been most satisfactory, and the percentage of failures at the examinations has been exceedingly small.
the Headmistress, took charge in 1896, at the closing of the Hardy Street school, which had been under her control. She was appointed assistant at the Hardy Street school in 1879, and continued to act in that capacity with credit to herself and to the satisfaction of the authorities till 1894, when she was appointed headmistress. Miss Leach remained in charge for two years, when the school was closed. She holds an E1 certificate.
, who has done much to forward the interests of education in Nelson, has been engaged in teaching for many years. She began at a comparatively early age at St. Dunstan's infant school, Stepney, London, prior to receiving her training as a teacher in Whiteland's College, Chelsea. At the close of her period of training she was appointed headmistress of St. George's school, Edgbaston, Birmingham, and held that position for eleven years. In 1877, shortly after she arrived in Nelson, she established in her own house at Rose Bank, College Hill, near the Boys' College, a private school for young ladies, and the attendance increased to such an extent that she was compelled to build a large schoolroom to accommodate her pupils. Mrs Scott had over 100 scholars attending her school from various places, including Wellington, Wanganui, Blenheim, Picton, Greymouth and Westport. She had a complete staff of teachers to carry on the work of secondary education. In 1883 the Girls' College was established, and, in the nature of things, the larger number of Mrs Scott's pupils flocked to the new building. Under the circumstances she at once applied for the mistress-ship of the Hardy Street Girls' State school, and for ten years she had control of that school, until it was decided to establish central schools for boys and girls in Nelson, when the Hardy Street school was closed, and Mrs Scott took up her present position as headmistress of the Haven Road school. Some thousands of pupils have been under Mrs Scott's tuition, and she can point with pride to good work done by her, for whether engaged in the work of primary or secondary education, she has had her heart in her high duties, and her name will ever remain fresh in the minds of those who owe much to the early training received at her her hands.
The Nelson Cathedral on Church Hill is naturally one of the most noticeable buildings in the city. The first building erected on the site was a fort, which the early settlers constructed as a means of defence against the warlike Maoris. Fortunately the fort was never required for its original purpose, and it was used as Nelson's first Anglican Church. The Rev. Octavius Hadfield, afterwards Bishop of Wellington and Primate of New Zealand, was the first Anglican clergyman to officiate in Nelson, and he was followed by the Rev. C. W. Saxton, who held services during 1842 and 1843. Bishop Selwyn paid his first visit to Nelson in August, 1842, when he was accompanied by the Rev. C. L. Reay, M.A., who was appointed the first resident clergyman. The foundation stone of the first Christ Church was laid in June, 1850, and the building was opened by Bishop Selwyn on Christmas Day, 1851; on this occasion the Presbyterians and Wesleyans closed their places of worship, and took part in the inaugural service. In 1856 the bishopric of Nelson was created, and, by the Queen's command, the village was thereupon proclaimed a city. Before that date, the fort had given place to a properly constructed church, which was afterwards enlarged, and subsequently rebuilt as the present Cathedral. The Right Rev. Edmund Hobhouse, D.D., was consecrated the first Bishop of Nelson in 1858; but he resigned in 1864, owing to failing health. His successor, the Right Rev. Andrew Burn Suter, D.D., who was consecrated in 1866, resigned in 1891, for a similar reason, and was succeeded by the Right Rev. Charles Oliver Mules, M.A. On the outbreak of the Maori war in Taranaki, in 1860, from 1,000 to 1,200 refugees from that district arrived in Nelson, and separate services were held for their benefit. Their arrival in the settlement led to the establishment of a second parish, that of All Saints. The original Christ Church was enlarged in 1867, and the corner stone of the present Cathedral was laid on the 17th of November, 1886. In February of the following year the building was consecrated by the Bishop of Nelson; and Dr. Harper, Bishop of Christchurch and Primate of New Zealand, with a very large number of visiting clergy, were present on the occasion. The Presbyterians have a handsome church in Nile Street, and the Catholic Church and conventual buildings are in Manuka Street. The Wesleyan and Congregational denominations have places of worship in Hardy Street, and the Baptists in Bridge Street. The Church of Christ and the Salvation Army, also, have places of worship, so that the chief religious denominations are worthily represented in Nelson.
comprises the provincial districts of Nelson and Marlborough. It is bounded on the south by the Hurunui river, and by the Teremakau river on the West Coast. There are six constituted parishes, nineteen parochial districts, forty-three churches, and twenty other buildings, such as mission halls, etc.; and twenty-four ordained clergymen and numerous lay readers are engaged in the ministry. All church properties are vested in various Trust Boards, but there are no large endowments. The diocese was constituted in 1857, the first Bishop being the Right Rev. Edmund Hobhouse, who was consecrated in 1858. He was succeeded by the Right Rev. Andrew Burn Suter, who was consecrated in 1866, and resigned in 1891. The present Bishop is the Right Rev. Charles Oliver Mules, M.A.
, Secretary and Treasurer of the Nelson Diocese, was born in Hertfordshire, England, in 1846, and arrived in New Zealand in 1881. He has held his present position since 1884, and is also Secretary of the Nelson Aid Society, and treasurer of the Harmonic Society. In 1899, Mr. Kingsley married a daughter of Mr. R. Bryant, of Brightwater, and has one son.
M.A., Bishop of the Diocese of Nelson was born in Ilminster, Somersetshire, England. He was educated at Cheltenham College, and took his B.A. degree at Trinity, Cambridge. Subsequently he became a mathematical master in New College School, Oxford, where he remained for three years, and took the degrees of M.A. Cantab., and M.A., Comit. Caus., Oxon. He was ordained by the Bishop of Durham, and appointed curate at Whorlton, in the county of Durham. Before leaving England Mr. Mules occupied the position of curate to Mr. Ryle, afterwards Dr. Ryle, Bishop of Liverpool. In 1867 he arrived in Nelson by the ship “Cissy.” He was appointed to the parochial district of Brightwater, then called Spring Grove, where he remained for twenty-five years. In 1880 he was appointed archdeacon of the Waimea, in the diocese of Nelson, and after the death of Bishop Suter, was consecrated as his successor.
, Nelson, stands on Church Hill, of historic memory. It was there in 1843 that the settlers fortified themselves against a threatened attack from the Maoris, after the Wairau massacre, at which Captain Wakefield and other colonists lost
Vicar of Christ Church, Nelson, was born in Auckland, where he was educated at the Church of England Grammar school, St. John's College, and afterwards trained for the Church at the Theological College, Nelson. He was ordained in England by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1873. Mr. Kempthorne was curate of All Saints, Nelson, from 1874 to 1878, when he was appointed to Reefton, and two years later he became incumbent of Trinity Church, Greymouth, where he resided five years. Mr. Kempthorne is Bishop's chaplain and a member of the standing committee.
, Nelson. The earliest record in the church books shows that a meeting was held on the 8th of April, 1866, under the presidency of the Rev. G. H. Johnstone. A vestry of five members was appointed, and a stipend was provided for the Rev, C. L. McLean. The vestry consisted of Dr. Cusack, and Messrs Lowe, Burnett, Darby, Elson, Symons, and Watkins. The next meeting of which any account has been left was held on the 25th of April, 1867. Six months later another meeting was held under the presidency of the Bishop of Nelson, several members of the congregation being present. At this time services were held in the Oddfellows' Hall. On the resignation of the Rev. C. L. MCLean, the Bishop stated that he was able to guarantee a stipend of £100 a year, and the offer would hold good for two years. In November of the same year a subscription list was started for the purpose of building All Saints Church, and was well supported. A site was secured from Mr. Hewlings at a cost of £200. The foundation stone was laid on the 26th of June, 1868, and the consecration ceremony was performed by the late Bishop Suter on the 11th of November in the same year. In order to provide a parsonage, a cottage was bought by the Bishop and transferred to the vestry for £150, the Bishop expressing a wish that the balance (£300) should be considered a gift from himself and Mrs Suter. The church is now capable of seating 500 persons, and contains a manual organ built by Lewis, and specially imported by the congregation. The tower has an excellent peal of tubular bells, which cost £120, and were presented by Mr. H. Firth. The Sunday school is capable of seating 250 pupils, and
Rector of All Saints' Church, Nelson, entered upon his present duties in May, 1904. Mr. Lucas was born in England, and received his education at Uppingham and Cheltenham Colleges; and he holds the fourth grade certificate of the New Zealand Board of Theological Studies. In 1877 he came out to New Zealand in the ship “Sophia Joachim,” and landed at Port Chalmers. He was ordained by the late Bishop Harper, and accepted the charge of the Anglican Church at Charleston, near Westport. Subsequently he was appointed rector of Waikouaiti; where he remained for ten vears, when he left to take up duty as rector at Wakefield, in the Nelson district. While he was at Wakefield Mr. Lucas was for many years, chairman of the School Committee and of the Domain Board. In May, 1904, he was rector of All Saints Church, Nelson, with charge of the Port and Toi-toi Valley Missions. He is also Honorary Chaplain of the Nelson Bearer Corps. Mr. Lucas married a daughter of Mr. Hutchinson, Brighton, England, and has two sons and three daughters. One of his sons is Dr. S. A. Lucas, of Nelson.
in Nelson is situated in Nile Street East, and was erected in 1891. The earliest records of Prosbyterianism in Nelson date back to 1848, and the first minister was the Rev. T. D. Nicholson, who laid the foundation stone of the first church building in 1849. In 1857 Mr. Nicholson removed to Renwicktown, and died five years later. He was succeeded by the Rev. P. Calder, who conducted divine service in Nelson from 1857 till 1890, when he was obliged to give up work on account of the infirmity of age. Mr. Calder died in 1892. The present church was opened in February, 1892, and the Rev. James H. Mackenzie was inducted in March of that year.
was born in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and studied in the Free Church College, Edinburgh. He was licensed by the Free Presbytery of Penpont in 1880, in which year he sailed for Otago. In 1881 he was ordained by the Presbytery of Southland to the charge of Wallacetown, where he remained for eight years, and was then called to Lyttelton. Three years later he was appointed to his present position in Nelson.
, which forms part of the arch-diocese of Wellington, dates from 1844, when Bishop Pompallier, VicarApostolic for New Zealand, visited the town for the first time. He was accompanied by the Rev. J. J. P. O'Reilly, and preached to the Maoris in their own language. At a meeting held on the 11th March, 1845, it was resolved to build a chapel and school house. On Easter Sunday, 1847, the first Catholic Church was opened; it
, Nelson, is one of the neatest and most complete in the city. It was erected in 1882 at a cost of £2500, Mr. Turnbull, of Wellington, being the architect. Since then it has been beautified very much by stained glass windows and other internal fittings, and later on a grand pipe-organ was fitted up by Messrs Holday and Finchday, of Melbourne, at a cost of £550. The parish includes not only St. Mary's church, but also St. Joseph's, Wakefield, St. Peter and St. Paul, Waimea West, and the church of the Sacred Heart at Takaka, all of which are very complete and tastefully designed. The convent is the largest building in Nelson, and commands a beautiful view.
Rector of St. Mary's Church, was born in London, England, in 1869. He came out to New Zealand at an early age, and received his education at St. Patrick's College, Wellington. In 1901 he was appointed rector of St. Mary's Church, and Principal of St. Mary's Orphanage and Industrial School at Stoke.
S.M., sometime Rector of St. Mary's Church, Nelson, was born in Limerick, Ireland, and educated at Mount Mellary Seminary, Waterford, and St. Mary's College, Dundalk. He finished his philosophical and theological studies at Dublin, where Archbishop Reawood of Wellington, was professor. Dean Mahoney was ordained priest at Dundalk College by the Most Rev. Dr. McGettighan, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland. About the close of 1874, he came out to New Zealand with Archbishop Redwood, and early in 1875 was sent from Wellington to Nelson as curate to Father Garin, S.M., who was then beginning to feel the severe hardships of a long missionary life. Dean Mahoney had, therefore, had, almost from the beginning, the practical working of the
, Nelson, is one of the handsomest ecclesiastical buildings in New Zealand. It was erected in 1889, and possesses a splendid fullsized pipe-organ, by E. Bishop and Son, of London. The church has an excellent choir under the conductorship of Mr. A. P. Lucas. The Wesleyan body was established at Nelson about 1842, and the Rev. S. Ironside was the first pastor in charge. His successors have been the Rev. Messrs Innes, Vickers, Warren, Kirk, Crump, Watkin, Buddle, Harper, Bavin, Lee, Beck, Olliver, Isitt, Bond, Prior, Smalley, and W. J. Williams. The first church of note built for the congregation was of brick, and was situated near the Customhouse. The foundation stone of the present fine building was laid in 1889 by Lord Onslow, and the church was opened in the following year. The Sunday school is attended by about 200 children, and there are about twelve teachers. The Rev. W. J. Williams was appointed to the pastorate in 1902.
, Nelson, was begun under the auspices of Mr. Benjamin Short, in 1875. Its first pastor was the Rev. John Beckenham, who was succeeded by the Rev. H. J. Lewis, Rev. R. J. Williams, Rev. W. A. Evans, Rev. E. C. Isaac, and the present pastor, the Rev. David McKee Wright. Two years after the foundation of the church, the building was considerably enlarged; and again in 1901, the church was re-modelled and renovated, much to its improvement. The congregation has considerably increased since Mr. Wright entered on the duties of the pastorate. There is a good choir, and Miss Fanny Coote is the organist.
Pastor of Emmanuel Congregational Church, Nelson, was born in County Down, in the north of Ireland and educated in England, and at the University of Otago. He arrived in New Zealand in 1887, and for many years resided in Otago, studying and preparing himself for the ministry. In 1897 he published a book entitled “Station Ballads and Other Verses,” which had a wide circulation in the Middle Island, especially in Otago and Southland; in the same year be won the first prize given by the University of Otago for a poem. Mr. Wright began his ministerial work in 1898, when he took charge of the Congrenational Church at Oamaru, whence he was called to the pastorate of the Newton Congregational Church. Wellington. Mr. Wright is a fluent and earnest speaker, and takes a great interest in politics, and often gives his services as a lecturer on leading questions of the day. In 1898 he married a daughter of Mr. R. Couper, of In vereargill, and has one son.
at Nelson —the first Baptist, Church in New Zealand—was established in June, 1851, with the Rev. D. Dolamore as its first pastor, and a membership of eleven, which has since increased to 125. Mr. Dolamore remained for twelve years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Messrs Thomas, Biss, Davis, Hamilton, Standring, Cale, and Bray. In 1896, during the ministry of the Rev. R. S. Gray, the present handsome wooden church was erected, and opened for service in April, 1897. The Rev. F. G. Buckingham succeeded Mr. Gray, and the charge is at present (1905) temporally filled by the Rev. T Beeson, of Maldon, Victoria. The first pastor, the Rev. D., Dolamore, is still living and resides in a suburb of Christchurch.
, Nelson was the first place in New Zealand if not in Australasia, at which the Church of Christ was established. Mr. Thomas Jackson was the first preacher, and among the earliest members were: Messrs Thomas Butler, James Barton, Thomas Magarey, Charles J. Nicol, and John Batt. For a while the congregation was fairly prosperous, but a period of depression, due to various causes more or less associated with the Wairau massacre, led to the church's formal work being discontinued for some years. However, in 1879, the work of the church was again taken up, and meetings were held in the Masonie Hall. Later on a church was built at a cost of £350. upon land given for the purpose, and the new building was opened in the 24th of May, 1883.
, Evangelist of the Church of Christ, Nelson, was appointed to his present charge in May, 1902. He was born in Victoria, Australia, in 1866, and educated in Melbourne. In 1895 he was placed in charge of the Ascot Vale district and South Melbourne, where he remained for four years, when he left to accept the charge of the Church of Christ in Oamaru. There he was President of the Prohibition League, and was always ready to give his services as a lecturer to that cause. Before accepting his present charge, he spent a year in Mataura, where he did good work for the church. Mr. Franklyn is a member of the Southern Star Lodge of Freemasons, Nelson, No. 735, English Constitution, and is a Rechabite, and chaplain of the Orange Lodge. In 1901 he married a daughter of Mr. John Hair, of South Melbourne, and has one son and three daughters.
. The Nelson branch of the Salvation Army opened its campaign on the 1st of February, 1884, under Captains Whitchurch and Bowerman. There was a good attendance, and the celebrations were carried out in the Volunteer Drill Shed. A considerable number of people were enrolled in the ranks, and it is computed that the corps grew during that year to a strength of 250 members. Major Perry was the first officer in charge of the district. Outposts were opened at Richmond and Brightwater, with officers in charge, but after a time they were withdrawn, and the districts have since been worked from Nelson. At present (1905) the Army's strength in Nelson consists of thirty six members. The barracks are situated at the corner of Collingwood and Bridge Streets, and there is accommodation for 300 persons. Regular services are held at the barracks on Sunday in or nine, afternoon and evening, and open air services during the week. Adjutant Buttimore, who was appointed in 1904, is the present officer-in-charge.
In New Zealand bishops and wealthy merchants ride bicycles, farm labourers and artisans own horses, and some leisure is enjoyed by well nigh all classes of the population. Add to these conditions a climate that is eminently suitable for outdoor life, and it follows that there must be a fairly healthy desire for sports, pastimes and social intercourse. Indeed, so much is this the case, that the space given in newspapers to race meetings, and to the functions of social organisations, is often greater than that taken up by all the cabled news of the whole world. The gospel of healthy occupation for mind and body during the hours set apart for recreation is therefore in high favour in New Zealand. In the matter of climatic inducement in this connection Nelson is not excelled by any other part of the colony; 3,010 hours of clear sunshine were recorded in 1904, an average of eight hours and a-quarter for every day of the year. In consequence of this bountiful brightness, picnics are held in abundance, and the Maitai Valley, Zig-Zag, the Glen and Cable Bay are favourite resorts. Theatrical companies do not usually include Nelson in their New Zealand tours, and hence most of the entertainments provided in the city are of a local character. Rowing within the harbour enclosed by the Boulder Bank, or yachting and fishing in the quiet waters of Blind Bay, are available to those who enjoy such recreations. The Maitai and other rivers afford excellent trout fishing, and in the hilly country near at hand, deerstalking may be practised with success. Around the city, and through the Waimea Plain, the roads are in perfect order for cyclists and motorists, while the Botanical Gardens and Trafalgar Park afford space for cricket, football, hockey, and other athletic exercises.
, Selwyn Place, Nelson. The club-house, a handsome two-storied wooden building was erected in the year 1903, and was opened on the 19th of December of that year. The ground floor contains the smoking rooms, visitors room, billiard room (fitted with Alcock and Co.'s, table) dining room, kitchen, and lavatory. The second story includes two card rooms, reading room, and a periodical room, well supplied with magazines from all parts of the world. The bath rooms, lavatories, washhouse, and other rooms are situated outside the building. The club-house is well appointed, and a popular resort with its members, who number 113. Officers for the year 1905: Committee, Messrs Harrison, Richmond, King, Greenfield, Rout, Allen, and J. T. Catley: Trustees, Messrs P. B. Adams, H. R. Duncan, and C. Y. Fell, Mr. A. P. Burns is honorary secretary.
, Nelson, has its quarters in the New Zealand Insurance Company's buildings in Trafalgar Street. The annual meeting is held in July, and the committee meets fortnightly. There are about ninety-five members, and the officers for 1905 are: Mr. G. G. Trask, President: Mr. H. Logan, Vice-President; and Mr. F. A. Bamford, secretary.
of New Zealand were Freemasons, who, after setting in their new homes, lost no time in establishing Masonic Lodges. The Lodge Ara (Auckland), No. 1, New Zealand Constitution, formerly 348, Irish Constitution, was founded on the 5th of September, 1842, as the first Masonic Lodge in New Zealand, New Zealand Pacific (Wellington), No. 2, New Zealand Constitution, formerly 517. English Constitution, was established four days later. The Lodge of Unanimity (Lyttelton) No. 3, New Zealand Constitution, formerly 604, English Constitution, dates its existence from October, 1851. Lodge Mount Egmont (New Plymouth), No. 670, English Constitution, was opened in September, 1853. Of the Nelson Lodges, the oldest is Lodge Southern Star, No. 735, English Constitution, which was established on the 4th of October, 1853. Lodge Victory, No. 40, New Zealand Constitution, was founded under the English Constitution, in 1881, but elected to work under the New Zealand Constitution in 1890. Of the country lodges. Lodge Forest at Wakefield, and Lodge Golden Bay at Takaka, were founded under the English Constitution, but the former has since gone over to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Lodge Motueka has been formed under the New Zealand Constitution.
, No. 735, English Constitution. This Lodge was established on the 4th of October, 1853, when it was opened by Captain Scott, of Sydney, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of New South Wales. It then had ten affiliating members. In the same month Mr. J. P. Whitehead, Past Master, one of the affiliating members, gave a donation of £100 towards building a Masonic Hall. The first Lodge meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, where the Coach and Horses Hotel now stands, and Mr. Thomas Sullivan was the first master. The Lodge transacted its first business on the 16th of May, 1854, when Messrs John Sharp, Thomas Renwick, J. F. Wilson and George Taylor were proposed for membership. These candidates were duly initiated on the 23rd of July of the same year. A few months later Mr. Sharp was invested as secretary. In the year 1855, the widow of Mr. Whitehead gave to the Lodge one acre of land in Waimea Street; and the rent from this plot was allowed to accumulate until the year 1885, when the present hall in Collingwood Street was erected. In the meantime meetings were held in a hall, in Trafalgar Street, and in the Wakatu Hotel. The Lodge Southern Star holds its meetings on the Tuesday nearest the full moon throughout the year. Mr. Charles Leaper is the present Worshipful Master, and Mr. J. McEachen is secretary.
, Worshipful Master of Lodge Southern Star, No. 735, English Constitution,
, Secretary and Past Master of the Southern Star Lodge, No. 735, English Constitution, was born in Nelson in 1848, and is the son of Mr. A. McEachen, who arrived in Nelson in one of the first ships. Most of the days of Mr. McEachen's boyhood were spent in Victoria, Australia, and on his return to Nelson in 1863, he entered the “Evening Mail” office, where he now (1905) occupies a responsible position. He has been secretary of his Lodge since 1893, and was installed as Master in the previous year. Mr. McEachen is also a Past Grand Master of the Order of Oddfellows.
, No. 40, New Zealand Constitution, was inaugurated as an offshoot of Lodge Southern Star, No. 735, on the 24th of May, 1881, as No. 1927, English Constitution. Upon the establishment of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Lodge Victory decided to work under the new Constitution. Dr. L. G. Boor was the Lodge's first Worshipful Master, and he was followed in the chair successively by Messrs W. B. Sealy, W. M. Stanton, B. Buttler, J. C. Mercer, A. E. Cresswell, K. Allen, A. W. Bain, W. Moyes, W. W. de Castro, W. H. Short, J. Boon, J. Morrison, A. C. Wright, R. T. Melhnish, W. C. Ancell, A. A. Grace, S. Ellis. The present Master is Mr. W. W. de Castro, who is in his second term. Originally meetings were held in the Masonic Hall, Collingwood Street, but now take place in the Oddfellows' Hall, Waimea Street, on the second Tuesday in each month.
, Worshipful Master of Lodge Victory, is referred to in connection with the Government offices in Nelson.
claims to be the richest friendly society in the world, and in its great fraternal fold, men of all ranks assemble on terms of equality. The first Lodge in New Zealand was established in Nelson in 1842, shortly after the arrival of the ship “Martha Ridgway.” On the voyage out from England nine members of the Order held meetings on board, and decided to form a Lodge on their arrival. Accordingly, the first meeting was held in the open air, near the Saltwater Bridge, on the afternoon of Thursday, the 7th of April, 1842. A dispensation was granted by the Sydney District, and the Loyal Nelson Lodge commenced its work, with Past Provincial Grand Master Sullivan as its first Grand Master. Four years later, two new lodges were opened, the Royal Travellers' Rest at Richmond, and the Loyal Howard, in Nelson. It was then decided to constitute Nelson a district. In 1850 Lodge Motueka was opened, and is now the parent Lodge of the Motueka district. The first meetings of the Order were held in public houses, but on the 5th of June, 1855, the foundation stone of an Oddfellows' Hall was laid by Mr. E. W. Stafford, the Superintendent of the province. This building did duty until 1891, when the foundation stone of the present hall was laid by Mr. P. Trask, then Mayor of the city. The Loyal Mansion of Peace Lodge was started at Wakefield in 1860, and five years later the Loyal General Cameron Lodge was opened at Brightwater. The jubilee of Oddfellowship in New Zealand was celebrated in 1892, when the meetings, which lasted several days, were attended by delegates from all over the colony.
, District Provincial Grand Master of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, was installed in office on the 9th of February, 1905, by Mr. A. N. Bachelor, Deputy Grand Master of New Zealand. Mr. Clear was initiated into Oddfellowship in the Loyal Howard Lodge, of which he is a Past Grand Master. He was born at Collingwood, in 1872, and received his education at the Government school, Nelson. Afterwards he served an apprenticeship to the tailoring trade with Mr. W. Moyes, and started in business on his own account in 1903, with premises in Bridge Street. Mr. Clear was at one time a member of the Albion and Prince Albert Football Clubs, and represented the province in several interprovincial matches. He married a daughter of Mr. C. King, of Nelson, and has a family of two daughters.
, No 3615, was estabished in the year 1842. It has a present membership of 225, and the funds, at the last balance, showed a credit of £3,948. Meetings are held on alternate Wednesday evenings, at the Oddfellows Hall, Waimea Street. The Loyal Wakatu Juvenile Lodge, which was established in the year 1882, is attached to the Loyal Nelson Lodge. Officers of the Loyal Nelson Lodge for 1905: Bro. A. J. Pellew, Noble Grand; Bro. E. E. Pellew, Vice Grand; Bro. W. Stevenson, Elective Secretary; Bro. H. Edwards,
, Permanent Secretary and Past Grand of the Loyal Nelson Lodge of Oddfellows, and Past Provincial Grand Master of the Nelson District, was born in Nelson in 1862, and received his education at the Bishop's School and Nelson College. He has been in the employment of the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Company since 1878, where he began as junior clerk. Afterwards he held the position of purser of the Company's steamers, and was then appointed accountant, a position still held by him. Mr. Hounsell has always taken an active interest in fraternal societies, and is one of the moving spirits of his Lodge in all things conducive to harmonious brotherhood. He has also compiled a history of the Southern Star Lodge of Freemasons, of which he is a Past Master; and the pamphlet has been highly appreciated by the members. Mr. Hounsell is a member of the vestry of All Saints, and is a representative of that parish on the Diocesan Synod.
, No. 4207, Nelson District, a branch of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, was established in the year 1847, and meets every alternate Wednesday at the registered Lodge room. Waimea Street, in the city of Nelson. It has a capital of £8,216 18s 10d, with a membership of 225. At the last quinquennial valuation, made in 1900, it showed a surplus of £1900, of which £1200 was set aside for division amongst the members as an increased Funeral Benefit, bearing interest at the rate earned by the Lodge, which is one of the most prosperous in the Nelson district. The Lodge is managed by a Grand Master, a Noble Grand, or chairman, a Vice-Grand, an Elective Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Permanent or paid Secretary, with five Trustees. In addition to the sick and funeral and widows' and orphans' benefits, the members are provided with medical attendance and medicine for themselves, their wives and families. Officers for 1905: Grand Master Bro. W. G. McGee: Noble Grand, Bro. C. R. Cooke; Vice-Grand, Bro. S. D. Gray; Elective Secretary, Bro. H. J. Clarke; Permanent Steretary, Fast Provincial Grand Master, Bro. A. N. Batchelor; and Treasurer, Past Provincial Grand Master, Bro. William Moyles. The surgeons are Drs. James Hudson, S. A. Lucas, and P. O. Andrews, and the Trustees, Bros. A. R. Smart, R. Allen, A. R. Kitching, A. B. Giblin, and J. Sharp, junior.
, Permanent Secretary of Loyal Howard Lodge, was born in Nelson in 1860. He joined the Lodge in the year 1877, and after filling the positions of Elective Secretary and Vice Grand, was appointed to the position of Permanent Secretary in the year 1878, and has held the office to the present day. On leaving school at the age of fifteen years, he accepted an appointment in a solicitor's office, and after filling, several positions—one as accountant and law clerk to the present Attorney-General, the Hon. Albert Pitt—accepted the position of accountant to Messrs Adams and Kingdon in the year 1877, when he took charge of the financial business of that firm, and still holds the position. With a record of over twenty-eight years' service with Messrs Adams and Kingdon, and of twenty-seven years as secretary of the Lodge, Mr. Batchelor naturally stands high as a citizen and as a member of the Order of Oddfellows. He has attended all the district meetings as a delegate since his appointment as Permanent Secretary, has passed through the district chairs, and at the meeting of the Biennial Moveable Committee held in Auckland in 1904, he was appointed Deputy Grand Master for New Zealand. In the year 1880 he married a daughter of the late Harbourmaster, Captain J. S. Cross, who shares with him the great interest in matters connected with Friendly Societies.
dates its existence in Nelson from the inauguration of Court Robin Hood, on the 5th of March, 1863. A meeting for the formation of a district was held in the following year, and on the 18th of January, 1865, the first annual meeting was held. At that period there were four courts in existence in the district, but at the end of December, 1904, there were ten courts, in addition to a Female Court, and two Juvenile Courts. The female branch of the order in Nelson is the oldest Female Court in the Australasian colonies. The membership of the Nelson district is 978, and the total funds amount to £20,998. The District Court meets on the first Thursday in each month; and at the annual meeting, held in February, all the Courts in the district are represented by delegates, and the officers for the ensuing year are elected.
, District Chief Ranger of the Ancient Order of Foresters, was installed in office on the 11th of February, 1905, by Mr. J. C. Harley, Past Chief Ranger. Mr. Treacher was initiated into Forestry in Court Robin Hood, in June, 1881, and is a Past Chief Ranger of his Court. He was born in London, England, in 1850, and received his education in that city at the Davenant Endowed School. In 1865, he arrived in New Zealand in the ship “Wild Duck,” and was subsequently four fourteen years engaged on Mr. John Haycock's sheep run in the Wairau. Since 1879, Mr. Treacher has resided in Nelson, and has been in the
was established in Nelson in the year 1842. At a meeting held in the month of May of that year, it was decided to form a Provident Society of total abstainers. The Tent then instituted was named the Nelson Reformer, and Mr. Alfred Saunders was the Principal. This Tent has since been “struck,” and its place taken by the Bud of Promise, which was established in 1874. Meetings are held in the Rechabites' Hall, Bridge Street, on alternate Tuesdays. Mr. T. Fathers is secretary, and Mr. T. Brough treasurer. There is also a Juvenile Tent and Female Tent.
in Nelson belongs to two central bodies. The Maitai and Trafalgar bodies constitute No. 12 District Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand; whilst the Takaka, Collingwood, and Sherwood Lodges form at present No. 37 District of the Grand Lodge of Australia. The Maitai Lodge, the parent lodge of the surrounding district, was established in 1902, and holds its meetings on alternate Mondays in the Druids' Hall, Collingwood Street. Mr. W. F. Thomson is is Secretary, and Mr. E. Craig Treasurer.
was established in June, 1895. At that time athletics were at a low ebb in Nelson, but the reproach was soon removed by the Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. At its second annual gathering, held on the 13th of July, 1897, the Club had an active membership of 128, with thirty-five honorary members. Meetings have been held by the club twice annually since its formation, and have been fairly successful. The meeting of June, 1897, formed part of the general programme of the Nelson celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and the sum of £24 —the net profit—was handed over to the Jubilee Committee. At the annual meeting of 1898 the membership of the Club had increased to 160. The meetings are held in Trafalgar Park, where there is an excellent asphalt track. The track has three laps to the mile, and was one of the first of its kind in New Zealand, as it was made about the year 1886. It is still considered by racing cyclists to be one of the safest and fastest of its kind in New Zealand. Competitors from all parts of New Zealand attend the race meetings, due largely to the judgment of the the club's handicappers. The Cycling Club is affiliated to the League of New Zealand Wheelmen, and the pedestrian events are contested under the rules of the Amateur Athletic Association. In 1898 the Cycling Club took up a club room in Selwyn Place, but subsequently secured more commodious quarters in Bridge Street. Officers for 1905: President, Mr. C. Y. Fell; Vice-Presidents, Messrs G. A. Macquarrie, F. H. Richmond, S. Bolton, F. G. Gibbs, and G. R. Rout; Captain, Mr. W. N. Poole; Vice-Captain, Mr. H. Milner: Starter, Mr. J. C. Mercer; Handicappers (cycling) Mr. W. N. Poole, (athletics) Messrs C. S. Cresswell and George Hogg; Honorary Treasurer, Mr. F. Hurley; Honorary Secretary, Mr. Frank P. Kitching.
. Honorary Secretary of the Nelson Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, is a son of Mr. A. R. Kitching, and was born in Nelson in 1884. He received his education at the Boys' Central School and the Nelson College, and subsequently entered business with his father, who is a general provision merchant, with premises in Hardy Street. Mr. Kitching is an all-round athlete, and is a member of the Nelson Rowing Club, Swimming Club, and Footbal Club. He also takes an interest in volunteering, and is a member of the College Cycle Corps. As secretary of the largest athletic body in Nelson, he is universally regarded as the right man in the right place, and fills the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his club and visiting competitors.
is composed of twenty-five active members, and several limited members, who are privileged to sail boats in the club's races, but have no voice in its management. There is a fleet of about fifteen sailing boats, the largest of which is Mr. C. Y. Fell's “Maritana.” Some of the boats belong to the New Zealand Squadron, and others are auxiliary yachts, fitted with oil engines. The Nelson annual regatta is held under the auspices of the Sailing Club, and at the carnival of 1904 the Championship of the Harbour Race was won by the “Rose,” an eighteen-foot boat. At the Picton regattas the Nelson Club's boats have been extremely fortunate in winning most of the important races, with their cups, trophies, etc. Officers for 1905: Commodore, Mr. C. J. Deck; Vice-Commodore, Mr J. J. Cook; Honorary Secretary, Mr. A. J. Glasgow; Honorary Treasurer, Mr. P. Moore.
, Commodore of the Nelson Sailing Club, was elected in October, 1904, and had previously served the club in the same capacity. Mr. Deck is an enthusiastic yachtsman, and owner of the “Petrel,” an up-to-date five-ton boat, in which he spends most of his spare time, and freely treats his friends to excursions round the harbour. Mr. Deck is also a member of the Nelson Camera Club. He is referred to in another article as a dental surgeon.
is the oldest club of its kind in New Zealand. It holds an annual meeting lasting two days—generally in the month of March—on the racecourse, in Richmond Park. The track is of turf —one mile and a distance in circumference, and there is also a training grass track. A fine grand stand, saddling paddock, and other conveniences, have been provided. Officers for 1905: President, Mr. Edward Finney; Vice-President, Major Franklyn; Stewards, Messrs J. A.
was founded in the year 1893. An annual show, which lasts two days, is held generally at the end of November, or early in December—in Richmond Park, the property of the Association. Entries are received from all parts of the province, and the stock exhibited is second to none in New Zealand. Mr. Philip Best was the first President of the Association. Officers for the year 1904–5: President. Mr. George E. Chisnall; Vice-Presidents, Messrs A. Gibbs, H. Croucher, and W. W. Livescy; Honorary Treasurer, Mr. George Talbot; Secretary, Mr. John Glen.
, President of the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association, is a son of the late Mr. T. H. Chisnall, of Stoke, and a grandson of the late Mr. E. Buxton, of Nelson and Stoke. He was born at Stoke in 1872, and received his education at a primary school, and at the Boys' College, Nelson. Afterwards he travelled on the West Coast as representative of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of Australasia. Subsequently he took an extended pleasure trip over Australia, and, on returning to Nelson in 1897, took up a farm at Appleby, where he has since resided. Mr. Chisnall has been a member of the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association since 1899, and was elected President in April, 1904. He is also a vice-president of the Nelson Provincial District Executive of the Farmers' Union, and President of the Richmond Cricket Club. As a boy he upheld the prestige of his college in various athletic tournaments. Mr. Chisnall married a daughter of Mr. John Best, of Appleby, in June, 1897, and has a family of one son and two daughters.
, Secretary to the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association, was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1847. In 1882 he left the Old Country for Australia, and after a short time spent in Adelaide and other Australian towns, came over to Dunedin in 1884. Shortly afterwards Mr. Glen removed to Nelson, where he resided until 1892, and was subsequently engaged in farming in the Appleby district for five years. In 1893, when the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association was founded, Mr. Glen, who was one of its chief promoters, was appointed secretary, and he has since filled that position with great credit to himself and advantage to the Association. He is also secretary of the Nelson Jockey Club, and of the Nelson Trotting Club. Mr. Glen resides at Richmond, a few miles from Nelson.
was formed in 1903, and has sixty-five members, all of whom are residents of the Nelson provincial district, who took part in the South African war, The objects of the Association are to promote goodfellowship, and it holds a yearly re-union, and an annual ball. Many of the members have been assisted by the Association; for instance, one received a pension through the efforts of the executive members, and others have found various kinds of employment through the same agency. A team of fifteen members represents the Association in monthly rifle matches against rifle clubs and other defence bodies, and has been able to hold its town against all comers. Officers for 1905: President, Dr Walter R. Pearless; Chairman, Mr Wilfred H. Redwood; Honorary Treasurer, Mr. J. MeGoldrick; Honorary Secretary, Mr. H. W. Spear.
, Chairman of the Nelson Returned Troopers' Association, was born at “Vernon,” Marlborough, in 1869, and educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington. He spent several years on his father's farm in Marlborough, and was subsequently engaged as accountant for five years on the Flaxbourne station. He was a veterinary corporal in the Eighth New Zealand Contingent, and saw twelve months' service in South Africa. On returning to Nelson he entered the service of Messrs Harley and Sons, brewers, and
was appointed Honorary Secretary of the Nelson Returned Troopers' Association in 1904. He was born in Nelson, in 1881, and received his education at the Boys' Central School. During the South African war, Mr. Spear was a corporal in the Eighth New Zealand Contingent, and after nine months' service in South Africa, returned with the regiment to New Zealand, Mr. Spear is captain of the Rival Foot ball Club, and deputy-captain of the Nelson Swimming Club.
, which was founded in Nelson by the Rev. David MeKee Wright and Mr. Harry Atmore, has come prominently before the public, on account of the new light it throws on the trade in alcoloh'ic liqnors. The League has already the sympathy of several Legislative Councillors and a number of members of the House. The temperance question has been for a long time before the people of New Zealand, and has had the effect of dividing the voters of the colony, into two main camps. With the initiation of the State Control League, however, a new platform of temperance reform has been set up, in the hope that the common sense on which it is based, may appeal strongly to the people. The League proposes— “(1) That the State should acquire by purchase all interests in hotels, breweries, and stocks of liquor in New Zealand. (2) That the entire importation, manufacture for sale, and sale, of all alcoholic liquors should be under the control and management of a non-political Board of Commissioners, answerable only to Parliament. (3.) That the profits should not be used for increasing the fiscal revenue, but that all surplus profits accruing from the sale of liquor—after providing for interest on capital invested, and sinking fund—should be directly devoted to counteracting the attrations of the bar, by providing healthy entertainment for the people.” Many branches of the League have been formed in other parts of the colony, and it is expected that the League will exercise a far-reaching influence in future elections. The League has already one thousand members in the Nelson district.
Many of the world's best singers and musicians have from time to time visited New Zealand, operatic companies occasionally tour the colony, and wherever quality and merit have been shown the people have flocked to patronise tl.em. Every town, and almost every village, in the colony possesses some musical organisation, and not a few New Zealand musicians have written works of standard merit which have gained celebrity in the outer world. Nelson has almost from the first been noted for its culture, especially with respect to music and painting, and its School of Music is, architecturally, one of the most attractive buildings in the city. The Nelson Harmonic Society, which possesses an excellent orchestra, holds four concerts each year in the School of Music, and these are justly regarded as the most important musical functions in the city, for the best standard works (both choral and orchestral) are given at them. The Nelson Garrison Band and the Citizens Band occasionally hold open air concerts in the Botanical Gardens.
(Incorporated) was established in temporary premises in the year 1894, with Herr Michael Balling as its principal. The steady growth of the school soon made it necessary to provide more accommodation, and in 1900 the Trustees, with the assistance of the Harmonic Society, erected the handsome brick building now in use, at a cost of about £5000. The concert hall is capable of seating about five hundred persons in the auditorium, and the platform can accommodate a chorus of 150 members, and an orchestra of forty. Two large class rooms, and four smaller teaching rooms, are attached, and the site will yield further accommodation, as the growth of the school may require it. The object of the school is to provide a thorough musical education, and to foster the love and cultivation of the best music. The more advanced students are permitted to assist in the practices and concerts of the Harmonic Society, and all the pupils are allowed to be present at the practices. During each term about five pupils' retices and concerts of the Harmonic Society, and all the pupils are allowed to be present at the practices. During each term, about five pupils' recitals are held in the concert hall, and only pupils of the school are admitted, but towards the end of each term
was appointed Principal of the Nelson School of Music in September, 1899. He was born in 1871, in Altona, Germany, where he received his musical education. In 1892 he left Germany for Sydney, Australia, and after his arrival commenced the teaching of music as a profession. Subsequently he visited Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane, and on returning to Sydney received his present appointment. Herr Lemmer's thorough knowledge of the violin, and of composition and harmony, fits him to fill his position with great credit to himself and advantage to his pupils. He is also conductor of the Harmonic Society, and has lately been appointed instructor of the Nelson Garrison Band. His duties leave him but little time to devote to social affairs, but as a Freemason he is a member of the Victory Lodge, No. 40, New Zealand Constitution.
The history of the newspaper press in Nelson derives a special interest from the fact that the first paper of the settlement was the pioneer newspaper of the Middle Island of New Zealand. It was named the “Nelson Examiner,” and had much influence, not only in Nelson, but throughout the whole colony. The plant for the paper was brought out from England in one of the first immigrant ships, which arrived on the 1st of February, 1842, and on the 12th of March, barely six weeks later, the first issue made its appearance in the settlement, which was then little or more than a wilderness of timber, manuka, fern and flax. The “Examiner,” which remained without opposition for fifteen years, was at first published weekly, at one shilling for a single copy, or £2 per annum. The founder was Mr. Charles Elliot, whose connection with the paper continued until it ceased publication in 1872. In the early stages of the “Examiner's” existence, there were, in the nature of things, very few advertisements; but as the population and the business of the town increased, a marked change took place in that respect, and the paper was well filled with notifications denoting a thriving and prosperous community. From the first the “Examiner” showed distinctive literary talent in its articles, and had amongst its contributors such men as Mr. Alfred Domett, Dr. Monro (afterwards Sir David), the Hon. Constantine Dillon, Mr. F. D. Bell (afterwards Sir Francis), Mr. E. W. Stafford (afterwards Sir Edward), the Hon. J. C. Richmond, Dr. Greenwood, and others. During the later days of the “Examiner's” existence, the literary control was entrusted to a number of jointeditors; but the owners experienced financial troubles, from which they were unable to recover, and the paper ceased publication after a useful life of over thirty years.
For the fifteen years during which the “Examiner” was the only newspaper published in Nelson, its policy was directed by the original land purchasers, who constituted the ruling power, and were nick-named the “Nelson Supper Party.” The policy of this party became very distasteful to the working classes, who formed what subsequently became known as the Liberal party, and were even then so strong, that when the Superintendency of the Province became vacant in 1856, they nominated Mr. J. P. Robinson as a candidate for the position; and after a keen contest the victory was won by that gentleman. Naturally enough, the need of a newspaper to advance the interests of the Liberal party became felt, and the “Colonist,” at first a bi-weekly, made its appearance on the 23rd of October, 1857. The necessary money was subscribed in the district, and Mr. William Nation (who came from Sydney for the purpose of printing the paper) was the first registered proprietor. When the paper had been in existence about six years, Mr. D. M. Luckie—whose trenchant writings attracted considerable attention— became editor and part proprietor, and the business was conducted under the style of Nation and Luckie. About the year 1867 Mr. Nation disposed of his interest to Mr. E. G. Collins; and in 1874 the paper was bought from Messrs Luckie and Collins by Messrs Bond, Finney and Co. Up to that time the “Colonist” had not advanced beyond the bi-weekly stage, but its new owners converted it into a daily morning journal. The paper has been edited for some years by Mr. T. H. Bannehr, a member of the firm of Bond, Finney, and Co.,
The “Nelson Evening Mail,” the first daily published in Nelson, began its life on the 5th of March, 1866. In his opening article in the first number the editor explained that the “Mail” had “not been started in opposition to other local journals, nor at the desire of any particular sect, or party, but mainly to support an evident requirement of the whole community.” These remarks have been more than justified by results. The “Mail,” at first a small sheet, was soon enlarged; and from time to time there have been other enlargements. The late Mr. R. Lucas founded the “Mail,” which is now conducted by his sons, Messrs A. P. and A. A. Lucas, under the style of R. Lucas and sons. For upwards of twenty years the editorial chair was filled by the late Mr. F. J. Blundell, who, upon his death in 1891, was succeeded by J. F. Dundas, who filled the position till 1895, when he resigned. The present editor is Mr. O. W. Hanby, formerly of the editorial staff of the “Sydney Daily Telegraph.” The paper is independent in New Zealand politics, and upholds as a vital principle purity of administration.
The history of the other newspapers that have at different times existed in Nelson for short periods, may be told in a few words. The “Nelson Advertiser and Family Newspaper,” started in 1860 by Mr. R. Lucas, existed for only a few months. Another shortlived publication of about the same time was named the “Intelligencer.” After the death of the “Examiner,” two attempts were made to revive it in other forms, by the publication of the “Nelson Daily Times,” and the “Morning Advertiser,” but after braving the trials of keen competition and a straightened exchequer for a year or so, the first passed away, and the second lived only a few weeks. During the eighties a weekly issue of the Nelson “Evening Mail,” under the title of the “Nelson Weekly News,” was published for a short time. The latest venture in Nelson journalism was the founding of the “Nelson Evening Star,” the first issue of which appeared on the 4th of September, 1894. It was smartly written, especially during its earlier period, but it was published for the last time on the 6th of March, 1897, The late Mr. John Kerr held, from the first, a large interest in the paper, which gave a general support to the Liberal party.
(Bond, Finney and Co., proprietors), Nelson. Established 1857. P.O. Box 82. Telephone 51. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Offices, Waimea Street. The “Colonist,” a daily morning paper, published at Nelson, and one of the leading newspapers in the provincial district, was founded by Mr. William Nation. The present owners purchased the property in 1874, from Messrs Luckie and Collins, who had succeeded Mr. Nation. The paper contains all the current news, and is an excellent advertising medium.
, Senior Partner, is a native of Lancashire, England, and was educated at the Royal Grammar school, Lancashire. On leaving school he entered the office of the “Lancaster Guardian,” and remained there for seven years. When Mr. Bond landed at Nelson in the latter part of 1862, he went on to Marlborough, where he was employed on the “Marlborough Press.” He entered the “Colonist” office in 1863 as a compositor, and by perseverance worked his way up to his present position. Mr. Bond is a prominent Forester. He was a member of the Nelson school committee for nine years, and was twice elected chairman. Mr. Bond takes an active interest in temperance matters.
was established in 1865 by the late Mr. Robert Lucas, whose sons now carry on the business. Since the first issue of the paper there has been a steady growth and increase, till at present the influence of the journal is exercised throughout the province. The “Mail” is the only daily evening paper published in the district, and it is to be found in every household. It was the first paper in Nelson to reduce the price to a penny per copy, and it continues to be circulated at that cost to the reader. The policy of the “Mail” is to be independent of all political parties, and to criticise all public affairs fearlessly. Its leading articles deal with every current topic of local, colonial and general interest. The paper employs a large staff of workers in its literary and mechanical departments. Modern machinery and type are used, and the aim of the conductors is to furnish subscribers with the latest news, and the fullest information concerning the events of the day all over the world. At the time of the death of Mr. Robert Lucas, in 1876, the business was in the hands of the late Mr. R. S. Lucas, who, seven years later, was joined by his brothers. Mr. R. S. Lucas retired in 1886, and since then, the business has been carried on by Messrs A. P. and A. A. Lucas. During the past forty years the “Mail” has had only three editors. Mr. Blundell, son of Captain Blundell, edited it for twenty-three years, up till 1891; then it was conducted by Mr. J. F. Dundas until December, 1895; and its present editor is Mr. Osmond W. Hanby, formerly of the editorial staff of the “Sydney Daily Telegraph.”
was born at Langport, Somersetshire, England, in 1817, and was apprenticed to the printing trade. He was afterwards employed at Mr. Wright's printing office in Bristol, and was subsequently Mr. Wright's manager, and as such, he had frequently to pay visits of inspection to branch establishments throughout England. In 1843, Mr. Lucas joined the Wesleyan Mission at Sierra Leone as assistant missionary, and for some time he managed a small printing office in connection with the mission. He was, however, compelled by ill-hearth to return to England, where he carried on a printing business at Bristol on his own account till 1859, when he emigrated to Nelson. On arrival at Nelson he commenced printing at once, and in 1865, established the “Nelson Evening Mail.” Mr. Lucas was an active member of the Wesleyan Church, and was steward of the circuit for many years. He was a man of genial disposition, and was noted for his liberality in connection with the Church. His death, which occurred in 1876, was deeply regretted.
The Nelson people are proverbially a law-abiding community, and during a sojourn of some months in the city, a close observer witnessed only one case of drunkenness. The first offence recorded in the town was heard by Mr. F. A. Thomson, the first Police Magistrate, who held a court in Captain Wakefield's tent within a week after his arrival, when three sailors of the ship “Lord Auckland” were convicted of stealing some wearing apparel. They were sentenced to three months' imprisonment, but as there was only one room in the ranpo gaol or lock-up, it was arranged that they should “reside” with the sole policeman then possessed by Nelson, and their promise not to attempt to escape was accepted by the Magistrate. They did the cooking and the housework in turns, and were occasionally allowed to ramble over the hills for a stated time. During the same month, however, there was another conviction; but in this case the newcomer had only a crude conception of discipline, and he was not only often late for meals, but sometimes stayed away all night.
His Honour Mr. Justice Chabman presided at the first Supreme Court sessions at Nelson; and Mr. Justice Richmond, who resided in Nelson from 1867 to 1875, was the only resident Supreme Court Judge that ever had his home and headquarters in the city. County Courts and Courts of Bequest were successively in vogue in the early days, but under “The District Courts Act, 1858,” Mr. W. T. L. Travers was appointed District Judge. He resigned, however, and the Court was for some time in abeyance. It was reconstituted in 1875, with Mr. Lowther Broad as District Judge, and he was succeded by the late Mr. H. W. Robinson, who in turn was succeeded by Mr. H. Eyre-Kenny; but the duties of the district judgeship have latterly devolved on the District Judge for Otago and Westland. Mr. F. A. Thomson, Mr. G. P. White, Mr. Donald Sinclair, Major Richmond, Mr. John Povnter, Mr. John Sharp, Mr. Lowther Broad, Mr. Oswald Curtis, Mr. Andrew Turnbull, Mr. H. W. Robinson, and Mr. H. Eyre-Kenny have been successively the Resident or Stipendiary Magistrates of Nelson.
The Courts in Nelson are conducted in the Government Buildings, the foundation stone of which was laid by the Superintendent on the 26th of August, 1859. The old Provincial Hall is used for the Supreme Court sessions, which are held three times a year, either by the Chief Justice or one of the Puisne Judges. There is a law library, and the Magistrate's Court and offices are in another part of the building. Mr. H. Eyre-Kenny is the present Stipendiary Magistrate.
, Stipendiary Magistrate of the Nelson, Collingwood, Takaka, Motueka, and Brightwater districts, was appointed to his present office on the 1st of May, 1904; and he is chairman, ex-officio, of the Nelson and Motueka Licensing Committees. Mr. Eyre-Kenny was born in Montreal, Canada, and is the son of the Hon. Lieut.-Colonel W. H. Kenny, of the Black Watch, who was subsequently a member of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, and of Mary Watson, daughter of Lieut.-Colonel Claye Watson, H.E.I.C.S. As a lad he came out to New Zealand, in 1847, by the ship “Ramilies.” He was educated at St. John's College, Auckland, and after completing his studies there, was articled to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Auckland, and was afterwards for two years secretary to Chief Justice Sir George Arney. On resigning that position Mr. EyreKenny commenced the practice of his profession in Auckland, where he remained until August, 1867, when he accepted the position of Registrar of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth. Two years later he was appointed Resident Magistrate, and in 1870, District Judge of the district, which included Patea and Wanganui. In 1879, he was appointed District Judge at Napier, for Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay; but in 1882 he resigned, to again enter into a private practice. Mr. Eyre-Kenny re-entered the public service in 1890, as Magistrate and Warden at Westport, and in October, 1893, he was appointed to a similar position at the Thames. In March, 1897, he was appointed Magistrate for Wellington, and two years later was transferred to the Wanganui district, which included Hawera, Patea, and other small towns on the west coast of the North Island. In May, 1898, Mr. Eyre-Kenny was appointed Deputy District Judge for the District Court of Taranaki, Wanganui, and Wairarapa; and in October, 1904, Deputy District Judge for Westport, Greymouth, Reefton, Hokitika, Kumara and Nelson. At the request of the Government he resigned this position in order to enable Mr. Hazelden to be appointed Deputy District Judge for all District Courts in New Zealand except those in the Auckland province, and to take the place of District Judge Ward, who had been granted leave of absence. Mr. Eyre-Kenny is a Past Master of the Egmont Lodge of Freemasons, No. 670, E.C. He was married, in 1866, to a daughter of Mr. David Buchanan, of Edinburgh. His only son is in the Imperial service in the Straits Settlement.
, formerly Sheriff and Registrar of Electors at Westport, is Deputy-Registrar of the Supreme Court at Nelson, and Clerk of the District Court and Magistrate's Court. He also holds the offices of Mining Registrar, Registrar of Poisons, Deputy-Registrar of Old Age Pensions, Clerk of Awards of the Nelson Industrial District, and Receiver of gold revenue for Wangapeka.
. (Charles Yates Fell), Barristers and Solicitors, Hardy Street, Nelson. This firm was established in 1871.
, B.A., Sole Partner in the firm of Fell and Atkinson, was born at Nelson in 1854. After receiving his early education from Archdeacon Paul, he went to England and attended King's College, London. Thence he went to St. John's College, Oxford, and took his degree in 1877. Having previously entered at Lincoln's Inn, and afterwards moved to the Inner Temple, he was admitted as a barrister in England in July of that year, and joined the Home circuit. After a short experience of English practice, he returned to his native town, where he was soon after joined by his late partner, Mr. A. S. Atkinson. Mr. Fell filled the mayoral chair for five years. For many years he has been Crown Solicitor; he has been for twenty-five years Registrar for the diocese, and for twenty-five years a Governor of the Nelson College. He is also well known in athletics, and at Oxford he was for four years “stroke” oar in his College boat.
was a native of the North of England, and was born in 1833. He was educated at Blackheath, London, and on coming out to New Zealand at the age of twenty, he settled in Taranaki, which was then in a very wild state. It was, in fact, necessary to form a force to protect the settlers from the hostile natives, and Mr. A. S. Atkinson served as private in the Taranaki Volunteers under his brother, Major Atkinson, afterwards Sir Harry, the well-known politician and statesman. After things had quietened down, Mr. Atkinson became editor and part owner of the “Taranaki Herald.” In 1867 he went to Nelson as secretary to the late Judge Richmond, and finished his legal education while with him. He was admitted to the bar in 1871, and soon afterwards he joined Mr. Fell in the legal firm of Fell and Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson was for some years a member of the Provincial Council of Taranaki, and in 1866–7, he sat in the House of Representatives as member for Omata, He was a leading member of the Nelson Philosophical Society, in which he took an active interest almost up to the time of his death. His eldest son is a barrister and solicitor at Wellington, and was elected one of the members for the city seat at the general election in 1899. Mr. Atkinson died on the 10th of December, 1902.
Barrister and Solicitor, Hardy Street, Nelson. P.O. Box 47. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, Brougham Street. Mr. Maginnity was born in Wellington in 1849, of Irish parentage. His father came to the Colony in 1847, and was on the hospital staff of the 65th Regiment. Mr. Maginnity was educated at the military school and at Toomath's commercial and grammar school in Wellington. He passed the Civil Service examination in 1868, and at once entered the Treasury as a junior clerk. In 1873 Mr. Maginnity was appointed chief clerk of the Telegraph Department, assistant secretary in 1876, and in the following year he was promoted to the position of secretary. Three years later he was transferred to Collingwood in charge of the post and telegraph office, and as clerk of the Warden's and Resident Magistrate's court. He retained these positions for seven years, when he resigned and commenced practice as a solicitor in 1887, having in the meantime studied law and passed the necessary examination. Mr. Maginnity was admitted to the Bar in 1898, and owing to his long residence on the goldfields and experience in the Warden's court, he is well versed in mining procedure. He has also for many years been a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of England. The first torpedo corps of New Zealand was formed whilst he was secretary to the Telegraph Department; it consisted principally of employees of the service, and Mr. Maginnity was elected captain. After taking up his residence in Nelson he was elected captain of the H Battery of Artillery, and held the command for about eighteen months.
, sometime barrister and solicitor, Nelson, was a native of Nelson, and the only son of Mr. Samuel Kingdon. He received his preliminary education at Nelson College, and was articled to Messrs Adams and Kingdon. In 1879 he went to London, and there passed the preliminary examination in law, the final of which he afterwards passed in Auckland. Mr. Kingdon was the senior partner in the firm of Messrs Greenslade and Co., tanners, Nelson. He was secretary to the Nelson Acclimatisation Society, in which he took a keen interest, and was also a trustee of the Nelson Savings Bank. As a Freemason, Oddfellow, and Druid, he was attached to the various Nelson lodges. In 1887 he married a daughter of the late Mr. Herbert Curtis, of Nelson, and had issue. Mr. Kingdon died on the 18th of July, 1903.
, sometime Resident Magistrate at Nelson, was one of the first immigrants who landed on the shores of Blind Bay. He arrived in the ship “Fifeshire,” on the 1st of February, 1842, and became the purchaser of the wreck of that vessel. Like many of the early settlers, Mr. Poynter underwent many vicissitudes, but he also filled many important public offices. His first appointment was that of Crown Prosecutor, and he held the office until he became Resident Magistrate in the year 1854, in succession to Major Richmond. On the 30th of June, 1868, Mr. Poynter retired from the Magistracy, and was succeeded by Mr. John Sharp. He also filled, at various times, the offices of Colonial Sub-Treasurer, Provincial Treasurer, Commissioner of Native Reserves, Registrar of Marriages, Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, and local Commissioner of Stamps; and was a director of the Union Bank, Mr. Poynter was a man
, sometime Judge of the District Court for Nelson, was born in London, where his father, Mr. Thomas Robinson, was a merchant in a large way of business. Mr. Robinson was educated at Hall Place School, Bexley, Kent, and upon leaving school he was for a while employed in business; but in 1852, when there was so much excitement about the gold discoveries in Victoria, he—in company with Mr. George Smales Searle, referred to at page 830 of the Otago volume of this Cyclopedia — went out to Melbourne to try his fortune at the diggings. He was mining for a short time at Forest Creek and other places, but was not so fortunate as to make a “pile.” After trying various pursuits, he settled on journalism as a profession, and early in 1860 became editor of the “Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser,” in succession to Mr. Julius Vogel, afterwards better known as Sir Julius Vogel, Premier of New Zealand. At the end of 1861, at the invitation of Mr. Vogel, who had recently started the “Otago Daily Times” in Dunedin, Mr. Robinson came to New Zealand and joined the staff of that paper as sub-editor. He was at the same time editor of the “Otago Witness,” which was already a well-established weekly paper, owned by the proprietors of the “Otago Daily Times.” During the time that Mr. Robinson was on the “Times,” the paper rapidly grew from a small sheet to almost its present dimensions. In 1863 he abandoned journalism to enter the public service, and was appointed Warden and Resident Magistrate for the Mount Benger district in Otago, his headquarters being at the Teviot Junction, now Roxburgh. In the following year he took charge of the Dunstan goldfield, then in the full flush of its prosperity, and remained thore for five years. Thence he removed to Naseby (Mount Ida), and had charge of that district for thirteen years. In 1882 he was appointed to Oamaru, where he remained until 1888, when he was called to undertake the arduous duty of Resident Magistrate at Wellington. In 1889, Mr. Robinson, who had some time before been admitted a barrister of the Supreme Court, was appointed District Judge for Wairarapa, but continued to hold office as Resident Magistrate for Wellington, a second magistrate being appointed to take the duty during his absence on District Court business. In 1893, Mr. Robinson took charge for some months of Judge Ward's extensive district, on the east and west coasts of the Middle Island. In the same year he was appointed District Judge at Nelson. In addition to the office of district judge, he performed the duties of stipendiary magistrate, registrar of the Supreme Court, examiner of titles, and district land registrar. Judge Robinson had been twice married; firstly, to a daughter of the Hon. Thomas Dick, and, secondly, to a daughter of Archdeacon Mathias, of Canterbury. He retired in January, 1904, and died at Masterton on the 12th of March, 1905, in his 76th year.
, formerly Clerk of the District Court, Deputy-Registrar of the Supreme Court, Clerk of the Warden's Court, Receiver of Gold Revenué, Mining Registrar, Clerk of the Licensing Committee for the District of Nelson, Patent Office Agent, Clerk of Awards (under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1894), Deputy-Registrar for Nelson District (under the Registration of People's Claims Act, 1896), and Registrar of Poisons (under Sale of Poisons Act, 1871), is a native of the diocese of St. David's, Pembrokeshire, South Wales, where he was born in 1836. He is the eldest son of the late Rev. W. W. Webb-Bowen, vicar of Camrose, and was educated, first, at the Tenby Grammar school, Pembrokeshire, and finished at Brockley Grammar school, Somersetshire. He came to Wellington by the ship “Royal Stuart, in 1855. After devoting some years to pastoral and agricultural pursuits, he entered the service of the Canterbury Provincial Government in 1865, and was stationed on the West Coast goldfields. In 1867 he received an appointment under the Nelson Provincial Government as clerk of the court at Charleston, and filled that position till 1880, when, at the request of the Superintendent of Nelson, he went to Wangapeka, a newly-discovered goldfield, and did service there as clerk of the court for four months. The late Mr. A. S. Kynnersley was the warden, and he and Mr. Webb-Bowen lived and discharged their duties in tents. He afterwards returned to Westport, and filled the office of clerk of the court from 1870 to 1883, when he was transferred to Nelson, and held the position of deputyregistrar and clerk from that date till the end of July, 1904, when, on his own application, he retired on a pension. In 1870, Mr. Webb-Bowen married a daughter of the late Major Cooke, H.E.I.C.S., and has two sons and two daughters.
As Nelson is equi-distant between the northern and southern extremities of New Zealand, it is not subject in summer to the sub-tropical heat of Auckland, nor, in winter, to the snows and frosts of Otago and Southland. Immediately to the north the town is sheltered by range after range of hills; and, as a rule, even the warmest of its summer days are tempered with a mild breeze from the sea. Hence Nelson is praised as a perfect health resort; and the longevity, and the robust health and vigour of its own pioneer colonists, justify this reputation. Still the care of the sick, the suffering, and the afflicted is well provided for, and in addition to the public hospital, with its qualified professional staff, there are a number of private nursing homes, and five medical practitioners reside in the city. Those of these who are not mentioned in this section, declined to supply the necessary information.
M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.; Nile Street, Nelson. Dr. Andrew was educated at Nelson College, and pursued his medical studies at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, where he became qualified in 1896.
M.R.C.S. Eng., L.S.A. Lond., and B.M., University of London: Nelson. Dr. Hudson was born in 1854, in London, educated at the Devizes Grammar School, and graduated M.B. at the London University. He practised his profession in England for some time, and then went to South Africa, where he was in practice near Kimberley for two years. Shortly afterwards he came to New Zealand, and settled at Nelson, where he has since resided. He was a member of the Nelson City Council from 1901, to April, 1905, when he resigned on being appointed District Health Officer for Nelson and Marlborough. In 1886, he married a daughter of the Rev. J. C. Andrew, of Masterton, and has seven sons and two daughters.
B M., B.S., Univ., N.Z.; formerly of Hardy Street, Nelson. Dr. Roberts is a son of Dr. E. T. Roberts. He was born in Canada in 1864, and educated at the Collegiate school, Hawkesbury, Prescott. He took up his medical studies in Melbourne, and finished at Dunedin, where he obtained his degree. Dr. Roberts was for two years assistant house surgeon at the Dunedin hospital, and for twelve months surgeon at Lyttelton gaol, where he acted as locum tenens for Dr. Pairman. In 1892 he settled in Nelson, where he joined Dr. Hudson in practice. He was medical officer to the Stoke Orphanage, Stoke Foresters, Nelson Female Foresters, Nelson Druids and Forester's lodges; and was also examiner for five insurance companies. Dr. Roberts, who married a daughter of Judge Mackay, of the New Zealand Native Lands Court, is now (1905) surgeon at the Public Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania.
Surgeon Dentist, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Mr. Deck was born in Motucka and received his education at the Nelson College, after which he commenced the study of his profession. He established his present business in 1884, and has ever since conducted it successfully. The dental and operating rooms are fitted up with the latest appliances, and furnished with careful attention to every detail. There are two handsomely appointed reception rooms, with a lady in attendance.
SurgeonDentist, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Mr. Greenwood was born in Mitcham, Surrey, England, in the year 1832, and is the eldest son of the late Dr. John Danforth Greenwood, one of the early pioneers of Nelson. Mr. Greenwood arrived in New Zealand in the year 1843, in the ship “Phoebe Dunbar,” and received his education at the Bishop's School, Nelson, and at St. John's College, Auckland. He studied dentistry in Nelson under Mr. Henry Rawson, and subsequently practised his profession at Greymouth, Wanganui and Palmerston North
W., Dental Surgeon, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. This practice was established in February, 1898. Mr. Squires' surgery is fitted up with the most recent appliances, which were brought by him from England and America. Mr. Squires is a son of the late Dr. Squires, who was at one time well known in Nelson, and was educated at Nelson College. He learned dentistry with the late Mr. W. H. Skeet, of Auckland, and has practised in various cities throughout New Zealand. Mr. Squires completed his dental experience in America, where he went to obtain all the latest instruments and appliances in connection with his profession.
Of the five banks doing business in New Zealand, four are represented in Nelson, and have wellappointed offices. The Bank of New Zealand and the National Bank of New Zealand, Limited, are in Trafalgar Street, and the Bank of New South Wales in Bridge Street. There is also the Post Office Savings Bank. Formerly there was, in addition to the Nelson Savings Bank, a private institution, founded in 1860, which at one time had one thousand depositors, whose average deposits amounted to twenty guineas. The oldest established bank in Nelson is that of the Union Bank, which opened a branch early in 1842. Five years later the New Zealand Government passed an Act to create a Colonial Bank of Issue, and that statute prohibited the issue of any other notes payable on demand. This course compelled the Union Bank to withdraw, but when the Act was repealed, in 1853, the Union Bank again opened a branch. In the interim Messrs Morrison and Sclanders opened a small bank of deposit, and issued notes, payable twelve months after date, amounting to several thousands. Mr. Beit, of Nelson, did likewise, and in Otago Mr. Macandrew followed a similar course.
It is interesting to note the progress made by the five banks in New Zealand. On the 31st of December, 1904, the total liabilities amounted to £20,089,130, and the total assets were valued at £21,296,425. The deposits, not bearing interest, amounted to £8,425,376; those bearing interest, £9,099,010; and the Government deposits amounted to £1,024,353. Thus the total value of deposits was £18,548,739. The value of the notes in circulation was £1.451,813; coin was represented by £3,790,483, and the bullion was of the value of £162,592.
in Nelson is situated at the corner of Bridge and Trafalgar Streets. The bank was opened in the year 1862, and the present premises were erected in 1886. Mr. Henry Goulston was manager of the bank for about twenty years, and was succeeded by Mr. W. Haskayne-Jones, Mr. W. E. Farrer, and Mr. J. Preshaw respectively. The bank's staff consists of three members, and Mr. Charles Augustus Tabuteau is the present manager.
, Ltd., Hardy Street, Nelson. Established 1854. The building is one of the most substantial structures in Nelson, and its interior is of a striking appearance. The bank does a good sound business throughout the district.
, the Manager, was born at Leghorn, Italy, and came out from London in 1879, to fulfil an appointment in the Christchurch office of the Union Bank. The following year he was transferred to Nelson as ledger-keeper, and worked his way up to the position he now occupies.
, Nelson, is situated in Trafalgar Street, and was opened on the 5th of January, 1862. The present handsome building, in concrete and brick, was erected in the year 1867. Its architecture is of the finest in the city, and the building was constructed under the supervision of the late Mr. James Scott. The interior fittings are on an elaborate scale, and the counters are of polished Sydney cedar. The staff consists of nine officers, and Mr. Edward John Allen is the present manager.
was established in 1874. The premises consist of a handsome two-storey building, erected in 1904, and are situated in Trafalgar Street. The Bank does a large and increasing business. Mr. Cecil King is the manager, and Mr. D. Watt accountant.
, Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand in Nelson, was born in 1858, in Fremantle, West Australia. There he received part of his education, which was finished at Perth College. He then entered a merchant's office in Fremantle. In 1875, Mr. King came to New Zealand and joined the service of the National Bank at Wellington. After being agent at Te Aro he was appointed manager at New Plymouth, whence he was transferred to his present position in 1891.
The three most important forms of insurance in New Zealand are those of fire, marine, and life, and the leading representative companies of the world long since established branches throughout the colony, in addition to which there are a number of insurance companies of New Zealand origin. In the city of Nelson three companies—the New Zealand Insurance Company, the Australian Mutual Provident Society, and the New Zealand Government Life—have branch offices in charge of local managers; and most of the other companies doing business in the colony are represented by local agents. Despite the fact that the majority of the buildings in Nelson are of wood, no destructive fires of any magnitude have occurred in the city. The efficiency of the local fire brigade and the improved water supply should still further protect the town from disastrous fires in the future. However, for the colony generally, the year 1904 was the worst that the insurance companies have experienced in New Zealand since the introduction of the present tariff. A fire at Gore resulted in the loss of £20,000; Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.'s Wellington warehouse accounted for £35,000; and a fire in the warehouse of T. and S. Morrin, Limited, of Auckland, cost the insurance companies £60,000. Neither did the province of Nelson escape, as a fire in the town of Collingwood, on the 6th of November, resulted in a loss of £12,500, and the Nelson Boys' College, totally destroyed on the 7th of December, was insured for £15,000. Other losses in New Zealand during the same year made a total—unofficially estimated—of £400,000. The youngest insurance company in the colony is the State Fire Insurance Department, which opened its doors to the public on the 4th of January, 1905. The condition of the marine insurance market was summed up by the “London Times” of the 5th of December, 1904, in the one word “rotten,” though it added that “the whitest spot was the condition of war risks, which had, on the whole, been very profitable. Captures had not been nearly so numerous as might have been expected.” Life insurance, however, had been far more prosperous, and some of the companies published record returns for the year 1904.
. Established 1859. Branch Office, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Head Office, Auckland. This well-known Insurance Company opened its Nelson branch in 1861, when Messrs Curtis Bros, acted as agents. The branch, which includes the Nelson and Westland provinces, with agencies at Richmond, Takaka, Motueka, Brightwater, Westport, Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika, is under the management of Mr. C. E. Wilson, who was promoted in 1898, in succession to his father. The company does the premier insurance business of the provinces of Nelson and Westland, and the insurances in force at the branch amount to £300,000.
, formerly Manager of the Nelson branch of the New Zealand Insurance Company, was the oldest officer in the company's service, he having joined the staff in 1861 in Auckland. After several years of good and faithful service in that city, he was transferred to Greymouth as chief agent for the district of Westland. In 1880 he was promoted to be manager for the district of Nelson, but vacated the position in December, 1898. Mr. Wilson died at Nelson in the middle of April, 1899, aged sixty-eight years.
was established in the year 1849. Its head office is in Pitt Street, Sydney, and the head office for New Zealand is on Custom House Quay, Wellington. During the year 1901, the Society accepted and completed proposals amounting to £3,699,434; the total amount of its policies in force at the same date was £53,786,864, and the surplus for the year amounted to £704,677 8s 5d. The branch office of the Australian Mutual Provident Society in Nelson is situated at the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets.
, District Secretary of the Australian Mutual Provident Society at Nelson, was appointed to his present post in the year 1905. He formerly held a similar position in Christchurch, and is referred to at page 267 of the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia.
has a branch conveniently situated in Hardy Street, Nelson. It was opened in 1885, and controls the whole of that business in the Nelson and Marlborough districts. There is an office in Blenheim, and the branch keeps four canvassors continually at work throughout the provincial districts.
, Agent in Nelson for the Government Life Insurance Department, has been in charge since Christmas, 1893. He joined the service in 1879 at Wellington, where he remained six years. During a portion of 1885 Mr. Burnes was relieving officer at Wanganui, Napier and elsewhere, and was afterwards stationed at Dunedin for seven years. In 1888 he was in charge of the Oamaru agency.
The commercial history of Nelson dates back to the very early days of the settlement. Nelson had the first newspaper in the Middle Island of New Zealand, and also the colony's first brewery—that of Paolo and Pelham. In 1843 Messrs Hooper and Co. built the second brewery, a much larger one than the first, in the same city. Flax dressing was inaugurated in the colony in McGlashan's mill at Wakapuaka, and Mr. Joseph Webley's woollen mill at Nelson was the first of its kind in New Zealand. The first New Zealand barley was grown in Nelson, and was malted by Hooper and Co. Nelson, too, was the first New Zealand port to own a local steamer. A chamber of commerce existed in Nelson from 1858 to 1864, and from its ashes sprang another stronger body.
A fair index to the state of trade in Nelson from time to time will be found on another page of this volume in the article on the business of the Customhouse; but a word or two concerning the commerce of the colony as a whole will not be out of place in this connection. For the year which ended on the 31st of March, 1905, the total value of exports from New Zealand amounted to £15,531,429, inclusive of specie; and, as for the previous year the value was £15,308,616, this showed a moderate increase of £222,813. The value of the imports for the same period was £13,034,301, against £13,276,366 in the previous year; a decrease of £233,065.
Recent years have been exceptionally favourable to the colony, owing to good seasons and substantially higher prices for produce. In the season of 1904–5, the actual average yields in corn crops were: Wheat, 35.36 bushels per acre; oats, 42.53 bushels; and barley, 38.26 bushels. The total returns for the year were: Wheat, 9,123,673 bushels; oats, 14,553,611 bushels; and barley, 1,128,164 bushels. The wheat harvest was the heaviest in the decade, except for 1898–99, when the gross yield in that grain amounted to 13,073,416 bushels. The yield of wheat per acre in 1904–5 was also larger than in any other year in the period, except 1902–3, when there was an average of 38.37 bushels.
As between the 31st of March, 1900, and the same date in 1905, the value of the butter exported from the colony increased from £693,701 to £1,514,156; but cheese showed a decline from £208,258 to £180,874, and beef from £269,459 to £192,404. On the other hand, the value of exported lamb advanced from £603,722 to £1,123,112; and of mutton, from £1,103,081 to £1,291,005. Returns for the year which ended on the 31st of December, 1904, show that the wool and sheepskins exported were valued at over five millions sterling; an increase of half a million on the value of the corresponding exports for 1903. New Zealand hemp exported during the same period was valued at £710,281, an increase of about £115,000; frozen meat, £2,746,113, a decrease of over £400,000. Kauri gum, grain and tallow also showed decreased values; that is, comparing the returns for 1904 with those for 1903. The gold exported in 1904 was valued at £1,987,501.
New Zealand imports from Australia, Fiji, Bengal, and Ceylon have materially increased of late, but those from Canada show a slight decline. New Zealand buys more largely in the United States than elsewhere, except in England. Of European continental countries, Germany is the colony's largest supplier. Latterly imports from Belgium and Japan have shown a slight decrease. The colony's exports to Australia exceed its imports from that commonwealth; but the exports to Fiji, Bengal, Ceylon, and Canada are considerably lower than the colony's imports from them. A large import trade is carried on with the United States, Germany, Belgium, and Japan, and to these countries the colony's exports are as yet but slight. In fact, New Zealand sends the bulk of its produce to England, which is, therefore, by a long way, the colony's best customer.
Those who are interested in the ethics or essential principles of banking may be pleased to be reminded in this connection of a noteworthy episode in the commercial history of Nelson. In 1847 the Government of New Zealand passed an Act to create a Colonial Bank of Issue, and made the notes a legal tender. The bank was only a bank of issue, and there was no provision for effecting remittances nor for receiving deposits, and the Act prohibited the issue of any other notes payable on demand. This, of course, compelled the Union Bank of Australia—the only bank in the place—to withdraw as speedily as possible every note it had in circulation, and it was not worth its while to continue its branch in Nelson. Business men were thus thrown into a difficult position; there were no means in the place for making remittances and nothing to constitute a medium of circulation except a very moderate and uncertain supply of Government notes and gold. The Government paid all salaries, wages., etc., in its own notes, and all customs duties, etc., were paid by importers in Government notes and gold. There was generally a scramble to get enough notes and gold for Customs purposes, for, in the absence of any other way of making remittances, they were being continually carried away from the place. To relieve this state of affairs Messrs Morrison and Sclanders started the Nelson Bank, and as the Bank of Issue Act
was one of the first institutions of its kind in New Zealand. At present there are about fifty members. The Chamber has its headquarters in the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company's building. Its readingroom is supplied with the leading newspapers, and meetings are held once a month. Mr. J. H. Cook is chairman; Mr. F. W. Hamilton, vicechairman; Messrs C. King, H. Baigent, C. Y. Fell, T. H. Bannehr, H. R. Duncan, H. M. Field, and H. Edwards constitute the committee; and Mr. J. P. Harris is secretary.
. (E. H. Bisley and A. H. Bisley), Auctioneers, Commission Merchants, and Land, Stock and Station Agents, Hardy Street. Nelson. Australian and London Agents, Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Telegraphic address, “Bisley, Nelson.” Code A.B.C. Fourth Edition. This well-known and largely connected firm was established in 1885. The handsome buildings are situated in the busiest section of the town, within one minute's walk from the post office. The stock is valued at many thousands of pounds, and there are always extensive lines of general merchandise, farm requisites, saddlery, harness, ironmongery, pianos, organs, carpets, linoleums, etc. The firm acts as attorneys or trustees, and undertakes the management of large or small estates, and invests money for clients on firstclass security. Its auction mart and storage accommodation are very superior. Sales are held regularly at the rooms, and throughout the Nelson district, and the firm has wellequipped saleyards in different parts of the country. Messrs Bisley Brothers have opened a direct hop trade with India and Africa; this should prove of great commercial benefit to the industry, and the firm deserves success for its enterprise.
Commission Agent, Wakefield Buildings, Nelson. Mr. Edwards is agent for the South British Insurance Company, and for several English money-lenders, and was for about fifty years connected with the recently wound-up business of Sclanders and Co. He was born in Essex, England, in 1837, left for New Zealand in 1849 by the ship “Mariner,” and landed in Wellington, whence he at once went on to Nelson. Soon after his arrival Mr. Edwards entered the office of the late Mr. Donald Sinclair, solicitor, and remained with him three years, after which he entered the firm of Sclanders and Co. Mr. Edwards bears a high reputation for integrity and business capacity. He is the vice-president of the Nelson Savings Bank, a member and ex-chairman of the Nelson Fire Underwriters' Association; he was president of the Nelson Bowling Club, and is the holder of several large and important private trusts and executorships, as well as treasurer of the Loyal Nelson Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. Mr. Edwards has been a member of the Order for nearly fifty years, and has been through all the offices of the Lodge and District, including that of District Provincial Corresponding Secretary, which he held for many years; and his services have been recognised by valuable presentations on three separate occasions. In 1860, Mr. Edwards married a daughter of the late Mr. John Nixon, and has a numerous family.
Civil Engineer and Architect, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Mr. Roberts was born in 1842, near Yeovil, Somersetshire, England, and is a son of the late Mr. Joseph Roberts, a land agent and agricultural valuer. He received his chief education at the Yeovil and Ilminster grammar schools; and was a pupil of Messrs Hyde, Smith and Lewis, civil engineers, Tavistock Street, London. After following his profession for four years in association with his father at Crewkerne, Somersetshire, he left England for Canterbury, New Zealand, in October, 1870. In the May following he obtained employment in the Canterbury Provincial Engineer's office, and later became Provincial Clerk of Works. In May, 1873, he received the appointment of engineer to the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, which had charge of all public works in South Canterbury, with an office in Timaru. From the end of 1875 Mr. Roberts was in private practice, chiefly in the Timaru and Christchurch districts, until 1890, when he joined the staff of the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, and in November of that year he was given charge of the Belgrove section of the company's line. He became Assistant Engineer in the Government Public Works Department, with charge of the Nelson district, in 1895; but is now in private practice as a civil engineer and architect. [After this article was set up Mr. Roberts left Nelson.]
E. L., Portrait and Landscape Photographer, Hardy Street, Nelson. This business was established by Mr. Brusewitz in 1889. The proprietor turns out work which is noticeable for artistic posing and finish, and tourists and others passing through Nelson can depend upon obtaining first-rate views of notable scenery at Mr. Brusewitz's studio. Mr. Brusewitz does a considerable business in retouching, printing, and enlarging the work of amateurs, for whom he also keeps on hand a large stock of photographic materials, chemicals, paper, films, cameras, lenses and every requisite required for the business.
Artist, Nile Street, Nelson. Miss Harris was born at Plymouth, England, and is a daughter of the late Mr. Edwin Harris, one of the first surveyors of Taranaki. She was educated in New Plymouth, but at the time of the Taranaki war was sent to Hobart, and re-joined her parents some years later in Nelson, where she has resided ever since. Miss Harris studied drawing in Hobart, and learned painting from her father, to whose careful instruction she owes her skill, and from whom she inherits her talent. In 1873, Miss Harris forwarded a number of paintings of New Zealand flora to an exhibition held in Nelson and Hokitika, and she gained a silver medal on each occasion. She forwarded a number of paintings to the Intercolonial Exhibition at Sydney in 1879, and received a first award and a medal, and also a first award at Melbourne in the following year. At the Anglo-Colonial Exhibition in London, Miss Harris obtained a general award with other exhibitors, and she has received many awards at Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington for works in oil and water-colour. Miss Harris, in conjunction with the late Mr. Jackson, of Nelson, published a very useful and interesting book, entitled “New Zealand Flowers, Berries and Ferns”; and she has also designed New Zealand floral autograph At-Home books.
Artist and Photographer, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. This business was established in 1878, and is known throughout the whole colony. The studio is fitted up in the most superb manner, and the waiting and dressing rooms are unequalled by those of any other similar establishment in the Nelson, Westland or Marlborough districts. The building has a frontage of forty feet in Trafalgar Street, and runs back to a depth of 100 feet. Mr. Tyree's work is said to be unsurpassed in the colony, and the specimens to be seen at the studio are finished in a most artistic style. Six professional assistants are constantly employed.
Baker, Bridge Street, Nelson. This business was established in 1894 by the present proprietor, who is well and favourably known as an experienced tradosman. The oven, which is of modern type, will conveniently hold 250 loaves, and the trade extends throughout the whole of Nelson city, and is gradually increasing in response to the good article supplied to the public. Mr. Bradshaw was born in Lancashire, England, in 1859, and came to New Zealand at an early age with his parents. He learned his trade with Mr. D. Chisholm, served about eight years with Mr. J. Johns, and was three or four years with Messrs Griffin and Sons. Mr. Bradshaw is best known as an enthusiast in the Salvation Army, in which he has filled the office of sergeant-major. As an officer he has travolled over the greater part of the colony. Mr. Bradshaw married a daughter of Mr. D. McCallum, of Long Plain, Takaka.
Baker and Confectioner, Haven Road, Nelson. Established 1886. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Fairey's business has been long in public favour, and he has built up a valuable connection in town and suburbs. A specialty is made of Dr. Ryder's Patent Brown Bread. The oven is capable of holding 160 loaves. Mr. Fairey was born in Richmond, in 1876, and had a thorough training in the trade in the North Island and also in Canterbury. He is a member of the Order of Druids.
, late Hooper and Dodson (Henry R. Duncan, proprietor), Brewers, Bottlers, Maltsters, and Aerated Water Manufacturers, Hardy and Tasman Streets, Nelson. P.O. Box 70. Telephone 13. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This firm's business is the largest of its kind in Nelson, and was established in 1843. The present buildings are of recent date, imposing in appearance, and give ample room for all departments of the business. During the existence of the firm, a name has been won for a good article. It has been singularly successful in gaining prizes wherever it has exhibited. Messrs Dodson and Son secured an award at the All Nations' Exhibition of Works of Industry in 1886–7; bronze medal at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London, 1886; bronze medal at the Industrial Exhibition at Wellington in 1885; silver medal at Nelson in 1873; and at the Nelson Agricultural Show in 1897–98; and again in 1904, they secured three firstclass certificates for draught ale, and in 1896–97–98, and in 1902–03–04 firsts for bottled ale and porter. As a prize-winner, the firm, therefore, ranks with the most successful brewers in the Australasian colonies. Its bottled ales and stouts have attained a name throughout the colony for excellence of quality, and the “AK” brand is as familiar in hotels all the country over as any other. Messrs Robinson and Perrin, the wellknown Wellington bottlers (who exclusively bottle Messrs Dodson and Son's ale and porter), are rapidly building up a large business. The brewery consists of a twenty-six hogshead plant of the most modern type; and the premises are fitted and equipped on the most modern and approved lines for the expeditions carrying on of the work. Trade is done with Wellington, Wairarapa, Wanganui and Palmerston, whilst on the West Coast of the South Island, and in the Golden Bay districts, Dodson's “AK” ale and porter are more familiar and popular than any other brands. Care and scrupulous cleanliness are maintained throughout the brewery, and the brewing staff consists of practical, trustworthy men, some of whom have had very large experience in all brewery work. Malting is carried on in a very large way, under the immediate supervision of Mr. Duncan. In both islands, “Dodson's Malt” is held in the very highest esteem, for excellence, primeness and uniformity of quality. At the Nelson Agricultural Show in 1898, the firm obtained first prize for malt against all comers. The firm has of late years received many very flattering testimonials from brewers who use its malt, a fact which testifies to the excellence of the manufacture. In 1902, this firm bought the old-established aerated water and cordial manufactory of James Hamilton; the new owners installed the most modern plant, and the factory is now second to none in completeness in the colony. The firm also manufactures the deservedly popular and non-intoxicating hop ale. Nelson's flagship, “Victory,” is the trade mark of all goods turned out at the factory, and the brand is sought after by those who prefer light nonintoxicating drinks. In 1901, Mr. H. R. Duncan, who had formerly been managing partner, bought the business from the executors of J. R. and Henry Dodson. Mr. Duncan's private residence is Wainui House.
, Proprietor of Dodson's Brewery, is a grandson of the late Mr. J. R. Dodson. He was born in Wellington in 1866. Upon leaving college heentered the Government Life Insurance Department, where he romained eighteen months. Mr. Duncan's first practical experience in brewing was gained at Gisborne, where he was for two years and a-half under Mr. Crawford. He then came to Nelson, and remained with Messrs J. R. Dodson and Son till 1890, when he visited the Old Country to study the systems of brewing as carried on in some of the larger breweries there, and the analytical part of brewing as affecting the purity of materials used in the production of beer and stout. While in Europe Mr. Duncan visited Copenhagon, and for three months studied pure yeast culture under Professor Jorgensen and Dr. Hansen of that city. Mr. Duncan thoroughly understands the whole business of brewing and malting, and personally superintends the work. Again, in 1893, when he made another visit to Europe on business connected with the firm, he made a tour of all the large breweries in England and Germany. Mr. Duncan is a member of the London Institute of Brewing, and holds an “Honours” certificate for brewing and malting from the London City and Guilds Institute—a certificate which probably is not held by any other brewer in the Australasian colonies.
., Brewers, Bottlers and Maltsters, City Brewery, Collingwood Street, Nelson. The various buildings of the brewery, malthouse, and bottling stores cover more than an acre of ground. The malthouse has a capacity of 300 sacks a month, and large sales are effected throughout the North Island and the West Coast. There is cellar accommodation for 200 hogsheads. The plant comprises 150 hogsheads, and there is a capacious drying oven. The excellent quality of the firm's ales and stouts has enabled them to gain honours wherever they have been exhibited.
, Brewer and Winemaker, Waimea Road, Nelson; Vinery and Brewery, Bishopdale, Nelson. This successful business was established many years ago by Mr. J. Chapman, and taken over by the present proprietor in 1898. The grounds, which are alongside the main road, cover over two acres, all in orchard. There are four large glass houses, devoted to vine and cucumber growing. Mr. Holland's vines bear in such profusion that the fruit almost hides the main stems, and he has varieties for winemaking and table use. The orchard has a variety of apple, peach, plum, and cherry trees, and in the season these are literally weighed down with fruit. This applies specially to the apple trees. The glass houses in the nursery contain ventilators
(Joseph Auty Harley, proprietor), Nelson. P.O. Box 41. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This business was started in 1853 by the late Mr. Charles Harley, and was afterwards conducted by Mr. W. C. Harley (now retired). The firm has won a good name for its products, not only in the province of Nelson, where there is a large demand, but also abroad. It gained awards at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition of 1886; Wellington in 1885; Sydney in 1879; and at the Intercolonial Exhibition of Victoria in 1866–7.
., the Proprietor, is an extensive employer of labour, and grows all the hops required in the business. He is elsewhere referred to as a former Mayor of Nelson.
Builder, Hampden Street West, Nelson. Mr. Moore was born in Birmingham, England, in 1828, and came to Nelson in 1859. He was apprenticed in England to the building trade, and afterwards went to Connecticut, United States of America, where he followed his trade for seven years, during which he was engaged chiefly in stair-building. After arriving in New Zealand he worked as a journeyman for some time, but subsequently started on his own account. A large number of buildings in and around Nelson testify to Mr. Moore's skilful workmanship; for example, the Roman Catholic Orphanage in Manuka Street, the Theatre Royal, Haven Road school, Adams and Kingdon's substantial offices, the residence of the late Mr. C. Bigg-Wither, churches at Richmond and Wakapuaka, and parsonages in Nelson and Richmond, etc. He likewise designed the Nelson Savings Bank. Mr. Moore was married, in 1860, to Mary Anne, daughter of the late Mr. John Davenport, of Warstone,
Builder and Contractor, Bridge Street, Nelson. Mr. Stringer is further referred to as a member of the Volunteer Force.
(Alfred William Clayden, manager), Builder and Contractor, Timber Yard and Sash and Door Factory, Trafalgar Street North, Nelson.
, who has charge of the limber yard and sash and door factory for the executors of the late Mr. John Scott, was appointed to his present position on the death of the proprietor in 1897, having been in the firm's service since 1882. The premises are situated in Trafalgar Street North, where a large business is done, and the firm has the most complete wood working machinery in the province. The firm has the contract for the supply of jam-boxes for the Nelson jam factory, and the quantity of white pine used in this manufacture has, in some years, exceeded 200,000 feet.
(William George Wilson and George Henry Bradley), Coachbuilders, corner of Waimea and Hardy Streets, Nelson. This business was begun in the early fifties by Mr. H. Balme, and is one of the oldest coach factories in New Zealand. The present owners entered into possession of the business in December, 1900, and as they are both practical men, they worthily uphold the firm's reputation for taste in design and thoroughness in workmanship. All kinds of vehicles are turned out complete, and the firm has built many coaches for the West Coast trade, and for Cassidy and Co. The firm of Balme and Co. has exhibited with distinguished success at agricultural and pastoral shows throughout the colony, and was awarded first order of merit and a silver medal at Nelson in 1873; first order of merit and a silver medal at Wairarapa and East Coast in 1884; first and third order of merit and silver medal at Wellington, 1885; two second orders of merit at Dunedin, 1889; and three first prizes at the Marlborough Exhibition of 1901. The factory is a wooden building, two stories in height, and contains a large show-room, three workshops, and a blacksmith's shop. Designs and estimates are given for all descriptions of carriages, coaches, and other vehicles, on application.
, of the firm of Balme and Co., coachbuilders, Nelson, was born in England in 1859. He served an apprenticeship to Messrs Brainsby and Son, coachbuilders, Peterborough, England, and came out to New Zealand in 1884. After being engaged with Balme and Co for a few years, he entered into a partnership with Mr. George Bradley, and took over his business. Mr. Wilson was married in Sydney, New South Wales, to Miss Yates, and has a family of three sons and five daughters.
, of the firm of Balme and Co., was born in Nelson, in 1869, and is the son of Mr. Henry James Bradley. He received his education at Nelson, served his apprenticeship with Gorrie and Sons, and afterwards entered the employment of Balme and Co., with whom he continued for twelve years. In 1900 he and Mr. W. G. Wilson entered into partnership and acquired the business. Mr. Bradley is married, and has two daughters and one son.
Oil and Colour Merchant, “Royal Blue House,” Hardy Street, Nelson. Established in 1863. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Examiner
Street. Mr. Cooke imports all stocks, such as oils, colours, glass, mouldings, Windsor and Newton's artists' materials, etc., direct from the Home manufacturers. The business premises have a frontage of forty feet by a depth of sixty feet. Mr. Cooke was born in Gloucester. England, in 1836, and came to New Zealand in 1859. He worked at his trade with Mr. Lewison, of Nelson, for four years, and then started on his own account.
, Oil and Colourmen. Hardy Street, Nelson. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. The late Mr. Savage arrived in Nelson in 1862. He came to New Zealand with a London experience of thirteen years, and established the present business in 1889. The shop and right-of-way has a frontage of 76 feet to Hardy Street, with a depth of 290 feet. The rear of the main building is especially fitted up for the storage of paperhangings, in connection with which the firm is noted for excellent taste in artistic designs. The “Artists' Arcade' adjoins the shop, and extends back 150 feet. It has been tastefully fitted up with pictures from English houses, and is stored with requisites indispensable to the artist. Rooms are partitioned off for tea and refreshments, which can be partaken of at any hour of the day, and this is found to be a great convenience to townspeople and country visitors. The firm gives special attention to picture framing with New Zealand woods, and mouldings imported from English and foreign houses are also kept in stock. No labour is spared to make every department in the establishment interesting and attractive.
Draper, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Mr. Barltrop was born in London, and came out to New Zealand in 1842 by the “Indemnity,” when but a lad, and landed in Wellington. He went to Taranaki in 1850, but returned to Wellington a year later. After that he crossed to Nelson and was employed in the milling trade for Dr. Bush, with whom he remained two years. In 1865 Mr. Barltrop entered the employment of the late Mr. Wilkie, whose business he managed for many years. Mr. Barltrop is married, and has twelve children.
Merchant Tailor, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Private residence, Church Street. A full assorted stock of Scotch and English tweeds is at all times kept on hand, and the style of work turned out speaks for itself. Satisfaction is guaranteed, the garments (especially the coats) being for the greater part hand-sewn. The business has grown into large proportions. Mr. Richards was born in Nelson in 1870, and served a term of apprenticeship with Messrs Dee and Sons of that town. He afterwards gained valuable experience in Wellington in the employment of the late Mr. Reid, a leading and popular tailor, at whose death Mr. Richards entered the establishment of Messrs King and Mins, but shortly afterwards went to Napier and joined Messrs Davis and Evans, with whom he served six years before he returned to Nelson.
, Tailors, Hatters and Out fitters, Hardy Street, Nelson.
Coal Merchant, etc., The Port, Nelson. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand, Ltd. Mr. Burford is a wellknown resident and a Justice of the Peace. He is the owner of the smart little steamer “Lady” Barkly,” of forty tons, which runs between Nelson, Motueka, Takaka, and Collingwood, and has been engaged in her present trade since 1867. The “Lady Barkly” starts from the owner's private wharf, and all particulars as to passage and freight can be obtained at the shipping office at the Port.
(George Page), House Furnishers, Salesmen and General Commission Agents. Hardy Street, Nelson. Established 1898. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Montreal Road, Toi Valley. This business bids fair to become one of the largest in the district. The workshop is replete with the most modern machinery for carrying on a successful and high-class trade. The plant consists of a new six-horse power engine built by Crossley, of Manchester, and of the best saws and tools. Nothing but good work is turned out, and some of the suites are in rich art designs. Everything connected with a thoroughly replete furnishing business is on the premises. One of the firm's specialfies is French polishing. Estimates can be obtained at all times.
. Senior Partner in the firm, is a native of Staffordshire, England, and came to New Zealand in 1879 by the ship “Arethusa.” In the Old Land he had considerable experience in the iron work and furnishing trade. His first appointment in New Zealand was with Messrs Wilkins and Field, whose employment he left to enter the service of Mr. John James, auctioneer and house furnisher, with whom he romained four years. He subsequently took charge of Messrs Bisley Bros.' furniture-making workshop, and remained in that position fourteen years. On leaving he received a valuable present, and general regret was expressed at his departure after so many years of faithful service. In Nelson Mr. Page is favourably known, and has been at all times a most loyal citizen.
Cabinetmaker, Embalmer and Undertaker, Collingwood Street, Nelson. This business was founded in the year 1862 by Mr. Thomas Shone, father of the present proprietor, and was conducted successfully by him till 1893, when he passed the management over to his two sons. The other son having retired, the business is now carried on solely by Mr. Alfred Shone. All kinds of furniture are made to order on the premises, and all articles are of first class workmanship. Mr. Shone is the only undertaker in Nelson who holds a certificate for embalming. He attended a course of instruction, is fully qualified in all branches of his calling, and has received many testimonials which testify to his success. Mr. Shone was born in Melbourne, Australia, in the year 1859, and arrived in New Zealand with his parents, as an infant. He was educated at the State school in Nelson, and was subsequently apprenticed to his father, with whom he worked for a number of years. As a Forester, Mr. Shone is a Past Chief Ranger of Court Robin Hood; and he was for twenty years a member of the Naval Brigade. Mr. Shone married a daughter of Mr. George Parkes, of Eighty-eight Valley, near Wakefield, and has one son and three daughters.
(Robert A. Storey, proprietor) Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Telephone, 115; bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This fine hotel is one of the largest and most favourably known in the town, and the proprietor is one of the most popular landlords in Nelson. It is centrally situated at the corner of Trafalgar and Bridge Streets, is the nearest hotel to the new Post Office, and offers first-class accommodation and convenience to the travelling public with its comfortably furnished bedrooms, bathrooms, four parlours, and fine dining room, capable of seating fifty guests. There is a well kept table, and constant civility and attention make the place much more homelike and comfortable than the average hotel. The house was originally erected in the early days of Nelson, but has been added to, pulled down, and re-built.
, Proprietor of the Central Hotel, was born in Marlborough, and received his education in Blenheim. For many years he followed the building trade in the Wellington provincial district, and entered into possession
, corner of Hardy and Trafalgar Streets, Nelson. P.O. box, 31; Telephone, 38. The Masonic Hotel, which is owned by Mr. Henry Baigent, is situated in the heart of the city a few yards from the Post Office, cab stands, and banks, and ofters every facility to guests, be they commercial men or tourists. The building, which is second to none in Nelson, is of brick, two stories in height, and plastered throughout. It was erected in 1863, by Mr. Field, and was managed for a number of years by Mr. R. Gilmer, who sold out to the present proprietor in January, 1902. On acquiring the property Mr. Baigent added twenty-two bedrooms to the hotel, and put the house on a thoroughly up-to-date footing. The building now has a frontage of 105 feet on Hardy Street, and another of 107 feet on Trafalgar Street, with a wide asphalted balcony around the whole of both frontages. As most of the bedrooms open out on the balconies, fire-escape ladders have been placed in readiness to ensure the safety of the guests. The main entrance is from Hardy Street, through a wide vestibule, decorated with ferns and pot plants; and there is a separate, entrance to the bars. The diningroom, on the ground floor, is capable of seating sixty guests, and is to be enlarged to provide for three extra tables. The commercial bar is stocked with the choicest wines, spirits, ales, and other beverages, and is fitted with a half-circular counter, at the back of which there is a private room connected with the bar by means of two open windows. Mr. Baigent personally attends to the breaking-down of his whisky, and as he has had considerable experience in the art, guests and callers can depend on getting the best liquors in the market. The commercial and smoking-room, at the rear of the bar, is equipped with four American writing desks, lounges and easy chairs, and stocked with stationery, newspapers, books, and magazines. The other rooms on the ground floor include the office, and two private sitting-rooms. Outside, but adjacent to the building, there are storerooms, lavatories, and the kitchen. A wide staircase leads to the first floor, on which there are thirty-four bedrooms, exclusive of those used by the family and hotel staff. All the rooms, single and double, are well furnished, and are scrupulously clean in every particular. The private sitting-rooms and ladies' drawing room are large airy apartments with pile carpets, and furnished in good taste. Practically all the comforts and conveniences of civilisation are found in these well-appointed rooms. There are three bath-rooms and lavatories on the first floor, and the hotel is lighted throughout with incandescent gas. The “Masonie” is the stopping place for Cook's tourists, and offers all the conveniences of a first-class hotel to families, travellers and commercial men. In the short, time that Mr. Baigent has owned the property he has spared no expense in making alterations, additions, and improvements, and has thoroughly renovated the hotel, and brought it to a high standard of perfection. In season, and out of season, the house is generally full, and, owing to Mr. Baigent's capable management, the “Masonic” is recognised as one of the leading hostelries in New Zealand. The domestic arrangements and the comforts of lady guests are attended to by Mrs. Baigent.
Mr. Henry Baigent, Proprictor of the Masonic Hotel, Nelson, was born in Farnham, Surrey, England, in 1852, and received his education in his native town. Mr. Baigent has travelled extensively all over the world; he was for twenty-two years a head steward and purser on the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers, and was ten years in the service of the New Zealand Shipping Company. In 1900 he left the sea, and after a two years' holiday, bought the Masonic Hotel, which he has since practically rebuilt, and conducts on up-to-date lines. Mr. Baigent is a Freemason and Oddfellow of many years' standing, and he is an
(Alfred W. Bradley, proprietor), Nelson. This old established hotel is situated within a stone's throw of the Albion wharf. Trams and omnibuses start from the door for the city every half hour. The house has been thoroughly renovated by Mr. Bradley since he has entered into possession. A splendid view of the harbour is obtained from the balcony and upstair windows.
, the Proprietor, was born in London, and came out in the ship “Lady Nugent.” For many years he carried on farming at Stoke until he took over the Pier Hotel. As a rifle shot he has carried off many prizos. Mr. Bradley's hobby is yachting, for which the Nelson harbour is well adapted. He has designed and built several boats, which have become prize-winners.
(Thomas Newman, proprietor), corner of Bridge and Trafalgar Streets, Nelson. P.O. Box 35. This hotel is a large and commodious building, having a frontage of 120 feet with a depth of 78 feet. It was one of the first in the provincial district of Nelson. There are twenty bedrooms upstairs, and on the ground floor there are three bar-parlours, a dining room capable of seating fifty people, a bar and other rooms, which give ample accommodation for patrons. The present proprietor took the hotel over in 1898, and has done much to increase the popularity of the house.
, the Proprietor, was born in England in 1851, and came to New Zealand in 1878. He is a prominent member of the Order of Druids and also of the Freemasons. Before settling in Nelson he kept the Railway Hotel at Richmond.
, Nelson, owes its origin and success to the ingenuity and mechanical skill of its manager, Mr. Alexander Brown, who has for more than thirty years been the ruling power, and now is part owner of it. Mr. Brown served as engineer on the s.s. “Wallaby” and “Kennedy,” of the Anchor Line. In 1866 he came ashore to superintend repairs required by these vessels, and in that way the Anchor foundry came into existence. There most of the vessels of the company have been repaired and lengthened, or converted from paddle into screw steamers, given new boilers and engines, and undergone periodical renovation. Most of the engineering work of the Coast has also been done at the foundry. Twelve boilers have been supplied to the Westport coal companies, besides many other similar contracts. Latterly a specialty has been made of aerialtrams for quartz mining.
, Manager and Part Proprietor of the Anchor Foundry, has been a resident of Nelson for very many years, and has witnessed many stirring scenes. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1830, and learned his trade as a mechanical engineer in Glasgow, with Messrs James Gray and Co., under whom he worked for about eight years. In 1854 Mr. Brown was employed on the construction of the “Great Eastern,” and in the following year he became second engineer of a transport bound to the Crimea with troops. The “Lyttelton,” a small vessel of forty-eight tons, designed for the New Zealand river trade, was constructed by the builders of the “Great Eastern,” Scott, Russell and Co., who intended at first to send her out in sections, but she started in August, 1859, with Mr. Brown as engineer. The little vessel had a very eventful and troublesome passage from the time she left the Thames, and put in successively at Cork, Cape de Verdo, Cape Coast Castle, where the captain and crew were stricken with fever, and Mr. Brown, the mate and the cabin boy alone escaped. On the 23rd of November, 1860, she reached Wellington, where for some time she had been given up as lost. After refitting, Mr. Brown took her to Lyttelton. He was present at the “rush” to Gabriel's Gully in 1861, and during those days he ran the “Lyttelton” from Dunedin to Taieri. In 1862 she was bought by a Nelson firm for the trade between Nelson and the Wairau, and formed the nucleus of the Anchor Line of steamers, which played such a prominent part on the West Coast in the sixties. Mr. Brown has been most successful in all the engineering works he has undertaken.
, Junior, eldest son of Mr. Alexander Brown, is sub-manager of the Anchor Foundry, and served his time with his father at the engineering works. When his term was completed he went to the Old Country and entered the firm of Caird and Co., engineers and shipbuilders, of Greenock, for two years. There he gained valuable experience, and on returning to New Zealand, he re-entered his old shop.
, Mechanical Engineer, Nelson. Mr. Batchelor is a son of the late Mr. T. C. Batchelor, and was born and educated in Nelson. After leaving school he went into a drapery establishment, where he remained for eleven years. At the end of that time he entered the engineering profession, and successfully passed his examination as a mechanical engineer. For some years he was in the employment of the Anchor Steamship Company, and afterwards became part owner of the steamships “Lily” and “Elsie,” trading between Nelson and Motucka. The trade rapidly grew in importance, and a daily service between Nelson and Motucka proved popular with the public and financially satisfactory to the owners. For some years Mr. Batchelor was a prominent football player, and he has represented Nelson in football matches. He took an active interest in volunteering for ten years, and attained the rank of sergeant. Mr. Batchelor is also a prominent Oddfellow. He is now engaged in the management of a large private boardinghouse, which is extensively patronised by tourists and travellers.
Blacksmith, Farrier and General Smith, Bridge Street, Nelson. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Telegrams, “Corder, Nelson.” Established 1897. Mr. Colder took over the business carried on by Mr. Whiting for many years. An excellent connection in all branches of the trade has been established, and the proprietor is well known as a skilful tradesman. Mr. Corder was born at Waimea West, and educated at Spring Grove.
, Licensed Plumber, Gas-fitter, and Drain Layer, Bridge Street, Nelson. Private residence, Tory Street, The Wood. This business was established in 1893 by the late Mr. J. A. McArtney, who had previously served twenty years with Mr. John McArtney, senior, nine years as manager. The business premises offer every facility for carrying on the work of the establishment, in which all branches of the trade are conducted with distinct success. Mr. McArtney was a Past Grand Master in the Order of Oddfellows, and took an active interest in various local matters. He died about the middle of 1903; and the business is now carried on for his widow, for whom Mr. A. B. Allan is manager.
, General Smiths and Farriers, Bridge Street, Nelson; Smiths and Farriers, by special appointment, to his Excellency Lord On
C, Cycle Expert and Maker, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. P.O. Box 13. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Mr. Mercer is agent for the Humber, Singer, and Rudge Whitworth machines, and also imports direct the celebrated “Remington” cycle and the great American machine, “The Columbia.” A great number of machines are displayed in the showroom, and the workshop has ample
, Cycle Importer and Repairer, Bridge Street, Nelson. This business, established in 1900, was at one time known as the Anglo-New Zealand Cycle Company, but has since passed into Mr. Tunnieliffe's hands. His premises are well stocked with new machines—the Elite, National, Tribune, Rapid, Anglo-Special, and others. A specialty is made of repairing, which is carried on in a workshop attached to the premises, and that important department is under the personal supervision of Mr. Tunnicliffe himself. Mr. Tunnicliffe was born in Nelson, in 1870, and educated at the State schools of the town. He belongs to the Order of Druids; is a prominent member of the Nelson Athletic and Cycling Club, and when he was a competitor he was fairly successful as a racing cyclist, having won many races. He did most of his racing on an Anglo-Special. Mr. Tunnicliffe married a daughter of Mr. J. F. Nock, an old colonist of Christchurch and Palmerston North, and has two daughters.
, Hardware Merchants, Wholesale and Retail Ironmongers, Hardy Street, Nelson. This extensive firm was originally founded at Westport in 1866 by Mr. Thomas Field, who was joined in Nelson by Mr. W. C. Wilkins in 1880, when the style was changed to Wilkins and Field. Mr. Wilkins retired from the business on account of ill-health in 1883, and is now a resident of Invercargill. The business was converted into a Limited Company in 1902; capital, £30,000. The premises are large and amongst the best in Nelson; they have a frontage of 50 feet to Hardy Street, and a depth of 300feet. The building is constructed of wood and iron, and fitted with heavy plate-glass show windows. These contain, in addition to other goods, an excellent display of electroplated ware, of which the firm has the heaviest stock in the whole of the Nelson district.
, Founder of the firm of Wilkins and Field, is a very old colonist. He emigrated from Ireland to Sydney with his parents in 1845, and came to New Zealand in 1862.
Saddler and Harness Maker and Direct Importer, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Collars of all descriptions are manufactured, and waterproof ponchos and aprons are specialties of Mr. Dickson's business.
(Frederick W. Fairey and Kaspar Rowald Fairey), Live Stock Importers, Wholesale and Retail Butchers, Bridge Street, Nelson. Established 1895. The premises of this firm are fitted up with one of the most complete plants in New Zealand, including the latest machinery. The business is conducted on cash principles, and is large and constantly increasing. Six bullocks and sixty head of sheep, in addition to calves, pigs, and poultry, are killed each week for consumption. Being cash purchasers, Messrs Fairey Brothers are in a position to go into local and outside markets, and secure none but the primest beef and mutton for their customers. A specialty is made of small goods. Six
, the Senior Partner, was born at Nelson in 1869. After leaving school he followed the butchering trade, in which he subsequently started on his own account in conjunction with his brother. Mr. Fairey has been a member of the Ancient Order of Druids for many years. He was also elected a member of the Nelson City Council in September, 1899. Mr. Fairey is a keen sports man, and takes great interest in football.
, of the firm of Fairey Brothers, was born at Nelson in the year 1871. He worked for others for some years before entering business on his own account. Mr. Fairey is a member of the local Court of Foresters, and has been an enthusiastic footballer.
. (Samuel F. Bolton. Charles Cook, and Edward Boyce), Wholesale and Retail Family Butchers, Nile Street East, Nelson. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business was founded by Mr. Alex. Wilkie, in 1885, and taken over by the present proprietors in 1896. The premises are freehold, and present a most inviting appearance. A meat Otto gas engine drives the large sausage machine in a most efficient manner. An exceedingly large quantity of meat can be put through hourly, and it is treated only in such a manner as small goods should be. Ali small goods, including German sausages and saveloys, are regularly made on the premises. But it is in the primest of meats that the firm does the business which is most extensive in town and country. The firm's carts (at all times well kept, and easily distinguished) are kept going as far as Richmond. Messrs Wilkie and Co. do not pretend to sell for less than other butchers, but sell only the primest of meats at most reasonable prices. As they kill a large number of stock weekly, customers can rely on having their orders attended to promptly, and on being supplied with what they order. The whole of the meat is thoroughly inspected by an expert before being brought from the slaughter yards at Stoke, to the shop in Nile Street. Mr. S. F. Bolton is the business manager of the firm. Mr. Charles Cook looks after the selling department, and the manufacture of small goods, for which he has obtained a first-class reputation. He has been associated with the butchering trade since his youth. Mr. Edward Boyce does nearly all the buying, and to obtain suitable stock for the firm, he travels throughout the province, and is considered one of the ablest judges in the district of cattle and sheep.
. (Frank W. Hamilton, Managing Director), Hop and General Merchants, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. P. O. Box 53. Telephone—Shop, 4; Warehouse, H. Cable and telegraphic address, “Buxton, Nelson.” Code A.B.C. 4th edition and “A.I,” Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Agents for Ransomes, Simms and Jeffries, Ltd. (agricultural implement makers); Cameron and Co. (liquid sheep dips), W. Cooper. Son and Nephew (powder sheep dipa), Gear and Co. (artificial manures), New National Sewing Machine Company, Victoria Insurance Company, North British and Mercantile Insurance Company. The business premises of this firm are the finest and most commodious in Nelson. The shop and warohouse, covering 15,600 feet of floor space, is twostoried, and affords room for a very large stock. At the back of, and adjoining the shop and warehouse, is the iron yard, which covers about 7000 feet. The hop store in Bridge Street has a frontage of fifty feet. with a depth of one hundred and thirty feet and the bond and free store, also in Bridge Street, covers 1000 feet of floor space, and is two stories high. This large and well appointed business is replete with a full stock of general merchandise, groceries, crockery, glassware, drapery, carpets, linoleums, mats, English, Continental and American hardware, farm and station requirements, coach builders' and wheelwrights' requisites, etc. All these lines are imported direct from the great manufacturers in America and Europe. During the season the firm handles a large proportion of the hops of the provincial district of Nelson. The business was established in 1854, and for many years was carried on' by the founders. In 1881, the late Mr. Francis Hamilton bought the business, and conducted it till he died; but his sons had for some years been associated with him in its management, and they still carry on the business.
. (Joseph Henry Cock), Warehousemen and General Merchants, Bridge Street, Nelson. P.O. Box 48; telephone 5. Cable address, “Cock, Nelson,” Code, A.B.C. and Agars. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Church Hill, Trafalgar Street. Agents for A. L. Elder and Co., London, Shaw, Savill and Co., P. and O. Company, Liverpool Underwriters' Association, Liverpool and London and Globe, British and Foreign Fire and Marine Insurance Companies; managing owners of the Anchor Steamship Company, This firm's business was established in 1841, and was carried on for many years under the style of N. Edwards and Co. In 1878, shortly after the death of Mr. John Symous, the last partner of the firm of Edwards and Co., the business was taken over and carried on by Mr. Cock, his son-in-law.
(Edwin Smallbone, proprietor), Merchants, Ship Chandlers, Sailmakers, and Universal Providers, The Port, Nelson. Telephone, 73. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Established 1861. Agent for Washbourne and Sons' Hematite Paints and Knife Powder. This business was acquired by the present proprietor in June, 1899. The building is of wood and iron, two stories in height, and is divided into store rooms, a shop, and a sailmaking room, all on the ground floor; the upper portion is used as a dwellinghouse. The premises are about 100 feet square; and the firm's wharf, capable of accommodating at one time three vessels of from sixty to seventy tons, is close to the building. The firm carries a large stock in all departments, and can supply anything from a needle to an anchor. By importing most of its goods direct the firm does not require to provide for the middleman's profit in its prices; and by means of the advantage it is thus able to extend to customers, and by courtesy and attention, the firm has built up an extensive and valuable connection.
(J. W. Neale; T. Neale, manager), Seed, Grain and Produce
, the Manager of the firm, is a son of the proprietor, Mr. J. w. Neale, and was born in Nelson. In 1891 Mr. Haddow retired from the business, when Mr. Neale, senior, became sole partner, but he, too, had to relinquish active work in 1892, through failing health. Mr. Thomas Neale then assumed full charge, and with energy and tact he has increased the business to its present large proportions.
Fruiterer and Greengrocer, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Mr. Jennens established his business in 1896, and has formed a large connection throughout the town. In his admirably kept gardens, of five acres, in The Wood, there is a large stock of fruit trees, the very flourishing condition of which testifies to the care bestowed upon them by Mr. Jensens.
Printer and Manufacturing Stationer, Harly Street, Nelson. This business has a plant equal to the requirements of a large city. The trade carried on is principally a jobbing one, and the fact that such firms as Kirkpatrick and Co., Griffin and Sons, Haddow and Pettit entrust Mr. Betts with their printing, speaks well for the quality of the work. The machinery is worked by a Crossley Otto gas engine, and the arrangements and fittings reflect great eredit upon the proprietor. The College Governors entrust Mr. Betts with the whole of their work, and “The Nelsonian” shows how well he deserves their patronage. Mr. Betts was born in Nelson, and learned his trade in the larger cities of New Zealand with Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd, and other well-known firms. He is well known in local sporting and athletic clubs, and his business extends throughout the whole of the provincial district.
, Booksellers and Stationers, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. This business was established by the late Mr. H. D. Jackson, in 1871. and after his death, in 1893, it was carried on by Mr. R. B. Jackson, inder the style of H. D. Jackson. In July, 1904, Mr. R. B. Jackson admitted his brother, Mr. A, E, Jackson, into partnership, and then the name was changed to Jackson and Co.
Grocer and Provision Merchant, “The Brick Store,” Waimea Road, Nelson. Mr. Pettit keeps a well-assorted stock of groceries of the highest quality, and does a good steady trade throughout the town and district. As an exporter of fruit and general produce, Mr. Pettit has done much to encourage the interests of the farmers. He has taken a very prominent part in the affairs of the Baptist Church, with which he has been connected for over a quarter of a century, as superintendent of the Sunday school, trustee and treasurer of the church committee. Mr. Pettit is a strong advocate of the cause of temperance, and has been a Rechabite for nearly thirty years.
Grocer and General Merchant, Hardy, Collingwood and Morrison Streets, Nelson. Cable address, “Caledonia.” Code, A.B.C. No. 1. Telephone 41. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, Selwyn Place. Mr. Snodgrass possesses one of the largest and most important businesses in Nelson. His premises, which are conspicuous, were erected about fourteen years ago. The warehouse in Hardy and Morrison Streets is also a fine commodious new building, filled with large stocks of china, glass, earthenware, brushware, basketware, cutlery, fancy goods, tobacconists' goods, etc. Mr. Snodgrass is a direct importer of all the various lines from manufacturers in Europe, America and Japan, and is thus enabled to place his goods before his numerous customers at reasonable prices. He was born in Scotland, in 1838, apprenticed in Liverpool to the drapery trade, and afterwards conducted business on his own account successfully for twenty-four years. In 1880 he came to New Zealand, and straightway entered into business in Nelson as a general storekeeper. Thirteen years later he built the premises known as “Caledonia House,” to which he removed, and seven years ago he erected the extensive wholesale warehouse called “Staffordshire House,” Mr. Snodgrass's three sons are heads of various departments in the business.
Grocer, and Produce Merchant, Waimea Street, Nelson. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Wells's extensive business was originally established by Mr. John Newberry, and was taken over by Mr. Wells in 1894. The premises are conveniently situated, and contain heavy stocks of general merchandise. Mr. Wells handles large quantities of produce during the season, and keeps four expresses in constant daily use. He visits the whole of the country districts personally in order to buy his own produce, and superintend his business connections. Seven hands and five horses are kept busily employed, and Mr. Wells is in a position to supply his customers with anything in the market. He also does an extensive fruit trade, and is a direct buyer and shipper of Nelson fruits. Mr. Wells has had a large experience in the grocery trade, and was for eight years with Mr. Newberry. He was born in the Isle of Wight, in 1854, and educated in his native town. Mr. Wells is a prominent Druid, and is married and has three children.
(William Haddow and Thomas Pettit), Soap Manufacturers, Waimea Street, Nelson. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. P.O. Box 50. This firm, which carries on an extensive business, and is the only one of its kind in the province of Nelson, was established in 1876, by Mr. William Phillips, and taken over by the present firm in 1896. The buildings are of large dimensions, and the machinery includes a five-horse power engine of modern type, a large boiler and a boiling pan, sixteen feet in depth and nearly seven feet wide. The firm manufactures all kinds of soap, from the cheaper varieties to the highest class, and its “Lavender” brand commands a very extensive sale. The celebrated registered “Hydroline” soap has a ready market in almost all parts of New Zealand, from Auckland to the Bluff. It is a soap invented by Mr. W. McLeod, late of Dunedin; and for all classes of work, nousehold or other, it stands pre-eminent. So large is the sale of the hydroline soap that it is only with the greatest difficulty the firm can cope with the demand from all parts of the colony. The article is put up in neat and attractive packages. Mr. Thomas Pettit is referred to elsewhere under a separate business heading; and on another page there is an article about Mr. William Haddow as a former member of the Nelson City Council.
., Manufacturers of Jams, Jellies, Preserved Meats, Fruits, Sauces and all-Hermetically Sealed Goods, corner of Vanguard and Gloucester Streets, Nelson. Wellington branch, Farish Street. P.O. Box 81. Telegraphie address, “Kirkpatrick, Nelson.” Cable address, “Manifesto.” Code, Private (forwarded on application) and A.I Code. Telephone 54. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Trade Mark, “K.” Jam Factory, Nelson. Agencies: Carr, Johnston and Co., Fort Street, Auckland; H. Quane and Co., Christehurch; and J. M. Brown, Don Street, Invercargill. This business was established in 1881, by the present proprietor. It is the most important industry in the province of Nelson, and is the largest of its kind in New Zealand. Its jams, jellies and preserves are known throughout the colony, where the big “K” is a household word, and should any boy in New Zealand who can read, be asked what “K” stands for, his immediate answer would be “good jam.” From end to end of the colony placarded on large hoardings, railway station fences, the covers of countless books, and in every conceivable place, is the mystic symbol “K” It seems that these products have quite met the public taste and favour, and little of anything else in the way of jam is consumed in the colony. The “K” brand is universally used and asked for, and by the energy and enterprise of the proprietor, is kept in the forefront of New Zealand industries. The buildings of the firm cover about 30,000 feet, and are of the best selected seasoned timber. In appearance they are very commanding, the firm's trade mark, a big letter “K,” being prominently displayed. The frontage extends for 308 feet in Vanguard Street and over 298 feet along Gloucester Street. There are seven acres of freehold land, three acres of which have been set apart for the buildings, yards, and the requirements of the gigantic business. The main or principal building, measures 190 by 80 feet, and contains commodious public and private offices, luxuriously fitted up regardless of expense. All the counters are of imported New South Wales cedar, and the various desks of choice native woods, are magnificently finished with French polish. Windows set in massive and elaborate sashes give an almost perfect light, and distribute an air of cheerfulness seldom seen in the counting and clerical apartments of large firms. Gas is laid on throughout, and the office fittings are of the latest incandescent lamp system of lighting, with pale sea green shades set in asbestos and brass fittings. The floors are all covered with linoleum, rich in design and attractive in appearance, and it is almost impossible to realise the enormous industry which is daily being carried on. In addition to the ordinary counter, there is also a smaller one, nicely polished, which is used by the firm's employees when business brings them in contact with the clerical staff. So thorough indeed has Mr. Kirkpatrick been in endeavouring to be ahead of the times, that it can safely be said that no better equipped offices are to be found in any
In the year 1899 the firm added to its already extensive operations by buying the cld established busingess of J. Anderson and Son, coffee and spice merchants, Wellington. The plant was
In November, 1904, Messrs Kirkpatriek and Co., with their characteristic enterprise, purchased the promises and plant of the Nelson Fish Company, and entered into the business of fish dealers and refrigerators. The works occupy an ideal site for such a business, as they are situated on the foreshores of Nelson harbour, and abut on Burford's wharf. Deep water extends to the very doors of the fish room, and the fishermen are thus able to deliver their fish right out of their loats into the receiving-room. A large number of boats are engaged in supplying the necessary fish, but the firm has great difficulty in obtaining sufficient, so greal has been the demand from its customers. The fish is brought to the doors and at once placed in the cool chambers, so that it is kept perfeetly fresh and sweet. The premises contain three large insulated cool chambers, kept at a low temperature, and each chamber is capable of holding some tons of fish. Tons of ice are made in the commodious ice chest, and in the summer time a large business is done in supplying the trade and private customers with jce; a boon which enables the careful housewife to keep food stuffs sweet and wholesome in the hottest weather. The refrigerating process in use at the works is a Hercules direct expansion plant, and the power is supplied by a twelve horse-power Tangye gas engine. The ammonia is pumped into refrigerator pipes at a temperature of 28 degrees, and issues into the comdenser at a temperature of about 190 degrees; great heat being thas generated in the development of intense cold. After being
, who was elected a member of the Nelson City Council in 1898, is a native of Newry, County Down, Ireland, and was educated at the Newry School and also at Walton College, Liverpool. After leaving College, he joined a firm of large wholesale provision and tea merchants, with whom he remained over five years. He then emigrated to America, where he engaged in the wholesale tea business, first at Philadelphia and afterwards at Pittsburg. In 1876 he went to California, where he was engaged in the fruit preserving industry, and acquired extensive practical knowledge, which he uses to much advantage as the head of the well-known firm of S. Kirkpatrick and Co., whose products, bearing the big “K” trade mark, are as familiar as household words throughout all of the Australasian colonies. Mr. Kirkpatrick first emigrated to New Zealand in 1879, and landed in Auckland. He shortly afterwards went to Dunedin, where he was for some time previous to leaving for the Old Country. In 1881 he again crossed the line, and brought with him to New Zealand a complete plant for canning purposes. He commenced business in Bridge Street, Nelson, where success awaited him; so much so, in fact, that he was compelled to build his present large factory, which is equalled by no other in the Australasian colonies. Mr. Kirkpatrick is always ready to assist any movement for the welfare of the district. Mr. “Kirk,” as he is familiarly named, is extremely popular with all sections of the community, and is undoubtedly one of the largest employers of labour in the district, which has benefitted so immensely by his enterprise.
City Livery Stables, Trafalgar Street North, Nelson. Bankers, the Union Bank of Australia. Private residence, New Street. Established in 1866. The stables are extremely well appointed and contain fifteen stalls and ten loose boxes. Every description of vehicle is kept on the premises. Mr. Gay's drivers are experienced men, and can be relied on by travellers or tourists visiting the province. Mr. Gay was born in Nelson in 1844. He has been associated with horses from his earliest days, and is well and favourably known throughout the whole of Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast. Mr. Gay was for fifteen years a member of the Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade, and is an Oddfellow and a Druid.
. (James W. Grant and Alexander Grant), Royal Express, General Carriers, and Forwarding Agents, Wakefield Buildings, Hardy Street, and Vanguard Street, opposite Messrs Neale and Haddow's, Nelson. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This well known, and prosperous business was es-
, Carter, Collingwood Street, Nelson. Mr. Revell was born in Taranaki in 1860, and in 1878 he was apprenticed to a blacksmith. After a few years in that occupation, he took to farming in 1883. His stables are situated in Collingwood Street, and are known as the Hotel Stables. They contain four stalls, two loose boxes, a chaff-house, two cartsheds and a loft. The entire building has a frontage of sixty feet. Mr. Revell does a steadily increasing business.
(William Brown and Louis Kerr), Watchmakers and Jewellers, Trafalgar and Hardy Streets, Nelson, Branches at Motueka, Takaka and Collingwood. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia, Ltd. This firm's business is one of the oldest of its kind in Nelson, and was taken over in 1884 by Messrs Brown and Kerr, who were the first to enter upon the manufacture of jewellery in the city. The public appreciated their enterprise, and consequently many persons are directly or indirectly engaged by them. The retail shop in Trafalgar Street is in charge of Mr. Kerr, and is fully stocked with attractive lines of jewellery and watches, of which a fine display is made in the handsome plateglass windows. The goods are of a high-class order, and from all the best known makers. The firm sells at low rates, and fixes prices to suit the times.
, the Senior Partner, has had a wide experience in some of the best shops in England and Scotland. He is a native of Edinburgh, and after leaving school in 1849 he was apprenticed to his father, a well-known jeweller in Glasgow. In 1863 he arrived in Otago, and soon obtained employment, first in Dunedin, and afterwards at Queenstown. He went to the West Coast in 1865, and set up in business, which he carried on with success until 1879, when he removed to Nelson and established himself in Bridge Street. In 1885 Mr. Brown entered into partnership with Mr. Kerr.
, the Junior Partner, was born in Nelson, and is the son of one of the original settlers. He served his apprenticeship to the trade with Mr. A. Hunter, of Bridge Street.
Watchmake and Jewéller, Trafalgar Street, Nelson. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This business was established in 1876 by the late Thomas Muncaster, by whom it was carried on till his death in 1888, when it was acquired by the present proprietor. The spacious shop is centrally situated, and the windows are tastefully arranged with choice and valuable watches, clocks, rings of all descriptions, plated wire, and other necessary adjuncts of the business. The interior presents an attractive appearance; the ample space at the proprietor's disposal being stocked with the most modern productions of the trade. A specialty is made of wedding, presentation, and other favours, and the enterprise of Mr. Moyes in this direction is thoroughly appreciated by the public of Nelson and the surrounding districts. Mr. Moyes is a skilled craftsman, and his assistants are men of experience.
, Junior, is a native of Glasgow, where he was born in 1858. After receiving a sound commercial education he was apprentieed to the watchmaking business. Mr. Moyes takes an intelligent interest in all matters appertalning to the welfare of Nelson. Ho is a Past Master of the Masonic Order, and P Z of the Royal Arch; also a prominent Oddfellow, having served as Past Provincial Grand Master of the Nelson District, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, and is Treasurer of Loyal Howard Lodge.
, the wellknown Government Pomologist, whose official district includes the famous fruit growing province of Nelson, is noted for his thorough knowledge of fruit and fruit culture. He was born in Devonshire, England, and from his earliest days he showed a decided taste for all branches of pomology. He made a close study of seeds, and of the various branches, of floriculture, and when he arrived in New Zealand in 1872, he at once set to work at his favourite occupation, in which be has become an acknowledged expert. He first took up the work of landscape gardening, and was subsequently managing several of the principal nurseries in Auckland and Christchnrch, including that of Messrs Mason Bros. He specially applied himself to the study of noxious pests and methods for their complete destruction, and his practical experience in this connection has proved a boon to fruitgrowers. His reputation in the matter is such that he is constantly receiving from all parts of the world requests for in formation on the subject. Besides delivering lectures, Mr. Blackmore gives lessons of practical value to orchardist by visiting them personally and ascertaining the condition of their orchards, as well as the general requirements of their districts as fruit-growing centres. Sometimes a particular orchard is treated to show what should be done in the case of all the rest, and no pains are spared to place the growers in possession of the fullest and most trustworthy information. Mr. Blackmore is ever ready to assist novices in fruit culture by paying a personal visit to their places, and giving advice as to the most suitable soils, and as to the varieties of fruit that thrive best in certain localities. Mr. Blackmore's headquarters are in Christchurch, where correspondents can at all times address him, with the certainty of receiving replies as early as the nature of his duties will permit; but as the whole of the Middle Island is under his charge, he is necessarily a good deal away from his headquarters.
Those who in times to come study the colonisation of New Zealand, either as a matter of literary duty or personal interest, are likely to find this Cyclopedia a veritable gold mine, and will probably regard the sections devoted to old colonists as peculiarly rich patches. It is true that articles of the kind thus brought together appear almost everywhere throughout the work, but it is in the nature of things that the Old Colonists' section in each volume should contain a group of biographical sketches of men who were specially identified with colonisation at the headquarters of each provincial settlement. In the case of Nelson, as in the cases of other provinces, many sterling pioneers and early settlers are noticed under other headings and districts, but still a fairly large number of notable men will be found in this section; which, however, is not nearly so complete as the conductors would like to have made it. It has, however, been impossible to obtain, sixty years after the foundation of the settlement, authentic particulars concerning all the men who worthily assisted in the foundation and development of the province. Still, it is hoped that the sketches here given will be found to be fairly representative of the early settlers. To rightly appreciate the work of the pioneers of Nelson, it should be born in mind that they not only had to clear the bush, ford unbridged creeks and rivers, and reclaim swamps, in bringing the country under cultivation, and tapping its mineral resources—not
It may be noted here that—as showing how they had prospered in their new home, and how little the hard conditions under which they had to live had interfered with their capacity for recreation—the Nelson country settlers organised a ploughing match and an agricultural show for the first anniversary of the settlement—the 1st of February, 1843. A race meeting and a regatta were also held on the same gala occasion.
In the early days, perhaps even more than now, there was only one royal road to success—that of untiring industry and adaptability; and by following it, the man of brawn succeeded just as well as the man of brain, or inherited fortune. In every colonial settlement, and not less in Nelson than in others, many a successful settler is a self-made man; a man, who, by honourable industry, has risen from poverty to wealth—from a humble origin to public and social eminence. Nelson, too, was the school in which many of the ablest statesmen of New Zealand were educated into exceptional knowledge and skill in colonial politics; and in this connection, the settlement proved a wise and worthy alma mater to such men as Sir Edward Stafford, Sir Frederick Weld, Sir Francis Bell, Sir William Fox, Sir David Monro, Alfred Domett, Alfred Saunders, Archbishop Redwood, and many others who have achieved colonial fame.
Mr. H. J. L. Augarde, sometime of Nelson, was a native of London, England, and came out to. New Zealand by the ship “Stanley,” in 1852, accompanied by his wife and eight children. Mr. Augarde first took up land in Quail Valley, Nelson, and farmed there for many years, but subsequently removed into the town. where he started in business as an auctioneer. He then went to Wellington, but afterwards returned to Nelson, where he remained up to the time of his death in September, 1891. Mr. Augarde was twice married, and, of a family of seventeen, one son and five daughters survive. Mr. Augarde is credited with having introduced the retriever dog into New Zealand. In the early days he took sheep overland from Nelson to Canterbury, and on one occasion was snowed up for five days, and had the misfortune to lose half of his right foot and three fingers of his right hand by a frost bite. Mr. Augarde was a shrewd business man, and was highly respected by all who knew him.
arrived in Nelson in 1855 by the “Queen of the South, from Sydney, his only fellow passenger being Mr. Alex. Kerr, of the Union Bank. The mission of Mr. Akersten was to act as attorney for Messrs James Henry and Co., of
was first connected with New Zealand as secretary to the New Zealand Company. He arrived in Nelson in 1848 to succeed Mr. Fox as Attorney-General of the Southern Province. In 1849 he was member of the Legislative Council for the South Island, but resigned in 1850 on account of a difference with the Colonial Office. In 1851, when the New Zealand Company resigned its charter, Mr. Bell was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands for Wellington district, and thenceforward ceased to be directly associated with Nelson. He sat for Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay in the Wellington Provincial Council in 18546, and became a member of the Legislative Council in 1856. He was member for the Hutt in the colony's first Parliament, and Colonial Treasurer in the short-lived Bell-Sewell Ministry of 1856. In 1860–1 he represented Wallace (Otago) in Parliament, and was Colonial Treasurer in the Domett Ministry of 1862–3. From 1863 to 1869 he represented Mataura; and, on his return from England in 1871, he was reelected for Mataura, was appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives, and held that office till 1875, In 1877 he was made a member of the Legislative Council, and from 1880 to 1890 he was Agent-General for the colony in London. He was knighted in 1881, and it may be said that his is one of the longest and most distinguished public careers recorded in colonial annals. Sir Francis, who died on the 15th of July, 1898, is further referred to at pages 112–113 of the Wellington volume of this work.
was born in Norfolk, England, in 1831, and followed the sea during his early years. In 1857 he joined the Public Works Department in Canterbury, under Mr. E. Dobson, Provincial Engineer, as assistant surveyor and draughtsman. When the Public Works Department was broken up in 1862, he joined the Survey Department in Canterbury as assistant surveyor, under Mr. T. Cass, chief surveyor. A Royal Commission was appointed in 1863 for the purpose of “Enquiring into the wharfage accommodation of Lyttelton harbour, and offering any further suggestions which might be thought desirable”; and Mr. Browning gave evidence before the Commission and submitted plans, which were finally carried out with but slight modifications in Lyttelton harbour as it now exists. (See the printed report and plans of the Commission of 1863.) In 1864–5 Mr. Browning was employed in exploring the mountain passes between Canterbury and the West Coast. When that work was completed, he was appointed District and Mining Surveyor, and entrusted by the Provincial Government with the responsibility of initiating the Survey Department on the West Coast at Hokitika, in the midst of the rush of population to the goldfields. Mr. Browning was appointed Chief Surveyor at Nelson in March, 1876. On the introduction of a general system of survey throughout New Zealand, consequent on the abolition of the provinces, he assisted in the preliminary astronomical work in the Nelson district, in addition to his other duties, as the Government was shorthanded in geodesical surveyors. In 1891 Mr. Browning was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands, and he held that office in conjunction with the Chief Surveyorship, until April, 1897, when he was retired by the Government, after thirty-nine years of continuous service. Mr. Browning is a Past Master in Freomasonry, and is attached to the Victory Lodge in Nelson. He now (1905) resides at Tomes Road, Papanui, Christchurch.
was born in Hampshire, England, in the year 1835. When a boy he came with his father to New Zealand, and arrived at Nelson in 1842, by the ship “Mary Ann.” Shortly after landing his father died, and was buried on Fifeshire Island; it was the first burial in the new settlement. After serving his apprenticeship at the tinsmithing trade, young Cresswell worked as a journeyman till the year 1869, when he decided to start farming. He bought a fine property of 125 acres in the Lower Moutere Valley. It was all good agricultural land and well watered, and he worked it with considerable success till his death in the year 1897. This property is now farmed by Mr. Cresswell's a sons. Mr. Cresswell was a man of sound principles and strong determination, and as an advocate of temperance, he threw his whole heart and soul into his work, and even went so far as to refuse to grow either barley or hops for market purposes. In the belief that those products would ultimately contribute to the liquor traffic, he preferred to sacrifice money instead of his principles. Several pamphlets owed their origin to Mr. Cresswell's pen, and two of them may be mentioned here, namely, “A Brief Enquiry into the Truth of the Principle of Abstinence,” and “The Testimony of the Word of God against Intoxicating Liquors.” Mr. Cresswell was for many years chairman of the Lower Moutere school committee, chairman of the library committee, and secretary of the public hall committee. He was also a lay reader in the Wesleyan Church, and was universally liked and respected. Mr. Cresswell left a widow and a family of four sons and three daughters. Miss Cresswell is mistress of the Dovedale school.
sometime of Nelson, landed in New Zealand by the ship “Nugent,” in 1847. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1820, and died at Nelson on the 12th of August, 1898. His father owned and lived on a large sugar plantation, called the Mount St. Oliver Estate, in Jamaica. Captain Clouston had been educated with a view to his entering the Presbyterian ministry, but after studying a short time he decided to go to sea. He was first mate of a vessel trading to the Mediterranean, when the master of the vessel was drowned, and the duty of sailing the ship from Alexandria to England devolved upon him. Mr. Clouston obtained his captain's certificate at the age of twenty, and upon returning from a voyage to China, his uncle bought him a sailing vessel, with which he was engaged in the Sydney-China tea trade till 1847, when he came to New Zealand with the Hon. J. T. Peacock's father. He traded between Port Cooper (Lyttelton), Nelson and Sydney in the “Comet,” “Gazette,” and Taranaki,” taking produce to Sydney and bringing back horses. Captain Clouston was the first to take the steamer “Sturt” over the Buller bar. He was often engaged by the Government, as an expert, to take soundings at the bars of the Colony, and opened up a number of ports. He gave up the command of his ship in 1868. Captain Clouston acted as governor of the Nelson gaol for four years, and had charge of the Maungatapu murderers from the time of their capture till their execution. He was Government Meteorological Observer for many years, and filled the office of Inspector of Weights and Measures. Upon relinquishing public duties, he purchased seventy-five acres of land in the Maitai, where he resided till his death. He took a prominent part in church matters, and was an elder of the Presbyterian Church. Captain Clouston enjoyed excellent health till shortly before his death. He left a family of six sons and six daughters.
was one of the oldest colonists in the Southern Hemisphere, and had resided in the Australasian colonies for upwards of eighty-three years. He was born in London on the 11th of May, 1808, and at the age of eleven left Home for Hobart. He turned his hand to whatever offered, but worked principally on farms and amongst stock and horses. After being for a while at Launceston, Mr. Crisp went to Adelaide, where he worked as a bullock-driver for a short time. Then he moved to Sydney, where he was employed on the wharves for nearly
was born in March, 1828, in Warrington, Lancashire, England, and was the son of Mr. James Edelsten, whose name was well known throughout the commercial world, as that of the founder of the fortunes of Messrs Edelsten and Price, the Lancashire brass, iron and copper wire drawers, wire workers and pinmakers. After receiving a good education, Mr. J. S. Edelsten worked in his father's office for some time. He then decided to try his luck in the colonies, and came out in 1853 in the barque “Admiral Grenfell,” which did the distance in ninety days—a very smart passage in those times. He was in business in Nelson as a general merchant, until 1860, when he moved to Motucka, where he started as a storekeeper, and afterwards added auctioneering. He was at the time of relinquishing that branch of his business the oldest auctioneer in the province of Nelson, having held a license for thirtythree years. Mr. Edelsten was a member of the Riwaka and Lower Moutere school committees, of the local road boards, of the Motueka Highway Board, and chairman
was born in SchleswigHolstein, in 1833. He arrived in Nelson in the barque “Ardeneraig,” in 1862, and returned Home the same year, but came back to Nelson again in 1863, and commenced business at the Port as a sailmaker and ship-chandler. Mr. Franzen took a keen interest in the welfare of the town, displayed much enterprise, and invested a large amount of money in the Champion Copper Mine and other mines in the district. He was naturalised as a British subject, made a Justice of the Peace, and was ever ready to assist in the cause of coarity. Mr. Franzen died in 1897, and his widow carried on the business until she sold it to Mr. E. Smallbone.
, mother of Messrs Fairey Brothers, was born in Nelson in 1843, and has ever since resided in the district. She received a liberal education, at a private school carried on by Mrs Caldwell. Mrs Fairey remembers when hardly anything was to be seen on the site of Nelson, except toi toi, flax, bush and malodorous mud flats, varied here and there with a few cob and mud houses. She was well acquainted with the late Sir William Fox, with Mr. Alfred Saunders (known as the Nestor of New Zealand politics) and many other Nelson pioneers. Mrs Fairey is an excellent German scholar, thoroughly versed in the his. tory of the Fatherland; she is also an ardent admirer of the works of Dickens, Thackeray, Scott and the British poets. When young, she took great interest in music, and she was for some years a prominent official in the Independent Order of Good Templars. Her husband was born in Brighton, England, where his father carried on a large drapery business. He came to New Zealand in 1867, and died in Australia, where his brother, a Congregational minister, now resides.
was the father of Mrs Fairey, Bridge Street, Nelson. He was a native of Germany, and left Hamburg in the ship “St. Paul,” which reached Nelson in the early part of 1842. Upon landing Mr. Schumacher at once entered the police force, in which he served for four years and a half. He then started in business in Nile Street East, on the site now occupied by the Central School, and in a short time acquired property within the town limits and at Wakapuaka. Naturally he took considerable interest in the German settlement, which had been established at Ranzan, where his daughter, Mrs Fairey, first saw the light; in fact, she can claim the honour of being the first child born of German parontage in New Zealand. Mr. Schumacher was an exemplary colonist, and held in high esteem by all who knew him. He died in 1886. Mrs Schumacher, who predeceased her husband about seventeen years, was of a charitable disposition, and ever ready to lend a helping hand in cases of distress. She had a very vivid memory of events which happened in the early part of the nineteenth century, and had seen Napoleon with 11,000 troops passing through her native village.
was born at New Plymouth, but at the time of the native trouble his parents removed to Nelson, where he was educated and learned his trade, and he was for about twenty-five years in business in Nelson. After selling out there he went to the Thames, where he remained for some time, but, not liking the place, he removed to Blenheim, where he was in business for a while. Finally, in 1893, feeling that there was no
place like that of his youth, be returned to Nelson, and established himself as a boot and shoe manufacturer and importer, and
, whose name will long be remembered as that of one of Nelson's earliest successful colonists, was born at Quarry Hill, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, on the 4th of June, 1816. In his earlier days he followed farming work, but that not being to his taste, he, when twenty-five years of age, obtained employment from Messrs Overton and Son, brewers, Croydon. These gentlemen, recognising his steady perseverance and strict attention to duty, soon appointed him brewer; a position he held for nine years. He next joined Messrs Crowley Bros. (also of Croydon) and remained with them as head brower for a period of five years. Intent on improving his position, he then emigrated to New Zealand, and arrived in Nelson by the ship “Gipsy” on the 26th of November, 1854. In the year 1857 he started a brewery on a small scale for himself in Collingwood Street, and by his indomitable perseverance and untiring energy he soon overcame all difficulties and built up one of the largest brewing businesses in Nelson. Mr. Field retired from business in 1871. In public affairs, he always took a keen and active interest. He was a member of the Board of Works (afterwards the City Council) at the time of the opening of the city water works, and on more than one occasion he fitted out at his own expense parties to prospect the surrounding districts for gold and other minerals. Mr. Field died at his residence, “Seven Oaks,” on the 15th of February, 1899, at the age of eighty-three, leaving a widow, one son (Mr. George E. Field, of “Fairbrook,” Belgrove) and three daughters— Mrs Burford, Mrs Thomas Usher, junior, and Miss Field. At the time of Mr. Field's death his widow was in her eighty-fourth year, and much sympathy was felt for her in her bereavement after fifty-six years of married life.
was closely connected with Nelson in the earlier years of the settlement. He was born in 1812, was an Oxford man, and an English barrister. He was Resident Agent at Nelson for the New Zealand Company between 1843 and 1848, and in that capacity did much to assist the settlers by devising a system of piece work in connection with the public works scheme inaugurated by the Company. In 1848 he became Attorney-General for the Southern Province, and, on the death of Colonel Wakefield, succeeded him as Principal Agent for the Company. His political and administrative abilities soon made him a prominent figure in the colony; and in 1853 he was chosen a member of the first Parliament under the new constitution. In 1856 he became Premier, but was superseded in a few weeks by Mr. Stafford on the vexed question of native affairs. Defeated by Mr. Domett in 1862, he became, in 1861, Colonial Secretary in the Whitaker-Fox Ministry, which resigned in the same year owing to a difference of opinion with Sir George Grey as to the conduct of the Waikato war. From 1869 to 1872 he was again Premier, and, with Sir Julius Vogel, inaugurated the Public Works policy, which was the beginning of a new era of colonial development. Sir William was Premier for a fourth time for a few months in 1873. He was appointed Commissioner of Native Lands with Sir F. D. Bell in 1880, and drew up a valuable report on the difficult question of land tenure and confiscation. Sir William Fox possessed consider-
was born at Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, England, in the the year 1818. He was apprenticed to the tailoring trade, and when he arrived in New Zealand in 1842, by the ship “Lord-Auckland, he continued in the trade on his own account for a few years. Mr. Green had amongst his fellow passengers on the “Lord Auckland,” such well-known early colonists as Mr. Charles Harley, Mr. Hammond, and Sir David Monro. Mr. Green was the first layman to preach the Gospel in Nelson, and was always a willing helper in any good work. The well-known Upcot estate, Marlborough, held by him for thirty-three years, and the Sands estate, Nelson, were among his possessions. As a business man, Mr. Green never mortgaged or borrowed money, and even went so far as to refuse an offer of £10,000 to enable him to buy the Starborough estate. His principle was, that he preferred to miss an opportunity to make money rather than incur any liability he could not discharge on the spot. Mr. Green was married on the 14th of August, 1845, to Miss Isabella Smith, of Dundee, Scotland, and they celebrated their golden wedding in 1895. Their family of four sons and five daughters, are all prosperously settled in New Zealand. Mr. Green died in 1896.
, sometime proprietor of the businesss of E. Buxton and Co., Nelson, was of Scottish descent, and spent his early years in the United States of America. He was educated at Rochester, Western New York, and was engaged principally in farming till twenty years of age, when he went to Scotland, where he remained only a few months, and then left for New Zealand. He landed in Dunedin on the 1st of January, 1862, as the representative of a large English company, but entered into business for himself in the following year at Invercargill, where he dealt in American goods, such as machines, stoves, lamps, kerosene, etc. This continued till 1865, when, at the time of the influx of miners to the West Coast, consequent upon the discovery of gold, Mr. Hamilton commenced business in Greymouth with Mr. Nichol, and traded under the style of Hamilton and Nichol. This connection lasted till 1871, when the partnership was dissolved. In the same year Mr. Hamilton became associated in business with a gentleman of his own name, the firm being known as F. and J. Hamilton. This combination lasted for ten years, until he bought the business of E. Buxton and Co. In Greymouth Mr. Hamilton was a member of the Borough Council for many years, and filled the mayoral chair in 1877–8. He was also chairman of the school committee, and at one time chairman of the Central Board of Education for Westland. Mr. Hamilton also took a lively interest in politics and all matters pertaining to the prosperity of the district. Upon severing his connection with Greymouth a number of the office-bearers of St. John's Church presented him with a beautiful illuminated address, expressing regret at his departure. Four years previously the borough councillors of Greymouth had presented him with a similar memento of esteem and goodwill, accompanied with a silver cradle. For twelve years he was associated with the volunteer corps of New Zealand, first as lieutenaut at Invercargill, and afterwards as captain at Greymouth. After taking up his residence in Nelson, the ties of a large mercantile house hindered him from taking an active part in local politics. Mr. Hamilton died on the 21st of January, 1901; aged sixty years.
arrived in Nelson by the ship “Little London,” in April, 1812. After a short sojourn in Nelson and in the Waimea district, he went to Motueka and set up in business as a shoemaker. At that time Motueka was densely populated by Maoris, and there were, therefore, distinct elements of danger associated with settling in the place. In fact, when Mr. Harwood with his family and fellow passengers arrived in Nelson the whole settlement was pervaded with apprehensions on account of the natives, and he was one of those who were appointed to guard against a surprise visit by the redoubtable To Rauparaha, then the terror of Cook Strait. As a matter of fact, it was in June of the very next year, 1843, that To Rauparaha and his party perpetrated the notorious Wairau massacre, which horrified the colony, and caused some of the settlers to leave New Zealand. Therefore, settling in those days in a district peopled with Maoris was a serious matter. Nevertheless, Mr. Harwood resided in Motueka till 1855; when, wishing to try farming, he removed to Motupipi, Golden Bay, where he dwelt till 1888, when, at the age of seventy-two, his death was caused by a fall from his horse.
, sometime of Lower Moutere, was one of the pioneers of Nelson, where he arrived by the illfated “Fifeshire” on the 1st of February, 1842. After residing in the Spring Grove district till 1863, the family moved to Motueka and settled at Lower Moutere, where Mr. Herrick subsequently acquired about 700 acres of land. As in the case of his first residence in New Zealand, Mr. Herrick had himself to carve out a home in the bush, and to contend with the difficulties associated with settling on swampy land. Mr. Herrick was born in London in 1825, and followed the calling of a linen draper, in Regent Street, up to the time of his departure from the Old Country. He died early in 1892, when he left a widow, seven sons, and four daughters to mourn him as a loving husband and affectionate father. Mr. Herrick was a public spirited colonist, and was most generous in all his dealings. His widow resides on the homestead at Lower Moutere, where the property is managed by one of the younger sons. Mrs Herrick herself is a very old colonist, as she arrived at Nelson by the ship “Clifford” on the 24th of May, 1842.
was long well known throughout the province of Nelson as the senior partner in the firm of Hooper and Dodson. He was born in Gloucestershire, England, on the 17th of February, 1883, and when nine years of age came with his parents to Nelson in the ship “Thomas Harrison,” At the completion of his educational course he started hopgrowing, which he carried on so successfully that he became the senior partner in the firm of Hooper and Dodson, brewers. Owing to continued ill-health, he subsequently sold his interest in the business to Mr. Dodson, and retired into private life in 1883. Mr. Hooper died on the 10th of April, 1898. He was married to Miss Mary Crooke, and had nine children.
was born in Hampshire, England, in 1829, and came to Nelson by the ship “Mary Ann,” in 1842. As one of the early settlers, he experienced the usual hardships of a pioneer's life, and at one time was compelled to eat fern roots for subsistence. He carried on farming for many years at Richmond, where he owned twenty-five acres of land and rented other sections. Mr. Holdaway died on the 4th of May, 1897, in consequence of influenza and complications resulting therefrom. He took no part in public affairs, but he was an Oddfellow of many years' standing. Mr. Holdaway left a family of four sons and one daughter.
was born a Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in 1827. He left London with his father, Mr. Benjamin Jackson, in 1842, in the barque “Phœbe,” and arrived at Nelson in 1843. His first place of residence was the Waimea, where he engaged in farming operations. Having helped his father through the worst of the hard times, he went to Auckland, where he remained a couple of years, and on the discovery of the Victorian goldfields, he went to Australia and worked at Bendigo for three years. On returning to Nelson, he married a daughter of Mr. Lightband, an old settler. For a time Mr. Jackson was on the staff of the “Nelson Examiner,” and, after a visit to Sydney, he commenced business in Nelson as a bookseller and stationer, and met with great success. He was appointed Provincial Auditor, and was manager of the Nelson Savings Bank for thirty years prior to his death in 1893. Mr. Jackson also purchased a large area of land at Stanley Brook, and cleared and worked it. He was for many years a member of the town school committee, most of the time as its chairman, and was also a member of the licensing committee and a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Jackson showed a great interest in mining matters, and on one occasion he visited England for the purpose of floating the Champion Copper Mining Company, but though he did not obtain any profit for himself, his desire to develop the mining resources of New Zealand secured the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
, with his wife and two children, left Gravesend, England, in the ship “Mary” (Captain Grant, and arrived at Wakatu, (now Nelson), in February, 1849. Shortly after his arrival Mr. Jennings joined a party going by sea to Waitohi (now Picton); from Picton he and Mr. Courtnay walked to Beaver (now Blenheim); and thence, by the Top House route, back to Nelson. Then he went across Blind Bay to Lower Moutere, and took a house, called the Moutere House, which had been built by Messrs Morse, Murray, and Rodgers, but was then owned by Mr. Charles Christie. The nearest neighbour was four miles away. Mr. Jennings lived at Lower Moutere for three years, and raised cattle and carried on farming. In 1852 he removed to the village of Motueka, but still continued to raise cattle and follow farming. Mr. Jennings bought about 200 acres of land on the west bank of the Motueka river, at Pangototara, in 1855, and built a house to which he and his family removed; and it was on that property that he lived until he died, on the 10th of December, 1877, Mr. Jennings was a solicitor by profession, and took the part of an educated, active-minded man in all the work of colonisation. He was instrumental in obtaining a post office at Motueka; was a member of the local Road Board; for many years chairman of the Riwaka school committee, and was also for many years the committee's representative on the Central Board of Education, which sat once a month in Nelson. He was much interested in the building and management of schools under the Nelson Education Act, and in building bridges and in other road work under the Provincial Road Board Act. His children greatly profited by the system of education he helped to establish, and three of his sons became teachers under it. Mr. Jennings left six sons and five daughters. Of his surviving sons, one is a dentist at Oamaru, one a surveyor at Karamea, on the West Coast, one a Church of England minister and teacher of Maori at Gisborne, and one a Church of England minister at Hawera. In May, 1905, his direct descendants numbered fifty souls.
came to New Zealand in 1841, with his young wife and child, in the ship “Lady Nugent.” On landing the passengers were harrassed by the natives, who were causing no small amount of anxiety amongst the European settlers. The present town of Wellington was just commenced when Mr. Johnston arrived in New Zealand. It had been decided to build the future city at Petone, but owing to flood, fire and earthquakes, and the harbour facilities not being sufficient, the idea was abandoned for the site where Wellington now stands. Mr. Johnston was born at Portsmouth, England, in 1819. His father was head of the Gun Carriage section of the Ordnance Department. Mr. Johnston previous to leaving England for New Zealand was mostly engaged in clerical work and in studying naval gunnery and civil engineering. During the first seven years of his residence in the Colony he turned his attention to almost any class of work required in the successful settlement of a new country. He, however, principally followed the building trade, and erected some of the first houses in Wellington. About 1847 the Maoris were so troublesome, that the Government decided to
was born in Montgomery, Wales, in 1819, educated at Brecon College, and served articles to the law. On relinquishing that profession he engaged in farm
was born in 1836 in Suffolk, England. After receiving a fair business education in the town of his birth, he decided to learn the trade of baker and confectioner, and did so in the city of London. In the year 1856, hearing good accounts of New Zealand, he resolved to emigrate, and came out in the ship “Oliver Lang,” Captain Mundle. After he had been a few months in Wellington, news came of the finding of gold in Collingwood district, and Mr. King determined to try his luck there. While he was doing very well, he met with an accident, which caused him to be an inmate of the Nelson Hospital for sixteen weeks. After that he commenced to work at his own trade in Nelson, and with energy and perseverance he soon possessed a large and lucrative business, which he carried on for twenty-five years. He then sold out and took over the Windsor Castle Hotel, where he remained for fifteen years, and earned a good name. Mr. King has been connected with the Freemasons, Oddfellows, and Foresters. He was one of the first to join the volunteers; he spent about twenty-two years with them, and fairly earned the long-service medal. He has been similarly identified with the Nelson Fire Brigade, in which he held the position of lieutenant for many years, and was also second fire inspector for the city. Mr. King has a family of three sons and four daughters. Mr. George King is in business in Christchurch, Mr. C. King is a music-teacher in Wellington, and Mr. John King is a sheepfarmer at Croixelles. The daughters are all married and comfortable.
, who was the Founder of the firm of Levien Brothers, was born in London in 1834, and arrived in Victoria as a child with his parents. There his father engaged in farming, and in due time young Levien set up on his own account on a farm at Geelong, where he did a great deal of hard work. The news of the discovery of the Otago goldfields attracted him to New Zealand in 1861, and at Gabriel's Gully and several other places he carried on the business of a storekeeper. Having made a considerable amount of money, he went in 1884 to Nelson, where his uncle, Mr. Josoph Levien, had been settled for some time. He erected a free and bonded store at the Port, where Franzen's store afterwards stood, and speedily acquired, and always maintained the reputation of being an energetic and upright merchant and citizen. About 1883 he left the Port and transferred his business to Bridge Street. In 1872 he entered the City Council, in which he held a seat for about ten years, and conscientiously served the ratepayers. Mr. Levien was for many years a member of the Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. His death took place on the 2nd of November, 1893, when he left a widow with one daughter and six sons.
was born at Wick, Caithness-shire, Scotland, in 1824, and was for many years engaged as a rope spinner and twine manufacturer. He came out to New Zealand in the end of 1850, but soon left for the newly discovered diggings in New South Wales. Thence he migrated to Victoria, where he encountered the various ups and downs incidental to a digger's life on the goldfields, but was fairly successful at Ballarat. Mr. McGregor came back to Nelson in 1855, and was placed in charge of a gang of men by the Dun Mountain Copper Company. He afterwards, along with two mates, spent several months in prospecting at Collingwood, and helped materially to open the country and develop the goldfields. He found gold in many places, and ultimately discovered the Quartz Ranges. He had also a share in two good claims on State river. On leaving the diggings he was employed by the Nelson Provincial Government in cutting bridle roads in the back country,
was much esteemed as a colonist, and was well known in financial circles in Nelson. He was born in Scotland in 1834, and at the age of fourteen he took to a seafaring life. For about a quarter of a century Mr. McLean was master of sailing vessels engaged in the trade between India and the Mother Country. Owing to failing health he retired from the sea in 1887, and latterly he was financially interested in vessels in which he had formerly traded. Through his frugality and foresight Mr. McLean was able to pass his old age in comfort, and in freedom from monetary care, He died in December, 1900.
, who is a retired builder and contractor, conducted a large business for many years in Nelson. He was born in Birmingham, came to Nelson at the age of seventeen, and built up a successful business, from which he retired in 1892. Mr. Moore's residence, “Ashton,” is one of the most beautiful homes in the city. It stands on eight acres of tastefully laid out grounds, which are planted with many rare trees, imported from different parts of the world. Amongst them there is a copper-beech, fifty years old. Another tree, called the “Crown of Thorns,” was imported from Jerusalem, and is perhaps the only one of its kind in New Zealand.
carried on business as a seed, fruit, and potato mer-
was one of Nelson's oldest colonists, and was one of the original Nelson land purchasers from the New Zealand Company, in 1842. He was born at Hensingham, Cumberland, England, on file 1st of March, 1810, and was the only son of Mr. James Marsden, of Hathersage, in Derbyshire. He arrived in Nelson by the ship “Prince of Wales,” in 1842, accompanied by Mrs Marsden, and resided for six years in the infant town, which he left in 1848, and settled down at Stoke on his property of 930 acres, 400 of which are still held by his son, Mr. James Wilfred Marsden. Owing to the financial and other difficulties which beset the New Zealand Company, Mr. Marsden, along with other land purchasers, did not get his Crown grant till 1852. Mr. Marsden was also the owner of land near Blenheim, Marlborough, but eventually sold it. He resided upon his Stoke property from 1848 till 1876, and during that time greatly improved it by building, clearing and planting. For about three years he was a member of the Provincial Council of Nelson, and was also a loya, supporter of the Church of England, to which he gave the section of land upon which the pretty stone church at Stoke now stands. Mr. Marsden's death took place under somewhat peculiar circumstances. Accompanied by Mrs Marsdon and his infant grandson, he set out early one morning for Nelson, and when nearing the railway crossing at Jenkins' Hill, a passing train frightened the horse; whereupon the carriage was upset, and all its occupants were thrown out. Mr. Marsden got up apparently little the worse, and, accompanied by Mrs Marsden, carried his grandson about a quarter of a mile to Bishopdale. There, while still holding the child, he was seized with faintness, and asking a lad who was standing by to “take the child,” he sank down and expired. He was sixty-six years of age, and left a family of one son and two daughters.
was one of the New Zealand Company's expedition party, and landed at Nelson on the 1st of February, 1842, by the “Whitby.” He was born in Bannockburn, Scotland, brought up to the trade of a carpet weaver, and followed that occupation in various parts of Scotland and Ireland. After arriving in New Zealand, he was engaged as a sawyer for some years. Subsequently he erected a flour mill in Atua Valley, where he ground grain with a stone fifteen inches in diameter. In 1857 he erected a larger flour mill at Brooklyn, and worked it till his death, which occurred in 1887, from failure of the heart's action. Mr. Mickell was highly respected for his hospitality and free sociable qualities he was fond of amusements, and was especially beloved by children. At election times, particularly in the old Provincial Government days, he was always active, as an enthusiastic advocate of the Liberal cause. Mr. Mickell left a family of four sons and two daughters.
was born in Birmingham, England, in the year 1840. He is the oldest and only surviving son of the late Mr. J. P. Robinson, for many years Superintendent of Nelson, who arrived in New Zealand with his family in 1842, by the ship “Phoebe.” Mr. Robinson was educated in Nelson and Auckland. After a short time spent in the service of the Provincial Government, he was for a number of years in the employment of the Intercolonial Royal Mail Steamship Company as purser, on the s.s. “Lord Ashley,” and “Prince Alfred.” Mr. Robinson subsequently settled at Takaka, and was appointed Clerk of the Collingwood County Council, and Secretary to the Takaka Road Board, a position he held for over twenty years. He was also Government Valuer for the Takaka riding of the Golden Bay district for fifteen years; was harbour master at Waitapu, from 1878 up to the time he left Takaka to reside in Nelson; and for four years was proprietor and publisher of the “Takaka News. In the year 1901 Mr. Robinson retired from active life and settled in Nelson. As a Freemason he is a Past Master of the Golden Bay Lodge, No. 2149, English Constitution, and is also a member of the Takaka Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity.
was the husband of Mrs Scott, the well-known teacher. He arrived in Nelson in November, 1875, and was engaged by the late Bishop Suter as his secretary. He remained in that position for nearly four years, when, owing to the increase in Mrs Scott's private school, he resigned his secretaryship in order to assist in her school as lecturer and teacher of drawing, etc. Mr. Scott was largely instrumental in founding Good Templary in England. He was the ver first to be initiated, and he at once devoted all his energies to establish the Order through the length and breadth of the land. He was grand secretary from the beginning of the Order in 1868 till the end of 1873, when the Order had increased to the enormous number of 3100 lodges, a number never equalled before or since in any Grand Lodge in the world. Mr. Scott still continued his connection with the Order, but as a matter of course, gave place to younger members to carry on the work. He was born in Ireland, of Scotch parents, in the year 1821. One who wrote his life in 1872 summed up his character in the expression “solid worth.” Mr. Scott died in the Cathedral at Nelson, while the organist was playing a dead march before evening service. On turning to look at Mr. Scott, the organist noticed that his appearance was unusual, and it was found that he was dead in his seat. The service was omitted that night. Mr. Scott was loved and respected by all who knew him.
was born in Lancaster, England, in 1833, and was educated for the legal profession. He came to Australia in 1852, in the ship “Bloomer,” and was for a short time goldmining and sheep driving in New South Wales and Victoria. In 1853 he came to New Zealand, and walked along the coast from New Plymouth to Wellington, where he met his brother. Mr. Salisbury then went to Motueka, and purchased 600 acres of land; he also opened up the country to the Baton in conjunction with his brother. In 1863 he found a tableland, which was afterwards called “Salisbury's Open,” where he rented 6000 acres, and subsequently 200 acres at Pokororo. He died of heart failure on the 26th of June, 1893, and left a family of six sons and two daughters.
, of Warwick House, Nelson, was born in Jedburgh, Scotland, in 1821. He was educated at the local Grammar School, under the Rev. Alexander Burnet, and, as a young man. passed three years in the office of Messrs Rutherford and Thomson, solicitors, Jedburgh. Mr. Tinline left his native town on the 3rd of September, 1839, in the ship “Bengal,” for Sydney, Australia, to join his brother, Mr. George Tinline, who had previously emigrated there as an accountant in the Bank of Australasia. On his arrival in Sydney, in January, 1840, Mr. Tinline found that his brother had been moved to a branch of the bank in Adelaide, so he lost no time in taking a passage for that town. After spending a few months on the survey staff, in Adelaide, he emigrated to Wellington, New Zealand, where he arrived in September, 1840. and where his cousin. Mr. Robert Waitt, was in business as a merchant. In October, of the same year, Mr. Tinline joined the late Major Durie, and the partners opened up a business as storekeeper on Lambton Quay. Early in 1842, when the settlement of Nelson was under way, Mr. Tinline, at the instance of his partner and Mr. Waitt. went to Nelson with a cargo of goods, to be in time for the arrival of the first settlers. He established a general merchant's business in Nelson, under the name of Waitt and Company, but unfortunately, in November, 1842, the warehouse belonging to himself and Major Durie in Wellington, was totally destroyed by fire, by which the part ners lost all that they possessed. Mr. Tinline then remained in Nelson for some time to wind up the business of Waitt and Co. Early in 1844 Governor Fitzroy arrived in Nelson, and, in making his appointments, selected Mr. Tinline for the position of Clerk of the Magistrate's Court, and Native Interpreter. Mr. Tinline remained in the Government service till the end of 1852: He filled several important offices, and did his share in the arduous work of building up the prosperity of the province. In 1853 Mr. Tinline turned his attention to sheepfarming, which he has ever since carried on on an extensive scale, and has been extremely successful in all his undertakings. He has owned several large runs, such as Weld's Hill, Green Hills, and Ferniehurst, in Marlborough, and Lyndon in Amuri. Lyndon contained upwards of 80,000 acres, about 50,000 acres of which were freehold; and the whole, including 40,000 sheep, was sold by Mr. Tinline to Messrs D. and A. Macfarlane, of Amuri. During his life Mr. Tinline has always taken a large interest in the leading questions of the day, but on account of the extent of his personal enterprises, he has been unable to spare the time demanded by an active part in politics. However, when he resided in Amuri, he was elected Chairman of the Bench
, who is an Old Colonist and retired tradesman, residing in Waimea Street, Nelson, was born at Newcastleon-Tyne, England, in 1833, and landed in Melbourne in 1857. From Melbourne he went to the goldfields, where he resided for several years; but then crossed over to New Zealand, and settled in Nelson in 1867. At that time the water works were being carried on, and Mr. Thompson entered into business as a publican, establishing the Victoria Hotel, near the present Saltwater Bridge. After a few years of successful business Mr. Thompson leased the Wakatu Hotel, which was a fine building standing on the present site of the Bank of New South Wales in Bridge Street. Seven years later he sold out at a satisfactory figure, and went to Richmond, where he became host of the Star and Garter Hotel, which he conducted with success until he returned to Nelson, and took over the Post Boy Hotel, near the railway station, whence he retired from business in the enjoyment of the goodwill of his fallow colonists. Mr. Thompson was a member of the old Board of Works, which was afterwards merged into the City Council. Both Mr. and Mrs Thompson are held in general esteem by the community.
, long well-known in Nelson as a butcher, was born in Suffolk, England, came out to Melbourne in the ship “Royal Charter,” and crossed over to New Zealand in the early sixties, during the Otago gold “rush.” In 1862 he removed to Nelson, where, as a partner with Mr. T. Hudson, he started business in Trafalgar Street. After a short period the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Warren continued on his own account, and met with a large measure of support. Owing to continued ill-health, Mr. Warren retired from business in 1878, and paid a twelve months' visit to the Old Land. In sporting matters he was very prominent, and owned several racehorses, amongst them, the champion, “Chanticleer.” Mr. Warren was a Freemason, Oddfellow and Forester. For some time previous to his death, which took place in 1896, he was a great sufferer, but he bore his affliction with patience and fortitude, He was married to the second daughter of the late Mr. William Ball, builder, who was also an old and respected colonist. Mrs Warren is still (1905) a resident of Nelson.
brother of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, was one of the most notable figures among the founders of the colony. He was born in 1808, had been in the navy from the age of ten, and served in every quarter of the world. He was at one time aide-de-camp to Admiral Cockburn, and distinguished himself on many occasions by his personal bravery. He had considerable skill in gunnery and in shipbuilding, and he was an accomplished linguist. His honesty, courage, strong sense of duty and sound judgment endeared him to all the early settlers. He was one of the vietims of the Wairau massacre, on the 17th of June, 1843, and is further referred to in that connection at pages 12 and 13 of this volume.
one of the pioneers in the West Coast shipping trade, arrived in Victoria, in 1851, and after a few years spent in gold mining, became connected with the shipping trade between Australia and New Zealand. In 1856 he married and made his home in Nelson, and for many years afterwards was engaged in the West Coast trade, in command of vessels of the Anchor Shipping Company. Captain Whitwell spent his old age quietly in Nelson, and was a popular member of the local Bowling Club, which he represented in many ten naments. He died in October, 1904, leaving a family of seven sons and four daughters.
was born at Kirriemuir, Scotland. He landed in
, sometime of Lower Moutere, was popular amongst the early colonists of Nelson. He was born in England, and he and his wife came to New Zealand early in the forties. From 1850 till 1866 he resided at Richmond, but then removed to Moutere, where he very soon found a field for his labours. There he carried on good work and founded an orphanage, which the Government recognised as a useful institution and readily granted him a subsidy. He sometimes had as many as forty or fifty children in the orphanage. When the Whakarewa orphanage was founded by the Anglican Church, Mr. Wallis handed over his charges to the church, and made the large building into a homestead for himself. Mr. Wallis died in 1882, and left a widow, three sons and five daughters.
is one of the most charming little spots in the country. It was named by Mr. William Songer (one of the earliest settlers), after his birthplace, Stoke, near Nayland, Suffolk, England. For an extensive, unbroken, and easily accessible view of Blind Bay, the position is unrivalled. The principal products are agricultural, hops being amongst them. Stoke has two churches, namely, Anglican and Wesleyan; an hotel, a blacksmith's shop, a general store, a public hall and a railway station. It is the site of St. Mary's Orphanage, to which boys are sent from all parts of New Zealand. The Nelson abattoirs are also at Stoke.
is at the public school. Mails are received and despatched daily. The telephone is largely used and has fully justified the expenditure connected with it. From ninety to one hundred messages are sent and received quarterly, which is considered good for a small village so near Nelson, and nullifies the predictions of those who maintained that it would not be used once a month.
is situated four miles from Nelson, and the same distance from the borough of Richmond. It is built upon an acre of land, and there are two buildings of one room each, with accommodation for 200 scholars. There are seventy-two names on the roll, and Mr. B. H. Wilmot is the headmaster. Children come from a radius of two miles, and of late years the attendance has been steadily increasing. The business of the local post office and telephone station is conducted at the school, and Miss Naylor is postmistress.
, formerly Headmaster of the Stoke Public School, began teaching in New Zealand in 1877. In December, 1881, he went to the scene of the native trouble at Parihaka; afterwards he took charge, first of the Kaikora North school, and then of the Meanee school, in the Hawke's Bay district. In 1886, he returned to Stoke and was re-appointed headmaster of the local school, from which he retired in 1905. Mr. Naylor was born near Leeds, Yorkshire, in 1846. He was educated under the English Government system, and was teaching for eight years in large London schools. He came to New Zealand in 1874 in the ship “Chili,” and acted as schoolmaster on the outward voyage. After his arrival he lived for two years at Karamea, where he was engaged on a survey party and also as Government storekeeper. Mr. Naylor was the first to organise at Stoke a drum and fife and string band which in its day was a noted institution. In cricketing he has been an enthusiast, and for five years he was a representative cricketer for the Nelson province. Mr. Naylor possesses a D1 certificate.
Sheepfarmer, “Isel,” Stoke. Mr. Marsden's property consists of 400 acres with a frontage of about 53 chains to the Waimea Road, and is capable of grazing two sheep and a quarter to the acre. The estate is stocked with three breeds of sheep, namely, English Leicester, Romney Marsh, and Shropshire Downs, all pure bred. The Downs are the oldest Shropshire stock in New Zealand, and the originals were imported by Mr. Sellon in 1862. The Leicesters are from the flock of Mr. P. Threlkeld, of Inglewood, Canterbury, and the Romney Marsh from the flocks of Mr. Allen, of the Wairarapa. In addition to his sheep, Mr. Marsden grazes fifty head of cattle. The land is nearly all ploughable, and it yields splendid crops of barley, wheat and turnips. Mr. Marsden's homestead is complete in every respect; and the outbuildings, stables, granary, sheep dip and yards are spacious and modern in style. Mr. Marsden was born at Nelson on the 23rd of March, 1844, and was one of the first scholars at Nelson College. With the exception of periodical visits to Australia and to different parts of New Zealand, Mr. Marsden has spent most of his life at Stoke. He takes great interest in the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he was president in 1896.
, who was the founder of the firm of E. Buxton and Co., merchants, Nelson, arrived in Nelson in 1851, having landed at Lyttelton in the ship “Castle Eden,” which had on board as one of its passengers Bishop Jackson. Mr. Buxton, though of a Derbyshire family, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1805, and had led the life of an independent gentleman for many years before coming out to New Zealand. Upon arriving in the Colony, he purchased a sheep run of 30,000 acres in Canterbury, but did not personally settle in that district, as, though he came out in one of the Canterbury Association's ships, he went, after a little delay, to Nelson; whence he subsequently sailed on a visit to the Old Country. Upon returning to the Colony, in 1855, he founded the business of E. Buxton and Co., which was managed for two years
, of Stoke, was born in 1838 at Gloucester, England, where his father for many years held the responsible position of Collector of Inland Revenue. He came to New Zealand in 1864, and landed at Lyttelton. After a short stay in Christchurch, he settled at Temuka, of which he was one of the pioneers; he resided there for twenty-five years, and there, as at Timaru, he still has considerable interests. Mr. Rayner served on the old school board, and was one of the honorary secretaries of “the South Canterbury Protection League,” which resulted in the formation of “the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works,” which was an important body in its day. He was also one of the first Temuka Park Commissioners and honorary secretary of the same; and tree planting and land improvement generally being pursuits in which he is very enthusiastic, he devoted considerable time and attention to the duties of those offices. Though often pressed to go more into public affairs and accept various positions, his inclinations did not lead that way. In church matters he always took an active interest, and was churchwarden for many years. In 1893 he removed to Stoke, where he leads a quiet life, the only public position he holds being that of a member of the Diocesan Synod of Nelson.
, St. Ann's Ville, Stoke, was born in Nelson, in 1859, and is a son of the late Mr. John B. Tregea, who for many years conducted the Commercial Hotel, in Nelson. Mr. Tregea received his education at the state school, Nelson, and afterwards assisted his father in the management of the hotel. For a short time he was in business for himself as a draper, but on the death of his father returned to the Commercial Hotel, which he conducted successfully up till 1893, when he retired and settled in Nelson. Late in 1902, Mr.
lies at the lead of Tasman Bay, on the eastern side of the Waimea Valley, and is eight miles distant from Nelson. The land in the neighbourhood rises by easy gradations from the level of the sea to the mountain slopes, where the air is more bracing than it is in the valley. Tasman Bay aflords ample scope for fishing and boating, and sportsmen find plenty of hares, rabbits and deer amongst the neighbouring valleys and hills. The climate of the district is remarkably genial, and, generally, the countryside has a pleasing arcadian aspect. With the closer settlement of the land Richmond is sure to increase in prosperity, but, even as things are, it offers many inducements as a place of residence.
has a population of 570 persons, 138 ratepayers, and 136 dwelling-houses. In the year 1905, the rateable value of the properties within its boundaries was £96,547. There was a general rate of three farthings in the pound, and a water rate of four per cent., and the revenue amounted to £759 13s. Until the year 1886, the area of the borough was included in the Richmond highway district, but, owing to the scarcity of water in dry seasons, steps were then taken to form a part of the present borough into a town district with a view to obtaining a reliable water supply by gravitation. In 1887, the ratepayers sanctioned a loan of £2300, which was raised by the issue of debentures, and the work was thereupon proceeded with; the engineer being the late Mr. Daniel Climie, C.E., and the constructor Mr. Robert Lyon. Mr. J. G. Harkness, formerly member of the House of Representatives for Nelson, who was then resident in the district, and who was chairman of the Town Board during the entire term of its existence, took a leading part in the negotiations connected with the carrying out of the work. It was found, in the course of construction, that the amount raised was inadequate, and in 1889 a further loan of £600 was agreed to. This sum was advanced by the Government, under the “Loans to Local Bodies Act.” The water supply, which is drawn from a stream in one of the gullies behind the town, has proved entirely satisfactory. Even in the driest season there is an ample store for the requirements of a much larger population than is at present supplied; and as the reservoir is 400 feet above the sea, there is plenty of pressure for fire extinguishing purposes, even at the highest levels. As the water pipes were laid along nearly the whole length of the main roads, which were then under the control of the Waimea County Council, it was found desirable to form the town district, with an additional area, comprising in all 2300 acres, into a borough, in order to obtain control of these roads. The necessary steps were taken, and Richmond was gazetted as a borough in the year 1891. Mr. George Talbot, a gentleman long resident in the district, who has always taken an active interest in matters affecting the welfare of the community, was elected the first Mayor, and was re-elected to that office ten times without opposition. In 1894, the public cemetery, which had previously been in the hands of trustees, was placed under the control of the Borough Council. The roads and culverts are kept in admirable condition, without eneroaching unduly upon local resources, and the annual accounts generally show a fair balance at credit. Richmond Park, an enclosure of 100 acres adjoining the railway station, was formerly in possession of the Nelson Jockey Club, which laid it off as a racecourse, and erected a large and substantial grandstand, with other buildings. Evil days, however, fell upon the club, and the park is now the property of the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association, though it is still used for race meetings. The annual shows of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association have been held in the park for some years, and the park is also a favourite camping ground of the volunteers. Richmond also has a recreation ground of ten acres. At present (1905) the Borough Council consists of Mr. John M. Croucher (Mayor), and Messrs J. Hunt, John Little, J. F. Papps, A. Sheat, William Coleman and William Hart (Councillors). Mr. Samuel Fittall is Town Clerk.
has served continuously on the Richmond Borough Council, since its inception in 1891. He was born in Richmond, in 1854, and has always resided in the district, where he is engaged in agriculture. In 1893, he married a daughter of Mr. T. J. Thompson, of Richmond, and has a family of one son and three daughters.
was elected to the Richmond Borough Council, in April, 1903, and is a member of the Works Committee. He is also on the school committee, and the committee of the Mechanics Institute, and is a steward of the Nelson Jockey Club, a member of the committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a vice-president of the Richmond Cricket and Football Clubs. Mr. Hunt was born in Northampton, England, in 1863, and came out to New Zealand, with his parents, in 1871. The family settled at Riwaka, and there Mr. Hunt lived for many years. Subsequently, he acted as mail carrier from Richmond to Riwaka for seven years, and on relinquishing that contract, settled at “Bella Mona,” Richmond. He is engaged in stock dealing, grazing, and commission business, and is a Past Grand Master of the Motueka Lodge of Oddfellows. Councillor Hunt married a daughter of Mr. David Pollock, of Nelson, in 1890, and has a family of two daughters.
was elected to the Richmond Borough Council in October, 1903. He was born in Stafford, England, in 1841, and when only a few weeks old accompanied his parents to New Zealand. For a few years he farmed with his father in Waimea East, and afterwards took up land in the Richmond district, where he has since had his home. Mr. Hart married a daughter of Mr. Joseph Hammond, in August, 1863.
, Town Clerk of Richmond, was born in London, shortly before the death of William IV., and is the fourth son of Mr. Stephen Fittall, of Kent. His first employment was with the Guttapercha Company of London, which at the time was connected with the construction of submarine cables. Mr. Fittall afterwards took up the business of a painter and house decorator, and left England for New Zealand in the ship “Montmorency,” which arrived at Wellington in the beginning of 1858. After a somewhat hard time in Wellington, Mr. Fittall proceeded to Hawke's Bay, and one of his first jobs in Napier was the painting and papering of a room for what was known as the “great Separation Meeting”; and the first Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay afterwards met in the same apartment. Mr. Fittall afterwards travelled the sparsely peopled country districts, where scarcely a settler had his house painted or papered, and some had not even windows in. He continued travelling amongst the stations for six years, and visited successively Nelson, Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury and the West Coast, working for the most part on his own account or as a journeyman. In 1881, he arrived in Richmond, and for some time was overseer of roads and works for the Richmond, Stoke and Hope districts. He was one of the promoters of the Richmond water supply scheme, which has proved such a success; was also one of the prime movers in getting Richmond created a borough, and was for many years a member of the Council. For several years he was chairman of the local licensing committee, and he also filled the position of honorary secretary to the local school committee for a number of years. In church matters Mr. Fittall has been active as an officer and voluntary preacher, especially amongst the Baptists.
, situated on the corner of Oxford and Cambridge Streets, Richmond, is the principal suburban school of Nelson. It is a fourroomed building, with about two acres and a half of playground, and has accommodation for 200 scholars. There are 130 boys and girls in attendance, with an average of 110, who come from the Waimeas within a radius of five miles, and the numbers have been steadily increasing within the last few years. In all, over sixty scholarships have been gained by the pupils of the school; many more than the rest of the country schools An “honours board,” hung in the school, contains the names of those boys who have gained scholarships, or any special distinction since leaving. The list contains the names of James Harkness, B.A, headmaster of the Reefton school; George Harkness, M.A., Chief Inspector of Schools in the Nelson Education district; Dr. Talbot, M.A., M.B., Christchurch; A. R. Crump, M.A., Presbyterian College, Melbourne; Rev. H. N. Baker, B.A, and F. J. Wilkes, M.A., Motueka High School; and others.
Coachbuilder, Queen Street, Richmond. Mr. Papps, whose business was established in 1874, has built up a large trade, with connections in all puits of Nelson, Westland, and Marlborougn. The shop frontage extends 100 feet on Queen Street, and has a depth of 40 feet. Mr. Papps was born in Holt, England, and came to New Zealand in 1873 by the ship “Forfarshire,” and landed at Wellington. He takes a keen interest in local affairs, and has long been a useful member of the Borough Council.
. Upholsterer, Furniture Manufacturer, etc., Queen Street, Richmond. Mr. Wray's flourishing business was established in 1885, and is one of the most complete in the district. The premises are stocked with a variety of goods, which are sold at Nelson prices. The shop has a frontage of 40 feet, and a large connection has been formed throughout the district. Mr. Wray is a native of Stafford, England, and learned his trade with one of the best firms in the Old Country.
(F. T. Lipscombe, proprietor), Richmond. This hotel is close to the station, and was built in 1886. It stands on the corner of Queen Street and Gladstone Road, and is a wooden building two stories in height, and has an entrance from each street. The landlord stocks only the best wines, ales, liquors and spirits. The dining-room has chairs for fifteen guests, but by opening folding doors room can be made for twice that number. There are parlours, sitting-rooms, and smoking-rooms on the ground floor, and upstairs there are seven bedrooms, exclusive of those
, proprietor of the Railway Hotel, Richmond, took possession of the house in June, 1900. He was born in Devonshire, England, in 1868, and arrived in New Zealand in 1887. For a short time he was employed on the Highfield station. Amuri, as a musterer, and was subsequently for ten years on the Government survey staff. Mr. Lipscombe, since taking up his residence in Richmond, has identified himself with most of the local bodies, and is a steward and committeeman of the Jockey and Trotting Clubs; a vicepresident of the Athletic and Cycling Club, and of the Richmond Cricket Club. As an Oddfellow, he is a member of the Travellers' Rest Lodge. Mr. Lipscombe married a daughter of Mr. William Ronson, of Greymouth, in Greymouth, in 1900, and has a family of two daughters.
Plumber and Gasfitter, Painter, etc., Queen Street, Richmond. Established in 1878. Mr. Wanstall, who carries on a first-class business, is agent for the Acetylene Gas Company and fits up the necessary plant where required. He was born in Liverpool, England, and there served his apprenticeship to the trade. Mr. Wanstall came to Nelson in 1877, and started business a year later. He has been secretary of the Richmond Fire Brigade, and Colour-Sergeant of the Stoke Rifle Volunteer Corps.
General Merchant, Richmond, This business was established in 1857 by Mr. William Dartnell, who was succeeded by Messrs Hodden and Talbot, and then in 1881 it was taken over by the present proprietor, who is one of the most enterprising business men in the province. In 1891 he started a ham and bacon-curing factory and butter factory, an industry entirely new to Nelson. Mr. May is a native of London, and was educated at the military school in that city. In 1867 he came out to Christchurch, and received an appointment at Kaiapoi with Mr. John Beharrell, merchant, with whom he remained seven years. He then purchased the business from Mr. Beharrell, and successfully conducted it till he sold it and removed to Richmond. While Mr. May was at Kaiapoi he was for a number of years a member of the Borough Council, and of the Harbour Board and Licensing Bench.
Flour Miller and Baker, Queen Street, Richmond. Established 1864. Private residence, corner of Main Road and Queen Street. Mr. Croucher's mill is centrally situated. The building has a frontage of 80 feet by 50 feet in depth, and has the best plant procurable for producing good flour and oatmeal, with which a remunerative trade is done throughout the district. Mr. Croucher is a practical miller, and his oatmeal is equal to that of any other brand. Constant employment is found for nine persons in and about the two businesses. Mr. Croucher makes the grinding of wheat for brow bread a specialty.
was born at Hope, in 1857, and is a son of Mr. George Holland. He was associated with the sawmilling industry for about twenty-eight years, and was, for twenty-two years of that period, engaged in it on his own account. Mr. Holland married a daughter of Mr. Joseph Price. He now lives in retirement at Richmond.
was for some time a builder and contractor in Owen Street, Richmond, where he established himself in 1894. He built up a large
, sometime of “Bouovrore,” Richmond, had a property of one hundred acres, situated within the precincts of the borough of Richmond. The farm is admittedly one of the finest pieces of agricultural land in the province of Nelson. There is a great depth of alluvial soil, and the root and grain crops grow profusely to perfection. Mr. McRae also had a fine herd of well-bred cattle, and some purebred Lincoln sheep, noted as prize-winners, at the local shows. The Wangapeka run was formerly held by Mr. McRae, but he sold it out for goldmining purposes early in 1898. Mr. McRae died in 1904.
, sometime of “Prospect Place,” Richmond, was born in Kent, England, in 1832, and came out to New Zealand in 1840, with his parents in the ship “Martha Ridgway,” which arrived at Wellington. In 1854 the family settled in Richmond, where Mr. Saywell engaged with his father in the building and undertaking trade, and he afterwards carried on the business successfully by himself up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Richmond Road Board, and of the Nelson Education Board for a number of years, and took a “keen interest in the welfare of his district. In February, 1854, Mr. Saywell married Miss Ellen Avery, of the Hutt, Wellington, and died on the 5th of October, 1898. Mrs Saywell, who lives in the old homestead at Richmond, arrived in New Zealand in 1840, in the ship “Bolton,” and resided with her parents at the Hutt until her marriage with Mr Saywell.
is prettily situated in the Waimea Plains, on the river whose name it bears, and is about ten miles southward by rail from Nelson. The land is chiefly flat, and suitable for cropping purposes. Hope has a post and telegraph office, a railway siding, and a Methodist church, where services are conducted every Sunday evening. Some of the earliest arrivals in the province took up land at Hope, and became successful colonists.
Settler, Hope. Miss Bell is the youngest daughter of the late Mr. William Gordon Bell, who was one of the earliest pioneers in New Zealand. He was a native of Dumfries, Scotland, and while a young man he emigrated to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1839, and had for one of his fellow passengers Mr. William Robinson, who afterwards became well-known in New Zealand as the owner of Cheviot estate and a member of the Legislative Council. Finding that Australia was subject to droughts, Mr. Bell came on to New Zealand, and landed at Wellington in 1840. He had with him a large stock of agricultural implements, which he had brought out from the Old Country, and as he was also a practical farmer, he was able to do good work in connection with the infant settlement. He lived both at Petone and at Berahampore, in Wellington, but afterwards went to Wanganui, where he was settled during the trouble which occurred in that district with the Maoris over the second payment for land to the natives by the New Zealand Company. Out of revenge for delay in this payment the Maoris massacred a family named Gilfillan, who were living only a short distance away from Mr. Bell's family. Things were in such an unsatisfactory state that Mr. Bell and other settlers had to leave that part of the country. Nelson then became the scene of Mr. Bell's labours, and there he was well known and respected by all who knew him. Mrs Bell was a daughter of Monsieur Savaut, naval surgeon, a native of France, who was killed whilst fighting at Trafalgar with Lord Nelson. Of a family of two sons and three daughters, Miss Elizabeth Bell is the youngest daughter now living, and she superintends the family estate of one hundred acres of flat land in the district of Hope.
Hope. Mr. Kelling was born in 1844, and is a son of Mr. Feodor Kelling, popularly known throughout the Nelson province as the pioneer of the German expedition to the district. Mr. R. C. F. Kelling was but a child when he and his father arrived at Nelson on the 1st of September, 1844, in the Scandinavian barque “Skiold,” after a four months' passage, which included delay in making repairs incurred through exceptionally heavy weather. The “Skiold,” after leaving Nelson on her homeward trip, was never heard of again, and was supposed to have foundered with all hands. Early in life Mr. Kelling decided to make farming his profession, and he has
Farmer, Hope, Mr. Palmer was born at Hope, Nelson, and is a son of the late Mr. Jobe Palmer, who came out in the ship “Phœbe,” in 1842, and always took great interest in the local affairs of his district. Mr. R. Palmer has always followed farming pursuits, and has a farm of 400 acres, which he works on the most advanced principles of modern agriculture. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity; and at various times served on the school committee.
, sometime of Hope, was the second son of Mr. Richard Eden, who came out from the Old Country in the ship “Phœbe,” in 1842, and after an active and useful life, died in 1885. Mr. W. Eden was born in 1849 at Hope, and after leaving school, he decided to follow farming He had a farm of 162 acres, adapted to both grazing and agriculture. Mr. Eden served on the local school committee, and was a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society. He married, and had eleven children; and died in December, 1899.
, sometime of Hope, had a very fine property about nine miles from Nelson, comprising five acres of excellent land, together with a substantially built eight-roomed house, containing bathroom and all accessories. The outbuildings included a four-stalled stable coach-house, dairy and fowl houses and a large barn. Mr. Kelly had an abundant supply of good water on the property, and the orchard of half an acre was well stocked with the best variety of fruit trees. Mr. Kelly died in the year 1901.
, sometime of Hope, Nelson, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1834, and came to New Zealand at the age of twenty. For some years previously he was in Australia, where he finished his education and was employed in a bank for some time. After coming to New Zealand he was overseer on a run in the Wairau, When about thirty years of age, Mr. Kidd settled down at Hope, where he took up a farm of 700 acres and named it “Willowbank”; there he carried on general farming till his death, which took place in June, 1897. His son, Mr. Edward Kidd, now manages the farm on behalf of the trustees.
is a settlement in the hop growing district. It is sixteen miles to the south-west of Nelson, and two miles from Brightwater, which is connected by rail with Nelson city. Waimea West is on the main road to Moutere from Wakefield, and the well-known drive “round the three bridges” passes through the district. The land is flat and fertile; and farming and hop growing are the main industries. The settlement has a public school, a church, and a public library.
Blacksmith and Farrier, Waimea West. This business was established in 1844 by the present proprietor's father, Mr. Thomas Price, who was a very early settler. Mr. Price does a considerable shoeing business, and is known throughout the district as a careful and skilful farrier. He also makes a specialty of repairing, and during the
Engineer and Machinist, Waimea West. Mr. Tomlinson is a native of the Waimeas, and is the only engineer resident in the district. His work consists chiefly in repairing and setting up all kinds of machinery, in connection with which he is well known as a skil- ful, careful and competent man. He is the inventor of an automatic balance tilt-over straw stacking apparatus for steam threshing machines, and his invention has met with much favour amongst machine owners.
Farmer, “Bearcroft,” Waimea West. Mr. Russ was born in Appleby in the year 1852, and is a son of Mr. Job Russ, an old Nelson colonist. He was educated at the Waimea West public school, and afterwards learned farming with his father. Mr. Russ and his brother subsequently took over the management of the property. The farm is a freehold property of 197 acres of flat land, and is suitable for cropping, which is largely carried on. Good crops of wheat, oats, and barley have been grown, the latter averaging upwards of thirty bushels to the acre. About 150 Romney Marsh cross-breds are depastured, and also a number of cattle and horses. Mr. Russ is a member of the Farmers' Union, chairman of the Cemetery Committee, and has been a member of the Waimea West school committee. In the year 1885 he married a daughter of the late Mr. William Bell, of Waimea West, and has two sons and seven daughters.
, sometime of Waimea West, who was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, in 1816, was educated in the Old Country, and came out to Nelson in the ship “Phœbe” in 1843. After a short stay in Nelson, he decided to settle in the Waimea West district, where he carried on business as a storekeeper and publican till within a few years of his death in 1898. Mr. Palmer was loved and respected by all who knew him, and his death was mourned not only by his widow and family, but by a large circle of friends.
, of “Bearcroft,” Waimea West, was born on the 22nd of December, 1819, in Somersetshire, England, where he was educated, and learned agriculture. He came to New Zealand in the year 1842, and landed in Nelson by the ship “Charles Forbes,” accompanied by his wife. Mr. Russ was for a while employed by the New Zealand Land Company. Subsequently he built a hut in Waimea West, and commenced farming, but was shortly afterwards flooded out, which necessitated his removal to Appleby, where for many years he was successful as a farmer. Mr. Russ endured many of the hardships and privations of the early settlers, and had at one time to dig up his seed potatoes for food. In the year 1879 he purchased his present property, where he has since resided. Mr. Russ was for a time a member of the Waimea West school committee. He married a daughter of Mr. Edmund Satherley, of Somersetshire, England, and has, surviving, six sons and one daughter.
is a small township about twelve miles south of Nelson, by rail, lying between the Wairoa and Wai-iti rivers, by which it is separated from Hope and Waimea West. When Mr. Alfred
J.P., Tanner and Skin Buyer, Brightwater. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established 1882. Mr. Lightband was born in Worcestershire, England, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Thomas Harrison,” in 1842. He served his time at the tannery business under his father till 1851, when he went to the Australian goldfields, whence he returned to New Zealand in 1853. In 1855 he went to Collingwood, to prospect for gold, and was successful in opening the first payable goldfield in that district. A bonus of £500 had been offered for its discovery, and Mr. Lightband's case was pleaded before arbitrators, who considered that he had fulfilled the conditions, but owing to some unexplained reason, the money had never been allocated. The ladies of Nelson presented him with the British ensign, to be hoisted over his tent while acting in the capacity of Honorary Warden on the Collingwood goldfield. He also drew up the first mining rules and regulations for Collingwood, where there was then a population of 2000 miners. Mr. Lightband followed the life of a miner for thirty years in the Grey district and other parts of the West Coast, and was subsequently a warden under the Government. On leaving Greymouth he was presented with a testimonial and a purse of one hundred sovereigns in recognition, of his services. Mr. Lightband is well known as one of the leading fruitgrowers of the Waimeas, and has about eight acres planted with choice fruit trees and small fruits. One acre is under irrigation for raspberry culture, and this method has been proved to be extremely satisfactory.
(Henry Newman and Thomas Newman), Coach Proprietors, Brightwater; Proprietors of Cobb and Co.'s Royal Mail Line of Coaches, Motupiko to Inangahua Junction, Reefton to Westport, Nelson to Blenheim. The Nelson-Blenheim route is eighty miles long, and it is run in five stages; the coaches leave Nelson on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and return on alternate days. This route, which is renowned for its wonderful beauty and rugged scenic grandeur, especially in the Wangamoa and Rai Valley, should not be neglected by tourists. From Motupiko to Inangahua Junction, run in five stages, the distance is eightyfour miles, and the country through which the coach passes is exceedingly picturesque. From Reefton to Westport, a distance of fifty miles, there are three stages, and the coach passes through the famous Buller Gorge, and primeval forests, unequalled by anything else of the kind in any other part of New Zealand, Messrs Newman Brothers have a most
Dairy Farmer, Brightwater, Mr. McMurray was born in County Down, North of Ireland, in 1834. In 1855, he came out to Melbourne, and in company with his brother Robert followed up the diggings at Bendigo, Castlemaine and Ballarat, After more or less success, they resolved to try New Zealand, and landed at Dunned in just in time for the Gabriel's Gully “rush.” They were fairly successful, and went to Nelson in 1863, and were prospecting at Wangapeka and the Dun Mountain. Tnence they went to the West Coast, where they encountered hardships known only to pioneers. The brothers afterwards returned to Nelson, and Mr. James McMurray finally settled down at Brightwater in 1864. He has a farm of 100 acres, well suited to dairying, and used by him for that purpose. Whilst working on the railway line about twenty years ago, Mr. McMurray had the misfortune to lose one of his legs; and this has handicapped him in the latter years of his life. Mr. McMurray is married, and has twelve children, five of whom are married. He has always taken an active interest in matters conducive to the walfare of his district, and is chairman of the Spring Grove Road Board, and a member of the Brightwater school committee. He was formerly a member of the Waimeas Road Board.
is on the Waiiti river in the county of Waimea, and is fourteen miles by rail to the south of Nelson. It has a population of about 270, and is the headquarters of the Nelson Fruitgrowers' Association. Hops, fruit, and grain are grown in the district, and dairying is also carried on. There is no hotel in the township, which, however, has a post and telegraph office and a school. The district is noted for its scenery; there are trout in the streams, and deer, hares, and quail throughout the district. Aniseed Valley copper mine, and the Wairoa Gorge, are in the neighbourhood. Spring Grove is the headquarters of the Waimea Rifle Corps, which includes amongst its members some of the crack rifle shots of New Zealand. There are two churches—Methodist and Church of Christ—in the district.
, sometime of Spring Grove, was born in Nottinghamshire. England, in 1828. He came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “Clifford,” which landed them in Nelson early in 1842. Mr. Roughton first lived on the Nelson beach, where he and his mate pulled ashore the first white man that was drowned in the Nelson harbour. In 1843 he moved with his parents up to Brightwater. Mr. Roughton helped to drive the first flock of sheep to Blenheim, to Birch Hill run. He was there when a man, named Coward, was drowned while crossing the Wairau river—the first event of its kind connected with the colonisation of the district. About two years afterwards he returned to Nelson and bought fifty acres of land in the Waimeas, where he engaged in fruit and hop-growing. In 1855 he married a daughter of Mr. White, who came out to New Zealand in the “Olympus,” and had two sons and one daughter. Mr. Roughton died on the 25th of June, 1904.
is a rising township situated seventeen miles from Nelson, on the railway line to Motupiko. The settlers are prosperous, and hops promise to be the staple product of the district; for picking alone a sum of over £2000 was distributed during the season of 1905. Wakefield was named by the late Mr. W. Hough, after his native village in Yorkshire, and after Captain Wakefield, one of the founders of the province, who lost his life in the Wairau massacre. It is one of the chief townships in the Waimeas, and the district is considered very healthy. There are four religious bodies represented, of which the Anglican Church is the most prominent; and there are four lodges. Wakefield has an hotel, and a combined railway station and post and money order office.
No 310, Wakefield. This lodge was established in the year 1895. It is in a flourishing condition, and Mr Albert Hoult is secretary.
M.R.C.S. (Eng.) Private residence, “Felbridge,” Wakefield. This practice was established in 1884. Dr. Pearless was born in Sussex, England, and studied at Bartholomew's Hospital, London, taking his degree in 1876. He was seven years in Victoria and two years in Green's merchant service before settling at Wakefield. Dr. Pearless is a Past Master of more
Carpenter, Builder, and Wheelwright, Wakefield. This business was established by Mr. McPherson in the year 1869. The business premises are situated in the heart of the township of Wakefield, and are replete with all the machinery and plant necessary for the turning-out of first-class work. Four workmen are employed by the proprietor all the year round, and thorough attention is given to all orders entrusted to Mr. McPherson. He is a native of Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland, and was born in April, 1837. He was apprenticed to the building trade, which he learned in all its branches. Deciding to try his luck in New Zealand, Mr. McPherson left Glasgow in the ship “Gala,” and after a short sojourn in Dunedin, he returned to Scotland, quite satisfied that he would make his future home in this colony; which he did in the year 1864, when he settled down in the province of Nelson. Mr. McPherson has always taken an interest in local matters, and has served various periods on the Wakefield school committee. He is also a member of the Rechabite Lodge, Star of Wakefield Tent.
Plumber and Tinsmith, Wakefield. Mr. Burn was born in Nelson in 1848. He is a son of Mr. Robert Burn, who came out in 1842 by the ship “Bolton.” Mr. Burn was apprenticed to the tinsmithing and plumbing business under the tuition of his father, Mr. Robert Burn. After serving his apprenticeship be was taken into the business as a partner, and the firm was thenceforth styled Messrs R. Burn and Son. After carrying on business for some time, Mr. Burn was able to buy his father's share in the partnership. For many years he successfully traded on his own account until he decided to try Wellington, then Blenheim, and finally Wakefield, where he has been settled for about twenty-two years. Mr. Burn is a member of the Wakefield school committee, and held the position of chairman for some years. He is the president and honorary secretary of the Sparrow Club, and helps all cricket, rifle, rowing and athletic clubs in the province. He was senior petty officer in the old Nelson Navals, now the Nelson Rifles, and was for some time secretary of the Trafalgar Lodge of Druids at Wakefield. Mr. Burn's eldest son is a saddler, and the second is a brewer.
Blacksmith and Farrier, Wakefield. This business was established in 1867 by Mr. Alexander Robertson, and taken over by the present proprietor in 1895. He is a native of Nelson, and learned his trade under his father, with whom he remained seven years. There is a complete blacksmith's plant, including two forges, tyrebender and shrinker, together with all the necessary drilling machinery. The smithy is devoted chiefly to shoeing, and to the repair of farm implements. Mr. Robertson is an Oddfellow, a Rechabite, and a keen, cricketer.
Bootmaker, Wakefield. This business was established in 1869, and is conducted on up-to-date lines, and on terms which compare favourably with those ruling in the city. All classes of boots and shoes are kept in stock, and the proprietor does a steadily increasing business. Until recently Mr. Thomas had a branch business at Belgrove, but that has now been closed, as he prefers to conduct his operations from one shop. A considerable amount of bespoken work is done, and Mr. Thomas does the whole of the repair work of the district. Mr. Thomas was born in Yorkshire, England, where he waa brought up to his trade, but he came out to New Zealand when he was twenty years of age, and landed at Lyttelton by the ship “Roman Emperor.” He went on to Wellingson, where he gained three years' experience, and then moved to Nelson. Mr. Thomas was for twenty-one years permanent secretary of the
. General Storekeepers, Wakefield. Messrs Hodgson and Sons keep a well assorted stock, and have a trade which extends throughout the surrounding district.
Flour Miller, Wakefield. This business was established in 1865 by Mr. W. Painton, senior, and was taken over by the present proprietor in 1892.
General Storekeeper, Wakefield. Mr. Waterhouse was born in Wakapuaka in 1858, and was educated in the local public school. After a short time spent in Nelson, he took up land in Wakefield, and commenced hop-growing and farming, in which he was successful. Mr. Waterhouse afterwards bought a storekeeping business from Mr. G. F. Kingston, and on the 1st of October, 1904, opened a store in Wakefield. He employs three carts in connection with his business, an important branch of which is the purchase of butter, eggs, poultry, hides, wool, hops, grain, and other farm produce, which is shipped to the Wellington market. Mr. Waterhouse has been through the chairs of the Trafalgar Lodge of Druids, No. 310, and of the Star of Wakefield Lodge of Rechabites. He married a daughter of Mr. John Currin, of Wakefield, in the year 1882, and has one son and two daughters.
Farmer, Wakefield. Mr. Baigent is a son of the late Mr. Edward Baigent, who represented the people of the Waimeas for about twelve years in Parliament. Mr. Edward Baigent was very well known and respected by all Nelsonians, as one of the pioneers who came out from the Old Country in 1842 in the ship “Clifford,” In the early days he erected a flour-mill, and afterwards added a sawmilling plant, in connection with which he used water as motive power, and the timber was rafted down the Wai-iti river to the nearest road. He was a member of the Provincial Council for many years, and also of the Waimea Road Board. In educational matters, he always took a prominent part, and, in fact, did everything in his power to forward the interests of his district. Mr. Joseph Baigent was born in Nelson three days after the arrival of the ship, which had brought out the family, and was the seventh child born in the province. He was educated at the state school at Wakefield. After leaving school, he commenced business in the mines on the West Coast, and afterwards dealt in stock for some years. He was at the Coromandel goldfields for a few years, but since then he has devoted himself to general farming in the Wakefield district. He has a farm of 750 acres, partly of pastoral and partly of agricultural land. Mr. Baigent is a member of the Wakefield school committee, and has for many years been a member of the vestry of the Anglican church.
., Farmer, “The Swamp,” Wakefield. Mr. Baigent was born in England in 1840, and is the eldest surviving son of the late Mr. Edward Baigent, sometime a member of the House of Representatives, who arrived in Nelson in 1842 in the ship “Clifford.” Mr. Baigent was educated in Wakefield, and afterwards assisted his father in the working of a sawmill, which he had established. After thirty years spent in that occupation, Mr Baigent secured a property of 1000
Farmer, Wakefield. Mr. Baigent's farm is a freehold property of 455 acres, and about, 350 Romney Marsh crossbreds are depastured on it. A little cropping is carried on, and about three acres of hops are cultivated, giving an average yield of 4000lb. In the picking season about twenty persons are employed. Mr. Baigent is a son of the late Mr. Isaac Baigent, and was born in Wakefield in the year 1856. He was educated at the Wakefield public school, and after about five years spent in various parts of the colony, he returned to Wakefield, and was for over two years engaged in the baking business at Brightwater. In 1882, Mr. Baigent entered into partnership with his brother, and commenced farming and hopgrowing. He is a Past Grand Master of the Forest Lodge of Freemasons, Wakefield, No. 1481, English Constitution, and has been through the chairs of the Mansion of Peace Lodge, Manchester Unity. Independent Order of Oddfellows. Mr. Baigent married a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Lines, of Wai- iti, in January, 1882, and has, surviving, three sons, and one daughter.
Farmer, Wakefield. Mr. Baigent was born in Wakefield in 1858, and was educated at the Wakefield public school. He learned agriculture from his father, Mr. Isaac Baigent, with whom he worked for a number of years. Mr. Baigent is farming in partnership with his brother, about a mile from the township; the land is chiefly undulating, and suitable for the depasturage of sheep. Mr. Baigent is a Past Noble Grand Master of the Mansion of Peace Lodge, Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows. He married a daughter of Mr. William Ducker, of Upper Montere, in the year 1881, and has five sons and six daughters.
Farmer, “Genia Farm,” Eighty eight Valley, Wakefield. Mr. Kinzett was born in Warwickshire, England, in the year 1826, and brought up to agricultural work. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Thomas Harrison,” and arrived in Nelson in 1842. Shortly after landing, Mr. Kinzett took up land at Richmond, whence he removed to Hope, and thence to his present property, where, with the exception of seven years spent on the Australian goldfields, he has since resided. He served for a short time as a member of the Hope school committee, is a member of the Farmers' Union, and was for years a member of the Order of Oddfellows, Mr. Kinzett married a daughter of Mr. George Holland, senior, of Stoke, in 1846, and has, surviving, four sons and four daughters.
Farmer, “Totara Farm,” Eighty eight Valley, Wakefield. Mr. Kinzett
, sometime a farmer at Wakefield, was born in England, and came out to Nelson with his parents in the year 1842 in the ship “Clifford.” His father was the late Mr. Edward Baient, who settled in the Waimeas, and for several years represented that district in the House of Representatives, Mr. Baigent was educated at Wakefield, and afterwards assisted his father in a sawmilling business. Subsequently he commenced farming, in which he was engaged up to the time of his death. Mr. Baigent was twice married, and died in the year 1895, leaving a widow, eight sons, and three daughters.
, widow of the late Mr. Arthur Baigent, was born in Nelson in June, 1846. She is a daughter of Mr. Richard Lloyd, who arrived in Nelson in the year 1842, by the ship “Thomas Harrison.”
, sometime of Sunningdale Farm, Eighty-eight Valley, Wakefield, was born in Hampshire, England, in 1833. In 1842, Mr. Cole came to Nelson with his mother in the ship “Lord Auckland,” and after a short residence in Nelson he went to live at Stoke with Mr. Trower, his step-father. In 1849, he acquired 200 acres at Eighty-eight Valley, and afterwards added another 500 acres. Mr. Colo filled the position of chairman of the local school committee, and he was a Freemason. He married a daughter of Mr. Isaac Gibbs, of Wakefield, and had a family of five sons and three daughters. Mr. Cole died in the year 1903.
, sometime of Wakefield, was one of the early pioneers, who came out to New Zealand when it was but a waste, and who by dint of energy and perseverance, succeeded in converting it into a fertile land, which now brings in a fair return for the labour spent upon it.
Mr. Gibbs was born in Hampshire, England, in the year 1818, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Bolton,” which arrived at Nelson in the year 1842. After a sojourn of about seven years in the town of Nelson, where many hardships were encountered, he went further inland and lived at Brightwater for five years; after that he resided at Wakefield, where he had a freehold farm of 630 acres. In his later years Mr. Gibbs, though still hale and hearty, enjoyed a well-earned retirement from business worries; the farm being managed by his second son, Mr. Joseph Gibbs, who lived on the property with his wife and family. Mr. Gibbs, senior, never took any part in public affairs, but he helped to put down the Maori rising after the Wairau massacre, and was one of those who nightly watched the Maori camp at very great risk to their lives. Mr. Gibbs always enjoyed the goodwill of his fellowsettlers as a man of strict integrity and strength of purpose. He died on the 30th of June, 1903.
is a sheep, cattle and grain growing district, on the rive Dove. It is within twentyseven miles of Nelson, and ten of Wakefield, which is connected with Nelson by rail. A coach runs twice a week between Wakefield and Dovedale. The country is hilly and is covered with bush, which is being gradually cleared away. The road from Wakefield, though hilly, is suitable for cyclists, and the surrounding country has much scenic beauty. Dovedale has a public school, a post and telephone office, two churches, a library, and an accommodation house.
, who is well known in Dovedale, came to Nelson with his father when he was a boy, and was one of the early settlers of Dovedale, where he is now engaged in sheepfarming and hopgrowing. Mr. Jordan has taken a general interest in local public matters, and has served for a considerable time on the road board and local school committee.
was one of the first settlers in the Dovedale district, Nelson. He was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1829, and came out to Nelson in 1842. The family resided there for a time; then they went to Stoke, and finally took up their residence at Dovedale in 1863. There Mr. Wynn transformed a piece of bush land into a profitable property, and left his widow and eleven children well provided for at the time of his death, which occurred on the 14th of September, 1898. For over thirty years Mr. Wynn was a member of the local school committee, and he was also a member of the Nelson Education Board for several years. His widow came to New Zealand by the ship “Charles Forbes,” and they were married in 1852.
is a rising and prosperous township situated about six miles from Ngatimoti, fifteen miles from Wakefield, and four miles from Woodstock. It is the centre of a large tract of country, including the Dovedale district. The land is chiefly second-class, and is principally pastoral, and the staple products are wool, skins, hides, hops and grain. Fruit also is likely soon to command the attention of farmers, and the land is well adapted for its production. There are three schools; namely, Dovedale school, Church Hill school, and Wynn Valley school; and two churches—Anglican and Wesleyan. The public library is at the Dovedale school, and is well supplied with first class literature. The settlement has a post office, telephone service, and money order office. A rifle club, recently formed, has already done good work in matches with other clubs.
Farmer, Thorpe. Mr. Kenyon was born in Scotland in the year 1833, and came out to Australia in the early fifties. He at once went to the gold diggings, which were then in full swing, and worked there with more or less success till the Gabriel's Gully “rush” took place in New Zealand, and he decided to try his luck in this Colony. In the year 1861 he took up an unimproved farm of 400 acres in the Dovedale district, which at that time was all dense forest. His land, however, has now been converted into a splendid property, and carries sheep, cattle and horses. Mr. Kenyon is chairman of the school committee, member of the road board, and also chairman of the cemetery trustees, and has earned the approbation of the people of Dovedale by the way in which he fulfils his various public duties
, named after Mr. Stanley, who resided in Motueka Valley, was opened up for settlement about thirty-seven years ago, and is connected with Wakefield by the Royal Mail express coach, which makes two trips weekly, via Dovedale. It is a farming district, with a population of about 200. From 3000 to 4000 acres are suitable for grazing and a fair amount of cropping is also carried on. The holdings average from 200 to 500 acres; the settlers are fairly prosperous, and have, in most instances, built comfortable homes. The public school has an attendance of about forty children, and there is a post and telephone office. There are congregations of the Church of England and the Church of Christ at Stanley Brook.
. The postal branch was opened about 1884, and the telephone in 1891 The office is situated seven miles from Thorpe, twenty-five miles from Motueka, and seven miles from Tadmor. There is a triweekly mail service by coach, which leaves on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
(Messrs Faulkner Brothers, owners), Stanley Brook. This property is situated four miles and a-half from Stanley Brook. It comprises 2600 acres, of which about 200 acres is flat country. Half of the country has been cleared, and boundary fences have been erected. The soil is good friable loam, with alluvial flats, and a little cropping for home use is carried on. The property was acquired in 1890 from the late Mr. Thomas Hickey, who was killed while engaged in bush-felling. Two thousand sheep are depastured, and the station yards, pens, barn, outbuildings, etc., are complete in every respect. The station is well managed, and a credit to the proprietors. The country is of granite formation, and consists of two ranges of hills with sloping ridges running down to the valley, through the centre of which runs the Motueka river, which is now very well stocked with trout. The land, when cleared, carries good grass, and turns off big-framed and well-conditioned stock.
Farmer, Stanley Brook. Mr. Forsyth has a freehold section of 200 acres, which has been cleared, fenced and grassed; the land is suitable for the plough, is well watered, and is stocked with sheep. Mr. Forsyth was born at Benares, India, in 1876. He landed in New Zealand in 1888, and subsequently purchased his present holding.
is a fertile district situated about ten miles from Motueka. Its name is said to have been derived from the action of a Maori, who cut the words “Nga Timote” on a tree on the propery known as Dr. Johansen's. A picturesque view is obtained from Mr. Guy's place, where, looking westward, the Pangatotara Valley, Pokororo, and Walker river call be seen; and to the southward, Orinoco Valley. The land of the district is well adapted to the cultivation of hops, which are grown extensively, and the fruitgrowing industry is likely to become a feature of the district in a few years. The district has a church, two schools, a public library, and a post office.
Farmer, Ngatimoti. Mr. Canton is one of the first settlers who picked out Ngatimoti to settle down in life. He was born in 1834, in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and was brought up to a mining life. In 1857 he emigrated to Australia, and went to the diggings at Castlemaine. He was not very successful, and came over to Nelson in 1861. After trying the Lyell diggings he settled in Ngatimoti in 1864, to farm ninety acres of first-class bush land, which he has converted into a fine profitable property. Mr. Canton was the first man to fell bush in the valley where he lives, and which is now cleared for miles in all directions. He is married and has a family.
Postmaster and Farmer, Ngatimoti. Mr. Guy's property comprises 150 acres, principally hilly country, on which he runs cattle and sheep. He is a native of Nelson, and, with the exception of the time occupied in touring the colony on several occasions, has spent the whole of his life in the province. Mr. Guy has held the position of postmaster and telephonist at Ngatimoti since 1892, and performs the duties in a most satisfactory manner. He has been secretary and treasurer of the local school committee for many years, and was its chairman for six or seven years. As a Freemason, he was one of the founders of Lodge Motueka, No. 117, New Zealand Constitution, and has been the Lodge's secretary since its foundation. Mr. Guy was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1899.
Farmer, Ngatimoti. Mr. Lines settled in the Ngatimoti district in 1857. His farm contains about 600 acres of land, mostly pastoral, and carries about 700 sheen and thirty head
Farmer, Ngatimoti. Mr. J. E. Salisbury is a son of the late Mr. John Park Salisbury, who was one of the first to settle in the Ngatimoti district, and who in the early days did much to open up the back country. Mr. J. E. Salisbury was born at Pangatotara, near Motueka. Early in life he decided to follow sheopfarming, and has been successful throughout his career. His farm of 670 acres is situated at the junction of Lloyd's Valley and Orinoco. It is most suitable for grazing stock, and about 1000 sheep and cattle now run on the property. Mr. Salisbury is a breeder of Border Leicester and Romney Marsh, and has bought stud sheep from some of the best flocks in New Zealand. He is a married man.
Farmer, Ngatimoti. Mr. Strachan forinerly managed the Woodstock estate, on behalf of the executors. He was born in Riwaka in 1858, and was brought up to farming, but was subsequently engaged for ten years with his brothers in a cooperage business. Mr. Strachan is connected with the Church of England at Ngatimoti, and has been a vestryman since 1883. His wife is a daughter of Mr. Francis Holder, of Pangatotara.
(Alexander Cochrane Strachan, John Campbell Strachan, and Thomas Pringle Strachan), Ngatimoti. The Messrs Strachan Brothers are the sons of the late Mr. Benjamin Strachan, who came out to New Zealand in 1853, in the barque “Admiral Grenfell,” and was very well known by all Nelsonians. Early in life, the late Mr. Strachan suffered very keenly through illhealth, and he was compelled to retire from active occupation, and on his sons devolved the duty of providing for the family. After residing at Riwaka for many years, where they were successful as farmers, Messrs Strachan removed in 1872 to Ngatimoti, where they took up their present property of 800 acres of bush land, which is now partly improved, and is used as a sheep run. Mr. Alexander Strachan married a daughter of the Rev. T. A. Bowden, of Wakefield.
W., Farmer, Ngatimoti. Mr. Wills was born in 1866 at Lower Moutere, and is the only son of the late Mr. James W. Wills, who was one of the earliest pioneers, and served through the Maori war in the Taranaki province. The late Mr. Wills, who was a first-class Maori linguist, often acted in the capacity of an interpreter in the Nelson district, and was highly estoemed by all who knew him. He was a miller at Lower Moutere, and died in the year 1876, when he left a widow, six daughters and one son. Mr. Wills, junior, settled in Ngatimoti in 1893,
was born at Port Underwood in 1842, and was a son of Mr. John Delaney. He was educated and brought up in the province of Nelson, and was for some time butchering and hotelkeeping in Motueka. Mr. Delaney bought the Ngatimoti Butter Factory in 1878. At one time he took considerable interest in public affairs. He died in 1903.
, which in Maori means “small river,” is the name of a small township in the county of Waimea, twenty miles south-west by rail from Nelson. The main road from Nelson to Reefton passes through the township. Timber cutting and hop growing are carried on in the district, and also the industry of obtaining bark for tanning purposes. Wai-iti has a public school, and a branch of the Church of Christ.
. This school was opened about the year 1870, when Mr. Smith, who is now inspector of schools in the Marlborough district, was its headmaster. The scholars on the roll number 115, and the attendance is generally very good, except in the hoppicking season, which is a time of sore trial to the various schoolmasters in the Nelson province, owing to so many scholars being unable to be present in the early part of the year. This school has during the last fifteen years, under the supervision of Mr. Edridge, made very great progress, the average attendance rising from under forty to nearly one hundred.
is a native of Gloucestershire, England, where he received his education. After holding the position of pupil teacher, and, later on, that of assistant master in the schools of his native place, Mr. Edridge decided to come to New Zealand, and landed at Nelson in the year 1875. He has served under Education Boards in various parts of the colony, including those of Westland and Wellington. As headmaster of the Wai-iti school, to which he was appointed first in 1884, and again, five years later, he is universally liked by the scholars, and is encouraged in his work by the majority of the settlers in the district. Mr. Edridge is a Freemason, and a member of the Forest Lodge in the Wakefield district, and has passed through the chairs of the Order.
Farmer, “Copsdale,” Wai-iti. Mr. Bright has 725 acres, on which 600 well-bred Romney Marsh sheep are depastured. The land is fair grazing country, and some of it yields good crops of potatoes, turnips, and other roots. A reserve of sixty acres of virgin bush has been set aside for purposes of beauty and shelter. Considerable improvements have been made since the property was acquired in 1887, when the place would carry only 170 sheep, but Mr. Bright determined that it should, in time, carry one thousand. Mr. Bright was born at Picton in 1861, and received his education at the Nelson Catholic school. Before taking up his present holding in 1887, Mr. Bright worked at the Wairau, and in several parts of the North Island.
was born in County Down, Ireland, on the 10th of April, 1835, and was brought up to farming. On the 18th of September, 1856, he landed in Melbourne, by the ship “Morning Light,” which carried 662 passengers. He went to the diggings and worked at Ballarat, Chinaman's Flat, Carisbrook, Ararat, and Pleasant Creek. After arriving in New Zealand, he spent three years on the Otago goldfields, and also visited the West Coast, whence he went to the Wangapeka “rush.” Mr. Stewart followed the diggings for twenty-five years, and settled at Gordon Downs in 1880
is in the county of Waimea. It is twenty-two miles from the city of Nelson by rail, and twelve miles from the terminus of the railway at Motup ko. It was first settled about the year 1844. The district is noted for its hopfields, and about £1000 is paid annually in wages to hop-pickers. Sawmilling is also carried on profitably, and two mills owned by Messrs Thomas Brothers, and one by Messrs Higgins Brothers, employ a large number of men. There are two churches, a comfortable hotel, and a public school.
(James Hyde, owner), Foxhill. This well-conducted and popular hostelry contains sixteen rooms, including nine bedrooms. There is a dining-room, capable of seating thirty-five at table, and there are comfortable sitting-rooms with every convenience for guests and travellers. The Foxhill Inn is a favourite resort for tourists, and is on the main coach road and within easy distance of the city of Nelson.
Farmer and Carter, Foxhill. Mr. Thompson has for many years driven to and from Motupiko, and is a wellknown and trusty carrier. He was born in Essex, England, in 1850, and came to Auckland with his parents in the ship “Bank of England,” in 1856. Shortly afterwards the family removed to Taranaki, where four years were spent, and then they decided to make Nelson their home. Since 1876 Mr. Thompson has resided at Foxhill, where he has a farm. For twenty-five successive years he has been a member of the local school committee, and has also filled the position of secretary. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Order of Oddfellows. He married a daughter of Mr. James Knapp, of Spring Grove, and has a family of two sons and four daughters.
, sometime of Foxhill, was born at Halifax, Yorkshire, England, in 1803, and died on the 8th of October, 1892; his widow survived him only until the 9th of January, 1893, when she died, aged eighty-four years. Mr. Gaukrodger was brought up to farming, and came to New Zealand in February, 1843, in the “Indus.” He resided in Nelson a short time, and then took up land at Foxhill, on which he resided till his death. Mr. Gaukrodger was of a very retiring disposition, and took no part in public affairs. He left a family of two sons and one daughter, but only one of the sons is now alive; namely, Mr. John Gaukrodger.
, formerly owner of the Foxhill Inn, was burn in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, in 1835, Before settling down at Foxhill he spent twelve years in various parts of New Zealand, principally in Canterbury. He has a grown up family of eight sons, six of whom reside in New South Wales and Queensland; one is manager of a station carrying 200,000 sheep, and three conjointly conduct a large butchering business, Mrs. Gaukrodger died about twenty years ago, and one son lost his life in a buggy accident on the 11th of October, 1903, Mr Gaukrodger now lives in retirement at Foxhill.
, who for over twenty years carried on a successful business as a hopgrower at Foxhill, now lives in retirement in the district.
, sometime a hopgrower at Foxhill, was both in Hampshire, England, in February,
, sometime of Foxhill, was the second son of Mr George Holland. He was born at Wakefield, in January, 1853, and died on the 24th of February, 1893. Mr. Holland was a sawyer for some years, and then took up the cultivation of hops. He was also in partnership with Mr. Joseph Holland in the sawmilling business at Belgrove. Mr. Holland was a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and was also on the local school committee. His death was primarily due to influenza, which developed into consumption, and after an illness of three years, he passed peacefully away, beloved by all who knew him.
, which lies at the Waimea end of Spooner's Range, about two miles from Foxhill, was the terminus of the Nelson railway until its extension to Motupiko in 1899. The district was named by the late Mr. William Morrison, after Mr. James Bell (now of Richmond) a son of Mr. William Bell, who settled in Nelson after the massacre of the Gilfillan family at Wanganui. Belgrove has been subdivided into small areas and the settlers make a comfortable living. There is a public school between Foxhill and Belgrove. Crime is almost unknown to the community, and the “beat” of the constable extends from Spring Grove to the Lyell. Belgrove and Foxhill, between them, have a population of over 500 persons, and Belgrove has an hotel, two stores, and several sawmills.
(C. L. Andrews, proprietor), Belgrove. Established about 1856. This favourite hotel is a two-storey building, containing twenty rooms, thirteen of which are set apart for the travelling public. It has also a spacious diningroom, and three sitting-rooms for lodgers.
, formerly proprietor of the Belgrove Hotel, was born in Nelson. He now (1905) resides in Hawke's Bay.
(William Bryant and Charles Bryant), Sawmillers, This firm's mill is complete in every respect, and is capable of turning out 2000 feet of timber daily. It is equipped with a twelve horse-power steam engine, by Mowbray and Crosbie, and a twelve horse-power Cornish boiler which works a twin-circular breakingdown travelling bench saw. The timber cut consists of rimu, birch (beech), white and red pine, and the whole output is disposed of in Nelson and the surrounding districts.
was born in 1870, and has spent most of his life in the sawmilling business. He is a volunteer, and is fond, of chess and painting.
, Sawmillers, Belgrove. The firm's machinery is driven by a ten horse-power portable engine by Messrs Clayton and Shuttleworth, and the output runs from 2500 to 2800 feet per day.
was born at Foxhill in 1872, and has followed sawmilling at Foxhill and Belgrove for many years.
was born at Brighton, Sussex, England, in 1845, and after being eight years at sea, he landed at Nelson in 1868, as a passenger by the ill-fated “Queen Bee.” He engaged in sawmilling at Belgrove and Foxhill, and for twenty-five years was in business on his own account. Mr. Thomas served on the road board, and was chairman of the school committee and a trustee of the cemetery and athletic ground. He married a daughter of Mr. George Holland. Mr. Thomas was accidentally killed by a tree falling on him at Belgrove on the 3rd of August, 1899.
Quail Valley, Belgrove, is the property of Mr. William E. Field, J.P. It is a freehold estate of 3000 acres, mostly undulating land, suitable for sheepfarming. About 2500 Romney Marsh crossbreds are depastured, and the other stock includes forty head of cattle, and thirty horses. The property is well watered, and a considerable amount of cropping is carried out on the flat portions. A new homestead is being (1905) erected, and, when completed, will be the finest residence in the district.
, J.P., of “Fairbrook,” Quail Valley, Belgrove, was born in Chipping-onga, Essex, England, in 1853, and is the son of the late Mr. Thomas Field, an old settler of Nelson, Mr. Field came out to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “Gypsy,” which arrived in Nelson in 1854. After receiving his education at the Bishop's School and Nelson College, he assisted in the management of a brewery business, which his father had established in Collingwood Street, Nelson; but as he had a liking for an agricultural and pastoral life, he left the brewery and took up land in Quail Valley, Belgrove, where has since had his home. Mr. Field has always taken a keen interest in matters affecting the public welfare, and at the request of a large number of ratepayers he allowed himself to be nominated for a seat on the Nelson
Farmer, Belgrove. Mr. Higgins was born at Spring Grove, in 1858, and was brought up to farming. He was, however, for a number of years a member of the firm of Higgins and Bryant, sawmillers.
, is the eldest son of the late Mr. George Holland, junior, and was born at Belgrove in 1875. For some years after his father's death Mr. Holland managed his father's estate, and then took to hopgrowing on his own account. His hopkiln was considered the largest in New Zealand. When the hop season was not on, Mr. Holland gave his attention to sheep grazing and agriculture. He has several valuable trophies, won by him for running and jumping; was for some time a member of the Waimea Rifle Volunteers, and was associated with the Trafalgar Lodge of Druids, No. 310. Mr. Holland is now (1905) in the police force at Dunedin.
was for some time sheepfarming at “Ferndale,” Belgrove, where he had 1350 acres; and kept sheep of the Romney Marsh and Leicester breeds. Mr. Shirtliffe transformed his freehold from a wilderness to a very high state of cultivation, with a view to the property carrying 2000 sheep. He was born at Nelson in 1867, and was brought up to farming; and pastoral work, which he followed at Manawatu and Rangitikei, in the North Island. He was also in the Wairarapa district, before he acquired his holding at Belgrove. Mr. Shirtliffe is now (1905) in the North Island.
, the present terminus of the Nelson section of the New Zealand railways, is thirty-two miles and ahalf from Nelson. The line from Belgrove was opened on the Ist of March, 1899, and the cost of the extension amounted to £60,000, which included the construction of a tunnel sixty-seven chains in length. Some of the work was done under the co-operative system. Motupiko, which has been occupied for forty years, is a narrow valley, nine miles in length, sub-divided into holdings of from 100 to 500 acres; the land is poor, and suitable for grazing only. Messrs Newman Bros' coaches run from Motupiko to the West Coast twice weekly, carrying passengers and mails, and there is also a carrier service to Tadmor and Sherry. There are two hotels, an accommodation house, and a combined railway station and post and telegraph office. The district has attractions for anglers and sportsmen.
Accommodation House Keeper, Motupiko. Mr. Biggs was born on the Port Road, Nelson, in 1842. He is a son of the late Mr. George Biggs, who came to New Zealand in 1842 by the ship “Will Watch,” and was brought up in the Wakefield district. He has followed various callings in his time. In 1870 he bought a section in the Motueka Valley, and nine years later purchased 140 acres on Tadmor Hill. Mr. Biggs has been associated with the Oddfellows since 1886, and has on several occasions been a member of local school committees. Mrs Biggs is a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Kite, sometime of Nelson, and one of the victims of the Wairau massacre.
Motupiko, the property of Mr. William Gibbs, is a freehold estate of 2,300 acres, 200 acres of which is flat land, and suitable for cropping purposes, and the remainder hilly, and suitable for sheepgrazing. About 2000 Romney Marsh and Merino purebreds are depastured on the property. The homestead residence is a large two-storied wooden building, and is pleasantly situated on a hill overlooking the Motupiko Valley.
, the owner of “Hamostead,” was born in Nelson in
is a farming district, situated ten miles from the Motupiko railway station, and nineteen miles from the junction of Hope road. The country was opened up about forty years ago, and the earliest settlers were Messrs Thomas Fawcett, G. W. Paull, F. Needham and Isaac Fitch. The farms vary from 100 to 1600 acres; the bulk of the land is devoted to sheep grazing, and carries at the rate of a sheep and a-half to the acre. Hops thrive in the district, and there are several fair-sized hopgardens, varying from one to five acres in extent. Splendid crops of oats, potatoes, turnips, etc., are grown. The scenery is attractive; the river teems with trout, and the sportsman can fill his bag with quail, pheasants and rabbits; there are also deer in the district. The Tadmor river rises from the Backbone Range, and the source of the Buller is at the watershed which adjoins Tadmor. Tadmor has a post office, a store and a public school. The railway to the West Coast is laid three-parts of the way down the Tadmor Valley, but has not yet (1905) been opened for traffic.
, General Storekeepers and Produce Merchants, Tadmor. Branch at Motupiko. This business was established in 1878. The Tadmor branch was taken over by the present proprietors in February, 1898, and the Motupiko store was opened a year later. The area covered by the firm's business includes Wangapeka, Sherry, Tadmor, Motupiko and Stanley Brook. Messrs White Brothers are buyers of wool, hops, sheepskins and all kinds of general produce.
was born at Warrington, Lancashire, England, and educated at the local grammar school. He was afterwards engaged as a bookseller and stationer for several years, five of which were spent with Messrs Philip, Son and Nephew, Liverpool, the celebrated map printers. He landed in Zelson in 1897, and he and his brother subsequently took over their present business.
is a son of Mr. Henry B. White, solicitor, of Warrington, and brother of Mr. Chatham White and Mr. John White. After his arrival in New Zealand, he was at the fell mongering works of Mr. Chapman, of Johnsonville, near Wellington. He was in the West Riding of Yorkshire during the coal riots of 1893.
Farmer, Tadmor, Mr. Hodgkinson has a freehold section of 255 acres, which, with the exception of thirty acres, has been cleared of timber, and subdivided into paddocks, which carry 400 sheep, chiefly Lincoln and Romney Marsh. The soil is a light yellow loam, and has been proved, under the judicious management of the owner, to be capable of growing either root or grain crops, Mr. Hodgkinson was born at Wakefield in 1849, and is a son of Mr. Hodgkinson, of Tadmor. He followed goldmining at Wangapeka, the Buller and Tadmor, where he was one of the first at the “rush,” being with Piroti and his party. Mr. Hodgkinson was digging off and on for thirty years; in fact, till 1896. He purchased his present property in 1869. Mr. Hodgkinson married a daughter of the late Mr. Jacob Watson, of Tadmor, and has three sons and three daughters.
Farmer, Tadmor. Mr. Hodgkinson's farm is freehold, and covers an area of 600 acres of good sheep grazing country. There are 800 Lincoln-Romney sheep on the property, and also twenty-five head of cattle. The farm consists, for the greater part, of low lying hills, which, when they are fully laid down in grass, will be capable of grazing three sheep to the acre. The whole of the sheep are remarkably clean and free from the slightest suspicion of ringworm or foot-rot. Mr. Hodgkinson was born at Wakefield in 1845, and is a son of the late Mr. German Hodgkinson, a member of the Wakefield expedition party, who came out in the “Thomas Harrison,” in 1842, and died at Nelson on the 10th of August, 1900, aged 98. Mr. T. Hodgkinson was educated at Wakefield, and has followed farming from his earliest days. He farmed two properties of fifty and seventysix acres respectively at Motupiko until 1874, when he bought his present holding. Mr. Hodgkinson was for about twenty years a member of the local school committee, and occupied a seat on the Motueka Road Board for some time. He is an Oddfellow of many
Farmer, Tadmor. Mr. Kinsett's farm comprises 400 acres, of which 200 acres are held under lease, and he has also 113 acres at Upper Tadmor. He grazes about 1000 Romney Marsh sheep. The land consists chiefly of low lying hills, though 150 acres are fit for cropping with hops, barley and oats. The farm is well supplied with outbuildings, such as stables, wool and cart sheds, cow-bails, etc. A large hopkiln has been erected, and 350 bushels can be dried on the floor. Mr. Kinzett was born at Nelson in 1841, and is a son of the late Mr. George Kinzett, who came to Nelson in the ship “Thomas Harrison” in 1842, and after undergoing many hardships, and passing through several Maori troubles, established a comfortable home. He died when eighty-two years of age. Mr. W. J. Kinzett was brought up to farm work, and started on his own account in the Wairau, where he tilled sixty-five acres, for thirteen years; but he eventually sold his land, and took up his present holding in 1885. He was for six years a member of the Motueka Valley Road Board till its extinction, and also served on the Tadmor Road Board and local school committee, and the old licensing committee, of which he was chairman. He was volunteer for six years, and competed at the Rifle Association meetings. Mr. Kinzett married a daughter of Mr. W. A. H. Busch, of Aniseed Valley.
Farmer, “Lillydale,” Tadmor, Mr. Thomason owns 200 acres of land, which has been cleared, grassed and fenced. It is stocked with 500 Romney Marsh sheep and a few cows. About thirty acres are cropped annually, and the yields are very good. Three acres are planted with hops, and the crop is of excellent quality. The section is well watered, Mr. Thomason was born at Brightwater, and brought up to farming; and, having lost his parents when he was young, he had to fight his own way in the world. He bought his present property in 1885. Mr. Thomason was a member of the old road board for ten years; he served on the licensing committee years ago, and is chairman of the school committee. He married a daughter of Mr. Henry In wood, of Motueka, and has five sons and three daughters.
, who was formerly a sheep and cattle farmer at Sherry, was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1835, and came to Nelson with his parents in 1842, in the ship “Bolton.” He first followed Farming at Foxhill, and later on at Hope, and subsequently took to carting at Pieton, Akaroa, and Christchurch. About 1885, he bought property in the Tadmor district, where he carried on operations till 1898, when he sold out to Mr. Joseph Rollet and purchased 600 acres at Sherry, Mr. Harford occupied a seat on the licensing committee for two terms, and was a member of the Sherry school committee. He married a daughter of the late Mr. James Allcott, of Waimea, and has a grown up family of six sons and five daugheers, all of whom reside in the Nel son district. Mr. Harford now (1905) lives in retirement in the city of Nelson.
is a valley which is devoted to the pastoral industry, and received its name from the colour of the water of the river. It is about fourteen miles from Motupiko railway station. The land is suitable for pastoral purposes, and the soil, which consists of heavy clay loam, fully fifteen feet deep, is probably the bed of an old still water lake. The whole of the land is gold-bearing, and considerable quantities of gold have been taken out of the creek. From 13,000 to 15,000 acres are occupied by the settlers of the district. The post and telegraph office at Sherry is at the residence of Mr. Phillips, and a carrier goes twice a week to Motupiko. There is a Methodist church, at which services are held twice a month.
Farmer, Sherry. The property consists of 400 acres, and is all fenced and grassed, with the exception of a small piece of land left for shelter. The place carries 500 sheep of the Romney cross, and eighteen head of cattle; only a small portion of the holding is under crop.
Junior, Sheepfarmer, Sherry. Mr. Phillips has about 2000 acres of freehold, of which two-thirds are cleared and grassed. From 400 to 500 Romney Marsh sheep and about 200 head of
(Joseph L. Rollet, proprietor), Sherry. This farm comprises 1200 acres at Sherry, and 200 acres at Tadmor, the whole of which is freehold, and cleared, with the exception of about 100 acres of timber, which is held in reserve. The land at Sherry is exceptionally good, equal to any in the Nelson province; between 400 and 500 acres are ploughable, capable of growing any ceroal, and cannot be excelled for hop culture. Of the Tadmor property, 120 acres are flat. The farms carry 1800 Romney Marsh sheep and 120 head of polled Angus cattle, descended from imported stock. The necessary outbuildings are complete in every respect. Mr. Rollet crops about fifty acres for cereals, and also has a portion under hops.
, Proprietor of Villa Farm, was born at Sherry in 1875, and is a son of the late Mr. B. Rollet. He was brought up on the farm, educated at the local school, and was two years at St. Patrick's College, Wellington. Twelve months after his return, he took charge of the property. Mr. Rollet is a member of the local school committee. He married a daughter of Mr. B. Harford.
is a mining district, about six miles and a-half from the Sherry post office and seventeen miles and a-half from the Motupiko railway station. The first “rush” to the district took place about 1859, when Messrs Brown, Levi, James and Henry Pilkington discovered good payable gold in Blue Creek. Some big nuggets were unearthed, and some of the miners earned from £10 to £15 a week. In the year 1869 Culliford and party discovered a quartz reef, and erected a five stamper battery. Doran and party also put up a ten stamper battery, the Waimea Company a ten stamper battery, and Fawcett and party a two stamper battery. The last-mentioned was afterwards removed to Nelson and used for crushing hematite; the others are still on the ground, and were worked for about twelve months, but no gold was obtained, owing to the fact that the metal would not mix with the quicksilver. A few men still work on the field, but earn only a precarious livelihood. The valley is about twenty miles in extent, and is traversed by the Wangapeka river, which is a very rapid stream, with a bed composed of rough boulders. Wangapeka Valley has a combined store, post office and accommodation house.
Farmer, General Storekeeper and Postmaster, “Wangapeka. Mr. Chandler has a thirteen-roomed house, where he can accommodate six travellers comfortably, and his general store is well stocked with all necessary requirements. He has 470 acres of freehold land, on which he runs 1000 Romney Marsh-Lincoln sheep and thirty head of cattle. Most of the land is flat, all grassed, and well adapted for grazing. About five acres are cropped for farm use. Mr. Chandler was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1831, and was brought up to farming. He landed in Australia in 1854, and did very well at Ballarat, Bendigo, and Castlemaine, Mr. Chandler came to New Zealand in 1861, and followed goldmining for fifteen years at Dunstan, Gabriel's Gully, Shotover and Waipori. He bought his present holding in 1868, and has resided there over since. Mr. Chandler has served on the road board and is chairman of the local school committee. He married a daughter of the late Mr. George Biggs, of Motueka Valley.
Farmer, Wangapeka. Mr. Faulkner was for a number of years a lessee of the Wangapeka run, with his brother, Mr. Henry Faulkner, and with Air. Stephen Moffitt, who is now farming at Tadmor.
was born in Pomerania, Prussia, in March, 1835, and was brought up on a farm. He afterwards followed the sea, and arrived at Hobart in an American vessel in 1802. After spending four years coaching in Australia he came to New Zealand in 1866, and was goldmining on the West Coast, and also at Wangapeka, where he bought 860 acres in 1874. After sheepfarming there, for nearly thirty years he went to live in retirement in Nelson, and his sons now (1905) work the farm.
Storekeeper, Murchison. Mr. Boyes was for a number of years manager for Messrs A. Hodgson and Sons, at Belgrove, before he started business on his own account at Murchison.
is the name of a mining settlement, and a riding in the county of Buller, and is in the provincial district of Nelson, and the electorate of Buller. It is ninety-nine miles from the city of Nelson, sixty-eight miles from Motupiko, the terminus of the Nelson-Motupiko line of railway; from Westport thirty-eight miles, by a coach road along the Buller river, and twelve miles from Inangahua Junction. In former days, Lyell was a busy little place, with its weekly newspaper, and a branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, but with the decline of mining the paper ceased, and the bank was closed. Lyell is connected with Westport, Motupiko, and Reefton by mail coach. At the census of 1901, the total population of the riding of Lyell was 308, and of the township itself, ninety. The township stands on the side of a hill, which rises abruptly from the Buller river, and to visitors arriving on a moonlight evening, it has a romantically weird appearance. The Warden's Court still sits periodically at Lyell, where there is also a police station. There are two churches; namely, Roman Catholic and Anglican. About nine miles from Lyell there are waterfalls about 400 feet in height. The sportsman can find fair shooting in the district. Lyell has a public school, which is attended by about forty children, and there are three hotels and two stores in the township. Since the year 1900 there has been a considerable falling-off in the population. To the northward of the settlement, the Lyell ranges extend a considerable distance, and one peak, known as Bald Hill, is 4,229 feet high.
at Lyell is conveniently situated in the centre of the township. It has a telegraph office, a money order and savings bank department, and is an agency for the Government Insurance.
, Postmaster and Telegraphist at Lyell, is also Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. He was born in Victoria, in 1863, and came to New Zealand at an early age. Mr. Potter was educated at various schools in the Otago district, and entered the postal service at Cromwell. He has served successively in the Wellington, Christchurch, Blenheim, Wellington, and Westport offices, and from Westport was appointed to Lyell. Mr. Potter is married, and has two sons and six daughters.
at Lyell contains a court room, a Warden's office, and a clerk's office. The court sits every two months, and sittings are held by Justices of the Peace. The police buildings consist of a four-roomed residence for the constable in charge, and one cell.
, Constable in charge of the Lyell and Murchison districts, is also Clerk of the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts, Receiver of Gold Revenue, Mining Registrar, and Bailiff. He was born at the Thames, Auckland, in the year 1877, and educated in the Northern Wairoa district. Mr. Scott worked for some time at blacksmithing, and was afterwards employed at a sawmill. When eighteen years of age he entered the Permanent Artillery, and was afterwards transferred to the police force. Mr. Scott has been stationed in Wellington, Greymouth and Reefton, and was appointed to Lyell in January, 1904. He was a member of the Auckland Interprovincial Football team in 1899, and is a member of the Order of Druids in Reefton. Mr. Scott is married, and has two sons.
, Lyell. This is a branch of the National Bank of New Zealand.
, formerly Manager of the National Bank at Lyell, was born in Melbourne, educated in Reefton, and was for three years in the office of the late Mr. George Bowman. In 1885, he joined the National Bank at Reefton, where he remained until 1890, when he took charge of the Cullensville branch. In 1893, Mr. Campbell took up his duties at Lyell, where he made himself popular. He is enthusiastic in sporting matters, and is a good tennis and football player. Mr. Campbell is now (1905) in charge of the National Bank at Alexandra South, Otago.
(Arthur George Arnold, proprietor), Lyell. This hotel has been established for many years, and is situated on the Lyell road midway between Lyell and Inangahua Junction. It was purchased by the present proprietor in the year 1901. The building is of wood and iron, and contains about thirteen rooms. The accommodation is good, the best of liquors are kept, and the tariff is moderate. There is a farm of 100 acres in connection with the establishment.
is the son of an old Nelson colonist who settled in the Waimea district. He was born in the year 1861, and brought up on his father's farm. Mr. Arnold was afterwards farming in the Motupiko district for fourteen years, and in 1901 removed to Lyell, where he became the proprietor of Arnold's hotel. He is a member of the Three Channel Flat school committee. Mr. Arnold married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Larchin, of H.M. Customs, Wellington, in the year 1887, and has five sons and two daughters.
(proprietress, Mrs M. A. Mangos; manager, Mr. C. Mangos), Lyell. This hotel has been established for about nineteen years. It contains thirty rooms, including a large billiard room. There is good accommodation, a moderate tariff, and only the best liquors are kept.
is the son of Mrs M. A. Mangos, and manages the Post Office Hotel for his mother. He was born in the year 1880 at Lyell, where he was educated; his father was an old settler in the district, and was engaged in mining on the Buller. Mr. Mangos has established a mining agency, and is agent for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, and agent for Mr. J. J. Lawson, boot importer, Westport. He is a rate collector for the county of Buller, Returning Officer for local elections, and Deputy Returning Officer for parliamentary elections. Mr. Mangos is a member of the Lyell school committee.
. Registered office, Maih Street, Lyell. The present company, which is an amalgamation of the United Alpine Company with the Lyell Creek Extended Company, was formed in 1897. Previous to the amalgamation the Alpine Company had yielded many rich returns and paid handsome dividends. The present company has a capital of £25,000 in 50,000 shares of 10s. each. The plant is one of the most complete of its class in New Zealand, and consists of a twenty-head stamper battery. Altogether about sixty persons are constantly employed. The company's property is situated three miles from Lyell township.
, formerly manager of the Alpine Extended Gold Mining Company, is a native of Nelson, and was educated at the Nelson College. After leaving college he was employed successively in different offices in Nelson, and was appointed manager of the Alpine Extended Gold Mining Company in August, 1895.
. Offices, Reefton; Secretary, Mr. Joseph Steele, Reefton. The dredge of this company (formerly the Feddersen Gold Dredging Company) is on the Buller river about two miles below Lyell. The dredge is solidly built, with pontoons one hundred feet by thirty feet by seven feet. The buckets have a capacity of five and a half feet, and the ladder is capable of dredging to thirty feet. Power is derived from a thirty horse-power boiler by A. and T. Burt, with a sixteen horse-power Marshall engine, and the winches are also worked by a Marshall engine. A dredgemaster and eight other persons are employed.
is Dredgemaster and Engineer of the, New Feddersen dredge, and was born in Arbroath, Scotland, in the year 1856. He followed a seafaring life for many years, and served as an able seaman and boatswain until 1880. In April, 1896, Mr. Mollison gained his certificate as master of a seagoing steamer, and was afterwards for some time captain of the ship “Gertie.” He settled in New Zealand, and obtained a knowledge of dredging in the Grey distriet, and on the Buller river. Mr. Mollison holds a dredgemaster's certificate, and a first-class enginedriver's certificate. He took charge of the Feddersen dredge in September, 1903. Mr. Mollison is married, and has two sons and five daughters.
is on the north bank of the Buller river, on the coach road between Inangahua Junction and Lyell. It is in the Lyell riding of the Buller county, and in the provincial district of Nelson. The population at the census of 1901 was forty-eight. Two dredges are at work in the vicinity, some farming is carried on and the district has also a coal mine and a sawmill. The business of the post office and telephone bureau is conducted at the local accommodation house by Mr. Dellavadova. Three Channel Flat is about four miles from Inangahua Junction, and about eight from Lyell. The local school has an average attendance of about ten children.
, Three Channel Flat. Offices, Crawford Street, Dunedin; Secretary, Mr. D. Crawford. The Mokoia Gold Company's dredge is on the Buller river, at Three Channel Flat. The pontoons are ninety-two feet by thirty feet, and the dredge works to a depth of thirty feet. Good results are obtained.
, Master of the Mokoia Gold Company's dredge, was born in the year 1876 in Ashburton, where he was educated, and learned blacksmithing. He worked for several years at his trade, and afterwards went to Dunedin, where he was employed by Messra A. and T. Burt, and learned all branches of dredgeconstructing work. Mr. Dalton holds a dredgemaster's certificate, and in June, 1904, took charge of the Mokoia dredge. He was for some time a member of the Dunedin City Guards. Mr. Dalton is married, and has two sons.
is a farming and mining district at the confluence of the Inangahua and Buller rivers. The settlement is on the south bank of the Buller, and on the west bank of the Inangahua. It is in Boatman's riding of the Inangahua county, in the electoral district of Nelson. The population of the settlement at the census of 1901 was ninety-eight. Coaches meet daily from Reefton and Westport, and from Nelson twice a week. The Junction is twenty-six miles from Westport, twelve from Lyell, and 111 from Nelson. The continuation of the railway line from Reefton is in course of formation and construction. To the southward lies the valley of the Inangahua, noted for its rich, cultivated bush land. Several dredges are at work on the Buller river in the immediate neighbourhood. There are two accommodation houses, and a public school with an average attendance of eighteen; and services in connection with the Anglican church are held weekly by the vicar from Reefton, and the curate from Lyell. The business of the Post Office, Money Order Office, and Savings Bank is conducted at the store of Mr. H. Taylor, and there is also a telephone bureau. There are considerable quantities of red and white pine in the locality, and a fair amount of silver pine. Boundary Peak, to the eastward of Inangahuna Junction, rises 3,999 feet above the level of the sea. About thirty years ago large numbers of miners were employed in the neighbourhood of Inangahua Junction, and sittings of the Warden's Court were held in the township.
has been conducted at the general store of Mr. Hugh Taylor since the year 1871. There is a telephone bureau, a money order office, and a savings bank connected with the establishment.
, J.P., Postmaster at Inangahua Junction, is also a storekeeper and a farmer. His store was established in the year 1871. He holds a farm of 400 acres, of which 250 acres are cleared. The site of the Inangahua station of the Midland railway is on his property. Mr. Taylor was born in the parish of Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1845, and was brought up on a farm. He came to New Zealand in the year 1863, and landed at Post Chalmers by the ship “Mataura.” Mr. Taylor was for some time with Mr. Kennedy, the Otago Provincial Cattle Inspector, at Green Island, and was afterwards at the Arrow and Shotover diggings in Otago. He removed to Hokitika in 1865, and spent several years digging and prospeeting on the West Coast. Mr. Taylor has been chairman of the local school committee, and is a Justice of the Peace. He is married, and has seven children.
(James McKay, proprietor), Inangahua Junction. This hotel is about twenty miles from Reefton, eleven miles from Lyell, and twenty-six from Westport. It was established in 1873 by the late Mr. Frank Courtney, and was taken over in 1894 by the present proprietor, who has renovated and enlarged it. The house is most favourably situated for tourists, and there is an excellent table, under the immediate supervision of Mrs McKay. Mr. McKay has a large farm from which the house is well supplied with vegetables, fruit and other produce. The hotel is well conducted, and the wines, spirits and ales are of high quality. Excellent paddocking is provided for travelling stock.
, the Proprietor of the Inangahua Junction Hotel, was born in Hokitika in 1868, and received his education there. After leaving school he was employed in several large business houses on the West Coast. He afterwards entered the well-known firm of Forsyth and Masters at Reefton, and has benefitted by a first-class experience of general business. Mr. McKay takes a good deal of interest in public matters.
, Inangahua Junction; offices, Reefton; Secretary, Mr. B. P. MeMahon. This company's dredge is working a short distance above the Inangahua Junction. It is strong and well built, and the pontoons, which are ninety-six feet in length by thirty feet beam, are of kauri. Power is derived by a twenty horse-power Sparrow boiler, with a sixteen horse-power Marshall engine, and the winches are operated by a seven horse-power Marshall engine; the ladder, with feet buckets, is capable of dredging to forty feet. A dredgemaster, blacksmith, and seven other persons are employed.
, Master of the Buller Junction Gold Dredge, was born at Lake Hawea, in Otago, and removed to the West Coast about the year 1881. He has been employed in dredging from the inception of the dredging industry, in the days of the old spoon dredges, and has worked in various capacities on several dredges. Mr. Smeaton took charge of the Buller Junction dredge in November, 1900. He is married, and has one son and one daughter.
is working on the Buller river, at Inangahua Junction, and is the property of a private syndicate, of which Mr G. King, of Christchurch, Canterbury, is secretary. The dredge was designed by Cutten Brothers, of Dunedin. The pontoons are eighty-five feet long by thirty feet wide, with a depth of six feet. Power is derived from a sixteen horse-power engine, with a twenty horse-power boiler, by Anderson and Co., of Christchurch, and the winches are operated by a Marshall engine, of nine horsepower. There is a thirty-six feet ladder, and the buckets have a capacity of five feet. The frames are of hardwood, with red pine planking. A dredgemaster and seven persons are employed.
, Master and Engineer of the Welcome Dredge, was born at Kaiapoi, in the year 1858. He was educated in Greymouth, learned engineering at the Greymouth Dispatch Foundry, and afterwards worked with Cable and Co., of Wellington. For some time he was engineer in charge of the principal quartz batteries in Reefton, and had considerable mining experience on the West Coast. Mr. Wylde took charge of the Welcome dredge in the year 1904, and is one of the syndicate who owns it. He is married, and has five children. Mr. Wylde resides in Reefton.
has long been known as “The Old Diggings,” but Berlin's is its postal name, because the local post office is conducted in the hotel of Mr. John Berlin. The settlement is twenty miles from Westport, and twenty-nine miles from Reefton. It is in the Wareatea South riding of the Buller county, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. Its population is included in the sixty-two persons on the Buller road. Several dredges are at work on the Buller river near Berlin's. The Buller Gorge is close by, and there is a large amount of timber in the district.
(Accommodation License; owner, John Berlin), Berlin's. This hotel has been in existence for about thirty-two years. There are fourteen rooms, and, with a detached cottage, there is ample accommodation. The owner keeps a good table, and there is comfortable stabling for horses. The business of the Berlin's post office is conducted at the hotel.
, Hotelkeeper and Postmaster, was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1838. He was educated in Gothenburg, and brought up on his father's farm. While quite young he went to sea, and in 1867 arrived in Nelson. For some years he followed the diggings, and in 1874 settled where he now resides. Mr. Berlin is a widower, with one daughter. His wife died in 1903.
. Capital, £12,500; subscribed, £11,672. Up to the end of 1904, £9,079 18s 6d had been won by the dredge, and at the 31st of December, of the same year, the company had £463 to its credit in the bank. Should good gold be obtained there should be ten years' work, from January, 1905. The dredge, which is situated a short distance from Berlin's, is very strongly built. The pontoons are 100 feet by thirty feet, with a ladder capable of dredging to twentyfive feet, and the buckets are of five feet capacity. The power is derived from a sixteen horse-power engine, and thirty horse-power boilers, with light horse-power winch engines. The dredge is lighted by electric light, and was designed by Mr. Bishop, now of the State Coal Mine.
, Engineer and Dredgemaster of the Rockland's Beach Gold Dredging Company's dredge, was born at Stafford, Westland, in the year 1868, and educated at Greymonth and Kumara. He learned engineering in Moutry and Crosbie's foundry in Nelson, and afterwards worked for some time in Reefton, at engine driving, and was also in charge of winding machinery. In the year 1898, Mr. Skilton helped to erect the first up-to-date dredge on the Buller. “The Fern Flat,” and since then has been erecting and managing dredges in various parts of the West Coast. For some time he was engineer and dredgemastor of the “Old Diggings” dredge, in which he held a quarter share. In February, 1904, Mr. Skilton took charge of the dredge “Rockland's Beach,” which has, since that date, been successfully worked. He is the holder of a first-class dredgemaster's certificate, service certificates for stationary and winding engines, and also holds a certificate of competency as a river steamer engineer. As a Freemason, Mr. Skilton is a member of the Robert Burns Lodge, Reefton, of which he has been Senior Warden. Mr. Skilton is married, and has a family of five children. His home is in Westport.
, so called on account of its being the west port of the Middle Island, is the most northerly of all the West Coast ports, and lies to the east of the river Buller, one of the largest navigable rivers in New Zealand. The town first sprang into existence when a rush for gold set in at Charlestown, a small mining township, eighteen miles south of Westport. In the early days Westport was only approachable by sea, although many of the pioneers visions, was in sight of two or three hundred diggers, almost starving, and yet we could not reach them.” Such was the state of affairs in 1862. The diggings may be said to have been at their height in 1868, and the largest population was then at Addison's Flat, Charleston, and Brighton. It is estimated that at one time there were fully 2,000 people living in the vicinity of the Northern Terraces. On the 1st of April, 1867, a “rush” set in at the Caledonian Terrace; and Addison's Flat was “rushed” a few months later. Between 1865 chor—“The Gipsy,” “Lily,” and “Necromancer”—drawing from twelve to fourteen feet of water, were raised and lifted into the town. A large hotel owned by Messrs Hooper and Dodson, was washed out to sea, and several of the principal buildings, including the hospital and courthouse, were unapproachable; in fact, so thoroughly did the flood effect its work of devastation, that the settlers were afterwards unable to locate their sites. Nor was that the only occasion on which Westport was disastrously flooded, for the trouble managed to make their way along the beach from Greymouth. The distance by sea is 145 miles southwest from Nelson, and sixty from Greymouth. Mr. Reuben Waite, one of the early pioneers, records an instance of the difficulties which had to be contended with in his day. He says: “On one trip we were a way thirteen weeks, and entered every harbour—Blind Bay, Port Hardy and West Wanganui— having been driven there by stress of weather. These were trying times, when the vessel, full of proand 1870 there were fully 10,000 people living within a radius of twenty miles from Westport. About 1872 the town commenced to decline in population until money was borrowed some years later from the Government for harbour works. In 1863 a big flood occurred, and washed away a considerable portion of the town. The bar became almost unworkable, and boats drawing fourteen feet of water were not able to cross with more than half the usual quantity of cargo. Three ships lying at anoccurred many times, though not on the same scale. Nevertheless, old Westport is to-day part sea and part beach. The store of the late Mr. Jules Simon, now one of the houses closest to the sea, was one of the farthest away ere the turbulent tide made its inroads upon the habitations of the early settlers. One of the earliest explorers in regard to Westport was Mr. James Mackay. He arrived in 1845 and in 1855, in conjunction with Mr. John Clark, he explored much of the mountainous country lying between the Karamea, Aorere, and Anatoki rivers. Two years later, accompanied by two Massacre Bay Maoris, he travelled on foot from West Wanganui to the Buller river, and went inlaud as far as Charleston. The first vessel to enter the Buller river was the cutter “Supply,” in charge of Captain John Walker. She had been chartered by Messrs Rochfort and Mackay to bring provisions to Greymouth, but owing to bad weather had to put into Westport. There the explorers remained some months, but eventually went on to Nelson, and thence to Auckland, where they were instructed by Governor Gore Browne to return to the coast, make reserves, and offer the natives a sum of money for the millions of acres comprised in the territory. This was successfully accomplished, and on the 21st of May, 1860, the sum of £300 was paid to the resident Maoris in full satisfaction of of their claims. Mr. Mackay's last exploration party to the Buller was in 1862, when, in company with Messrs John Knyvett and Arthur Knyvett, he “blazed” a saddle track from Upper Aorere (Collingwood) to the mouth of the Heaphy river. Messrs Martin and Waite were the first to settle in Westport, which they did in 1860.
The local bodies in Westport are the Borough Council, the Buller County Council, and the Westport Harbour Board. There are four churches; namely, Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic and Methodist. The schools consist of the Westport District High School, with its primary and secondary classes, the Roman Catholic schools teaching both branches, and a private school. The Athenaeum, which was situated in Lyndhurst Street, was burnt down on the 1st of January, 1903; and the building has been replaced by the Westport Free Library, at a cost of £2,000, which was borne by Mr. Andrew Carnegie, the American millionaire. Racing, trotting, cricket, football, tennis, cycling, swimming, and aquatics generally, are amongst the popular pastimes of Westport. The Harbour Board and the Railway Department have workshops in the town, which has also two sawmills, two aerated water factories, and two breweries. The port is noted chiefly for its large export of coal; the town is connected by railway with Mokihinui Mine, thirty-one miles distant, and the whole output of the mines, which extend from Denniston to that place, must pass through the port. The Town Hall, the offices of the Harbour Board, and of the Buller County Council, the Customhouse, branches of the Banks of New Zealand and New South Wales, numerous hotels, shops and business places generally, are in the main street of Westport, which has two successful building societies. A short railway, belonging to the Westport Harbour Board, connects the port with Cape Foulwind. At the top of Palmerston Street, beyond the railway crossing, there is a very pretty public park, with well-kept walks and shady seats. The Government departments are represented by the District Court, Warden's and Magistrate's Court, a Police Station,
The town of Westport is situated on the east bank of the Buller river, and its immense coal staiths and wharlage accommodation with huge cranes, are very striking. The Buller discharges its waters into the ocean at the Heads, in a northerly direction. To the south and east of the town, there are wooded ranges as far as the eye can travel. In a northerly direction Mount Rochfort, 3,382 feet high, can be seen, with Mount William, 3,482 feet high, to the eastward, and Buckingham Peaks, 3,273 feet high, to the south. During recent years the town has considerably improved in the number and character of its buildings; and in spite of the original condition of the site, which was extensively covered with dense bush only a few years ago, the streets and roads are first class. At the census of 1901, the population of the borough of Westport was 2,922, and of its suburbs, sixty-two; in addition to which 240 persons were on board the vessels in the harbour. It is estimated that the population of the borough has now (1905) risen to 3,400; and the number of houses, which in 1901 was returned as 633, was estimated at 900 in 1905. The population of the county of Buller in 1901 was 4,868, of which only twenty-two were Chinese; and the total number of dwellings was 1,157. Westport is in the provincial district of Nelson, and in the electoral district of Buller, of which it is the chief settlement; and the population of the whole district at the census of 1901 was 10,747.
, Member of the House of Representatives for the Buller electorate, was returned at the head of the poll by a majority of 544 votes, over his opponent, Mr. P. J. Regan, in the year 1899. At the election of 1902 Mr. Colvin was again returned, and polled 3,370 votes, and his opponent, the Rev. F. W. Isitt, who stood for the seat in order to insure the taking of a local option poll, polled 769 votes. Mr. Colvin was born, in the year 1844, in County Donegal, Ireland, where he was educated. When seventeen years of age he went to Australia, and landed at Melbourne in 1861. Mr. Colvin successfully followed gold mining for some time at Creswick Creek, and at Daylesford, and in 1862 was attracted to New Zealand by the Otago gold fields; he went to the Dunstan, and later to the Wakatipu, and afterwards removed to Invercargill. A year later he proceeded to the Wakamarina, and started a store. Mr. Colvin then went to Hokitika, and opened a store at Waimea. Later, he sold his business at Hokitika, and started in the Grey Valley. In 1867, when the gold discovery at the Buller caused another stir amongst miners, Mr. Colvin went to Addison's Flat, and in 1872 entered business at Westport. In 1885 he was elected to the Buller County Council and served six years, and in 1890 was chairman of the Westport Harbour Board. He occupied a seat on the Nelson Education Board in 1894. Mr. Colvin has been an Oddfellow for many years, and is connected with the Westport Lodge, in which he has been through all the degrees.
represented the Buller electoral district in the House of Representatives, from 1871 to 1875, and from 1884 to 1893. He earned for himself the sobriquet of “The Buller Lion,” and proved an active and intelligent member of Parliament. To him was due the credit of the passing of the Westport Harbour Act, which he, in the first instance, drafted and circulated in a pamphlet explaining his scheme of providing for the work (without recourse to the Colonial Treasury), from the revenue derivable from the coalfield itself. Upon the Act becoming law, Mr. O'Conor accepted the position of Honorary Chairman, which he retained until the success of the work was ensured. In the House, he advocated democratie measures, such as the graduated land tax, closer settlement, the exclusion of undesirable aliens, election of the Legislative Council by the people, the referendum, and the abolition of party government. Of late years, Mr. O'Conor has spent much time travelling abroad, and has patented some useful inventions. He is now (1905) residing in Wellington.
was a member of the House of Representatives for the Buller district from 1868 to 1869. Mr. Gallagher's firm (Gallagher Bros.) was well known in connection with the goldfields of New Zealand, as
represented the Buller district in the House of Representatives from 1876 to 1879. He practised his profession in the Westport district for some years, and removed to Wellington in 1881. Dr. Henry died in the year 1894.
, who was returned in 1881 as representative of the Buller district in the House of Representatives, served his constituency until 1884. He is further referred to as a former Mayor of the borough of Westport.
sat for Inangahua in the House of Representatives during the years 1883–1884. He was an able man, an English barrister, and for some time filled the office of Warden and Magistrate at Inangahua, Reefton and Westport. Mr. Shaw was afterwards appointed to the position of District Judge.
represented the electorate of Inangahua in Parliament from 1884 to 1887. Mr. Stuart-Menteath is further referred to in the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia; pages 266–7.
was returned as a member of the House of Representatives for the electorate of Inangahua in 1893. Sir Robert is referred to in the Otago volume of this work as Chief Justice of New Zealand; and articles about him appear also at pages 64 and 256–60 of the Wellington volume.
was incorporated in 1873 under the Municipal Corporations Act of 1867. The area of the borough is 713 acres, and there is an estimated population of 3,100. There are about 1,100 rateable properties in the borough, owned by the same number of ratepayers, and there are 900 dwellings.
A general rate of 2s in the £ is struck on the annual value, which amounts to £24,000. The Charitable Aid rate is 6d in the £, the library rate one penny; and, in addition, there is a water rate, which amounts to 5 per cent on the annual value for dwellings, 3½ per cent. for business premises, and half these percentages in cases where the water is not used.
The borough borrowed a sum of £4000 under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act in the year 18934. repayable in half-yearly instalments. Then £6,645 was borrowed in the same way for the purchase of a site for an abattoir, and the erection of the necessary buildings. There is also a large loan for the construction of waterworks, which cost £30,000.
There are seventeen licensed hotels within the borough, and two bottle licenses. About sixteen miles and ahalf of streets have been formed within the boundaries, at a cost of £21,000.
The waterworks were opened in January, 1903. A plentiful supply is obtained at Giles' Creek, five miles from the borough, at the foot of Mount Rochfort. A large reservoir has been constructed, and contains five million gallons. The water flows by gravitation through tunnels, and is conveyed from the reservoir by sixty-five chains of pipes, which, outside the borough, are earthenware, and from twelve to fifteen inches in diameter; within the borough, they are iron, and eight inches in diameter. The Council laid on the water to the dwellings of the ratepayers free of charge, and the pressure is equal to 1601b to the square inch.
The borough abattoir stands on part of a section of 130 acres of land at Orawaite, bought at a cost of £1,300. The building has concrete foundations, brick walls, and an iron roof; it cost £3,200, and was completed in April, 1905.
There are reserves in connection with the borough for a Town Hall, Library, and Eire Brigade Station, and there is an endowment of 240 acres, which brings in a yearly revenue of about £245. The Town Hall stands in Palmerston Street, and was erected in 1880. It is built of wood and iron, and contains public offices, council chambers, and rooms for the Town Clerk and Borough Engineer. A portion of the land attached to the Town Hall brings in a yearly rent of £20. The Council, in its capacity as a Domain Board, has the control of three reserves; namely, Victoria Square, which is eleven acres in extent; twelve acres on the beach; and ninety acres at Kawatiri. In the year 1905 a sum of £2,200 was raised on debentures; £2,000 to be expended on improvements at Victoria Square, and £200 for fencing and clearing the reserve on the beach. Westport is drained chiefly by pipe drains, for surface water only, into the Buller river.
Mr. George Hargreaves Gothard is the Mayor (1905), and Messrs George Francis Bryan, James Horace Greenwood, Alfred Craig Hansen, Ernest Hill, Arthur King, George Robert Lamplough, John Marshall, Fergus Ferguson Munro, and Henry Nahr, councillors. Mr. A. D. G. Cumming is Town Clerk, Treasurer, Returning Officer, Rate Collector and Valuer; Mr. J. F. W. H. Schadick, Borough Engineer; Mr. J. Bradley, Gas Works Manager; and Mr. F. W. Hobbs, Assistant Town Clerk and Rate Collector.
was first elected a member of the Westport Borough Council in the year 1888, and was re-elected in 1905. He was previously for six years a member of the Buller County Council, and for four years of that time was also chairman. Mr. Lamplough is a member of the Westland Hospital Board, and of the Westport school committee. He was born in the year 1842, in Thornham, Yorkshire, England, where he was educated, and learned butchering with his brother. Mr. Lamplough was for a few years in Australia, and arrived in Otago towards the close of the year 1863. He went to Wakamarina goldfields, and thence to the West Coast in the s.s. “Wallibi,” when Mr. Robinson and other members of the party were drowned by the capsizing of a boat. Mr. Lamplough was for some time digging at Greenstone, up the Grey river and down at Five Mile, whence he moved to Westport. He is married, and has five children.
was elected to a seat on the Westport Borough Council in 1896, and has continued a member. He was born in Wanganui, in 1875. Mr. Nahr was educated at Wellington College, and learned the business of a brewer under his father, Mr. William Nahr, who died in 1896. Mr. Nahr has occupied a seat on the Buller Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards since the year 1901; he was elected to the chair in December, 1903, and re-elected in the following year. Mr. Nahr is also a trustee of the Charleston Hospital, and is a member of the Westport Jockey Club, of which he was vice-president in 1905; and in the same year he was president of the Poultry Club. As a Freemason he is a Past Master of Lodge Aorangi, English Constitution, and was appointed Director of Ceremonies in 1905. In 1898, Mr. Nahr married a daughter of the late Mr. W. McElwee, and has one son and one daughter.
was elected a member of the Westport Borough Council in the year 1905. He was born in 1862, at Oxford, Canterbury, where he was educated, and learned sawmilling. In 1885, Mr. Bryan went to Australia, and after two years, returned to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast. He commenced sawmilling in the Grey Valley, and afterwards removed to Reefton, where he resides. Mr. Bryan married a daughter of Mr. John Booth, of Oxford, Canterbury, in the year 1889, and has three sons and two daughters. He is further referred to as a member of the firm of Bowater and Bryan, sawmillers and timber merchants, Westport and Reefton.
was elected a member of the Westport Borough Council in the year 1905. He was born in 1812, in Greenwich, England, and as a boy was employed in Greenwich at the Coach and Horses Hotel, where he afterwards became barman. Mr. King came to New Zealand in the ship “Goleonda” in 1862, and worked in the bakery trade at Nelson. At the time of the West Coast rush he opened a store at Charleston, where he conducted a successful business. Mr. King was afterwards the proprietor of the European Hotel for twelve years, and subsequently opened the South Spit Hotel, of which he was proprietor for over three years. Later he sold out and took the Miner's Arms Hotel, at Denniston, where he remained for five years. Mr. King then bought the Miner's Rest at Waimangaroa, and conducted it for eighteen months, when he took the Prince of Wales Hotel. Mr. King has been a Freemason, Forester, and an Oddfellow for many years. He married Miss Bray, of Nelson, in the year 1874.
was elected to a seat on the Westport Borough Council for the second time, at the close of his year's service as Mayor, in April, 1905. He is further referred to as a former Mayor of the borough, and in connection with the business of John Munro and Co., Limited.
was elected a member of the Westport Borough Council in the year 1905. He was for some time in business as a bookseller and stationer in Palmerston Street, under the style of A. Hansen and Company, but afterwards disposed of his interest to Mr. Parkhouse. Mr. Hansen subsequently became an auctioneer, and is further referred to as captain of the Westport Fire Brigade.
was elected to a seat on the Westport Borough Council in the year 1905. He was born in 1869 in Nottingham, England, where he was educated, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Doric,” in 1884. Mr. Hill subsequently settled in the Westport district, and in the year 1898 acquired a fruiterer's and confectioner's business from Mr. S. H. King. He afterwards sold this business, and established himself as a storekeeper and baker in Palmerston Street.
, Town Clerk of Westport, has filled that office since 1882. He was born in Nethermuir, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1858, and came to New Zealand, landing at Lyttelton with his parents when only a year old. He opened the state school at Waimangaroa in 1877. In 1882 the position of town clerk to the Westport Borough Council became vacant, and he was the successful applicant. Mr. Cumming was married, in 1882, to a daughter of Mr. Norris Blaxhall, of Westport, and has one daughter.
of the Westport Borough Council are amongst the most successful of their kind in New Zealand. Exclusive of maintenance, the sum of £10,500 has been expended on the works, which, however, as an asset are roughly estimated to be worth from £16,000 to £18,000. The buildings comprise a coal-shed, retort-shed, exhauster, purifier, and meter house, and cover a space of about half an acre. The holders have a capacity of about 40,000 cubic feet, and can be increased at a small cost to hold an additional 25,000 feet. The machinery includes an Otto gas-engine fitted with Livesey's washer scrubbers, and the exhausters are of modern type. The meter and governor-house is well supplied with all up-todate appliances, and the whole plant is kept in excellent order.
, the Manager of the Corporation Gasworks, superintended their erection in 1887, and has managed them ever since. The whole of the mains were made, and the lamps and appliances fitted, under his direction. Mr. Bradley was born in Manchester, England, in 1847, and on leaving school he followed the building trade. Then for several years he worked at Siemen's Patent Regenerative Gas Furnaces in Swansea and Glasgow. He came out to New Zealand in 1874, and settled down at Ashburton as a builder and contractor. Amongst the premises which testify there to his handiwork are Friedlander's buildings and also the Ashburton gas works, in the erection of which he assisted. Mr. Bradley left Ashburton in October, 1885, and went to Westport, whose gasworks abundantly testify to his skill, judgment and enterprise.
was established in the year 1892. Officers for 1905: Mr. A. C. Hansen (captain), Mr. A. Low
was appointed captain of the Westport Fire Brigade in the year 1892. He is further referred to as a member of the Westport Borough Council and as an auctioneer.
has been a member of the Westport Fire Brigade from its inception, and served ten years before his promotion. Mr. Brown was born in the year 1868, at Ross, Westland, and was educated in his native town and at Timaru. He is a carpenter, and was employed by the Union Steam Ship Company from the year 1885 until the year 1891; since which he has found employment in connection with the shipping of the port. In 1894, he married a daughter of the late Mr. John May, of Nelson, boilermaker, and has one son.
has been connected with the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1903, and was also a member of the Ashburton Brigade for two years. He was born in 1865, in Christchurch, attended the West Christchurch school, and received further education at Ashburton, where he learned carpentry. Mr. Hepburn removed to the West Coast in the year 1891, and was for six years engaged in mining at Addison's Flat. He removed to Westport in 1900. Mr. Hepburn is interested in football, and, while in Canterbury, was selected for one of the representative teams. He has also been president of the Westport Football Club, and is a member of the local Hibernian Society. Mr. Hepburn served for two years in the Ashburton Rifles, and for a similar period in the E Battery in Christchurch. In 1895, he married a daughter of Mr. P. McEnroe, of Addison's Flat, and has one daughter and two sons.
has been the lieutenant in charge of the central station of the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade, since the year 1903. He was born in 1870 at Nelson, educated in his native city, and at Wanganui High School, and was apprenticed for five years to Mr. J. P. Dickson, saddler, of Nelson; after that he continued as journeyman for three years, and then went to Westport to manage the business, which he bought two years later, Mr. Leaver is a vicepresident of the Kawatiri Rowing Club and held the office of captain for two years. As a cyclist, he won the championship of Nelson in the year 18951896. He married a daughter of Mr. J. Burns, of Westport, in 1899, and has one daughter.
, of the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade, has held his office since the year 1903. He was born in Napier in 1878, and educated at Greymouth, where he learned photography with Mr. James Ring. Mr. Vinsen afterwards removed to Westport, where he became a partner in the firm of Rose and Vinsen, photographers; a few months later, he acquired his partner's interest, and has since carried on the business.
, Secretary of the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade, Assistant Town Clerk and Rate Collector, was born in Ormondville, Hawke's Bay, in the year 1881, and attended school in his native place, and at Westport and Denniston. He entered business life in a grocery store at Denniston; three years later, he became a clerk in the Westport Borough Council's office, and was promoted to assistant town clerk and rate collector. Mr. Hobbs is a member of the Kawatiri Rowing Club, and was for some time connected with the White Star Football Club, in which he served in the playing team, and filled the office of secretary for three years.
was the first Mayor of the Borough of Westport. He was appointed by the Council on the 20th of August, 1873, and held office till the 16th of December, 1874. Mr. Humphrey was wellknown in the early days as a merchant and a partner of Mr. Thomas Bailie, and the firm was known as that of Bailie and Humphrey. At a latter period, a branch of the business was opened in Oamaru, and Mr. Humphrey left Westport to take charge of that establishment. Subsequently the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Humphrey continued to conduct the business in Oamaru. He died in Wellington, while on a visit to that city.
was the second Mayor of the Borough of Westport. He was appointed by resolution of the Council on the 16th of December, 1874, and held office under that appointment until December, of the following year. In the year 1878, Mr. Whyte was elected to the Mayorship, and died during his period of office. He was a draper in Palmerston Street, and the business is still conducted by his son.
, who was Mayor of Westport in 1876–77 and 1879–80–81, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1839. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Lady Egidia,” in the year 1862, and landed at Dunedin. Mr. Munro afterwards removed to Invereargill, where he entered into business as a bookseller and stationer. In 1864 he took out an auctioneer's license and conducted a rapidly increasing business until the year 1867. Mr. Munro then went to the West Coast, and settled in Westport, where he has devoted a large amount of time to public affairs. Mr. Munro was an active member of the Westport Borough Council for many years, occupied the mayoral chair for five terms, was secretary to the first Hospital Board, and for three years represented the Lyell district in the County Council. He is further referred to as a former
was elected Mayor of Westport in 1878, and was again returned for the year 1882–83. Mr. Haselden is referred to on pages 331, 475, and 564 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia. After that volume was issued, Mr. Haselden was appointed a Stipendiary Magistrate, and is now (1905) a District Judge.
, who was Mayor of Westport from 1884 to 1887, was one of the most widely respected men on the Coast. He was born in Wales in 1840, and was educated in Liverpool, whither his family had removed. After leaving school he worked with his father in the plastering trade, but as he grew to manhood he went to sea and for four years was on the Cunard steamers. In 1859 he came out to Victoria and went to Geelong, where he successfully entered into the hotel business. Like many old West Coasters, he crossed to Otago in the “rush” of 1861. In 1865 he went to Greymouth, and, in company with Mr. Tanks, established the Albion Hotel. The partnership continued for several years, but Mr. Hughes removed to Westport in 1867, when he purchased the Maori Hotel for £1000, and renamed it the “Empire,” the freehold of which is still his widow's, but the licensee is Mr. H. H. McMasters. Up to the time of his death, in 1890, Mr. Hughes was closely identified with every progressive movement conducive to the advancement of local interests. He invested largely in mining properties, and had great faith in the future of the district. Mr. Hughes filled many offices in local bodies with great credit. He was an officer in the first volunteer corps, captain of the fire brigade, a borough councillor, member of the Harbour Board, chairman of the school committee, a vestryman of St. John's Church, an Oddfellow and Freemason, and vice-president of the Kawatiri Rowing Club. In him Westport lost a good and generous-hearted citizen.
, formerly Mayor of Westport, was elected for the fourth time in 1887, after a keen contest. He sat in the council for many years, and has been a member of the Harbour Board, school committee, and the Westland Charitable Aid and Hospital Board. He was born in Allinge, in the Isle of Bornholm, Baltic Sea, and arrived in New Zealand in 1863. For some years he successfully followed mining pursuits at the Shotover, Arrowtown, Molyneux and Hogburn. In 1865 he had a year's good luck at Wakamarina, and in 1866 joined the “rush” to Westland and worked on the New River, a tributary of the Grey. He also spent twelve months in prospecting at the Teremakau and Red Jack's, a small tributary of the Grey river. In 1868 Mr. Larsen removed to Westport and set up as a ferryman. He continued at that occupation for eighteen months, and then went to Greymouth, where he married a daughter of Mr. William Foote. Mr. Larsen then returned to Red Jack's to his old claim, which proved a small bonanza during the five years he worked it. Then he went to Westport and commenced storekeeping at Fairdown, and at the same time started a ferry on the river. Seven years later Mr. Larsen bought the “All Nations Hotel,” renovated it, and named it “Larsen's Hotel,” which he leased in 1893 to his son. Mr. Larsen has been president of the Westport Jockey Club, is an old Oddfellow attached to the Westport Lodge, Manchester Unity, and has been through all the chairs. As a Freemason he is connected with the Phœnix Lodge.
was Mayor of the Borough of Westport from the years 1888 to 1890, and again from 1892 to 1893. He is further referred to as chairman of the Westport Harbour Board, and is a member of the firm of Suisted Bros.
occupied the mayoral chair of Westport from 1890 to 1897. He is a native of Glasgow, where he was born in 1848. In the latter part of the sixties he came to New Zealand and for a few years tried his luck at gold mining. In 1872 he started in Reefton as a builder and contractor, and subsequently removed to Westport, where he has been established for nearly thirty years. He entered the Borough Council about twenty-three years ago, and after being chairman of the works committee for a number of years was elected mayor in 1890. Mr. Marshall has been chairman of the Westland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, chairman of the Athenæum Committee, a member of the Westport Harbour Board, and Buller Licensing Committee, and for many years honorary correspondent of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia, a position he prizes above all others. It was mainly due to his untiring efforts that Westport secured the first complete public
was Mayor of the Borough of Westport from 1898 to to 1899. Owing to his election to the House of Representatives as member for Buller, he resigned the Mayorship in January, 1900. Mr. Colvin is further referred to as a member of the House of Representatives, and as a member of the Westport Harbour Board.
was Mayor of Westport during the years 19001901 and 1901–1902, and had previously been a member of the Westport Borough Council. He was born on the West Coast, and is a son of the late Mr. Michael Scanlon, of Scanlon's Hotel, Palmerston Street. Mr. Scanlon was educated in Westport, and learned the trade of a builder.
was elected Mayor of Westport in the year 1903, and had previously been elected to the Borough Council in 1895. He was born in London in 1842, educated at private schools, and went to sea at the age of fourteen, in the “Mary of London,” which went ashore in the Gulf of Florida, and was afterwards condemned. He next shipped on an American vessel bound for Glasgow. In 1859 Mr. Riley went to Launeeston, Tasmania, where he remained and took to farm work, He came to New Zealand in 1861, and went to Gabriel's Gully, where he followed mining with little suceess. Then he removed to Dunedin, and followed the oecupation of a boatman, but afterwards went to Australia. He returned to New Zealand at the time of the Molyneux rush, and started us a a coal and firewood dealer. At the time of the Wakamarina rush he gave up his business, and went to Havelock, taking a whaleboat with him. He went to the West Coast in 1866, and after some mining experience bought a small schooner of fourteen tons, named the “Three Friends,” which is still doing duty in Lyttelton harbour. Mr. Riley, in 1872, joined Mr. Seaton in partnership, and built the fourteenton steamer “Result,” in Auckland, to run between Westport and Karamea. This little vessel steamed down from Auckland, and she was the first
was Mayor of the Borough of Westport for the year 1904–5, and had served previously as a member of the Borough Council. He is the youngest son of Mr. John Munro, a well-known merchant of Westport, was born in 1868, and was educated at the local school and at Nelson College. Mr. Munro entered the service of the Union Steam Ship Company at Westport, and remained in it for three or four years. In 1895 he beeame connected with his father's firm. This business was incorporated as a limited company in the year 1902, under the style of John Munro and Co., Limited, and since then Mr. Munro has acted as Managing Director. He married a daughter of the late Mr. F. J. Foster, of Greymouth, in 1895, and has one daughter and one son.
represented the South Ward in the Westport Borough Council till 1897. He was born in Herford, Germany, in 1839, educated at Bremen, and apprenticed as a shipwright to his uncles, who carried on a shipbuilding business at Bremerhaven. After serving five years, Mr. Lange went to sea. He sailed to Australia in the ship “Goethe” and made many voyages in different ships to the Colonies. Landing in Lyttelton in 1863, in the barque “Dervut Hunter,” he at once engaged in the building trade at Christchurch. Then he went to Invercargill, and worked at his trade till the “rush” to Hokitika in 1865, when he took passage to the West Coast in search of fortune. After working at his trade in Hokitika for two years, Mr. Lange went into business in Charleston. In 1872 he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who left one daughter to his care. After that he removed to Westport, where he has since worked as a builder and contractor. He was elected to the Council in 1888, and became chairman of the works committee. Mr Lange was for some time chairman of the Buller Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.
occupied a seat in the Westport Town Council, when the borough was first proclaimed in 1872. He was born in Wellington, and at an early age went with his parents to the Old Country, where he was educated. He came back to New Zealand in the year 1859 by the ship “Equator,” and landed in Wellington. In the early days of the gold discoveries on the West Goast, Mr. Suisted removed to Hokitika. After various experiences he bought the business of Mr. A. Beauchamp, timber merchant, and took Mr. Thomas Allen into partnership. The firm traded as Allen and Suisted. They owned the Stanley wharf, and carried on an extensive business, and were local agents for all steamers. He married a daughter of Mr. William Bell, runholder, of Marlborough, in the year 1873, and has four children. His eldest son is Government Inspector oi Machinery, and resides in Wellington.
was for many years a member of the Westport Borough Council, to which he was first elected in the year 1884. He represented the Council on the Westport Harbour Board, and was twice chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. Mr. Simon was born in the province of Haute Marne, France, and was educated in the town of BourBonne-Les-Baines. He afterwards went to Australia in 1852, by the ship “Delgany,” an American vessel. Mr. Simon followed goldmining at Forest Creek, Snowy River, Bendigo and Ovens, for over ten years. In 1867 he came to New Zealand, went to Bokitika, and was engaged in mining for two or three years, principally at the Waimea. The hardships incidental to a rough mining life told upon him, and he started a bakery at Three Miles. After eighteen months of successful work he sold out, went to Charleston, and then to Westport, where he opened a shop in a tent. Mr. Simon subsequently built the store still (1905) occupied by the firm which bears his name; it was the only building not washed away in the great flood of 1867, which destroyed practically the whole of Westport. Mr. Simon married a daughter of Mr. Thomas
, who served as a member of the Westport Borough Council from his election in 1903 till April, 1905, was born in Westport in 1874, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. Michael Organ, who died in 1900. He was educated in his native town, and entered his father's fellmongery. Since the death of Mr. Organ, senior, he has carried on the business on his own account. In 1903, Mr. Organ married a daughter of Mr. William Warren, of Kumara, and has one daughter.
. The history of the harbour of Westport is full of interest. The board which manages the affairs of the port was farmed in December, 1884, under the auspices of the Stout-Vogel Government. It consists of seven members, all nominated by the Government; and although the “Westport Harbour Board Act, 1884,” makes no provision for elective members, the board is nevertheless a thoroughly representative body. This will be seen when it is stated that a member of the Legislative Council, two members of Parliament, the mayor of Westport, and the chairman of the Buller County Council have seats upon it. The harbour works scheme, which has been successful in the very highest degree, was propounded by the late Sir John Coode, the eminent marine engineer. As the works were proceeded with, slight variations were found to be necessary from time to time, and the scheme was successfully carried out under the able direction of Mr. Charles Napier Bell, M. Inst., C.E., as engineer to the board. Mr. Bell acted in the capacity of resident engineer for a period of two years, and was afterwards consulted from time to time as the progress of the works called for his advice.
There can be no doubt that Parliament acted wisely in providing for the creation and maintenance of the Westport Harbour Board, and it is only fair to remember that one of the most strenuous advocates of the course followed was Mr. Eugene O'Conor, then member for Buller. One most noteworthy fact in the history of the board is that, under its administration, the great harbour improvement scheme has been most economically carried out, and better results have been obtained than Sir John Coode expected would be the case. This fact alone constitutes a distinction which is anything but common in the history of such undertakings in any part of the world. It says a great deal for the good sense and administrative ability of the board and its officers, and for the foresight, judgment, and skill of its engineering staff. In this connection the increase in the average depth of navigable wáte on the Westport bar tells an eloquent story. For example, in 1885, the average depth was eleven feet six inches, whereas in 1898 it had been increased to twenty-three feet six inches. Then in 1885 the board's revenue from endowments was only £8;107 13s. 11d., but in 1898 it was nearly five times that amount, namely £10,254 6s. 9d. The expansion of the coal trade, which means so much to Westport, and, indeed, all New Zealand, has been correspondingly notable. In 1885 the output in tons was 78,074, but it has now increased to 350,000 tons.
Gold has done much for the West Coast, but it is probable that in the long run coal will prove a still greater benefactor. The human life connected with the development of the industry will be less picturesque, varied and melodramatic, than that which has been associated with gold-mining, but, as affecting local and general prosperity, the results are likely to be on the whole vaster and more lasting. It is estimated that the fields in the vicinity of Westport alone will yield 140,000,000 tons of coal, and this would be worth more than all the gold which has yet been won from the whole colony.
The history of the Westport coalfields is full of incident. The coal reserve covers an area of 86,000 acres. It was known to the early settlers that coal existed in the district, but it was not until 1874 that systematic surveys were taken in hand. In that year the Government caused a complete and exhaustive survey to be made under the able supervision of Sir James Hector, and this proved the existence of immense seams of coal of all thicknesses from 6 feet up to 53 feet 3 inches. The position of the seams was as remarkable as their great thickness, as they were situated, with few exceptions, at elevations varying from 800 to 3000 feet above sea level, and exposed on the faces of cliffs, thus rendering the question of area, and quantity of coal contained therein, a matter not of estimation, but of actual certainty. Seams of 25, 36, 40, and 53 feet were thus shown. On receiving the reports of the Geological
The quality of Westport coal has become a matter of world-wide knowledge. When under trial at Woolwich dockyard, the Coalbrookdale coal showed an evaporating power superior not only to New South Wales coal, but to the North of England, and even the Welsh coals. The memorable incident connected with the “Calliope” and the tremendous South Sea hurricane of April, 1889, supplied invaluable evidence in this connection. In the report which he furnished to his Admiral on that oceasion, Captain Kane, of H.M.S. “Calliope,” stated that though the engines of the ship were racing at the time, he obtained as much indicated horse-power from the Westport Coalbrookdale coal in steaming out of Apia Harbour in the face of the hurricane, as he had on the day of the ship's trial in smooth water, and at full speed. It is, in fact, a matter of history that it was the magnificent steam-producing power of the Westport Coalbrookdale coal, which enabled Captain Kane to save his ship on that occasion, in the face of the most terriffic odds in the shape of tide and tempest. Summing up the investigations made by others, Sir John Coode had previously made the statement that “the bituminous coal found on the West Coast of the Middle Island was declared by engineers to be fully equal, if not superior, to coal of the best description from any part of the world.”
Later experiences and analyses show no falling off in these vital particulars. Reporting on samples of Westport Coal Company's coal submitted to him for analysis in 1895, Mr. Lewis T. Wright, the eminent consulting gas engineer of London, demonstrates that the calorific value of the coal is so high that the Westport coal compares favourably even with Welsh coal. Describing the samples sent to him, Mr. Wright said: “They are all of the same general character,—namely, highly
Coal from the Wastport-Cardiff Coal Company's property has also answered successfully to the severest scientific tests. The Government analyst has, in commenting on analyses made by him, described the coal as excellent and suitable for use in ocean-going steamers, and the manager at the Christcnurch gasworks has denominated it excellent for cither gas or houschold purposes. These facts are adduced to show that Westport coal, practically all round, is of the highest quality, and that the industry is one which, at present and prospcetively, is of the greatest national importance.
A foreign trade is now in course of establishment with San Francisco, Valparaiso, Honolulu, and other places, and with the steady improvement of the port of Westport, it is not too much to expect that within the next four or five years the shipment of coal will be double what it is at present. In short, all the facts and figures which have been here drawn together, not only show how much has already been done, but clearly indicate what great developments lie within even the immediate future; and as it has in the past, so in the time to come will the progress of the magnificent Westport coal trade depend very largely on the good sense, enterprise and administrative ability of the Harbour Board and its officers.
The following details concerning the port, its bearings, anchorages, wharfs and various charges, are certified by the board's officers, and will, therefore, be found especially valuable by importers and others who have or may expect to have nautical or commercial relations with Westport. The entrance to the Buller river, which discharges into the sea nearly at right angles to the coast line, lies east-quarternorth, five and a quarter miles from the outer or Northern Steeple Rock, and from Cape Foulwind Lighthouse E.N.E. about six miles. About six miles to westward of the entrance, a natural shelter from the prevailing winds (south-westerly) is formed by Cape Foulwind and the Steeples, which extend northwards from the coast, and anchorage may be found anywhere outside the breakwaters in from ten to thirteen fathoms, one to two miles off, good holding ground, sheltered from E.N.E. round East to W.S.W. The town of Westport is situated on the eastern bank of the river; and in front of the town is a large reserve, upon which the coal staiths, wharves, railway terminus and Government Buildings are erected. The depth of water at high water spring tide is 23 feet 6 inches on the bar, and 19 feet 6 inches in the river, and vessels drawing 18 feet 6 inches can work the bar at spring tides, steamers up to 19 feet. Spring tides rise 9 feet 6 inches; neap tides 5 feet 6 inches approximately; high water full and change, ten hours fifteen minutes: subtract from London Bridge three hours forty minutes for local time of high water. Vessels bound for Westport should be guided by the signals shown on the flagstaff, which stands on the western breakwater 2100 feet from its outer or seaward end. The leading beacon, 20 feet high, is 660 feet seaward of the back beacon, which is 50 feet high; those two objects, kept in one line, lead over the bar on a south by east half east bearing magnetic, until the river leading beacons, on a N.W. by N. magnetic bearing, are brought into line and lead up the river to the coal staiths and wharves. The back beacon is red, frout beacon white. Two breakwaters are now constructed; the western one is 4276 feet long, the eastern, 4736 feet. A red light is shown during the night on the end of the western breakwater, and green on the eastern.
The beacons erected on dolphins on the west side of the Buller river mark the fairway for crossing the bar and leading up the river. The front beacon (white) is 30 feet high, and 660 feet seaward of the back beacon, which is 50 feet high. The back beacon has a black band across the centre, and is surmounted by a disc. These beacons, when kept in line, bear S. 25d. E.
Harbour Lights and Night Signals.
Fairway-lights for entering the harbour: Two red lights shown on the beacons bearing S. 25d. E. magnetic. These lights are to be kept in line until the bright light on the east training wall changes to green, when a course may be shaped for the wharves or coal-staiths. The seaward end of the coal-staiths is marked by a red light 36 feet above high water, spring tides. The extreme end of the training walls are marked by bright lights.
Charts, etc., affected when these regulations were brought into force by the Westport Harbour Board, on the 20th of August, 1899: Admiralty chart No. 2616; “New Zealand Pilot,” Chapter ix., page 398.
All the wharves and coal staiths are under the control of the Government Railway Department, and all vessels are berthed at the wharves and coal staiths. The loading facilities are as follows: —(1) Merchandise wharf, 350 feet long. The depth of water at this wharf ranges from 12 feet at upper end to 18 feet at lower end, at low water spring tides in line of vessels' keels. (2) Coal loading wharf, 430 feet long, connecting merchandise with coal staiths at upper end. On this wharf there is a twelve-ton steam coal loading crane. Depth of water ranges from 18 feet at upper end to 20 feet at lower end at low water spring tide. (3) The coal staiths are 1150 feet long and rise from 20 feet above high water spring tide at the upper end to 36 feet above the same level at the lower end. They are capable of storing 2000 tons of coal in thirty-six bins, and they have twenty-four coal loading shoots; the lips of the bins and shoots to which telescopic shoots are hinged, range from 8 feet to 25 feet above high water spring tide. The average dispatch in coal loading at these staiths is from 200 to 250 tons per hour, but it is no un-common matter for 380 tons to be loaded into a vessel, in the ordinary course of working, in one hour. The depth of water ranges from 20 feet at the upper end to 22 feet at the lower end at low water spring tide. (4) Coal Loading Crane Wharf, 353 feet in length, is equipped with coal loading steam cranes of the latest and most approved design, and has been constructed 389 feet below the lower end of the coal staiths. (This gap of 389 feet is now being constructed into a coal loading wharf to connect with the coal staiths, at a cost of £10,500). The depth of water along these wharves is being dredged to 22 feet at low water spring tide. (5) A further extension of the Coal Loading Crane wharf down stream, for a length of 1079 feet, is also under construction, at a cost of £32,000. (6) The Coal Loading Crane Wharf is to be equipped with seven movable steam cranes of the most approved and modern pattern. (7) A wharf is also specially set apart and is available for the discharge of explosives. (8) The station yards and wharves are lighted with incandescent gas lamps, two of which are of 700 and one of 840 candle-power, and stand at an elevation of 33 feet from the ground. The gas is supplied from the Corporation Gas-works, which are under the management of Mr. J. Bradley, who specially designed and erected these lamps. The present output of coal is 350,000 tons per annum.
Vessels or steamers coming from a last port, not in the Colonies, 6d. per register ton; vessels or steamers coming from a last port in the Colonies, other than New Zealand, 4d., ditto; vessels or steamers coming from any port in New Zealand, ¼d., ditto.
An efficient staff of three pilots is always available. In dealing with a large steamer requiring a pilot, the services of the tug to board the steamer outside would be required, and the tug's assistance might also be required in berthing the ship and tendering her outwards. A charge for these services, according to their nature, will be assessed by the harbourmaster. Maximum charge, £10; minimum charge, £5.
A first-class tug-boat is now available, and works on the following scale: —Vessels up to 200 tons register, Is. per ton, in and out; vessels over 200 and up to 400 tons register, 10d, ditto; vossels over 400 tons register, 8d. ditto; minimum charge on any vessel, £5; maximum charge on any vessel, £20.
Receiving and discharging ships' ballast, 1s. per ton; minimum charge, £1. One penny per ton for use of gravel shoot. For every vessel
On all goods and luggage not otherwise specified, per ton weight or measurement, at the option of the department, 2s.; minimum charge, 3d.; wool, per bale, 6d.; flax and tow, per bale, 3d.; sheepskins, per bale not exceeding 2 ewt., 3d; hides, each, 1d; shingles, per 1000, 6d; pailings, per 100, 6d; slates, per 1000, 2s; minerals, per ton, 6d; timber not otherwise specified, per 100 superficial feet, 2d; timber (carried by rail for export), free; cattle and horsos, per head (first twenty), 2s.; cattle and horses, per head (each additional), 1s 6d; sheep, pigs, goats, etc., per head (first fifty), 3d; sheep, piga, goats, etc., per head (each additional), 1d; poultry, each 1d; vehicles, fourwheel, 5s; vehicles two-wheel, 2s 6d.
When goods are landed on wharf ex-ship, and redelivered to other ships, they will be charged 2s 6d per ton, according to ship's manifest, or by weight or measurement, at the option of the department, including wharfage, handling, and one week's storage, after which storage will be charged for. Goods transhipped into lighters or vessels from vessels lying alongside the wharves, per ton, 1s.
For use of steam-crane on wharf or in yard, per ton (minimum charge, 15s), 6d; exceptional cargoes (as may be determined by the Railway Department) to be charged per day, or otherwise by special agreement. The charge for cranage does not include the cost of haulage to the crane when the goods have been previously deposited at a distance therefrom. Minimum charge for use of twelve ton steamcrane, £1.
On goods not removed within twelve working hours, per day, per ton, 1s; on timber not removed within one week, per 100 feet superficial, per day, 2d.
The working hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week dáys. No ship shall discharge or take in cargo at other times without written notice being given by the ship's officer to the wharfinger, under a penalty of £5 for each offence. The captain or agent of each véssel must supply the wharfinger with a correct copy of the vessel's manifest prior to discharging any cargo, under a penalty of £5 for each offence.
General cargo, 1s 6d per hour (day), 2s per hour (night). Coal trimmers (if required) 2s per hour (day), 2s. per hour (night). On Christmas Day and Good Friday the rates are 2s for cargo and 2s 6d for coal. Railway overtime, 1s 6d per hour. Water is obtained free from the river.
The Westport Harbour Board Workshops are situated in Henley Street, near the coal staiths. The machinery is driven by water pressure, and a Pelton wheel with a capacity of five horsepower; and includes lathes and a full repairing plant.
It was from these quarries that the Westport Harbour Board obtained most of the stone for its harbour works. A railway eight miles in length, together with a handsome and substantial bridge over the Buller, had to be constructed to convey the material. Over a million tons of stone have already been taken from these quarries, besides the large quantity of spoil which is being, and has been, used for reclamation and road making purposes. The quarries are worked on the big blast principle, and as much as seven and a half tons of dynamite, or its equivalent in other explosives, have been used in one blast. The tunnellings for these blasts are driven twenty to fifty feet into the face according to the size of the face or nature of the rock, and then branched sideways and chambered for the explosive. Driving for these blasts cost at first about £2 5s per lineal foot,
The Westport Harbour Board is incorporated under an Act of Parliament passed in 1884. Members for the year 1905: Mr. James Suisted, J. P., chairman, Hon. Richard Reeves, M.L.C., Mr. Roderick McKenzie, M.H.R., Mr. George Griffiths, Mr. James Colvin, M.H.R., Mr. George Hargreaves Gothard, Mayor of Westport, and Mr. David T. Glover, Chairman of the Buller County Council. Officers: Messrs R. A. Young, M. Inst., C.E., engineer; Captain A. S. Fwan, harbourmaster; Mr. Thomas J. Atchison, inspector of works; Mr. Charles N. Greenland, secretary and treasurer.
, Chairman of the Westport Harbour Board has been a member of the Board since its inception, and had in 1905 been for thirteen years its chairman. He is the third son of the late Mr. Charles Suisted, an early pioneer, and was born in Wellington in 1844. The family, with many others, left that settlement in consequence of the frequency of earthquakes, and removed to Otago, where Mr. Suisted, senior, engaged extensively in sheepfarming. At an early age Mr. Suisted went with his parents to the Old Country, where he was educated, and
is a member of the Westport Harbour Board; and is further referred to as a member of the House of Representatives for the Buller district, and an ex-mayor of the borough of Westport.
has been a member of the Westport Harbour Board for some years. His name is well-known on the West Coast, and he is further referred to as a member of the Buller County Council, and as one of the managing directors of Messrs Griffiths and Co., Limited, Birchfield.
was appointed to a seat on the Westport Harbour Board in 1890 as agent for the Westport Coal Company, the largest shippers of coal in New Zealand. Previous to leaving Scotland, Mr. Jamieson had been with Messrs Merry and Cunninghame, coal and ironmasters, of Renfrewshire. Mr. Jamieson was born in 1857, and received his education in Scotland. Before leaving Great Britain he was manager of slate quarries in Tipperary, Ireland. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1880, and was for three years in mercantile life before he entered the Westport Coal Company's employment.
, Engineer to the Westport Harbour Board, is an associate member of the Institute of Civil Engineers. He was a pupil of Mr William Scott, of Dundee, and came to Canterbury, New Zealand, in 1864. In 1865 he was employed by the Provincial Government of Canterbury in setting out roads through a pathless forest on the West Coast. Mr Young remained in the employment of the County Council of Westland when that body was created, and was afterwards, on the inauguration of the public work a scheme, employed under Mr C. Y. O'Connor, M.I.C.E., for about seven years, in the setting out of roads, raiiways, water races, and in harbour surveys, &c. He was associated in business with his brother, Mr. H. W. Young, M.I.C.E., and the firm of Young Bros. were engineers for the contractors on the Nelson Creek water race, the Brunner railway, the Mount Rochfort railway, and other large works. They were appointed engineers for the Westport Colliery Company's works in 1878 and designed and superintended the construction of the great inclines and railway works for that company. The construction of the inclines, by which the coal is lowered from a height of 1900 feet in the railway waggons, is certainly one of the most important and most successful engineering achievements in the colony. Mr Young has had a large practical experience as a mining engineer. For twentytwo years he held the position of engineer to the Westport Borough Council, and only resigned on his appointment in December, 1898, as engineer to the Westport Harbour Board, and as resident engineer under the Public Works Department. This appointment he still (1905) holds.
, J.P., has held office as draughtsman to the Westport Harbour Board since the year 1901. He was born in Nelson, and was educated at Nelson College, where he and his brother were the first two to enter as pupils. He began his professional life as a surveyor under the Nelson Provincial Government, and afterwards held office as Government District Surveyor of Nelson, for many years. Mr. Sinclair was one of the earliest to take out a license as a surveyor in Nelson. He has resided in Westport since the year 1897. During his residence in Nelson he took part in public affairs, and was for some time a member of the Waimea County Council, the Nelson Education Board, and Licensing Committee; he also took an interest in local school committees. Mr. Sinclair was appointed to the Commission of the Peace about the year 1885. He is a Freemason, and is attached to Lodge Southern Star, English Constitution, Nelson. In 1875, Mr. Sinclair married a daughter of the late Mr. W. C. Hodgson, Inspector of Schools, Nelson, and has one son and one daughter.
, Secretary and Treasurer to the Westport Harbour Board, took office at the creation of the Harbour Board in 1885, the Act providing for the Board having been passed in 1884. He was born in London in 1851 and is the youngest son of the late Mr. James Greenland, of Elm Tree road, St. John's Wood, London. Mr. Greenland was educated at the Douro House school, a private academy in St. John's Wood. At the age of fourteen he chose the sea for his calling, and went on his first trip in the “Maid of Perth,” running to South American ports. Four years were spent in this trade, and then, desiring a change, Mr. Greenland obtained a position as overseer of a sugar estate at Berbice in the West Indies. He ultimately became manager of the estate and remained there for seven years until his health broke down, and he decided to come to New Zealand. The first work he did in the colony was for Mr. Seddon at Kumara, and consisted in running a mining store and subsequently in prospecting. He then went down to Greymouth and engaged with Messrs Cootes and Co. In 1877 Mr. Greenland received an appointment under the Public Works Department as an accountant and compiler of quantities, and in 1880 as a draughtsman. Upon the suecessful inception of the Westport harbour works scheme, he was, at the instance of the Government, appointed to the position which he now holds. Mr. Greenland is a deputy sheriff for the Supreme Court and also auditor of the Westport Permanent Building Society and the Weatport Jockey Club. In 1881 he married Miss Louisa Rutledge, daughter of the late Inspector of Police, of Rosscray, Ireland, and has a family of five.
the present Harbourmaster to the Westport Harbour Board, was born at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1855. He came to the colony, in 1875, with a knowledge of marine affairs, gained in all parts of the world. Shortly after coming to New Zealand Captain Ewan entered the service of the Westport Coal Company, and commanded several of its coal vessels until they were sold to the Union Steamship Company. Captain Ewan has been in charge of several of the Union Company's steamships, such as the “Wakatipu,” “Tarawera,” and other fine boats. He was appointed harbourmaster at Westport in 1896, and has in that position won the respect of all sections of the community. In shipping circles he is exceptionally well spoken of by master mariners. Captain Ewan, whe holds very high certificates in marinership, is assisted by Captain Ferneaux in his important duties.
, Inspector of Works to the Westport Harbour Board, was formerly storekeeper for the Board for fourteen years, and for some years subsequently hold the position of traffic manager and clerk of works. He was born near Hackney, London, England, where he was educated, and was afterwards employed by the London Dock Company. After passing through the various grades Mr. Atchison was made foreman, and had charge of the company's Shadwell basin. He subsequently left London for British Columbia and the Cariboo goldfields, but on arriving at Victoria, the capital of Vancouver Island, was appointed foreman and wharfinger for the Hudson Bay Company. After staying twelve months in that employment, Mr. Atchison finally went to British Columbia at the time of the gold rush. He travelled over 400 miles of exceedingly rough country, and arrived at Williams' Creek, the centre of the Cariboo goldfield, where he remained for three years mining, storekeeping, etc. Mr. Atchison afterwards went to the great “rush” at the Big Bend of the Columbia river, where he was one of the pioneers. The diggings there wore not very successful, and he removed to the Wild Horse Creek. Kootenai, where he was mining for several months. Mr. Atchison then travelled about 520 miles through an Indian country, on foot, to Yale, on the Fraser River, where he joined a partner, and engaged in storekeeping, and forwarding to the up-country distriets. Later, he went to San Francisco, where he was engaged as manager of the City Gardens. Mr. Atchison was afterwards attracted to New Zealand by the Thames goldfields, and followed mining at Shortland. He subsequently went to Australia, and visited, various goldfields, but came back to New Zealand, and settled at Westport, where, in the year 1884, he entered the service of the newly-formed Harbour Board.
, who has been foreman in charge of the Westport Harbour Board Workshops since 1898, was born at Cobden, Greymouth, in 1870, and attended school in Westport. Mr. Larsen served an apprenticeship of five years in Sandhurst, Victoria, and shortly after his return to Westport, entered the Harbour Board's service, and was in the shops for some years. In 1896, he went to England, and returned to New Zealand as one of the engineers of the
, who is in charge of the repairs department at the Westport Harbour Board's quarries at Cape Foulwind, under Mr. Larsen, Foreman of Rolling Stock, was born at Totaranui, Collingwood, in 1874. He was educated in Westport, and learned blacksmithing there with his father, the late Mr. Patrick Kelly, who started the first foundry in the Buller district. Mr. Kelly afterwards spent some time with the General Exploration Company, and worked on the erection of dredges in the Grey district, and was also employed by the Westport Coal Company. Twelve years ago he entered the service of the Westport Harbour Board, and, with the exception of some short intervals spent at mining, has remained in the Board's employment up to the present time—1905. Mr. Kelly is a member of the St. Canice's branch of the Hibernian Society; was formerly a member of the Westport Navals and the Westport Fire Brigade, and has competed for many years as a runner and cyclist in the Westport district. He married a daughter of Mr. P. Egan, farmer, Springfield, Canterbury, in the year 1902, and has one son.
has its headquarters at Westport. Members for the year 1905: Messrs D. T. Glover (chairman) and G. Griffiths, Wareatea North riding; Messrs F. Feddersen and V. W. A. Dellavadova, Lyell riding; Messrs M. McCarthy and J. H. Powell, Charleston riding; Messrs J. Lines and M. McPadden, Wareatea South riding; and Mr. T. Corby, Karamea riding. Officers: Mr. T. Thompson, engineer; Mr. R. F. Mullan, county clerk; Mr. P. Joyce, overseer. The county of Buller has a population of about 3,000 persons. There is a general rate of 1½ in the pound, with a Charitable Aid rate of one halfpenny in the pound. There are 2,205 ratepayers, and the capital value of property in the county is £410,409. The total income of the Council for the year which ended on the 31st of March, 1904, was £4,786, exclusive of grants. The county has borrowed £5,047, under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, at 4½ per cent., for twenty-six years. This amount was expended in the construction of the Argyle water race at Charlestown. Then a sum of £675, at the same rate, was borrowed for the construction of a road from the Buller bridge to the sea beach. Since its inauguration, in 1877, the County Council has done invaluable work, in building substantial bridges over dangerous rivers. Roads, too, are at all times well attended to, and, in most cases, are divided into sections under competent working overseers. Fully 250 miles of roads have been made by the county. Generally, the metal used in making and maintaining the roads is shingle from old river beds and beaches, except in the mountainous parts, where shattered gneiss and slate are procurable. The roads have been constructed chiefly by muans of annual parliamentary grants and subsidies of pound for pound on the ordinary county revenue. The county of Buller is bounded on the north by the Heaphy, on the south by the Paparoa river, on the east by the Paparoa ranges, and on the west by the ocean.
, Chairman of the Buller County Council, was appointed to the position in 1904. He was elected to the Council two years previously, as a representative of the Wareatea North riding. Mr. Glover has been in business as a draper and fancy goods dealer at Waimangaroa since 1896.
has been a representative of the Lyell riding of the Buller County Council since 1896. He was born in 1846 in Schleswig, Germany, came to Victoria in 1864, and, two years later, arrived in New Zealand. He has long taken an interest in mining, but settled on his farm near Lyell, in 1883. Mr. Feddersen also carries on the business of a butcher.
was elected a member of the Buller County Council, for the riding of Wareatea North, in the year 1898, and he also acted as chairman for two years. He is a member of the Waimangaroa school committee, and was at one time chairman of the Licensing Bench. Mr. Griffiths is further referred to as one of the managing directors of Messrs Griffiths and Co, Limited, Birchfield, and as a member of the Westport Harbour Board.
has been a member of the Buller County Council since the year 1899. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and as a youth learned farming. Mr. Corby came to New Zealand in June, 1875, landed at Hokitika, and for about twelve years was engaged in goldmining in various parts of the West Coast. In the year 1888 he settled at St. Helen's, and engaged in contracting. Mr. Corby afterwards made the section of the railway from St. Helen's to the Mokihinui Mine, for the Mokihinui Coal Company, and, later on, he started a store and a butchery, and bought a considerable amount of land in the district. The well known Corby's Hotel, although not conducted by him personally, is his property.
, J.P., one of the members of the Wareatea South riding of the Buller Council, is a farmer on the Buller road, and conducts a sawmilling and contracting business. He was born in the year 1846, at Wakefield, Nelson, and as a youth learned farming. Mr. Lines was for some years afterwards farming and butchering at Brightwater. In the year 1872 he removed to the West Coast, and was engaged for a time on survey work, and in contracting at Reefton, and for about nine years held the mail contract on the Buller road. Mr Lines settled at Whitecliffs, on the Buller road, in 1877, and is a member of the Buller Licensing Committee, and chairman of the Inangahua Junction school committee. He is married, and has a family of three sons and six daughters.
is a member of the Buller County Council for Charleston riding. He is a member of the firm of Messrs J. M. Powell and Sons, merchants, of Charleston, and is chairman of the Charleston Hospital Committee. Mr. Powell is further referred to as a member of the firm of J. M. Powell and Sons, Charleston.
, Clerk to the Buller County Council, is also secretary of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. He was born in the year 1849, in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was educated, and went to Australia in 1873. Two years later, Mr. Mullan came to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast. In 1880, he was appointed Clerk and Treasurer to the Buller County Council. Mr. Mullan was married in the year 1878, and has, surviving, three sons.
, Engineer for the Buller County Council, has held his present office since 1878. He is a son of the late Mr. James Thompson, master mariner, and was born in 1848. About 300 miles of formed roads have been constructed by Mr. Thompson, and many miles of water races have been designed and built under his direction. Besides these works, numerous bridges, varying from thirty to 300 feet in length, have been designed and erected under his supervision.
at Westport, was originally Known as the Westport Naval Artillery, and afterwards as the Westport Rifle Volunteers, Westport Position Artillery, and No. 10 Company, New Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers. It received its present title in April, 1904. The company has a first-class gymnasium, and its drillshed is in Henley Street. The armament of the corps consists of four quick firing Nordenfelt six-pound guns. At the artillery tournament held on Boxing Day, 1904, at Christchurch, the corps was successful in taking the fourth place in the aggregate of all the batteries represented. There are two cups, valued at ten guineas each, in circulation amongst the members, presented respectively by the Westport Coal Company, and the honorary members of the corps, for the purpose of keeping up interest in shooting in the district. The corps has a strength of eighty-one, and there are twenty honorary members, who contribute a subscription of one guinea annually. The officers are: Captain, T. Carr; Lieutenants, J. McIntyre, A. C. Cottrell, C. B. Brereton, and J. C. Fountaine; Chaplain, Rev. J. R. Dart; and Dr. M. Mackenzie, Surgeon.
of the I Battery New Zealand Field Artillery Volunteers, was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, in 1865, and was educated at the Dunedin High School, where he was a member of the School Artillery Cadets. He afterwards successively joined the Dunedin Naval Cadets the Dunedin City Guards, and the Otago Rifles (since disbanded). On his arrival in Westport, in 1886, Mr. Carr joined the Naval Artillery. He was elected lieutenant in 1892, and passed his captain's examination with eightyseven per cent, of marks. At the inspection by Colonel Fox in 1895, he received special commendation for the able manner in which he handled the company. In 1894, Captain Carr was elected a member of the Executive Council of the Nelson Rifle Association, and was promoted to his captainey in April, 1895. He is president of His Majesty's Veterans'. Association, Westport district, and holds the New
at Westport is situated at the corner of Palmerston and Brougham Streets, on the Post Office reserve, a valuable block of several acres of land in the centre of the town. The present building was erected in 1878, and is one of the finest in Westport. It is one storey in height, and has a non-striking Post Office clock. The accommodation consists of public offices, a lobby which leads to private boxes; an operating room, mail room, the postmaster's room and a residence. There is a telephone exchange, which has one hundred and ten subscribers, and about twenty telephone bureaux are connected with the exchange. Letters are delivered twice daily throughout the borough.
, Chief Postmaster at Westport, joined the Post Office Department, in 1871, and received his present appointment in 1903.
is situated in Palmerston Street. It is of one storey, and is built of brick. The customs duties at the port of Westport average £1000 a month, and the beer duty averages from £80 to £100 a month. The staff consists of a collector and one cadet.
was appointed Collector of Customs at Westport in March, 1904. He was born in Hobart, Tasmania, in the year 1852, and is the youngest son of the late Hon. W. L. Crowther, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, and grandson of General Muller, equerry to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent. Mr. Crowther came to New Zealand in 1875, and joined the Customs Department in Dunedin. He was afterwards, for fifteen years, in the Customs Audit Office in Wellington.
is in the Government Buildings, in Palmerston Street, and adjoins the Magistrate's Court. The School of Mines is in the same building, which is of wood and iron. The District Surveyor is in charge, and occasionally three assistant surveyors are engaged under his direction.
, District Surveyor of the Westport District, was born, in 1842, in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was educated. In 1859, Mr. Snodgrass landed in Melbourne, Australia, where he spent some years in mining. He arrived in Otago in 1864, and found employment in connection with surveys. In 1865 he removed to the West Coast, and was for five years engaged in mining. He entered the Survey Department at Hokitika in 1870, qualified as a surveyor, and was appointed District Surveyor at Westport in the year 1879. Mr. Snodgrass married Miss McDavitt, in 1861; but his wife died in 1895, leaving two daughters and three sons.
, Inspector of Mines for the provincial districts of Nelson, Marlborough and Westland, was appointed in succession to Mr A. D. Cochrane in 1897. His district, which is one of the most important in the colony, contains the well-known Brunner, Westport and Blackball coal mines. Mr Tennent was born in Glasgow, where he was educated and studied at the School of Mines at the Andersonian Institute. He filled the position of certificated manager at the Springbank Coal Company's colleries near Glasgow, for nearly eight years, and resigned the position on leaving for New Zealand. Mr Tennent gained his certificate as mine manager by examination at Edinburgh in 1875, and had a wide experience before leaving the Old Country. He came to New Zealand in 1883 and took up a position at the Brunner mines, where he remained thirteen years. Mr Tennent was present at the Brunner disaster, and worked assiduously in the rescue of the entombed miners, and during the official inquiry gave important evidence, which throughout was unshaken, despite the fact that he was severely cross-examined by several lawyers. For a time he was manager of the Coolgardie Mine at Brunnerton. Mr Tennent is considered an unimpeachable authority on mining matters.
, Justice of the Peace, and Inspector of Mines, Westport, was born at Trethora Cottage, St. Stephens, Cornwall, England, in 1850. He left Cornwall in 1866 for Australia, by the s.s. “Great Britain,” and landed at Melbourne. In 1868 Mr. Richards left Australia for the Auckland goldfields. He settled at the Thames, where he worked in various mines until 1875, when he went to the Ohinemuri goldfield, where he spent
extends from Westport to Karamea on the north, and to Charleston on the south. The station is in Palmerston Street; the building is of wood and iron, and contains two rooms. There are also two residences on the section for officers of the department, and two cells. The staff consists of a sergeant and three constables.
in charge of the Westport police station, was born in Leitrim, Ireland, where he joined the police force in 1867. In the same year he came to New Zealand and became a member of the police force in Wellington, in August, 1877. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1900, and was appointed to his present charge in 1903.
is thirty-one miles in length. The section to Ngakawan was opened for traffic on the 26th of September, 1877. Since that time various extensions have been completed; and the last section, to the Mokihinui Coal Mine, was opened in February, 1895. The Westport Coal Company has constructed one mile and a-half of line to connect Waimangaroa Junction with the base of Denniston Hill. The Government conducts the traffic over the company's line, supplies all the rolling stock, and collects freights, on which the company is entitled to a rebate. The earning powe of the line is increasing, as the output of coal is very considerable, and the largest in the colony. The quantity of coal carried for the year ending on the 31st of March, 1904, was 578,496 tons, an increase of 293,499 tons from the 31st of March, 1897, as during that year, the total tonnage was 285,997 tons. About four-fifths of the coal is consigned by the Westport Coal Company, from its Denniston and Millerton colleries. The balance from the State mine at Seddonville, and from the Co-operative Company's mine at Mokihinui. The returns for the year 1904 showed that of the total coal carried 569,214 tons were the produce of the Westport Company's mines, 4,899 tons from the State mine, and 4,383 tons from the Co-operative Company at Mokihinui. For the year which ended on the 31st of March, 1897, the number of passengers carried on the line was 53,890, and for the corresponding period which ended with March, 1904–98,895. The gross revenue earned by the railway during the same years was, respectively, £42,559, and £83,600; and the revenue per train mile was 12s 4½d and 18s 2d respectively, for the same periods.
, Inspector of Permanent Way for the Westport and Nelson section of New Zealand railways, was born in Christchurch in 1868, and was educated in that city, where he entered the railway service in the Ways and Works Department. After three years and ahalf, Mr. McSherry left the service, but soon afterwards rejoined in Hawke's Bay, as a casual worker; and after a long period of service, was appointed to the permanent staff, and soon promoted to the position of ganger. Mr. McSherry served for ten years in this capacity in Hawke's Bay and for one year in Southland, and in 1904 was promoted to the position he now holds in Westport. In 1891 he married a daughter of Mr. A. Amundsen, of Terrace End, Palmerston North, railway ganger, and has four daughters and four sons.
is the centre of an extensive traffic, which, in view of the industrial resources of the district, is sure to increase. The station buildings are conveniently situated, and are likely to be equal to the requirements of the public for years to come. The traffic staff of the section consists of the stationmaster-in-charge at Westport, two stationmasters, four clerks, five cadets, four foremen, six guards, two signalmen, three tablet porters, twelve shunters, porters, and storemen, a crossing keeper and nightwatchman; and the total number employed on the section under Mr. Hay-Mackenzie is forty-one.
, who holds the position of Stationmaster-in-charge of Traffic on the Westport section of the Government railways, was appointed on the 24th of February, 1897, and took up his duties on the 4th of March, the same year. He entered the Government service in 1875, when he took charge of Waitaki North station, near Oamaru; and he afterwards successively filled the offices of stationmaster at Moeraki Junction (now Hillgrove) and at Palmerston (Otago); relieving officer Dunedin; officer-in-charge, Waimea Plains railway; and stationmaster at Stirling and at Bluff. Mr. Hay-Mackenzie left the Bluff for his present appointment at Westport.
, who has held the office of chief clerk at the Westport railway station since 1893, was born in 1865, in Dunedin, where he was educated. He entered the railway service as a cadet, in 1882, and in time he was promoted to the position of stationmaster at Tuakau, where he continued for three years. He was afterwards appointed successively to Pukekohe, Drury and Te Kuiti. Mr. Nicholson was then transferred to the charge of the railway telegraph office at Dunedin, and became a relieving stationmaster, before he was transferred to Westport. As a Freemason he is attached to Lodge Otago, New Zealand Constitution. In 1902, he married a daughter of Mr. Samuel Anderson, of Westport, and has two daughters.
, Senior Goods Foreman at the Coal Staiths, Westport, was born in the year 1863 at Gravesend, Kent, England, where he was educated. He followed a seafaring life for eighteen months, came to New Zealand in the s.s. “Coptic” in 1887, and settled at Westport in the year 1890. He entered the railway service as a porter, and
, one of the goods foremen at Westport, was born in 1810, in Ayreshire, Scotland, where he was educated, and was afterwards engaged in mercantile life in Glasgow for seven years. Mr. Murdoch came to New Zealand in the ship “Storm Cloud,” and landed at Dunedin in 1862. He followed goldmining in Otago for about two years. In 1864 Mr. Murdoch left Hindon for the Buller district, but, as he was discouraged by the prospects, he returned overland to Christchurch, and the journey took up nine days of heavy tramping. From Christchurch he went to Dunedin, where he entered business, but left again for Hokitika at the outbreak of the diggings in 1865. Two years later Mr. Murdoch removed to Westport, and was engaged in mining for seven years. He then joined the railway service, and received his present appointment in the year 1878.
, who has been one of the wharf foremen at Westport since 1903, was born at West Stockwich, Nottinghamshire, England, in June, 1860. As a youth he joined the Great Northern Railway Company, and served three years at Doncaster. He was afterwards, for a year and nine months, stationed at Attercliffe on the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire railway, and was for two years a porter at Sheffield under the same company. On the 25th of October, 1882, Mr. Flower arrived in Lyttelton, by the ship “Taranaki, and, five days later, commenced to work as a shunter at Christchurch. He continued in that employment till 1900, when he was promoted to be head shunter, and afterwards became acting-yard foreman. Mr. Flower was transferred to Westport as head shunter, and held the position for one year and seven months, before being promoted foreman on the wharf. As a Druid he is a member of Lodge Oak of Sydenham, Christchurch, and since 1890, has been a member of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. On the 4th of August, 1880, Mr. Flower was married at Sheffield, to a daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Fowler, of Macclesfield, and has two daughters.
is one of the wharf foremen in connection with the railway at Westport. He was born in London, England, in 1844, educated in that city, became a grocer, and worked at the trade for thirteen years. In 1874 he arrived at Dunedin by the ship “Sussex,” and entered the railway service. Mr. Packman served six years in Dunedin, where for a year he was also yard foreman, and was then transferred to Invercargill, where he continued as guard, and was afterwards goods foreman for ten years. In time he was removed to Clinton, Otago, where he remained nine years, until he was transferred to Westport in 1900. Mr. Packman married a daughter of the late Sergeant-major Richard Price, Herefordshire, England, in 1869, and has, surviving, one daughter.
, Enginedriver, Westport Section of the New Zealand Railways, was born in London in 1855, and was employed at St. Pancras station of the Midland Railway until 1874, when he came to New Zealand by the ship “Miltiadeg.” Shortly after landing he joined the Government service and was on the Auckland permanent staff till 1888. For three years he was driver on the Greymonth-Brunner section. He was then removed to Napier, and three years later took up his present duties in Westport. During his
, at Westport, were established in 1880. They are situated in the centre of the town on the banks of the Buller river and opposite the wharf. The main building, which is of iron, measures, exclusive of the blacksmith's shop, 130 feet x 80 feet, and there is a heavy stone wall on the eastern side as a protection against fire. The previous buildings were burned down in 1897, when about £5000 worth of property was destroyed. The greater part of the machinery and several locomotive engines were, however, uninjured. The present building is most substantial and fitted throughout on up-to-date lines. The lighting arrangements are perfect, and the sheds are covered with a “Ripsaw roof.” The workshops give employment to about fifty persons, exclusive of the locomotive running staff, which numbers about seventeen. A ten horse-power horizontal engine drives the lathes and other machines, which are very numerous.
was constituted in the year 1882. It has control over the local hospital at Westport, and administers charitable aid for the county of Buller, and for the borough of Westport. The revenue of the Board is derived from contributions from local bodies, and a subsidy from the Government.
was established in the year 1868. It is situated at the extreme end of Cobden Street, on the beach, Westport, and occupies a healthy and retired position, facing the sea; and a large verandah surrounds it. It is anticipated that a new and permanent building will, ere long, be erected to take the place of the present one, and a considerable sum of money is already available for the purpose. The premises consist of a number of wood and iron buildings, some of which have been in use since 1868. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, including the Gladstone Memorial Ward, for the accommodation of female patients. This apartment measures forty feet by twenty feet, and accommodates forty persons. There is also an operating room, a men's surgical ward, and a women's surgical ward. About five acres of land are attached to the hospital, and the grounds are laid out with ornamental walks; there is also a kitchen garden, in which most of the vegetables required are produced. The number of patients admitted during the year 1904 was 141, and 120 patients were discharged during the same period. The staff of the hospital consists of the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Murdoch MacKenzie; Miss M. G. Hayward, Matron; Miss M. Black, Head Nurse; four nurses and probationers; and four servants.
, M.B.; Ch. B. (Melbourne); L.B. C.P. (Edinburgh); L.F.S. (Glasgow), was appointed Medical
, who has been Matron of the Buller District Hospital since the year 1899, was born in Worcestershire, England. She arrived in Wellington by the ship “Northumberland,” in 1885, and was educated in New Zealand. Miss Hayward served for six years as probationer, nurse, and senior nurse, successively, at the Wellington Hospital, before she received her present appointment.
was first erected in Freeman Street, in the old town, and was destroyed by the great flood of 1870. It was rebuilt near the beach, and as the town moved up the river, a new school was erected on a reserve in Packington Street. With the increase of population it was enlarged, and again moved to the present site in Henley and Lyndhurst streets. The school premises include the residence of the headmaster, and have frontages to Palmerston, Russell, Henley, and Lyndhurst Streets. The whole block is available for school purposes, with the exception of the Free Library, Fire Brigade station, and drillshed, which occupy two corners, towards the Palmerston Street frontage. For a long time the approaches were so bad, that the children had to be piloted over the swamp upon stumps and branches of trees, but through the industry of the various committees, a very good ground has since been reclaimed. Additions to the building have been made from time to time, including a third school for the infants. However, the arrangement of the classrooms is not good, and the policy of having three independent schools in the same enclosure is found to be an unwise one, as it is said that much teaching power is lost. It is, therefore, intended to replace the present buildings by a substantial brick building, so that the whole school may be contained under one roof. At present the number on the roll varies from 550 to 630, and the average attendance is 585. The headmaster is assisted by seven certificated teachers, and four pupil teachers.
, M.A., Headmaster of the Westport District High School, was born in Nelson in 1871, and was educated at the Nelson College, where he graduated B.A. in 1891, and M.A. with honours in English and Latin, in the following year. Mr. Neve was afterwards headmaster of the Riwaka public school for about five years, and received his present appointment in 1899.
, M.A., has had charge of the Secondary Classes of the Westport District High School, since June, 1902. Mr. Gifford is further referred to at page 1273 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
, Westport, is situated about ten minutes' walk from the Convent, and is adjacent to the Roman Catholic Chapel. It was erected by the Catholics some years ago, and is capable of accommodating between 300 and 400 scholars. The school has an average attendance of about 200 and is annually examined by the Government School Inspector under the Nelson Education Board. Since the inception of a Government examination, about 1894, excellent results have been obtained. The school is attended by children of all denominations, many of whom come a considerable distance.
is situated behind the Roman Catholic Church, and faces Queen Street. It occupies a section of an acre in extent, and was opened on the 24th of September, 1903. The convent was first established in the year 1893, in a two-storied building in Brougham Street, now known as Warwick House. The new convent is a two-storied wood and iron building, and contains about fifteen rooms and a large chapel. There are sixteen Sisters of Mercy, who are all engaged in teaching or in domestic work. About twenty day pupils are in regular attendance, besides a number who are being instructed in music, or other special subjects. Pupils are prepared for matriculation, junior and senior Civil Service, and Trinity College music examinations.
was established about the year 1890, and has been held in the old court house in Palmerston Street since 1904. The premises are properly fitted up with melting and muffle furnaces, and other appliances required; classes are hold twice a week, and about ten pupils are in attendance. In 1903, a branch of the school was opened at Denniston, where four members attend a weekly class.
, J.P., has been a member of the Nelson Education Board since 1899. He was for about ten years a member of the Westport Borough Council, was one of the first members of the Westport Harbour Board, on which he served two years, and was also for many years on the Hospital Board. Mr. Bailie was born in the North of Ireland, in 1836, attended school in his native land, and arrived in Victoria in 1852. He was on the Victorian goldfields until he was attracted to Otago, by Gabriel's Gully, in 1861, and was all through the Lake diggings. Mr. Bailie afterwards commenced business in Invercargill, whence he removed to Hokitika, in 1865, and two years later he went to Westport. The first two sites occupied by Mr. Bailie's business premises in the old township of Westport were washed away; and about the year 1877 he removed his store to its present site. Mr. Bailie was for many years lieutenant in the first fire brigade formed in Westport, and he was made a Justice of the Peace in 1835. In 1875, he married a daughter of the late Mr. Andrew Brown, a Victorian squatter, and has four daughters and two sons. Mr. Bailie's eldest son is a sheep farmer in the Gisborne district.
, Westport, is situated at the corner of Queen and Lyndhurst Streets. The site is about a quarter of an acre in extent, and the building is of wood, and capable of seating 250 persons. The parish is a large and scattered one, and extends from Mokihinui to Brighton, a distance of over fifty miles. It is estimated that there are 6,000 people in the parish. In addition to the church at Westport, there are also mission churches at Waimangaroa and Charleston, and mission halls at Denniston and at Granity. As the parish grows it is likely that a new church will be built at Westport; indeed, as it is, the church has been removed to a more central part of the town, and a new nine-roomed vicarage has been built. There are some excellent Sunday schools connected with the church. The Rev. John R. Dart was appointed Viear of Westport on the 4th of January, 1901. He came to New Zealand in the year 1865, and was educated at Pieton. Mr. Dart afterwards joined the postal department in Picton as messenger, held various positions in Marlborough, and was promoted to the chief clerkship at Blenheim. He retired from the service in 1883. Mr. Dart was then for about seven years employed in connection with the legal profession, and for three years subsequently was in a mercantile office in Blenheim, when he
, Westport, is situated in Palmerston Street. It is a wood and iron building, capable of seating 200 persons. Services are held regularly morning and evening, each Sunday. The Sunday school in connection with the church is attended by about ninety children, who are under the care of fourteen teachers. The district included in the Westport charge extends northwards as far as Seddonville. Home missionaries are station oil at Granity and at Denniston.
M.A., was inducted as minister in charge of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Westport, in January, 1905. He was born at Portobello, near Dunedin, in 1880, and educated at the Dunetdin High School and Otago University, and at the Theological Hall, Dunedin. In 1900, he graduated B.A., and M.A. in the following year, with first-class honours, in English and French. Mr. Barton was licensed to preach in December, 1904, and Westport became his first charge.
, Westport, stands at the corner of Brougham and Queen Streets, and was built in the year 1887. The original church formerly stood near the beach, and was replaced by the present building, which is more central, and is the largest church in Westport, with accommodation for about 500 persons. The parochial district is large, and includes Brighton, Charleston, Addison's, Denniston, Cape Foulwind, Granity, Karamea, and Mokihinui. The Very Rev. Thomas; Waishe is in charge, and is assisted by Fathers Molloy and Burgen.
Rector of St. Canice's Roman Catholic Church, Westport, comes from Kilkenny, Ireland. He was born in 1863, and received his education at All Hallow's College, Dublin.
is situated in Russell Street. The building was originally a Free Methodist Church. It is built of wood and iron and was enlarged in 1899, when a vestry was added. There is accommodation for 300 persons. The Sunday school is attended by 120 children, in charge of twelve teachers.
was stationed at Westport in the year 1904. He was born at Gisborne, and was educated first at Hobart, and then at Queen's College, Melbourne University. Mr. Pratt became a home missionary in Tasmania in 1897. and was accepted as a probationer by the Victorian Conference. In 1902, he was stationed two years at Richmond, Christchurch, before being appointed to Westport.
is situated in Lyndhurst Street, off Palmerston Street. It was formerly an Athenaeum. The original building, which was burned down on the first day of January, 1903? has been replaced by a brick building, to which Mr. Andrew Carnegie contributed £2000, which practically covered the cost of the building. There are 2,500 books in the library. The building is of one storey, in brick, and in the glass over the doorway are embossed the words: “Knowledge is power.” There are five rooms; namely, the main reading room, the newspaper room, the library, a chess room, and a special room for the use of young people. The interior of the building is ornate, especially the ceilings.
, Secretary and Librarian of the Westport Free Library and Athenaeum, was born in the year 1838, at Chichester, in the county of Sussex, England. He was educated in his native city, at Whitby's School, and went to sea just previous to the outbreak of war with Russia. Mr. Dollman entered the Royal Navy in the Paymaster's Department, and saw active service in the Black Sea, and also in China in H.M. steam frigate “Tribune,” in which he served on the China station with Lord Glasgow, afterwards Governor of New Zealand, and then one of her lieutenants. About the end of the year 1860, Mr. Dollman arrived in New Zealand in H.M. sloop “Harrier,” and served in her until he left the service, on that vessel's return to England, in 1865. He holds the Crimean medal, Sebastopol clasp, the Turkish medal for the same campaign, and also the China medal for the China war of 1857–60. Mr. Dollman resided in Auckland for a short time, but removed to the West Coast in May, 1867, and has since been a resident of the Buller district. He afterwards became manager and proprietor of the “Charleston Herald,” was connected with that paper for many years, and was also registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, and bailiff of the Resindent Magistrate's Court, the Warden's Court, and the District Court. Mr. Dollman returned to Westport in 1890, and conducted a commission agent's and accountant's business until his appointment as librarian. At Onehunga, in January, 1864, he married the eldest daughter of Mr. James Christie, formerly of the Honourable East India Company's Civil Service. Mrs Dollman died at Charleston in 1879, leaving one daughter—Mrs John Williams, of Nelson Street, Westport.
, Westport Branch. This branch was established in 1887 for the purpose of mutual benefit, and the protection of the interests of railway servants. The benefits provide that on the death of a member a sum amounting to about £73 shall be paid to his heirs. Formerly a periodical allowance was paid in the event of a disablement, but that is now abolished.
was established in the year 1902, and was founded on the Star-Bowkett system. There are nine directors, a chairman and secretary, and the society has a total of 500 shares, which are all taken up. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. James Finlay, chairman, and Mr. W. T. Slee, secretary.
was established in the year 1893. The course, which is three-quarters of a mile long, is at Sergeant's Hill, and three miles from Westport by rail. A grand stand has been erected, and annual meetings are held in March. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. J. Colvin, M.H.R., President; Mr. H. Nahr, Vice-President, and Mr. W. T. Slee, Secretary and Treasurer; and there is also a committee of twelve members.
was established in the year 1898. The course is on a section of twenty acres, at Mill Street, where there is a halfmile track, one of the best in New Zealand. The club holds a two days' meeting at Christmas; the meeting of the year 1904, realised a profit of £600. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. G. R. Lamplough, President, Mr. R. T. Watson, Vice-President; and Mr. W. T. Slee, Secretary. There is also a committee of twelve members.
, Sergeant and Secretary of the Westport Band, was born in April, 1875, at Kanieri, near Hokitika. He was educated at Kumara, and served his time as a compositor on the Kumara “Times,” and was afterwards for a while on the staff of the “Catholic Times,” in Wellington. After some years' experience, Mr. McKeegan returned to the West Coast, and settled in Westport. For three years he was manager of the Empire Hotel, in Palmerston Street, and also manager of the Grand Hotel, in Westport, for eighteen months. Mr. McKeegan served for five years in Jupp's Band, Wellington, and was one of the competitors in the first North Island Brass Band Contest. He has been for several years secretary of the Westport Band, which is one of the first-class bands on the Coast.
was established by Mr. John Tyrell in the year 1866. It was published first as a bi-weekly, and then as a tri-weekly paper for many years, and in 1872 the “Evening Star” was established and published daily. In 1890, the two papers were combined, and published as an evening paper. The “Times and Star” is up-to-date in every respect, and enjoys a wide circulation
, Managing Proprietor of “The Westport Times and Evening Star,” was born in the year 1858, in Auckland, and was educated in New Zealand. He removed to the West Coast in 1866, and commenced to work at twelve years of age. Mr. Williams passed through several grades of newspaper work, and became manager of “The Westport Times” in 1885. He served three years on the Westport Borough Council, and was for six years a member of the Athenaeum committee. Mr. Williams is a director of the Westport Terminating Building Society, of which he was chairman for five years. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Phoenix. Mr. Williams married a daughter of Mr. Louis Grant, of Patea, in January, 1888, and has, surviving, three sons.
, J.P., the Editor of the “Westport Times,” was born in Victoria, Australia. He was apprenticed to Mr. Tyrell, the proprietor of the “Westport Times” and “Evening Star,” in the year 1874, and served through all branches of the newspaper and printing business. Mr. Gothard is recognised as an able journalist. He is chairman of directors of the Westport Building Society.
is a daily morning paper. It was founded about 1873 by Mr. Captain Wright, and issued as a tri-weekly, demy folio in size. In April, 1889, the paper was purchased by the late Mr. Reid, who enlarged it to double demy, and issued it as a morning daily. Mr. Reid successfully conducted the paper till his death in March, 1897, when it was purchased by Mr. Boundy, who traded under the style of Boundy and Co. for twelve months. Then he, in turn, disposed of the paper to Mr. Atkin on the 4th of April, 1898. There is a serviceable news and jobbing plant in the office.
, the Proprietor of the “Westport News,” was born in Victoria in 1860, and educated at the Scots College, Melbourne. After coming to New Zealand he was in the office of the “West Coast Times” for three or four years, and afterwards with three others he conducted a paper known as the “Grey Valley Times.” He served under Mr. Mirfin in “The Inangahua Herald” office for eleven years. After conducting the “Lyell Times” successfully for some years, Mr. Atkin purchased the “Westport News.”
, Editor of the “Westport News,” was born in Montrose, Scotland, and is a son of the late Mr. J. Strachan, Montrose shipyards, Scotland, Mr. Strachan came to New Zealand at an early age, and was educated at Port Chalmers. He passed through the entire routine of a newspaper office, and became the editor of the “Westport News” in the year 1899.
was founded in the year 1881, and is edited by the manager and proprietor, Mr. J. L. Munson. It is a four-page sheet, and contains twenty columns, half of which is reading matter, and is well supported by advertisers in the district. In politics it favours Liberalism, and has a good circulation throughout the counties of Buller and Inangahua. The paper is printed weekly at the office behind Mr. Munson's stationery and bookselling establishment, in Palmerston Street. Mr. Munson's plant, one of the best on the Coast, includes a Wharfdale machine, another by the Colts' Arms Company, of America, and a Minerva, together with full fonts of newspaper and jobbing type.
, Proprietor and editor of the “Buller Miner,” was born in December, 1832, at Hamden, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States of America, and started work as a printer at eleven years of age. In the year 1842 he landed in Victoria, Australia, where he afterwards followed mining for about twelve years. Mr. Munson was subsequently attracted to New Zealand, and landed at Port Chalmers by the ship “Ocean Chief,” the first vessel to bring gold seekers from Australia to New Zealand. He then went to Wetherstones, where he built the Washington Hotel, and was the first to obtain a license in the district. Mr. Munsen subsequently sold his interest, and built another hotel at Waikouaiti, and conducted it for two years. He removed to Havelock, Marlborough, at the time of the Wakamarina rush, and had some experience as a printer under Mr. Blundell, who afterwards founded the “Evening Post,” in Wellington. In the year 1865, Mr. Munson attended the West Coast rush, and started a newsagent's shop, with a job printing office, at Hokitika; and some years later removed his business to Westport, where, in conjunction with the late Mr. John Tyrell, he founded the “Westport Times,” in which he held an interest for three years. With Mr. O'Conor and others, some two years later, he started the “Westport News,” with which he was connected for about four years. Mr. Munson has served as a member of the local Borough Council. Harbour Board, Hospital Board, and school committee. In the year 1870, he married a daughter of the late Major Scully, of Napier. This lady died in 1894, leaving five daughters and five sons.
at Westport stands in Wakefield Street. It was erected in 1903, and is of wood and iron, in one storey. There is a commodious courtroom, with offices and rooms for the Judge, Magistrate, Clerk of the Court, jury, witnesses, and barristers. The District Court sits quarterly, the Warden's and Magistrate's Court fortnightly, and sittings of the Police Court are held daily, or as required. The District Judge is Mr. W. R. Haselden, and the Magistrate and Warden, Mr. W. G. K. Kenrick. Mr. E. D. Moseley is Clerk of the Court.
Barrister and Solicitor, Palmerston Street, Westport. Mr. Atkinson was born in Nelson, in the year 1872. He was educated in Nelson College, and studied for the law, under the supervision of Messrs Fell and Atkinson, solicitors, Nelson. In the year 1894, Mr. Atkinson was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, at Nelson, and commenced practice under the firm of Fell and Co., with whom he continued until he removed to Westport in 1898. He is solicitor to the Westport People's Building Society, and agent for the North British Insurance Company.
(Smith Laughton Pattrick Free and Anthony Crispe Cottrell). Solicitors, Palmerston Street, Westport; also at Bridge Street, Reefton. Private residence: Mr. Cottrell, Romilly Street, Westport. P.O. Box 38, Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. The
, of the firm of Free and Cottrell, was born in Christchurch in 1866, completed hiseducation at Canterbury College, and qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1894, when he was admitted by Mr. Justice Denniston. In 1883 he entered the office of Messrs Garrick, Cowlishaw and Fisher, solicitors, Christchurch, with whom he stayed until 1893. The following year he was managing clerk in Messrs Joynt and Andrews' office, Christchurch. At the end of 1894, Mr. Cottrell joined Mr. Free in the practice of his profession at Reefton and Westport.
Barrister and Solicitor, Palmerston Street, Westport. Mr. Wilson is Crown Prosecutor at Westport and Reefton, and is solicitor to the Westport Borough Council, the Westport Harbour Board, and the Government Advances to Settlers Department in the Buller district.
Surgeon-Dentist, Brougham Street, Westport. Established 1897. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. The surgery and waiting-rooms are entirely new, and were built for Mr. Jackson from designs prepared by himself, and they are tastefully furnished. and fitted up with every modern appliance imported from the best English, American, and Continental houses. The operating chair is of the latest design. Mr. Jackson enjoys the reputation of doing high-class and successful work. He was born in Nelson, was educated at the Bishop's School, and served articles with Messrs Tatton and Sons, with whom he remained for a period of seven years.
in Westport was established in the year 1867. The first building was washed away by one of the floods to which the district was at one time subject; and the present premises, which were erected in 1901, stand on part of a quarter of an acre of land, and consist of a two-storied wood and iron building, which contains a banking chamber, the manager's room, a strong room, a melting house, and the manager's residence. The staff consists of the officer in charge, and two assistants. An agency at Charleston is visited monthly for gold buying purposes.
was appointed manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Westport in June, 1902. He was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, in 1864. Mr. Blaxall joined the bank at Westport in 1880. He was subsequently manager of the Bank of New South Wales at St. Bathans, in Otago, and later at Charleston.
in Westport was opened in the sixties, and for many years its premises were situated next to the Grand Hotel, in Wakefield Street. The building now in use was erected by the late Colonial Bank, and is situated at the corner of Palmerston Street and Wakefield Street. It is a one-storied wood and iron building, and contains a banking chamber, a manager's room, and officers' quarters. The melting house is in a separate building. The staff consists of a manager, accountant, and two clerks.
was appointed manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Westport on the 9th of December, 1904. He has been a bank officer since the year 1880, and was formerly a manager on the Otago goldfields.
(Alfred Craig Hansen), Auctioneers and Commission Agents, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established by Mr. Hansen in the year 1900. Mr. Hansen is further referred to as a member of the Westport Borough Council, and as the captain of the Westport Fire Brigade.
Licensed Land Broker, Registered Mining and General Commission Agent, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established by the late Mr. F. SIee. in the year 1890, and conducted by him until his death, on the 16th of October, 1901. He was succeeded by his son, Mr. W. T. Slee, who was born in Waimate, Canterbury, in the year 1879. Mr. Slee was educated in Waimate and Westport, and was brought up to a mercantile life in the office of his father. He is agent for the Government Accident Insurance Department, the Norwich Union and Manchester Fire Offices, and the Karamea Shipping Company, and is secretary of the Westport Jockey and Trotting Clubs, the Westport Terminating Building Society, and the Westport school committee.
Photographer, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established in the year 1898 by Mr. Vinsen, The premises consist of a wood and iron building, which contains a show room and studio, waiting and dressing rooms, and a private residence. Mr. Vinsen is further referred to as a member of the Westport Fire Brigade.
‘(Mrs M. A. Curran, William Curran, and Frank Curran), Bakers, Confectioners and Restauranteurs, Palmerston Street, Weseport. The premises occupied by this firm consist of a double-fronted verandah shop, with refreshment room, bakehouse and private residence. There is a back entrance to the premises, and
Baker and Confectioner, Essex Bakery,” Palmerston Street. Westport. This business was established by Mr. Blaxall in the year 1875, and was acquired by its present owner in December, 1904. The premises are freehold, and measure 63 links by 144 links. The building is of wood and iron, and contains a shop, a residence, and a bakehouse.
was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in the year 1870, came to New Zealand in 1881, and landed at Port Chalmers by the ship “Westland.” He afterwards went to the West Coast, and learned his trade in Denniston, where he was subsequently in business for some time as a storekeeper and baker. Later, Mr. Gibson removed to Westport, and acquired his present business in 1904. He married a daughter of Mr. John Harris, of Denniston, in the year 1895, and has five sons and two daughters.
Confectioner and Fruiterer, corner of Palmerston and Henley Streets, Westport. This business has been conducted by Mr. Virtue since the year 1900. The commodious premises consist of a large corner shop, with a verandah. Mr. Virtue was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to Melbourne in 1837, in the ship “Ariadne.” He gained a general colonial experience in Victoria, where he continued till 1866. In that year he arrived in Hokitika, and was, for some years, engaged in mining pursuits. Mr. Virtue settled in Westport in 1872. In the year 1864 he married a daughter of the late Mr. Eugene Keenan, of Melbourne. His wife died in 1891, leaving two sons and one daughter.
(Mrs Simon and G. E. Simon), General Provision, Wine and Spirit Merchants, Palmerston Street, Westport. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business is one of the oldest in the district, and was established by Mr. Jules Simon, who died in June, 1899. It is domiciled in the only surviving building of old Westport, and is carried on by the founder's widow and son. The proprietors are direct importers from the great manufacturers in the European centres, and are, therefore, enabled to place before their customers goods of the very best quality, and at low prices.
(Henry Nahr, proprietor), Palmerston Street, Westport, This brewery was established by the late Mr. William Nahr, in 1880, and conducted by him until his death in 1896, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. Henry Nahr, the present proprietor. The brewery building, which is of wood and iron, stands on a freehold section of an acre and ahalf. It contains a full modern plant, with a capacity of 200 hogsheads per month. The floor of the main building is of concrete, and the trade extends throughout the Buller district. Bottling in connection with the brewery is carried on at the store of Mr. H. Payne, in Palmerston Street.
Builder and Contractor, Lyndhurst Street, Westport, Private residence, Romilly Street. The factory and office cover 100 feet by 24 feet, with every facility for turning out all kinds of builders' woodwork by machinery, which is driven by steam power. Mr. Marshall employs a number of men.
Aerated Water and Cordial Manufacturer and Ale and Porter Bottler, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established in 1867 by the proprietor, Mr. Henri Pain. The original premises were washed away in the old township of Westport. A site was then obtained in Rintoul Street, where Mr. Pain carried on his business for more than thirty years. He removed to Palmerston Street, where he has a large wood and iron factory and store, together with a substantial residence; the whole occupying a site of half an acre of freehold. The factory is divided into several departments, including a bottling room, with the latest automatic bottling machinery. In the aerated water department there is a gas engine by Crossley Bros., capable of working up to two horse-power, and there are five bottling racks, and a soda water machine, by Tyler and Son, in the syrup room. Mr. Pain manufactures from the best ingredients. There is also a packing-room with a cart entrance, and an office with a large strong room. The bottle-washing department is at the back of the factory, and is fitted up with tubs and rinsers, and also with a brick copper for cordials. The produce of the factory is delivered throughout the Buller district. Mr. Pain was born in 1842 in France, where he attended school. In 1854 he landed in Melbourne, Victoria, and learned his trade in that city from a fellow countryman. He came to Otago in 1861, intending to visit Gabriel's Gully, but did not carry out his original plans; he was, however, digging on the Waitahuna goldfield for a short time. Mr. Pain then removed to Dunedin, where he commenced a lemonade business. A few months later he went to Wetherstones, where, in conjunction with a friend, he bought a cordial business, and began under the style of James Hunter and Co. This partnership was continued till the opening of the Dunstan goldfield, where Mr. Pain afterwards bought the business on his own account. Afterwards he was at Hogburn and Hamiltons, till the year 1865. when he removed to Hokitika by the “City of Dunedin,” which was wrecked on her second trip; since that time Mr. Pain has resided on the West Coast. He is a member of the Order of Oddfellows, and has served in the local lodge as Permanent Seeretary for a number of years. In 1866, he married Miss Ryan, and has, surviving, four daughters, and two sons, of whom one daughter and the two sons are married.
Painter, Paperhanger, and General Decorator, Palmerston Street, Westport. Mr. O'Neill has conducted his business since the year 1886, and learned his trade with Mr. E. B. Sammons, of Hokitika. He was born in 1859, at Bendigo, Vietoria, but has resided on the West Coast since 1866. Mr. O'Neill started work at eleven years of age, and attended a night school conducted by Archdeacon Harper. He was apprenticed for four years, and, after that time, worked as a journeyman at Reefton and Greymouth, before commencing business in
. (Thomas Carr and James Carr), Tailors and Outfitters, Westport. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, “Esplanade.” This firm's business was established in 1885, and has developed into a leading fashionable establishment. Its fancy coatings, tweeds, vicuna serges, and special lines in fancy worsted trouserings, are imported direct from Colonial and English manufacturers, and thoroughly shrunk before being made up. Messrs Carr Bros, provided the Westport Rifles with their whole outfit in a very satisfactory and finished manner.
, the Senior Partner, is the cutter and fitter, and thoroughly understands his business, which he learned in Dunedin under Mr. Carr, senior. He is a past master of Lodge Phoenix, No. 1690, English Constitution. In 1883 he joined the West Harbour Lodge of Druids, No. 175, and is also a member of the Loyal Westport Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. In August. 1894, he married Miss Annie Hamilton Lauchlan, of Wellington, and has children.
, the Second Partner, represents the firm in all the West Coast districts, which he visits periodically. He is a good rifle shot, having won the Nelson District Government Medal in 1891, the Westport Rifles Cup in 1890, and numerous other prizes, including a silver casket case barometer. He is a Master Mason of Lodge Aorangi, Denniston.
manager, Draper, Westport. P.O. Box 17. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. C. Smith, the well-known Wellington draper, established his Westport branch in 1887, and has undoubtedly one of the finest shops on the West Coast. The stock, which is replote in all departments, is estimated to be worth £4000, and includes the usual fashionable lines imported direct by the firm, Eight persons are constantly employed, and the millinery department is in charge of an experienced milliner.
, Manager of the Westport branch, has been in the employment of Mr. Smith for about eighteen years. He was born and educated in Greymouth. Mr. Panckhurst entered the Greoymouth branch of the firm in 1886 as an apprentice, and remained there until 1897, when he was transferred to Wellington to the head establishment, which is referred to at length in the Wellington volume of the Cyclopedia. On the death of the manager of the Westport branch he was promoted to his present position, which he fills with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employer, In cycling circles Mr. Panckhurst is well known, and whilst in Greymouth he was often a competitor on the local racing track. There is also a sub-branch at Denniston under the supervision of the Westport manager.
Coal Merchant, Forwarding Agent and Livery Stable Keeper, corner of Rintoul and Adderley Streets, Westport. This business was established in 1890, and the proprietor, Mr. Green, was the first to start an express in Westport, in the year 1871. He occupies three sections of colliery reserve land, on which his residence and stables stand; the coal yard is situated at the loading staiths at the wharf. Mr. Green employs a large number of vehicles in connection with his business, and acts as agent for the New Zealand and Colonial Carrying Company, and far the sale of coal from the State mines. He was born near Londonderry, in the North of Ireland, in 1840. In the year 1859 he landed in Melbourne, and went to the Inglewood diggings, afterwards to Gippsland, and was at the Shotover in the following year, at the time of the flood. In the early days of the West Coast, Mr. Green brought horses overland to Hokitika, where he arrived in March, 1865, and for three months followed mining on creek claims. He afterwards carried up the first drilling tools to Ross, where he started the first prospecting drive; and, in conjunction with his mates, crected the first board tables for washing gold at Saltwater, known as Marshall's claim. His last digging experience was in prospecting for recif in the Ross district, shortly before he came to Westport. In the year 1891, Mr. Green married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas MacKenzie, of Addison's Flat, and has two sons and three daughters.
Coal Merchant, Carrier and Livery Stable proprietor, Russell Street, Westport. This business was established in 1867 by the late Mr. D. Reeves, and was afterwards conducted by Mr A. Singer, from whom Mr. McElwee bought it in September, 1899. The stables, yards, and residence of Mr. McElwee, occupy half an acre of freehold land, and the stabling includes a large shed, 120 feet long. Eight horses are employed in the business, and numerous vehicles, including a large drag, which will seat twenty-five persons. Mr. McElwee's coal yard is at the end of Henley Street, and adjoins the coal staiths. He was born in May, 1870, at Westport, where he was educated, and learned the trade of a baker, which he followed for thirteen years. After that he removed to Granity, where he remained for three years. Mr. Mc— Elwee then went to Westport, and was a baker for three years on his own account, before he purchased his present business. He is a steward of the Westport Trotting Club, and as a Freemason is a member of Lodge Phoenix, Westport. Mr. McElwee is also an Oddfellow, and belongs to Loyal Westport Lodge. In his youth he took a prominent part in football, rowing, volunteering, and running. He married a daughter of the late Mr.
Coal Merchant and Carrier; loading yard at the Coal Staiths, Westport; stables, Adderley Street. This business was established in 1902, by Mr. Upham, who was born in Ross, Westland, in the year 1870. He was educated at Kumara, and found employment at bridge work, for three years. Mr. Upham went to Africa as a member of the Third New Zealand Contingent, and returned to New Zealand in 1901. He afterwards worked at the coal staiths for some time, before establishing his present business. Mr. Upham is agent for Coalbrooledale coal, and is a member of the Star Football Club.
's local branch at Westport is situated at the wharf, near the railway station. The offices are contained in a wood and iron building, and have four commodious rooms, including public and private articles. The operations of the company are described in other articles.
, Agent for the Westport Coal Company at Westport, was born in 1872 at Westport, where he was educated. He joined the company's service in 1886, and was promoted to his present position in in the year 1900. Mr. Murdoch is a member of the Kawatiri Rowing Club.
became underground manager of the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company, Limited, in 1896. He is a native of Lanarkshire, and had considerable experience in coal-mining in the Old Country until 1874, when he emigrated to New Zealand in the ship “Chili.” On coming to the West Coast he settled at Denniston for fifteen years. Mr. Marshall then went to Ngakawau for two years before entering the service of the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company, He is a Justice of the Peace, and a self-taught man.
, House Furnisher, Cabinetmaker, etc., Westport. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Russell Street. Mr. Hagedorn manufactures all lines of furnishing goods except chairs, which are imported in parts. The proprietor has been connected with the trade for twenty-five years, and was born on the Rhine, Germany, in 1839. He served his time with Kluss and Co., and after finishing his indentures he worked at the trade in various parts of Germany till coming to Melbourne in 1870. Shortly afterwards he came to New Zealand, and made his way to the gold rush at Charleston, but not being satisfied with the prospects of mining, Mr. Hagedorn moved to Westport, and entered business. During the memorable flood which swamped the town of Westport, he moved from his premises only just in time to the higher ground. He, however, again started in business at the corner of Palmerston and Packington Streets, where he has since conducted his trade. In public affairs Mr. Hagedorn has not taken a very prominent part, but he has served on the school committee, and also on the vestry of the Church of England. He has been a Freemason for twenty-five years, and an Oddfellow for twenty-eight years, in which time he has been through all the chairs and degrees. Mr. Hagedorn married in 1880 and has six children.
Hairdresser, Tobacconist and Fancy Goods Dealer, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established in the year 1901, by Mr. G. H. Ayres. The building is of wood and iron, and has a verandah, show windows, a shop and and a saloon. Mr. Ayres is the eldest son of the late Mr. J. Ayres, of the Q. C. E. Hotel, and was born in 1883 at Kaiapoi, where he attended school. He accompanied his father to Westport, in the year 1891, and there completed his education. Mr. Ayres went to Wellington, to learn his trade, and was for some time with Mr. J. G. Millar, in Willis Street; and, having duly qualified, returned to Westport, and commenced business. He is a member of the Westport Jockey Club, and vice-president of the Rival Football Club.
Hairdresser, Tobacconist and Fancy Goods Dealer, Palmerston Street Westport. This business was established in 1900, by Mr. Rhodes, who was born in February, 1881, at Reefton, where he was educated. The building is of wood and iron, with a verandah, show window, and a wellfitted saloon. Mr. Rhodes learned his trade in his native place, and also found employment there until he commenced his present business. He is a member of the Kawatiri Rowing Club, and of the the Westport Jockey and Trotting Clubs, and in the year 1904 he was president of the local football club.
(Mrs Robinson, proprietress), Westport. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This neat hotel was built in 1884 by Mrs Robinson's husband, and contains six bedrooms, three parlours, and a large diningroom.
was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1831, served his time as an engineer at Benzley, near Bradford, and was engaged in marine work at Hull. He received the appointment of chief engineer to a steamer sailing for New Zealand, and arrived in Port Chalmers in 1858. For some time he was in the s.s. “Lord Worsley.” In 1867, he joined the s.s. “Kennedy,” of the Anchor Steamship Company, and subsequently the “Charles Edward.” He retired from the sea in 1882, and built the City Hotel, Westport. Mr. Robinson was a Master Mason, and joined the brotherhood in 1861. Before coming to New Zealand he married, but afterwards lost his wife and two daughters within a few months of each other. Mr. Robinson re-married, and since his death, the City Hotel has been conducted by his widow.
(Charles Lempfert proprietor), Palmerston Street, Westport. This comfortable hostelry is well situated, and is a neat two-storey building containing nineteen rooms, of which thirteen are bedrooms. There are three comfortable sitting-rooms, and a commodious dining-room, where a good table is always provided. The house is run on first class lines at popular prices, and the comfort of all guests is carefully looked after by the host and hostess.
, the proprietor, who is a popular landlord, is referred to elsewhere in connection with the Twin Gold Mining Company, of which he is a director.
(Henry Herbert McMaster, proprietor), Palmerston Street, Westport. This hotel was established in the year 1867, and leased by the present proprietor in April, 1902. The building contains twentyfive bedrooms, two parlours, a drawing-room, a dining-room capable of seating forty guests, and a billiardroom, which contains two tables by Aleock. Commodious sample rooms are provided for the use of commercial travellers. On one side of the hotel is the entrance for Newman Bros'. line of coaches to Reefton, Nelson, and Blenheim. The “Empire” is one of the best known houses on the Coast, and has a unique history, for the flood which destroyed Westport in 1872, washed the previous “Empire” out bodily to sea, with lights still burning. The present building was erected by the late Mr. John Hughes, after the loss of its two predecessors by floods. The original house was named the “Maori Hotel,” and was built by the late Mr. Adam Porter, who died in Auckland, and was bought for £1000 by Mr. Hughes, who re-named it the “Empire.”
. Proprietor of the Empire Hotel, was born in the year 1862 in Liverpool, England, where he was educated. He followed a seafaring life for about twenty years, and served on the White Star and New Zealand Shipping Companies' lines. Mr. McMaster became chief steward and purser, and resigned his position on the s.s. “Rimutaka” in the year 1902. As a Freemason, he was a member of Lodge Unanimity, Lyttelton, and is attached to Lodge Phoenix, Westport, Mr. McMaster is a member of the Westport Jockey and Trotting Clubs, is vice-president of the Westport Cricket and Football Clubs, and is a trustee of the Westport City Band. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Robert Reeves, London, England, in the year 1890, and has two sons and one daughter.
(David Leech, proprietor), cornet of Palmerston and Wakefield Streets, Westport. This prominent hotel was established in the year 1875, and is a handsome two storied building of wood and iron, with a balcony on two sides. It contains thirty rooms, including twenty bedrooms, a number of sitting-rooms, a commercial-room, a fine billiardroom containing two tables by Alcock and Wright respectively, and a fine large dining-room, capable of seating sixty guests. For the convenience of commercial men, there are also four sample rooms. The Princess Theatre adjoins the hotel, and has accommodation for 500 persons. There is a stable in connection with the “Grand.”
, who has been proprietor of the Grand Hotel since the year 1903, was born at Woodbridge, Suffolk, England, in 1854. He was educated in his native place, and learned the trade of a builder, which
(John Colligan, proprietor), corner of Palmerston and Henley Streets, Westport. This hotel was established by the late Mr. Lloyd in 1888, and he was succeeded by Mr. A. King, who conducted the business for twelve years. Mr. Colligan, the present proprietor, took possession in the year 1994. The building is a two-storied one of wood and iron, and contains thirteen rooms, including a dining-room and sittingrooms. Mr. Colligan was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1868. He was educated at Holytown, afterwards came out to New Zealand, and arrived in Nelson on the 15th of January, 1880, by the ship “Eastminster.” Mr. Colligan has been most of his time in the Westport district, and has worked as an engine-driver at Denniston, Koronui, and afterwards, at Denniston again, for about twelve years. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Aorangi, Denniston, and is also a Past Master of his lodge. In the year 1895, he married a daughter of Mr. A. King, of Westport.
(Mrs Ayers, proprietress), Lower Palmerston Street, Westport. Established in 1888. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This favourite hotel was taken over in 1890 by the late Mr. James Ayers. The house is replete with every convenience and has lately been entirely re-furnished and renovated. It is situated within seven minutes' walk of the Post Office and Railway Station, and is close to the wharves. It is two stories in height and built of wood. The dining-room is on the ground floor, and is a well-lighted and cheerful apartment; and there are several parlours and comfortable bedrooms. Theré is good accommodation for boarders, and a satisfactory table is kept. There is a private sitting-room, with an excellent piano, for guests staying in the house. The bar trade is considerable, and only the best brands of wines, beers, and spirits are kept by the proprietress.
was born at Papanui, Christchurch, and was brought up as a hairdresser. For eight years he conducted a successful business at Kaiapoi. On leaving Canterbury, he removed to the West Coast, and settled at Reefton, where he purchased the City Hotel, and after two years' successful business, sold out his interest at a profit. Mr. Ayers then moved to Westport, and took over the Q.C.E. Hotel, which is now (1905) conducted by his widow.
(Henry Stannard, proprietor), Palmerston Street, Westport. The Royal Hotel has been established many years, and owned by the present proprietor since the year 1865. It is a two-storied building of wood and iron, and contains about fourteen rooms. The original site of the Royal Hotel was washed away in 1870 in the old township of Westport; and though the original building was saved, and removed to its present site, the house was rebuilt in the year 1875. Mr. Stannard was born in 1835 in Cambridgeshire, England, where he was educated. In 1856, he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, and followed the diggings in that colony for some years. Afterwards he came to New Zealand, and went to Gabriel's Gully, and continued gold mining in Otago, until attracted to the West Coast. He then removed from Hokitika to Westport, and became the proprietor of the Royal Hotel. Mr. Stannard is a member of the Westport Jockey Club. In 1865, he married a daughter of the late Mr. Edward Doyle, Sydney.
(Mrs. Thomas Shaw, proprietress), corner of
, husband of the proprietress of the Temperance Hotel, has been a resident of Westport since the year 1883. He was born at Thetford, Norfolk, England, in 1856. At the age of eight years, he accompanied his parents to London, attended the national school at Newington Butts, and, after seven years, commenced work in the boiler shop of a foundry, near Dartford, Kent, where he continued for four years, For a short time afterwards, he worked at the Dudgeon shipyard, in London, and, later, at the Westwood and Bailey shipyard, in the Isle of Dogs, London. In the year 1874, Mr. Shaw arrived in Wellington by the ship “Star of India,” and found employment at bush work in the Wanganui district. He was then employed at railway work, and on bridge construction, and worked on the Turakina, Wangaehu, and Wanganui railway bridges. Mr. Shaw was then engaged in connection with boiler work on river steamers at Wanganui, and afterwards found employment in bush work, on the Akaroa Peninsula, Canterbury, and subsequently worked on the Waimakariri bridge. About the year 1876, at the time of the Kumara rush, he removed to the West Coast, and had some digging experience, and was associated in some of his work with Mr. Seddon, now Premier of New Zealand. After three years, Mr. Shaw returned to Christchurch, and was for eight months employéd at Anderson's Foundry, and for a season afterwards worked on a threshing machine in the country. He was then engaged in blacksmithing at Lake Coleridge, whence he returned to Kumara, and found employment with the local blacksmith and in bush work, for a time. At a later period, Mr. Shaw was employed on the Little Grey and Inangahua Junction bridges. He settled in Westport in the year 1883, worked in the bush, and was afterwards employed as a carpenter, for about two years. At the time of the first strike at Denniston, Mr. Shaw was temporarily employed, and afterwards engaged in contracting work in the Westport district. Since 1893, he has been boilermaker for the Westport Harbour Beard. He was secretary of the Westport Labour Union for four years. Mr. Shaw married a daughter of the late Mr. S. Martini, of Coolgardie, miner, in the year 1886, and has one son and three daughters.
(Mrs Peter Cumming, proprietress), Brougham Street, Westport. This establishment was built and used for some time as a convent, and was only opened as a boardinghouse in the year 1904. Since the beginning of February, 1905, it has been conducted by Mis Cumming, It is a two-storied wood and iron building, with a verandah, and contains sixteen rooms, including twelve bedrooms, a bath-room, a sitting-room, and a large dining-hall, capable of seating twenty-five guests. The rooms are lofty and well ventilated, and the surroundings of the house are pleasant for visitors.
, husband of the proprietress of Warwick House, was born in the year 1849, in the parish of Inveresk, near Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was educated, and, at the age of nine years, was put to work in a coal miné. Mr. Cumming afterwards went to Australia, where he remained for about eight years. For a year he was a mine manager in Tasmania, and afterwards occupied the same position in Victorian mines for about four years. He then came to New Zealand, and settled in Westport in the year 1874. Mr. Cumming at times worked at carpentry, and was employed at the erection of the first railway station in Westport. He was also one of the first to work in the local coal mines, and several times acted as deputy and mine manager; and was for about nine months manager of the Tyneside pit at Greymouth. As a Freemason, Mr. Cumming is a member of the Wishaw Lodge, Scottish Constitution. In the year 1869, he married a daughter of Mr. J. Shepperd, of Cambridgeshire, England, and has, surviving, eight sons and three daughters, of whom three sons and all three daughters are married. Mr. Cumming has fifteen grandchildren.
. (George Walter Martin), Ironmongers, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established in 1901. The building originally occupied was taken down, and a new building erected; but this was destroyed by fire in August, 1904, after which the present substantial, iron, double-fronted shop was built. The proprietor imports largely, and does a wholesale and retail trade. Mr. Martin was born in Nelson, in 1861, educated in Westport, and learned ironmongering with Mr. Thomas Field. After eleven years' service, he joined Mr. G. H. Gothard, and was a member of the firm of Martin and Gothard for ten years. On the dissolution of that firm, he commenced business on his own account.
. (Samuel Riley), Foundrymen, Ship Engineers, Mining and General Blacksmiths, Westport. Established in 1878. The firm's building is a capacious one, and is fitted with lathes, punching machines, forges, benches, hammers, and all other necessary appliances for a busy trade.
, Foreman of the Works of Messrs Riley and Company, Limited, Westport, was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in the year 1860. He has resided in New Zealand since his infancy, and was educated at Hokitika and Charleston. Mr. Ballard learned his trade as a blacksmith and engineer, in Westport, has worked in the same shop since 1878, and risen from the position of a junior to that of foreman. Mr. Ballard has had charge of the works of Messrs Riley and Co. since the year 1897.
Ironmonger, Palmerston Street, Westport. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Queen Street, Established in 1867. Mr. Struthers' commodious premises were built specially for his class of business, and have, on the first floor, 2,800 feet of space. The main shop is stocked with a great variety of ironmongery, and has a fine front, in the windows of which a large assortment of plated ware is attractively displayed. Large quantities of bar and sheet iron, paint, oils, lead, etc., are stored in the yard, and altogether the business is the largest in Westport. Mr. Struthers is a colonist of about forty years' standing,
General Blacksmith. corner of Wakefield and Russell Streets, Westport. This business was established by Mr. Smith in the year 1903. The building is of wood and iron, and contains two forges with a hydraulic blast. Mr. Smith was born in 1866, in New South Wales, where he was educated, and came to New Zealand in 1876. He learned his trade with the Westport Coal Company at Denniston, and afterwards gained further experience in New South Wales, to which he had returned, and where he worked for three years for the Anvil Creek Colliery Company, at Greta, Newcastle. He then went into business on his own account in West Maitland, and at Newcastle, In 1894, Mr. Smith came back to New Zealand, and was for four years at Granity, before he removed to Karamea, where he was in business as a blacksmith, and had a small farm, for five years, Mr. Smith is a member, of the Westport Orange Lodge. He married a daughter of Mr. Frederick Lipsey, of New South Wales, in the year 1888, and has, surviving, one son and four daughters. Mr. Smith is at present (1905) manufacturing miners' drills, and machinery for boring coal, He claims that his drill is the only twist drill made in the colony, and he is effecting certain improvements, and intends to patent the invention.
Saddler and Harnessmaker, Palmerston Street, Westport. The premises occupied by Mr. Leaver were erected in 1899, on leasehold land, on a colliery reserve. There is a plate glass front to the shop, which has a work-room and dwelling attached. Mr. Leaver is an importer of saddlery and harness, and a large stock of goods is made on the premises. Mr. Leaver is further referred to in connection with the Westport Fire Brigade.
Boot and Shoe Importer, Westport Boot Palace, and at Lower Palmerston Street, Westport. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. The late Mr. Augustus Way established this business in Lower Palmerston Street in 1890, and in October, 1898, opened “The Westport Boot Palace,” in premises erected by Mr. Robert Taylor. No expense has been spared to make the shop as attractive as possible. A large plate glass window displays the high class goods to the best possible advantage. A dust-proof glass show case stands at the entrance of the shop, and contains a splendid assortment of ladies' and children's boots and shoes. The interior is fitted up in admirable taste, and is very attractive with all the requirements of the trade, and the stock is specially imported from the leading English, American, and Continental makers. The premises are lighted throughout with the incandescent light, and an extensive business is done in town and country. Mr. Way was born in Portsmouth, England, in 1840, and was brought up to the boot trade. In 1858 he came out to Melbourne, on board the White Star liner “Sultana,” and worked on various Victorian goldfields, including Ballarat and Bendigo. In 1866 he was attracted to the West Coast of New Zealand, and was mining at Kanieri, Blue Spur, and Waimea, where he was fairly successful. Mr. Way subsequently returned to Westport, and after being for a time on the Northern Terraces, he worked at his trade for a few months. He then went back to Australia and was on the Queensland and Victorian goldfields. He returned to New Zealand in 1870, and subsequently established the first boot shop in Denniston, where he was successful for six years, and then sold out. Mr. Way had been backwards and forwards to Australia on no fewer than fourteen occasions. Since his death, his widow has carried on the business.
(Gerald Organ, proprietor), Upper Palmerston Street, Westport. The two large buildings which are used in connection with this business are constructed of wood and iron, and stand on part of a section of half an acre of land. The business was founded by the late Mr. Michael Organ in 1864. The annual export of wool and pelts is from 200 to 300 bales. In addition to the fellmongery, Mr. Organ has a farm of 800 acres, about half freehold and half leasehold, two miles up the Buller river. The farm is devoted to stockbreeding and agriculture.
Butcher, Palmerston Street, Westport. Private residence, corner of Palmerston and Rintoul Streets. This business was established in 1898, by the proprietor, and is conducted in a substantial building, which contains a shop, an office, and a small goods room, with stabling attached. The slaughter house is on the south side of the Buller river, about three miles from Westport, on a site containing thirty acres of land. Mr. Dixon was born at Bright water, Nelson, in March, 1862, and was educated at the Spring Grove public school. He became a coachdriver between Westport and Reefton, and after five years of that life, went farming. Mr. Dixon again became a coachdriver for a year, and afterwards purchased a waggon, on his own account, and was for three years on the road between Westport and Lyell. He then sold his interest in his team and waggon, and entered into his present business. Mr. Dixon was one of the founders of the Westport Trotting Club, of which he is a steward and judge. In April, 1900, he married a daughter of Mr. Cornelius O'Callaghan, of Westport, and has two daughters.
Butcher, Palmerston Street, Westport. Private residence, Hospital Street. This
Wholesale and Retail Family and Shipping Butcher, Palmerston Street, Westport. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Bright Street. Mr. Lamplough's large business was originally established at Addison's in 1867; the Westport branch was opened in 1885, and soon after that the Addison branch was closed. Mr. Lamplough is well and favourably known throughout the town and suburbs for the quality of his goods. In addition to his retail business, he regularly supplies large quantities of meat along the railway line to smaller butchers in the country districts.
. (Ekermann S. Suisted and James S. Suisted, J.P.), Wholesale, Retail and Shipping Butchers, Palmerston Street, Westport. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, Cobden Street. This business was established in the year 1869, and the firm of Suisted Bros, is one of the oldest firms on the West Coast. Mr. Ekermann Suisted is further referred to as a former councillor of the borough of Westport, and Mr. James Suisted as a former Mayor, and as the chairman of the Westport Harbour Board.
. (Thomas Bailie), General Merchants, Palmerston Street, Westport. Private residence, Queen Street. This business was established by Mr. Bailie in the year 1867, and he has since been closely associated with its active management. Messrs Bailie and Co. are agents for the Standard and Liverpool, London, and Globe Insurance Companies, and for the Anchor and Shaw, Savill and Albion lines of steamers. The firm's premises are large and extensive, and afford ample accommodation for the business. Mr. Bailie is further referred to as a member of the Nelson Board of Education.
(E. F. Munro, Managing Director), General Merchants and Auctioneers, corner of Lyndhurst and Palmerston Streets, Westport. This business was founded in 1866 by Mr. John Munro, to whom reference is made in another article. The premises at first occupied by the firm in the old township of Westport were washed away about the year 1872. The buildings now in use are of wood and iron, and have been the headquarters of the business since 1893. They cover the whole of an area which measures sixty-six feet by ninety-nine feet; and contain a retail store with office, a wholesale department, and an auction-room, and are admirably adapted for the large business carried on by the company, which conducts a considerable shipping trade, and exports large quantities of coal. The company has been connected with the supply of coal to the British Admiralty in China since its inception, and it acts as agent for the freighters, Messrs Scott, Fell, and Company, of Sydney, and Weddel, Turner, and Company, of London. Within two or three years, fully 200,000 tons of coal were shipped. Messrs Munro and Co. act as agents in Westport for the New Zealand Fire Insurance Company, and for the National Mutual Life Insurance Company, and are also sub-agents on the West Coast for Lloyds, London.
, (James Powell, J.P.), General Merchants, Shipping, Commission, and Insurance Agents, Palmerston Street, Westport. Private residence, Queen Street. The firm was constituted in the year 1867.
Stationer, Piano and Fancy Goods Dealer, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established in the year 1904, and is conducted in a wood and iron building with a verandah, a shop, and work-room. Mr. McKeegan is an importer of musical instruments, music, and other goods, in which he deals. He is further referred to in connection with the Westport Band.
Bookseller, Stationer, Piano, Organ, Music, and Fancy Goods Dealer, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established by Mr. A. C. Hansen, and conducted under the style of A. Hansen and Company, until 1900, when it was acquired by the present proprietor. The premises are on freehold land and are among the largest and most commodious of their kind on the West Coast. The shop measures twentyeight feet by eighty-eight feet, and has a double front, with handsome plate glass windows. The fittings are elaborate, and the display of goods, which is exceedingly fine, includes all the leading lines and novelties imported direct from the manufacturers in England, France, Germany, and Japan. Mr. Parkhouse is constantly receiving shipments of the newest and latest manufactures. All the leading English and colonial books, newspapers and magazines are received regularly, and have a large circulation. Mr. Parkhouse undertakes the framing of pictures as a special branch, and he also has a circulating library, which was established in 1904. He is a direct importer of well known English and German pianos, book and sheet music, and musical instruments.
was born in London, England, in the year 1850, and was educated at Harrow. He was afterwards for five years in the office of the London and North Western Railway Company, and was subsequently, for nine years, with the firm of Barnard and Wing, bankers, of Bedford. In the year 1880, Mr. Parkhouse came to New Zealand, and landed in Wellington by the ship “Auckland.” For about nine years he served in the Government Buildings, Wellington, and afterwards went to Taranaki, where he was successful as a farmer. Mr. Parkhouse then removed to Westport, and bought his present business in 1900. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church choir, and while in Taranaki, was chairman of one of the school committees. Mr. Parkhouse married a daughter of the late Mr. William Martin, of Repton, Derbyshire, England, in the year 1878, and has, surviving, three sons and two daughters.
Storekeeper and Baker, Palmerston Street, Westport. Mr. Hill is further referred to in another article as a member of the Westport Borough Council.
Tent and Sailmaker, Ship Chandler, etc., Palmerston Street, Westport. Established in 1890. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Wilson was born in London, England, in 1829. He went to sea at an early age, and sailed to various parts of the world. In 1851 he went to Bendigo, and worked at the diggings for seven years with fair success. On coming to New Zealand in the early days of the Otago “rushes,” he spent eighteen months at Wakatipu and the Dunstan. In 1865 Mr. Wilson went to the West Coast. He was on the site of Hokitika before the proclamation of the goldfields, and worked successively at the Three Mile, the Grey, Giles' Terrace, and Addison's. In company with Mr. Larsen he invested in a steam launch, which he continued to run till the Buller was bridged. He afterwards carried on ferrying, and executed a number of contracts for the Harbour Board, and in 1890 he resolved to start business on his own account.
Livery Stable Keeper, General Carrier and Forwarding Agent, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business has been established for many years, and was the first livery stable in Westport. The original site in the old township was washed away, and the business has been conducted in Palmerston Street since the year 1879. The buildings are of wood and iron, and the stables include thirteen stalls and four loose boxes, besides three sheds for traps. Seven or eight horses are regularly used, and allout eleven vehicles of various kinds, including a handsome landau. Mr. Bevan was born in the year 1867, in Herefordshire, England, where he was educated. He was brought up to farm work, and started as a stable boy. In 1883, he came to New Zealand by the ship “British Queen.” Mr. Bevan settled in Westport, where he was employed in Mr. Marris's sawmill. Subsequently, he became gardener and groom to Mr. Revell, the magistrate, and afterwards went to work in the stables of which he is now proprietor.
. (Arthur Craddock and Alfred Craddock), Livery Stable Keepers and Carriers, Adderley Street, Westport. This business was established by Mr. O'Sullivan, conducted by him for a number of years, and bought by Craddock Bros, in the year 1895. The stables contain thirteen stalls and two loose boxes, and ten horses and nine vehicles are employed in the business. The private residences of Messrs Craddock Bros. are built on a colliery reserve section, and adjoin the stables. The firm owns considerable property in the neighbourhood.
, Senior Partner in the firm of Craddock Bros., was born in Danedin, in September, 1864 and, as an infant, removed with his parents to Westport, where he was educated. He was brought up to country life, and was for a number of years in Hawke's Bay, where he was engaged for part of the time in bush work. In the year 1895 Mr. Craddock bought his present business, and his brother joined him in 1900. He is a member of the Westport Trotting Club, and has one or two trotting horses. Mr. Craddock married a daughter of Mr. A. Petersen, of Westport, in May, 1900, and has one son and one daughter.
Carrier, Forwarding Agent, Livery Stable Keeper and Mail Contractor, Lower Palmerston Street, Westport. Mr, Tottenham's property includes a dwellinghouse erected on half an acre of colliery reserve land, and a stable on the opposite side of the road, on a quarter acre section. The stable contains six stalls and one loose box, and fourteen vehicles are used in connection with the business. Mr. Tottenham was born in Portland, Victoria, Australia, in the year 1862, and arrived in the Buller district in 1867. He attended school in Westport, and, as a youth, had seven years' experience in the printing office of the “Westport Times.” The business of carrier and livery stablekeeper, which Mr. Tottenham conducts, was founded by his father, Mr. Joseph John Tottenham, in the year 1872, and was taken over by the present proprietor in 1888. Mr. Tottenham has had the contract for carrying the mails between the post office and all vessels since 1900. As a member of the Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, he has passed the chairs. In 1900, he married a daughter of the late Mr. John May, of Nelson, and has one son and one daughter.
Watchmaker and Jeweller, Palmerston Street, Westport. This business was established in 1896, by Mr. C. Keterer, and was bought by Mr. Bright in the year 1901. The premises consist of a shop with a plate glass front, with workrooms behind, and the shop is suitably fitted with glass show cases, in which the owner displays a wellassorted stock of directly imported jewellery, silver plate and optical goods. Mr. Bright was born in Dunedin in 1875, was educated at the East Christchurch school, and was apprenticed for seven years to Mr. Dawson, in Dunedin. He afterwards entered the employment of Mr. C. Keterer, of Lyttelton, and, three years later, removed to Westport with that gentleman, in whose service he continued until he bought the business from him. Mr. Bright is on the committee of the Kawatiri Rowing Club, is a member and handicapper of the Kawatiri Swimming Club, a steward of the Westport Trotting Club, and stage manager of the Westport Dramatic Club. He married a daughter of the late Mr. F. Sontgen, of Westport, and has one son and two daughters.
(William Hall and Arthur William Henley), Watchmakers and Jewellers, Palmerston Street, Westport. This firm was established in the year 1905, and occupies a handsome shop, with a fine plate glass front, nearly opposite the Post Office. The premises include a shop and workroom, and the shop is suitably fitted up with show cases. The firm directly imports the goods in which it deals, and maintains an extensive and well assorted stock. Repairs of all kinds are undertaken by the firm.
, of the firm of Hall and Henley, was born at Ross, Westland, in the year 1868, and was educated at Reefton. He was brought up to a mercantile life in Westport, but afterwards became proprietor of the Reefton “Guardian,” which he published for eight years. Mr. Hall then removed to Nelson, where he conducted the Nelson “Star,” for three years. He returned to Westport in 1896. Since that time he has been connected with the jewellery trade, in which he had several years' experience under Mr. Keterer, and his successor, Mr. Bright. He married Miss Tobin, of Ashburton, Canterbury, in 1895, and has two sons.
, of the firm of Hall and Henley, was born in the year 1879, in Wellington, where he was educated, and learned his trade under Mr. J. G. Barnett. Mr. Henley was for two years in the Wellington Cycle Corps, and was afterwards a member of the Hawera Mounted Rifles, for three years. He went to Africa as a member of the Eighth New Zealand Contingent, and returned to New Zealand in the year 1902. Mr. Henley is a member of the committee of the Kawitiri Rowing Club, a member of the Westport Football Club, and of the Westport Liedertafel.
(John Marris, J.P.), Sawmillers and Timber Merchants, Wakefield Street, Westport. This firm was originally constituted in the year 1859, in Melbourne, where the brothers William and John Marris
, surviving partner of the firm of W. and J. Marris, was born in Sherwood, Nottinghamshire, England, on the 20th day of December, 1830. He accompanied his father and mother, three sisters and two brothers, in the ship “John Bull,” and arrived in January, 1840, at Melbourne, Australia. Mr. Marris carried on business in Melbourne as a timber merchant for some time, and then went to the first gold rush, known as “Hargreaves,” at Summer Creek, New South Wales. He was accompanied by his brother William, and three other persons, and, after travelling 2000 miles, they were rewarded with fifteen shillings' worth of gold. In 1861, the Marris brothers came to Port Chalmers with a cargo of timber, sold their cargo, and went to the gold diggings in Central Otago. Mr. Thomas Field, of Nelson, was a fellow passenger of the brothers on their voyage. For some time Mr. Marris managed a mill at Makarewa bush, Invercargill, and on the 8th of October, 1865, moved to Hokitika, contracted for the erection of buildings, and built a mill at Kanieri; and in 1873 went to Westport, where he has since resided. Mr. Marris is president of the Kawatiri Rowing Club, and has made many excursions, both in sailing and rowing, with his own boats, and those of the club. On two occasions the club has won the Championship Fours of New Zealand. In his younger days, Mr. Marris was a keen oarsman and yachtsman, and has won trophies in both capacities. He was placed on the Commission of the Peace in the year 1895. Mr. Marris is married, and has three daughters and three sons.
was born in July, 1836, at Cullybackey, County Antrim, Ireland. He was educated in Londonderry, and attended various schools, including, Foyle College; entered a merchant's office for a short time, and afterwards went to sea. He went to Launceston, Tasmania, in the ship “Montmorency,” of Liverpool, in July, 1855. Captain Leech afterwards removed to Sydney, and joined the brig “Thomas and Henry” of Otago, and traded for about eighteen months between Otago and Australia. In October, 1857, he came to New Zealand in the barque “General Wolf,” and landed in Nelson. His first command was that of a coasting vessel, in which he took the first cargo of sawn timber from Pelorus Sound to Lyttelton in 1858. He was afterwards mate of the schooner “Pride of the Isles,” of Nelson, which was wrecked at Rangikahu, south of the Waikato river, in 1860, during the Maori war. The crew fell into the hands of the hostile natives, but their lives were spared through the intervention of a friendly Maori; indeed, the Maoris accompanied them to the Waikato river, and landed them by canoe within a few miles of Waiuku, on the Manukau harbour. Captain Leech was appointed to the command of the s.s. “Nelson,” in October, 1864. This vessel was the first to enter Hokitika river— which she did on the 20th of December, 1864—and was the means of reducing the price of provisions £25 per ton; namely, by the amount of the cost of packing from Greymouth. The freight by sea from Nelson was £5 per ton. The first sailing vessel to enter Hokitika was the schooner “Colleen Bawn,” commanded by Captain Thomson, from Invercargill; and this she did about a week after the “Nelson.” Captain Leech was afterwards owner and master of the coasting vessel “Emerald Isle,” and plied her on the Coast. In August, 1867, he was appointed the first harbourmaster of Westport, and held the office for nearly twenty-nine years. Captain Leech then retired to his private residence, “The Anchorage,” on the corner of Russell and Wakefield Streets, Westport. As a Freemason, he is a member of the Otago Kilwinning Lodge, No. 417, and is a Master Mason of the third degree. Captain Leech married a daughter of the late Mr. John Brown, of Nelson, who was previously a master builder in Glasgow, and a bailie of his native town, Rutherglen, Scotland, where his father was provost. She died in 1899, leaving three sons and one daughter.
is a well known settler of Westport. He was born in the year 1831, in Liverpool, England, where he was educated. The last school he attended was conducted by the Rev. Dr. William Giles, of Seacombe House School, Cheshire, England, who was said to have been the schoolmaster under whom Charles Dickens was educated. Mr. Lloyd served a seven years' apprenticeship to a commercial firm in Liverpool, and in 1853 landed in Victoria, Australia. After being for some months on the goldfields, he removed to Geelong, where he entered the employment of Messrs Holmes, White, and Co., stock and station agents. He was attracted to Otago in the year 1861, at the time of the gold rush, and commenced business in Dunedin under the style of Lloyd, Taggart and Co., as shipping and commission agents, and had the agencies of the White Star Line, and of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company. This firm built the first steamer on the West Coast of the Middle Island, at Cobden Beach, and named it the “Golden Land,” She was a stern-wheeler, and was intended for the navigation of the river Grey, but as the trade on that river decreased, she was taken to Hokitika, and opened up the navigation of the Mahinapua creek, which became navigable for traffic to Ross. During the early dayss of the gold rush on the West Coast, Messrs Lloyd, Taggart and Co. opened a branch at Hokitika, but the partnership was shortly afterwards dissolved. In 1866, Mr. Lloyd settled at Hokitika, but removed to Westport in 1867. Then he commenced his present commission and shipping agency, and began as agent for the Panama Steamship Company in Westport, Mr. Lloyd has been instrumental in starting various institutions; such as the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Amateur Dramatic Society, the Buller Acclimatisation Society, and the Westport Model Yacht Club. Mr. Lloyd served a period of five years as a member of the Borough Council, and was a member of the committee of the Westport Mining and Industrial Exhibition in 1904. In the year 1855 he married a daughter of the late Mr. John McPhee, of Geelong, Victoria, and has, surviving, two daughters and one son.
settled at Westport in September, 1861. He was a native of Northamptonshire, England, and was born in 1833. For many years he was engaged in the storekeeping business, in which he was successful. He was postmaster at Westport from 1862 to 1867. and he was the first white man who permanently resided in the place.
, who was for some time in business as a boot importer in Westport, was born in Kent, England, in 1839, and received his education at Tunbridge. He was originally apprenticed to the building trade, in which he served seven years, and went to London about the time of the formation of the special settlement at Albertland in the Auckland district, with which Mr. North resolved to throw in his lot. Upon arriving in Auckland, in 1862, labour was plentiful, and men were scarce, and Mr. North received as much as 10s a day in wages for ordinary work. He served in the militia for twelve months. After many other experiences he settled on the West Coast.
was born in Cowlinge, Suffolk, England, in 1837. He first came to New Zealand in the fifties, and saw active service during the Waikato war. He went to the West Coast about 1866, and settled at Addison's Flat, where he worked as a miner, and was afterwards on the Northern Terraces. Mr. Reeves started business at Westport, in 1876, as a coal merchant, and, by honesty and perseverance, built up a very large and valuable trade. In public affairs he took but little interest, although he always supported Liberal views. In 1891 Mr Reeves was stricken with paralysis, to which he succumbed on the 19th of September, 1898. He was known for his quiet, unassuming manner, and was liberal and generous-hearted to a fault, and the large funeral accorded to his remains was a tribute to his worth. Mr. Reeves was left a widower in 1890, and was survived by one daughter, who married Mr. A. Singer.
was born in London, England, in the year 1832, educated at Camberwell Collegiate School, and was for three years in a lawyer's office. He afterwards came to New Zealand, landed at Lyttelton, from the ship “Lady Nugent,” in 1850, and obtained a clerkship in the
was born in Invercargill in 1864. In 1897 he took charge of the Westport branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory for Messrs Hallenstein Bros. He is now at Te Aro House, Westport. As a Freemason he is connected with Lodge Fortitude, New Zealand Constitution. Mr. Findlay was married, in 1888, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Miles, ship-rigger, of Hobart, and has children.
is a native of Hokitika, where he was educated. After leaving school he learned the trade of a watchmaker with Mr. Alfred Bish, now of Carterton. Owing to ill-health, Mr. Singer gave up that trade, and was appointed bookkeeper in the business of Mr. Reeves; and he afterwards carried on the business on his own account.
was originally a gold mining district, from the terraces of which a large amount of gold was taken in years gone by and a small amount of gold mining is still carried on. The name, however, is now known chiefly as that of a tablet signal station on the Westport-Mokihinui line of railway, and the Westport racecourse is but a few hundred yards from the siding. The district is in the Wareatea North riding of the county of Buller, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. There are a few small farms in the settlement, but the population of the district was not separately tabulated at the census of 1901. Sergeant's Hill is four miles in a north-easterly direction from Westport.
, Officer in charge of the Railway Tablet Signal Station, at Sergeant's Hill, was born in Christchurch, in the year 1878. He was educated at Kaiapoi, and entered the railway service in the Addington workshops, where he remained
(J. T. Monigatti, proprietor), Sergeant's Hill. This hotel was acquired by Mr. Monigatti in the year 1886. It is situated near the Sergeant's Hill railway siding, and the Westport racecourse. The accommodation is good, and the best liquors are kept. There is also a stable in connection with the establishment.
, the proprietor of the Railway Hotel, is also a dairy farmer and sawmiller, and has a sawmill at Giles' Creek. He was born in Switzerland in the year 1846, and went, in 1860, to Australia, where he successfully followed the gold diggings at Bendigo, North Gippsland. Mr. Monigatti subsequently came to New Zealand in 1864, and was engaged in goldmining for some years. He afterwards worked at pit-sawing, and took contracts for road, bridge, and timber supply work. Mr. Monigatti became the proprietor of the Railway Hotel in 1886, and supplies a large amount of mine timber from his sawmill at Giles' Creek. He is a member of the local school committee. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Aorangi, Denniston, No. 89, New Zealand Constitution, and is a steward of the Westport Jockey Club. Mr. Monigatti married a daughter of the late Mr. C. Moore, contractor, Onehunga, in the year 1880, and has five sons and three daughters.
is on the south bank of the Waimangaroa river, one mile from Waimangaroa Junction, and about the same distance from Conn's Creek, at the foot of the Denniston incline; and three miles beyond, on the top of the hill, is the coal mining settlement, which is famous throughout New Zealand. The mine may be reached either by a picturesque horse track, which calls for good lungs in the traveller, or by the incline itself, which is a mile and a-half long. Waimangaroa is eleven miles from Westport, and has two hotels, several stores, a public library, and a public school. There is an Anglican church, with a resident curate, and Presbyterian and Primitive Methodist churches. Waimangaroa has up-to-date brick works, and a number of men are employed at Conn's Creek in connection with the working of the Denniston incline. The settlement is in the North Wareatea riding of the county of Buller, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. It is situated on the south bank of the Waimangaroa river, on the Westport Coal Company's branch line from Waimangaroa Junction to Conn's Creek, and its population at the census of 1901 was 151, with an additional twenty-seven persons on the north bank. The Waimangaroa river became colonially famous on account of the extreme richness of the deposits of gold, which were found there by miners many years ago, but very little goldmining is now carried on in the place. There is a local Post Office and Telegraph Office, with Money Order and Savings Bank branches.
is conducted at the store of Messrs G. S. Finch and Co. (Henry Adolph Richards). A separate building is devoted to the postal work and the business of the telephone bureau, post office savings bank, money order office, and Government insurance department. Two mails are received and despatched daily, and letters are delivered by a postboy, and by the delivery carts of Messrs G. S. Finch and Co.
was appointed Postmaster at Waimangaroa in December, 1901, and is also Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. He was born in the year 1880, at Glentunnel, Canterbury, and was educated at Rangiora. Mr. Richards afterwards removed to the West Coast, and settled at Waimangaroa in 1893. He learned his trade with Mr. G. S. Finch, and acquired the business in 1901. Mr. Richards is secretary of the Waimangaroa Rifle Club, and of the Waimangaroa school committee.
has been a ganger in connection with the New Zealand railways since 1882, and has resided for many years at Waimangaroa. He was born in Lacheleid, Gloucestershire, England, in the year 1849. Mr. Hart arrived in Nelson, New Zealand, by the ship “Adamant,” in 1874. Shortly afterwards he went to Westport, and was employed for some time as a surfaceman in connection with the railway until his appointment as ganger in 1882. Mr. Hart has taken an interest in local affairs, and has served as a member of the school and library committees. As a Forester, he is a member of Court Royal Oak, Westport. In the year 1865, he married a daughter of Mr. George Lockie, of Gloucestershire, England, and has, surviving, three sons and six daughters.
was established in the year 1880, and is built on an education reserve of three acres, on the banks of the Waimangaroa river. The building is of wood and iron, and contains two rooms and two porches, and has accommodation for 150 pupils. There are ninety-seven names on the roll, and there is an average attendance of eighty-one children. The headmaster is assisted by an infant mistress. The Waimangaroa school is one of the most successful primary schools in the Nelson district.
was appointed headmaster of the Waimangaroa public school in June, 1902. He was born in the year 1875, at Dunsandel, Canterbury, and was educated at the Dunsandel public school, Christchurch Normal School, and Canterbury College. Mr. McDonald holds a Dl certificate, and his special studies are science, physics and chemistry, in which he instructs his pupils.
., Bakers and General Storekeepers, Waimangaroa. This business was established by Mr. Armstrong in 1895, and acquired by the firm of Walker Bros, in 1903. The building is of wood and iron, and contains a shop and three-roomed residence, and there is a detached bakehouse.
, Senior Partner of the firm of Walker Bros., was born in the year 1879, at Westport, where he attended school. He was apprenticed at Waimangaroa to Mr. Armstrong, founder of the present business, and worked with that gentleman until his retirement in 1903, when he and his brother took possession. Mr. Walker is a member of the Waimangaroa sports committee, and of the local rifle club.
, Junior Partner, was born at Denniston, in the year 1883, and attended school at Waimangaroa. He is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars.
. (Henry Adolph Richards), Drapers and General Merchants, Post Office Store, Waimangaroa. This business was established in the year 1882, and has been conducted by the present proprietor since December, 1901. The building is of wood, and has a frontage of forty feet. Goods are delivered throughout the districts of Denniston, Granity and Mokihinui. Mr. Richards is further referred to as postmaster at Waimangaroa.
, widow of the late Mr. G. S. Finch, who died in the year 1900, performed the duties of postmistress at Waimangaroa for some time. Mrs Finch was presented to the Earl and Countess of Ranfurly, as being at the time one of the few postmistresses in New Zealand. She also acted as Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Mrs Finch was elected a member of the Waimangaroa school committee in 1896, and filled the chair with credit to herself and to the satisfaction of the public. She disposed of the drapery business with which her husband's name is still associated, to a nephew, Mr. H. A. Richards, in December, 1901.
Coal Merchant, Waimangaroa. Mr. Williams was born on the 14th of April, in the year 1846, at Rhymny, Monmouthshire, Wales. He attended school in his native land, and was sent at the age of seven years to work in the coal mines, and was employed there until he was twenty-nine. Mr. Williams came out to New Zealand in 1875, landed at Port Chalmers from the ship “Wellington,” and settled in North Otago, where he was engaged in coal mining at Papakaio. Afterwards he was employed on the Oamaru waterworks contract, and took part in the driving of three tunnels. In November, 1884, he removed to the West Coast, settled at Waimangaroa, and worked for a time as a coal miner at Denniston Hill. He commenced business as a coal merchant in the year 1892. Mr. Williams served for seven years on the Buller Licensing Committee, and occupied the chair for three years. He is chairman of the school and library committees, a member of the sports committee, and a member of the local Lodge of the Order of Good Templars, in which he has passed all the chairs. In 1892, Mr. Williams was placed on the Commission of the Peace, but resigned in 1905. He married a daughter of the late Mr. David Williams, of Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire, Wales, in the year 1870, and has six sons and two daughters.
(Robert McFarlane, proprietor), Waimangaroa. This business was established in the year 1875, and was the first licensed house north of Westport. It stands on an acre of mining residential land, and was rebuilt about 1880. The building is of wood and iron, and contains seven bedrooms, two sitting-rooms, a dining-room capable of seating twenty guests, a bar, a kitchen and other rooms. There is also stabling in connection with the establishment, and saddle horses for hire.
, Proprietor of the Post Office Hotel, was born in the year 1835, in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was educated. In the year 1856, he went to Victoria, Australia, and followed most of the gold diggings in that colony, including Ballarat and Bendigo. Mr. McFarlane was attracted to Otago at the time of the Dunstan rush, and afterwards visited the Wakamarino diggings, where he was engaged in storekeeping and packing. He then went down the coast in the steamer “Nelson,” on her second trip to Hokitika, with Captain—Leech, and
(Neighbours and Son, proprietors). These are the only works of their class in Nelson, and were established in 1893. The industry is conducted on a very complete scale. The brick kiln is capable of holding 20,000 bricks in one single burning. The driving sheds cover 400 feet, and the bricks turned out are said to compare favourably with any others in the country, and are in use all along the coast. In fact, the demand for Neighbours' bricks is so great that it is only with the utmost difficulty the firm can keep pace with the orders pouring in from all sources. The plant, which is being improved from time to time, consists of large crushing pans, grinding wheels, engines and machinery capable of turning out 50,000 bricks weekly. The industry gives constant employment to six persons. The works at Waimangaroa are situated alongside the railway line, where large beds of fire-clay exist.
, the Senior Partner, was born in Middlesex, England, in 1838, and received a thorough training in the potter's art in London. He arrived in Sydney in 1855, and engaged in mining at Ballarat. About 1858, Mr. Neighbours came to New Zealand, and was employed in Christchurch in the pottery and brick trade.
is the principal site of the Westport Coal Company's extensive operations. It stands on a hill, which is from 2,000 to
, which includes a Money Order Office and Savings Bank, is a wooden building built at the lower end of the township. The office also transacts Government Life Insurance business, and is connected with Westport and all surrounding offices by telephone. There are two mails, one arriving and one departing daily, and the Denniston sub-office is the largest sub-office on the West Coast.
took charge of the Denniston Post Office in June, 1897, when she was not quite eighteen years of age, and was then the youngest postmistress on record in charge of such a large and busy office.
consists of two wooden buildings, in one of which infants are taught, and in the other pupils from standard I up to standard VII. The schools are built on separate blocks, and owing to the rugged nature of the locality they have practically no playground. There are about 200 names on the rolls, and there is a good average attendance.
, Headmaster of the Denniston Public School, was born in 1874 in Christchurch, where he was educated and trained at the Normal School. He has been assistant teacher at Little River, and headmaster at Takaka, Brooklyn, and Motueka. In 1898, he became headmaster at Burnett's Face, whence he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Trevella is a successful teacher, and he is an old member of the Linwood Football Club.
(Charles Allington, proprietor), Denniston. This hotel contains fourteen rooms, and has good accommodation. The best liquors are kept, and the tariff is a moderate one.
, the proprietor of the Royal Hotel, was born in Warwickshire, England, in the year 1862. He came to New Zealand at an early age, and landed at Lyttelton. For a number of years he was engaged in bricklaying in the Canterbury district, and afterwards turned his attention to goldmining, at which he spent about nine years, principally in Marlborough, and in the Thames district, Auckland. Mr. Allington subsequently removed to the West Coast, and in the year 1903 became the proprietor of the Royal Hotel. He is married, and has one son and two daughters.
. This business is a branch of the Denniston Co-operative Society, and is managed by Mr. William Arthur Augustus Steer.
, Manager of the Butchery of the Denniston Co-operative Society, was born in Wellington in the year 1879, and educated in Blenheim. He learned blacksmithing, and was afterwards for a short time at the joinery trade with his father. Mr. Steer has been at the butchery business since 1898, and was appointed to his present position in the year 1905. He is a member of the Greymouth Battalion Band, and also of the Denniston Band.
Butcher, Denniston. This business is conducted in a commodious building of three stories, and there is a three and a-half horse-power Olin oil engine in connection with the establishment. Mr. Ward was born at the Thames in the year 1872, was educated at Denniston, and was employed in the butchery business of the Denniston Co-operative Society for four years. He was afterwards employed by Mr. Austin for about three years, and in January, 1904, started business on his own account. Mr. Ward married a daughter of the late Mr. Alfred Turley, of Westport, and has one daughter.
Bootmaker, Denniston. This business is conducted by Mr. Grigg, who was born at Ironbark, in Victoria, Australia, in the year 1875. He was apprenticed to bootmaking, and worked at his trade in New South Wales for some years. In November, 1903, Mr. Grigg came to New Zealand, went to the West Coast, and started business in Denniston.
. This society was founded in the year 1888. The capital at the end of 1904 was about £1,800, with assets amounting to £3,433. The profits are divided among the shareholders, and non-shareholders dealing with the society receive half dividends. The society conducts a general merchandise business, including a butchery at Denniston, and has a branch at Burnett's Face. There is a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. About seven persons are employed in connection with the society's business.
, Manager of the Denniston Co-operative Society, was born at Invercargill, in the year 1865, and educated in Nelson. He was brought up to the drapery and grocery trades, and has worked at these in various parts of New Zealand. In 1898, Mr. Stevens entered the employment of the Denniston Co-Operative Society, and in the year 1900 was appointed manager. He has been for some years a member of the Denniston school committee, and is a member of the committee of the Workingmen's Club. Mr. Stevens has been Provincial Grand Master of the Order of Oddfellows, and is secretary of the Royal Waimangaroa Lodge, Manchester Unity. He has also been connected with the Denniston Brass Band and Orchestral Society. Mr. Stevens married in 1888, and has three daughters.
of the Westport Coal Company. These mines, and the various works and plant in connection with them, are situated at Denniston and at Burnett's Face, two miles distant from Denniston, and about 2000 feet above sea level. The output of over 1000 tons per day is the largest on single shift in New Zealand. The actual mines are beyond at Burnett's Face, and the coal is conveyed by an endless rope system over a main haulage road of a mile
, the Westport Coal Company's Mining Manager at the Denniston Coal Mines, was born in Durham, England, in the year 1853, went to Australia at an early age, and was educated in Sydney. For some time he was in the employment of the Australian Agricultural Company, and for about sixteen years was
, Chief Clerk and Cashier of the Westport Coal Company's mines at Denniston, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in the year 1881, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1885. He was educated at Lawrence District High school and at Denniston. Mr. Penman afterwards entered the service of the Westport Coal Company as a workman, but in 1897 was transferred to the office as a cadet. He received his present appointment in September, 1902. Mr. Penman is secretary of the Workingmen's Club—an institution conducted in a building built by the Westport Coal Company for the benefit of its employees—and he was for some time a member of the Denniston Rifle Company.
. This society was formed in the year 1890 to (1) provide medical attendance to men, wives and families of all those in the employment of the Westport Coal Company; (2) to ensure payment of 25s a week in the case of an accident causing disablement from work; (3) in case of total disablement to grant a sum of £50; (4) in the event of death through accident, to pay a sum of £45 to the widow. The association guarantees a salary to a resident medical officer, and is in a flourishing condition.
is one of the coal-mining settlements of the Westport Coal Company, and is two miles from Denniston by a good road. From Denniston, a walk of three miles leads to Conn's Creek, the terminus of the Westport Coal Company's branch line, which connects with the New Zealand railways at Waimangaroa Junction. Burnett's Face settlement dates from 1886, and its population at the census of 1901 was 212. It is in the North Wareatea riding of the county of Buller, in the provincial district of Nelson, and in the electoral district of Buller. The population consists chiefly of colliers, and the township has two hotels, a bakery, three stores, a butchery, and a fancy goods shop. There is also a public school. The business of the Post Office and Telephone Bureau, where money order and savings bank business is also transacted, is carried on at the store of Mr. W. Hotchkiss.
. (George Pullar and John Pullar), General Merchants and Butchers, Burnett's Face. Messrs George and John Pullar conduct a general grocery and butchery business, which they acquired in the year 1904.
, Senior Partner of the firm of Pullar Bros, was born at Staffordtown in the year 1880, and educated at Ross. He was afterwards engaged in general work for some time, and then worked in the mines at Burnett's Face.
, Junior Partner of the firm of Pullar Bros., was born in the year 1884, at Ross, where he was educated. He worked for some time in connection with the firm's present business, and became a partner in 1904.
Storekeeper and Baker, Burnett's Face. Mr. McAlpine began his business in 1880. He is a colonist of nearly thirty years' standing, and landed in Nelson from the ship “Howrah.” For some years he was mining at Collingwood. In 1878, he went to the West Coast, spent two years in Reefton, and then opened the first store at Burnett's Face. Mr. McAlpine married Miss J. Marshall, of Waimangaroa, in 1884.
is an industrial settlement on the WestportMokihinui line of railway, thirteen miles from Westport, and eighteen from Mokihinui. It is in the North Wareatea riding of the county of Buller, in the electoral district of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. The settlement was established by Messrs Griffiths Brothers about the year 1888, and these gentlemen own most of the land in the neighbourhood. The local industries include a large foundry, a sawmill and a flaxmill. There is a store but no hotel in the settlement, and the post office and telephone bureau are domiciled at the office connected with the sawmill. At the census of 1901 the population of the settlement was ninety-eight, but it has since steadily increased, and the accommodation at the public school is now (1905) insufficient. Birchfield is not far from the sea beach, which lies to the west of it, and on the other side of the line there is an area of bush land, flanked to the eastward by magnificent wooded ranges.
(George Griffiths and William Joseph Garrett, Managing Directors), Iron and Brass Founders, Engineers and Boiler Makers, Birchfield. This business was established by Mr. George Griffiths in the year 1898, and was registered as a limited company in 1904. The land on which the foundry stands is about seven acres in extent. The buildings are of wood and iron, and contain moulding, fitting, pattern, galvanising, and smiths' shops. The entire establishment is supplied with the most modern machinery, including, drilling, screwing, punching, boring, shearing, rivettin, and rolling appliances. The motive power is derived from a creek some two miles away, and the water is brought in by a water race. The Pelton wheel used will develop from seventy to one hundred horse-power. There is an overhead travelling crane, and a large cupola; and there are three forges in the smiths shop. From twenty-five to sixty persons are employed at the works.
, one of the managing directors of Griffiths and Co., Limited, was born at Blenheim, in the year 1863. He was educated at Kaikoura public school, learned flaxmilling, and commenced business in conjunction with his brothers at Kaikoura, and was also engaged in erecting and extending machinery for dairies and other purposes. Mr. Garrett was afterwards employed by Messrs Griffiths Bros, in the sawmilling line, and in 1898 was associated with Mr. Griffiths in establishing the Birchfield foundry. He was a member of the Birchfield school committee for seven years, and as an Oddfellow passed through all the chairs in connection with Lodge Heart of Hope, Kaikoura.
, who has been pattern maker at the works of Messrs Griffiths and Co. Limited since the establishment of the business, was born in the year 1863, at Dumbarton, Scotland, where he was educated. He afterwards learned the trade of a pattern maker, at Thornley Bank, near Glasgow. Mr. McKenzie came out to Australia, in 1884, and found work at his trade in Sydney. He then entered into business with a partner at Wicklea, as an engineer. Mr. McKenzie subsequently visited Queensland, Tasmania, and Victoria, and, while in the latter colony, was deputy of the Kumburra mine, South Gippsland, for two years. He came to New Zealand in 1889, and for three years was engaged at coalmining at Mokihinui, and, at the closing of the WestportCardiff mine, settled in Birchfield. Since 1900, Mr. McKenzie has served as chairman of the Birchfield school committee. He married a daughter of Mr. J. Hunter, of Birchfield, in the year 1895, and has one daughter.
. (Evan and James Griffiths), Sawmillers and Timber Merchants, Birchfield. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. This firm's business was established in 1883, and taken over by the present proprietors in June, 1896. The mill is one of the largest and best equipped in the district, and the machinery is driven by a six-feet Pelton wheel, the water-race being a mile and a-half in length. A vertical eight-feet saw is used for breaking-down purposes, and is capable of treating a five-feet log. There is the usual travelling rip-saw bench, with table top forty feet long, also a band saw for scroll work, and planing and moulding machinery. The firm has about 500 acres of freehold land, on which it is cutting some of the finest timber in New Zealand. Messrs Griffiths have also timber rights over adjoining Crown lands, and have a visible supply which will last for many years. They have their mill equipped completely in every detail, including about two miles of iron tramway into the bush. The sawn timber from the mill is second to none, and at the Dunedin Exhibition of 1898, the firm was successful in gaining the first prize for the best piece of rimu. The mill is being worked full time, and the local demand is so great as to utilise the whole output.
was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales, England, in 1859, was brought up on a farm, and came to New Zealand with his brothers in 1878. For some years he followed mining in the Lyell district, but in 1883 he and his two brothers established the present business at Birchfield. Mr. Griffiths is fond of cricket as a pastime.
was born in South Wales, England, in 1860, and for some years followed farming pursuits in the district of Cardiff. In 1878, he came to New Zealand by the ship “Ermine,” and was for a year or two working as a coalminer. He was subsequently contracting for two years at Lyell, and was engaged at farming at Gollan's Gully, near Wellington, for a short time. He then returned to the West Coast, and helped to establish the sawmill at Birchfield.
is on the sea beach, eighteen miles to the northward of Westport, on the Government railway. It is in the North Waratea riding of the county of Buller, in the electoral district of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. Sawmilling is carried on at Granity, but it is noted chiefly as a place for loading coal from Millerton, about two miles distant. The coal is conveyed by a horse track through the bush and by an incline, down which it rolls to the bins, whence the railway trucks are loaded. There is a public school near the settlement on the north side, and the churches are Anglican and Primitive Methodist, in charge, respectively, of a licensed lay preacher and a minister. The extensive engineering works of the Westport Coal Company, in connection with the Millerton colliery, are located at Granity. From these works electric light is supplied to the Company's offices in the township, to the local churches, the Masonic Hall, and the Public Library and reading room; and it is said that the Company supplies free light to these institutions. Granity has a resident medical officer, whose services are retained by the Millerton Medical Accident and Relief Association; and a surgery has been erected by the Coal Company at both Millerton and Granity for the benefit of the residents. The splendid forest, which extends from the base to the summit of the range of hills near Granity, forms a picturesque background from the sea. In addition to the Coal Company's buildings, there are two hotels, several stores, and a considerable number of pretty residences in the township. At the census of 1901 the population of the settlement was 366.
contains public offices, a stationmaster's room, separate offices for railway and postal work, and a ladies' waiting room. The Post Office has a special entrance, and the lobby contains a number of private boxes. There is a commodious goods shed, a large passenger platform, and, on an average, twenty trains pass the station daily. The traffic is very large, and the coal shipped in a single day sometimes amounts to a total of 2230 tons. The stationmaster is assisted by two porters and two cadets.
, Stationmaster and Postmaster at Granity, was appointed in August, 1902. He was born at Port Chalmers, in the year 1869, and was educated in his native town, where he entered the railway service as a cadet. In June, 1894, Mr. Gordon was promoted to the position of stationmaster at Kumara, where he continued till he was transferred to Granity. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Kumara, New Zealand Constitution. On the 23rd of March, 1898, he married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Ford, of Ross, and has one son and four daughters.
was originally established about the year 1879, at Ngakawau, but the present building was erected, in 1894, on a site between Granity township and Ngakawau. It is built on a section of three-quarters of an acre of land; is of wood and iron, and has a long lobby with two entrance doors. A playground surrounds the building, but there is no schoolhouse. The school has accommodation for one hundred children. There are one hundred names on the roll, and the average attendance is eighty-six. The headmaster is assisted by a senior mistress.
was appointed Headmaster of Granity school in the year 1885. He was born at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, and educated at Epsom College, England, and at Leipzic, Germany. Mr. Satchell was trained for the medical profession, but, having decided not to follow it, he came to New Zealand, was trained as a teacher, and had charge of the Ngatimoti school for two years, before taking charge of the Granity school in 1885. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Phoenix, Westport, but was transferred to Lodge Torea, in Granity. Mr. Satchell married a daughter of the late Mr. R. T. Watson, of Granity, in 1880, and has three daughters and one son.
is under the pastoral oversight of the vicar of Westport, and a licensed lay reader has been stationed at Granity since the year 1905. Services are held periodically at Mokihinui, Seddonville, Mine Creek, Millerton, Charleston, Brighton, Karamea, and Granity. The church stands on a quarter-acre section, and services are held every Sunday.
, Licensed Lay Preacher, stationed at Granity, was born in 1881, in Victoria, Australia, and was educated in his native colony; he afterwards
was established in the year 1898, with Mr. J. Burton as conductor, and has a membership of twenty-one. The band possesses a full set of Besson instruments, and competed at the Westport Band Contest in 1904, in which it took third place. It also competed at Greymouth in 1905. Officers for 1905: Messrs T. C. C. Scott (bandmaster), A. Chambers (sergeant), J. Kerr (treasurer), and H. Glover (secretary). The Westport Coal Company contributes liberally to the maintenance of this band.
(William E. Guy, proprietor), Granity Creek. This hostelry was built by Miss Moriarty, and established in 1892, and in November, 1895, Mr. W. E. Guy married the proprietress. The Railway Hotel is well patronised, and contains in all about fifteen rooms, with a detached dining-room, which affords accommodation for twenty guests.
, the proprietor, was born in Barns, Northumberland, England, in 1870. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Hereford” when he was but ten years of age, and went to school at Springfield, Canterbury. After six years' experience with Messrs Cassidy and Co., the well-known coach proprietors, he tried mining at Brunnerton, and was employed by the Westport Coal Company at Denniston. In 1892 he established himself as a butcher at Denniston, and two years later removed to Granity Creek, where he followed the same occupation. Mr. Guy is an old Oddfellow.
(James Harold Martin, proprietor), opposite the Railway Station, Granity. Watson's hotel was established many years ago, and was the first hotel in the settlement. The present building, which was erected in 1901, is of two stories in wood and iron, and contains twentyeight rooms, including seventeen bedrooms, six sitting-rooms, a commodious commercial room, and dining hall, besides kitchen and outhouses. Mr. Martin has been proprietor of the hotel since the year 1904. He was bora at Milton, Otago, in May, 1863, and was educated in his native town. For twenty years he was a miner in Otago, and in 1902 became the proprietor of Ormond's Hotel, Roxburgh, where he remained till 1904, when he settled in Granity. As an Oddfellow, Mr. Martin passed all the chairs in the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge. He was a member of the Roxburgh racing, sports, cricket and football clubs, and is chairman of the local sports club. In the year 1890, Mr. Martin married a daughter of the late Mr. Saunders, of Glenore, near Milton, and has one son and two daughters.
, Butchers, Granity; branch at Millerton. This business was established in the year 1901 by Mr. Austin, and Mr. Friend entered into partnership with him in 1905. The premises at Granity stand on half an acre of freehold land, and consist of a substantial wood and iron building with a large verandah, a private residence, and a cellar. The machinery includes a chopping and sausage plant, and is driven by an oil engine. There is also stabling for three horses. The branch at Millerton is conducted by Mr. Austin, and was the first of its kind in that settlement.
, Senior Partner of the firm of Austin and Friend, was born in 1868, in Cornwall, England. He arrived at Nelson by the ship “Caroline,” in 1875, and was educated at Nelson, Westport, and Reefton. Mr. Austin learned his trade in Reefton, and found employment at it until starting on his own account, at Denniston, in the year 1898. After three years in that township, he removed to the Granity district. Mr. Austin has been a member of the Granity Athenaeum and school committees, and is a member of the Ngakawau sports committee. As a Freemason, he is attached to Lodge Aorangi, Denniston. Mr. Austin married a daughter of Mr. Nicholas Mills, of Dunedin, in the year 1895, and has three sons.
, who became partner in the firm of Austin and Friend, butchers, of Granity, in 1905, was born in Kent, England, in 1858. He was educated in Kent, and in the year 1871 landed at Nelson from the ship “Fernglen.” Mr. Friend learned his trade with Mr. H. Warren, and after five years' experience, arrived in Westport, in 1881. Eight years later, he began business on his own account, at Waimangaroa, and after four years, turned his attention to goldmining, after which he joined Mr. Austin in partnership. Since the year 1892, he has served as secretary of the local school committee, and was appointed chairman in 1905. In the year 1889, Mr. Friend married a daughter of Mr. William Harris, miner, of Addison's Flat, and has four sons and two daughters.
Butcher, Granity, headquarters, Westport. The Granity branch of this business was established in the year 1902. The premises consist of a wood and iron building, and contain a shop and small goods room.
has been manager of Mr. Lamplough's Granity butchery since the year 1903. He was born in March, 1876, in Westport, where he was educated, and learned his trade. Mr. Jephcoate afterwards had fifteen months' experience as a journeyman in Dunedin, and returned, in 1893, to Westport, where he
(George H. Watson, proprietor), Granity Creek, Bankers, Bank of New South Wales, Westport. The mill was established in 1846, and is situated on the freehold property of Messrs Watson Brothers in a wood and iron building, 80 feet by 26 feet. The motor power consists of an eight horse-power engine (by Messrs Ruston and Proctor) which drives a vertical saw for breaking-down purposes, and there are the usual bench saws and planing and moulding machinery. When in full swing the mill turns out 3000 feet of sawn timber daily. Plenty of white pine is found on the firm's freehold of 100 acres, and adjoining leasehold of fifty acres.
Farmer, Granity, Mr. Watson is a son of the late Mr. R. T. Watson, who for some years carried on a bakery business in Denniston, and latterly managed the Granity Creek Hotel, which he had erected several years previously. Mr. Watson was born in Dunedin in 1865; he served his time to the trade under his father at Denniston, and worked with him for about eleven years. Since 1891, Mr. Watson has resided at Granity Creek, except for two years, which he spent in not very profitable mining at Coolgardie, West Australia. As manager of the estate of his late father, Mr. Watson holds valuable building allotments in the township of Granity Creek and can offer inducements to intending purchasers. As a lover of manly sports Mr. Watson takes special interest in football and cricket.
is situated on the railway line, fifteen and a-half miles from Westport, and two miles from Granity Creek. The freehold property is about 150 acres in extent, has a frontage of a mile and a-quarter to the railway, and is owned by Mr. Thomas Kerr. Most of the land is cleared, and is under cultivation; and is well-grassed and sub-divided into paddocks. It is well suited for dairying, in connection with which it is worked by Mr. Kerr, who grazes about seventy head of large cattle.
, of Kincaid's Siding, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1836, and served his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker in the city of Glasgow. In 1854 he went to Melbourne, Australia, by the ship “Homer,” and underwent the vicissitudes of a goldseeker at the Ballarat, Smythe's Creek, and Linton diggings. In 1861, Mr. Kerr was attracted to New Zealand by the Otago goldfields, where he followed up the Gabriel's Gullv “rush.” When the West Coast came to the front in 1865, Mr. Kerr crossed to Hokitika, and tried his fortune on the fields at Waimea, and afterwards in the Grey Valley. For ten years, before buying his present property, he was mining in the Mokihinui district.
at Granity is the property of the Westport Coal Company, Limited. Operations for the development of this mine were commenced in the year 1891, and some five years later coal was put on the market. The property consists of about 2000 acres of land, held under coal lease, and extends south from Granity for three miles, to a spot between Mine Creek and Mangatini Creek, and to the south of Mangatini Creek for about 180 chains. The main seam varies in thickness, but mantains an average of about twenty-five feet of true coal, which has been traced throughout the entire area of the mine. The workings are approached by a system of inclines; the lower one, which connects with Granity, and whose brake is situated on the top of Millerton Hill, is fifty chains in length, and passes through two tunnels. The second incline extends eighty chains to its terminal from Millerton, and the brake for this section, known as the middle or upper incline, is situated about midway between its terminal and Millerton. The third incline, or Mine Creek section, is fifty chains in length; the brake is at the upper end, and the terminal wheel is at the inner end of this section. The entire
of the Millerton Colliery is situated at Granity, and adjoins the railway line. The buildings, which are of wood and iron, are extensive, and contain complete machinery for the large amount of construction and repairing work, which is carried on. The engineering department, which includes a fitting shop and smiths' shop, measures one hundred feet by sixty feet. In the fitting shop there are machines for turning, boring, planing, serewing and other operations. There is a sixhundredweight steam hammer, which is driven by compressed air, a large Tangye punching and shearing machine, and an improved machine, invented by the engineer in charge, Mr. Skilton, for rolling the outside iron for the mine tubs. The motive power is supplied by water, which has a fall of 600 feet, and works Pelton wheels for the various departments. Attached to the fitting shop is the smiths' shop, in which there are four forges, with blasts supplied by a teninch Schielie fan. There are also two punching machines, a large emery wheel, and various other kinds of machinery. The carpenters' shop contains a circular saw, planer, and a wood-boring machine, which is driven by a four horse-power Tangye oil engine. The tub-repairing shop measures sixty feet by thirty feet, and contains forges and rivetting apparatus. The electric lighting plant, from which the entire mine, the shops, offices, and some portions of the township are lighted, is contained in a building which adjoins the workshops. It consists of a large Crompton dynamo, driven by a separate Pelton wheel, and the machine is known as the 300 volt machine, 112 amps. The water from the 600 feet fall is brought down in seven-inch pipes, and split up into five or six pipes to supply the various Pelton wheels worked in connection with the establishment. These wheels were made by Messrs A. and T. Price, of Auckland. The electric light is supplied, gratis, from the works, to the local churches, Masonic Hall and Public Library, About twenty persons are employed in the department.
has been engineer in charge of the engineering department at Millerton Colliery, since the year 1894, He was born, in 1864, at Nelson, where he was educated, and learned engineering at Soho foundry. In 1886, Mr. Skilton qualified as an engineer, and, two years later, entered the service of the Westport Coal Company as assistant engine fitter at Denniston, where he afterwards had charge of the machinery for a year. He was subsequently transferred to Granity, to take charge of the erection, and organise the plant in connection with the Millerton colliery, under Mr. Ashley Hunter, civil engineer, and was appointed engineer in charge in 1894. As a Freemason, Mr. Skilton is a member of Lodge Torea, Granity, of which he was the first Worshipful Master, and is a trustee of the Granity Library. He married a daughter of Mr. Francis Max, of Carterton, in the year 1893, and has one son.
, who has been underground foreman at the Millerton Colliery since the year 1900, was born, in 1855, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and attended school there, till he was nearly ten years of age, when he commenced to work in the coal mines. In the year 1879, he arrived at Port Chalmers, by the ship “Timaru.” Soon after he had landed, he went to Southland, and had twelve months' experience of country life, before he removed to Shag Point, where he worked for a year in a coal mine. Mr. Mann then went to Denniston, and, after a short time, removed to Brunner, where he was employed for about twelve years in the local mine. He then returned to Denniston, where he worked for four years, and was appointed underviewer at the Mokihinui mine. In 1896, Mr. Mann obtained employment as a coal hewer at Millerton colliery, but was soon afterwards appointed deputy foreman, and, in the year 1900, he became underground foreman. As a Freemason, he was initiated in Lodge No. 557, Scottish Constitution, and, later, affiliated with Lodge Phoenix, Westport. Mr. Mann was one of the founders of the Brunner Lodge, of which he became Worshipful Master. On the 4th of July, 1884, he married a daughter of the late Mr. William Henderson, mine manager, of Elphinstone, near Edinburgh, Scotland, and has, surviving, one son and five daughters.
has sprung up in consequence of the operations of the Westport Coal Company. Boring was begun in 1881, preparatory to opening the workings. A coal lease was taken by the Company in 1888, and on the 24th of June, 1896, when the machinery was started, a commencement was made to send coal to the market. The township of Millerton, which stands on the top of a hill estimated from 1,500 to 1,850 feet high, is the centre of a system of inclined railways, which extend to Granity on the one hand, and to Mine Creek on the other. Communication is by a horse track from the beach, through remarkably pretty bush, and the way commands superb views of the seaboard. Goods are transmitted by the Company's incline, down which the coal is sent to the bunkers. The business premises include two hotels, two stores and the shops of two bootmakers, two fruiterers, and two butchers. A locally managed Co-operative Society controls one of these stores and butcheries. Millerton is in the North Wareatea riding of the county of Buller, in the electorate of Buller, and the provincial district of Nelson. Its population at the census of 1901 was 279, with eleven additional residents at Mine Creek. There is a public library on the hill, also a Draughts Club. The local Domain Board controls nine acres, three of which have been improved as a sports ground. Religious services are conducted in a small Roman Catholic church and a Primitive Methodist mission hall. The Granity Creek Coalminers' Industrial Union of Workers has its registered office in the township; it dates from 1897, and has 400 members. Contingencies are provided for by the Millerton Medical Accident and Relief Association, which dates from May, 1900. This Association retains the services of a medical man to provide relief in cases of accident; its members number 450, and the doctor attends at the surgery erected on the hill by the Company. A Rifle Volunteer company, which was established in June, 1904, has fifty-nine members.
(Mrs Eliza Lilian Parker, proprietress), Millerton. This hotel was erected in the year 1897. It is built of wood and iron, and contains twenty-two rooms, including twelve bedrooms, four sitting-rooms, and a dining-room capable of seating thirty guests. There is a stable, with a loose box; and a public hall, which has accommodation for 700 persons, adjoins the hotel. Mrs Parker, who has been proprietress of the Criterion Hotel since 1902, is a native of Stirling, Scotland. She was educated in Edinburgh, landed in Melbourne, Victoria, in the year 1866, and removed to the West Coast. New Zealand, two years later. She has had a varied experience of hotel life, for many years—at Caledonia Terrace, Sergeant's Hill, Waimangaroa, and, more recently, in the Royal Hotel at Denniston, which is still her property. In 1871, she married Mr. Joseph Brown, of London, who lost his life in the year 1884, owing to an accident on the Denniston incline; and has a family of three sons and five daughters.
(John Dutton, proprietor), Millerton. This business was established in the year 1902. The building is a two-storied one of wood and iron, and contains twenty-four rooms, including fourteen bedrooms, three sitting-rooms, a billiard room, and a dining-room, which will accommodate thirty guests.
Has been proprietor of the Tramway Hotel at Millerton, since the year 1903. He was born in September, 1860, at Sale, near Manchester, England, and was educated at Sale, and afterwards at Kaitangata, New Zealand. He landed at Port Chalmers in the “Warrior Queen,” in 1867, and was brought up to farming in the Inchclutha district. Mr. Dutton subsequently had experience in alluvial and quartz-mining at Mahikapawa; and, later on, in antimony and coal mining, at Endeavour Inlet, and in Johnston's Unity Quartz Mine at Collingwood. He then removed to the West Coast, and worked for about four years for the Westport Coal Company. Mr. Dutton has since resided at Millerton, where he takes a leading part in everything that affects the progress of the settlement, and is a member of the local Domain Board. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Patrick Maher, of New Plymouth, in 1895, and has one son.
, was incorporated on the 18th of May, 1903. The chairman of directors for the year 1905 was Mr. Thomas Young, and Mr. T. Curlin is secretary and manager. The society conducts a general store, and has a butchery department, of which Mr. James Watt is manager.
, Manager of the Butchery Department of the Co-operative Society, since the year 1901, was born in the year 1869, at
was for some time the terminus of the Government railway from Westport. It is distant two miles from Granity, and twenty from the port. The settlement is near the mouth of the Ngakawau river, which flows into the sea to the northward. There is a railway bridge over the river, and the flag station known as Ngakawau is about a quarter of a mile on the other side. There are two sawmills in the district, and it is expected that the settlement will ere long become a coalmining centre. Prospecting has been carried on for some time, and splendid seams of hard coal have, it is reported, been struck, and an extensive lease, adjoining the Millerton colliery holding, has been granted. Ngakawau is well known as one of the most attractive spots for picnics and for sports in the Buller district, and the athletic sports held at Christmas and New Year frequently draw together an attendance of 2000 persons. The business of the telephone bureau and post office is conducted at the hotel. The settlement is in the North Wareatea riding of the county of Buller, in the electoral district of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson.
is conducted in a building, which adjoins the Ngakawau Hotel. Mails are received and despatched on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
was appointed to the charge of the Ngakawau Post Office and Telephone Bureau in the year 1895. He was born in July, 1870, at Nelson, and was educated at Granity and Ngakawau. Mr. McNarn has been connected with the Ngakawau Hotel and farm from his youth, and became proprietor in the year 1902. He is president of the Ngakawau sports committee.
(William Robert McNarn, proprietor), Ngakawau. This business was established in the year 1870 by Mr. William NcNarn, father of the present proprietor. At that time there was a great deal of traffic, of waggons and pack horses, to the various settlements along the beach as far as Mokihinui, before the opening of railway communication. The building is of wood and iron, and contains seven bedrooms, two sittingrooms, a bar, and public hall, and a dining-room capable of seating thirty guests. There are also stables in conconnection with the establishment, and a farm of fifty acres of freehold, utilised for sheep, cattle, and horses. The picturesque sports ground of Ngakawau forms part of the hotel property. Mr. McNarn, the proprietor of the Ngakawau Hotel, is further referred to as the local postmaster.
is the name of a railway siding on the Westport-Mokihinui branch line of Government railway, and of the bush district that surrounds it. It is twenty-five miles from Westport, and six miles from the terminus at Mokihinui Mine. Nikau is in the Karamea riding of the county of Buller, in the electoral district of Motueka, and in the provincial district of Nelson. As a farming settlement it dates from 1894. There are a number of small farms in the locality, within the Mokihinui survey district. In the early gold digging days a considerable amount of mining was carried on along the terraces. The post office at St. Helen's, three miles distant serves the settlement, which has a public school at Summerlea, two miles away, adjoining the Mokihinui railway station, between Nikau and St. Helen's. The population is small, and was not separately enumerated at the census of 1901.
, Farmer, Nikau. Mr. Niven is one of the early settlers of the Nikau district, and holds a farm of 100 acres, about one-third of which is cleared. He devotes his land chiefly to market gardening, and sells the produce at the Denniston and Millerton mines. Mr. Niven was born in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, educated in Ayr, and learned farming. He came to New Zealand in the year 1879, and settled in the Oamaru district, where he managed a farm for Mr. Elder, at Maheno, and, later, a farm for Mr. Hay, at Waiareka. Some vears later. Mr. Niven removed to Westport; then, for two or three years, he worked at Denniston, and in 1894 took up his present holding. Mr. Niven married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Graham, of Ayrshire, Scotland, and has four sons and three daughters.
is often known as Lower Mokihinui, to distinguish it from Mokihinui, Mine. However, the railway siding, which is twenty-seven miles distant from Westport, is known as Mokihinui. The surrounding country is covered with bush, and the public school, which is not far from the railway station, is named Summerlea. The nearest post office is one mile away, at St. Helen's. At the census of 1901, the village had a population of twenty-nine, and Mokihinui Beach, of fifty-one. The district is in the Karamea riding of the county of Buller, in the electorate of Motueka, and in the provincial district of Nelson. It lies on the south side of Mokihinui, river, which takes its rise in the Lyell ranges, and divides into north and south branches a few miles to the eastward of Seddonville. Some remarkably picturesque peeps present themselves to the visitor as he travels up the lovely valley of the Mokihinui.
Farmer and Market Gardener, Lower Mokihinui. Mr. Ratcliffe has a farm of 100 acres, on which he grazes a few head of cattle and horses. Most of his attention, is devoted to market gardening, and he supplies the various mines in the district. He has attained splendid results in vegetable growing, particularly in marrows and pumpkins, on ground recently cleared. Mr. Ratcliffe was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, in the year 1852, and was brought up to coalmining from a youth. For some years afterwards he was in the service of a railway company—successively as a cleaner, fireman, and driver. In the year 1879, Mr. Ratcliffe came to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast. He has been engaged in coalmining, golddigging and coppermining, and worked at the antimony mines at Endeavour Inlet. Mr. Ratcliffe subsequently built intel Summerlea school, and was manager of the Mokihinui Co-operative Coal Mine for about two years. He is married, and has four sons and one daughter.
is one mile from Seddonville, and the same distance from Mokihinui, near the mouth of the river of that name. It is twenty-eight miles distant from Westport, and forms part of the Karamea riding of the county of Buller, in the electoral district of Motueka, and the provincial district of Nelson. The population of St. Helen's was not separately recorded at the census of 1901, but was evidently included in the 331 persons returned as residents in Mokihinui Valley, in which it lies. Besides its flag railway station, St. Helen's has an hotel, and a store, where the business of the post office is conducted. The surrounding country is largely covered with bush, but many of the residents have small homesteads, some of them of only a few acres. St. Helen's is on the south side of the Mokihinui river.
are conducted at the store of Mr. Timothy Corby. There is telephonic communication with Karamea. Mr. Corby's store was established in the year 1889, and is well stocked with grocery, drapery and boots. There is also a butchery business in connection with the establishment.
, besides being nostmaster, storekeeper, and butcher, is also a successful farmer, and employs about six persons. He is turther referred to as a member of the Buller County Council.
(Thomas Quinn, proprietor), St. Helen's. This hotel has been established for many years, and is at the mouth of the Mokihinui river, a short distance below St. Helen's. It contains sixteen rooms, and there is good accommodation and a moderate tariff. Good fishing and shooting can be obtained in the neighbourhood.
, Proprietor of the Kynnersly Hotel, was born in Dalmellington, Ayrshire, Scotland, in the year 1874. He came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age, and for eight years resided in the Oamaru district. Mr. Quinn afterwards removed to the West Coast, and was educated at Dennston. For several years he worked in the Donniston mines, and in the year 1899 went to Seddonville, where he was employed in the State mine. In November, 1904, Mr. Quinn acquired the Kynnersly Hotel. As a Freemason, he is Worshipful Master of Lodge Mokihinui, No. 96, New Zealand Constitution.
(Detlef Peter Mumm, proprietor), Mumm's Siding, Summerlea. St. Helen's. This mill was established in the year 1903. The plant consists of a ten horse-power Johnston portable engine, a six-horse power hauling engine, an American planer, and a vertical breaking-down saw. From eight to ten persons are employed.
Proprietor and manager of Mumm's sawmill, was born in Sculeswig-Holstein, Germany, in the year 1858. He followed a seafaring life for about fifteen years, and gained a first officer's certificate. In 1889, Mr. Mumm came to New Zealand by the ship “Electra,” and in the same year joined the Government steamer “Hinemoa,” as second officer. Later, he was appointed first officer of the “Stella,” and, in 1890, the Marine Department appointed him mate of the “Lawrence.” Mr. Mumm afterwards took charge of the wharf for the Mokihinui Coal Company, and was engaged in bridge building, and in running a locomotive engine for Mr. Corby. In the year 1898, he fitted up engines for the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company, and, for some time, rented the mill of Marris Bros. As a Freemason, Mr. Mumm is a member of Lodge Mokihinui, No 96. New Zealand Constitution, and is a Past Master and Past Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. He is also Principal in Lodge Kawativi, 21, under the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand, and in connection with the Grand Lodge he is Junior Grand Deacon. Mr. Mumm married, in the year 1885, and has, surviving, eleven children.
Settler, St. Helen's. Mr. Stewart was born in the year 1855, in Belfast, Ireland, where he was educated. At the age of fifteen he became a cadet on a China tea clipper, but followed a sea-faring life
, named after the Premier of the colony, occupies a central position in the Mokihinui valley. It forms part of the Karamea riding of the county of Buller, and is in the electoral district of Motueka and the provincial district of Nelson. At the census of 1901, the population of the valley was returned at 331, and this number, doubtless, included the residents of Seddonville, St. Helen's and Mokihinui Mine. The valley is surrounded by bush-covered hills, and the township occupies a site on the south bank of the Mokihinui river. It is a distinctly sylvan little place, and the adjacent bushclad hills are remarkably beautiful. A few miles to the south-east is Mount Glasgow, 4,687 feet high. Several sawmills are at work in the vicinity, but the staple industry is coal mining. The Westport-Carcliff Company opened a mine at the settlement, and the mine was taken over by the Government in October, 1901. There has been some gold digging in the district, but the reefs have not proved very remunerative. Seddonville has a Masonic Lodge, a branch of the Knights of Labour, and a Lodge of the Order of Good Templars. The public school is centrally situated, and there is a Presbyterian church in the township, which has a post office and telephone bureau, and a police station, with a resident officer. The railway extension to Seddonville was completed in 1898, and for the first two years there was a resident stationtnaster, who also acted as postmaster. Seddonville has a resident medical man.
is conducted at the store of Mr. J. A. Clark. Mails are received and despatched by every train, and there has been telephonic communication since the year 1896.
, J.P., Postmaster at Seddonville, was born in 1850, at Boston, Lincolnshire, England. He was educated in his native town, and was apprenticed in the railway work shops at Doncaster, to the coach-building trade. Mr. Clark arrived in Wellington in the year 1877, by the ship “Ocean Mail,” and settled in New Plymouth, where he conducted coach-building on his own account for eleven years. He afterwards removed to the West Coast, and worked at Denniston Hill, for four years, as foreman, and was chairman
was originally known under the name of Coal Creek. The building was removed from the old site between Seddonville and Mokihinui Mine to the township of Seddonville in January, 1905. It stands on a section of two acres of land, and has been renovated and enlarged; it contains two classrooms, two porches, and a cloak room, and has accommodation for about 120 children. There are ninety-five names on the roll, and the average attendance is eighty-five.
, who has been headmaster of the Seddonville public school since the year 1902, was born in Nelson in 1877. He was educated at Bridge Street school and the Bishop's School at Nelson, and became a pupil teacher in the Boys' Central school in that city. Mr. Street was subsequently appointed to the charge of Kongahu school, Karamea, where he remained for two years, and was then appointed to the charge of the Summerlea school. He was appointed to his present position in the year 1902. Mr. Street holds a D2 certificate, and has been secretary of the local cricket, football, and sports clubs.
, sometime headmaster of the Coal Creek school— afterwards removed to Seddonville— was born in Charleston in 1872, was educated locally, served as a probationer, and was sent ultimately to Nelson, where he was for a time one of the assistant teachers at the Central school. In 1896, he took charge of the Central school at Takaka, near Nelson, where he remained until he was appointed to Coal Creek, in 1898. Mr. Lander died some time ago.
Draper and Clothier, Seddonville. This business was established in 1893 by the late Mr. David Mitchell, who came out to Victoria in 1852, and was on the Bendigo goldfields for over nine years. In 1861, he crossed to New Zealand, where he followed up the Otago diggings with indifferent luck. Five years later, he removed to the Coast, and worked as a miner for over twenty years. Since Mr. Mitchell's death, in 1903, the business has been carried on by the surviving partner, Mr. George Coleman.
(Thomas Muckle, proprietor), Seddonville. This busiwas established by the late Mr. W. C. Catchpole. The building is of wood and iron, and contains eighteen rooms, including ten bedrooms, three sittingrooms, and a dining-room capable of seating twenty-four guests.
has been proprietor of the Empire Hotel since the year 1903. He married the widow of the late Mr. W. C. Catchpole, the former proprietor of the hotel, in 1902.
General Storekeeper, Clark's Store, Seddonville. This business was established by Mr. Clark in the year 1892. The building is of wood and iron, and contains a store, post office and a fiveroomed residence. Mr. Clark is further referred to as the postmaster at Seddonville.
General Storekeeper, Seddonville. This business was established in the year 1897, by Mr. P. P. Ballantine, and acquired by the present proprietor in 1902. The building is of wood and iron, and includes a large shop and residence. It stands on a section of half an acre of land; goods are delivered throughout the township, and to the Red Queen quartz mine, eleven miles distant. Mr. Holder was born in the year 1863, at Wanganui, and was educated at Kaitoke, under the late Mr. Charles Hulke. He was brought up to farm life, but at the age of twenty was employed in connection with the railway at Westport. In 1888, Mr. Holder removed to Cape Foulwind, where he found employment at the local quarry, and at bush work. He removed to Seddonville in 1895, and was engaged at bush work in the district, until he acquired his present business. As a
at Seddonville was originally known as the Westport-Cardiff mine. The WestportCardiff Company abandoned the claim, and the State re-opened the mine in October, 1901. The area of the original mine is about 400 acres, to which the land, known as the Cave area, has been added. The mine is worked on the board and pillar system, and there is said to be plenty of coal. A drive of fifty-eight chains, or about half amile in extent, was put into the hill, and coal was struck at twenty-five chains, and there the first workings were opened out. Beyond this seam, there is a fault extending over fourteen chains, but there again coal has been struck and opened out. At the first seam, twenty chains of workings have been opened up; and although the coal at the western side is soft, it is hard, at the second strike, past the fault. The seam at that point averages from fifteen to sixteen feet in thickness, and is brought to the surface by the endless rope system, one hundred horse-power being employed for the purpose. When in full work, the mine employs 120 men, and 500 tons a day can be loaded on the trucks. The whole of the blacksmithing and carpentering work required is done at the mine.
, Mine Manager at the State Colliery, Seddon-
is the terminus of the Westport-Mokihinui branch line of railway, and lies thirty-one miles to the northward of the port. It is in the Karamea riding of the county of Buller, in the electorate of Motueka, and in the provincial district of Nelson. Mokihinui Mine is at the top or northern end of the beautiful Mokihinui valley. It has a sawmill, and a small coalmine, which is worked on the co-operative system, by a number of miners, who have a coal lease of 100 acres. The mine was commenced in 1903, and a seam, averaging about five feet in thickness, is worked. There is a remarkably pretty cascade in the settlement, and the hills rise abruptly from the small portion of level ground that is available. Since the 1st of December, 1903, there has been a post office at the residence of one of the settlers. There is an hotel in the settlement, the population of which was included, at the census of 1901, under Mokihinui Valley.
was established on the 1st of September, 1903, and the postal work is conducted at the residence of the postmistress. Mails are received and despatched three times daily. The work of the telephone bureau, established in 1902, is carried on in a separate building.
, who has been postmistress at Mokihinui Mine since the opening of the office, was born in Nelson, where she was educated. She was married, in the year 1886, to Mr. Samuel J. Johnston, enginedriver at Mr. Hobbs' sawmill, at Mokihinui Mine, and has a family of two sons and four daughters.
is on the Aorere river, seventy-five miles from Nelson, which is connected by steamer with Collingwood, between which and Bainham there is a ten mile drive by coach. The Collingwood Goldfields' Company carries on extensive operations at the Quartz ranges, a few miles up the river, and the timber industry is vigorously prosecuted in the neighbourhood. Bainham has a population of over one hundred persons.
(Joseph W. Walker and Thomas Walker), Bainham. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Nelson. Agencies at Lyttelton and Collingwood. This sawmill employs six men, and has a fourteen horsepower engine and boiler, with breaking-down saws and a travelling bench.
, the Managing Partner, was born in Nelson in 1861, and educated at the public schools. He was apprenticed to the trade of a gardener, but gave it up at the end of five years. Mr. Walker worked for the firm of Walker Bros., at Puramihoi, for four years, and then made his way to Collingwood, where six years were spent in digging. In 1894, Mr. Walker, in connection with the other members of the firm, bought out the interest which Mr. R. R. Fellowes, of Waitapu, had in the mill. Mr. Walker was married, in 1894, to a daughter of Mr. F. Cundy, of Richmond, and has issue.
is on the Aorere river, sixty-five miles to the north-west of Nelson. A great deal of sawmilling is carried on in the district, and gold-mining is also carried on by means of sluicing and quartz crushing. The Para Para hydraulic sluicing works are five miles from the township, which has a weekly newspaper, a post and money order office, a church and other institutions. Collingwood is connected with Nelson by a small steam service. The township was practically destroyed by fire on the 7th of November, 1904, but has since been re-built. The present hotels and stores are large twostoried wooden buildings, all lighted with acetylene gas, and modern in their conveniences.
was established in the year 1876, and meets on the third Monday in each month. The present chairman is Mr. William Grant, and the
was elected a member of the Collingwood County Council for the Bainham riding in the year 1904. He was born at Waitapu. Takaka, in 1868, and was educated at the local school. Subsequently he was for sixteen years on the Government survey staff, and is at present (1905) engaged in farming at Bainham. Mr. Fellowes is a member of the Bainham school committee. In May, 1890, he married a daughter of Mr. Owen McMeaghan, of Anahau, and has one son and one daughter.
is situated in Louis Street, Collingwood, and was opened about 1861, under Mr. Neam. It has fortyseven scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of forty. Mr. H. B. Sanders is the master.
formerly headmaster of the Collingwood school, was born in 1878, in Auckland, where he received his first schooling, and, on completing his education in Nelson, he was appointed probationer under the Board of Education. After a year's experience at an infants' school, he was transferred to the Boys' Central school, where he remained for three years, and was then appointed temporary teacher at Collingwood, where he afterwards became head teacher. During his period as a probationer, he gained an E certificate, and after going to Collingwood he acquired his D. From Collingwood Mr. White went to Spring Grove.
(Washbourn Brothers), Para Para, Collingwood. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. The works are situated at Para Para, where there is an almost inexhaustible supply of iron ore, of better quality than that found in any other part of the world, for the paint gives a percentage of ninety-one per cent, of oxide of iron. Sir F. A. Abel, Director of the Imperial Institute, England, in reporting to the New Zealand Government in 1895 on the paint, said: “The New Zealand oxide is a better paint than Torbay, so far as covering power is concerned, and the difference in amount of materials required in making up the New Zealand oxide as against the Torbay does not even bring the
Farmer, Rockville, Collingwood. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Lash was born at Torbay, Devon, England, in 1839, and attended school at Torbay and Teignmouth. He then worked on his father's farm for many years. In 1860 he came to New Zealand in the ship “John Philips,” and landed at Nelson, whence he proceeded to the Collingwood goldfields. For many years afterwards he was one of the first on the field when any noteworthy discovery was made anywhere in the colony. In 1864 Mr. Lash established an accommodation house on the Maungatapu. After it was abandoned and pulled down, its chimney remained standing, and it was there that the Burgess and Kelly gang met and divided their spoil after murdering Kempthorne, Mathieu and Dudley. In 1866 he settled down at Collingwood, where he has a farm of 150 acres of first-class land, mostly undulating sheep country. Mr. Lash is a Freemason of nearly forty years' standing. He is a director of the Golden Bay and Sounds Steamship Company, Limited, and has long been connected with the County Council and with the road boards throughout the district.
Farmer, Collingwood. Mr. Tyree established a photographer's business in Takaka, in 1889, and revived it in 1896, after having been absent from the district for a year or two. As a photographer, he travelled through the whole province of Nelson, and had 9000 negatives of some of the district's finest and most beautiful scenery. He had orders for copies from all parts of the Australasian colonies. Mr. Tyree, who, eft photography at Takaka to take up farming at Collingwood, is a brother of Mr. William Tyree, of Nelson, and Mr. Alfred Tyree, of Christchurch. He was born in London, England, in 1867, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1871. Mr. Tyree was brought up to the drug trade, and was with Messrs Sainsbury, Ellison, and Co., of Dunedin, and afterwards with Messrs Clifford and Morris, with whom he gained considerable knowledge of photography. Before establishing himself in Takaka, Mr. Tyree was with Mr. W. Tyree of Nelson, and it was then that he travelled the province of Nelson with the camera in quest of scenery. He married a daughter of Mr. David Scott of Motupipi, and has two sons.
, an old colonist of Collingwood, was born in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, in 1817. He came to Nelson by the ship “Bernecia,” in 1848, and went to Wai-iti, where he followed his usual occupation as a pit sawyer. After five years, Mr. Ellis removed to Grove, now known as Grove Town, where he was the first sawyer in the district. In 1855 he settled at Collingwood, and bought a section, which is still his home. He and another man, known as Ned James, were the first to find gold at Collingwood. They dug out many valuable nuggets in Lightband's Gully, and one of them is now in the Wellington Museum. He also discovered a seam of coal, which has not yet been worked, but on account of which the Government gave him a reward of £25. Mr. Ellis was married in Cardiff, Wales, to a daughter of the late Mr. Christopher Williams, and has eight children, all of whom are married.
was one of the earliest settlers in Golden Bay. He was born in the Shetland Isles in 1818, and followed the sea and coopering for some years. In the first instance, he settled at a whaling station at Queen Charlotte Sound, and was wrecked in the “Vittoria,” in 1839, when all hands were saved, although the vessel was lost. Mr. Manson went to Wellington about 1842, and was engaged in farming at the Hutt for seven or eight years. Shortly after the Victorian gold diggings broke out, he went to Australia, worked at Bendigo in 1851, and was afterwards at Twofold Bay, New South Wales. Having done fairly well in Australia, Mr. Manson returned to New Zealand, and went to Golden Bay, and took up 600 acres of land at Motupipi in 1853. In 1878 he met with an accident which caused his death. Mr. Manson look considerable interest in educational matters, and was always to the fore in connection with questions affecting the welfare of the district. He left seven sons and three daughters.
, who was for some time a dairy farmer in the Collingwood district, now resides in the North Island. Though of English parentage, Mr. Peart was born in Scotland, where his father was engaged in the sawmilling trade. Mr. Peart, senior, afterwards entered into partnership with Mr. John Hall, of Newcastleon-Tyne, and the firm purchased large tracts of country in Sweden, and
is a postal and school district about five miles and a-half from the Takaka Post Office. Motupipi is a compound Maori word, “Motu” signifying an island or bush, and “pipi” is the name of a shell fish which is found in abundance on the sea beach. The river bearing the same name is about four miles long. Motupipi was originally surveyed in 1842, and peopled about eight years after by a few early colonists. It has an area of from 1400 to 1500 acres in small holdings, devoted to dairying, fruit growing, and hop cultivation. The local school is one of the oldest in the provincial district, and was opened over fifty years ago. The Golden Bay Coal Company has recently started work on the coast, and coalmining bids fair to become a permanent industry at Motupipi.
. This school is situated four miles from Takaka, and seven miles from East Takaka. It is a one-roomed building, and has accommodation for about seventy pupils. The number of scholars on the roll is sixty; and the average attendance forty-five. All the standards are efficiently taught, and the reports of the inspector have been satisfactory. Miss L. Bradley is now (1905) the mistress of the school.
assumed charge of the Motupipi school in September, 1892. She had been previously stationed at Clifton Terrace, for three years. Miss Hood had also served as a probationer for two years, and was assistant for twelve months at ToiToi Valley school, where she was educated by Miss Gascoigne, and afterwards by Mrs Evans, M.A. She is now (1905) on the West Coast.
Farmer, Motupipi. Mr. Harwood is the eldest son of the late Mr. George Harwood, who arrived in Nelson by the ship “Little London,” in April, 1842. He was born at sea on the 11th of January, 1842, while the vessel was on her way to New Zealand. His father and mother were born at Thorn, near Yeovil, Somersetshire, England. As a boy and young man, he faced and overcame, with his parents, many of the difficulties connected with the early colonisation of Nelson, in the days when there were neither streets in the towns, nor roads or bridges in the country; when rivers, gulfs, and shores had to be navigated in canoes; when inland traffic was by means of sledges and drays drawn by bullocks, and there were neither mails nor mail coaches. Mr. Harwood now farms 235 acres of land at Motupipi. It was originally forest land, and was taken up in 1868, but not settled on until 1876. The land is of limestone formation, and about 130 acres have been brought under cultivation. At first Mr. Harwood applied himself to the rearing of cattle, but of late years he has found sheepfarming more profitable, and now follows it. He has always taken an active interest in general and local politics, and has been honoured by the ratepayers with election to two of the local governing bodies, and once as chairman of the Licensing Committee, under the Act of 1881. Mr. Harwood was married, in May, 1898, to the widow of Sergeant Minor, sometime of the Royal Marines. Before her marriage with Sergeant Minor, Mrs Harwood was Miss Rebecca Bartram, and was born in Suffolk, England.
B., Farmer, “Norwood,” Motupipi, Mr. Packard has 150 acres of land, most of which is cleared, sown in grass and stocked. Mr. Packard was born at Motueka in 1848, and removed to Motupipi two years later with his parents. He took up his present holding in 1872, when it was covered with bush. Mr. Packard is a member of the local Oddfellows' Lodge, and has served on the road board and school committee and other bodies. He married a daughter of Mr. James Baird, an old and respected settler.
Farmer, “Rockville,” Motupipi. Mr. Packard has a freehold section of 150 acres, nearly all of which is cleared, grassed and subdivided into suitable paddocks. It is stocked with 150 sheep, and about thirty head of cattle. The soil is a light loam, and is best suited for grazing purposes. Mr. Packard was born in Motueka in 1851, and educated at Motupipi school. After leaving school, he worked for seven years at “The Grove,” Clifton, chiefly at gardening, for the late Mr. Jabez M. Gibson; and then he took up his present homestead which was at that time thickly timbered. Mr. Packard has passed through all the chairs of the local Oddfellows' Lodge. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Magnus Manson.
is the oldest settler in the Golden Bay district. Originally he took up fifty acres, but afterwards purchased a block of 300 acres. Mr. Packard runs a few cows and sheep for his own use, and has a large lemon grove planted with 300 trees. He was born in Suffolk, England, in 1826, and is a self-taught man. Mr. Packard followed farming for some years in his native country, and came to Nelson, in 1818, in the ship “Bernecia,” which brought out the survey party engaged to lay out the Canterbury settlement. He lived at Motueka two years, when he proceeded to Motupipi, where he was engaged as a sawyer. He served twelve years on the first Takaka Road Board, and was also chairman of the County Council for four years. During his chairmanship the Council constructed eight miles of tramway at Takaka. Mr. Packard has been a promi-
nent Oddfellow for over fifty years, and is one of the trustees of the local lodge. On the occasion of their golden wedding in June, 1898, Mr. and Mrs Packard were presented with an address by the Oddfellows as a mark of their appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the lodge and district during their long residence. Mrs Packard is a
, who resided at Motupipi for over forty years, now (1905) lives in retirement in Nelson. Mr. Scott was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, on the 26th of July, 1832, and was apprenticed to the trade of a shoemaker. He did not like the work, however, and left it to become an engineman with the Edinburgh and Northern Railway Company, in whose service he remained for six years and ahalf. In 1859, he left the Old Country in the ship “Golconda,” and landed in Nelson on the 26th of December of that year. Disappointed in his expectations from friends who had induced him to come out, he went direct to Motupipi, and assisted in the formation of the first road in the district, from the mud flats at Motupipi to Clifton. He afterwards went digging for gold in various parts of Nelson, and on the Otago goldfields, and worked at Dunstan and Waipori, but with little success. Thereupon he returned to his home at Motupipi, and took up 600 acres of land from the Government. In connection with this undertaking, he and his wife had to put up with many hardships, as provisions were often scarce, and the crops a failure. Sometimes provisions ran so short that the potatoes, after being sown for a few weeks, had to be grubbed up again and eaten. However, working hard, early and late, Mr. and Mrs Scott made headway, and, after twenty-five years of fairly successful occupation, they sold their farm in March, 1897, and went to live in a pretty cottage at Motupipi, where they had twenty-three acres of land. Mr. and Mrs Scott have had a family of five sons and seven daughters. One daughter died when she was nineteen years of age, but the rest have grown to manhood and womanhood, and all are married. There are about sixty grandchildren, and the family in all consists of nearly ninety persons.
, sometime of Motupipi, was one of the pioneers of Takaka. He was born in Hampshire, England, in 1826, and was brought up to farming, but subsequently engaged in railway work. For about ten or twelve years he carried on ement works in Kent. He came to Nelson in the “John Masterman,” and landed on the 10th of February, 1856. Mr. Wallis was on the Collingwood diggings shortly after gold was discovered, and was camped next to the late Mr. W. C. Hodgson, afterwards inspector of schools under the Nelson Education Board. He served as a maltster with Mr. Thomas Field, of Nelson, for five years. In 1864 he settled at Motupipi, where he carried on business as a brewer for about ten years, when Messrs Wallis Brothers assumed charge of the brewery. Mr. Wallis also farmed seventy-five acres of land, and did fairly well with it. He died on the 8th of February, 1888. Mr. Wallis was a member of the local road board and an Oddfellow for many years, and took an active interest in church affairs.
, Motupipi. When Dr. F. Von Hochstetter, a geologist of world-wide reputation, visited New Zealand with the object of reporting on its geology to the German Emperor, he pointed out that coal of an excellent quality, and of the same geological age, could be secured at two places—in the North Island, near Auckland, and at Golden Bay, in the province of Nelson; and as the coals were of a high quality, he expressed the hope that the day was not far distant when mines would be worked at those places. As a matter of fact, enterprising people soon opened up mines, and met with a measure of success, notwithstanding the difficulties of transit. But the Maori war interfered with the industry, and the mines, for a time, appeared to have been forgotten; but, as a demand for cheaper coals grew, mines were opened at Drury, near Auckland, and Golden Bay, Nelson. The coal at Golden Bay occurs in several seams or layers. The uppermost seam is about two feet in thickness, and is of a sulphury character; but it is intended to reserve this for a special chemical process, to obtain ammonia, in which it is rich, and so meet an agricultural want. The second seam is about six feet in thickness, and is well adapted for steam or factory purposes. The third seam, a few feet below the second, which is narrow, is of a very pure quality, though largely mixed with fossilised gum, and is excellently suited for making gas. A few feet lower down, there is a fourth seam, four feet six inches in thickness, of a very superior class of coal for household use; and at present (1905) a shaft is being sunk to work this seam. The company expects to place this coal upon the market in a short time, and its sale appears to be assured, as already large orders have been obtained for it. The property is 150 acres in extent, and the facilities for shipment are of the very best, as the coal can be worked by drives and shallow shafts, situated just above high water mark, and the river channel admits of scows of 150 tons coming within fifty yards of the mine's mouth. The alluvial soil on the surface above the coal carries gold, and it is expected that this also will be worked in due time. The limestone on the property can be made remunerative, as the company can use its own coal for the burning. The Golden Bay Coal Company is composed chiefly of Auckland and Wellington shareholders, with Mr. Andrew G. French as the managing director.
, Managing Director of the Golden Bay Coal Company, is a native of
is one of the most flourishing districts in Nelson; it has five sawmills, two butter factories, and a flour mill, and keeps seven or eight small vessels trading constantly to the port of Waitapu, three miles distant. It has also a weekly newspaper, and several hotels, and is connected by coach with Collingwood and Riwaka, and by a steam tram service with East Takaka, which is eight miles and ahalf further up the valley. Takaka is fifty-three miles north from Nelson, with which it is connected by a good main road. The township is finely situated, and commands a good view of Golden Bay and two or three lakes. It has post, telegraph, money order, and other Government offices, and a savings bank. There are beautiful limestone caves in the neighbourhood, and the the Waikaremumu and Bubu springs are within easy distance. The Episcopalians and Presbyterians have well-built churches, with resident ministers, at Takaka, which has several fraternal lodges, and cricket, football, racing, and tennis clubs.
was formed by special Act of Parliament, in April, 1904, and holds its meetings monthly in the Council Chambers, Takaka. Mr. Robert Bartlett is chairman, and Messrs Frank Page, J. G. Page, A. H. Bartlett, W J. Reilly, and George Winter, junior, are councillors. Mr. W. Baird is county clerk and overseer.
was elected to the Takaka County Council in July, 1904, and was formerly a member of the Road Board. He is also a member of the Anatoki school committee, and president of the Golden Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
was elected a member of the Takaka County Council, for the Waitapu riding in July, 1904. He was born in Takaka, and is a son of the late Mr. John Page, one of the earliest settlers of the district. Mr. Page is engaged in farming at Takaka, on a freehold property of 120 acres, and has been very successful in his operations. He is a member of the wharf committee, is chairman of the school committee, a director of the Golden Bay Dairy Company, and expresident of the Golden Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association; and a Past Arch Druid, of Lodge Takaka. Mr. Page married a daughter of Mr. W. Richards, of London, England, in the year 1900, and has one son.
was elected to the Takaka County Council for the Waitapu riding, in the year 1904. He was born in Takaka, in 1865, and is a son of the late Mr. James Reilly, who was one of the first settlers of the district, and a councillor of twelve years' standing. Mr. Reilly was educated in Takaka and Nelson, and afterwards engaged in farming. Subsequently he became a cattle dealer, and successfully followed that business for ten years. He bought Messrs Page, Cobb, and Co.'s sawmills, in 1893, and has since then conducted them. He is a member of the wharf committee; chairman of directors of the Golden Bay Dairy Company, one of the trustees of the Takaka Recreation Ground, a vice-president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a member of the Farmers' Union; was for seven years president of the Golden Bay Rugby Union, and has also been president of the Takaka Racing Club. Mr. Reilly married a daughter of Mr. William Page, of Takaka, in the year 1893, and has three sons and two daughters.
was elected to a seat on the Takaka County Council in July, 1904. He was born at Clifton, Golden Bay, in the year 1866, and is the son of Mr. George Winter, an old and highly respected resident of Motupipi. Mr. Winter was educated
at the local school, and afterwards commenced farming with his father, with whom he remained until 1894, when he bought 150 acres of grazing land, and started on his own account. In partnership with his brother, he also owns a freehold property of 375 acres, which is used as a sheep and
, which are known as C Company of the 1st Battalion of the Nelson Mounted Rifles, were formed in the year 1900, with Captain J. J. Langridge in command. The corps is attached to the Nelson Mounted Battalion, and has a strength of sixty-four men. Parades are held monthly, and a week's encampment, for training purposes, is held once a year. On two occasions the corps won the first prize in volley firing, and one of its members has won the badge for the best shot in the Mounted Battalion for two years in succession. Each member finds his own mount and saddlery. The present officers are; Captain S. Fittall, and Lieutenants W. H. Boyes, J. D. Barnett, and G. A. Almgren.
in command of the Takaka Mounted Rifles, was born at Wakefield, Nelson, in June, 1871, and was educated at the Richmond public school. After a number of years spent in storekeeping, he became the proprietor of the “Takaka News,” which he has since edit- ed and managed under the name of the “Golden Bay News,” with considerable success. Captain Fittall is president of the Takaka Racing Club, secretary and captain of the local cricket club, a Past Arch Druid, and a Past Chief Ranger of the Order of Foresters.
was opened by Mr. J. F. Fabian in 1880, up to which the postal business had been conducted by Mr. William Page, storekeeper, of Waitapu. The buildings are situated less than three miles from the port, and seven miles from the East Takaka post office. The business is steadily increasing yearly. There is a bi-weekly sea service with Nelson, and an overland mail arrives on Thursday afternoon, and is despatched at 8.45 a.m. the following morning. Mr. Henry Bussey, the postmaster, entered upon his duties on the 7th of January, 1897.
is situated two miles and a quarter from the central school, and about four miles from the school at Motupipi. The first school in the district was opened in the early fifties, and the present building was erected about 1886. It has seating accommodation for 120 scholars; there are ninety-five on the roll, and the average attendance is seventy-eight. The staff consists of the headmaster, Mr. William Henry Boyes, and two assistants.
, the Headmaster, entered upon his duties in October, 1894. He was born in Motueka, and was for six years teaching in the Motueka school. He was subsequently in charge at Dovedale for seven years, and then took up his present position. One of his pupils won the Tinline scholarship for girls in 1895, with the highest marks in the whole of Nelson and Marlborough. He holds a D1 certificate
was established in the year 1889 by Mr. George Girling-Butcher, and was then known as the “Takaka News.” In 1899, the paper was acquired by Mr. Fittall, who re-named it “The Golden Bay News.” It is a four-page weekly paper, with a two-page supplement, published every Thursday, and has a circulation throughout the Golden Bay district. The paper is edited by Mr. Samuel Fittall, and a competent staff is employed. Mr. Fittall is further referred to as Captain-in-command of the Takaka Mounted Rifles.
(M.B. Ch. B., New Zealand), Waitapu, Takaka. Dr. Adams was born in Dunedin, Otago, in the year 1875. He was educated at the Boys' High School, and subsequently at the University of Otago, where he also studied surgery and medicine, and received his degrees. In 1901, Dr. Adams was appointed house surgeon to the Auckland Hospital, and was subsequently engaged in locum tenens work in Otago. In July, 1902, after a few months spent in Motueka, he commenced to practise his profession in Takaka, where he has since resided. Dr. Adams is surgeon-captain of the Takaka Mounted Rifles, and is surgeon of the local lodges and courts of the Oddfellows, Druids, and Foresters. In 1903, he married a daughter of Mr. John Leslie, of Motueka, formerly bank manager in Picton, and has one son.
Baker and General Dealer, and also Agent for the Northern Insurance Company, Takaka. The late Mr. F. H. Flowerday founded this business in the year 1896, and it was acquired by the present proprietor in 1902. The shop is a two-storied wooden building, and has two large show windows; there is also a show room for bicycles, photographs, etc. The stock comprises groceries, fancy goods, confectionery,
Builder and Contractor, Willis Street, Takaka. This business, which is the leading one of its kind in the Takaka district, was founded by Mr. Smith in 1880. Since that time the trade has gradually increased, and amongst the buildings that testify to the excellence of Mr. Smith's workmanship may be mentioned “Abbotsford,” the residence of Mr. Andrew Sinclair, and Mr. W. C. Baigent's Central Hotel, Takaka; in fact, nearly all the leading residences in the valley have been built by Mr. Smith. As a cabinetmaker, he is considered an excellent tradesman, and does a large trade in the manufacture of sideboards, mantelpieces, whatnots, and so forth. Mr. Smith keeps a large stock of fancy timber at his premises in Willis Street, and makes a specialty of knotted timber, chiefly totara and red pine. He was born in Nelson in 1849, and is a son of the late Mr. George Smith, miller, who landed in one of the first three immigrant ships in February, 1842. Mr. Smith was associated with the original Nelson Artillery Corps for a few years, and he sat on the East Takaka school committee for about twelve years. He married a daughter of Mr. Hastings, at one time in business in Wellington.
, Takaka. Established 1895. This factory, which was formerly owned by Messrs J. J. Langridge and Co., was bought, in 1902, by a limited liability company. It is situated about half a mile from the township. The main building is forty-five feet long by twenty-five feet wide, and the engineroom is fitted up with a four horsepower engine, a six horse-power boiler, with the latest De Laval separator, and a pasteuriser by the same maker, and both have a capacity of 400 gallons of milk per hour. Milk is pasteurised before being separated, and the skim milk is carried away by a No. 6 De Laval pump, and returned to a stand on the platform, whence it is handed over to the suppliers, less eighteen per cent. On the same platform there is a churn, which holds 300 pounds of cream, and also a butter worker manufactured by A. and T. Burt, of Dunedin. After being passed through the churn and butter worker, the butter is carefully placed in a large trough, and immersed in cold water. Then it is thoroughly worked up, taken to the packing-room, and made up into pounds or bulk, and packed in cases ready for export; brand “Rifle— J.J.L.” The factory is fitted up with the latest appliances, including a Lawrence cooler, and a Babcock tester (worked by steam), etc. Dairy butter forwarded to the factory is thoroughly worked, milled, graded, and afterwards packed into boxes. The produce of the factory has been graded first-class, and as high as ninety-four and a-half—a very satisfactory per centage. The residual skim milk is conveyed by pipes to a pig tank, about 300 yards away from the buildings. The company finds a ready market for its butter, which is well known throughout New Zealand.
, Manager, has had considerable experience in the business, and since taking charge in September, 1897, he has made several improvements at the Golden Bay factory, and has added to the plant a pasteuriser, water cooler, and a new Babcock tester. Mr. Campbell was born at Papakura, Auckland, and was for four years at his trade under Mr. Hugh Campbell at Dannevirke. He was afterwards for two seasons at the Eltham Butter Factory, where, besides butter, the cheese industry forms an important feature of the business. Whilst at Eltham Mr. Campbell studied at the Dairy School at Stratford, and availed himself to the utmost of the opportunity thus placed within his reach. Under his supervision and direction, the Golden Bay Butter Factory has become one of the most flourishing factories in the district of Nelson.
(George Gibbs, proprietor), Takaka. This hotel was built in the year 1902, and is a large two-storied wooden building, situated in the centre of the township. It contains sixteen bedrooms, exclusive of those used, by the family and servants, a dining-room capable of seating one hundred guests, four parlours, a large commercial room, and a billiard room, fitted with a fullsized Alcock's table. The bar is stocked with the choicest brands of wines, liquors, spirits and beer, and the service and attention shown to the traveller is everything that could be desired. The hotel is furnished with a degree of
, Proprietor of the Junction Hotel, Takaka, was born in London, England, on the 5th of November, 1848, and is a son of the late Mr. William Gibbs, an old settler and magistrate of Golden Bay. Mr. Gibbs came to New Zealand, with his parents, in the year 1852, in the ship “Duke of Bronte,” and settled in Golden Bay. After a number of years spent in mining and coastal trading, he started a sheep run at Wainui; and, later on, he, bought a farm at Motupipi, and conducted it for many years with considerable success. In July, 1903, Mr. Gibbs bought the Junction Hotel, Takaka, and has since conducted it. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Golden Bay, No. 2194, English Constitution; he is a member of the Takaka Lodge of Druids, and is vice-president of the Takaka Jockey Club, and of the local football and cricket clubs. Mr. Gibbs has also been a member of the Motupipi school committee. He married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Eden, of the Waimeas, in the year 1887, and has one son and one daughter.
(Frederick M. Edgar and James Edgar), Farriers and General Blacksmiths, Takaka. Established, 1897. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Nelson. Agents for Massey, Harris and Co., Booth, and Macdonald. McCormick and Co., and Andrews and Beaven, Christchurch. The smithy is 45 feet by 30 feet, and has two forges, besides a complete stock of tools and other appliances usually found in an up-to-date establishment. A very large business is done by the firm, which executes work for settlers throughout the Golden Bay district. Horse shoeing receives special attention at the hands of Messrs Edgar Brothers, who have taken first prizes at the agricultural and pastoral show. General iron work is undertaken, and machinery carefully and expeditiously repaired, by the firm.
was born at Nelson in 1871, and was educated there and at Motupiko. He learned his trade as a blacksmith with Mr. Rutherford, with whom he served four years, after which he was with Mr. John Vorbach, of Renwick, for nine months. He also worked in Reefton for some years, and has had about fifteen years' experience.
was born in Nelson, in 1875, and learned his trade with Mr. J. R. Rutherford. He afterwards went to Wairau Valley, where he was employed by Mr. William Imrie. For eighteen months he worked for Mr. G. Ingram, of Richmond, and he also worked in other parts of the province. His brother and he bought the present business and built the shop now occupied by them.
. (John J. Langridge and James B. Sadd), General Merchants, Takaka. Bankers, The Union Bank of Australia, Ltd. Nelson. Telegraphic address, “Langridge, Takaka.” This old established business was founded by Mr. Thomas A. Cook nearly thirty years ago, and taken over in 1892 by Mr. Langridge. The business is by far the largest and most important of its kind in the Golden Bay district. The premises have three entrances from the street, with a frontage of about eighty feet, and an average depth of forty feet. The main building is replete with art the conveniences necessary for carrying on the trade. The grocery and drapery departments have full assortments of new and seasonable goods. At the back there is a commodious boot department, and a suite of offices. There are splendid stocks of crockery and furnishing ironmongery, and a portion of the premises is devoted to the storage of produce.
, the Senior Partner, was born at Temuka, South Canterbury, in 1863, and is a son of Mr. John Langridge, builder and architect. At the age of fourteen he was placed in the old established business of Mr. J. Mendelson, at Temuka, and there gained his first ideas of trade. When Mr. Mendelson died, Mr. Langridge went to the West Coast, where in a year or two he and Messrs A. Lees and Jonas Masters opened a retail store at Brunner. Mr. Lees afterwards retired from the business, which was then carried on for seven years by Messrs Langridge and Masters. The business prospered exceedingly until the big strike, when the firm was very hard hit. Mr. Langridge subsequently purchased the old Takaka business of Mr. T. A. Cook. Three years later Mr. Sadd joined him, and now the firm has the largest general store in the locality. Since he was fifteen Mr. Langridge has been an enthusiastic volunteer; he began in the Temuka Band, and ended as captain of the Brunner Rifles. At Brunnerton he was a member of the Borough Council, and at Takaka he is church secretary and choirmaster, and also superintendent of the Sunday school.
, the Junior Member of the firm, was born in Nelson in 1868, and is the second son of Mr. J. B. Sadd, of that city. He was educated at Nelson College, and served eleven years with the well known firm of Sclanders and Co., whose employment he left to join Mr. Langridge in partnership. Mr. Sadd is honorary secretary of the local tennis club, and of the Golden Bay Rugby Union, and he has represented the province on the football field more than once.
. (Robert Kirk and Richard W. Kirk), General Storekeepers and Produce Merchants; also proprietors of the Takaka Tramway, Takaka. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia, Limited. Telegraphic address, “Kirk, Takaka.” Private residence. Mr. Robert Kirk, Heathcote, Christchurch. This important business was founded as a going concern in April, 1897, although for many years previously Mr. R. Kirk had done a steady trade with the residents of Takaka and the surrounding district. Formerly, the premises had a frontage of about forty feet, and a depth of twenty feet, but were extended to cope with the steadily increasing trade that has marked the business from its inception. Adjacent to the shop there is a commodious storeroom, with the offices and dwelling situated at the back. Messrs Kirk and Co. deal in nothing but the best of groceries, and they have the sole agency for the “Crown” brand of teas, the merits of which are well known, and in every packet of which there is a coupon which gives the holder a chance in a distribution of prizes.
(Henry Baigent and Thomas J. Baigent), Sawmillers, East Takaka. Messrs Baigent are the pioneers of the sawmill industry in Takaka, and have done much towards opening up the valley. The business was established in 1873. The plant is most complete for a country mill, and consists of a vertical saw, an iron travelling bench, breast-bench, and planing mill, and the power is obtained from one of Clayden and Shuttleworth's sixteen-horse power engines. Twelve persons are employed in the industry, and the output is about 3500 feet per diem. Timber is shipped to all parts of New Zealand, and especially to Lyttelton, Kaiapoi and Nelson.
, J.P., was born at Wakefield, Nelson, in July, 1849. He was educated at the local schools, was placed by his father in his mill, and thenceforward continued to be connected with the sawmilling Industry. He has been a member of the Collingwood County Council, and of the Motueka licensing bench. For many years he was the only Justice of the Peace in the district. Mr. Baigent is also a Freemason, an Oddfellow, and a member of the Nelson Education Board.
In 1875, he married a daughter of the late Mr. Charles Best, of Appleby, and has a family.
(W. C. Baigent, managing partner), Sawmillers, Central Takaka. Established 1887. Bankers. Union Bank of Australia, Nelson. The mill is driven by a fourteen horse-power engine and boiler, and is capable of turning out 3000 feet of timber per day. Red and white pine are the woods chiefly in use, and the bulk of the product of the mill is shipped to Canterbury. Eight persons are constantly employed.
, the Managing Partner, carries on sheepfarming on an extensive scale. He was born in Nelson in 1857, and has been engaged in the sawmilling industry all his life, either at Takaka or in the Waimeas.
Farmer, Takaka. Mr. Manson, who was formerly a member of the firm of Manson Bros., of Motupipi, severed his connection with it in 1896. He had two years previously taken up his present property, which consists of 150 acres of freehold, and is close to the township. The land is somewhat heavy on the flats, but on the hillocks and high ground is of a light loamy and clayey nature. It is considered to be admirably adapted for grain growing, especially wheat. The property is well fenced and subdivided, and has water throughout during the driest seasons. About 300 Romney Marsh sheep are depastured on the property, and they are entirely free from all sheep diseases.
Farmer, Takaka. Mr. Reilly was born in Takaka in the year 1867, and is the second son of the late Mr. James Reilly, who was one of the first settlers in the district, and for many years a member of the County Council. He was educated in Takaka and Nelson, and was afterwards engaged in farming with his father. Subsequently, Mr. Reilly built and conducted the Junction Hotel, but retired from that occupation to again engage in agriculture. He was for nine years a member of the County Council, before the new Act making Takaka a separate county, came into force. Mr. Reilly is president of the Golden Bay Rugby Union and Takaka Football Club, a member of the committee of the local Agricultural and Pastoral Association (of which he has also held the office of vice-president); a provisional director of the Bacon Company; and a member of the Athletic Club committee. Mr. Reilly founded the Takaka Racing Club; he has been a member of the local school and library committees, and for a number of years was secretary and treasurer of the Takaka Regatta Club. Mr. Reilly married a daughter of Mr. P. Byrne, of Takaka, in 1897, and has three sons.
Willow Farm, Takaka. This property, which consists of 120 acres, was taken up by Mr. Rose in 1879. Since then it has been redeemed from the wilderness, sown down in English grasses, and made one of the finest farms of its size in Golden Bay. The land is abundantly watered, and is a rich alluvial soil, and very suitable for all agricultural purposes. Mr. Rose keeps about 100 Southdown sheep, chiefly for his own use, and also about twenty-five dairy cows, as he is one of the largest suppliers to the local dairy factory. He has experimented in orange culture, the Government pomologist (Mr. Blackmore) having given it as his opinion that the property is highly suitable for fruit culture, especially oranges. Mr. Rose was born in Germany, in 1851, and landed in New Zealand with his parents on the 10th of February, 1856. He was
Farmer, “Jess, mond Farm,” Takaka. Mr. Staples was born in the district in the year 1882, and is a son of Mr. John Staples. He was educated at the local school, and afterwards assisted his father in the management of the farm, of which he took entire charge in 1904. Mr. Staples was a member of the Eighth New Zealand Contingent during the South African war, and is a member of the Takaka Mounted Rifles. He is also a member of the Golden Bay Football Club, and takes a lively interest in all outdoor sports. “Jessmond Farm” is a freehold property of 100 acres of flat land, and dairying is the chief industry. About four acres are devoted to the cultivation of hops, which yield an average crop of fifteen hundredweight to the acre. Mr. Staples has been most successful with his root crops, especially potatoes, which have yielded an average of ten tons per acre. The property is near the centre of the township, and the land is extremely fertile.
, sometime of Takaka, was born at Oxford, England, in 1830. He served his time as a coachbuilder and worked at the trade till 1856, when he came to New Zealand in the ship “Cresswell” For a short time he resided in Nelson, and then proceeded to Takaka, where he took up land for farming purposes, and also kept a general store. Ten years later he built the Junction Hotel. He also engaged in sawmilling, and owned the well-known schooner “Croydon Lass,” which traded to Wellington, Lyttelton, Waitapu and Nelson, and was wrecked some years later at Waitara. Mr. Abbott built the first sawmill at Bartlett's, and afterwards removed it to a section below the school. He was also engaged in the butchering business He was one of the founders of the Golden Bay Lodge of Freemasons, and one of the largest shareholders in the Tramway Company. Mr. Abbott was a public spirited settler, and at all times endeavoured to advance the welfare of the district. He died in August, 1896, and had been for some years a widower.
, sometime of Takaka, held twenty-three acres of land, having disposed of the balance of his property to his sons. Originally he had one hundred acres at Long Plain and a small section at Waitapu. He was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1832, and arrived at Nelson on the 15th of February, 1842, in the the ship “Lloyds”; his father had landed six months earlier in the “Will Watch.” Mr. Dodson, senior, resided in Nelson and at Wakapuaka, and passed away in the ninetysecond year of his age, his wife having died three years after their arrival in Nelson. Mr. Dodson, junior, settled at Takaka in 1854; he worked at the coal mines at Motupipi, and was engaged in farming at Long Plain and Takaka for many years. He served on the Takaka Road Board, and was at one time chairman, of the Long Plain school committee. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows. Mr. Dodson left a family of four sons and five daughters at the time of his death, which occurred some years ago.
, sometime of Golden Bay, was born in London, England, in the year 1819, and at an early age served an apprenticeship as a glazier, paper stainer, and ornamental painter. He came to New Zealand in 1852, arrived in Lyttelton by the ship “Duke of Bronte,” and from there transhipped in a schooner to Motupipi, Golden Bay, Nelson. Mr. Gibbs' first few years in the colony were spent in farming, but when gold was discovered at Collingwood, he went there, started a store, built a wharl, and employed a bullock team to convey goods to the camps. He at one time owned nearly the whole of Collingwood. Mr. Gibbs occupied a seat on the Provincial Council for a num- ber of years, and was subsequently elected to the House of Representatives for the Golden Bay district. He was also Magistrate for Golden Bay, and held the position up to the time of his retirement from public life. Mr. Gibbs spent his closing years in retirement in Nelson, where he died. He married a daughter of Mr. Lincoln, and there is a surviving family of three sons and three daughters.
, sometime of Central Takaka, owned 160 acres of land, of which he cropped 100 acres, the balance being cleared and grassed. Mr. McDonald was born at Blanefield, Scotland, in 1829, and he died on the 16th of December, 1898. He was a sailor for eleven years, but left the sea when he was twenty-seven years of age. He arrived in Nelson in 1856, and worked at Wakefield; and he was sawing and
, of “Jessmond Farm,” Takaka, was born in Lincolnshire, England, and was brought up to an agricultural life. He came to New Zealand in the early sixties, and landed in Nelson. For several years he was farming in the Motueka district, but subsequently removed to Takaka, where he has since resided. Mr. Staples has been a member of the local school committee, and is an Oddfellow of many years' standing. He married Miss Susannah Boyce, of Motueka, and has a family of five sons and five daughters.
was born in the Shetland Isles in 1841, and was trained in a mercantile office. In 1861, he emigrated to Victoria, in the ship “Prince of the Leal.” Mr. Sinclair came to New Zealand in the following year, and worked with considerable success on the Otago and West Coast goldfields. In 1872, he settled at Takaka, and engaged in farming; he also joined Mr. Abbott, and for twenty years managed his business. Mr. Sinclair has taken a prominent part in all matters affecting the social and commercial welfare of the district. Besides filling the office of chairman of the Collingwood County Council, he has served on all public bodies, including the road board and school committee. He is one of the leading members of the athletic club, and has been associated with the agricultural and pastoral association since its inception. Mr. Sinclair was one of the founders of the local Lodge of Freemasons, and is the oldest Past Master in the district. He now (1905) lives in retirement.
is a small settlement with a few farmers and hop growers, and two sawmills. It is on the main road between Nelson and Collingwood, and is connected with Takaka by a steam tramway, which carries goods, timber and passengers.
, Farmer, East Takaka. Mr. McDonald owns 120 acres of land, situated on both sides of the road, and his farm carries from 300 to 400 Romney Marsh sheep. He was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1829, and was brought up to blacksmithing and shipbuilding on the Clyde. In 1863, in came to Nelson by the ship “Bard of Avon.” After remaining twelve months in Nelson, Mr. McDonald took up his present holding, which was then covered with heavy bush. He assisted to build the East Takaka church, school, and library.
, Farmer, “Hillside,” East Takaka. Mr. Scott owns 300 acres of land, the whole of which is cleared and grossed, and he keeps 300 crossbred sheep. He was born at Waikaremumu, in 1862, and brought up to farm work. Mr. Scott took up his present holding in 1879. He is an Oddfellow, and takes a keen interest in sporting.
, sometime of East Takaka, was born in Corsica, of French parentage, in 1829. As a sailor, he traded
is on the main road, and is about sixteen miles from Takaka, and forty-three from Nelson, with which, like Takaka, it is connected by a coach service. General farming is carried on in the district, and there is an hotel in the township, which has also a sawmill.
(Mrs Carson, proprietress), Upper Takaka, contains three bedrooms, and two sitting-rooms, with a dining-room to seat twenty guests. The house is of recent construction, and was built as an accommodation house. Everything is scrupulously clean and neat. The charges are moderate—namely, one shilling all round. Horses receive attention at one shilling per feed, with good paddocks at night.
, sometime of “Daisy Hill,” Upper Takaka, had 300 acres of freehold land at the extreme head of the Takaka Valley, in the fork of the two ranges. The original section of about forty acres was taken up in 1867, and the remainder had been added by Mr. Beardmore from time to time, as the result of thrift and honest toil on his part, and on the part of his wife and family. Between 600 and 700 Southdown-Lincoln sheep are depastured on the property, which consists of excellent grazing country. Mr. Beardmore was born in England, and emigrated to Australia when the gold “rush” was at its height. He was at Ballarat, but finally took to cattle dealing and station life. In 1861 he crossed to Nelson in the brig “Active” (Captain Johnson.) For six or seven years he took whatever offered in the nature of work in Nelson and Marlborough. Towards the end of the sixtie, he left a butchery business at Nelson, and moved to Takaka, where he took up his original section of forty acres. He literally, as a backwoodsman, carved out for himself, his wife and family, a home in a thickly wooded country, where it was long before a good macadamised road placed him in easy communication with the outer world. Mr. Beardmore died during the year 1904.
, sometime of “Willowdale,” Upper Takaka, was born at Ellesmere, in Shropshire, England, in 1829, and arrived in Nelson in August, 1865. After his arrival, he went farming at Stoke, but upon receipt of the news of his father's death, he revisited England. On returning to New Zealand he settled at Takaka, where he bought and successfully cultivated 495 acres of land. Mr. Rogers was a member of the school committee. An attack of influenza brought on bronchitis, to which he succumbed, after a short illness, on the 29th of September, 1898. Mr. Rogers left a family of four sons and four daughters.
is between two and three miles from the post office at Motueka. The district has a population of about 700 persons, and the land, which is subdivided into small holdings, is of excellent quality, and suitable for farming of all kinds. Riwaka is the head centre of hop-growing in New Zealand. There are about forty growers in the district, and the yield is over 250 bales each season. Being wellsheltered by the hills from prevailing winds, hop cultivation is carried on under the most favourable conditions. The soil is also specially adapted for growing small fruits of all kinds, including currants, raspberries, and strawberries, and a large area is under cultivation for that purpose. Sheep and cattle thrive on the land, too, and root and grain crops yield excellent returns. The climate is good, and the whole place has an air which indicates prosperity, comfort and contentment. There are two large public schools, one at Riwaka, and the other at Brooklyn, and there is also a local Lodge of Oddfellows. The famous lime-stone caves are situated near Riwaka, and attract many visitors to the district.
Photographer, Riwaka. Mr. Lane has built a commodious studio, and is prepared to do all classes of photographic work. He has been most successful with his stereoscopic views of the famous Riwaka limestone caves, and his pictures of coastal scenery are excellent in every detail.
(L. P. Jensen, manager), Swamp Road, Riwaka. The factory is carried on in a one-storey building, 24 feet by 36 feet, erected on a five acre section. A six-horse power steam engine, built by Marshall, supplies the motive power to work a De Laval cream separator and box churn butter worker. During the summer months 600 gallons of milk are treated daily, and the butter produced is of a high grade. The bulk of the output, carefully packed in cases and boxes, is shipped to the Old Country. The greatest cleanliness is observed in the manipulation of the butter, and everything connected with the factory indicates that the manager has a thorough and practical knowledge of the business.
, Manager of the Riwaka Butter Factory, took charge on the 1st of June, 1898. He was born in Denmark in 1863, and arrived in New Zealand in 1882. After spending ten years in New Zealand, Mr. Jensen returned to his native place, where he attended the Agricultural High School for some time. Before taking up his present position, Mr. Jensen was for six months at the Eketahuna creamery. He acquired a knowledge of cheese-making while in Denmark.
(H. T. Goodwin, proprietor), Riwaka. This hotel is well-appointed throughout, and contains several bedrooms, two parlours, and a smoking-room. A new piano has been installed in the ladies' parlour, also easy chairs and lounges, and everything has been done to ensure the comfort of guests. Only the
, Proprietor of the Travellers' Rest Hotel, Riwaka, was born in Nelson, in the year 1862, and is a son of the late Mr. William S. Goodwin. After serving an apprenticeship to the bootmaking trade, he removed to Takaka, and started in business for himself. Mr. Goodwin was afterwards engaged in dairy farming, and removed to Riwaka in August, 1904. For seven years he served as a member of the local school committee; was a provisional director and permanent director of the Golden Bay Dairy Factory Company, and a member of the Racing Club. He is an Oddfellow of many years' standing, and in early life was a jockey of some prominence in the Nelson district. Mr. Goodwin married a daughter of the late Mr. W. Page, of Takaka, in the year 1891, and has two daughters.
Farmer, Riwaka. Mr. Fry has 300 acres, of which he can crop fully 100 acres; he has two or three acres in various small fruits, and an acre in raspberries. The land is good and of a high loamy nature, and hops can be grown to perfection. Mr. Fry was born in the Motueka district in 1843, and has been in occupation of his present homestead since 1874. He married a daughter of the late Mr. C. P. Pattie, of Riwaka.
Farmer, Brooklyn, Riwaka. Of the 300 acres held by this gentleman, three are devoted to the cultivation of hops and about ten to grain and root crops. Sheep are depastured on the balance of the land, Mr. Mickell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1837, and came to Nelson in 1842, in the ship “Lloyds.” He acquired his present holding in 1867, and has always taken a keen and intelligent interest in the welfare of his district.
, Farmer, Riwaka. Mr. Pattie was born at St. Andrews, Scotland, in July, 1832. He was brought up as a draper, and followed that trade for eight years. In 1855, he came to New Zealand in the ship “Sir Alan McNab,” and eventually settled in the Riwaka district, where he has a very compact and highly cultivated farm.
, Farmer, Riwaka. Mr. Pattie was born in 1856, at Riwaka, and is a son of Mr. Robert Pattie, of Riwaka. He engaged in farming in 1882 at Riwaka and at Ngatimoti, where he owned 400 acres of land. Three years later, he sold out to Mr. Thomas Heath, and went to Otakeho, near Hawera, where he stayed fifteen months, during which he suffered from ill-health owing to the unsuitable climate,
Farmer and Hopgrower, Riwaka. Mr. Rowling was born in Nelson in the year 1842, and is the son of the late Mr. Thomas Rowling, who arrived in Nelson with Captain Wakefield. He was educated in Riwaka, assisted his father in farming, and subsequently started on his own account. Mr. Rowling is the largest hopgrower in New Zealand, as he has twenty-six acres under cultivation, and, in 1904, his crop yielded 130 bales. The farm is a freehold and leasehold property of 170 acres, and is managed and worked by the sons of the proprietor. Mr. Rowling has been a member of the Order of Oddfellows for forty-two years. He married a daughter of the late Mr. William Lodder, in the year 1867, and has a grown-up family of six sons and three daughters.
, sometime of Riwaka, came to New Zealand in the year 1843, with his parents, who were amongst the earliest pioneers of the province of Nelson. He decided to settle in the Riwaka district, where he took up a farm, which he worked up to the time of his death. Mr. Askew belonged to the Order of Oddfellows for many years, and had long been a member of the road board and school committee, and an elder of the Presbyterian church. He was married, and had three sons and four daughters. Mr. Askew died on the 9th of June, 1901.
, sometime of Riwaka, was a native of Devonshire, England, and came to New Zealand in 1862. He was successful as a miner at the Dunstan, in Otago, and was subsequently at Wakamarina, where he met with more or less success. Mr. Bate settled down at Riwaka, in 1874, and became fairly successful as a farmer. In 1899, he was elected a member of the Waimea County Council; became a member of the Nelson Land Board in 1892, and was chairman of the Riwaka Road Board, and a member of the school committee for some years. Mr. Bate was one of the principal hop growers at Riwaka, and had about five acres of hops annually under cultivation. He also had a sheep farm, of about 600 acres, within a few miles of Riwaka. Mr. Bate, who was a Justice of the Peace, died on the 26th of July, 1902.
, Riwaka, was born at Alton, Hampshire, England, in 1832, and attended the public schools for a short time, but as he came to New Zealand with his mother, when he was only about eleven years of age, he was deprived of the educational advantages of the Old Country. He was one of sixty-seven children on board the ship “Lloyds,” whose outward voyage was signalised by an unusual amount of infant mortality. Mr. Cook's father had come out previously in the ship “Will Watch,” under contract to the New Zealand Company, and soon after settled in the Riwaka district on a farm, of sixteen acres of freehold and 100 acres of grazing land, where Mr. George Cook afterwards became noted for the special interest he took in floriculture. Mr. Cook was formerly a member of the Riwaka Road Board, but latterly he had left all local matters to the younger men. He married a daughter of Mr. John Drummond, and brought up a family of eleven children. When
, sometime of Riwaka, came to Nelson in 1841, by the ship “Will Watch,” which brought out the New Zealand Company's expedition party. He was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1817, and was brought up to farming. As he saw no prospect of bettering his position in the Old Country, he decided to try his fortune in New Zealand. After a short stay in Nelson, Mr. Fry settled down at Riwaka, on the 2nd of May, 1842, and was the second white man to take up land in the district. Originally, he secured sixteen acres, but he added to his area from time to time until he owned 153 acres. During Mr. Fry's long residence in the district, many of the settlers experienced hard times, although he personally had not suffered in the same way. Mr. Fry served on the local school committee and road board, and had been an Oddfellow for nearly sixty years. He survived his wife, and had a grown-up family of six sons and three daughters, seven of whom were settled around him. Mr. Fry died on the 5th of April, 1903.
, sometime of Riwaka, was born in Cornwall, England, in the year 1832. At the age of twenty-one he decided to try his fortune in the colonies, and landed in Sydney, Australia. After staying there for some months, he came to New Zealand, and arrived in Nelson in the year 1856. Riwaka was chosen by Mr. Jenkins as a place where he might carve out a home for himself, and his farm became second to none in New Zealand. He was one of the first pioneers who undertook the drainage, which has been of lasting benefit to the district. Mr. Jenkins had a large farm of about 600 acres. He was for some time a member of the road board, and of the school committee, and also one of the trustees of the Riwaka cemetery. Mr. Jenkins had been a member of the Riwaka Loyal Good Intention Lodge of Oddfellows from its inception. He died in August, 1900.
was born in Ireland about 1810, and came to Nelson in 1841. Soon after landing he settled in Riwaka, where he lived till his death in 1889. Mr. Macmahon always took an active interest in all local matters of a public nature, and watched with special attention the proceedings of the Provincial Council of Nelson, and also those of the County Councils which superseded it.
, of Riwaka, came to New Zealand with her husband, Mr. Charles Patterson Pattie, from Scotland, in the ship “Slains Castle,” in the year 1854, when they landed at Nelson, and proceeded thence to Riwaka. Mr. Pattie took up a farm of sixty acres, and by dint of energy and perseverance, and without the aid of capital, he made a living for his family. Mr. Pattie was esteemed by all who knew him. He was secretary to the road board for many years, and was a member of the school committee, and he always took an active interest in anything likely to be of advantage to his district. He died on the 5th of July, 1890, and left a widow and a family of two sons and one daughter.
is a farming district, part of Motueka valley, and is situated on the banks of the Graham and Motueka rivers. It has an area of about 10,000 acres; it was first settled in 1864, and the late Mr. J. P. Salisbury was its pioneer. The flat country is slightly affected by floods, but the hills afford good grazing for sheep and cattle, and
, Farmer, Graham, Pokororo. Mr. Hodges owns 420 acres of somewhat rugged country at the foot of what is known as the Tableland goldfields. The property was the scene of a gold “rush” in 1862, when a few hundred diggers succeeded in finding a considerable amount of gold: and eversince it has supported a number of diggers. Mr. Hodges' land, which was taken up in 1888, is of limestone formation, and depastures about 800 crossbred merino sheep, and a few horses and cattle. The land on the flats grows excellent crops of grain and roots, and fruit trees thrive exceedingly well. Mr. Hodges was born in London, England, in 1850, and emigrated to Australia with his parents when he was only three years of age. In 1854 the family came to New Zealand from Australia, and Mr. Hodges followed mining in the province of Nelson, and on the West Coast. He was attracted, in 1882, to the Tableland goldfields, where he put in two years of useful work. Besides other valuable minerals, he found asbestos in the neighbourhood, and decided to take up the property he now owns. On account of the existence of excellent asbestos in large quantities, a company, with a capital of £50,000, was formed to work it. Mr. Hodges was one of the promoters, and also the mine manager, until he was succeeded by a Canadian expert from the Black Lakes. Mr. Hodges is a member of the local school committee and of the Pokororo Road Board. His wife is a daughter of the late Mr. Edmund Parkinson, of Motueka, and she conducts the Graham Accommodation House, which is acknowledged to be one of the most comfortable resorts for the tourist and traveller.
, Farmer, Pokororo. Mr. McGaveston was born in Ireland, and landed in Nelson in 1850. He has a sheep farm of 1000 acres, and shears about 1000 sheep. A fair amount of cropping is carried on, and fruit and root crops thrive exceedingly well. The small fruits do best, and raspberries grow in great profusion. Mr. McGaveston gives his attention to dairying, and milks from thirteen to twenty cows, according to the season. He also finds pigrearing a profitable industry; there is a ready market at Motueka, and he rears only Berkshires. With forty years of hard and useful work, Mr. McGaveston was enabled to establish a good home for himself and family of fourteen, sons and daughters. His fine residence of fifteen rooms is beautifully situated, with a frontage to the west bank of the Motueka and Pokororo rivers. Mr. McGaveston's success shows what can be done with energy, perseverance and thrift.
(William Mytton, proprietor), Pokororo. This is a property of 2000 acres, mostly hilly, but all cleared with the exception of 400 acres. It carries from 1700 to 1800 Romney Marsh sheep, and about fifty head of cattle. Mr. Mytton crops thirty acres for the use of cattle and for pig-feeding, and forwards regular supplies of pork to the bacon factories.
was born in Worcesterahire, England, in 1850, and came to Nelson with his parents in the ship “Phœbe Dunbar,” in 1851. Mr. Mytton took up the first part of his present holding in 1869, and gradually increased the area. He is interested in the local church and school, and is a keen sportsman.
is four miles and a-half from Motueka. It is a farming and fruit-growing district, with the nucleus of a township, which has a school and other conveniences.
(Christopher Remnant, junior, proprietor), Pangatotara.
, the Proprietor of the Pangatotara Sawmill, was born at Ngatimoti in 1871, and is a son of Mr. Christopher Remnant. He has 350 acres of land, on which there is bush to last him for some time.
(Francis Grooby and George Grooby), Hop and Fruitgrowers, Rocky River, Pangatotara. Messrs Grooby have a freehold of 338 acres, situated at the head of the Pangatotara district, on the western banks of the Rocky river, and much of it is rich alluvial soil. There are about 400 crossbred sheep on the property, and the owners also cultivate a few acres of hops and have about five acres planted with fruit trees. The Messrs Grooby were born in Nottinghamshire, England, and come to New Zealand by the ship “Annie Loughton,” in November, 1864. During the flood that deluged the Ngatimoti district some years ago, Mr. Francis Grooby had a narrow escape, and was rescued from a perilous position whilst the flood was at its height.
Farmer, “Target Hill,” Pangatotara. Mr. Inwood was born in Hampshire, England, in 1829, and learned both carpentry and shoemaking. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Lloyds” in 1842. His stepfather, Mr. Windelbank, was one of Captain Wakefield's expedition men, who had previously arrived in the ship “Will Watch.” After a short residence in Nelson. Mr. Inwood settled on some land at Motueka, and eighteen years ago he took up his present property. Mrs Inwood is a daughter of Mr. William Sherman, of Surrey, England.
Farmer and Orchardist, Stoney Terrace, Pangatotara. Mr. Marshall has a holding of 400 acres, twenty-five of which can be ploughed. He grows an acre of raspberries, and has from four to five acres of large and small fruits; the balance of the land is stocked with sheep and cattle. Mr. Marshall was born in Marlborough in 1855, and is a son of the late Mr. William Marshall, who landed in Nelson in the forties. He was brought up in the district, and after visiting various parts of New Zealand, he returned to Pangatotara in 1894.
Fruit Grower, Pangatotara Valley. Mr. Thomason owns seventy acres of land, of which thirty acres are ploughable. He has five acres in fruit, and grows excellent crops of raspberries, besides oats for use on his farm. The land also carries 120 sheep and five head of cattle. Mr. Thomason was born at Spring Grove in 1865, and is a son of the late Mr. Esmy Thomason, who came to Nelson in the ship “Fifeshire” in 1842. He was brought up to farm work and acquired his present holding in 1885. Mr. Thomason married a daughter of the late Mr. James Delaney, of Ngatimoti.
was a successful fruit-grower at Pangatotara, where he owned thirty acres of land, five acres of which, were in orchard; and he also had 150 acres at Ngatimoti, where he kept stock. Mr. Grooby was born in Nottinghamshire, England, on the 25th of February, 1833, and landed in New Zealand in March, 1843. He lived in Brook Street, Nelson, for seventeen years, and then settled in Pangatotara. Mr. Grooby was a member of the Pangatotara Road Board for fourteen years and also of the Motueka Highwas Board. He died at Pangatotara on the 19th of May, 1899.
was settled in 1842 by some of the pioneers who came to Nelson under agreement with the New Zealand Company. The land was then densely covered with native bush, but was gradually cleared, and sub-divided into allotments of from twenty-five to fifty acres and upwards. The soil is exceptionally rich; in fact the district is acknowledged to be the most prolific in Nelson, and as it is a healthy locality it is growing in importance every year. Motueka has a population of about 900 persons, and is connected with Nelson by coach and steamer. The distance overland is about thirty-six miles, and by sea sixteen miles. A small steamer runs to and from Nelson daily, and there is also a daily coach service. Fruit-growing, hop-growing, and poultry farming are carried on in the district, and there are two dairy and two bacon factories at the township, which has a bank, a post, telegraph, money order and other Government offices. There are two hotels, and also public and private schools, and two churches—Church of England and Wesleyan. Trout abound in the Motueka and Riwaka rivers.
was formed into a municipality in the year 1899, and the first meeting of the Borough Council was held on the 17th of January, 1900, Mr. Richmond Hursthouse was the first Mayor; and Messrs J. S. Wratt, R. W. H. Rankin, and the present Mayor, Mr. F. W. Thorp, have been his successors, Messrs A. Grooby, E. A. Knapp, J. B. Jordan (deputy-mayor), A. Miller, W. Ryder, and James Satherley were councillors in 1905, and Mr. E. F. Johansen, Town Clerk. The valuation of property in the borough is £93,532; revenue, £726; population 900; ratepayers, 182; and there are 183 dwellings.
was elected Mayor of the borough of Motueka in the year 1905, and had filled the position for some months previously on account of the death of Mr. R. W. Rankin. Mr. Thorp is an old resident of Motueka, and it is said that he started the first butter factory in New Zealand.
was elected to a seat on the Motueka Borough Council, at its institution, in the year 1899. He is further referred to as a farmer at Motueka.
has been a member of the Motueka Borough Council since its inception, in 1899.
was elected to the Motueka Borough Council in the year 1904. He was born in Motueka, in 1866, and is engaged in the hop and fruit-growing industry.
became a member of the Motueka Borough Council in November, 1904. He is further referred to as a builder and contractor, and as a member of other local bodies and institutions.
was elected to a seat on the Motueka Borough Council in April, 1905, and in the same year was acting as deputymayor of the borough. He is further referred to as a saddler and harnessmaker.
who was elected to the Motueka Borough Council in April, 1905, is referred to in another article as a blacksmith and wheelright, and as a member of other public bodies.
, Town Clerk to the Motueka Borough Council, was born in Motueka in the year 1877, and is a son of the late Dr. Johansen. He was educated at Nelson College, and at Canterbury College, where he took his M.A. degree (with honours), and his L.L.B. degree. Mr. Johansen studied law at Wellington, with Messrs Martin and Richmond, and was admitted to the bar in 1901. He subsequently commenced the practice of his profession in Motueka.
is situated two miles from the township, with which
, Wharfinger and Harbourmaster at Motueka, came to Nelson by the ship “Mariner,” in 1857. He was born in London, England, in 1839, and went to sea at the age of twelve in the ship “Bolton,” bound for Sydney and Callao, where the vessel was condemned. Mr. Moffat then shipped on board the ship “Margaret” for Mauritius and England. He was for a short time engaged in the English coasting trade, and for three years in the trade between Newfoundland, the Brazils and New York. After his arrival in New Zealand he followed mining in Nelson and Otago, with the result that he took passage home in the “Suffolk,” and after a three months' holiday in England returned to Nelson in the ship “Magna Bona.” He then went as providore of the s.s. “Nelson,” engaged in the West Coast trade, and when that boat came to grief on the Grey bar, he started butchering in Hokitika, but without success. He was married about that time, and for several years was a mate in the Anchor Steamship Company's service. Afterwards for three years he kept a store at West Wanganui, but relinquished that for his present position in 1877. Mr. Moffat has been a total abstainer for more than fifty years.
, corner of High and Greenwood Streets, Motueka. The building is of brick, with concrete facings, and was opened by Sir Joseph Ward, in the year 1902. Mails are despatched daily to Nelson. Mr. A. J. Berry was appointed postmaster in November, 1903.
, Motueka. There are 170 scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of 141, and pupils are prepared for matriculation. Mr. Thomas A. Harris is headmaster, and he has four assistants.
, No. 117, New Zealand Constitution, was founded in the year 1900 by Messrs L. D. Easton, W. W. De Castro (first Worshipful Master), H. O. B. Deck, C. J. Bartlett, T. G. Brougham, J. A. Guy, G. Ingram, C. S. McFarlane, A. White, T. Hunt, and H. Haycock. It has a membership of twenty-two, and meetings are held on the nearest Wednesday to the full moon in each month, in the Masonic Hall, Motueka, the property of the Lodge. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. C. S. McFarlane, Worshipful Master; Mr. A. I. Manoy, Senior Warden; Mr. George W. Jenkins, Junior Warden; Secretary, Mr. J. A. Guy; Treasurer, Mr. T. G. Brougham.
, Worshipful Master of Lodge Motueka, No. 117, New Zealand Constitution, was initiated in the year 1886, in Lodge Southern Star, Nelson, and was installed as Worshipful Master of Lodge Motueka, in October, 1904, by the Grand Superintendent, Worshipful Master Brother J. Conley. Mr. McFarlane was one of the founders of Lodge Motueka, and was its first Junior Deacon. He is also a member of the Order of Oddfellows, and a Past Chief Ranger of Court Perseverance, of the Order of Forresters, No. 3977. Mr. McFarlane was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1850, and served an apprenticeship to the blacksmithing trade, partly on the Clyde, and partly in Nelson, New Zealand. In 1871, he removed to Motueka, and started in business for himself as a horseshoer and general smith. Mr. McFarlane has been a member of the District High School committee: has sat on the Licensing Bench; and for a time was a member of the Institute Committee. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Goodman, of Motueka, and has a family of eleven sons and two daughters.
, of the Ancient Order of Foresters, No. 3977, Motueka, was established in September, 1863, with Mr. John W. Slatter as first Chief Ranger. At the present time (1905) there is a membership of eighty. Meetings are held every fourth Saturday. A new hall will shortly be erected, as the old one was destroyed in the fire of June, 1905; meetings are held temporarily in the Oddfellows' Hall. The balance at the end of the year 1904 amounted to £669. Officers for 1905: Immediate Past Chief Ranger, Brother C. S. McFarlane; Chief Ranger, Brother E. A. Knapp, junior; Sub-Chief Ranger, Brother L. Drogemuller; Treasurer, Brother L. A. Boyes; and Secretary, Brother E. A. Knapp, senior.
was formed in the year 1896, and vocal and instrumental concerts are given. The society possesses an excellent orchestra, of which Mr. A. I. Manoy is the pianist. Mr. Andrew Miller is the conductor.
was founded in August, 1901, by the late Mr. J. H. Boundy, and is a six-page demy paper, published twice a week. The “Star” has a circulation throughout Motueka and the surrounding districts. Its office is situated in Greenwood Street, Motueka, and all kinds of commercial printing are undertaken by the proprietor.
, Manager and Editor of the “Motueka Star,” was born in Blenheim, in August, 1882, and was educated partly in Blenheim, and partly in Westport. In August, 1900, he settled in Motueka with his parents, and assisted his father in the printing office. When Mr. Boundy, senior, died, in June, 1904, his son took over the management of the business, and he has since then successfully conducted it. Mr. Boundy is a member of the District High School committee, and of the local Debating Society.
, Solicitor, Motueka. Mr. Easton was born in Ayrshire, Scotland. He studied at the Ayr Academy, and entered the Edinburgh University, where he was considered one of the best classical scholars under the late Professor J. S. Blackie. In 1877, Mr. Easton emigrated to Australia, and came to New Zealand in 1894. On landing at Nelson, he was appointed to the mastership of the Neudorf school, and, after being in that position for two years, he was promoted to the mastership of the Lower Moutere school. Mr Easton began to practice as a solicitor at Motueka early in the year 1905.
M.B., B.S.' Medical practitioner, Motueka. Private residence, Stafford Street.
Builder, Contractor, and Undertaker, Motueka. Mr. Bartlett came to New Zealand in October, 1857, by the ship “Robert Small.” After serving an apprenticeship to his trade in Nelson, he founded his present business, which he has continued with varied success. It extends over a radius of thirty miles, and Mr. Bartlett deals in all branches of his trade. He has a thorough knowledge of his business in all its departments—from carpentry to architecture, and he has had numerous large contracts throughout the district, having designed and erected many business premises and villa residences in Nelson and its suburbs. Mr. Bartlett is ever ready to meet his country clients fairly, and does not object to take produce in exchange for his services. He therefore receives a large share of public patronage in his district.
Builder and Contractor, Motueka. Mr. Miller was born in Nelson in the year 1862, and is a son of Mr. John Paul Miller, who arrived in Nelson in the early days. He was educated in Nelson, and apprenticed to the building trade with the late Mr. John Scott. In April, 1896, he removed to Motueka, and started in business for himself as a builder and contractor. Mr. Miller was elected to the Motueka Borough Council in November, 1904, and is a member of the Institute Committee; sub-captain of the local Rifle Club; conductor of the Motueka Orchestral Society; and a member of the Order of Oddfellows.
, Drapers, Clothiers and General Outfitters, High Street, Motueka. This business was established in the year 1899 by Everett Brothers, in a small shop near Holyoak's Hotel. It was removed to larger and more up-to-date premises in 1902, and was acquired by the present proprietor in August, 1904. The building is of wood and iron, with a frontage of forty feet, and a depth of seventy feet. The workroom and fitting-rooms are at the rear, and the show room is suitably fitted up with a number of mirrors, and stocked with fabrics calculated to meet the requirements of all purchasers. There is a large stock of drapery, the bulk of which is imported direct from the English and Continental markets. Dressmaking and tailoring in all branches are carried on, and the firm employs a competent and obliging staff of assistants. The displays in the two large show windows include an excellent assortment of new and firstclass goods, and the building is lighted by fanlights and acetylene gas. The firm's customers can rely on getting good value for their money, and the best of goods at town prices.
, Proprietor of Uren and Company, Motueka, was born in Lawrence, Otago, in the year 1867. He served his apprenticeship to the drapery trade in Lawrence, Dunedin, and Invereargill; in Dunedin, with Messrs Herbert Haynes and Co., and in Invercargill, with Messrs W. Lewis and Co. He was subsequently with Messrs T. Watson and Co. at Blenheim, and then became manager at Motueka for Messrs Everett Brothers, whose business he bought in August, 1904. Mr. Uren has done much to strengthen and extend his connection as a business man.
(Mrs Holdaway, proprietress), Motueka Wharf. This is a substantial two-storey building with two comfortable sitting rooms and thirteen bedrooms. The house is unsurpassed as a temporary home for invalids, and those who have used it as such speak in high terms of the care and attention bestowed upon them by the management. Visitors from Nelson and other parts of New Zealand patronise the establishment, as it is near the sea-shore, and bathing can be indulged in with safety. There is also good fishing at all seasons. The whole establishment is under the charge of Mrs Holdaway.
was born at Richmond in 1845, and is a son of the late Mr. John Holdaway, who was one of the party which came to Nelson in the ship “Will Watch,” and went in the pilot boat with the late Captain J. S. Cross, to find a suitable harbour for the new settlement. He was brought up to farm work, and acquired his present holding of seventy-five acres at Lower Moutere in the year 1869, when it was in a rough, uncultivated state. Mr. Holdaway was on the Lower Moutere school committee for sixteen years, was chairman and secretary for five years, and also
Blacksmith and Wheelwright, Motueka. Mr. Knapp was born in Portsmouth. England, in the year 1860, and came to Wellington, New Zealand, with his parents in 1873, by the ship “E. P. Bouverie.” After serving an apprenticeship to blacksmithing with his father in Wellington, Mr. Knapp worked for two years at his trade in Nelson, and subsequently removed to Motueka, where he started in business on his own account as a blacksmith and wheelwright. He was elected, in April, 1905, to the Motueka Borough Council, and is also a member of the District High School committee; chairman and treasurer of the Foresters' Hall committee; secretary of the local Foresters' Lodge; a member of Lodge Motueka, No. 117, New Zealand Constitution; and has been a member of the Institute Committee, and of the local Brass Band. Mr. Knapp married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Bird, of Wellington, and has, surviving, seven sons and six daughters.
Saddler, Harness Maker and General Leather Worker, High Street, Motueka, Established 1871. P.O. Box 8. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business has a large connection, and Mr. Jordan's stock is second to none in the province. His workmanship has a well-deserved reputation for durability, style and finish. Mr. Jordan himself is a thoroughly practical tradesman, and as he is also an experienced man of business, his establishment is in every respect in the front rank. His business premises are situated in the heart of the town; they are of two stories, and have a frontage of 40 feet. Mr. Jordan takes an active interest in anything which is likely to promote the advancement of Motueka. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1896.
. (Joseph Hewetson, Reginald Hewetson and Joseph Senior), Roller Mills and Timber Yards, Motueka. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. The business of the flour mill is carried on in a four-storied building of corrugated iron. There is a frontage of 40 feet to the main building. There is also a two-storied detached building with a 60 feet frontage and 800 square feet of floorage space, used solely for storage purposes. The mill is driven by a twelve-horse power steam engine, by W. H. France, of Nelson, and it is equipped with a complete set of roller and grinding machinery. The firm possesses all the latest machinery for dressing and purifying flour, including a “Eureka” and scouring machine, specially imported for the purpose. Messrs Hewetson and Co.'s “Kapai” brand of flour is well and favourably known throughout the province off (Nelson, and finds a ready sale wherever it is offered to the trade or the public. Not only does the engine drive the flour mill, but it grinds oats for horse feed and propels the machinery of the firm's adjoining Sawmill, which, with wood-cutting, was added
Farmer, Motueka. Mr. Douglas was born in the year 1819 in Roxburgh, Scotland. He was brought up as a blacksmith, and after leaving Scotland he worked as a journeyman at North Shields, England, for three years, and was married there to Miss Marv Dixon, a native of Northumberland. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Indus,” which arrived at Nelson on the 5th of February, 1843. Mr. Douglas soon learned what was expected of a strong, able young man, in the new settlement; and he did his share in making the district what it is at the present time. He has a farm of one hundred acres, all first-class agricultural land, well suited for the growing of crops. Mrs Douglas died in 1877, and two years later Mr. Douglas married his present wife, who came to New Zealand in the ship “Fifeshire” in 1841.
Farmer, Motueka. Mr. Gillett was born at Takaka in 1843, and is the son of Mr. John Gillett, who came out to New Zealand in 1843 in the ship “Whitby,” chartered by the New Zealand Company. Mr. Gillett has thus been enabled to watch the steady growth of the Nelson districty, which has been called, not without justice, “the garden of New Zealand.” He has been a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, since 1867, and has passed through all the degrees of the Order. Mr. Gillett's homestead has a frontage to Stafford road, and commands a fine view of the bays.
Farmer, Motueka. Mr. Satherly was born in Somersetshire, England, in the year 1840, and is the son of Mr. William Satherly, well and popularly known by all the early colonists. On the way out in the ship “Sir Charles Forbes,” bound from England to Nelson, New Zealand, Mr Satherly's mother died; which was particularly unfortunate for the family. However, they settled in the Waimea district, where they commenced farming, and were very successful. Mr. James Satherly had a good deal of experience on the diggings in the Collingwood district and in Canterbury and elsewhere. He settled down in Motueka in 1860, and has a fine farm of forty-five acres of very rich land, well suited to the cultivation of hops, the staple product of the district. Mr. Satherly is one of the oldest Oddfellows in the district, and took a prominent part in the opening of the local lodge. He has served as a member of the Motueka Road Board and school committee, and is ever to the fore in anything likely to promote the advancement of the district. Mr. Satherly is married and has three children.
, Farmers, Motueka. The Messrs Smith came from England to New Zealand in the ship “Phœbe Dunbar,” and landed at Nelson. They went soon after their arrival to the Motueka district, and have resided there ever since.
Farmer, Motueka. Mr. Staples is an old settler and was born in the district. His farm consists of 1459 acres, of which 130 acres are under the plough, 600 in grass, and 390 in standing bush. The homestead is a handsome two-storied dwelling, with a well kept lawn in front, Mr. Staples is a member of the road board and is a trustee of the Wesleyan church. In 1874 he married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Atkin, of Motueka, and has seven children.
Farmer, “Hulmers,” Motueka, Mr. Wallis has a nicely improved farm of 150 acres, all of which is arable. Grain grows very well on the land, and Mr. Wallis carries on mixed farming. He is a son of the late Mr. R. Wallis, the wellknown philanthropist, and was born in Richmond in 1855. Mr. Wallis has resided in the Motueka district since he was eleven years of age, and he took possession of the property after his father's death in 1882.
, sometime of Motueka, was born at St. Agnee, Cornwall, England, in the year 1858. He came to New Zealand at the age of nine years, and was for ten years on the staff of the Nelson “Colonist.” Mr. Boundy afterwards entered into partnership with Mr. S. J. Eurness, and bought out the “Marlborough Express,” which they successfully conducted for fourteen years. He then joined Mr. J. J. Corry, and was for some time in the wool and grain business in Blenheim. Mr. Boundy subsequently acquired the “Westport News.” After two years spent on the West Coast, he removed to Nelson, and founded the “Motueka Star,” which he personally conducted until the time of his death. Mr. Boundy was a member of the Masonic Order, of the District High School committee, and of the Nelson Education Board. He also acted as Returning Officer of the Motuoka electorate for some years. Mr. Boundy was an upright and just man, and was deeply respected. He married a daughter of the late Captain Cross, and when he died, on the 22nd of June, 1904, he left a widow, two sons, and three daughters.
was born on the 12th of December, 1821, in Nottingham, England, where he was educated and apprenticed to the bakery and confectionery trade. He arrived in New Zealand on the 31st of March. 1843, and landed in Nelson after a voyage of four months and a-half. Mr. Goodman was employed by the New Zealand Company for about twelve months, and subsequently entered the service of the late Mr. Ross, successively as driver and baker, and remained with him for seventeen years. Upon the retirement of Mr. Ross, Mr. Goodman, in conjunction with Mr. C. King, took over the business, which they conducted successfully for four years. Mr. Goodman afterwards became baker for Mr. I. Johns, with whom he remained until January, 1867, when he removed to Motueka, and started business on his own account. He successfully conducted a bakery in Motueka for a number of years, and retired in the year 1903. Mr. Goodman was a resident of Nelson at the time of the Wairau massacre, in June, 1843. He experienced the hardships of the early pioneers, when potatoes, newly planted, were dug up for food, and when workmen were employed by the landholders in the Waimeas and elsewhere, at one shilling and sixpence per day, to clear their holdings of flax, manuka, etc. Mr. Goodman was highly respected; he was always cheerful, obliging, and full of anecdotes relating to the early history of the town and provincial district of Nelson, with which he was associated for over sixty-two years. He was an Oddfellow of many years' standing, and always took an active interest in the welfare of the district. Mr. Goodman died on the 13th of March, 1905.
is an agricultural district, seven miles long and three miles wide, situated about five miles from Motueka. There are eighty-two ratepayers, and the population numbers about 300 persons. The land is of good quality, suitable for grain growing, and the cultivation of hops and large and small fruit. Very little grazing is carried on. The settlement has a public school, a church, and a post office. The daily coach to and from Nelson and Riwaka passes through the district. The roads are in good order, and are much used by cyclists.
is about four miles from the Motueka school, and was opened about 1862. It has an average attendance of about ninety, and the percentage of passes has latterly averaged from ninety to ninety-two.
, headmaster of the Lower Moutere school, was born in Nelson in 1879. He was educated at the Nelson Boys' Central school, where he was assistant master for two years, before his appointment to Birchfield in 1903; and in 1905 he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Scott is interested in music, and was one of the first pupils in the Nelson School of Music. He married a daughter of Mr. A. Allport, farmer, of Stoke, in 1905.
Farmer, Lower Moutere. Mr. Flett has & freehold of fifty acres, on which he has a seven-roomed residence. The land is of excellent quality, and good crops of all sorts are grown on it. Mr. Flett was born at Nelson in 1862, and educated at the Lower Moutere public school.
Farmer, Lower Moutere. Mr. Goodall is one of the early pioneers who carved their way in the district with indomitable pluck and energy. He came to New Zealand with his parents in the year 1842, in the ship “Little London,” and landed at Wellington; but owing to lack of accommodation in that city, the family went direct to Nelson. At the ago of fifteen Mr. Goodall removed to Riwaka. He stayed in that district for a considerable time, and there married a daughter of Mr. John Drummond, a very wellknown settler, at Lower Moutere. In 1883 Mr. Goodall took a farm at Lower Moutere, where he has been very successful, and has made a comfortable home for himself and his family. Mr. Goodall has been a prominent member of the Oddfellows since 1857, and now holds the position of Past Grand.
Farmer, “Sunnyside,” Lower Moutere. Mr. Herrick's fine freehold section comprises 250 acres, conveniently subdivided into paddocks. The soil is suitable for the cultivation of wheat and oats, of which it yields excellent crops, and also of all kinds of fruit. Mr. Herrick was born in the Waimeas Nelson, and has been settled in the Moutere district for over forty years. He is an Oddfellow, and has served on the local Road Board and school committee.
was for some time in business at Lower Moutere as a farrier and general blacksmith. Mr. Manning was born in Nelson, in 1872. He served his time in shops in different parts of New Zealand, and in that way had the opportunity of picking up the best methods of the trade. He now (1905) resides in the North Island.
is twentyone miles from Nelson and thirteen from Richmond, which is connected with Nelson by rail and with Upper Moutere by coach. There is a post and telegraph office in the township, and the district is noted for its fine climate, and for its orchards, hop-gardens, and farms. There are sawmills near the township, and these employ a large number of men. A new hotel has recently been built, and affords superior accommodation to the tourist or traveller. Early in 1905 a German church was erected, and the residents are mostly German, or of German descent. Most of the dwelling houses in the district are larger and more pretentious than those usually found in country districts.
Blacksmith, Upper Moutere. Mr. Ingram was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1858. He was apprenticed to Messrs A. Laing and Ramsay, blacksmiths and engineers, of Aberdeenshire, and served with them for five years. In 1881 he came to New Zealand to join his brother, who had already settled in Otago, but went to take charge of the smithy at Merino Downs, where he remained for a year. He was then a warder for three years at Seacliff Asylum, whence he removed to Nelson, and started business at Spring Grove, but sold out in 1893, and settled in Richmond. In 1895 he sold his Richmond business and took the Moutere Hotel, in connection with which he built a smithy. Mr. Ingram endeavours to meet the wants of his customers, and succeeds, as he is a genial, obliging man of the stamp which makes the very best colonists.
Sawmiller, Upper Moutere. Mr. Bensemann is the fourth son of the late Mr. Charles Henry Bensemann, and was born in Nelson in 1849. After receiving
(Diederich Wilkens, junior, manager), Upper Moutere. This estate is the property of Mr. Moore, partner in the well-known firm of Pitt and Moore, barristers and solicitors, of Nelson. The farm comprises 1600 acres of mixed land, and carries about 500 sheep, besides about seventy head of cattle. Crops of wheat, oats and other produce are grown yearly, and under its present able management the property ranks as one of the best in the district.
, Manager, is a native of Upper Moutere, and is very well known, and respected throughout the district. He accepted his present position in 1895.
is situated about seven miles west of Westport, and can be reached thence by a railway which was constructed by the Westport Harbour Board in 1883, for the purpose of conveying stone from the local quarries. The public buildings comprise a school and two hotels, a public hall, and a Roman Catholic church, capable of seating about 200 persons. The chief occupation of the residents is stone-quarrying, but there are two sawmills, the principal products of which are silver pine sleepers for railway purposes. At the quarries less than fifty persons are now employed, whereas formerly there were four times that number. The locomotive employed at the quarries is an F class, and the strongest of its kind in New Zealand. The Cape is in the Wareatea riding of the county of Buller, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. At the census of 1901, the population of the village was returned at 182. There is a lighthouse at the Cape. A good deal of farming is carried on in the neighbourhood; the business of the post office is conducted at the local store, and there is a public school in the district.
Farmer, Cape Foulwind. Mr. Fox's freehold property consists of 163 acres, part of which is limestone country. Forty acres are improved, and twenty-two head of cattle are grazed for dairying purposes, Mr. Fox was born in Devon, England, in 1838, and, at the age of twenty-one, arrived in Melbourne by the ship “Armonitas,” and worked on the goldfields with varied success. In 1862, he came to New Zealand, and proceeded to the Otago diggings. Four years later he removed to the West Coast, and worked on various fields. Since 1883, Mr. Fox has resided at Cape Foulwind, where he has a comfortable homestead, and is one of the pioneer settlers of the Coast.
Farmer, “Forest Farm,” Cape Foulwind. Mr. Fox's homestead consists of 100 acres of limestone soil. It was originally held under lease, but was purchased by Mr. Fox, in 1803. The land produces fine crops of potatoes, and eighteen head of stock are kept in prime condition for dairying purposes. Mr. Fox was born in England, and on leaving school, in 1848, he went to sea, and sailed to South America. In 1850, he arrived in New South Wales. Gold was discovered on the Turon diggings in the following year, and Mr. Fox went with the “rush.” His experience on Ballarat and other leading Victorian goldfields extended over thirteen years, and he was present at the Ballarat riots. On coming to New Zealand, he tried his fortune in Otago—at the Dunstan, Cromwell,
is often called Addison's Flat. It lies about eight miles to the south of Westport by road, and is about ten miles from Charleston. It forms part of the Wareatea South riding of the county of Buller, is in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. Gold was discovered at Addison's Flat in May, 1867. Since then the industry has been continued with varying success, and several claims are still worked. It is said that in the heyday, of the rush between three thousand and four thousand men were gold digging in the vicinity. Apart from private houses, the township consists of two hotels, a store, a blacksmith's shop, a bakery, a public school, and a Roman Catholic church. At the local post office, money order business is attended to, and there is a telephone bureau. The Okari river passes the township, and in the ranges to the south-east are the Buckland Peaks, 3,273 feet high. A good deal of fanning is carried on in the locality. The population at the census of 1901 was 208.
, Addison's. The post office, telephone bureau, and money order office are conducted at the store of Mr. P. McEnroe, who is postmaster at Addison's. Mr. McEnroe is further referred to as proprietor of the Shamrock Hotel.
(Philip McEnroe, proprietor), Addison's. This hotel was established in the year 1867 by Mr. McEnroe. There is good accommodation, and the best liquors are kept.
, Proprietor of the Shamrock Hotel, is also postmaster and storekeeper. He was born in the year 1835, in County Cavan, Ireland, where he was educated, and learned farming. Mr. McEnroe went to Australia in 1855, followed mining for some years, and came to New Zealand in the year 1861. He followed the gold diggings at Gabriel's Gully, Dunstan, and the Shotover, and settled on the West Coast in 1866. For some years Mr. McEnroe had a punt on the Buller River, was a member of the first Buller Road Board, and was for some time a member of the Buller County Council. He holds a large interest in the old Shamrock claim, from which, at one time, £12,000 was taken. Mr. McEnroe married in the year 1869, and has three sons and five daughters.
is a small mining village eighteen miles south of Westport, and is a relic of the early days of the West Coast. In the end of the sixties about 10,000 men of all nationalities found their way to this remarkable locality, and in the gold hunting excitement of that time they presented as a community a most animated spectacle. The few hundred acres adjoining the beach, found to be rich in fine gold, were, however, soon thoroughly worked, and the miners made their way to other fields. Thereafter the population quickly dwindled to one thousand, and at the census of 1901, only 199 persons were returned as resident in the district. The settlement is in the Charleston riding of the county of Buller, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. The riding of Charleston has a population of 459 persons. The township is on the beach at the mouth of the Waitukere river; a few miles to the north, is the mouth of the Totara river, while, to the southwards, is the small mining township of Brighton; and, back from the sea, are the well-known Paparoa Ranges. The buildings in the township include four hotels, a store, a post office, and postal residence, in addition to the private cottages and homes of the settlers. A considerable amount of sluicing is still carried on at Charleston, and there are two or three hydraulic elevating claims. Quarterly sittings of the Warden's and Magistrate's Court are held in the township, which is the domicile of Court Charleston, Ancient Order of Forresters, and Loyal Charleston Lodge, Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows. Some farming is carried on in the neighbourhood. There is regular coach communication between Charleston and Westport, and a good cycling, though somewhat hilly, road.
, formerly headmaster of the Charleston school, was born at Wakefield, Nelson, and is the fourth son of the late Mr. Alfred Baigeat. He was educated at Nelson College, having won, at Wakefield, in 1887, the Waimea scholarship, which conveyed free tuition at the college. After
, was established in the year 1867. At the end of the year 1904 there was a membership of fortyseven persons, and the total funds amounted to £2,453. During the year sums amounting to £280 were disbursed, and the management expenses amounted to £134. The trustees are Messrs T. Lauder, R. J. Powell, J. H. Powell, and William Henry (treasurer), and G. F. Hurburgh (permanent secretary).
, Permanent Secretary of the Loyal Charleston Lodge, is a contractor, undertaker, and mining speculator in Charleston. He was born in Flinders Island, Bass Strait, Tasmania, in the year 1844, and learned boatbuilding. In 1862, Mr. Hurburgh came to New Zealand, and landed at Lyttelton. He removed to the West Coast in 1866, and settled at Charleston. Mr. Hurburgh was engaged in mining for some time, also in bridge-building and contracting, and has a crushing claim at Addison's Flat. He has been secretary of the Charleston school committee, and, as a Freemason, been Worshipful Master of the Charleston Kilwinning Lodge.
Blacksmith, Mining Engineer, Wheelwright, and Coachbuilder, Charleston. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Established in 1886. Mr. Hartill was born near Birmingham, Staffordshire, England; he came out in the ship “Hotspur” to Australia in 1862, and worked at Bathurst, and in Queensland, at dam-making, and wellsinking. He settled at Charleston, in 1866, and engaged in mining, meeting with varied luck, until he began his present business. Mr. Hartill has also a blacksmith's shop at Addison's Flat, which is regularly visited. He re-arranged for the Venture Company its stamper battery, and also completed a large order for 3600 feet of piping, 14½ feet in diameter, for Messrs Powell and Co. Mr. Hartill is favourably known in social and athletic circles. In 1899, he was elected to represent Charleston riding, in the Buller County Council, and was also appointed a Justice of the Peace. He married a daughter of Mr. W. Bollard, of Westport, and has seven children.
(John Morgan Powell, George Morgan Powell, Robert James Powell, and John Henry Powell), General Merchants, Butchers, Bakers, Farmers, and Miners, Charleston.
, J.P., Senior Partner of the firm of J. M. Powell and Sons, is one of the early settlers of the West Coast. He was born in Monmouthshire, England, in the year 1842, and brought up to farming. In 1864, Mr. Powell went to Australia, and in the year 1865 came to New Zealand and settled at Charleston on the West Coast. He afterwards established his present business, and, later, admitted his three sons into partnership. Mr. Powell has been chairman, secretary, and treasurer of the Brighton and Charleston school committees, and was a member of the Buller County Council. As an Oddfellow, he is Past Grand Master of Loyal Charleston Lodge, Manchester Unity. There is a farm of about 500 acres in connection with the business of J. M. Powell and Sons, and an elevating claim on the Nine Mile Beach, where the suction elevating principle was first successfully applied. Mr. Powell married, in 1866, and has three sons and one daughter.
, of the firm of J. M. Powell and Sons, is auditor of the Loyal Charleston Lodge of the Order of Oddfellows, and secretary of the local Court of Foresters.
, of the firm of J. M. Powell and Sons, is a member of the Buller County Council for Charleston riding, and is chairman of the Charleston Hospital Committee, and treasurer of the Loyal Charleston Lodge, of the Order of Oddfellows.
, the youngest member of the firm of J. M. Powell and Sons, devotes himself entirely to the firm's business.
General Storekeeper, Princes Street, Charleston. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales, Westport. This business was first established during the years of the gold “rush” by Messrs Hatch and Co., and was taken over by Mr. Powell in 1896. Mr. Powell deals in general provisions, employs two assistants, and sends his cart all over the district. He was born in 1868 at Brighton (once a flourishing mining town), ten miles south of Charleston. For some years he was engaged in mining pursuits till his father purchased an established butchering business in Charleston, at which he joined his father in partnership, and remained with him for four years, when he took over the present business. Mr. Powell is well and favourably known throughout the district and fills a number of offices. He is secretary to the Charleston Lodge of Foresters, No. 5026, was for eight years secretary to the Hospital Trustees until pressure of business
is still spoken of by old residents as Boatman's, its original designation. The settlement is eleven miles from Reefton, via Cronadun, six miles distant. It is in the Boatman's riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electorate of Buller, and the provincial district of Nelson. Boatman's creek, a tributary of the Inangahua river, flows through the valley. The township contains two hotels, a store, a blacksmith's shop, a public library, and a public school, which is attended by about twentyfive children. The local post office, where money order and savings bank business may be transacted, has a telephone bureau. There are two churches—a Roman Catholic and an Anglican—and in the latter various Protestant bodies hold their services. In the Victoria Range, nine miles distant, there are numerous quartz reefs, including Kirwan's Reward Mine. Mining is the staple industry of Capleston, and there are several dredges at work. Good coal is found in the district, and some farming is carried on. The neighbouring mountains rise to altitudes, varying from 3,430 feet to 4,247 feet, and, further inland toward the Mauria river, are situated Mount Victoria, 5,237 feet, and Mount Ralph, 5,070 feet. At the census of 1901, Capleston had a population of 153 persons, with 20 more on the Capleston road. There is a coach service between Cronadun and Capleston.
(Mrs K. A. Rogers, proprietress), Capleston. This hotel was established in the year 1877, by the late Mr. Bernard Rogers. The building is of wood and iron, and contains ten bedrooms, two sittingrooms, a dining-room, and a billiardroom. The best liquors are kept. The accommodation is good, and there is a moderate tariff. A stable with four stalls, and a loose box is connected with the establishment.
, the Proprietress of the Rogers' Reefers' Hotel, owns a large public hall, and has a farm of one hundred acres near Cronadun.
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. He went to California, America, as a young man, and, later, came to New Zealand. Mr. Rogers afterwards went to Victoria, Australia, where he owned two large stores and a butchery business at Wood's Point, and was a member of the County Council. In the year 1865 he returned to New Zealand, and landed at Hokitika. Mr. Rogers started a butchery at Ross, and was afterwards mining and storekeeping at Brighton. For some time he owned a store and post office at St. Kilda, Dunedin; but, in the year 1877, he settled at Capleston, where he started a general grocery and drapery business, in addition to the Reefers' Hotel. Mr. Rogers was a member of the Capleston school committee for fifteen years. He married, in 1864, and died in the year 1904, leaving two sons and one daughter.
. Offices, Christchurch; Secretary, Mr. E. McRae. The A1 dredge is situated between Capleston and Cronadun. It is ninety-five feet in length by thirty feet beam, and six feet in depth. There is a sixty-six feet ladder, and the buckets have a capacity of four and a-half feet. An Anderson boiler of sixteen horse-power supplies the power for a twelve horsepower Marshall main engine, and an Anderson winch engine of eight horsepower. The dredge is built of good material—kauri planking, with blue gum and iron bark frames, etc. It replaced a dredge built of red pine, and has been at work since the year 1901. A dredgemaster, blacksmith, and seven other workers are employed.
has been Master of the A1 Dredge since the year 1902. He was born in Marlborough in 1869, and brought up on a farm. For about fourteen years he was engaged in mining and dredging, and was appointed to the A1 dredge in 1902. Mr. Thompson is married, and has three sons and one daughter.
. Offices, Hereford Street Christchurch. Secretary, Mr. H. A. Bruce; capital, £14,000. The dredges of the Reeves Proprietary Company are situated near Capleston. The No. 1 dredge, which was started in November, 1900, has pontoons of seventy-six feet by twentylive feet, and power is derived from a Marshall engine of twelve horse-power. The No. 2 dredge is built of kauri and bluegum. Its pontoons are one hundred feet by thirty feet, and power is derived from a sixteen horse-power Marshall engine. It is capable of dredging to forty-three feet, and has a 500 feet spread of tables, the screen of which is twenty-five feet long by five feet in diameter. The whole of the appliances and machinery are exceptionally strong. All repair work is done at the Reeves Proprietary Dredging Company's blacksmith's shop, which is fitted up with a complete plant, including a four and a-half Horse-power vertical engine, steamhammer, boring machine and lathe, a four and a-half horse-power horizontal engine, and a monkey, fitted for driving bushes.
, Master of the Reeves Proprietary Dredging Company's Dredges, was born in Dundee, Scotland, in the year 1873. He came to New Zealand at an early age, and completed his education in Dunedin. For some years Mr. Scott was engaged in sluicing work about Naseby, and for two years was quartz mining at the Globe mine, Reefton. He afterwards went to Roxburgh, and worked at hydraulic sluicing; was subsequently placed in charge of the Victoria Bridge dredge on the Nevis, and, later, was appointed master of the Reeves Proprietary Dredging Company's dredge. Mr. Scott was cycle racing in Otago for about five years, and held the Goldfields Championship in 1897. In the year 1897, he married a daughter of Mr. G. McLay, dredgemaster of the “Hartley and Riley,” one of the oldest dredgemasters in New Zealand, and has three children.
is on the Buller road, six or seven miles from Reefton. It is in the Boatman's riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson, and occupies a site on the east bank of the Inangahua river, near its junction with Boatman's creek. A short distance beyond, nearer the Junction, is Larry's creek, which coach passengers, and drivers particularly, have occasion to remember on account or its sudden rises. Coaches from Westport, Motupiko, and Reefton pass the settlement daily. Apart from the houses of settlers, the township consists of an hotel, a store and post office, with a telephone bureau. There is also a small public school, with an attendance of about twelve children. Coaches run daily between Cronadun and Capleston. Farming and mining are carried on in the district. The population of Cronadun at the census of 1901 was thirty-nine.
Farmer, Buller Road, Cronadun. Mr. Smith's property was originally held by his father, who came to New Zealand from Victoria in the early sixties, and died in the year 1897. The farm consists of 114 acres of freehold, and Mr. Smith carries on general farming and dairying. He was born in Charleston in 1869, educated in Reefton, and started work on his father's farm. Mr. Smith acquired the property on his father's death, in the year 1897. He is married, and has three sons and two daughters.
is on the Buller river, in the county of Inangahua, and in the provincial district of Nelson. It is a dredge-mining township, and lies fifty-four miles to the north of Westport, with which it has communication twice a week by coach. Fern Flat has a public school, and a post and telegraph office.
, sometime of Fern Flat, owned the first sawmill in the district. It was established over twenty years ago, and is situated on the West Coast coach road, about half-way between Nelson and Westport. The plant is very complete, and is driven by a large overshot water wheel, twenty-five feet in diameter, and working up to twelve horse-power. The mill gives employment to a considerable number of persons. Mr. Hunter also owned a station on the Matakitaki river, about twenty-five miles south of Murchison, and had it well stocked with horses, cattle, and sheep. Mr. Hunter came to New Zealand in 1842 with his parents, and was a native of Stirlingshire, Scotland. In 1860, he was one of a party of explorers of whom the late Sir Julius Von Haast was chief, and had the honour of being the discoverer of the first West Coast coal at Mokihinui and Coalbrookdale. In 1861, he was successful in floating a company to work this discovery, and was himself one of the shareholders. The schooner “City of Nelson” was chartered and loaded with provisions and plant for roadmaking, etc., but after considerable outlay the scheme was abandoned owing to the harbour being inaccessible in those days. In 1860, Mr. Hunter discovered the first gold in the Central Buller district at Doughboy Flat and Mangles Junction. After leaving
was formerly called Reeftown. It is situated on the north bank of the Inangahua river, in the Reefton riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electorate of Buller, and the provincial district of Nelson. The town claims to be the first in the southern hemisphere to be supplied with electric light. It has two daily papers—the “Inangahua Herald” (morning) and “Inangahua Times” (evening). There are four churches—Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Episcopalian. Reefton has a Catholic day school and convent high school, and a District High School, which is attended by about 300 children, who receive a primary and secondary education. Municipal affairs are managed by the County Council. The town is well drained, and contains sixteen hotels, one of which, known as Dawson's Hotel, is one of the best equipped in New Zealand. The Bank of New Zealand and the National Bank have branches situated in a central part of the town. Quartz reefs were first discovered at Reefton in 1871, and the district has proved to be one of the most important in the annals of New Zealand gold mining. The first company for the development of the reefs was registered in 1872, when Mr. Hankins pegged off the Golden Hill and Caledonia mines, which, for ten years, until they were abandoned, yielded excellent results. The town of Reefton was immediately laid out, and fabulous prices were paid for town sections. The utmost difficulty was experienced in placing machinery on the mines, owing to the rugged nature of the country. At the outset rich returns were obtained, and the town went ahead at a quick pace. In eight years the Welcome mine paid £110,000 in dividends. The reefs in the Inangahua county extend over a large area of country, and one reef has been proved to stretch to Otago, a distance of 400 miles. The introduction of capital by Mr. David Ziman did much to demonstrate the richness of the quartz reefs. Reefton is the county town of Inangahua, and at the census of 1901 the county had a population of 4,595. At the same date the Reefton riding had a total population of 2,126, and the township itself, 1,722. The town is the head quarters in New Zealand of the Consolidated Gold Fields of New Zealand, Limited, which ownes the Progress, Globe, Golden Fleece, and Wealth of Nations mines, together with the Progress and Golden Fleece batteries and reduction works. The town of Reefton is surrounded by hills, and the site slopes gently towards the Inangahua river, which takes a bend to the northward at the western end of the town. Visitors to Reefton note how remarkably free the district is from winds. In consequence of this quiet the summer heat is considerably increased, while the winter cold and fogs are intensified from the same cause. The Inangahua river, which skirts the township, rises in the Victoria Range, which includes peaks rising to a height of 5,500 feet; amongst them are Mount Gore, 4,873 feet, Mount Haast, 5,206 feet, Mount Alexandra, 4,196 feet, and Mount Albert, 5,068 feet. The Reefton Hospital, in the main street, which bears the name of Broadway, serves also the purpose of an Old Men's Home. The local volunteer corps has been in existence since about 1880. Reefton, in the early days, was entirely dependent on coaches for the transit of passengers and goods; and as far as communication with Westland and Nelson is concerned, coaches are still in use, although the railway is in course of construction towards Inangahua Junction; but constant communication is kept up between Westport and Motupiko, the terminus of the Nelson section of railway. The port of Grey is connected with Reefton by rail; distance, forty-six miles, and the station, which is on the south bank of the Inangahua river, is about two miles by a good road, from Reefton. This road crosses the fine bridge over the Inangahua at the township. There is a flourishing School of Mines at Reefton,
formerly member of the House of Representatives for Buller, was born at Charleston, in 1869. He is a son of Mr. P. O'Regan, farmer, of Inangahua Valley, was brought up in that district, took to journalism, entered Parliament, sat in it for some years, and is now (1905) in practice as a solicitor in Wellington.
was established about the year 1880, and has several stations. The central station is at the back of the County Council offices, and there is also another on the Buller road, and in Broadway. In 1890, the water supply was brought in from Auld's Creek, beyond Black's Point, and the reservoir keeps a pressure of eighty pounds to the square inch, for fire purposes. The appliances include hose reels and a ladder carriage, and there is a manual engine for places beyond the township, where no high pressure water is obtainable. The brigade has a membership of twentytwo, including captain, first and second lieutenants, and foreman.
, who has been Captain of the Reefton Fire Brigade since the year 1904, is of Scotch parentage, though he was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1858. He arrived in Lyttelton as an infant, and was educated in New Zealand. As a youth, Mr. Grange entered the Government Telegraph Department, and remained there, and in the railway service, for twenty-one years; he acted as stationmaster successively at Pourakanui, Pukeuri Junction. Woodlands, Inglewood, Stratford, Tahoraite, Little River, Methven, Studholme Junction, and Hornby Junction. In the year 1894, he left the service, and removed to Akaroa, where he became proprietor of an hotel. Mr. Grange subsequently arrived in Reefton, and purchased his present general store business in the year 1902. He has been a member of various school committees, and was at one time a member of the Akaroa Borough Council. As a Freemason. Mr. Grange was initiated in Lodge Waimate, No. 87, New Zealand Constitution, and afterwards became Worshinful Master of the Akaroa Lodge. He married a daughter of Mr. James Watt. of Wangaui, in the year 1885, and has three sons.
has its headquarters at Reefton. The members of the Council are also members of the Charitable Aid Board; in fact, with the exception of the Reefton Hospital Trustees, the Council is the only incorporated governing body in the county. The total population of the county is 4,600. There are 1,400 ratepayers, and the rateable value of the property is £823,589, of which £476,550 consists of mining values. The general rate is fourteen farthings levied on the unimproved value of general property, and thirteen farthings on mining property. Inangahua is said to have been the first Council to adopt rating on unimproved values. The revenue from all sources for the financial year, which ended on the 31st of March, 1905, was £14,393. The county is bounded towards the west and north by the Buller and Waimea counties, on the east by the St. Arrand Range and Fairy Queen Mountains, on the south by the county of Grey, and on a portion of the west by the Paparoa Ranges. The total area covers about one and a-half million acres, of which about one million acres are Crown lands. In the year 1905, a good deal of land was being opened up for settlement, principally in Boatman's and Hampden ridings. There are about 200 miles of formed dray roads in the county. The road from Reefton to Hope, the county boundary, is eighty-two miles in length, and a distance of sixty-three miles was taken over recently by the Government. There are also about 200 miles of horse tracks, one of which rises of about 4000 feet above the sea. The Inangahua County Council, subsidised by the Government, is pushing, on the road to connect with the valuable hot springs, near the Maruia river, about forty miles distant. These springs have proved of great value, especially in cases of rheumatism. There are now two cottages at the springs, with aecommodation for seventeen visitors. The bridges over the Grey, together with the two across the Inangahua river, are the chief works of their kind in the country: and some good bridges have recently been constructed within the boundaries, notably over the Buller. Matakitaki, and Glenroy rivers. These are all dray bridges; but,' in addition. there are several horse
was elected a member of the Inangahua County Council for Murray riding in the year 1902, and was elected chairman in November, 1904. Mr. Scantlebury is also a member of the Greymouth Harbour Board.
, J.P., has represented Crushington riding on the Inangahua County Council, since the year 1876, with an interim absence of three years. He was born in July, 1843, at Little Corby, near Carlisle, Cumberland, England, where he was educated, and learned the drapery trade. In 1862, Mr. Irving went to British Columbia for a year, sailed for New Zealand in the following year, and arrived in Dunedin in January, 1864. He went to Hokitika in the year 1865, and was for several years in the Grey district, where he worked out mining claims at Darkie's Terrace. When Mr. Irving first visited Reefton, in April, 1866, the country was covered with dense bush, and there were no roads. There was a little alluvial mining in the district, and Mr. Irving worked out two or three claims. He then removed to Brighton, and afterwards had mining experience in various parts of the West Coast. He returned to Reefton in the year 1873, and has since been connected with mining work. Mr. Irving has acted as legal manager for mining companies for a long time. He has served as a Justice of the Peace for many years, and has been a member of the Hospital Trustees and Charitable Aid Board. Since the year 1885, Mr. Irving has been seeretary of the Reefton Lodge of Oddfellows, and is secretary of the Reefton Jockey Club, of which he has also been a steward, and member of the committee. Mr. Irving married a daughter, of the late Mr. John McCafferty, of Victoria, in 1874, and has six sons and one daughter.
has represented Boatman's riding in the Inangahua County Council, since the year 1898. He was born in 1845, in County Kerry, Ireland. Mr. Harold came to New Zealand, in 1868, and has resided for many years on the West Coast.
has represanted the Reefton riding in the Inangahua County Council, since November, 1902. He was born in Kidderminster, England, in February, 1863, and arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, by the ship “Great Britain,” in the year 1867. Mr. Bowater was educated in Wellington, and afterwards at Charleston, on the West Coast. For some time he was employed at bush work, and, in 1887, became a sawmiller. He is now a member of the firm of Bowater and Bryan, and has the management of the company's mill at Snowy Creek, near the Greymouth and Reefton railway line. Mr. Bowater resides on the Buller Road, and, as a Freemason, is attached to Lodge Pacific, Reefton. He has held a seat' on the Hospital Board since November, 1902, and on the local school committee since 1901. He is also a member of the Reefton Sports Committee. Mr. Bowater married a daughter of Mr. C. H. Rhodes, storekeeper, of Reefton, in July, 1888, and has three sons and three daughters.
, Member of the Inangahua County Council for Antonio's riding, is a farmer and contractor at Little Grey
was appointed Clerk of the Inangahua County Council in the year 1885. He was for three years previously assistant engineer.
, Valuer for the Inangahua County Council, was born in Kerry South, Ireland, in' 1833. He was employed by Messrs Stuart and McDonald in Glasgow for four years, and came out to Melbourne in 1856, on the first voyage of the “Donald McKay,” then the largest ship afloat. On his arrival, Mr. Heslop caught the gold fever, and started for Castlematne. He eventually went to Bendigo, and followed up “rushes” on the various fields. In 1862, he came to New Zealand, and spent three years on the Otago goldfields, and was at Dunstan and Hamilton's. Mr. Heslop started business as a draper in Greymouth in 1865, and did a thriving trade. Two years later he visited Melbourne, and returned to New Zealand in 1868, and was engaged in various occupations till the Greymmouth flood of 1872, when, owing to losses, he removed to Reefton, and entered into business as a land and estate agent. Mr. Heslop was appointed valuer for the Inangahua County Council in 1881, and also became census enumerator for the Buller and Inangahua counties.
was appointed Engineer to the Inangahua County Council in the year 1902. He was born in Calcutta, India, in 1862, and was educated in England. Mr. Brett atterwards came to New Zealand, settled on the West Coast in 1883, and was for ten years engaged under the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. He subsequently settled in Reefton, and served for five years as assistant engineer to the Consolidated Gold Fields of New Zealand. Mr. Brett married a daughter of Mr. E. Wickes, of Greymonth, in 1899, and has two sons and two daughters.
, who has been Chairman of the Inangahua County Council, is a native of Montreal, Canada. In 1864, when he was quite a child, he went with his parents to Australia; and, a year later, the family removed to New Zealand and settled at Totara Flat, on the West Coast. He was educated at Nelson College, and since leaving school he has devoted himself principally to contracting and gold mining, but has a farm at Little Grey Junction. Mr. McNeil has been a member of the Reefton school committee for many years. He is also one of the local hospital trustees, and takes a great interest in cycling and athletic sports.
, formerly Engineer to the Inangahua County Council, was born at Dumfries, in the south of Scotland, in 1836. Mr. Garven passed his examinations as a civil engineer, went to Victoria, and spent ten years on the Australian goldfields before landing in New Zealand. After a short time in Dunedin, he went to the West Coast in 1865. Whilst Mr. Garven resided in the Coast districts, he carried out many important works, and it is estimated that, as engineer to the Inangahua County Council, he constructed about 300 miles of tracks and roads, including some that were very difficult, such as the road to the top of the Victoria Range. Mr. Garven is now (1905) in business as a commission agent in Wellington.
is known as D Company of the No. 2 Battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteers. This corps was formed in the year 1900, with a strength of fifty-nine. Drill is held in the Princess Theatre. The ofcers of the corps are Captain P. H. Wood, and Lieutenants R. Tudehope and F. Collins, and Surgeon-Captain Dr. W. A. Conlan. The Rev. H. T. York is Honorary Chaplain, and Mr. R. Tudehope is Seeretary.
of the Reefton Rifle Volunteers, was born in the year 1863, in Cornwall, England. He afterwards went to Australia, but came to New Zealand in the year 1895, and settled on the West Coast. He is mine manager of the Golden Fleece gold mine.
is situated in Bridge Street. It is a substantial wooden building of one storey, and contains four rooms, a large public office, and private quarters containing seven rooms. There is also a private box lobby, with forty-eight compartments. A telephone exchange was established in December. 1903. and there are forty-five subscribers and six hureaux. Mails are received and despatched daily. The staff includes the postmaster, four telegraph operators. a lineman, a letter-carrier, and two messengers.
was anpointed postmaster at Reefton in the year 1901. He had previously been stationed at Alexander South and Tapanui.
was pointed District Survevor at Reefton in the year 1877. He was born in Tasmania, and came to New
, in Broadway, comprises a seven-roomed residence for the officer in charge, together with offices, and a cottage for the single men, two cells, a stable containing two stalls, and a forage house.
was appointed to the charge of the Reefton police station in March, 1905. He was born in Cheshire, England, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Wairoa,” which arrived in Wellington in 1879. Mr. Remer joined the police force in 1881, at Parihaka; was promoted to the position of sergeant in 1902, and received his present appointment in the year 1905.
, who took charge of the Reefton police district in 1897, joined the constabulary in 1877, and had been stationed in Wellington and Nelson. At Nelson, he had an uninterrupted period of seventeen years' service, and left an excellent name behind him amongst the residents. At Reefton, where he was sergeant in charge, Mr. Phair was looked upon as a just man, and one who did his duty fearlessly in a very unassuming manner. He is not now (1905) in the police force.
is situated in Lower Broadway. It is a one-storied building, and contains four large and well-ventilated wards, capable of accommodating thirty-five patients. There is also a separate ward for females, and an isolated ward for contagious diseases. In 1896, Mr. David Ziman erected an accident ward at a cost of over £500, which the Government subsidised to the extent of £600. There is a modern operating room, and the hospital buildings contain suitable quarters for the matron and nurses. The hospital staff includes Dr. W. A. Conlon, Medical Superintendent, Dr. E. H. Scott, Honorary Physician and Surgeon; a matron, nurse two probationers, and servants. The hospital revenue is derived mainly irom the Inangahua County Council, whose contribution for the year 1904 amounted to £1,600. Committee for the year 1905: Messrs E. J. Scantlebury (chairman), W. Irving, D. Harold, P. Butler, T. Bell, W. H. Bowater, J. Stevenson, H. Betts, and D. Blackadder.
was constituted in the year 1902, and was previously known as the Reefton public school. Part of the school was erected in 1869, but a room for senior pupils was added in 1887; and now there are altogether five large, lofty, and well-ventilated classrooms. The number of children on the roll is 300, and the average attendance 250. The school grounds contain an acre of land, on which the headmaster's residence is built. The staff consists of the headmaster, an assistant master in charge of the secondary course, an infant mistress, two assistant mistresses, and a pupil teacher.
, B.A., Headmaster of the Reefton District High School, took charge in the year 1895. He was born in Nelson, and was educated at the Nelson College. In 1874, Mr. Harkness won a New Zealand University scholarship, and was headmaster of the Bishop's School, Nelson, from 1879 till 1895, when he resigned to take up his present duties. He has been president of the New Zealand Educational Institute.
was appointed first assistant master of the Reefton District High School in the year 1904. He was born in 1878, in Reefton, where he was educated, and served as a pupil teacher for four years at the local school. Mr. Wilson entered the service of the Nelson Education Board as a pupil teacher in 1893, and, after filling the position to assistant master, was appointed to the charge of the Lyell public school, where he served for five years previous to receiving his present appointment. Mr. Wilson holds a D certificate.
, connected with the Roman Catholie Church, are attended by 160 scholars, thirty of whom are in daily attendance at the Girls' High School. In addition to the higher education imparted to the pupils, painting and music are taught by the Sisters, and between fortyone and fifty pupils receive musical instruction. The teaching has led to successful results, and children of all denominations attend the school.
was founded in the year 1890, and stands on part of a section of two acres of land, at the corner of Bridge and Church Streets. It was erected in May, 1897, and consists of a two-storied wood and iron building, containing fourteen rooms; there are also eight additional rooms in an adjoining building. There are about ten Sisters at the institution, and from thirty to fifty pupils are in attendance. School Of Mines, Reefton. This school was established by Professor Black in the year 1886. Classes are held every evening on mining subjects, land and mine surveying, practical and theoretical chemistry, geology, metallurgy, mineralogy and assaying. The school has about thirty members, and is well equipped for assaying ores and minerals. The institution is supported by the district, and subsidised, pound for pound, by the Government; all membership and test fees are subsidised by the Government. The school building faces Shiels Street, behind the Post Office, and stands on Government ground. It is of wood and iron, and has a mineral museum, a laboratory, and an assay room. Officers for 1905: Mr. W. F. Brett, President; Mr. W. W. Ashby, Secretary; and Mr. J. Henderson, Director.
of the Anglican Church has been established for many years. It extends from the Saddle on the south, to the Hope saddle on the north, and includes Reefton, Progress Junction, Globe Hill, Inkerman, Coppleston, The Landing, Inangahua Junction, Lyell, Fern Flat, Longford, Murohison, Horse Terrace, and Warwick Junction. There are three churches in the district; namely, St. Stephens church, at Reefton, St. Luke's Church, at Coppleston, and St. Matthew's church, at Lyell. St. Stephen's church stands at the corner of Walsh and Church Streets, and was built in 1878, but has since been extensively enlarged. The Sunday school is conducted in a separate building, next to the church, and is attended by 150 scholars, in charge of fifteen teachers. The
Vicar of Reefton, was born in the city of Nelson, in the year 1863. He was educated in Nelson, and at the Theological College, Bishopdale, Nelson. Mr. York was ordained deacon in 1893, and priest in the following year. He was appointed curate of the outdistrict of Westport, and was stationed at Waimangaroa for two years. Mr. York was appointed to Reefton in January, 1901.
formerly eurate at Reefton, was born in 1875 at Blenheim, where he received his primary education, and was prepared for holy orders at St. John's Theological College, Anekland, and at Bishopdate, Nelson. He went to Reefton as lay reader in May, 1898, and was admitted to deacon's orders in January, 1899.
, Broadway, Reefton, was erected in 1884. It has seat accommodation for 200 persons, and there are 300 nominal adherents. The circuit connected with it includes Reefton, Cruahington and Boatman's.
Minister in charge of Knox Presbyterian church at Reefton, was formerly stationed at Wyndham, Southland, and a sketch of his life and his portrait appear in that connection, at page 1075 of the Otago and Southland volume of this Cyclopedia.
of the Roman Catholic Church extends from Little Grey Junction to Horse Terrace. on the Nelson road, at a point beyond Murchison. It includes the settlements of Matakitiki Plains, Lyell. Inangahua Junction, Reefton, Murchison, Boatman's, Alpine Hill, and various other mining centres. The Church of the Sacred Heart, of which Mr. Charles O'Neill was the architect, was erected in Church Street, Reefton, in the year 1877. It is centrally situated, and of striking appearance, and although it will seat about 500 persons, it is usually taxed to its utmost capacity. The church has a beautiful altar, and a fine organ. The presbytery adjoins the church, and there are two flourishing schools, and a convent conducted by the Sisters of Mercey.
, S.M., Parish Priest at Reefton, was born in Brittany, in the west of France, in 1867, and was educated in France, and at the Dublin Cathedral University, Ireland. Father Gallais was ordained in Armagh, in 1883. He afterwards returned to France, and became Professor of Languages at Lyons, where he remained for three years. Father Gallais then offered his services as a missionary, and was for six years in Fiji. Later, he went to Australia, and was in Sydney for three years. Father Gallais subsequently came to New Zealand in the year 1896, was stationed in Christchurch for eight years, and was appointed to his present charge in 1904.
formerly Parish Priest at Reefton, was born in County Lentrim, Ireland, in 1844, and educated at St. Mell's, Longford. He joined the Marist Fathers at Dundalk, where he was ordained, and spent six years at St. Ann's Church, in the East End of London. Father McNamara came out to New Zealand by the ship “Adamant,” in 1877, was in Christchurch over two years, and was afterwards vicar-general of the arch-diocese of Wellington, and administrator of the cathedral palace. He occupied those positions for thirteen years, and was then appointed to the charge of the Blenheim district. He entered upon his duties as rector and parisn priest of Reefton in February, 1897. Father McNamara is not now (1905) at Reefton.
sometime Assistant Priest at Reefton, was a native of the Meuse, France. He was born in 1834, received his education at the seminary of Verdon, and was ordained priest by Bishop Rossat, who offered him the choice of a parish or a religious society doing foreign mission work. He decided on the latter, and, joining the Society of Mary in 1861, arrived in Sydney in the early part of 1863. From Sydney he was sent to New Zealand, which he reached in 1864, and was appointed assistant to Father Forrest at Napier. He next went to Taranaki, whore he faithfully laboured amongst the Europeans and Maoris for eight years. When the Maori war was at its height,
he accompanied the English and colonial troops, and at Turi Turi Mokai he was an eye-witness of the death of Captain Ross, aescribed in Guageon's “Defenders of New Zealand.” He was a great friend of Von Tempsky; on one occasion he saved the life of a man who was badly wounded, and whilst out with an escort party near Patea he was under fire. He was present at the attacks on Stratford and Whenuukura. Father Rolland first went to the West Coast in 1869, and remained there five month's. He then returned to Taranaki, and in 1873 was sent a second time to the West Coast, but, eighteen months after, received orders to proceed to Napier. Subsequently, he returned to the Coast, and was stationed at Ahaura for eight years, during which he was instrumental in paying off a parochial debt of £1000. Whilst at Ahaura, Father Rolland conducted a school, and had under his charge about sixty boarders, several of whom matriculated. He afterwards went to Reefton, where he continued until he died, on the 13th of January, 1903. Father Rolland was one of the most popular priests on the whole of the West Coast, and was highly respected by all for his kindly disposition. His
was erected in Shiels Street in the year 1873. The land on which it is built measures sixty six feet by ninety-nine feet. The building is of wood and iron, and has accommodation for 150 persons; but it is expected that a new church, capable of seating 250 persons, will be completed by the end of the year 1906. A Sunday school is conducted in the church, which is the principal one in the Reefton eircuit of the Methodist connection. The district extends as far as Murchison on the Nelson road, and services are held periodically at Black's Point, where there is a church, at Globe Hill, The Landing, Fern Flat, and Murchison.
was appointed to the charge of the Methodist Reefton circuit in April, 1904, He was born in Cornwall, England, where he was educated
at Westminster College, and at Richmond College. Mr. Vealie was accepted as a candidate for the ministry in 1886, and afterwards went to America, where he stayed for six years in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was ordained in the year 1892. Two years later, Mr. Vealie came to New Zealand, and was stationed for three years at Mount Albert, Auckland. He was then appointed to Tauranga, where he resided for two years; Mr. Vealie was subsequently for five years in the Feilding and Sanson circuit, was for some time chairman of the Sanson school committee, and was appointed to his present charge in the year 1904. In 1890, he married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Lanyon, of Lyttelton, and has two daughters. The Reefton Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, was established in the year 1872, and in the same year a hall, capable of seating 500 persons, was erected for the lodge in Broadway, next to the National Bank building. The Lodge has a membership of 115, and its accumulated funds amount to £3,400. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. W. Hanson, Noble-Grand; Mr. W. Webber, Vice-Grand; Mr. F. Smith, Grand Master; and Mr. W. Iriving, Secretary.
, Ancient Order of Foresters, No. 6245, was established in the year 1878. There are sixty-six members, and the accumulated funds amount to about £1,000. Meetings are held fortnightly in Shiels Street. Officers for 1905: Mr. J. Ward, Chief Ranger; Mr. R. S. Austin, Sub-Chief Ranger; Mr. E. B. Reade, Treasurer; and Mr. E. J. Scantlebury, Secretary. The Reefton Jockey Club was established about the year 1876. The racecourse is at the end of Broadway, and contains thirty-four acres of freehold land. The race track is fiftyseven chains in length, and the trotting track, thirty chains, and there is a cycle track one third of a mile in length. A commodious grandstand was erected in the year 1895, at a cost of over £2000, including furniture and fittings. Mr. W. Irving is secretary of the club.
was established in the year 1901, when the Reefton City and the Black's Point Bands were amalgamated. The Black's Point Brass Band was formed in 1873 by Messrs James Harris and J. Richards. Mr. Richards held the position of bandmaster for seventeen years, when he was obliged to relinquish his duties, and go to Australia, on account of ill-health. The band then appointed Mr. Tnilip Edwards bandmaster and conductor. The Inangahua brass band has a membership of twenty. Several new instruments were imported in 1905, at a cost of £125, to replace the old ones; and of the cost, £-40 was subscribed by the people of Reefton and the surrounding districts. The band took part at the Greymouth Band competition, in 1905. Mr. R. A. Sutherland is Bandmaster and Conductor; and Mr. S. Austin. Secretary.
was appointed secretary of the Inangahua Brass Band in June, 1904. He was born in the year 1881, in Reefton, where he was educated, and brought up to the trade of a wheelwright and black- smith. Mr. Austin is also an enginedriver, and holds a first-class certifieate, which he obtained in 1903. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Pacific, and is also connected with the local lodge of Oddfellows. Mr. Austin served for five years in the Reefton Rifles, and, in 1903, he was appointed bugle-major of the No. 2 Battalion.
was founded in the seventies by Mr. William J. Potts, as a tri-weekly morning paper, and was conducted by him until his death, in January, 1901. Thereafter it was conducted by Mrs. Mary Agnes Theresa Potts, who also acted as editress from the year 1897 until August, 1905, when the paper was taken over by a company, known as the Inangahua Times Company, Limited. The paper, which consists of thirty-two columns of reading and advertising matter, is issued at the price of one penny, and published every evening. The “Inaugahua Times” circulates largely in the town and district, and is the only paper in Reefton which receives late cable and press messages from the United Press Association. Late news from the country districts is regularly published, as the “Times” has correspondents in all parts of the West Coast. The plant consists of a large wharfdale double demy machine, driven by water power.
was established by Messrs Ivess, Mirfin, and Tilbrook in the year 1872, and in 1893 Mr. Noble became joint proprietor of the paper with Mr. Mirfin. The paper is published every morning, and contains twenty-eight columns. Its politics are in favour of the Seddon Government, and it has a good circulation throughout the Buller district. There is a good jobbing plant at the office of the “Herald” in Broadway, and the machinery is driven by a Pelton water wheel.
, Reefton, is situated in Bridge Street. The building is a wooden one, of one storey, and was erected in the year 1872. There are seven offices and a court room. The Stipendiary Magistrate, Mr. W. G. K. Kenrick, holds sittings twice a month, and there are courts presided over by the local justices. Every alternate month, a district court is held by Judge Haselden.
(Smith Laughton Pattrick Free and Anthony Crispe Cottrell), Solicitors, Bridge Street, Reefton; also at Palmerston Street, Westport. Private residence, Mr. Free, Shiels Street, Reefton. Bankets, Bank of New Zealand. P.O. Box 12. Mr. Free takes charge of the Reefton business, and Mr. Cottrell conducts the offices at Westport. The firm is well known throughout the length and breadth of the West Coast, and enjoys a very considerable practice. Messrs Free and Cottrell are solicitors for the Government Life Insurance Department, Advances to Settlers' Department and Public Trust Office, and also for the Inangahua and Buller County Councils. Their practice is largely in connection with mining; they are solicitors for the Consolidated Goldfields Company of New Zealand, Ltd., the largest and most extensive mining corporation on the West Coast, and they also act as legal advisers to a number of other companies.
, the Resident Partner at Reefton, is a son of Mr. William Free, of North Canterbury, where he was born in 1867. Educated privately, and at the Normal School, Christchurch, he entered the office of Messrs Wynn-Williams and Deacon in 1883. Two years later he was with Mr. T. W. Stringer, passed his examination in 1888, and was admitted as a solicitor in the following year. Mr. Free then joined Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham of Greymouth in partnership, and opened a branch office in Reefton, of which he took charge. The partnership was dissolved three years later, and Mr. Free acquired the Reefton business of the firm. This he conducted on his own account for about twelve months, when he admitted Mr. A. C. Cottrell into partnership. The new firm added to its connection by purchasing the practice of the late Mr. J. J. Moynihan, at Westport, in January, 1895.
A., B.A., M.B., Ch.M., Reefton. Private residence, Lower Broadway, Dr. Conlon, who commenced practice in 1896, is a native of Sydney, was educated at the University in that city, and graduated in 1890. He was senior resident medical officer, Government Hospital, Little Bay, Sydney, 1896; resident surgeon, Sydney Hospital for Sick Children, Glebe Point, Sydney, 1897.
M.B., Ch. M., Physician and Surgeon, Buller Road, Reefton, Dr. Scott is a son of the late Mr. Henry Scott, RegistrarGeneral and Master of Titles, Queensland. He was born at Brisbane, Queensland, and graduated in 1893, at the University of Sydney. For a shorttime Dr. Scott was resident surgeon at the Brisbane Hospital, and accepted the appointment of medical superintendent of the Kumara Hospital on the West Coast, in 1896. Seven years later, he acquired the practice of Dr. T. B. Whitton, at Reefton, where he has since lived and followed his profession.
Surgeon and Mechanical Dentist, Broadway, Reefton. This practice was established in the year 1903. The building includes two surgeries and a work room, Mr. Harley was born at Stoke, Nelson, in 1876, was educated at Nelson College, studied for his profession under Messrs Tatton and Deck, at Nelson; and was registered in 1902. In the following year Mr. Harley removed to Reefton, to manage a branch for Mr. W. E. Reynolds, of Greymouth, and, six months later, he bought out the practice which he has since conducted. Mr. Harley is interested in shooting, and takes a prominent place in all the athletic sports in the district. He is a member of the Y.M.B.S. Hockey Club, the Reefton Fire Brigade, and the Reefton Trotting Club.
, Surgeon Dentist, Bridge Street, Reefton.
, corner of Broadway and Bridge Street, Reefton. This branch was established in 1872. The bank buildings are two stories in height. The staff consists of four officers. Gold buying and assaying constitute the principal branches of the bank's business. The manager's residence is attached to the bank premises.
, Manager of the Reefton branch of the Bank of New Zealand, was appointed to his present position in 1896. He is a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, and after leaving school joined the City of Glasgow Bank, in which he remained until it went into liquidation. Mr. Fergusson came to New Zealand in 1880, and almost immediately entered the service of the Colonial Bank, in which he remained until the Bank of New Zealand took over its business in 1896.
, Reefton. This important financial institution is the principal banking house in Reefton, and was established nearly thirty years ago. The building is a substantial wooden structure and contains a public office, the manager's room, a smelting house, and also a dwelling house. The staff includes, in addition to the manager, an accountant, an assayer, a teller and a junior clerk. The bank buys gold largely in bulk from the principal mining companies on the Reefton and Buller goldfields, and generally conducts a successful banking business. There is also a branch at Lyell, where an agent is in charge under Mr. Ferens's supervision.
, the Manager of the Reefton branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, was born in Otago and educated at the Oamaru High School, where he early showed an aptitude for mathematics and book-keeping. After leaving school Mr. Ferens entered the Oamaru branch of the bank as a junior, and was subsequently transferred to Kurow, where he was in charge of the agency for nearly four years. He was appointed to his present position in 1896, and has gained the confidence of the leading business people and mining syndicates of the district. Mr. Ferens takes an active interest in cricket and athletics generally, and is a prominent member of the Reefton Cricket Club. In 1894 he married a daughter of the late Mr. Hector Baxter, of Waimate, and formerly of Caversham, Dunedin.
. Registered offices, Bridge Street, Reefton. This Union was registered under. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1894, on the 6th of August, 1896. Its finances are vested in three trustees, and its accumulated funds amount to £500. The roll of membership contains nearly 600 workers, who pay a weekly subscription of sixpence per member, to the funds of the Union. This meets the ordinary expenses; and, in the event of a member meeting with an injury while following his usual employment, he is entitled to £1 per week for thirteen weeks, and ten shillings a week for every week over the thirteen. The rules of the Society are incorporated and made legal by Act of Parliament, and guide masters and men in regard to wages for mining and skilled labour; indeed, the chief object of the Union is to have all industrial disputes settled by awards of the Court of Arbitration. Officers for 1905: Mr. D. Blackadder, President; Mr. M. Absalom, Vice-president; Mr. H. Betts, Secretary; Mr. R. Dunphy, Treasurer; and a committee of eight.
, Secretary of the Miners' Union at Reefton, was born at Hokitika, in the year 1869. He was educated in Greymouth and Christchurch, brought up to mining at Reefton, and followed that occupation for twelve years. Mr. Betts became president of the Miners' Union in July, 1897, and was again elected to the position two years later. On the completion of his second term of office, he was appointed secretary to the Union; he is also secretary of the Westland Trades and Labour Council. Mr. Betts has been one of the local hospital trustees for several years, was a member of the Inangahua County Council for six years, and of the Charitable Aid Board for one year. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Pacific, English Constitution. In the year 1892, Mr. Betts married Miss Ryan, of Dunedin, and has two sons and four daughters.
: offices at Reefton.
, President of the Westland Trades and Labour Council, is check weighman at the Westport Coal Company's mines at Denniston. He was born at Macclesfield, England, in the year 1847, and arrived in New Zealand in 1851. For some time Mr. Foster was engaged in contract work, and afterwards gained a wide experience on the Otago goldfields. He was then attracted to the West Coast, and followed goldmining for about twenty years on the various fields. In 1897, Mr. Foster was appointed to his present position as check weighman at the Denniston mines. He has been president of the Westland Trades and Labour Council for three years, and for eleven years has been president of the Denniston Coal Miners' Industrial Union of Workers. Mr. Foster is chairman of the Denniston school committee, chairman of the Denniston Medical Association, and is treasurer of the Denniston Domain Board. He is married, and has one daughter.
Legal Manager and Secretary to Mining Companies, and Commission Agent, Broadway, Reefton. Mr. Irving is a member of the Inangahua County Council, and is secretary of the Reefton Lodge of Oddfellows, and of the Reefton Jockey Club; and is further referred to as such in this volume.
(Bernard Patrick McMahon and Thomas Hubert Lee), Auctioneers, Sharebrokers, Legal Managers, and Commission Agents, Broadway, Reefton. Saleyards near
, of the firm of McMahon and Lee, was born in Christchurch in the year 1867, and educated at St. Patrick's College, Wellington. He afterwards went to the West Coast, where he took charge of the Catholic School at Reefton. In 1891, Mr. McMahon resigned his position as a teacher, and went into mining ventures; but established the business now carried on by himself and his partner in the year 1902.
Sharebroker and Commission Agent, Reefton. Mr. Steele was born in County Donegal. Ireland, in the year 1841, and, after he was educated, he learned the drapery trade. In 1856, he was attracted to Victoria, Australia, by the goldfields, and, five years later, removed to Otago, and was at Gabriel's Gully, the Lake, Fox's, and the Dunstan diggings. Mr. Steele has been on the West Coast since about the year 1866, and was in the drapery trade at Reefton during seventeen years of that period. In 1893, he commenced business as sharebroker and general agent, and has since successfully carried on that business. At the present time (1905) he is agent for the South British and Norwich Fire Insurance Companies, for the Norwich and London Accident Company, and for the Mercantile and Bankruptcy Gazette, and several other important agencies. He is also manager of the
Photographer, Broadway, Reefton. Private residence, Buller Road. This business was established in the year 1889, and acquired by Mr. Sherlock in 1890. The studio stands on leasehold ground, and the premises include a shop, work shop, and a commodious studio, with top and side lights. Mr. Sherlock was born on the 13th of August, 1846, in London, where he was educated, and learned photography under his father in Devonshire. He afterwards came to New Zealand, and arrived in Lyttelton, by the ship “Zealandia,” in the year 1872. Mr. Sherlock removed to Christchurch, where he was in business as a photographer for eighteen years. He settled on the West Coast in 1890.
Carpenter, Reefton. Mr. Dunn has carried on his business in Reefton since February, 1872, and during that period has built numerous public and private buildings; including the Court-house, County Chambers, Anglican church, the shop of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, the original Hospital, and the first grand stand on the race-course. He was born in June, 1842, at Fairham, Hants, England, where he was educated, and learned carpentry. Mr. Dunn had considerable experience in the Old Country and worked on the Charing Cross Hospital, the Langham Hotel, and other important buildings. In the year 1865, he went to Queensland, and was employed there for a time, on the building of the Ipswich railway station. He afterwards removed to Sydney, and worked at the fitting up of cabins, on a steamer for the Queensland Government. Mr. Dunn arrived in Hokitika in 1865, and had experience as a digger at Karamea, Charleston, Westport, Waimangaroa and Addison's Flat, before he settled in Reefton. As a Freemason, Mr. Dunn is a member of the Pacific Lodge, and is one of the oldest surviving Oddfellows in the county of Inangahua. He has taken an interest in cricket, and played in representative matches in the early days, against Greymouth. Mr. Dunn married a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Jones, of Greymouth, in the year 1875.
Carpenter, Reefton. Mr. Sloan was born in the year 1863, in Victoria, Australia, and came to New Zealand at the age of eight years. He was educated in Otago, learned carpentry in Westport, and afterwards resided at Westport and Lyell, until the year 1898, when he removed to Reefton, where he has a workshop and residence at Soldier's Valley, on the Progress Road. Mr. Sloan is a member of the Order of Oddfellows in Westport, and the Order of Foresters in Reefton. He married a daughter of the late Mr. W. H. Leech, of Nelson, in 1890, and has three sons and one daughter.
Bricklayer, Munson Street, Reefton. Mr. Panckhurst has a handsome eight-roomed modern residence, together with a shop and yard, in Munson Street, Reefton. He was born in Woodend, Canterbury, in the year 1867, and was educated at Greymouth, where he learned his trade. In 1867, he commenced business there on his own account, and removed to Reefton, in 1896. Mr. Panckhurst executed the brickwork for the Grey Hospital, and for a number of shops in Greymouth, and has put up furnaces and solid brickwork for the Consolidated Gold Fields Company of New Zealand in Reefton. He also had the construction of the Reefton sewerage system, and was foreman and supervisor while the work was in progress. Mr. Panckhurst is an importer of headstones, in marble and granite, and undertakes the erection of monumental and memorial work in the cemeteries of the district. As a Freemason, he is a
Coach Builder, General Blacksmith, Wheelwright and Farrier, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established by the late Mr. Thomas Crumpton in 1875, and was taken over by Mr. Henry Crumpton, in 1904, after the death of his father. The premises consist of a wood and iron building, erected on a section of thirty-three feet by ninety feet, and include a large shop, with two fires and a plant, a screwing” tyre rolling band, circular sawing machinery, and all needful appliances. Mr. Crumpton builds all kinds of vehicles, and employs about six persons. He was born in 1874, in Charleston, and attended school at Reetton, where he learned his trade and worked with his father, from his youth. Mr. Crumpton has been a member of the Inangahua Brass Band since 1895, and was for a time a member of the local Fire Brigade; he was also connected with the Reefton Cycling Club, and with the Reefton Orchestra, and, as an Oddfellow, is a member of the Reefton Lodge. Mr. Crumpton married a daughter of the late Mr. W. G. Collins, of Reefton, in 1899.
Tailor, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established by Mr. Feehan, on the 20th of June, 1904; the building consists of a doublefronted verandah shop, and contains an office, a fitting room, and a workroom. Mr. Feehan was born at Notown Road, in 1877, and was educated in Reefton, and learned his trade on the West Coast, at Blenheim, and with Messrs W. Strange and Co., in Christchurch. He was employed by this firm for three years, and learned cutting under Mr. J. W. Ramm. Mr. Feehan then returned to the West Coast, and established his present business. He is a member of the local Trotting Club and Football Club.
Draper, Broadway, Reefton. Headquarters, Wellington. The Reefton branch of this well-known business has been established for a number of years. The premises were purchased in the year 1901, and consist of two well-appointed shops, one of which is occupied by a tenant.
, Manager of the Reefton branch of Mr. C. Smith's drapery business, was appointed to the position in the year 1904. He was born in 1873, and is a son of Mr. James Stapleton, of Hokitika. Mr. Stapleton entered the service of the New Zealand Clothing Factory in 1891, and was promoted to the Christchurch branch four years later. The city experience thus gained proved of great benefit to him, and in August, 1897, he was further promoted to the management of the branch at Hokitika, where he proved himself a steady and constant worker for the firm he represented. Mr. Stapleton afterwards gained further experience in Christchurch and in Wellington, before taking up his present duties. He has always taken a leading part in athletic sports, especially in cycling; at one time he was deputy-captain of the Hokitika Cycling Club, and his name was familiar as that of a road racer and record breaker.
, who was for some time in business in Reefton as a merchant tailor, was born in Ross, in 1872, and spent nearly the whole of his early life at Reefton. Mr. Kater served five years at his trade on the West Coast, and gained further experience in Christchurch, where he was for some time with the Farmers' Cooperative Association. He returned to Reefton in 1896, and started business on his own account. Mr. Kater subsequently went to reside in Wellington.
H., Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established by Mr. R. J. Simpson and taken over by the present proprietor in June, 1898.
The hairdressing saloon is handsomely equipped with three up-to-date chairs, and every necessary comfort has been provided at considerable expense. Mr. Lawn subscribes to, and places in his saloon, all the West Coast papers and Canterbury weeklies. The shop is well stocked
Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Broadway, Reefton. Established 1887. The proprietor was born in Cobden in 1860, and on leaving school was apprenticed to the timber trade, which he followed for seven years at Messrs Guthrie and Larnach's Kew sawmills, near Invercargill. On removing to to the West Coast he learned his present trade in Greymouth. The saloon is fitted up in modern style and lighted by electricity. A large stock of tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, pipes and fancy goods is always kept on hand. Mr. Sutherland employs a first class hairdresser, and also conducts an assorted lending library. In musical circles, Mr. Sutherland is well known. He is bandmaster to the Reefton City Band, and is also an able violinist and takes an active part in local concerts.
, Reefton, is a two-storey building, containing sixteen rooms, of which eleven are bedrooms, three parlours, and one is a dining-room, with seating accommodation for twenty persons. The house is very popular, and is well patronised by the miners and residents, and by all the sporting community. An excellent table is kept, and the accommodation is all that can be desired. Wines, spirits, and liquors of the best brands are kept. Coaches stop at the door to pick up and set down passengers.
(William Edgar, proprietor), Broadway, Reelton. The Commercial Hotel is a two-storied wood and iron building, and contains twenty rooms, including fifteen bedrooms, three sitting-rooms, and a dining-hall capable of seating thirteen guests. The stables connected with the establishment contain five loose boxes and a feed-house.
, Proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, was born in 1874, in Queenstown, Otago, where he was educated. He worked for five years at a fellmongery, and afterwards followed mining for eight years in Otago and on the West Coast. Mr. Edgar is a member of the Reefton Rifles, and also of the Reefton Hibernian Lodge. He married a daughter of Mr. John Sweeney, of Buller Road, Reefton, in Oceober, 1902.
(Richard Dunphy, proprietor), Smith Street, Reefton. This substantial two-storied structure is built of wood, on heavy concrete foundations. It was erected in 1892, and the present proprietor took over the business in 1896. The hotel contains seventeen rooms, including ten bedrooms, three parlours, and a large dining room. The wines and spirits are of the best brands, and the ales on draught and bottled include Dodson's famous AK brands. An excellent table is kept, the cooking being under an excellent cook, and the “Gladstone” is a favourite resort.
, the Proprietor, is a native of Waterford, Ireland. After arriving in New Zealand, he was engaged in farming in the North Canterbury and Timaru districts. On removing to the West Coast, he went mining at Blackwall and other localities. Mr. Dunphy takes a keen interest in sporting, and is a member of the Reefton Jockey Club.
(George Henry Dyer, proprietor), junction of Grey Road and Progress Road, Reefton. This business has been established for many years. The building is of wood and iron and contains fourteen rooms. There is good accommodation for boarders, and the tariff is a moderate one. A farm of seventy acres is connected with the establishment.
, Proprietor of the Occidental Hotel, was born in the year 1882, at Kumara, where he was educated. For some years he worked as chainman to a survey party, and, in May, 1903, became the proprietor of the Occidental Hotel. As a Freemason, Mr. Dyer is a member of Lodge Robert Burns, No. 52, New Zealand Constitution, and, as a Forester, he is a member of Court Inangahua, Ancient Order of Foresters. He is also a member of the Reefton Trotting Club.
(Edward John Knowesley, proprietor), Broadway, Reefton. Mr. Knowesley has conducted the Southern Cross Hotel since the year 1902. The building is a two-storied one of wood and iron,
, Proprietor of the Southern Cross Hotel, was born in Exeter, England, in the year 1855. He attended school at Oak House, Axminster, England, and was brought up to the trade of a draper. In the year 1872, Mr. Knowesley came to New Zealand, and arrived in Lyttelton by the ship “Border Chief.” He found employment for some years in the drapery business, and was connected with Warner's and Coker's Hotels in Christchurch, as manager, for eight years; he also occupied a similar position, for two years, in connection with the Ship Hotel, Timaru. Mr. Knowesley then removed to Reefton, and was manager of Dawson's Hotel for six months, and then he bought the freehold of the Southern Cross Hotel, in October, 1902. As a volunteer, he served in the Old Country, and became a member of the Reefton Rifles in the year 1904.
(James Stevenson, proprietor), Broadway, Reefton. Established 1871. P.O. Box 15. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Booking office for Messrs Newman Bros.' Nelson, Westport, and Blenheim line of Royal Mail coaches. This hotel, which was taken over by the present proprietor in 1884, is one of the leading hostelries in Reefton. The building is of two stories and contains twenty single bedrooms, three suites of double bedrooms, three private sitting-rooms and three parlours. The house is exceptionally well furnished, and is lighted throughout with electricity and has every modern convenience. Mrs Stevenson is at all times most attentive to the comfort of visitors.
, Proprietor, was born in Glasgow in 1842, and spent the greater part of his earlier life at sea trading to India and China. He arrived in Dunedin in 1863 and followed the diggings. In 1865 he removed to the West Coast, and after remaining at Hokitika for some time, he went to Reefton and engaged in store-keeping and butchering. In 1882 he paid a visit to England and returned to New Zealand the following year. Mr. Stevenson takes a deep interest in mining matters, and was one of the original shareholders in the “Wealth of Nations,” but sold out his interest previous to Mr. Ziman taking over the option. He is also a director of the Electric Light Company and is largely interested in dredging. Mr. Stevenson is treasurer of the Reefton Racing Club, a trustee of the Reefton Hospital, and he is also a Freemason and an Oddfellow.
, formerly Proprietor of the Criterion Hotel and Theatre Royal, Reefton, was born in France, in 1849. He was brought up to a seafaring life, but on coming to New Zealand in 1866, he engaged in mining for some years and afterwards as a butcher. Previous to taking over the Criterion Hotel, Mr. Ourry was the licensee of Loughnan's Hotel at Progress Junction. Mr. Ourry is now (1905) mining at Blackwater.
Farrier and Blacksmith, corner of Shiels Street and Smith Street, Reefton. Established 1890. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Banks has one of the principal blacksmithing connections in Reefton. The smithy is a large building measuring 33 feet by 40 feet. In connection with mining machinery, Mr. Banks and his staff are daily kept actively at work repairing. Mr. Banks is a native of Scotland, and was born in 1854. He came to New Zealand in 1863 in the “Robert Henderson,” and served his time to his trade at Ross. Like most colonists, he has travelled pretty well all over New Zealand. In public affairs he takes a prominent part and is well and favourably known all over the West Coast. Mr. Banks is an Oddfellow.
Plumber and Tinsmith, Broadway, Reefton. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This business was established in 1874 by the present proprietor's father, at whose death, in 1896, it was taken over by Mr. Kater. All classes of plumbing are undertaken, also electric-light installations. The Reefton Court-house, Episcopal church, Borough Council Chambers, the Robert Burns Lodge, as well as several hotels and business places, which are lighted by electricity, were successfully fitted up by Mr. Kater. He has an excellent plant necessary for carrying on his business, and is kept actively employed. Born in Ross in 1867, he removed to Reefton with his parents in 1874, and after receiving a primary education, he entered his father's workshop.
Plumber and Tinsmith, Broadway, Reefton. Private residence, Buller Road. This business was established in the year 1883 by Mr. P. N. Shepherd, who subsequently removed to Dunedin, and was acquired by his brother, Mr. G. B. Shepherd, in 1900. The premises stand on freehold land, which measures thirty-three feet by ninety-nine feet, and consist of a shop, a workshop, and a store room. Mr. Shepherd was born in December, 1850, at Dundee, Scotland, and was taken as an infant to Australia. He was educated at Geelong, and was there at the time of the Ballarat riots. Mr. Shepherd afterwards came to New Zealand, and landed in Dunedin in March, 1866. He was brought up to the trade of an ironmonger under Mr. T. G. Johnston, of George Street, Dunedin, and several years later entered the service of Messrs Briseoe and Company, with whom he continued for ten years. Mr. Shepherd then opened an ironmongery business for the firm of Guthrie and Larnach, and afterwards managed a business for Messrs Gibbs and Clayton, in George Street. In 1882, he was appointed to the management of Messrs Forsyth and Masters' Reefton branch; a position which he filled for thirteen years. Mr. Shepherd was then in business as a sharebroker for some time before he entered his present calling. He was one of the trustees of the local Hospital Board for many years, and was also chairman for ten years. Mr. Shepherd was a member of the Inangahua County Council for Reefton riding for three years, and was one of the prime movers in the foundation of the Reefton Jockey Club, with which he has been connected since 1882. He married a daughter of the late Mr. William Galloway, of Dunedin, in the year 1873, and has, surviving, four sons and two daughters.
Cycle Engineer and Builder, “The Byko,” Walsh Street, Reefton. This business was established in the year 1904. The proprietor, Mr. Sunderland, has a full repairing plant, and builds machines from Birmingham Small Arms parts. He was born in 1875, at Reefton, where he was educated, and afterwards gained experience as a plumber, under Mr. J. Nicol, of Wellington, for about three years. Mr. Sunderland then removed to Feilding, and after being twelve months there,
Saddler and Harnessmaker, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established by Mr. Harris in the year 1897. The premises include a private residence, and a two-storied building erected on freehold land, which measures seventeen feet by ninety-nine feet. Mr. Harris was born in the year 1866, at Kaiapoi, Canterbury, where he was educated. He afterwards learned his trade at Ashburton, and for a number of years had various experiences of colonial life. For about eighteen months. Mr. Harris was engaged in clearing a reserve at Cook river, South Westland, for the Government, and was subsequently, for a time in the Kokotahi district. In 1897, he removed to Reefton, where he established his present business; and he imports largely, and keeps a well assorted stock. Mr. Harris is a member of the Order of Druids in Reefton, and is a Past President; and, as a Freemason, he is a Past Master of Lodge Robert Burns. He married a daughter of Mr. Fleming, of Kokotahi, in the year 1891, and has two sons and two daughters.
Butcher, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established in the year 1876, by the late Mr. John Dick, and conducted by him until his death, in July, 1904, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. John Dick. The first shop occupied by Mr. Dick, senior, was burnt down. He then bought out the business of Mr. Gothard, and acquired the freehold of the present site, which measures sixtysix feet by ninety-nine feet. The premises were destroyed by fire in 1885, when the present substantial building was erected. It consists of a large shop and office, a small goods room, and a residence. The slaughterhouse is near the race course.
, who succeeded to his father's business in 1904, was born in May, 1873, in Reefton, where he was educated. He learned butchering under his father, with whom he worked from his youth, except during three years spent in Napier. As a Forester, Mr. Dick is a member of Court Inangahua. He married a daughter of Mr. B. Primmer, of Palmerston North, in the year 1896, and has three sons and one daughter.
Butcher. City Butchery. Buller Road, Reefton. The building used by Mr. Heslop is said to be one of the oldest in Reefton, and was built about the year 1870. It consists of a large shop, with verandah, offices, a small goods room, and residence, and stands on a freehold section. The slaughterhouse connected with the establishment is on Anderson's road, about one mile out of Reefton, where Mr. Heslop has 100 acres of freehold laid, about fiftysix acres of which has been cleared of bush and brought under cultivation. The buildings include a slaughter house, a drying shed, and piggeries. Three acres of land are used for breeding and fattening pigs, and about 200 are disposed of in the year. Mr. Heslop was born in the year 1882, at Reefton, where he was educated. He learned his trade with Mr. Wolf, in Reefton, commenced at an early age on his own account, and has conducted his present business since 1901.
. Merchant, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established by the late Mr Robert Patterson, in the year 1872. The building was burnt down in 1874, and was replaced by the present building, which was considerably enlarged and renovated in the year 1899. It stands on a freehold section, measuring thirty-three feet by ninety-nine feet, and consists of a double-fronted shop, offices, and store room, with a residence at the back. Since the death of Mr. Patterson, in 1903, the business has been conducted by Messrs James and Isaac Patterson.
, one of the sons of the late Mr. Robert Patterson, was born at Reefton in the year 1873. He has been associated with the business, which he now manages in conjunction with his brother, since he was fourteen years of age.
acts in conjunction with Mr. James Patterson in the management of the business left by their late father. He was born at Reefton, in 1880, and, after undergoing a legal and commercial training in Wellington, returned to take up his present business.
Stationer and Dealer in Fancy Goods, Patent and Proprietary Medicines, Drugs and Chemicals, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established by Mr. Richard James Trewavas, of Motueka, in the year 1899, as a chemist's and druggist's business, and was taken over in 1901 by the present proprietress. The building is centrally situated in Reefton, and consists of a shop and store room, stocked with herbs, chemicals, books, stationery, music, drugs, patent medicines, fancy goods, and other articles. Mrs Palmer was born at Riwaka, Nelson, where she was educated, and gained experience under her father before she took over her present business.
Stationer, Bookseller, Jeweller, etc., Agent National Mutual Life and Royal Fire Insurance Companies, Broadway, Reefton. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Established in 1873. The building is two-storied, and Mr. Scantlebury does an exceptionally large business. The stock is complete in all branches, and the leading periodicals from England and America, as well as colonial publications, are received by each mail. A specialty is made of school books, maps, slates, etc. Mr. Scantlebury was born in Cornwall, England, in 1861, and was educated at one of the local schools, where he afterwards served as a pupil teacher. In 1879, he came to New Zealand in the “Routenbeck,” and landed at Port Chalmers. Thence he removed to Reefton, where he engaged for a time in various pursuits. Mr. Scantlebury is secretary to the Fire Brigade and the Ancient Order of Foresters, and he is also a Justice of the Peace, chairman of the Inangahua County Council, and a member of the Greyrmouth Harbour Board.
N, General Storekeeper, Broadway, Reefton. This business was established by the late Mr. John Ching, and conducted by him for many years. He was succeeded by the late Mr. W. G. Cellings, and Mr. Grange acquired the business in the year 1902. The premises consist of a double-fronted shop, with a verandah, and an office; and Mr. Grange maintains a large and well assorted stock of general stores. Mr. Grange is further referred to in connection with the Reefton Fire Brigade.
General Storekeeper, Reefton. Mr. Harold's premises stand on freehold land in Smith Street, where he owns several shops.
General Storekeeper, Broadway, Reefton. Private residence, Shaw Street. This business was established in the year 1887. The premises consist of a double-fronted wood and iron building, with a verandah, and contain a large shop, with a show room, offices, and a store room. Mr. Rhodes was born in the year 1839, at Old Kent Road, near London, England, where he was educated, and he obtained his first experience of commercial life in his father's business. In 1853, he went to Melbourne, Australia, and followed the diggings for about a year. Mr. Rhodes was afterwards engaged for a number of years, in a mail contract, at Maryborough, at the time the late Sir Julius Vogel, subsequently Premier of New Zealand, was sub-editor of the “Maryborough and Dunnolly Advertiser.” In the year 1861, Mr. Rhodes was attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush, in Otago, and started express work in that district. He conducted this business successfully for a number of years, and at one time carried 500 letters from Dunedin to the Dunstan, for which he received as carriage, from two shillings and sixpence to five shillings each. Mr. Rhodes afterwards engaged in coaching, and left Otago, in 1865, for Hokitika. He ran the first fourhorse coach between Hokitika and Greymouth, and subsequently sold his coaching business to Messrs Lee, Cole, and Co., of Christchurch. Mr Rhodes then settled in Greymouth, where he bought the Oddfellows' Hotel and Harmonic Hall, and carried on these establishments for the balance of the lease. Afterwards, he opened the Ferry Hotel, on the bank of the Grey river, opposite the Cobden Ferry, but subsequently sold his interest. In the year 1882, Mr. Rhodes removed to Reefton, where he started business as a soda water manufacturer, but in the course of a few years he sold out to Mr. H. Pain, of Westport. He then turned his attention to storekeeping, in which he has since continued. As a member of the Order of Oddfellows and Order of Foresters in Greymouth, Mr. Rhodes has passed all the chairs. He married a daughter of Mr. Bowden, of Kilkenny, Ireland, in the year 1867, and has, surviving, two sons and two daughters.
. Registered offices, Bridge Street, Reefton. Directors; Mr. Thomas North, chairman; and Messrs John Dick, James Stevenson, James Searlett, and H. T. Crumpton. Mr. William Hindmarsh is secretary. This company was formed in the year 1886, and was promoted by the late Mr. Morris Levy, who was, previous to his death, a director of the company, and to whom is due the installation of the electric light in Reefton. The plant is situated on the south side of the Inangahua river, and the buildings consist of the electric light house, shed, and manager' residence. There is a Jones-Vurton 200-volt dynamo capable of supplying over 1000 lights. The lighting of the town is divided into four sections, so that in case of accident to the wires in one section, it can be shut off without placing the whole town in darkness. The dynamos are driven by a Rafel turbine of seventy horse-power, built by Messrs Scott Bros, of Christchurch. The company owns a well-constructed waterrace, one mile in length, connected at considerable expense, with the Inangahua river. Lamps specially manufactured for the company in London at a cost of one shilling and three pence each are used and are equal to sixteen candlepower. Mr. A. W. Wilby is the manager of the company's lighting works; and since his appointment, the company has paid steady dividends.
, Manager of the Reefton Electric Light Works, was born on the 25th of August, 1867. He served his time to gen-
Livery Stablekeeper and Coach Proprietor, Broadway, Reefton. Private residence, Broadway. The commodious stables owned by Mr. Cochrane were completed in the year 1904, and are built on a freehold section, which measures sixty-six feet by ninety-nine feet. The stables contain twelve stalls and nine loose boxes, and there is also standing-room for vehicles. Mr. Cochrane has a large number of vehicles, including eight sulkies and gigs, two double buggies, eight waggonettes, two expresses, and three drags, and he employs from twelve to twenty-two horses in the summer, and from ten to twelve in the winter season. He also runs a line of coaches between Reefton and the railway station, which meet every train, and undertake special trips, as required, to Nelson and Westport. Mr. Cochrane was born in November, 1854, in Victoria, Australia, and landed in Port Chalmers in January, 1862. He had various experiences of packing and country life, and was for about sixteen years employed in the sawmilling industry, in the Grey Valley. Mr. Cochrane removed to Reefton, in the year 1887, and established himself in his present business. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Order of Oddfellows in Reefton. Mr. Cochrane married a daughter of the late Mr. Frederick McFarlane, of Feilding. in February, 1884, and has, surviving, three sons and one daughter.
Farmer. “Forest Home,” Reefton. Mr. Bell's Farm of 510 acres is situated on the Buller Road, about fourteen miles from Reefton. Grazing is Mr. Bell's principal occupation, although some green crop is also grown. He deals in sheep, and has from sixty to seventy head of cattle. Mr. Bell was born at Wakefield, Nelson, in the year 1852, and is the son of an old colonist—the late Mr. James Bell—who landed in Welfington in 1840, and assisted in the first survey of Dunedin. He was brought up to farm and station life, and for some years was manager of the estate of Mr. J. C. Wason, now a member of the British House of Commons. Mr. Bell arrived on the West Coast in the year 1890, took up land, and removed to his present holding in 1898. He has taken an interest in local politics, and is chairman of the Inangahua Landing school committee, and was for some years chairman of the Stoke Road Board. Mr. Bell was also chairman of two school committees in the Stoke district, and was a trustee of the Methodist Church. As an Oddfellow, he is a Past Grand Master of the Travellers' Rest Lodge, Manchester Unity, and for a long time was a member of the Star of Wakefield Tent of Rechabites. Mr. Bell is married, and has a family of four sons and one daughter.
was born at Black's Point in the year 1880, and was educated in Greymouth, Reefton, and at Nelson College, where he was a holder of a two years' district scholarship. Mr. Lawn entered the service of the Consolidated Goldfields Company as assistant to Mr. Evans, the manager of the assay department, and on the resignation of Mr. Evans, in 1904, was appointed assayer, but has since retired from that office. He resides at Reefton, and, as a Forester, he is a member of Court Inangahua, for which he acted as treasurer for two years. Mr. Lawn was also, for two years, a sergeant in the Reefton Rifles; he is secretary of the Mining Students' Association, and is the West Coast representative of the International Correspondence Schools, Scranton. He married a daughter of Mr. Scoltock, storekeeper, Reefton, in the year 1905.
was one of the earliest settlers in New Zealand, and had many and varied experiences. He was the eldest son of Mr. William Gordon Bell, and was born in Dumfries, Scotland, on the 27th of April. 1818. In the year 1839, Mr. Bell went to Australia with his parents in the ship “Lady Lilford,” and remained there for a few months; then he came to New Zealand, and landed in Wellington on the 15th of March, 1840. Mr. Bell's parents settled in the Wellington district, where, however, the family met with considerable opposition from the Maoris, especially from a chief named Te Waka; but, through the friendliness of another chief named Kiri Karama, they were not subjected to actual violence. Mr. Bell, senior, is said to have
, who was early on the West Coast, was brought up to his trade near Birmingham, England, and emigrated to Victoria in the early fifties. He followed goldmining at the principal goldfields, at Castlemaine, Maryborough, Chinamen's Flat, and Ballarat; and in the year 1861 came to New Zealand, and was at Waitahuna and Wetherstone's. In 1862, Mr. Crumpton went to the Dunstan and Wakamarina diggings, and, later, to the Shotover, and Hogburn, where he was very successful. During the excitement of 1865, over the rich gold finds on the West Coast, he went to Greymouth, and set up in business at Cobden; but left a few months later for Charleston, where, for about ten years, he was actively engaged in making mining machinery. In 1875, Mr. Crumpton settled in Reefton, where he established a business as wheelwright, coach-builder, and general blacksmith in Broadway. He died on the 20th of September, 1904.
was born in the year 1836, in Dundee, Scotland, where he was educated, and learned butchering. He arrived in Australia in 1854, and followed gold-mining in Victoria till 1861, when he was attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush in Otago. In the early days of the West Coast, Mr. Dick was interested in the charter of the “John Penn,” a little vessel, that traded between Wanganui and Westport. He afterwards settled in Notown, where he commenced business, and was subsequently engaged in cattle dealing, between Nelson and Reefton. Mr. Dick then started a milk farm, below the race course, in Reefton, and ultimately went into the butchering business in the year 1876. As a Freemason, he was a member of the Robert Burns Lodge, and also a member of the Reefton Jockey Club, of which he acted as starter for some time. He died in the year 1904, and left a widow, two sons, and one daughter.
, formerly proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, was a very old resident of Reefton, having lived there continu-
was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1836, and led a seafaring life until he was eighteen years of age. He arrived in Australia in 1853, and engaged in mining in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. In 1861 he came to New Zealand, and was sluice mining at Gabriel's Gully, then at Cardrona and Campbell's, and met with fair success. Mr. McCallum went to the West Coast in 1865, and worked at Red Jack's, Donoghue's and Callaghan's until 1872, when he removed to Reefton. He worked at different times at the Energetic, Progress, Globe, Sir Francis Drake, Cumberland, and Big River claims, and retired from mining in 1896. Mr. McCallum died some time ago.
was born in Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland, in the year 1838. He went to Victoria, Australia, in 1854, followed goldmining at Ballarat and Castlemaine, and was one of the original holders of the well-known Catherine reef. In 1861, Mr. Patterson arrived in Otago, on his way to Gabriel's Gully, and utterwards worked over most of the southern gold fields. He was then attracted to the West Coast, and commenced business as a storekeeper at Kanieri. Afterwards he removed to Brighton, and ultimately to Reefton, where he established his business in 1872, and had associated with him for a time, the late Mr. James Patterson, his brother. Mr. Patterson was a member of the local school committee for a number of years, and was for some time chairman of the Inangahua County Council. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Patterson married Miss Searight, of Bellaghay, Ireland, in 1871, and left a family and nine sons and three daughters, when he died in 1903.
, who has been over fifty years in New Zealand, was born in the year 1835, in London, England, where he was educated, and left England, for Australia, in 1853. On the voyage out, his vessel was shipwrecked at Amsterdam Islet, in the Indian Ocean. After fourteen days spent on the island, the party were picked up by whalers, and taken to Mauritius, where Mr. Scoltock got an Australian bound vessel. He landed in Melbourne, and, a year later, removed to Sydney, where he found employment as a clerk, for two years. Mr. Scoltock afterwards went to Tasmania, but in three years' time returned to Sydney. He subsequently followed the New South Wales gold fields, until attracted to Hokitika, at the time of the great rush, in 1865. For some time Mr. Scoltock followed gold mining in New Zealand; he has had experience since then in storekeeping, butchering, and hotel keeping on the West Coast, and, for a number of years past, has devoted himself to clerical work and mining speculations in Reefton. Mr. Scoltock's private residence is in Shiels Street, where he has resided since the year 1885. He married a daughter of the late Mr. McKinley, of Canterbury, in the year 1865, and has four daughters, of whom three are married, and one son.
, Old Colonist, Reefton, arrived in Sydney by the “Waterloo” in 1852, and was present at the Ballarat riots in 1854. He came to New Zealand in 1863, landed at Dunedin, and went to the West Coast in 1865. Mr. Willis was amongst the first in the Woodstock “rush,” and from Woodstock he went to Ross, where he remained between four and five years. He was also at the Waimangaroa and Ahaura diggings. Mr. Willis went in 1875 to Reefton, where he engaged in mining and contracting until 1882. For over fourteen years he held the position of bailiff to the Magistrate's Court, and retirod into private life in 1896.
, formerly Proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, was born in Stirling, Scotland, in 1839, emigrated to Victoria, in 1858, and came to New Zealand in 1861. He worked on all the old diggings, including Gabriel's and Dunstan, and removed, in 1865, to the West Coast, where he followed gold mining pursuits until 1891, when he commenced hotelkeeping at Reefton. In racing matters, Mr. Walker took a lively interest. He had owned many horses during his residence on the Coast, and had an interest in “Liberator,” “Geraint,” and other racers. Mr. Walker died some time ago.
was born on the 5th of January, 1874, and died on the 7th of September, 1895, when only twenty-one years and eight months old, His whole life was passed on the West Coast of the Middle, Island of New Zealand, in a region noted for its goldfields and coal mines, its mountains and rivers, its magnificent forest scenery, and the vigorous vitality of its inhabitants. To these his parents belonged, and were themselves pioneer settlers. Very early in life young O'Regan became noticeable for his sensibility, his thoughtful moods, and solitary ways. Yet there was nothing morbid or fantastically dreamy about the boy. Indeed, he was fond of active physical exercise, as became a young New Zealander and the son of a pioneer colonist, and almost from his childhood he took a pleasure in felling trees. It was, in fact, his love of tree-felling that led to his early death, for while chopping in the bush on a showery day when he was only eleven years of age, he received such a drenching that he contracted rheumatism. In the illness that ensued he was nursed by his mother with affeetionate care, but he never properly recovered, and, as the sequel showed, heart disease took possession of him.
As a schoolboy the lad was such an industrious pupil that he won a scholarship which gave him two years' attendance at a high school, at which he matriculated for the university. However, he went no further in an academical course, but became a schoolmaster, and also a poet. He was a successful teacher, who liked his work, and applied himself to it with the enthusiasm of a devotee; while from time to time he also wrote verses marked by much verbal felicity and truth of feeling.
Though a lover of books, and personally devoted to literary composition, he also took a genuine interest in outdoor sports and games, in which he encouraged his schoolboys, and personally joined in with the young men of his neighbourhood. Yet his health was not good, though no one seems to have suspected that his life was in any sense in danger. It appears that he himself knew that his heart was seriously affected, but he concealed his knowledge, believing that to tell his friends would be to make them unhappy. Stray hints and casual sayings of his, put together after his death, led to this conclusion. However, disease in the human body has no respect for heroism in the human heart, and his illness went on increasing until Monday, the 2nd of September, 1895, when he quietly closed his country school, and went to the nearest town to obtain medical advice. The doctors whom he consulted at once realised the gravity of the case, and sent for his family. He suffered much, but he did not suffer long, for, on the morning of Saturday, the 7th of September, he passed peacefully away, and on the following Tuesday, he was buried at Reefton; the first native-born New Zealander to write, whilst yet a boy, poetry touched with the promise of permanency.
Of his literary reliques, the earliest were written in his seventeenth, the latest in his twentieth, year. They are short, few in number, and not all worthy of preservation; but at its best his verse is distinguished by thoughtfulness, melody, and verbal finish. Take as an instance one of his sonnets:
Doubtless, this is expressive chiefly of gentle spiritual insight, and tender sympathy, and reveals a genius which has not yet succeeded in making the world's darkness its footstool. But the author elsewhere discloses characteristics which belong to the kind of man who, sooner or later, takes the world humorously, and does not allow it to settle on his back like Sinbad the Sailor's Old Man of the Sea. For instance, some lines written by the boy poet in the flyleaf of his copy of Byron not only bear witness to the far-reaching fascination of that strenuous Titan, but show that there was iron in the blood of the writer:
The mind which exhibits in youth this happy union of strength and tenderness combined with the individuality of genius, is surely destined to do great things in the years of its maturity. In the case of Cornelius O'Regan those years were never to be reached, for all too early it became possible to say of him, in the words of Marlowe:
But, beyond doubt, had he lived to fulfil the promise of his youth, his native land would have had in him a son who would have brought honour to any age or to any country.
. Capital, £250,000 in shares of twenty shillings, fully subscribed. Incorporated in the year 1896. The amalgamation of the Globe and Progress mines at Reefton by this company marked an era in West Coast gold mining. The external works in connection with the mine begin, properly speaking, at the summit of the Globe Hill, about six miles from Reefton, and fully 700 feet above the level of the sea. Access is gained to the summit by a good dray road, the last half mile of which has been constructed by the company—hewn out of the rock—in order to reach the site of the new machinery and shaft, which has been sunk to a depth of 945 feet from the surface, or 130 feet lower than the lowest workings of the old Globe mine. Work was commenced at this shaft on the 11th of November, 1896, and was completed in eight working months, there being no Sunday labour, although this is not uncommon in connection with mining works of a preparatory nature. The shaft is divided into three compartments, two for hoisting, each four and a-half by four feet, and one, for the piping and laddering, which is four and a-half by two and a-half feet. The timbering is substantially done in “square sets,” and altogether about 180,000 feet of timber was used in the
, formerly Working Foreman in charge of the Consolidated Goldfields Company's aerial tramway, was born at Westport in 1871, and was educated at his native place. After leaving school he took to mining, of which he has made a practical study in all its branches. It has been aptly said that a gold-digger is nothing if not a master of all trades, and this is so with Mr. Seawright. He has held responsible positions at the Globe, Venus, Cumberland and Progress mines. In order to gain a wider knowledge, Mr. Seawright went to Australia in 1894, and visited the goldfields of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and West Australia, and the workings of the famous Southern Cross mine. On returning to New Zealand in the following year, he was employed at the Progress mines, Reefton. When the Consolidated Goldfields Company took over the property, he was employed on the aerial tramway as well as at the water race. Mr. Seawright takes a great interest in athletic matters, and is a good long distance runner, having competed at Wellington and other race meetings. He is well known in social matters, and is generally popular amongst the mining community.
. This company lias a claim of 100 acres, about nineteen miles to the northeast of Reefton, in the Victoria range, where the discovery was made in the year 1898, by Mr. Kirwan, whose name the company bears. By an arrangement with the Anglo-Continental Gold Syndicate, an option was taken over the mine by Mr. Kirwan, who became manager. During the operations conducted for the syndicate, which extended over eighteen months, no solid reef was discovered, and the company's interest therefore ceased. The Kirwan Reward Gold Mining Company, Limited, then took over the claim, of which Mr. Kirwan continued manager. A ten stamper battery was erected, and was afterwards increased to fifteen stamps. Crushing was begun in July, 1900, and up to March, 1905, gold valued at £43,868 had been obtained, and the dividends paid amounted to £18,200. The lode worked consists of a conglomeration of broken quartz and sandstone.
, Mine Manager of the Kirwan Reward Gold Mining Company, was born in the year 1863, in Waterford, Ireland, where he was educated. He arrived in Wellington by the ship “Waimea,” on the 12th of December, 1880. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Kirwan went to Greymouth, and took up an interest in gold mining in the Grey Valley. He is well known as a successful prospector, and the Kirwan Reward Company, of which he still one of the largest shareholders, and for which he acts as manager, is a tribute to his enterprise and success as a prospector. Mr. Kirwan became a certificated mining manager in the year 1898, and has acted in that capacity for many years. He is still interested in prospecting, and has recently made a new discovery, about a mile to the south of the Victoria range. Mr. Kirwan married a daughter of Mr. John Noonan, of Coal Creek, in the year 1900.
Mine Manager, Reefton. Mr. McMaster was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, in January, 1847. After he was educated, he was put to engineering for a short time, and in the year 1567, came to New Zealand and landed at Port Chalmers, from the ship “Peraboo.” About nine months later, Mr. McMaster removed to Hokitika, and was afterwards attracted to Westport by the gold fields; while in that district, he was interested in one of the longest protecting tunnels on the field, the face of which had been extended the distance of 2,400 feet. Mr. McMaster arrived in Reefton in the year 1871, and was subsequently engaged in felling heavy timber, in Broadway, Reefton, and also had charge of the construction of the telegraph track, from Reefton to Greymouth; his work, however, was chiefly in connection with mining. Mr. McMaster was afterwards overseer of a shift, and mine manager of various claims, such as the Keep It Dark Company's claim (of which he was manager for seven years), the Inglewood, the Nil Desperandum, the Lone Star, at Boatman's, and the Rainy Creek, and he has managed the Golden Lead claim since the year 1896. As a Freemason, Mr. McMaster is a member of the Robert Burns Lodge, and is one of the oldest members of the Order of Oddfellows in the district. In June, 1875, he married a daughter of the late Captain Dyer, of the Isle of Wright, whose ship left Brishane, and was never heard of afterwards. Mr. McMaster has, surviving, five sons and six daughters.
(Mine Manager, Progress Mines), Reefton. Mr. Martin was born in Cornwall, England, in the year 1858. Before coming to New Zealand he was engaged for eight years in mining, and on his arrival in Nelson in 1876, by the ship “Caroline,” he followed up the same calling. Mr. Martin worked successively in the “Ravencliffe Golden Mine,” “Jackson's Head,” “Ajax” and “Golden Fleece” mines, Reefton, “Fiery Cross,” Boatman's, and “Energetic” claims, Murray Creek. He was also manager of the “Golden Treasure” and “Golden Hill” mines. When the
Miner, Reefton. Mr. Annear is a native of Cornwall, and has had an extensive mining experience in Australia and New Zealand. He has been engaged at the Wealth of Nations, Progress, and Nil Desperandum mines, all situated in the Reefton district, and was manager of the Hercules quartz mine.
Miner, Reefton. Mr. Morris was born in Hereford, England, and came out to New Zealand in 1872, after an intermediate experience in Australia. He moved to Reefton in 1887, and has since then identified himself with the mining industry. He was a director of the Last Chance Gold Mining Company, Ltd.
Miner, Reefton. Mr. Willis has been associated with the goldfields for the last twelve years. He first prospected the Murray Creek and Big River for two years, and then went to Westport, where he remained for eighteen months. On returning to Reefton he worked at the Big River, Sir Francis Drake, Cumberland, Exchange, and Dillon mines. Mr. Willis gave up active mining in 1895, and commenced business as a mining and commission agent; but he is now (1905) once more engaged as a miner.
has been actively engaged in mining since 1857. He is a native of Hamburg, Germany, and came to Australia in that year. Mr. Lempfert was at Snowy River, Lambing Flat and Omeo (Gippsland). He came to New Zealand when the West Coast diggings broke out, in 1866, and settled in Hokitika, where he met with considerable success. He then went to Westport, and was at Addison's Flat, where he successfully engaged in storekeeping for nearly two years. Mr. Lempfert purchased the Criterion Hotel, Westport, about eighteen years ago, and still conducts it. In 1887, he visited England and the Continent, and again in 1897, when he successfully floated the Twin Gold Mines Company, to work the Twin Gold Mines at Conn's Creek, about thirteen miles from Westport, but the company has now (1905) ceased to exist. Mr. Lempfert was a member of the Westport Borough Council from 1891 to 1894. He has a thorough knowledge of the West Coast goldfields, and his opinion on mining is much sought after.
, formerly Mine Manager of the Twin Mines, was born in Sussex, England, in 1838, and brought up as a carpenter. He left England in 1855, in the “Mermaid,” for Victoria, Australia, and worked at Castlemaine, Bendigo, and Pleasant Creek. In 1861, he came to New Zealand at the time of the “rush” to Gabriel's Gully, and, for a time, was at Wetherstones, Waitahuna. Mr. Edwards then went to New South Wales, and worked at Gundagai, in the Lacalan. From the latter place, he proceeded overland from Melbourne, but after a short residence there he returned to New Zealand, to the West Coast, and went to Stafford. However, he met with only partial success, and removed to Reefton, where he was engaged in mining for ten or twelve years, during which he had charge of the Caledonian, North Star, Inglewood, and Sir Francis Drake mines. Mr. Edwards was also manager of the Mokihinui Company's quartz reefs. For the Beaconsfield Company, he worked two or three years, and when that syndicate was re-formed he was appointed manager. Mr. Edwards has shewn considerable energy in assisting to develop the mining industry of the West Coast, and constructed all the machinery in connection with the Twin Mines; on account of which he was
is a small mining township, towards the hills, on the eastern side of the township of Reefton, from which it is distant about two miles. It is on the bank of the Inangahua river, and is inhabited principally by the families of men employed in the neighbouring quartz mines and batteries. Black's Point is in the Murray riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. Its population at the census of 1901 was 315, which formed the greater proportion of the entire population of the Murray riding, the total being 369, of which number forty-two were at Kirwan's Hill. The settlement has an hotel, two stores and a post office and telephone bureau at the residence of Mr. H. F. Knight, and a public school attended by seventyfive children. Religious services are held by clergymen from Reefton. Good coal is found in the ranges at the back of the township.
occupies part of a site a quarter of an acre in extent. The building was erected in the year 1874, and has accommodation for one hundred persons. The minister in charge of the Reefton circuit periodically officiates at Black's Point.
, Black's Point. This mill is the property of the Consolidated Gold Mining Company, and treats the quartz obtained from the Golden Fleece mine. There is a complete plant for the treatment of quartz; and engines of 200 horse power, capable of working up to 300 horse-power, supply the power for the crushing plant and for the Golden Fleece mine. There is a battery of twenty stamps of 950lb each, and the intermediate eyanide process is in use.
, Manager of the Golden Fleece Crushing mill, is a son of Mr. Watson, the manager of the Wealth of Nations mine of the Consolidated Gold Mining Company. He was born in the year 1879, at Crushington, educated at the primary school there, and started work at quartz milling. Mr. Watson attended the School of Mines at Reefton, and obtained a battery superintendent's certificate in 1902. In the year 1900 he superintended the final erection of the Golden Fleece crushing plant, of which he became manager. As a Forester, Mr. Watson is a member of Court Inangahua, Reefton.
is a small mining settlement, about one mile from Black's Point, and three miles from Reefton. The Keep it Dark and Wealth of Nations quartz mines are in the immediate neighbourhood, and also the Consolidated Company's large reduction works, where stone from the Globe and Progress mines is treated. The township has some small stores, an hotel, and a post office. Children at Crushington, attend the school at Black's Point. The men of the settlement are engaged in quartz mining.
(Mr. J. Thornburn, Chairman of Directors, Mr. W. Hindmarsh, Legal Manager), Reefton. This company was formed about the year 1873, and had a nominal capital of 24,000 ten shilling shares. The Hercules Quartz Mining Company, Limited, and the Keep It Dark No. 2 South Goldmining Company have been absorbed by this company. A large amount has been returned to the shareholders in dividends, and the mine has paid well for the capital expended upon it.
, Battery Manager at Crushington for the Keep it Dark Quartz Goldmining Company, was born in Greymouth in the year 1870. He was educated at Reefton, and went through the complete course in the Reefton School of Mines. Mr. Auld afterwards served for about seven years in the Wealth of Nations battery, where he was, successively, feeder, amalgamator, and driver of the winding wheel. He then entered the service of the Consolidated Company, for twelve months, as driver of the winding engine, and was employed in the old Globe battery for about four months. Mr. Auld subsequently entered the service of the Keep it Dark Company, and was appointed battery manager in 1900. He gained the first class competency certificate issued in New Zealand for drivers of stationary engines. As a Freemason, Mr. Auld is a member of Lodge Robert Burns, New Zealand Constitution, Reefton, and is a member of the Loyal Reefton Lodge, Manchester Unity, independent Order of Oddfellows. He married a daughter of Mrs R. Dykes, of Newcastle, England, and has one daughter.
are situated at Crushington, about three and a-half miles from Reefton. The stone treated is brought by an aerial tramway one mine and a-half in length, from the Globe and Progress mines. The works cover about ten acres of land, and the various buildings—including offices, assay rooms, and the manager's resideanc—cover about four acres. The battery consists of about sixty-five heads of stamps, and there are twenty Fruevanners, complete chlorination works, and cyanide plant. Power is obtained from a water race, and the whole plant is driven by large turbines; there is also a complete installation of electric light.
, Assayer and Metallurgist of the Consolidated Goldfields Company, is a native of Reefton, where he was born in 1883. He was educated in Reefton and in Melbourne. On his return to his birthplace, he entered the employment of the Consolidated Goldfields Company, and at the same time attended the Reefton School of Mines, at which he obtained a certificate for assay and chemistry work. He joined the company's service as assistant to Mr. W. B. Evans, and later on acted in the same capacity with Mr. N. S. Lawn. On Mr. Lawn's retirement, to take up the work of the International Correspondence Schools, Mr. Wynn succeeded him as assayer and metallurgist in May, 1905.
, who is in charge of the concentrator vanners at the Progress Battery of the Consolidated Company at Crushington, is a resident of Black's Point. He was born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, in the year 1872, and was educated in Liverpool. Mr. Porter afterwards came to New Zealand, settled on the West Coast, and entered the service of the New Inkerman Company in connection with its battery. He was subsequently engaged by the Consolidated Company, and, in the year 1900, was put in charge of the vanners as shift foreman. Mr. Porter is married, and has one son and one daughter.
Mine Manager, Crushington. Mr. Watson was born in Peebles-shire, Scotland, in the year 1841, emigrated to Australia in 1863, and after visiting Ballarat, came to New Zealand in 1864, and followed up several gold “rushes.” He went from Otago to Havelock and thence to Auckland, which he left in 1865. Mr. Watson then went to the West Coast and was in the Grey district for about four years, during which he became interested in an alluvial claim at Antonio's Flat, where he erected water power winding machinery. In 1870 he accepted an appointment from a Greymouth company to proceed to Murray Creek, on the Inangahua, to superintend the erection of a stamp mill, which was the first crushing plant erected in the Reefton district. On the completion of the work, Mr. Watson, together with three others, went prospecting and found what afterwards proved to be a valuable quartz lode. A lease of the ground having been procured, the property was placed under a company, and named the Wealth of Nations Quartz Mining Company. Mr. Watson retained his interest in the company, and was again appointed to superintend the erection of crushing machinery, water-races, and other works in connection with the mine. Subsequently, in 1873, he accepted the appointment of mine and battery manager, for the new owners.
is about three miles from Reefton, at the foot of Globe Hill. It consists of a small township, inhabited principally by miners who work at the Globe mine of the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand. There is a public school in the settlement, with a small side school conducted at the Globe mine. Exclusive of private residences, the township consists of an hotel, and of a store, at which the business of the post office and telephone bureau is conducted. Progress Junction is in the Crushington riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electorate of Buller, and in the provincial district of Nelson. No separate enumeration of the population of Progress Junction was recorded at the census of 1901; but there were then 162 persons at the Globe mine, twenty-seven at Progress Hill, and 132 at Progress road.
is a wood and iron building. It contains one class room and a porch, and has accommodation for about forty pupils. There is also a teacher's residence of four rooms. There are thirty-three scholars on the roll, and an average attendance of
, Teacher in charge of the Progress Junction and Globe schools, was born in Hokitika, and educated at the Hokitika High School. Miss Dwyer matriculated in the year 1897, and obtained her D certificate in 1901. She had charge, successively, of the schools at Awatuna, Upper Otira, and Jackson's, and was appointed, in 1905, to the Progress Junction school. Miss Dwyer has a D4 certificate.
takes its name from the Mawheraiti or Little Grey river, and is a farming district on the Grey-Reefton line; the flag station known by the same name stands 502 feet above the level of the sea, and is thirty-two miles from Greymouth, and nine from Reefton. Some grazing is carried on in the district, and there is a sawmill about one mile from the station. Mawheraiti is in Antonio's riding of the county of Inangahua, and forms part of the electorate of Grey, and of the provincial district of Nelson. At the census of 1901, its population was recorded as consisting of twenty-five persons.
(G. Perotti, Greymouth, proprietor), Mawheraiti. This mill is situated about one mile from Mawheraiti siding, to which timber is conveyed by a tramway. The equipment of the mill is very complete, and its general design up to date. It includes a three-quarter breast wheel, of thirty feet, with six-feet buckets, twin breaking-down saws, a breast bench, and one large and one small planing machine. The output is about 6,000 feet per day, and the principal timbers cut are rimu and birch (beech). Eleven persons are employed.
, Manager of the Mawheraiti Sawmill, was born in the year 1874 at Greymouth, where he was educated. He was afterwards employed for four years in the sawmill of Paterson and Anderson. Mr. Hewlett was then for three years with the wellknown firm of Stratford and Blair, sawmillers, and, in 1895, he entered the service of Mr. G. Perotti. As a volunteer, he was a member of the Grey Navals, since disbanded. Mr. Hewlett is married, and has two children.
is a small mining township, and is six miles and a-half from Ikamatua on the Grey-Reefton section of the New Zealand railways. It is in Antonio's riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electoral district of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. At the census of 1901, it had a population of 149 persons. Alluvial mining is still carried on at Upper Blackwater, and a considerable number of Chinese are working in the district. Good reefs are supposed to be awaiting development in the vicinity. The township possesses an accommodation house, a store and post office, a public hall, a public school, and two Chinese stores.
. Offices, Dunedin; Secretary, Mr. A. J. C. Brown; Greymouth Directors, Messrs J. Skoglund and J Petrie. The Blackwater River Gold Dredging Company was incorporated in February, 1903, and has been fairly successful; 3,034 ounces of gold had been obtained up to December, 1904. The dredge in use was formerly the Caledonian, on the Grey river at Moonlight. The pontoons are 97 feet by 26 feet by 7 feet; and the buckets have a four feet capacity. Power is derived from a twenty horse-power Marshall boiler with a sixteen horse-power Marshall engine; the Cutten winches have engines of about ten horse-power.
, Master of the Blackwater River Gold Dredging Company's dredge, was born in Christchurch, in 1870, and educated at Christ's College. For some time he was connected with suction dredging at Gillespie's Beach and Saltwater, and afterwards went to Fiji, where he entered the service of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. Mr. Cuff was placed in charge of the Company's hospital, and later in charge of a plantation. He subsequently returned to New Zealand, and went to the West Coast at the time of the dredging boom, and started work on the Pactolus dredge. Mr. Cuff was afterwards appointed to the Blackwater dredge. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Mawhera, 136, New Zealand Constitution.
is a farming district between Blackwater and Little Grey Junction. There are two sawmills at work in the neighbourhood, and there is a creamery belonging to the Greymouth Fresh Food and Ice Company, at the settlement. The Ikamatua flag station on the Greymouth-Reefton section of the New Zealand railways, is thirty-one miles from Greymouth, and fifteen miles from Reefton. The settlement is on the eastern bank of the Mawheraiti or Little Grey river, and to the south of the Snowy river. It forms part of Antonio's riding of the county of Inangahua, and is in the electoral district of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. There was no separate return of the population of Ikamatua at the census of 1901, but the population of Snowy river was recorded as thirty-four. There is a small public school at Ikamatua.
Farmer, Ikamatua. Mr. Prendergast has a freehold property of 270 acres, a leasehold property of 318 acres, and he holds 350 acres under an occupation license. His attention is devoted chiefly to dairying and grazing, but a fair amount of cropping is also carried on. Mr. Prendergast was born in the year 1852, in
is a farming settlement lying between Ikamatua and Totara Flat railway stations. It is in Antonio's riding of the county of Inangahua, in the electorate of Grey, and the provincial district of Nelson. The name Little Grey Junction was given to the district on account of the Little Grey and Mawheraiti rivers joining with the Mawhera or Grey river at this point. It was formerly an old mining district, and a small amount of mining is still carried on in the neighbourhood. At Ikamatua, there is a creamery, and at Totara Flat, a dairy factory. The business of the local post office and telephone bureau is conducted at the residence of Mr. E. J. McInroe. There is a bridge over the Grey river at the settlement, which had a population of ninety three at the census of 1901.
Runholder, Little Grey Junction. Mr. Mackley, who is well known in the colony as a runholder at Little Grey Junction, West Coast, and is the owner of nearly 2,000 acres near Pakarae, Poverty Bay, was born in Leeds, England, in 1829. He is a son of the late Dr. T. Mackley, of Leeds, and was educated at the Grammar School in that town. Mr. Mackley commenced to study for the medical profession, but owing to the state of his health, he came out to Nelson in the ship “Sir Allan McNab,” in 1857. In the early days on the West Coast, Mr. Mackley had numerous experiences in long journeys on foot. On one occasion, as no vessel was available, he walked from Nelson to the Buller in company with Mr. Creighton, crossed the
is the name given to a small mining township, five miles from Little Grey Junction, in Antonio's riding of the county of Inangahua. There are two dredges at work, and a small amount of individual mining is still carried on. The business of the postal department is conducted at the store of Mr. Perrett. About the year 1865, there was a large population at Nobles, but the place is now (1905) in such a state of decay that the local public school has only four pupils. The station of Mr. S. M. Mackley is near the settlement. Nobles is in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. Its population, at the census of 1901 was not separately enumerated.
at Nobles is conducted in the general store of Mr. Perrett. The postal business is confined to the despatch and delivery of mails, and the sale of stamps.
, J.P., Postmaster and Storekeeper at Nobles, has a store which contains a full stock of general merchandise. He was born at Paiginton, Devonshire, England, in the year 1837, was educated in Guernsey, and brought up to a mercantile life. Mr. Perrett came to New Zealand, in 1856, landed in Nelson, and went to the goldfields at Collingwood, where he remained for seven years. In 1864, he joined in the “rush” to Wakamarina, and went, successively, to Hokitika and Ross, and, later, to Nobles where, for some time, he managed a store for Mr. S. M. Mackley. In 1878, he started in business on his own account as a storekeeper and butcher. Mr. Perrett has been a member of the Nobles school committee, and of the Ahaura licensing committee, and has been Deputy Returning Officer for Nobles for a number of years. In 1894, he was appointed to the Commission of the Peace.
—so called from the Totara timber once obtained there—is situated on the southeast bank of the Grey river, twenty miles distant from Reefton, and twenty-seven miles from Greymouth, on the Grey-Reefton section of New Zealand railways. It is in the Waipuna riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. To the north and north-east of the settlement are the Paparoa ranges, with numerous peaks, one of which, Mount Pecksniff, is 4,250 feet high. Totara Flat is the centre of the farming industry in the Grey county, and as an agricultural district is second to none on the West Coast. The land consists of from 10,000 to 15,000 acres of rich pasturage, most of which is perfectly flat. The Grey river runs through the valley, and alluvial mining is extensively carried on, but principally at Half Ounce, Noble's, Duffer's Creek and Granville. There are two hotels. The butter factory, which was commenced a few years ago, has been of considerable benefit to the district. There is an excellent State school, with an attendance of forty children. Potatoes and oats are the chief articles of cultivation, and stock are fattened for local use. A post office and telephone are attached to the railway station, and there are also refreshment rooms. Totara Flat has two churches— Roman Catholic and Presbyterian— and there is also a miniature public hall. The settlement has also two stores, a butchery and a bakery. About two miles away, at Granville, there is a small public school. Good fishing and shooting can be obtained in the neighbourhood. At the census of 1901, Totara Flat had a population of sixtyeight.
is a wood and iron building of one classroom, with a porch and verandah, and stands on a section of about five acres of land; there is also a teacher's residence of five rooms. The school has accommodation for about fifty scholars, and there is an average attendance of thirty-five.
teacher in elarge of the Totara Flat school, is the holder of a D4 cerficate. She was born at Blue Spur, near Hokitika, educated in the primary school there, and served a course of twelve months as a monitor. After Miss Crowley had finished her education at the Hokitika High School she was appointed to Poerua, where she was in charge for four years. She afterwards took charge of the Westbrook school, near Kumara, for two years, and was appointed to the Totara Flat school in July, 1904.
was erected about sixteen years ago. The building is of wood, and is capable of seating over one hundred persons. There is also an excellent organ in the church. The building stands on two acres of land, which was a gift to the church, and there is a comfortable manse within the grounds. At regular intervals the church is used by the Church of England.
is the property of the Greymouth Fresh Food and Ice Company, and the plant and buildings are of the latest and most up-to-date description. The pasteurising plant is capable of treating 450 gallons per hour, and there is a splendid six feet Topliss butter worker, and cooling machinery. Power is derived from a ten horse-power boiler, with a six horse-power engine. The manager, Mr. Macpherson, has one assistant. The company has creameries at Ikamatua, Maitai, and Poerun, and it is probable that after the year 1905, butter making will be carried on in Greymouth.
, Manager of the Totara Flat Dairy Factory, was born in the year 1883 at Pukeuri, near Oamaru, where he was educated. He was brought up on a farm until the age of sixteen years when he entered the service of the North Otago Dairy Factory Company at Pukeuri. Mr. Macpherson was shortly afterwards transferred to the A wamoko factory, and later on to the central factory in Oamaru. On the 13th of October, 1904, he was appointed assistant manager of the Totara Flat Factory, and in March, 1905, took full charge. While he resided in Oamaru, Mr. Macpherson competed in cycle racing events with a very fair measure of success, and is a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, in Oamaru.
, formerly manager of the Totara Flat Butter Factory, is a native of Taieri Otago, where he received his education. He was for six years employed at Messrs J. and R. Cuddie's butter factory, and afterwards went to Wyndham, where he studied the art of cheese-making, and only left to take up the managership of the Totara Flat factory, where he grained for himself a name as a maker of first class butter. Mr. Brash was afterwards for some time in the service of the Government, as a dairyproduce grader.
(Henry Emil Erickson, proprietor), Totara Flat. This hotel is situated within a short distance of the Totara Flat railway station, and was built in the year 1890 by the Midland Railway Company. It is a handsome building of two stories, and contains twelve bedrooms, a billiard-room, five parlours, and a large dining-room. Good liquors are kept in stock, the tariff is moderate, and the table and accommodation are good. A fine public hall, situated a short distance from the hotel, is the property of the proprietor, and he also owns a blacksmith's shop in the township.
, the proprietor of the Midland Railway Hotel, was born in Norway in the year 1850, and arrived in 1863 in Ballarat, Australia, where he learned bootmaking. In 1869, he was attracted to New Zealand by the Napoleon rush on the West Coast, and followed his trade there for some time. Later on, Mr. Erickson bought into the Napoleon Hill Claim for £800, and worked in it for about twenty-two years, very successfully. In the year 1899 he took the lease of the Midland Railway Hotel, and bought the establishment in 1902. The refreshment rooms at the Totara Flat railway station are owned by Mr. Erickson, who also holds a small farm of about twenty acres. Mr. Erickson was a member of the Hall Creek school committee for about seven years. He is married, and has four daughters and one son.
(William Young, proprietor), Totara Flat. This old-established place of accommodation was opened about 1870, and is within half a mile of the Totara Flat railway station. There are eight rooms for public use, and the liquors and accommodation are of the best, whilst the tariff is moderate.
, the Pro prietor, is also a farmer on the Flat, and his farm of 204 acres of good agricultural land is one of the best managed in the district. Mr. Young, who employs ten persons in connection with his various businesses, was born in Carnock, Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1845, and was brought up to the bakery trade, in which he has since been engaged, with slight intermissions. In 1862, he landed in Dunedin, where he worked for some time. Later on, he went to the Dunstan, and was afterwards in business at the Nevis. Mr. Young then removed to the West Coast, where he has resided since 1866. After a while, he bought land at Totara Flat, and gradually built up his present business. Mr. Young took a prominent part in establishing the Totara Flat Dairy Factory Company, of which he was one of the first directors. He was for some time a member of the local school committee. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge 1233, Greymouth, English Constitution. Mr. Young is married, and has one son. He is further referred to in connection with other business.
, son of Mr. William Young, takes an active part in the management of his father's business affairs. He was born in Greymouth, in 1873, and educated in Nelson, and at St. Patrick's Colleye, in Wellington. He learned his business as an ironmonger in Greymouth, and served for four years in Melbourne. Mr. Young went to South Africa as a member of the First Imperial Bushmen, became the regiment's quartermaster-sergeant, and was granted a commission on his return. During his father's absence on a trip to the. Old Country, Mr. Young took charge for him. As a runner, he has competed, with considerable success, in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
General Storekeeper, Totara Flat and Granville. The Totara branch of this business is conducted on the Grey-Reefton road. The premises consist of a shop and private residence; a full stock of general groceries, boots, and drapery is kept, and goods are delivered to all parts of the district. At the Granville branch a manager is employed. Mr. Baybutt acts as agent for the Standard Fire Insurance Company, the Canterbury Times, the Otago Witness, and the Grey River Argus, and is also gold buyer for the Greymouth branch of the Bank of New Zealand.
was born in Lancashire, England, in the year 1863, and educated at the Tarleton Grammar School. He arrived in New Zealand in 1874, and landed at Wellington. Mr. Baybutt then went to Greymouth, where he was engaged in mining until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He afterwards went to West Australia, and after some time, returned to New Zealand, and entered into business in the Totara Flat district. Mr. Baybutt then removed to Canterbury, and two years later returned to the West Coast. He settled at Granville, went into partnership with Mr. W. Young, and afterwards bought out Mr. Young's interest at Granville, and, later, Mr. Cohen's business at Totara Flat. Mr. Baybutt is on the committee of the Presbyterian church, and is chairman, secretary, and treasurer of the Totara Flat and Granville school committees.
He was appointed to the Commission of the Peace in the year 1895.
(William Young, proprietor), Totara Flat. This store was opened over thirty years ago, and the bakery four years later. The owner keeps a good stock of general merchandise, including drapery and boots. Goods are delivered over the whole of the district, between Ahaura and Mawheraiti.
(William Young, proprietor), Totara Flat. Horses and vehicles can be hired at these stables at any time.
is an old mining township situated on the southeast bank of the Grey river, and on the northern bank of the Ahaura river, two miles above its junction with the Grey river. It is twenty-two miles north-east by rail from Greymouth, and twentyfive miles south-west from Reefton. Ahaura is in the Waipuna riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. There is not much mining now in the district, and dredging has been a failure. Sawmilling, however, is carried on in the neighbourhood. At the census of 1901, the population of the township was 219, with fifty-eight additional in the vicinity — thirty four at Ahaura river, and twentyfour on Ahaura Plains. The business places in the township include six hotels, two butcheries, a bakery, a blacksmith's shop, and a printing office. There is a handsome Roman Catholic Church and presbytery, with a resident Roman Catholic clergyman, and the district is also visited by ministers of other denominations. The settlement has a public school, which is in charge of a master and mistress. A sitting of the Magistrate's Court is held, once a month, in the courthouse, and there is a resident clerk of the court, who acts as mining registrar and receiver of gold revenue. The settlement has also a police station, and a resident constable. The Ahaura railway station is about one mile from the township, and stands 174 feet above the level of the sea. The stationmaster in charge attends also to the postal and telegraphic work, and to the business of the Government Life Insurance. Department. At the south end of the township, there is a fine bridge over the Ahaura river. Good shooting and fishing can be obtained in the neighbourhood.
was erected in 1870, and contains two large classrooms, capable of accommodating 100 scholars. The present attendance is about seventy. The school has been remarkably successful in the annual examinations, the percentage of passes being over ninety.
, formerly headmaster at Ahaura public school, was born at No Town, a small mining community in the county of Grey. In 1887, he became a pupil teacher, was appointed assistant master at the Taylorville school in 1892, and retained that position until he was promoted to Ahaura, in 1893.
, Ahaura, is situated on the main road to Orwell Creek, immediately below the public school, and is attached to the Brunner circuit. Services are conducted at regular intervals. The building is of wood, and is capable of seating about 100 persons.
embraces the districts of Ahaura, Totara Flat, Blackball, Nelson Creek, No Town, Marsden, Maori Creek, Maori Gully, and the district along the Christchurch line to Jackson's. There is a handsome church at Ahaura (St. Mary's), which was built in 1897, and has
Parish Priest at Ahaura, is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, where he was born in 1875. He was educated at Carlow College, and ordained in June, 1900. Then he came out to New Zealand, and was a curate in Christchurch in 1901. On leaving Christchurch, he removed to the West Coast as curate at Kumara, where he remained until July, 1902; when he was appointed parish priest at Ahaura.
, Ahaura, situated at the south end of the township, consists of a wooden building erected about 1870, and contains a courtroom, magistrate's room, public and clerk's offices. Mr. W. G. K. Kenrick, the Stipendiary Magistrate and Warden, holds regular sittings, and the local Justices of the Peace take minor cases as occasion requires. A considerable amount of mining business is transacted.
(Benjamin Gough, proprietor), Clifton Street, Ahaura. This hotel was established in the year 1866. The building is of wood and iron, and contains fourteen rooms, including a fine billiard-room. The accommodation is good, and the tariff moderate.
, the Proprietor of Gough's Hotel, was born in Waterford, Ireland, and, as a youth, followed a seafaring life. He was attracted to America by the Californian diggings, and subsequently went to Australia. In the year 1861, Mr. Gough came to New Zealand, and attended the Gabriel's Gully rush. He afterwards went to the Lakes district, where he formed one of the party which found gold at the Arrow, at the famous Fox's rush. The members of this party were William Fox, William Maloney, Benjamin Gough, and J. Callaghan. For some time Mr. Gough was engaged in mining in the Lakes district, and removed to the West Coast in 1866, when he established his present business. He is interested in mining, and holds a farm of about seventy acres. Mr. Gough is married, and has three sons and two daughters.
(Henry James, proprietor), Ahaura. This hotel has been established for nearly thirty years. It has good accommodation and a moderate tariff. There is a hall fifty feet by twenty-five feet, with a good stage and three dressing-rooms, at the back of the hotel.
, the proprietor of the Union Hotel, was born in the year 1851, in Essex, England, where he was educated, and learned the printing trade. He afterwards went to Australia, and worked for some time on the “Launceston Examiner” in Tasmania. Mr. James subsequently came to New Zealand, to Invercargill, where he was employed on the “Southland News”; and, later on, he was appointed foreman on the “Southland Times,” where he remained for ten years. Mr. James was afterwards, for about ten years, foreman on the “Inangahua Times,” and for some time worked as foreman on the “Evening Star,” in Nelson, where he started as a jobbing printer. In 1898, he removed to Ahaura, where he has a fine jobbing printing plant, and became the proprietor of the Union Hotel. As a Freemason, Mr. James is a member of Lodge Victory, No. 40, New Zealand Constitution, and has been Past Chief Ranger in the Ancient Order of Foresters. He is married, and has one daughter.
H. Storekeeper and Wine and Spirit Merchant, Ahaura. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Telegraphic address, “Garth, Ahaura.” Mr. Garth, who is one of the earliest West Coast settlers, was born in Durham, England. He landed in New Zealand in the year 1860, and decided to try his luck on the diggings at the Dunstan, and at Gabriel's Gully. Previous to coming to the colony, he had led a seafaring life for six years. Mr. Garth left Otago for the West Coast, and finally settled at Ahaura in 1865. The present business was first established by Messrs White and Garth in 1866, but the former partner retired six years later. At one time the firm used from fifty to sixty pack horses to convey stores to the miners at Moonlight, Napoleon's, Granville, Reefton, and other localities in the district. Mr. Garth holds very large stocks, including wines and spirits in bulk, from well known vintages and distilleries. He also owns several farms amounting to 1,000 acres, all under excellent cultivation. Mr. Garth is a member of the Masonic order, is fond of reading, unassuming in manner, and a man of liberal views.
General Storekeeper, Clifton Road, Ahaura. Mrs. McLaughlin keeps a full stock of groceries, fancy goods, drapery, and ironmongery in her freehold premises, to which is attached a comfortable dwelling-house. A small farm of about fifty acres is also carried on in connection with the business.
was born in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, and in 1853 went to Victoria, Australia, with her parents. In 1867 she came to New Zealand. Mrs McLaughlin has been twice married, and since the death of Mr. McLaughlin she has carried on the business at Ahaura. Mr. McLaughlin was a well-known resident on the West Coast, where he followed the diggings for a number of years, and was one of the earliest storekeepers at the Napoleon's Hill,
is a small township situated at the confluence of the Grey river and Nelson creek, and is on the Grey-Reefton line of railway, fifteen miles north-west of Greymouth, and thirty-one miles south-west of Reefton. It is in the Nelson Creek riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. A small amount of farming is carried on in the neighbourhood, and there are also several sawmills. There are three hotels in the township, a butchery, a smithy, and a store, at which the business of the post office and telephone bureau is conducted. The public school is in charge of one teacher, and the railway station, which stands at an altitude of 112 feet above the level of the sea, is in charge of a stationmaster, who is assisted by a cadet. Monthly services are held in the Anghcan and Presbyterian churches. At the census of 1901, Ngahere had a population of 123 persons. The coal bins of the Blackball Coal Company adjoin the railway line. The townships of Blackball and Nelson Creek are served by the Ngahere railway station, and are connected by coaches which communicate with every train. Good shooting can be obtained in the neighbourhood.
is a wooden building, and contains a vestibule, a ladies' waitingroom, stationmaster's rooms, and a railway parcel office. There is also a large goods shed. Coal and timber in considerable quantities are sent away from this station; the coal is conveyed from the Blackball mine by an aerial tramway, to the staiths in the station yard. The Blackball section of the New Zealand railways is now (1905) in course of construction, and will join the Grey-Reefton line at Ngahere. The stationmaster is assisted by a cadet.
was appointed stationmaster at Ngahere in the year 1903. He is further referred to on page 845 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
(T. W. Tymons and C. Uddstrom, Greymouth, and Frederick Nyberg, Brunnerton_, Ngahere. The Ngahere sawmill is one of the best fitted up mills on the West Coast, and is within a few hundred yards of the Ngahere railway station, with which it is connected by a private siding. Power is obtained from a sixfeet by fourteen feet boiler, by Johnston and Son, Invercargill. The engine is a twenty horse-power Marshall compound, with condenser and air pump, and there are two breast benches. Twenty-two persons are employed. The white pine cut is shipped to Australia, and the red pine is used for local consumption. The company has the command of a fine tract of bush country, and has another sawmill at Nelson Creek. The offices of the company are on the premises of Mr. C. Uddstrom, Greymouth.
, of the Ngahere Sawmilling Company, is manager of the outside work of the Ngahere sawmill. He was born and educated at Roneo. Sweden, where he was employed in the timber and lumber trade. In the year 1890, Mr. Nyberg came to New Zealand; he was engaged for five years in the timber trade, and afterwards followed mining for about ten years; but subsequently became a member of the Ngahere Sawmilling Company. Mr. Nyberg served for a year in the office, and then took his present position. He resides in Brunnerton, where he holds property, and has been for six years a member of the Borough Council. As a Freemason, he is a Past Master of Lodge Advance, Brunnerton, a member of Lodge Mawhera, Greymouth; and, as a Druid, he has gone through all the chairs of the Brunner Lodge. Mr. Nyberg is married, and has three children.
(John Nyberg, Emil Nyberg and Arthur Southorn), Ngahere. The Ngahere sawmill is not far from the Ngahere railway station. It has the usual complement of saw benches, and the breaking-down bench is fitted with twin saws. Power is derived from a sixteen horse-power Marshall portable engine, and the hauling is done by an engine of about ten horse-power. Fourteen men are employed, and the weekly output is 40,000 feet. Nyberg and Company have the control of some good bush. Mr. J. T. Skoglund is the Company's Greymouth agent.
, of the firm of Nyberg and Company, is manager of the Ngahere mill. He was born in the year 1874, at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, where he was educated, and brought up to mining, etc. In 1893, he came to New Zealand, and worked at various callings until 1903, when he started work in the timber trade in the Ngahere district. He is married, and has three children. Mr. John Nyberg and Mr. Emil Nyberg are further referred to as the principal pariners in a large hill near moana.
(Thomas Jones, Pryce Hamer, and Joseph Donaldson), Ngahere. This company started work in the beginning of the year 1904, at a short distance from Ngahere. The milling plant is very complete, and well arranged. The boiler is eighteen feet by five feet six inches, and supplies steam to a sixteen horse-power engine. There are twin saws to the breaking-down bench, and there are two breast benches. Two hauling engines of twelve horse-power each are used in the bush. Eighteen persons are employed, and the monthly output is about 150,000 feet, chiefly red and white pine. The bush held by the company is of good quality, and there are years of cutting ahead for the mill, which is connected with the railway by a private siding.
, of the Red Jack's Sawmilling Company, is also the manager of the company's mill. He was born in the year 1875, at Brunnerton, where he was educated, and brought up to coalmining. Mr. Donaldson afterwards began sawmill work with Messrs Butler Brothers, and, later, in conjunction with Mr. Pryce Hamer, started a small mill at Heeley's Gully. In the beginning of 1904 he became a partner of the Red Jack's Sawmilling Company. As a Freemason, Mr. Donaldson is a member of Lodge Robert Burns, at Reefton, New Zealand Constitution.
, of the Red Jack's Sawmilling Company, was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, England, in the year 1868. He was brought up on his father's farm, and came to New Zealand in 1890. Mr. Hamer spent some years in station life in the North Island, and then started as a farmer and sheep dealer near Cambridge. In 1900, he removed to the West Coast, and, in conjunction with Mr. Donaldson, started a small mill at Heeley's Gully. The Red Jack's sawmill was established in 1904. Mr. Hamer also holds a farm in the Ngahere district. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Alpha, No 81, New Zealand Constitution, Cambridge.
is the headquarters of the Blackball coal mine, about three miles from Ngahere, on the Grey-Reefton line of railway, and about seventeen miles to the north-west of Greymouth. It is on the Blackball creek, or tributary of the Grey river, and is in the Brunnerton riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, in the provincial district of Nelson. By arrangement between the Blackball Coal Company and the Government, a line of railway is being constructed (1905) between Ngahere and the mine. The township has two stores, two butcheries, three hotels, two drapers' shops, a hairdresser's, saloon, and a fancy goods shop. The business of the post office is conducted at one of the stores. The district also possesses a public library, an Oddfellows' Lodge, and a public hall. Blackball has also a public school with two teachers, and there are Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches. Theae is a miners' union in Blackball with a resident medical officer. At the census of 1901, the population of the township was 382, with twenty-seven additional at Lower Blackball, and twelve at Upper Blackball.
. Head office, London. New Zealand office, Christchurch. Mr. J. T. Skoglund. Greymouth agent; Mr. James Leitch, mining manager; Mr. Walter Leitch, mine manager; Mr. Luke Martin Moore, engineer. The Blackball Coal Company's mines are about three miles from Ngahere, to which coal is conveyed by an aerial tramway, which it is intended to replace by a short line of railway. The coal obtained from the mine is of excellent quality, and is particularly free from ash. The system of working is that known as the board and pillar. A drainage adit, recently (1905) put in, is expected to last for about fifteen years. When the complete plant of the mine is installed there will be over 200 horse-power. About 100 persons are employed. The steamers “Petone,” “Pareora,” and “Dingadee” are owned and employed by the Company.
, Engineer to the Blackball Coal Company, was born in Victoria, Australia, in the year 1858. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1868, and was educated at Brunnerton. In
. This company has been formed as a preliminary to the flotation of a large company, to work the valuable deposits of anthracitous coal found in the Paparoa ranges. The company's property consists of 1,000 acres of coal-bearing country, situated two and a-half miles from the terminus of the Ngahere Blackball railway, now (1905) in course of construction, and within twenty miles of Greymouth. There are six coal measures superimposed upon each other, at vertical distances of from 100 to 200 feet, the average of the seams being over ten feet. Various analyses of the coal give it a high place among the world's best coals. Mr. Henry Neilson, the discoverer of the deposits, has had associated with him in the preliminarv development work Mr. Fred. A. Cutten, A.M.I.O.E., a well-known mining and engineering expert.
, J.P., Miner and Mining Prospector, of Blackball, is well known for his enterprise in mining matters. He was born in Victoria, Australia. In 1864, and came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age. Mr. Neilson was educated in Ross, where his father was teacher and town clerk. He afterwards went to South Westland where he was for some years engaged in mining and prospecting. Mr. Neilson then removed to Reefton, and was for about five years engaged in quartz reefing. He subsequently took a mine on tribute at Ross, and worked it for three years. Later, the Midland Railway Company's employees engaged him to prospect the Paparoa Ranges, where he found the Croesus reef, which was afterwards worked by a company, of which he was a director. While Mr. Neilson was prospecting for a Christchurch syndicate he found the reef now (1905) held by the Garden Gully Company, and named the Just-inTimes. At the time of the dredging boom, he was interested in the dredges in the Moonlight district. In connection with the coal discovery on the Paparoas, Mr. Neilson is the Paparoa Coal Company's manager on the ground. For several years he has been a member of the Blackball school committee, and is at present (1905) its chairman. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in the year 1898. Mr. Neilson is married, and has five sons and three daughters.
, many years ago, was a prosperous mining settlement, and is situated four miles from the neareast railway station— Ngahere—on the Grey-Reelton line of railway. It is in the Nelson Creek riding, in the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. A small amount of mining is still carried on in the district, and a considerable amount of dredging in the creek. There are also some sawmills at work in the neighbourhood. The township possesses four hotels, three stores, and a public school with two teachers, and Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. The business of the post office and telephone bureau is conducted at one of the local stores. The population, at the census of 1901, was thirty-six.
(Peter Stephens, Hannah Stephens, and George Stephens), General Drapers and Grocers, Nelson Creek. This business was established in the year 1890, by Messrs Peter and Hannah Stephens, who were joined by Mr. George Stephens in 1897. The premises are freehold, and include a wood and iron building, which contains a store, a shop, and residence. Messrs Stephens Brothers do business throughout the West Coast. The partners travel periodically, visiting the various settlements, for a few weeks at a time. They also supply hawkers in various parts of New Zealand, and are importers from all parts of the world.
, Senior Partner in the firm of Stephens Bros., was born in the year 1868 at Mount Lebanon, Syria, where he was educated. In 1887, he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, and shortly afterwards came to New Zealand, and opened his first shop in Wellington. Mr. Stephens also established a branch business at Picton, and another in Wellington. In 1890, he commenced business at Nelson Creek, and continued the Wellington branch until 1904, Mr. Stephens has been twice married, and has two sons and two daughters. His second wife died in August, 1904.
(William Fisher and Charles Walter Fisher), Sawmillers, Nelson Creek. The sawmill of Messrs Fisher Bros, was started in the year 1900, and is situated six miles from Ngahere railway station, to which the timber is carted by the mill teams. Although there is a good supply of red and white pine, at present
, Senior Partner, was born at Brighton, near Charleston, in the year 1873. He was educated in Christchurch, and brought up to general work, including farm work, mining and sawmilling. Mr. Fisher is married, and has three children.
, Junior Partner, was born in the year 1877, in Christchurch, where he was educated. He has been engaged in various occupations, chiefly sawmilling. Mr. Fisher is married and has two children.
, Limited. Offices, High Street, Dunedin; Secretary, Mr. W. Holsted. The Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company began work in the Nelson Creek in the year 1900, and has been very successful. During one year, the gold obtained averaged eighty-six ounces per week. A new dredge is being started (1905) to work ground that is known as the “Deep Lead.” The capital of the company is £8,500, of which £6,000 is subscribed. The dredge is solidly constructed, with pontoons of eightyfour feet in length, twenty-eight feet wide, and seven feet in depth. The ladder has fifty-six feet centres, and is capable of dredging to thirty feet the buckets are of four and a-half cubic feet capacity. There is a thirty horse-power boiler of Cutten's special design, and the main engine is a twelve horse-power compound Marshall. The winches are operated by a Cutten's open-geared four horse-power engine. A dredgemaster and twelve persons are employed.
, Dredgemaster of the Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company's dredge, was for many years connected with the dredging industry, prior to his present appointment. He followed a sea-faring life for some years, came to New Zealand in the year 1866, and was goldmining in Otago, and on the West Coast. In 1876, Mr. Edmonds started dredge work in Otago, and was afterwards for a time quartz mining in West Australia. He then returned to New Zealand, and in 1879, he became master of a dredge on who Molyneux. Mr. Edmonds was afterwards in charge of the well-known Jutland Flat dredge at Waipori for ten years. As a Freemason, he is a Past Master of Lodge Arrow Kilwinning.
, Engineet of the Nelson Creek Gold Dredging Company, was born in Greymouth in the year 1876, and educated at Mr. Cook's Warwick House school, in Christchurch. He afterwards went to Sydney, entered the Government railway workshops at Eveline, and remained there for about eight years.
Mr. Warner then returned to New Zealand, and was employed for a few months in suction dredges on the West Coast. He received his present appointment in March, 1901. While in Australia, Mr. Warner was a member of the Sydney Harriers, competed with considerable success in long distance running, and won several trophies. Mr. Warner is married.
is the name of a Government township recently laid out near the State coal mines, about five miles from Greymouth, and is distinct from Dunollie, a private township, which is nearer to the mines. There are very few houses yet (1905) erected in the settlement, although the streets are formed and gravelled through the bush land of which the settlement is composed. So far, the township consists of two or three small business places and a public school. The post office is conducted at the store of Messrs R. Masters and Company, near the mines, There is an hotel at Dunollie, and there are a few small farms in the neighbourhood of Runanga. The mines are connected by rail with Greymouth, and the line crosses the Grey river by a traffic bridge at Cobden. Runanga is in the Cobden riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson.
, Runanga. In connection with the State Colleries at Runanga, near Point Elizabeth, a large quantity of timber is used, and it was thought advisable that this should be cut by a State-owned mill. Accordingly, a very complete plant was purchased, and set up near the mines in August, 1903. It includes a twenty horse-power boiler built by the Dispatch Foundry, Greymouth; a twelve horse-power Marshall engine, twin saw breast bench, a breast bench planer; and an eight horsepower hauling engine, built by the Dispatch Foundry. The output is about 45,000 feet per week. Fourteen persons are employed, and there is practically, an unlimited supply of bush.
, Manager (under contract) of the Government Sawmill, at the State Collieries, Runanga, was born in Dunedin, in the year 1858, and educated in Westport. He afterwards learned sawmilling, and took charge of the co-operative mill at Westport for five years. Mr. Pollock has since managed various mills, and erected dredges, principally in the Buller district, where he has his home on a small farm of about seventy acres, near Birchfield. He was a member of the Seddonville school committee, and was for many years handicapper for the Waimangaroa Caledonian Society. As a runner, wrestler, and jumper, Mr. Pollock has competed with a fair amount of success. He is married, and has two sons.
at Runanga were taken over from the Greymouth and Point Elizabeth Railway and Coal Company by the Government in the year 1903, and in the same year the branch railway line from Greymouth to the mines was also acquired. The coal produced is bituminous, and is used principally in the Government service. About 500 tons a day are obtained. The board and pillar system of working is used, and the coal is taken to the surface on an endless rope. The mines are drained by gravitation, and the levels are ventilated by Hay's fans. The width of the seam worked varies from four to fourteen feet. At the railway
is situated on the north bank of the Grey river, one mile from Greymouth, and is in the Cobden riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. It is approached by a massive cylinder-built bridge over the Grey river, and is flanked by hills, with bush-covered slopes. It was here that the first settlement took place, and at one time, far back in the sixties, Cobden was a flourishing township; it now contains two hotels, a State school, a Presbyterian church, and several small stores. The maintenance of roads and bridges is in the hands of the Grey County Council, to which the ratepayers of Cobden riding return one member. The entire population of the Cobden riding, at the census of 1901, was 708, of which 423 resided in the township, and twenty-two at North Beach. There is a large quarry at Cobden, the stone from which has been extensively used by, and is still of service to, the Harbour Board for the Tip Head on the north side of the river, with which it is connected by iron rails along the breakwater. A large public hall and skating rink, locally owned, has been added to the buildings of the settlement, which is becoming a popular suburb of Greymouth. Services are held every Sunday, in the local schoolroom. At North Beach, about two miles distant, a gold dredge is in operation.
is conducted at the store of Mr. George Armstrong, who is in charge. There is also a postal letter box. Mr. Armstrong is further referred to a storekeeper at Cobden.
, which is situated about a mile from Greymouth, is a large building capable of accommodating 180 children. It has three class rooms, two entrances, and a lobby. There are 180 names on the roll, and the average attendance for the quarter that ended with March, 1905, was 154. Over half an acre of land is attached to the school, and the staff consists of the headmaster, the mistress, and an assistant. The school has turned out some clever scholars, one of whom is Mr. J. P. Firth, headmaster of Wellington College, who received his primary education at Cobden, and an account of whose life appears in the Wellington volume of this work.
has been head master of the Cobden public school since September, 1904. He was born in the year 1880 at Feilding. Mr. de Berry was educated at the Greymouth District High School, and afterwards served as a pupil teacher at Greymouth for five years. He obtained a C certificate in 1903, and as an exempted student of Victoria College, Wellington, passed the first section of his B.A. degree in the same year. Mr. de Berry was head master of Ahaura public school for three years and a-half, and was appointed to the Cobden public school, in 1904. He is a member of the New Zealand Educational Institute, was president of the Grey branch of the Institute for the year 1903–4, and delegate at the Nelson Conference of the Institute in 1904. Mr. de Berry is captain of the Cobden School Cadets, an efficient corps connected with the Cobden school.
General Storekeeper and Baker, Main Street, Cobden. This business was acquired by Mr. Armstrong in February, 1904. The premises consist of a wood and iron building, and contain a store and residence, built on a site of half an acre.
Dairyfarmer, Cobden, Mr. Stewart was born in Nelson in 1886, educated at Bridge Street school, and was employed early in life at dairying and market gardening at Nelson. He was subsequently engaged in sawmilling at Takaka for several months. Mr. Stewart's farm at Cobden comprises 260 acres, of which ninety acres are leasehold. Over 150 acres are cleared and laid down in English grasses. The property has been gradually improved from time to time, and grazes about thirty head of milch cows, principally Ayrshires. Mr. Stewart's carts deliver daily throughout Greymouth and the suburbs.
Settler, Cobden. Mr. Taylor is a son of the late Mr. Charles Taylor, founder of Taylorville, and was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1850. He was educated and brought up at Bunninyong, near Ballarat, Victoria, and came to New Zealand in 1866 with his parents, who settled at Greymouth. When his father established himself in business in 1868, Mr. Joseph Taylor was his right hand support, and also during the ten years he was engaged in commercial enterprises. Mr. Taylor afterwards disposed of the business which he had conducted on a very extensive scale, as in the retail department alone he had employed over twelve persons. For about ten years he represented Brunner on the Grey County Council, and resigned his seat when the town was formed into a borough. He was a member of the Grey Education Board for two or three years, and has devoted much of his time to
was born in Dorsetshire, England, in 1843, and came to New Zealand in 1870, in the ship “Zealandia.” He immediately settled on the West Coast, where he engaged in mining with his uncle (Mr. Lucas) for over a year, and eventually became storeman for Mr. Coates, the well-known Greymouth merchant, and afterwards with the late Mr. Dickie at Cobden. On the death of Mr. Dickie, in 1882, Mr. Gillingham commenced business on his own account.
Miner and Mining Speculator, Cobden. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Egden, who is a partner with Mr. T. G. Davies, has been actively engaged in mining since he was a boy. He was born in Victoria, in 1868, came to this colony in 1880, and was at Rimu “rush.” In 1883, he went to Barrytown, where he was one of the initial holders of a part of the property, afterwards owned by the Waiwhero Sluicing Company, Limited, and he and his partner were very successful at Barrytown. Mr. Egden is also largely interested in dredging operations and in many valuable mining areas in different parts of the district. He is well known in connection with sporting and athletic matters, and is esteemed by a large circle of friends.
is one of the early settlers of the West Coast. He was born in the year 1841 at St. Peter's, Isle of Thanet Kent, England. Mr. Hurst was afterwards brought up to the baking trade, but subsequently followed a seafaring life for about eight years. He then spent one year and six months in the Navigator Islands, came to New Zealand, and landed on the West Coast at North Beach in 1862. Mr. Hurst followed mining for some time, and afterwards took charge of the lights at Greymouth. He finally went back to mining, and is at present (1905) employed at gold saving, amalgamating, and retorting work for the North Beach Dredging Company, in which he holds a number of shares.
is situated twenty miles from Greymouth along the north beach, and about one mile from the beach inland, at the foot of the Paparoa ranges. It is in the Cobden riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. Barrytown first sprang into notice about the year 1879, when the gold “rush” may be said to have been at its height, and when over 2,000 people were residing on the field. The first prospecting was done as far back as 1866 at Canoe creek. Barrytown has a well-equipped school. There is also a post office, and mails are despatched twice a week. At the census of 1901, the township had a population of sixty-four, with sixty additional in the vicinity. Gold sluicing is carried on on an extensive scale. There is much bush in the district, the roads are hilly, and good shooting can be obtained by sportsmen.
(Mrs Burns, proprietress), Barrytown. This hotel was established in 1879, and taken over by the late Mr. Thomas Burns, in 1884. The entire building consists of twelve rooms, including seven bedrooms, a comfortable sitting-room, and a dining-room. There is also a detached building containing ten bedrooms. The billiard-room, which is largely patronised, has an excellent full-sized table by Alcock. The “All Nations” is the only hotel in the township.
was born at Wicklow, Ireland, in 1832. After leaving school, he served an apprenticeship to the butchery trade until fifteen or sixteen years of age, when he enlisted in the Durham Regiment of Infantry. Mr. Burns was in the Crimean war, and fought at Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol. He went with his regiment to India, and fought throughout the mutiny. In 1864, he arrived in Victoria, Australia, and came to New Zealand in 1870. He was for a time in the first and second Waikato Militia, under General Cameron. After being discharged, Mr. Burns went to the Thames and other Auckland goldfields, and removed to the West Coast in 1873. He was married, in 1871, to a daughter of Mr. Patrick Gilroy, of County Tipperary, Ireland. Since his death, the business has been conducted by Mrs Burns.
General Storekeeper, etc., Barrytown, Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Greymouth. Established about 1870. Mr. Ryall took over the business from his father in 1897. The shop has a frontage of about sixty feet, and is well stocked throughout. A section of the premises is set apart for the butchering portion of the business, and the bakery is situated on the opposite side of the street. Bread is baked four times weekly, and delivered throughout the district, Mr. Ryall does a very extensive trade in all the departments of his business, and also acts as postmaster at Barrytown. He is a son of Mr. Denis Ryall, and was born near Barrytown, where he was brought up to the business by his father.
General Storekeeper, Barrytown. Established 1879. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Besides keeping a well-stocked store of general merchandise, Mr. Warren has
Miner, Barrytown. Mr. Harris, who was a member of Lewis and Party, long known as hydraulic sluicers at Lawson's Creck, Barrytown, was born in Jersey, in 1846. He worked at his father's trade as a baker for three years; then he emigrated to Australia, and landed in Sydney in 1867, when he left Australia for New Zealand, and worked with success at Tuapeka and Waipori. Mr. Harris then removed to the West Coast, and commenced mining operations at Kumara, where he met with success. In 1881, he joined Evans and Party at Barrytown, where he afterwards became a member of Lewis and Party.
Miner, Barrytown. Mr. Lewis was born in Tasmania, in 1838. He was educated at Hobart, and entered the countinghouse of a leading Tasmanian merchant, but eventually joined the business of his father, the late Mr. William Evans Lewis, with whom he remained for about eleven years, when he went to the Bendigo diggings. Later on, Mr. Lewis came to New
, J.P., formerly manager of the Waiwhero Sluicing Company, Barrytown, was born in Herefordshire, England, in 1853, and was engaged in various pursuits at Home. He landed in Queensland, in 1871, and followed mining occupations principally for about five years. Shortly before the gold “rush” to Kumara set in, Mr. Morris came to New Zealand at the end of 1876, and went to the fields. In 1879, he established the Larrikins Sawmills, Kumara, which he disposed of seven years later, and devoted his time to forwarding the interests of the Sash and Door Company, Greymouth, established by him some years previously. Mr. Morris has held aloof from all local politics, but he is associated with the Freemasons and Oddfellows, is a member of the American Mining Institute, and received his commission as a Justice of the Peace from the Seddon Government. He married a daughter of Mr. Murtagh, formerly of the Hokitika Hospital, and has six children. Mr. Morris resides in Tainui Street, Greymouth, and is extensively interested in mining and sawmilling.
, formerly manager of the Barrytown No. 2 Gold Mining Company, Ltd. (now extinct), was born in 1872, in Central Otago. He is a son of the late Mr. J. J. Reeves, and was educated and brought up in Otago, where he obtained a wide practical experience extending over a period of ten years, in hydraulic sluicing and elevating. Mr. Reeves is now (1905) in the Government service, under the Public Works Department.
is an extensive district, the centre of which is about eight miles north-east of Nelson. It faces Tasman Bay, and is in the county of Waimea. Suburban residences have been built along the Wakapuaka road, from Nelson to the Glen, which has some pretty bush scenery. It is here that the Boulder Bank of Nelson harbour commences, and omnibuses run daily to the place, which is a popular resort for visitors. There is also a coach service to Wakapuaka, which is on the road to Cable Bay, and the route to Havelock and Blenheim. The Wakapuaka district is devoted to sheepfarming and dairying.
, Farmer, Hillwood, Nelson. Mr. O'Beirne owns a suitably subdivided run of 1500 acres, purchased by him in 1894 and 1902. The property is exceptionally well-watered by springs on different parts of the land, and carries 3000 sheep, besides cattle and horses. It has a frontage of one mile to the Wakapuaka Road, and is eight miles distant from the city of Nelson.
Settler, “Hillmore,” Wakapuaka. Mr. Turner, who was born in 1832 at Arclay House, Stourport, Worcestershire, England, is the second son of Mr. Abraham Turner, barrister-at-law,
, an old settler of Wakapuaka, Nelson, was born in Ashbourne, Sussex, England, in the year 1839. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1849, in the ship “Mariner,” and landed in Wellington. Mr. Frost served an apprenticeship to the butchering trade with Mr. H. Hargreaves, Nelson, and was afterwards employed by the late Major Richmond for a number of years. Subsequently, he settled in Wakapuaka, where, for upwards of forty years, he was engaged in the wholesale butchering business. Mr. Frost has been a member of the Hillside school committee, and has also been a member of Court Pride of the Forest. Ancient Order of Foresters, for thirty years. He married a daughter of the late Mr. William Northern, who was killed in the Wairau massacre. Mrs Frost died in November, 1904, leaving six sons and one daughter.
, sometime of Wakapuaka, was a son of one of the pioneers of Nelson, and came out from the Old Country by the ship “Thomas Harrison.” He was born in 1834 in Warwick, England. Though quite a boy when he arrived in Nelson, he remembered the present site of Nelson city when it was waste land and just being surveyed. Early in life he chose farming for his calling. He was very successful, and in later life enjoyed the well-earned fruits of his labour. Mr. Kinsett was proud to be called one of the early pioneers—those courageous men and women who put up with so much in making homes for their own families, and enabling others to do the same later on with a degree of security and comfort unknown at the dawn of settlement. Latterly he lived in a comfortable dwelling, made of stone and clay, which he helped to build. The house was surrounded by shrubs and trees, and he and Mrs Kinzett enjoyed an honoured old age in well deserved peace and comfort. They had had three children. Mrs Kinzett came out in the ship “Bolton.” Mr. Kinzett died on the 25th of October, 1901.
is a wood and iron building, with one class room and a porch. The roll, in 1905, contained twelve names. There is one acre of ground, and the teacher's residence has three rooms.
, Sole Teacher of the Upper Motupiko School, is a native of Baton, Nelson. She was educated at the Baton school, and at the Convent High School in Nelson. Miss McCarthy was sole teacher at the Baton for a year; then she taught for a year in the Catholic Girls' Industrial School at Nelson; and in 1905 she entered the State school service as teacher of the Upper Motupiko school.
at Murchison is conducted at the private residence of Mr. McNee, who, as postmaster, is assisted by Miss McNee. Mr. McNee is further referred to as a general merchant at Murchison.
was opened in the early eighties. It stands on three acres of ground, is a wood and iron building, with two class rooms and a porch, and has room for from seventy to eighty pupils. In 1905
, Headmaster of the Murchison School, is a native of Lefroy, Tasmania, where he was born in 1883. As a child, he came to the Greymouth district with his parents, and was educated there and at schools in the Reefton district. In 1898, he entered the Reefton school as a pupil teacher, and whilst there took his E certificate. His D certificate he gained in 1902. For two years, Mr. Lawn was teacher of the Gordon school, which he left in 1904 to take charge of the Murchison school. When in Reefton, Mr. Lawn was colour-sergeant of the Reefton Rifles, and when at Gordon was sergeant of the Waimea Rifles. In Murchison, he is captain of the Murchison Defence Rifle Club, and secretary of the local Racing Club. He takes an active interest in affairs generally in the district, and particularly in matters connected with athletic sports. Mr. Lawn holds a D3 certificate.
(Owen Lynch, proprietor), Murchison. This hotel was established in the year 1878. It contains eleven bedrooms, two sitting-rooms, and a billiard room. The best liquors are kept, the accommodation is good, and there is a moderate tariff. There is also stabling for eight horses in connection with the establishment.
was born in the year 1843, in County Cavan, Ireland, where he was educated, and brought up on his father's farm. In 1865, he came to New Zealand and landed at Auckland. For a short time, he was engaged in farm work, and afterwards went to the Thames goldfields. Mr. Lynch then went to Nelson, and for a time was mining in the Murchison district, where he has since resided. In 1870, he took up land, and acquired the Commercial Hotel in the year 1901. For about thirteen years, Mr. Lynch was on the Commission of the Peace. When the Hampden Road Board was in existence he was one of its members. He was for six years a member of the Inangahua County Council, and was for a number of years chairman of the Matakitaki school committee, and he has been a member of the Nelson Land Board since 1897. He married in 1875, and has four sons, and four daughters.
General Merchant, Murchison and Horse Terrace. Mr. McNee carries a large stock of groceries in his premises at Murchison, including drapery, boots and general supplies. There is also a butchery and bakery in connection with the establishment, and a large number of vehicles and horses are employed. A son of Mr. McNee's conducts the branch store at Horse Terrace, Mr. McNee has also twenty-one acres of freehold in Murchison, and fifty-three acres of freehold, and 100 acres of leasehold at Horse Terrace.
was born in the year 1836 at Lochearnhead, Perthshire, Scotland, where he was educated and learned the drapery trade. He afterwards went to Melbourne, Australia, in 1857, and was storekeeping at Ballarat for some time. In 1861, Mr. McNee came to New Zealand, and followed the gold rushes at Gabriel's and Switzers. He then returned to Australia, and after a short visit to Austoria, came back to New Zealand, and went to the Wakamarina. Later, Mr. McNee visited the Grey district in the “Nelson,” on her first trip to the West Coast, and followed the various rushes. He then started in business at Okarito, where he remained for two years and six months; and subsequently, for some years, he conducted business at Hokitika. About 1877, Mr. McNee removed to Murchison, and was employed in the store of Mr. Moonlight. He afterwards acquired the store, in conjunction with others, but he subsequently bought out the other interests, and has since conducted the business on his own account. For many years, Mr. McNee was chairman of the Murchison school committee. He is librarian and secretary of the local library, the establishment of which was largely due to his energy; and he is chairman of the Cemetery Trustees. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Pacific. He is also a member of Prince Alfred Lodge of Oddfellows, Hokitika, of which he was Noble Grand when Mr. Seddon, the Premier of New Zealand, was initiated. Mr. McNee is married, and has four sons and four daughters.
., General Storekeepers, Murchison. This firm carries on a general country store, and keeps a full supply of groceries, drapery and boots. Goods are delivered throughout the Murchison district by the firm's own carts, and three persons are employed. The firm holds agencies for the Royal Insurance Company and for Zealandia Boots.
, the Resident (Partner (the other partner, his brother, has a large business at Wakefield), holds sixty-six acres of good land in the township and its neighbourhood. He was born in Wakefield, in 1868, and served his time there as a wheelwright. For many years he was engaged in erecting mining machinery in various districts on the West Coast. In 1901, he started the present business, in partnership with his brother, and made Murchison his
, the Six-Mile, Murchison. This store is conducted by Mr. Lynch, together with a butchery. There is also a farm of 350 acres in connection with the establishment, and grazing and cropping are carried on. Mr. Lynch is further referred to as the proprietor of the Commercial Hotel.
Farmer, “Forest Home,” Murchison. Forest Home Farm consists of 330 acres of first class land, chiefly rich river deposit. It is situated within three miles of Murchison, and is devoted to mixed farming; root and grain crops grow well on the land. There is a comfortable homestead, and convenient and well laid out farm buildings. Mr. Thomson has also a small run of 1400 acres of freehold on the Mangles river, on which he grazes sheep and cattle, Mr. Thomson was born at the Carse O'Gowrie, in Perthshire, Scotland, in the year 1843, and was educated at a Dundee grammar school. When nearly fifteen years of age, he was apprenticed to the sea, and served for three years and a-half. In August, 1861, he came to New Zealand, arrived in Nelson by the ship “Glenshee,” and went to Marlborough, where he was employed on the Glenlee station. He worked there for five years and six months, became manager, and in 1867 removed to Hokitika, where he ran a line of coaches. Later on, Mr. Thomson sold his horses, and for a few months was mining at Addison's. He then went to Caledonian Terrace, where he conducted a butchery business for two years, and subsequently removed to Wangapeka, where he was engaged in the same business for one year. Mr. Thomson afterwards acquired the Baton Plain run, Wangapeka, of 2000 acres, and conducted it for about twenty-three years. He finally sold out and purchased the Forest Home Farm. Mr. Thomson was for three years a member of the Wangapeka County Council, and for fifteen years a member of the Baton Plain school committee. He is treasurer of the Fern Flat school committee; was appointed a Justice of the Peace some years ago; and is Acting-Coronor for the district. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Southern Star, Nelson. Mr. Thomson married a daughter of the late Mr. W. Bell, formerly a member of the Nelson Education Board, in the year 1871, and has two sons and two daughters.
. Offices in Wellington; secretary, Mr. H. F. Logan. This company is dredging in the Matakitaki Valley, from four to five miles from Murchison. The dredge is 88 feet by 30 feet, with four-feet buckets. The twenty horse-power boiler is by Cable, and the sixteen horse-power engine is a Marshall, and Cable winches are worked by Marshall engines. A successful sluicing claim on the banks of the Matakitaki is also owned by the company.
. The offices and secretary are the same as in the case of the Kohi Kohi Company, and Mr. W. H. Barber, M.H.R., is chairman of directors of both companies. A powerful dredge is at work on the Amikitea claim, about half a mile from the Kohi Kohi.
, Dredgemaster of both dredges, and manager of the sluicing claim, was born in Alexandra, Otago, in 1865, and educated at Reefton and Hokitika. He entered the Telegraph Department, but left it to take up mining work. Since qualifying as a mine manager, he has had a long connection with mining in various parts of New Zealand. He was for some time underground manager of the Endeavour Inlet antimony mines, and was for five years in charge of the King Solomon mine at Mahakipawa. For about two years he was engaged in farming in the Palmerston North district, but sold out and was then connected with quartz mining, as a foreman, at Waihi, which he left to take charge of the Kohi Kohi and Amikitea companies. Mr. Wearne holds a first class mine manager's and a second class engine driver's certificate. As a Freemason, he is a member of the Marlborough Lodge, New Zealand Constitution. Mr. Wearne is married, and has two sons.
; Registered Office, Main Street, Lyell. Solicitors, Messrs Free and Cottrell, Reefton. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Directors, Messrs P. N. Kingswell (chairman), D. Young, P. Butler, and T. Bell. Legal Manager, Mr. P. B. McMahon, Reefton. The present company is an amalgamation of the United Alpine Company with the Lyell Creek Extended Company, and was formed in the year 1897. Previous to the amalgamation, the United Alpine Company had given rich returns and paid handsone dividends. The Alpine Extended has a capital of £25,000 in 50,000 shares of ten shillings each. The plant includes a battery of twenty heads of stamps, and the usual equipment. The property is situated about three miles from Lyell, with which there is communication by good roads. The township connected with the mine is situated on a hill some hundreds of feet above the battery, which is in the Lyell river bed. About ten persons are employed.
, Battery Manager of the Alpine Extended Gold Mining Company, Limited, is also mine manager. He was born in Goulburn, New South Wales, in the year 1866, and came to New Zealand at an early age. He was educated at St. Mary's School, in Nelson, and at fifteen years of age entered the service of the company. He started as a feeder in the battery, has gone through all classes of work incidental to quartz mining, and has been blacksmith, engineer, amalgamator, and cyanide expert. In 1893, he was appointed battery manager and mine manager. As a Freemason, Mr. Rodden is a member of Lodge Phoenix, English Constitution, Westport.
is situated about three miles from Lyell. It is a wood and iron building, and contains one classroom and a porch. There is accommodation for fifty pupils. The roll contains sixteen names, and there is an average attendance of fifteen.
, Headmaster of Gibb's Town Public School, was born at Stirling, Otago, in the year 1874, and was educated primarily at
is a wooden building with one class-room and a porch, and has accommodation for about twenty scholars. The average attendance is twelve.
, Sole Teacher of the Three Channel Flat Public School, was born at Palmerston North. She was educated at Cullensville, where she was for some time a pupil teacher. For about two years Miss Nielsen was at the Stephen's Island school, and was afterwards for one year and three months at Port Underwood. She then took charge of the Kekerangu school for one year before she received her present appointment in July, 1905. In company with her father, Miss Nielsen visited Denmark a year or two ago.
Farmer, Sawmiller and Coal Mine Proprietor, Three Channel Flat. Mr. De Fillipi's farm consists of 360 acres, on which he carries on grazing. His sawmill is situated near the Lyell road, and is driven by water power, with a thirtyfive feet iron wheel of twelve horsepower. The mill has a complete equipment of breaking-down and breast-benches, and an English planing machine, etc. For about four years, Mr. De Filippi has been working a small coal mine, in which there is a good supply of very fair steaming coal. The proprietor's own teams are employed in the carting of both timber and coal, and the dredges working below the Lyell are supplied from his mine. Mr. De Filippi was born in the year 1839 in Lombardy, Italy, and was brought up to farming, after serving an apprenticeship as a stonemason. In 1861, he went to Melbourne, Australia, and afterwards to Sydney, and in 1862 came to New Zealand. Mr. De Fillipi landed in Nelson, went to the Wakamarina diggings, and, later, to the Lyell. In the year 1875, he settled in the Channel Flat district, and has gradually acquired his various properties. He is married, and has eight children.
, sometime of Motueka, settled in the province of Nelson in 1848. He was twenty years old when he shipped as a seaman on board the “Bednister,” for New Zealand. The vessel first touched at Taranaki, where she landed some passengers, and then passed on to Nelson, where Mr. Green remained, and engaged in pit-sawing and farming. In 1852 he took up land, which he farmed with much success. His property consisted of 100 acres of fertile farm land at Motueka, and 1000 acres of sheep grazing country at Moutere. Mr. Green was for more than forty years a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. He was married in 1852, and had a family of eight sons and three daughters. Mr. Green died on the 27th of September, 1902.
is a small building situated in the school grounds. It includes a telephone office and a money order and savings bank department. Miss Gayne, who is further referred to as teacher of the Fern Flat public school, is postmistress.
is an old wooden building, and was established many years ago. It has accommodation for forty pupils; the roll contains eighteen names, and there is only an average attendance of fifteen, as the cessation of mining and sluicing in the district has seriously reduced the population. The school residence contains four rooms.
, Sole Teacher of the Fern Flat Public School, was born in London, England, came to New Zealand with her parents at an early age, and was educated at Wanganui. After serving as a pupil teacher in Wanganui, she was appointed to the Eltham road school, Taranaki, prior to her present appointment. She has a D3 certificate. Miss Gayne is postmistress at Fern Flat.
General Contractor and Carrier, Reefton. Mr. Billett carries on an extensive business as a contractor and carter for the Consolidated Goldfields Company. He supplies the whole of the timber and coal used by the various mines, and employs sixteen men and about twenty horses. Mr. Billett holds two coal leases at Murray Creek, and from these he obtains his supplies of coal. He is largely interested in mining ventures in the Capleston district, at Kirwan's Reward, and in the new reefs in the Wilberforce, where he and his party hold 400 acres. Mr. Billett was born in the year 1853, at Ford, Wiltshire, England, where he was educated, and brought up to farm work. He came to New Zealand in the year 1873, and landed in Wellington, where he stayed for a short time, and then went to the West Coast. Mr. Billett settled in the Reefton district, where he has since resided. He holds considerable property in and around Reefton, including a farm of 100 acres. Mr. Billett was a
; Offices, Auckland. Secretary, Mr. H. Gilfillan, junior. This company was formed with a capital of £5000. It acquired from McDougall Brothers, two holdings of twenty acres each, situated at Horse Terrace, ten miles from Murchison; and, in addition, a special claim of 100 acres was taken up. Operations were commenced in November, 1904, and have been carried on continuously since that date. A race, two miles and a-half in length, and six feet in width, was brought in, carrying thirty-five Government heads of water. Power is held to bring in 100 heads, and it is proposed to exercise this power when fuller development work has been carried out. Two faces are at present (1905) being worked. An up-to-date electric light plant has been installed, and gives a 92–16 candle-power. Twelve persons are employed. A sawmill in connection with the works is driven by a six-feet Pelton wheel, and supplies the timber used in the claim.
, Mining Engineer, is manager of the Horse Terrace Sluicing Company's claim, and has conducted the whole of the development and prospecting work in connection with it. He was born in Wimmera. Victoria, Australia, in the year 1879, and came to New Zealand at an early age. Mr. Beilby was educated at Westport, and at the Otago School of Mines, where in three years he obtained his diploma as Associate of the Society of Mining Engineers. He also studied metallurgical and chemical research work under Professor Black for one year. Mr. Beilby then worked in sluicing claims in the Westport district, followed by underground work in the Consolidated Mines in Reefton, and research work on concentrates for the Consolidated Company. In Reefton he also gained experience in battery and cyanide work. For some time he was manager of the large sluicing claim at Newtown Flat, after conducting the engineering and development work. Mr. Beilby did the preliminary prospecting and development work for the Horse Terrace claim. He is a fair mechanical engineer, and is able to attend to and erect all classes of mining machinery. Mr. Beilby is Noble Grand of Lodge Matakitaki, Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows.
is conducted in a small building next to the Mammoth Hotel. Mr. T. O'Rourke is postmaster.
is situated about five miles from Murchison, up the Matakitaki Valley. It is an old wooden building, and has been in existence since the middle of the eighties. There is one class-room with accommodation for about twenty pupils, and there is an average attendance of twelve.
was appointed sole teacher of the Matakitaki public school in the year 1900. She was born at Murchison, where her father was a well known farmer.
(Thomas M. O'Rourke, proprietor), Matakitaki. This hotel was established in the early seventies, when a considerable amount of mining was being carried on in the Matakitaki Yalley. It is situated fourteen miles from Murchison, and four miles from Horse Terrace, and contains fourteen rooms. The best of liquors are kept, the accommodation is good, and the tarilf is moderate. A farm of 100 acres is connected with the hotel.
was born at Pleasant Creek, Victoria, Australia, on the 11th of September, 1865. When he was quite a lad his parents came to New Zealand and settled in the Reefton district, where he completed his education. Mr. O'Rourke was engaged for a time in the office of one of the Reefton papers, and then worked in a battery at Reefton. Subsequently, he engaged in farm work at Murchison, and was then droving between Nelson and Reefton. Mr. O'Rourke afterwards carried on the work of breaking, training, and riding horses, and, later still, he was enginedriving on a dredge. For some time he was farming in the Murchison district, but in 1897, he acquired the Mammoth Hotel. Mr. O'Rourke has a wide knowledge of the Buller district. He has been a member of the Matiri school committee. Mr. O'Rourke is married and has four children.
Farmer, Matiri Farm, Longford. Mr. Trower's farm is situated on the banks of the Matiri stream, and consists of about 550 acres, devoted chiefly to grazing, though he does also a small amount of cropping. About twenty years ago, Mr. Trower started the growing of hops, and was the first, and has been the only, farmer in the Buller Valley to make the attempt. Good crops have been obtained, and Mr. Trower intends to continue his experiment. Mr. Trower was born in Nelson, in 1845, educated there and learned malting. For seven or eight years, he was farming in the Murchison district, but left to take over a farm at Motupipi, where he also kept an accommodation house. In 1879, he took up a portion of his present holding, which has been added to since. For some time he carried on business as a brewer at Longford. Mr. Trower was a member of the
Farmer, Glenfield Farm, Hope Valley. Postal address, Longford. “Glenfield” is a grazing farm of 1000 acres, near the Hope Saddle. Mr. McConochie was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1842, and in 1863 came out to Nelson by the ship “Ravenscraig.” He obtain ed employment on a station in the Marlborough district, and continued at that class of work for some years. In 1868, together with Mr. Alexander Thomson (now of Forest Home, Murchison), he started a butchery business at Caledonian Terrace, outside of Westport. On giving that up, he entered into business as a cattle and sheep dealer in the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast districts. In 1885, he took up land in the Hope Valley, where he has since had his home. For some time Mr. McConochie was a steward of the Motueka Valley Racing Club, and he is chairman of the local school committee. He is married and has a family of seven. The school work of the district is carried on in Mr. McConochie's house.
Photographs for the following blocks came to hand too late to be worked into their positions with the articles to which they belong; but the connection is, in each case, established by means of the names of the persons concerned, and the pages on which their articles appear.
occupies the north-east corner of the South Island, and covers the area that until 1876 was known as Marlborough province. It is bounded on the north and east by Cook Strait and the sea as far south as the mouth of the Conway river. The second boundary follows the Conway as far as its junction with the Tory Channel, then runs north-west and north along the summits of several mountain ranges to the west side of Tennyson Inlet, Pelorus Sound. The extreme length of the district from Cape Jackson to the Conway is about 120 miles; while its greatest breadth from Cape Campbell south of Cloudy Bay to the Tophouse on the western boundary is about sixty-seven. The total area of the district is about 2,792,500 acres.
Marlborough consists for the most part of a series of ridges or ranges, running approximately south-west and north-east, with valleys and alluvial flats between them. The chief mountain ranges are the Inland Kaikouras and the Seaward Kaikouras or Looker-on Ranges. Of the Kaikouras proper the highest peak is Tapuaenuka (Mount Odin) which reaches the great altitude of 9,467 feet. In the Seaward Range at least two peaks —Kaitarau and Whakari—reach the level of 8,500 feet, and there are
The eastern coast line of Marlborough, fron the Conway to the northern extremity of Cloudy Bay, is chiefly marked by lowlying sand dunes, with occasional stretches of rolling uplands separated by the estuaries of the rivers. Beyond this point and all along the north coast, the coast is pierced and broken by a remarkable series of narrow gulfs or fiords. The principal features of this section of the coast are Pelorus Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound, Tory Channel, Port Underwood and Port Gore. The largest of these is Pelorus Sound, thirtyfour miles in length, but including a total coastline of over 300 miles. It branches off into many small bays and inlets, of which the chief is Kenepuru Sound, fourteen miles long, and is studded with a large number of islands. Queen Charlotte Sound is thirty miles long, and twenty-five miles from the entrance it opens into Picton harbour, a safe and commodious haven. Tory Channel, separating Arapawa Island from the mainland, is ten miles long, and forms the most direct route for communication with Wellington, which, by this course, is only sixty miles From Picton. The shore line of Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel is fully 200 miles in length, and the coastal scenery in all these sounds is remarkably picturesque and attractive. The entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound is only about twenty miles from the mouth of Pelorus Sound, and the intervening country is largely intersected by the arms of these fiords. Twelve miles from Pelorus Sound is the picturesque but rather dangerous French Pass; a narrow channel which separates D'Urville Island from the mainland, and affords ingress from Cook Strait to Nelson Harbour. In all these sounds and bays there is deep water, and good anchorage can be secured close to the shore. The country running down to the shore is hilly but not too rough for sheep and cattle; and nearly all the open land along the Sounds is now taken up by settlers for pastoral purposes.
The land in Marlborough district may be divided roughly into three classes: open land, generally well grassed; forest land; and country partly bush-clad, and partly covered with scrub or fern. The open country was naturally taken up in the first place for pastoral purposes, while the bush land was first monopolised by the timber industry. But as the bush is being gradually “cut out” large areas of what was once forest land have been laid down in grass, and agriculture is gradually extending into the pastoral country. At the present time about 1,680,000 acres in Marlborough district are devoted to sheep raising and wool growing. In the northern district much of the land is still covered with scrub or fern; and in the open country, on natural grass, not more than one Merino sheep to the acre is the average. In the cleared bush country, on sown grass, from two to four crossbreds can easily be run to the acre. According to recent returns the total number of sheep in the district is about 826,500, of which 760,000 run in the Sounds couutry, and 174,000 in the southern district around Kaikoura. The total export of wool for 1903 was 12,700 bales. As to agriculture, this is chiefly carried on in the rich alluvial flats through which the rivers run. The Wairau Plain, of some 65,000 acres, is the chief block of agricultural land. The soil is rich, and the plain, especially near Blenheim, has long been cut up into comparatively small
This description of the country suggests that the stable industries
Of the pastoral industries something has already been said. In addition to sheepfarming the dairy industry, as in many other districts in this colony, has of late years become a valuable adjunct to the local resources. There is a dairy factory at Spring Creek, with all the latest improvements. There are three cheese factories, one at Tuamarina, another at Hayelock, another at Kaikoura, which turned out over 100 tons of cheese in the year 1904. Another industry, indirectly extractive, is flour milling. There are three mills, two in Blenheim and the third at Spring Creek; the last is a water power roller mill, electric lighted, and with the sack working machinery driven by an electric motor. Flax again is an important factor among the local industries; indeed, there are eleven flax mills and the total output for the season of 1903 was 7,150 bales of dressed flax and tow. But the most important of the extractive industries prosecuted in Marlborough is sawmilling. There are fifteen sawmills at work in the district; two at Kaikoura, and the remainder in the vicinity of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds. Messrs Brownlee's mill in the Pelorus Valley has a tramway fifteen miles long, and in 1903 turned out nearly 3,300,000 feet of timber. The Kaikoura mills are working the
It is not likely, however, that gold mining will play any very important part in the development of the district. A certain amount of gold has been found from time to time, more especially in the Wairau Valley, at Mahakipawa and at Wakamarina. A great deal of money has been spent in the Wakamarina Gorge, and a dredge has lately been put to work in the river-bed, but so far without any very satisfactory result. Even where auriferous strata occur in the district, they are too broken and irregular to be very productive; nor is alluvial gold found anywhere in anything like the lavish profusion that made Westland famous in the early days. On present prospects, at any rate, it would be unwise to expect that mineral wealth will ever be the foundation of Marlborough's prosperity.
Little is known of the races that inhabited these islands prior to the advent of the Maori; but there is something more than tradition to assist us to a knowledge of the Moriori, who were expelled from New Zealand by the invaders. According to the natives of the Pelorus district their ancestors, on entering the country, found it inhabitated by “a small dark-complexioned Maori-speaking people,” who cultivated the ground and dwelt for the most part in pits or shallow caves excavated in the forest or on the hillside. As the bush has been cleared away, there have been found, in all parts of the district, shallow pits and hollows, which had evidently been used as habitations; but it was not till 1894 that the investigations of Mr. Joshua Rutland first pointed to the conclusion that these pits were the dwelling-places of the Moriori, the first inhabitants of Marlborough. They were a weak and inoffensive people, easily superseded by the warlike Maori, who disdained the tilling of the soil, and left the evidences of former occupation to be overgrown by the bush. Apparently a small remnant of the original race escaped destruction either by hiding in the forests or submitting to slavery till, in desperation, they fled the country, and sought a last refuge in the distant Chatham Islands.
As to the Maori conquerors, tradition is more definite than in the case of the Moriori. According to the generally accepted legend, it was about the year 1400 that a Taupo chief led a section of his tribe as far south as Queen Charlotte Sound. They settled at Arapawa, and long enjoyed peace and prosperity, secluded from their northern foes. Subsequently a band of Ngapuhis settled near the mouth of the Wairau, and these were followed in 1477 by a powerful body of the Waitaha, who had been driven out of the North Island, after fighting there for existence for 200 years. The Waitaha found the land so fertile and its waters so well supplied with fish, that they sent as presents to their North Island friends specimens of all the products of their new home. The Ngatimamoe at Poeneke heard tempting accounts of this land of promise, and late in the 16th century they too travelled south in great numbers to enslave the Wai-
But in the interval between the conquests of the Ngaitahu and the raids of Rauparaha, this island had been visited by white men. In January 1770, Captain Cook, on his first great voyage of discovery, reached the shores of Queen Charlotte Sound. In April, 1773, Captain Furneaux, Cook's companion on his second voyage, found his way to Ship Cove, and late in the year Cook himself spent some weeks in the Sound refitting his ship. Furneaux's visit was the occasion of a quarrel with the natives, and the massacre of his boat's crew—an episode that produced a very painful impression, and long prevented friendly intercourse between the Maoris and Europeans. In 1777 Cook, on his third voyage, again anchored in Queen Charlotte Sound and succeeded in allaying the suspicions and hostility with which the natives had begun to regard the white men. These visits at least to some extent familiarised the Maoris with the presence of strangers, and formed their first introduction to European civilisation.
For nearly fifty years after Cook's last voyage, the tribes who then inhabited the northern half
As in most parts of New Zealand, the first white settlers in Marlborough were whalers. As early as 1827 Captain Guard established a whaling station at Te Awaite, on Queen Charlotte Sound, and by 1839, when the “Tory” with Colonel Wakefield reached these shores, it was the most important European town in the South Island. Captain Guard had migrated to Port Underwood, and had been succeeded by the famous “Dicky” Barrett who came down from Taranaki with the Ngatiawas in 1834. Colonel Wakefield explained to Barrett the colonising projects of the New Zealand Company; and he was further assisted in his researches into native land titles and boundaries by Captain James Hebberly, who piloted the “Tory” through the Sounds, and was probably the pioneer of all the white settlers in the district. The other white settlements at Kaikoura, Port Underwood, and Cloudy Bay were, like Te Awaite, inhabited by whalers or escaped convicts—hard-living and often desperate men, given to coarse dissipation, and finding their domestic ideals in temporary unions with the Maori women.
The first missionary to reach the Marlborough district was the Rev. J. Bumby, superintendent of the Wesleyan missions, who arrived there in 1839. In 1840 the Rev. S. Ironsides arrived at Port Underwood, which then had a European population of at least one hundred souls. By 1842 the Maoris had built a commodious church, and generally embraced Christianity with fervour. Mr. Ironsides exercised great influence
Thus early in the history of the district the white settlers were alarmed by two terrible tragedies— the massacres of 1840 and 1843. The Maori wife and child of Mr. Wynen, one of the New Zealand Company's agents, were murdered at Port Underwood by a white whaler, and the natives demanded “utu” for the crime. The murderer was captured, but by an unfortunate miscarriage of justice was acquitted. But the Maoris took vengeance on a band of settlers who came down from Port Underwood to the Wairau in 1840; for though the actual facts were never revealed, the settlers all disappeared, and there is no doubt that they were murdered and probably eaten by the enraged natives. The second tragedy that stains the records of Marlborough's early history—the Wairau massacre —has been described at length in the Nelson section of this volume. To the general statement of the case for and against the Maoris may be added the striking testimony of the Attorney-General of the day, who described the conduct of the Europeans as “illegal in its inception and in every step of its execution, unjustifiable in the magistrate and four constables, and criminal in the last degree on the part of the attacking party.” Mr. Spain, the Government Land Commissioner, to whom the natives had appealed to adjudicate on the disputed titles declared that the action of the whites was “an attempt to set British law at defiance and to obtain by force possession of a tract of land, the title of which was disputed and them under the consideration of a Commissioner specially appointed to investigate and report upon it.” Mr. Spain expressed his conviction from the evidence he had been able to collect, that the Maoris at the outset “exhibited the greatest forbearance and the utmost repugnance to fight with the Europeans.” This opinion was endorsed by Mr. George Clark, the Protector of the Aborigines, who stated to the Acting-Governor “that he was satisfied such an unhappy affair as that of the Wairau could never have occurred had not the natives been urged to it by extreme provocation.” But as, was natural enough, the white settlers throughout the colony demanded vengeance on the natives, and Captain Fitzroy by refusing to arrest or punish Rauparaha and Rangihaeata roused the bitterest indignation among the Europeans. It was long before the sinister impression left by these terrible episodes passed away from the recollection of either white settlers or Maoris.
The efforts of the Europeans to obtain possession of land in the Marlborough district have been described in connection with the early history of Nelson. Some time before 1840 a certain Captain Blenkinsopp alleged that he had bought the whole of the Wairau Plain from the Maoris for an old ship's gun, which was long preserved as an historic relic in Blenheim. It appears that Rauparaha was induced to sign the transfer of the land by deliberate misrepresentation, and when the New Zealand Company bought the title to these lands from the old whaler's widow for £300, the Maoris naturally refused to recognise the claim. When Colone.' Wakefield purchased the Company's South Island selections in 1839, he may have meant to include the Wairau Plain in his purchase. But there was no specific mention of it, and only three chiefs were parties to this sale; while by native law at least 3000 natives had a voice in the disposal of the land. Colonel Wakefield must surely have been aware of the utterly baseless nature of his claims, and if he had not felt that to withdraw them would have been to acknowledge the failure of the Nelson settlement, he would hardly, against so many warnings, have persisted in the unfortunate course that he followed. However, after the Wairau massacre, the Nelson settlement was still in urgent need of land for the new colonists, and after the first excitement of the tragedy died down, a steady stream of settlers began to find their way across from the Waimea to the Wairau. In 1846 Messrs Fox, Redwood, Ward, and Goulter explored the valleys eastward, and discovered the Tophouse track, which for many years
In 1847 Messrs Clifford and Weld (afterwards Sir Charles and Sir Frederick) brought over 3000 sheep from Sydney and took up the Flaxbourne run, the first great pastoral estate stocked in Marlborough. By 1848 there were still only 194 Europeans in the whole district; but when, in 1850, the New Zealand Company surrendered its rights to the Crown, over 34,000 acres in the Marlborough district were allotted to the Nelson settlers whose claims for land had not yet been met. The tenure of the early pastoral runs was by no means definite, and when Sir George Grey's land regulations in 1853 made the acquirement of the freehold easy, many of the runholders took advantage of the change to secure the fee simple of their lands. Among the pioneers who took up runs between 1845 and 1850 may be mentioned Messrs Duppa, Watts, Jenkins, Joseph Ward, Cyrus Goulter, F. Trolove, Renwick, Vickerman, J. and R. Tinline, Adams, Wither, Macrae, Atkinson, E. W. Stafford, Otterson, Clifford, Weld, and Dr. Shaw.
Life in the Wairau in those days meant hard work, but there was plenty of excitement and variety about it. There was a large amount of animal life, from wild cattle and wild pigs to pigeon, duck and quail. The first beginning of town settlement was marked by the establishment of Mr. Wynen's store and grog shop at the Boulder Bank. The shipping of wool from the Wairau stations was now becoming a well-established industry; and Captain Bowler, who in 1855 took over Mr. Wynen's trade at the Boulder Bank, was for several years closely identified with the expansion of the growing set-
The foundation and growth of the town of Blenheim naturally fills a large space in the early records of the district. In 1852 Mr. James Sinclair went to the Wairau, and was requested by Messrs Fell and Seymour, of Nelson, to assist in disposing, of sections of the area on which Blenheim now stands. “The Beaver,” as the district was then called, was not a very favourable site for settlement, though floods were not then so dangerous as they afterwards became. But as the requirements of the wool trade were of paramount importance, and river shipping was then a very lucrative industry, Mr. Sinclair, who had already set up at the Beaver as a merchant on the Opawa river bank, sold the quarter-acre sections in the new township of £10 each. In 1855 Mr. Joseph Taylor, the “Village Blacksmith,” settled at the Beaver, and Messrs Tucker, Robinson, Kenny, and Simmonds swelled the lists of storekeepers and employers of labour. The little settlement quickly expanded, and, in 1857, Dr. Muller was sent down from Nelson to act as postmaster and magistrate. The town and rural sections on the Beaver were rapidly taken up, and the business portion of the township soon extended along the bank of the Opawa river. Hotels, a bank, and the Provincial Council Chambers were speedily erected; and Mr. Sinclair, by building wharves and wool stores soon concentrated a large share of the wool transport trade in the new town. By 1859 the value of town land had so far increased that the small section on which the first Marlborough hotel was built was purchased for no less than £150.
When the township was laid out by Messrs Fell and Seymour, liberal reserves had been made for educational, religious, and other public purposes; and of these advantage was speedily taken. In 185/ the Rev. D. Nicholson, who had on several occasions visited the Wairau, left Nelson and set up at Renwicktown, the first Presbyterian church in Marlborough. He was followed by the Ven. Archdeacon Butt, who resigned his Nelson cure to found the first Anglican church in the Wairau. The Roman Catholic church in those days was represented by Father Garin and Father Tressallett, who, like all ministers of the Gospel at that time, were compelled to brave all the hardships and dangers of early colonial life in their self-denying
The little township at “the Beaver,” or Blenheim as it began to be called, was now fairly started on the path of expansion and progress. By 1860 the inhabitants numbered 300 all told; and in January of that year it confirmed its civilised status by starting a newspaper, the “Marlborough Press.” The editor was Mr. H. Millington, and the paper appeared weekly till the seat of Government was removed to Picton. In 1864 the “Wairau Record” was started under the editorship of Mr. E. Tucker to represent the views of Blenheim in opposition to its rival, but it did not live long. Then Mr. Millington came back from Picton and started the “Marlborough News.” A frequent contributor to
Of the other townships in Marlborough district the most important are Havelock, at the head of the Pelorus Sound, the headquarters,
Marlborough still suffers sadly from a lack of means of internal communication. The only railway is that between Picton and Seddon, a distance of thirty-three miles and a-half. Three trains run daily between Picton and Blenheim—eighteen miles—and trains run twice daily on three days in the week, and once daily on the other three days, from Blenheim on to Seddon. One very important work of recent years is the railway and traffic bridge over the dangerous Awatere river, erected at a cost of £22,500. What Marlborough needs in railroads, however, she has to some extent supplied by admirable roads. The North Road to Nelson—seventy-eight miles—is a splendid highway, and the coach travels the distance three times a week in eleven hours. The road follows the Wairau and the Kaituna from Blenheim to Havelock; then goes up the Pelorus and Rai Valleys, and by a very gradual ascent crosses the Waimangaroa Saddle to Nelson. The South Road runs over the Awatere through the Starborough. Flaxbourne, and Kekerangu stations to Kaikoura, and so into Canterbury. The road in bad weather leaves much to be desired, but a new road running south of Kaikoura to the Conway, and forming part of the main Cheviot-Kaikoura road, will help greatly to open up the country, while its picturesque scenery is certain to draw tourists to the district, so soon as its attractions become better known.
The tourist is admittedly a valuable asset for New Zealand, and Marlborough can offer many inducements to travellers who delight in the beauties of Nature. The Sounds have suffered from comparison with the glories of the West Coast Sounds; but no one who has seen Queen Charlotte Sound or the Pelorus in suitable weather can deny their wonderfully varied charms. “The scene,” says a recent visitor
But it is clearly not upon its picturesque scenery that the future prospects of Marlborough depend. Its agricultural, pastoral and mineral resources all entitle it to take a high place among the wealth-producing districts of the colony; and its industrial advances were well illustrated at the highly successful Industrial Exhibition that was opened at Blenheim by the Governor in September, 1904. In speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the Premier justly praised the energy and enterprise that the people of Marlborough have displayed in fighting their way to prosperity—against the heavy natural disadvantages with which they have had to contend; and he instanced as a proof of the district's progress the fact that land which in 1875 could be got for £1 an acre, was now worth £50 an acre. Visitors from Wellington were amazed at the richness of the soil and the elaborate cultivation of the Wairau district; and the evidences of progress and prosperity supplied by the Exhibition give every reason to hope and believe that Marlborough is now at least fairly on the way to realise the high hopes formed by the pioneers who first came down from Nelson sixty years ago to plant their tents in the wilderness, “strong in the faith of better days to be.”
The provincial history of Marlborough is a very interesting record of the struggles and failures and successes that went to make up colonial progress in the early days. When provincial Government was first established in 1853, the Wairau had one representative in the Nelson Council—Mr. Joseph Ward. By 1858, in a Council of twenty-four, the Marlborough members were four in number—Messrs Balfour, Wemyss, Elliot, and John Tinline. About this time the eastern district began to agitate for a more equitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of provincialism; and the Nelson settlers who had taken up land on the Wairau, resenting the democratic policy of the new Superintendent, Mr. J. P. Robinson, determined to cut themselselves adrift from the parent settlement. According to Mr. Buick, the New Provinces Act was “specially designed to enable the landed proprietors of Nelson to place themselves beyond the reach of a Radical Superintendent and his followers”; a view which is to some extent confirmed by the special provision introduced into the Act, dealing with the minimun distance of the boundaries from Nelson town. The squatters practically secured the legal power to assess their land, and to levy taxation to suit themselves. But they could never have won over the small settlers to their way of thinking if it had not been for the genuine grievances of which the whole district justly complained. The Nelson Government had sold nearly £160,000 worth of land in Marlborough district as against only £33,000 worth in Nelson proper; and with the exception of about £200, all this large sum had been expended for the benefit of Nelson city and its immediate neighbourhood. Beyond this, not content with robbing Marlborough of her land fund and her Customs' duties, Nelson failed to supply either police protection of facilities for education to the settlers, or to spend any money whatever on their social, moral or material advancement. Under these circumstances an energetic canvass of the settlers by Mr. W. B. Earl in favour of separation produced results beyond the most sanguine expectations; and in October, 1859, in response to a heavily signed petition, Marlborough was gazetted as a separate and independent province.
The elections of the first Provincial Council were held in 1860, and resulted in the return of ten gentlemen of whom seven were runholders: Messrs W. Adams, W. D. H. Baillie, C. Goulter, J. Godfrey, W. H. Eyes, H. Dodson, J. Sinclair, A. P. Seymour, Charles Elliot, and Joseph Ward. Mr. Adams was elected Superintendent, and Mr. Goulter Speaker of the new Council; and for purposes of economy the new administration began without an executive. Subsequently the Superintendent took Messrs Seymour and Ward into his confidence, and the first legislative acts of the new Government included a successful attempt to free the sheep-farmers from taxation and to increase the imposts already levied on the small agricultural holdings. But hitherto the small settlers had submitted without demur to the will of their wealthy and more influential brethren. The first cause of disunion in the new Council was the rivalry between Mr. Eyes and the Superintendent, combined with the bitter local jealousy that had already sprung up between Picton and Blenheim. In the first session of the Council it was resolved, on the proposal of Mr. Seymour that the Provincial Buildings be erected at Picton; and this removal of the seat of government from Blenheim was for many years the chief motive cause at work behind all Marlborough political controversies. Of the Blenheim party, led by Mr. Eyes, Mr. Buick has said that “it seemed to them that any compact was justified, any opposition legitimate, which might harass their opponents, to bring about a dissolution of the Council, so that in the chances of an election fortune might favour them, and they would go back with a majority sufficient to turn the scales against Picton.” This one fact alone is sufficient to explain the intensity of political party feeling in Marlborough, the frequent dissolution of the Council, and the brief tenure of office allowed to the various Superintendents.
In 1861 the first steps were taken toward the connection of Blenheim and Picton by rail. Mr. Eyes, as leader of the Blenheim faction, opposed the Railway Loan Bill, urging that a road could be made for £10,000, as against £60,000 required for the railway. The Fox Government vetoed the Loan Bill, and at this juncture Mr. Adams resigned the position of Superintendent — for which his political experience and practical ability eminently fitted him—for the more desirable post of Commissioner of Crown Lands. The net results of his administration had been financially successful for the province as a whole. Land, especially in and near the towns, had risen enormously in value; town acre lots, which had been assessed at £17 10s by the Nelson Government, were now valued at £97 7s. But the chief benefit of the new administration had certainly gone to the pastoralists, whose land had actually dropped in assessed value, while the small farmers were penalised out of all proportion to their resources.
On the resignation of Mr. Adams Captain W. D. H. Baillie was unaimously elected Superintendent, chiefly on account of his manly and vigorous character. Mr. Eyes and his friends succeeded in reducing Mr. Adams' salary, and that gentleman left the district for Nelson, where
In 1862 the growth of population made it advisable to increase the size of the Provincial Council. A long series of intrigues and coalitions followed, the pastoralists endeavouring to secure an undue share of representation, and being assisted thereto by the Blenheim party, who hoped as the price of their aid to get enough help from the pastoralists to bring back the seat of Government to Blenheim. The Council was enlarged to seventeen members, several of whom were hostile to the party in power and Captain Baillie prorogued the Council as a means of averting the struggle. The Opposition denied the Superintendent's right to pro-rogue the Council at will, called a meeting of their own number, and elected Mr. Eyes Superintendent. For a month the new Council and the new Superintendent held their ground, and then, finding the position impossible, Mr. Eyes pro-rogued his own Council and appealed to the Supreme Court. After six months' delay, during which the provincial officers received no salary, Judge Johnston gave his decision in favour of Captain Baillie; and the Governor then dismissed the Council. The election of 1863 was in favour of the Picton party, and it was not felt advisable that Captain Baillie should continue to be Superintendent. The choice of his party fell upon Mr. Thomas Carter, a Wairau Valley runholder. The executive consisted chiefly of Captain Baillie and of Mr. Goulter, who had held various oilices ever since the foundation of the province, and now assumed his old duties as Provincial Treasurer. At this time the agricultural interests of the colony were at a rather low ebb. The heavy expenditure on public works had raised the wages of unskilled labour, and thus rendered farming expensive; and the outbreak of the Wakamarina diggings, in 1864, reduced the amount of labour available for casual work, and still further raised wages against the farmer. The Wakamarina was a very rich field, and yielded at least 32,000 ounces of gold, valued at DpD130,000 in less than two years. But it was soon deserted, and many companies have since lost money there in a vain attempt to bottom the rich leads. After the excitement of the “rush” had subsided, Mr. Carter had most of his energies occupied in finding work for the unemployed, and in attempting to devise a more or less safe and permanent tenure for the pastoral runholders. His difficulties increased so fast that in 1864 he resigned the Superintendency. He is described by Mr. Buick in “Old Marlborough” as slow and deliberate in thought and action, but careful, shrewd and thoroughgoing; has great practical ability made him not only a successful Superintendent, but one of the largest landholders and the wealthiest men in the province.
Mr. Carter's successor in office was Mr. Arthur P. Seymour, a runholder from the Awatere district. From the outset he found himself unable to keep his Executive in check or to satisfy the discontented members of the Council; and the difficulties of his position soon encouraged the Blenheim faction to make another determined effort to wrest the premier position from Picton. After a desperate struggle, in which Mr. A. Beauchamp created a reputation and a record by speaking for nearly eleven hours at a stretch in defence of Picton, the Superintendent and his friends were beaten, the seat of government was removed again to Blenheim, and with the close of this long struggle Mr. Seymour's Superintendency came to an end.
The extension of settlement in the direction of Wairau and Kaikoura had greatly increased the power of the Blenheim party in the Council. Next session Mr. Goulter was once more elected Speaker, and Mr. Eyes, who had been for so many years champion of Blenheim's cause, was chosen Superintendent. Mr. Eyes opened his official career at Blenheim with a vigorous attempt to improve the provincial finances by throwing the formation and maintenance of roads upon local rates. The new Superintendent had a difficult duty to perform, but he was a fluent speaker and an experienced politician, and for four years he held his party together largely by the dominating force of his own strong personality. His land regulations, however, were not altogether popular, and his advocacy of the abolition of provincial government certainly cost him some supporters. In 1869 the general election left him in a minority, and to save himself for the time he prorogued the Council. But he could not carry on the administration without supplies, and
, the first Superintendent of the province of Marlborough, was born on the 21st of March, 1811, at Upton, Herefordshire, England. In the year 1850, he left his native land for New Zealand, and arrived at Nelson in the barque “Eden.” He went to Wairau, and settled on the Rodwood rim, in the Avondalp Valley. During his Superintendence, he held the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands. After resigning the former office, he was appointed legal adviser to the Provincial Council, but, on his political opponents voting for a reduction of his provincial emoluments, he resigned the Commissinnor-ship, removed to Nelson, and there founded the legal firm of Adams and Kingdon. Long before this he had acquired a pastoral run, on the north bank of the Wairau river, and there he afterwards died, in the year 1884. His grave, hewn out of the solid rock, on the site of an old Maori fighting pa, at Langley Dale, is one of the most picturesque spots in Marlborough.
who was second Superintendent of Marlborough, comes of an old Scotch family, whose name is met with in the time of Edward I., when Sir John Baillie was appointed one of the arbitrators to hear and determine upon the claims of the competitors for the Crown of Scotland, in the year 1292. Sir William Baillie, of Lamington, in Lanarkshire, had three sons, the second of whom settled in County Down, Ireland, and from him Captain Baillie is descended. Captain Baillie's father was a lieutenant in the 23rd Fusiliers, and a Waterloo veteran, and afterwards became Commissioner of Crown Lands at New Brunswick; and his grandfather, a captain in the 51st Regiment, was present at the battle of Minden. Captain Baillie himself was born at Brunswick, Canada, on the 22nd of February, 1827, and was educated at the Military School, Woolwich, At the age of nineteen, he entered the British army as an ensign of the 24th Foot, and went to India, where he was for six years serving with Sir Hugh Gough, and Sir Colin Campbell, afterwards respectively Lord Gough and Lord Clyde. Ensign Baillie was in the Punjaub campaign of 1848–9, and was present at the battle of Chilian Wallah, when his regiment was much cut up by the Sihk army under Shere Singh. At the end of 1853. Lieutenant Baillie returned to England. He obtained promotion to the rank of captain in the year 1854, and was Commandant at Chichester until he came to New Zealand, in the ship “Oriental,” in 1857. Captain Baillie settled in the Wairau, where he remained for several years, but he afterwards disposed of his run of 5000 acres, and has since then resided on his estate near Picton. He has for about forty years been connected with the volunteer movement, and for a great portion of that time he was Colonel Commandant of the Marlborough Volunteer Forces. In 1881, he accompanied the expedition to Parihaka. Captain Baillie entered politics in the year 1861, when he was returned as a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council, in which he sat until its abolition, in 1876. He was the second Superintendent of the province, and held office in 1862–3: and afterwards he was for ten or twelve years Speaker of the Council. Captain Baillie was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1861, and is now (1905) its senior member. He held the position of Chairman of Committies for about thirty yours. Captain Baillie was a member of the Marlborough Education Board for more than twenty years. In the year 1854, he married a daughter of Major Grensill. Commissary of Ordnance in the Imperial Service, and has two daughters and three sons.
, the third Superintendent of the province of Marlborough, was born on the 24th of January, 1827, in Winterton, Lincolnshire, England, and was educated in his native place. In early manhood he left England for the Californian goldfields, whence he made his way to the newly-discovered gold fields of Australia. In the year 1855, he came to New Zealand, and landed, in company
, who succeeded Mr. Thomas Carter as Superintendent, again held office, after Mr. W. H. Eyes' term, and was the last Superintendent of Marlborough. He was born at Marksbury, in Somersetshire, England, on the 20th of March, 1832. In the year 1851, he came to New Zealand, and settled shortly afterwards in the Marlborough district. Mr. Seymour was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1856 or 1857, and is the oldest Justice in Marlborough. He was returned to the first Provincial Council in 1860, and was subsequently elected Superintendent of the province. In 1865, Mr. Seymour was appointed a member of the Legislative Council, and resigned the Superintendency in 1856, but was re-elected in 1870. He resigned from the Legislative Council in 1872, and was elected to represent Wairau in the House of Representatives, in which he was Chairman of Committees from 1879 to 1882. In order to visit England, he resigned his seat in the House in 1875, but was again re-elected in 1876 as the representative of Wairau. Mr. Seymour was afterwards member for Waimea-Picton from 1887 to 1890. In 1877, he was elected first chairman of the Board of Education, and, having been re-elected many times, he long held the record for New Zealand in that connection. He has been, for the greater part of thirty-six years, a member of the Marlborough Land Board. Mr. Seymour is sole Visiting Justice of the Picton gaol, and has served as Mayor of Picton. He married a daughter of Mr. Frederick Huddleston, of Nelson, who came to the colony in the year 1855. Mr. Seymour now (1905) resides at Picton.
, who was for four years Superintendent of the province of Marlborough, was the son of a South American merchant and ship owner, and was born near Liverpool, England, in the year 1819. He was educated near Knutsford, Cheshire, and afterwards entered the office of
Messrs Gladstone and Sargeantson, cotton brokers, Liverpool, with whom he remained until the year 1838. Mr. Eyes then went to Australia in the ship “Bishop Heber,” and arrived in
After the abolition of the provinces the Liberal propaganda conducted by Sir George Grey extended its influence to Marlborough, and one sign of the spreading reaction against the old Conservative party was the defeat of Mr. Seymour by Mr. Dodson, an advanced liberal, who was elected for the Wairau in 1881. At the same election Mr. Eyes stood for Picton, but was beaten by that able lawyer, Mr. E. T. Conolly, afterwards Minister of Justice in two Governments, and later still a Judge of the Supreme Court. In 1884, Mr. Dodson defeated Mr. Joseph Ward, another representative of the old landed aristocracy in Marlborough, who then withdrew from public life. In 1887, Mr. Dodson was once more successful at the polls, and Mr. Conolly, who now gave up politics, was succeeded by Mr. A. P. Seymour, as member for Picton. By 1890, the year of the “great strike,” the Liberal and Labour party had gained so strong a hold upon the district that when Mr. Dodson retired from the Wairau they were able to elect, in opposition to Mr. Seymour, a young and almost unknown politician, Mr. T. L. Buick. In the same year Mr. Charles Houghton Mills, who has been for some years a member of Mr. Seddon's Cabinet, first appeared in Parliament as member for Waimea Sounds district.
It is impossible in this brief sketch of Marlborough's political history to do more than mention the name of many of Marlborough's public men who won honourable reputations for themselves, both in local politics and in the wider field of Parliamentary life. In the Upper House Marlborough is still represented by Captain Baillie, the oldest member of the Legislative Council, and once Superintendent of Marlborough, and by Captain Kenny who has been a prominent figure in Parliamentary history for fully twenty years. These two survivers of the old Conservative regime may help to remind us of the intensity of the struggle that was waged for many years in Marlborough between the reactionary and the progressive political parties. In no other district in the colony were the issues so clearly defined between Conservatism and Liberalism, and in none was the struggle more obstinate and doubtful. But the political history of Marlborough may well be a source of pride to the people of the district, for in the words of the historian of “Old Marlborough,” “as she was served at home by able men she has also sent to the counsels of the colony others who have obtained because they have deserved the respect and confidence of their fellow-members.”
was appointed to the Legislative Council in the year 1861. He is further referred to as one of the Superintendents of Marlborough.
was called to the Legislative Council on the 15th of May, 1885. He was born in Burma, India, in 1839, when his father was commandant of the Madras Presidency, and was educated at Harrow, England. It was decided that he should follow a military life, and his father, two uncles, three brothers, and other kinsmen, have all held, commissions in the army. On the outbreak of the Crimean war, he left as a member of the 88th Connaught Rangers for the scene of action; but in one of the fierce conflicts that opened that famous struggle, he was severely wounded; indeed, his condition was so precarious that he was sent back to England as an invalid. He was, however, in recognition of his services, promoted to the rank of captain. During convalescence, and while still on sick leave, he came out to New Zealand; and, his regiment having in the meantime been ordered to India, he resigned his military appointment,
was a member of the Legislative Council from the year 1865 to the year 1872. He is further referred to as a Superintendent of Marlborough.
Mr. J. D. Tetley was appointed to the Legislative Council in the year 1867, and resigned two years later. He then went to the Argentine, where he died many years ago. During his residence in New Zealand, he was a runholder on a large scale, and at one time held the Kekerangu and Starborough stations.
Commissioner of Trade and Customs, and Member of the House of Representatives for Wairau, was born in Nelson in the year 1844. His father, the late Mr. Richard Mills, was one of the early pioneers of the colony, and came to Nelson in 1841 in the ship “Lord Auckland.” In the early fifties the family removed to Wellington, when Mr. Mills, senior, was Governor of the Gaol for many years. Mr. Mills was educated at the public schools, and was for four years a pupil teacher in the Te Aro school, Wellington. He was then for some years at sea, and was afterwards engaged in farming and mining, and finally settled at Havelock. He was a member of the Provincial Council, the Pelorus Road Board, the Havelock Town Board, the Picton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the Marlborough County Council, and was chairman of the Havelock school committee for many years. For twelve years Mr. Mills was also a member of the Marlborough Land and Education Boards. In the year 1890, he successfully contested the Waimea-Picton seat, and in 1893, when the boundaries were altered, he was returned for Waimea-Sounds. In 1896, the Waimea-Sounds electorate ceased to exist, and Mr. Mills was elected for Wairau. In 1899, he was again elected for Wairau by a majority of 1,376 votes, and was re-elected at the general election of 1902 by a large majority. During the time Mr. Mills has been in Parliament, he has been a member of the Goldfields and Waste Lands Committees, and was for three years chairman of the Public Petitions Committee. In 1893 he was appointed Government Whip, a position which he held until the 29th of October, 1900, establishing a world's record in point of time. Mr. Mills was called to the Seddon Ministry, with the portfolio of Commissioner of Trade and Customs, on the 29th of October, 1904. He is also Minister in charge of the Advances to Settlers Office, the Valuation Department, and the Cook and other Islands Administration. Mr. Mills married a daughter of Mr. John Morrison, in the year 1871.
represented Wairau in the first Parliament of New Zealand, in the proceedings of which he took a prominent part, and was regarded as a man of considerable promise. He was associated with Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald in the Executive Council that held office from the 14th of June till the 2nd of August, 1854, and was Minister for Native Affairs in Mr. Stafford's Government. In the year 1860, he was defeated by Mr. W. H. Eyes, by the narrow majority of four votes. Shortly afterwards he was elected member for Cheviot, and held office as Premier from the 24th of November, 1864, to the 16th of October, 1865. Apart from politics, he was well known as a pastoralist, and a member of the firm of Clifford and Weld, owners of Flaxbourne, one of the most notable of the early historic sheep runs of New Zealand. In his later years, he was associated with the colonial branch of the Imperial service, and was successively, Governor of West Australia, Tasmania, and the Straits Settlements. His services in this connection extended from 1869 till 1887, when he retired on a pension; and he had, also, been created a knight of the order of St. Michael and St. George. Sir Frederick Weld died in England, on the 20th of July, 1891. His portrait, and a brief sketch of his life, appear on page 60 of the Wellington volume of this work.
was member for Wairau in the House of Representatives from the year 1856 to the year 1858, and subsequently sat as member for the suburbs of Nelson. He is further referred to on Page 33 of this volume.
was elected to the House of Representatives, as member for Wairau, in the year 1860, when he defeated Mr. F. A. Weld, the sitting member, by four votes. He supported the Fox party in the House, and on his vote the Stafford Ministry was overthrown. Mr. Eyes is further referred to as one of the Superintendents of Marlborough.
Dr. Monro was elected unopposed to represent Picton in the House of Representatives, in the year 1860, and in the next session he became Speaker of the House. Subsequently he was returned as member for Cheviot, and was again elected Speaker, a position which he filled until the 13th of September, 1870. In 1866, he was knighted in recognition of his services as Speaker. After twenty-five years of political life, he retired, and lived in
was elected in the year 1866 to represent Picton in the House of Representatives. He was also a member for the same district in the Marlborough Provincial Council, and during the debate, at Picton, to remove the seat of Government to Blenheim, Mr. Beauchamp led a strong stonewall by speaking for ten hours and forty minutes. Prior to the inception of the Borough Council at Picton, he was chairman of the Town Board, and, in later years he acted as Government Valuer at Wanganui. Mr. Beauchamp was born in Highgate, London, England, on the 4th of October, 1828, and was educated at the Highgate Grammar School. After some commercial experience, he left England, in the year 1848, by the barque “Lochnagar,” for Australia, where he was engaged in business, for several years, in various parts of Victoria and New South Wales. Mr. Beauchamp then visited New Zealand to take possession of some land left to him by a relative, but owing to unlooked-for complications between the Government and the New Zealand Land Company, of which his relative had been a promoter and shareholder, he returned to Sydney, at the time of the gold rush. He unsuccessfully followed the goldfields for some time, and finally started an auctioneering business in Melbourne, but, as the climate proved fatal to his young children, he sold out and came to New Zealand in the brig “Lalla Rookh.” Mr. Beauchamp settled in Picton, where he established himself in business, in 1861. In 1867, he opened a branch business on the Buller, as an auctioneer and timber merchant. He subsequently sold his interest at the Buller, and started an auctioneering business in Wanganui and at Wellington, and sawmilling at Manaroa, in the Pelorus Sound; but the sawmill was destroyed by fire. In 1880, Mr. Buauchamp removed to Christenchurch, where he was a well-known auctioneer for ten years. After many vicissitudes, he settled at Kenepuru, in the Pelorus Sound, where he resides with one of his sons, Mr. Stanley Beauchamp.
was elected in the year 1867, to represent Picton in the House of Representatives. He is further referred to as the first Superintendent of Marlborough.
sat for Picton in the House of Representatives from 1868 to 1881. He is further referred to as a member of the Legislative Council, to which he was called on the 15th of May, 1885.
was a member of the House of Representatives from the year 1872 to the year 1875, and again from 1876 to 1881. He is further referred to as one of the Superintendents of Marlborough.
, sometime of Blythfield, was a Member of Parliament for the Wairau in 1872, and one of the pioneer settlers of Nelson and Marlborough. He was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1817, and came out to Nelson, New Zealand, in 1842. Very soon afterwards he removed to Marlborough, where he was surveying for a few years. He and his brother-in-law, the late Mr. Cyrus Goulter, were employed by the New Zealand Company and the Provincial Government of Nelson, of which Marlborough was then a part, to lay off the Wairau Plain in agricultural blocks. He also surveyed many of the large pastoral runs in the province, and was selected by the Marlborough Provincial Government of the day to cut up and lay off the town and district of Kaikoura. Mr. Ward afterwards took up on the Clarence river a large block of country, known as the Warden run, to which he subsequently added another adjoining block, known as the Tytler run. This large strotch of country at one time carried from 50,000 to 60,000 sheep, but the cost of eradicating scab and the concurrent destruction of the pasturage by rabbits, compelled Mr. Ward to relinquish pastoral pursuits on a large scale, and for the last seven or eight years of his life he devoted his attention to the Blythfield and Brookby estates, which were disposed of after his death. Mr. Ward took a prominent part in the provincial councils of Nelson and Marlborough, and was on the Commission of the Peace. As a politician he was a strong Conservative, and from the earliest days of provincialism to within a few months of his death he took a leading part in all matters affecting the political welfare of the district. He more than once acted as Deputy-Superintendent of Marlborough, and when Mr. A. P. Seymour visited the Old Country, Mr. Ward, whose opponent was Mr. Sefton Moorhouse, was elected to represent Wairau in Parliament. Mr. Ward was a fine, ready and at times pungent speaker. While he was in Parliament the abolition of the provinces took place, and he was one of the strongest opponents of that measure. Mr. Ward stood for re-election, but was defeated by the late Mr. Henry Dodson. He was afterwards frequently solicited to stand, but he never again consented to be nominated, and was accustomed to plead as an excuse that the intrigue of colonial politics as practised in Wellington was not to his liking. In church matters Mr. Ward was an ardent supporter of the Roman Catholic Church. No settler in Marlborough had faced more of the trials and hardships incidental to the early settlement of the country, than Mr. Ward. He was a true pioneer, and no privation ever hindered him from doing his duty to himself or his adopted country. The pass between the Wairau and Nelson, known as Ward's Pass, was discovered by him. Though not exactly an eye witness of the Wairau massacre, Mr. Ward was at the time surveying in the neighbourhood, and arrived on the scene a day or two later to behold the ghastly havoc that had been wrought by the Maoris. Mr. Ward died on the 12th of November, 1892, in consequence of a severe attack of influenza, and left a widow, seven sons and three daughters to mourn a devoted husband and loving father. In less than five months, his widow—a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Redwood, and sister of Archbishop Redwood—followed him to the grave, grief for the loss of her husband having broken up her constitution. Mr. and Mrs Ward had come to Nelson together in the ship “George Fyffe,” in 1842.
was elected member of the House of Representatives for Picton, in the year 1881, when he defeated Mr. W. H. Eyes by forty-one votes. He was a lawyer by profession, and he had formerly been a member of the Provincial Council. On the 11th of October, 1882, he became Minister of Justice in the Whitaker Ministry, and he also held the same office in conjunction with that of Attorney-General in the Atkinson Ministry, from the 25th of September, 1883, to the 16th of August, 1884, Mr. Conolly represented Picton until 1887, when he retired from political life. He was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court on the 15th of August, 1889, and resigned on the 9th of September, 1903. Mr. Conolly is further referred to on page 81 of the Wellington, and page 272 of the Auckland, volume of this Cyclopedia.
sat for Wairau in the House of Representatives from the year 1882 to the year 1890. He played a conspicuous part in the public life of Marlborough during the earlier years of its history. Mr. Dod-son was a member for some years of the Provincial Council, was four times Mayor of Blenheim, and was a painstaking and useful member of many minor corporations. He was born in England, and was the son of an officer in the Imperial Army. At an early age, Mr. Dodson went to Canada, whence he came to New Zealand. He arrived in Blenheim—then known as the “Beaver”—some time in the fifties, and subsequently founded the brewing establishment that still bears his name. At his death, he left three sons and three daughters.
, J.P., represented the Wairau electorate in the House of Representatives from the year 1890 to the year 1896, At his first election, he opposed Messrs S. J. Macalister and A. P. Seymour, and was returned by a majority of seventy-seven votes. At that time, he was the youngest candidate who had ever been elected to the House. Mr. Buick is the author of “Old Marlborough.” He is now (1905) senior partner in the firm of Buick and Russell, proprietors of the “Advocate” newspaper, Dannevirke.
, the chief town of Marlborough, is picturesquely situated at the junction of the Opawa and Omaka rivers, near the centre of the Wairau Plain. In some respects, on account of the almost unbroken flatness of the surrounding country, it resembles, in miniature, the city of Christchurch. For many years it was known as Beav-ertown, or colloquially “The Beaver,” but was re-named Blenheim, in commemoration of one of the victories of the Duke of Marl-borough, whose name is borne by the province. Blenheim's natural endowients, its municipal improvements, and the development of the adjacent country favour the furtherance of practical interests; and the place has, also, considerable scenic beauty. The rivers by which the town is intersected are fringed with willow trees, and their windings enhance the general attractiveness, which is largely due to the vigorous growth and striking freshness of the vegetation, and the prevalence of deciduous and evergreen trees. Blenheim, too, enjoys one of the sunniest and healthiest climates in New Zealand, and is specially noted for its mild and even temperature.
In the early days the timber industry was of much importance; but, as the soil was well adapted for agriculture and pasturage, sawmilling was but a means to the establishment of the more permanent business of farming. Indeed, Blenheim soon became recognised as essentially a farming centre, and, as such, it has experienced a steadily increasing prosperity. The town was constituted a borough in 1869, and Mr. F. J. Litchfield was elected its first mayor. Population throughout the province has gradually grown, and the number of residents within the borough is now (1905) about 3,500. Though farming is the main industrial support of Blenheim, there are several
The cutting up of large pastoral estates has materially advanced the interests of Blenheim; and the extension of the railway, and further development of the province, will assure a permanent pros-perity to the capital town.
was constituted a borough on the 6th of March, 1869. It is situated in the centre of the Wairau Plain, embraces an area of 1,571 acres, possesses 670 ratepayers, and 1,450 rateable properties. The capital rateable value is £387,963; the unimproved rateable value £172,154, and the value of improvements, £215,809. The rates since 1901 have been struck on the unimproved values, and thet annual rateable value is £23,277. The rates now in force consist of a general rate of 2½d in the £; a Hospital and Charitable Aid rate of 2 2/8 of a penny in the £ on the annual rateable values; a special rate of ⅜d in the £, to provide interest for a special loan of £4,500, borrowed for the purpose of paying off a loan of £3000 and overdraft; and a special rate of 5–16ths of a penny in the £ to provide interest on uinking fund and other charges on a special loan of £3,500, for reclamation works in Collie's Hollow and LockUp Creek. There are several loans of a reproductive nature; namely, the gas works loan of £14,000, borrowed in the year 1905 on £100 debentures and repayable in 1910; the town hall loan of £4000, borrowed in 1905, and the abattoirs' loan of £3,300. The total assets of the town in March, 1905, were £30,000, and the liabilities, including loans, about £30,000. Street lighting is undertaken by the Borough Council, and the streets are well lighted; there is no permanent system of drainage, but the Council has the matter now (1905) under consideration, and it is likely that an up-to-date system will soon be introduced. There is a well equipped fire brigade station under the management of an efficient volunter fire brigade, which is subsidised to the amount of £75 annually by the Corporation. The disposal of refuse is effected privately. The borough has a Free Library, which contains 3,500 volumes. The population of the borough is about 3,500. The Council Chambers are situated in the Government buildings. Members of the Council for the year 1905: Messrs E. H. Penny (Mayor),
J.P., has occupied a seat on the Blenheim Borough Council since December, 1899, and is now (1905) serving his first term in the Mayoral chair. He was born in the year 1859, at Stockport, Lancashire, England, where he was educated at the Grammar School, and was afterwards trained to business under his father, a wholesale paper merchant in Manchester. Mr. Penny came to New Zealand in 1883, but, after spending a few months in Wellington, returned to the Old Country. He, however, came again to New Zealand in 1884, and settled in Blenheim in 1885. For several years he was employed at the Marlborough Farmers' Co-operative Stores, and in the year 1893, he purchased a general stationery business, which he has since conducted with considerable success under the style of Stationers' Hall. Mr. Penny is a member of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and of the Blenheim Borough School committee, of which he has been chairman since 1901. He is a local preacher of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, teacher of the senior class in the Sunday school, and was for several years superintendent of the Sunday school. In 1904, he went to Melbourne as one of the delegates to represent New Zealand at the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia. Mr. Penny married Miss Blaymires, of Picton, in 1890, and has three sons and three daughters. He is further referred to as a bookseller and stationer in Market Street North, Blenheim.
is the oldest sitting member of the Blenheim Borough Council. He was first elected about the year 1882, and, excepting for an interval of about two years, he has retained his seat continuously ever since. Mr. Ching was born in December, 1845, in Nelson, where his father was for many years a farmer at Stoke, having emigrated to Nelson with the expedition under Captain Wakefield in 1842. He was educated in Nelson, and had some early experience in farming, and then spent a short time in prospecting for gold at Hokitika on the very spot that afterwards became known as the Kanieri goldfields. Later on, Mr. Ching went to Wakapuaka, where he carried on farming for about five years. He afterwards removed to Blenheim, and for some years carried on business as a carter and wood dealer. About the year 1886, Mr. Ching bought a small farm on the old Renwick road, and still conducts it; and in 1902, he opened a produce store in Grove road, and he also carries this on at the present time (1905). Mr. Ching has been a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars for thirty years, and a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters for thirty-five years. He served in the Blenheim Rifles for twenty-two years, and received the New Zealand and Imperial medals; and he was, also, a member of the Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade for a great number of years, and of the Blenheim school committee. Mr. Ching married a daughter of Mr. John Doidge, of Stoke, in the year 1868, and has two sons and six daughters, of whom one son and two daughters are married.
has been a member of the Blenheim Borough Council since April, 1903. He was born in the North Island of New Zealand in the year 1859, and educated in public schools. Mr. Carr is first engineer of the local Volunteer Fire Brigade, and has been a member of the Wairau River Board for about twenty years.
was first elected to the Blenheim Borough Council in the year 1904, and re-elected in April, 1905. He was born in England in 1864, and came to New Zealand in 1876. Mr. Patchett is a member of the Wairau River Board, the local Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Blenheim Bowling Club.
is a member of the Blenheim Borough Council. He was born in Worcester, England, where he served his time at engmeering in his native town with Mr. George Lacy, and subsequently was for several years with two large engineering firms—Messrs Tangye Brothers and Messrs May and Mountain—of Birmingham. In 1874, Mr. Birch came to New Zealand, and established himself in business in Blenheim as a patternmaker and turner. Seven years later, he procured a small plant that enabled him to deal with engines and machines generally, and he now (1905) conducts a prosperous business as a turner, machinist, engineer and cycle expert. Mr. Birch was for many years a member of the Wairau River Board, and was chairman at the time of the construction of the flood-relief channel. He has, for twenty years, been a member of the local school committee, of which he has been chairman on several occasions, and has been a member of the Garrison Band for twenty years, of which he was master for two years. Mr. Birch, who is a tenor singer of some ability, is further referred to as a
was elected a member of the Blenheim Borough Council in August, 1905. He was born on the 30th of October, 1854, in Worcestershire, England, and was educated at Cowley school, Oxford, and Cathedral King's school, Worcester, and afterwards served an apprenticeship to the ironmongery trade. In the year 1876, Mr. Brown came to New Zealand, landed in Lyttelton, and spent the two following years at station work in Canterbury. He joined the Armed Constabulary in Wellington, in 1878, and was sent to Taranaki. Two years later, Mr. Brown went to the Wakamarina diggings, where he prospected with some success for about five years. In 1885, he removed to Blenheim as book-keeper to the late Mr. E. Bythell, builder and contractor, with whom he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; and, except for the years 1892 and 1893, when he went goldmining in Australia, he has remained at Blenheim ever since. On the death of Mr. Bythell, in 1894, Mr. Brown was appointed manager of the business. He was a member of the Blenheim Borough School committee, and of the local volunteer fire brigade for several years, and for a long time a member, and afterwards a lieutenant, of the Blenheim City Rifles, and a trustee of the local cemetery. Mr. Brown married Mrs Bythell, widow of the late Mr. Elijah Bythell, in August, 1896.
was elected to the Blenheim
was elected a member of the Blenheim Borough Council in April, 1905. He was born in Honiton, Devonshire, England, in February, 1863, and is a son of the late Mr. William Pike, who is referred to on another page as an old colonist. Mr. Pike emigrated to New Zealand with his parents in the year 1864, and was educated at the local borough school. He afterwards learned carpentry, and after completing an apprenticeship he continued for some time as a journeyman. Mr. Pike was then taken into partnership by his father, a farmer, and continued as such until the year 1894, when the business was taken over by Messrs W. D. Pike and T. Pike, under the name of Messrs W. Pike and Sons. The firm immediately added to its business traction engine work, and to-day the grain-cutting and chaff cutting plant owned by the firm is one of the largest and most efficient in the province. Mr. Pike is a member of the Blenheim school committee, and a trustee of the Methodist Church. He has for twenty years been musical conductor of the Methodist Sunday school, and has for twenty-four years been a member of the church choir. Mr. Pike married Miss Mary Gifford, of Spring Creek, in the year 1891, and has two sons and one daughter.
is a member of the Blenheim Borough Council. He was born on the l2th of June, 1849, in Essex, England, where he was educated. Mr. Wiffen afterwards learned the business of a brewer and malster in Gloucestershire, and at twenty years of age went, under contract, to manage extensive malthouses in Chicago, America. Three years and six months later he returned to England, and shortly afterwards saded for New Zealand, under engagement to Messrs Wigram Brothers, of Christchurch. Though he contracted for only three years' service with that firm, he remained in its employment for eight years, and he then resigned to establish himself in Dunedin, under the style of the Otago Malting Company. The imposition of the protective tariff, however, rendered his business in Otago unprofitable, and in January, 1904, he opened up under the same style in Blenheim. Mr. Wiffen occupies offices in High Street, has extensive stores on the riverbank, near the centre of the town, and trades as a malster and wholesale dealer in grain, wool, seeds, flax, and other produce. During his long residence in New Zealand, Mr. Wifien has taken a keen interest in public affairs. While a resident of Canterbury, he was a member of the Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and of the Selwyn County Council, and was for some years chairman of the Heathcote Road Board, and of the Heathcote Valley school committee.
was re-elected to the Blenheim Borough Council in April, 1905. He was born in Surrey, England, in December, 1844, and came out to New Zealand with his parents when he was fourteen years of age. Mr. White was appointed, in May, 1860, to a junior clerkship in the office of the Superintendent of Marlborough. In 1862, he was appointed Land Office Clerk, and, later on, in addition to that office, Clerk to the Superintendent, Accountant to the Provincial Treasury, and Clerk of the Provincial Council, and continued in these positions until the abolition of the provinces in 1876. He was then transferred to the Government Lands Department. In 1879, Mr. White was appointed Returning Officer, Registrar of Electors, and Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, but in 1891, he resigned to establish himself in business as a land, estate and finaneial agent; and in this capacity he has acquired an extensive connection. Mr. White also acted as auctioneer for the Land Department, not only during his term of service under the Provincial Government, but also under the General Government. Mr. White is a member of the Marlborough Education Board, and of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, as well as of the Nelson Diocesan Synod, and the General Synod of the Church of England in New Zealand.
, Town Clerk of Blenheim, is a son of the late Mr. James Sinclair, the founder of Blenheim. He was born in Blenheim, and educated at the wellington, Nelson, and Canterbury Colleges. Mr. Sinclair passed his solicitor's examination in 1893; four years later, he was admitted as a solicitor by Mr. Justice Denniston, and in October, 1897, was called to the bar by Chief Justice Sir James Prendergast. Mr. Sinclair is prominently associated with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was appointed Town Clerk of Blenheim in the year 1903.
, Engineer and Surveyor to the Borough Council of Blenheim, and Manager of the Municipal Gas Works, was born in the year 1856, at Dunfermline, Fifeshire, Scotland, where he was educated. He emigrated to New Zealand as a youth, and shortly after his arrival, was apprenticed to Mr. S. Hutcheson, an engineer of Caversham, near Dunedin. About seven years later, Mr. Muir was sent to direct the construction of the present gasworks in Blenheim, and on their completion was appointed engineer to the company. Subsequently the works were municipalised, and Mr. Muir was appointed to his preset of-fice. Mr. Muir is a member of the Blenheim Bowling Club.
were originally erected and conducted by a private syndicate, and were purchased by the Blenheim Borough Council in December, 1887, since which they have undergone considerable improvements. They are situated at the corner of Customhouse Street and Redwood Street, occupy about one acre of ground, and are built chiefly in brick and concrete, with iron roofing. The main building includes the retort house, the purifier, the meter house, the engine room, the store house, and the coal shed; also a commodious gasometer, a detached workshop, and a suite of offices. The plant is replete with all necessary machinery, and carries out its work with efficiency. The consumption of coal is 750 tons per annum, and from this about 80,000,000 cubic feet of gas is
was founded in the year 1869 by Messrs Walter Litchfield, C. J. Rae, S. Johnson, James Gorrie, E. Bythell, H. Silvins, John Taylor and others, but it did not reach its present efficiency till 1881, when it was thoroughly re-organised, and the plant greatly improved. Since that date it has been a popular body, and has had amongst its members some of the most prominent men of the borough. The station is situated on a central site in Alfred Street, and comprises an engine shed; a conveniently appointed wooden building, which contains a social room, and sleeping quarters for three firemen; and a large iron framed bell tower, which carries a bell weighing five hundredweight. There are also two fire bells in other parts of the borough. The plant includes two powerful Shand-Mason portable and stationery steam engines, which pump 450 and 1000 gallons of water per minute, respectively one chemical engine of two cylinders, each with a capacity of thirty gallons; over 4,000 feet of hose; and reels, ladders, fire plugs, etc. The staff consists of twenty-seven members, including the captain, lieutenant, and two engineers. Regular and frequent practices are held, and also occasional competitions with other brigades.
, Captain of the Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade, joined the staff in 1841, and for a time was branchman, and, later on, an engineer of the brigade. He was born in Dunedin, Otago, on the 28th of August, 1865, and is a son of the late Mr. D. H. Miller, a pioneer settler, who came to New Zealand in the ship “Three Bells.” He was educated at the public schools in Dunedin and Lawrence, was apprenticed to the ironmongery trade with Messrs Ross and McNeil, of Dunedin, and was afterwards employed by Messrs Findlay and Company, where he latterly had charge of the hardware department. Later on, Mr. Miller accepted a situation under Mr. T. C. Litchfield, ironmonger, of Blenheim, and in July, 1899, in conjunction with Mr. McKay, he purchased Mr. Litchfield's business, which was subsequently conductted under the style of Messrs Miller and MeKay. Mr. Miller takes a keen interest in social affairs, is a member of the Blenheim Defence Rifle Club, was for many years a member of the Blenheim Rowing Club, and is a member of various musical societies, including the choir of the Presbyterian church, with which he has been connected for about fourteen years.
was established in December, 1902. It is situated at St. Andrews, the south-eastern suburb of the town, where a valuable section has been set apart and conveniently appointed for the purpose. The main building is a substantial concrete construction of one storey, built on the most up-to-date plan, and includes killing and hanging rooms. There are also several smaller wooden buildings, including an official room, an office, etc. The institution handles, monthly, about fifty head of eattle, 500 sheep, 105 lambs, and forty pigs. Mr. C. J. Barron, Meat and Dairy Inspector, is manager.
, Government Meat and Dairy Inspector for Blenheim, and Manager of the Municipal Abattoir, was born at “Rainbirds,” near Broad Bay, Otago, on the 3rd of March, 1875, and is the eldest son of Mr. William Barron, of “Nga Wiro,” Caversham, near Dunedin, whose biography appears in the Otago volume of the Cyclopedia. He was educated at the Otago Boys' High School, in Dunedin, and at the Canterbury Agricultural College, at Lincoln. In 1899, Mr. Barron was appointed assistant meat inspector for the Government at Timaru; he subsequently held a similar position in Wellington and in Hawke's Bay, and was appointed Inspector of Meat at Blenheim, in 1902. He was subsequently made inspector of dairies, and in March, 1903, he succeeded to the management of the municipal abattoir. Mr. Barron is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
, Blenheim, is situated at the head of the Maxwell Road, to the south-east of the borough, and contains an area of forty-four acres. Six acres are already in use, and a portion is set apart for the Roman Catholic denomination. The cemetery was opened many years ago, and there is now an annual average of fifty burials.
, the Caretaker of the Omaka Cemetery, took up his duties in July. 1889. He acts as agent for Mr. W. McGill, monumental mason, of Wellington, for whom he does a considerable business, and is supplied with all the latest monumental designs, Mr. Hay was born in Edinburgh in 1834, and came out to the colonies in 1852 by the ship “Monarch of Leith.” For about nine years he was on the Victorian goldfields, and later on for a couple of years in Otago, where he took part in the Molyneux “rush” of 1862. He subsequently followed his trade as a carpenter at Lawrence for five years, and afterwards at Tapanui for more than ten years, when he removed to Marlborough to take up his present duties. Mr. and Mrs Hay have reared up
Since the inception of the Borough Council of Blenheim, seventeen citizens, exclusive of the present Mayor, have occupied the Mayor's chair. Mr. F. J. Litchfield and Mr. Henry Dodson, the first and second Mayors of Blenheim, were elected by their colleagues in the Borough Council. Mr. Dodson, however, contended that this mode of election was not sufficiently representative, and he carried a proposal in the Council that the Mayors of Blenheim should be elected by the ratepayers. Accordingly, for several years the ratepayers — without statutory sanction—elected their Mayors, and this plan became so popular that “The Blenheim Mayors Bill” was read in the House of Representatives in the year 1875. It gave the ratepayers the legal right to elect their Mayors, and though it did not pass it was included in the Municipal Corporations Act of the following year; and that Act applied to the whole colony the democratic principle which had been first brought into use at Blenheim.
was elected the first Mayor of the Borough of Blenheim in the
year 1869, and was one of the most public spirited men associated with the early history of Blenheim. He gave many years to the public service as a member of the chief local bodies, and in other ways not so widely known, he exerted himself in the interest of the public welfare. Mr. Litchfield was born in the year 1820, at Cambridge, England, where he was educated. He afterwards learned the drapery trade in London, and subsequently conducted business on his own account with considerable success at Deal and Ipswich. In the year 1853, Mr. Litchfield came to New Zealand by the ship “Admiral Grenfell,” one of the smartest trading vessels of her day, and landed in Nelson. After farming for a few years, he became a schoolmaster at Motueka. Later, Mr. Litchfield was commissioned by the late Mr. John Symons to open a branch store in Blenheim, which he conducted successfully for two years. In 1860, he started on his own account as a general merchant. As an energetic and shrewd business man, Mr. Litchfield soon established a large connection, and in the course of a few years, owing to his increasing business, he erected what is still one of the first commercial houses in the
, the second Mayor of Blenheim, first held office in 1870, and was returned in the following year. He again filled the position for two consecutive terms in the years 1883 and 1884. Mr. Dodson is further referred to as a former member of the House of Representatives.
, four times Mayor of Blenheim, was first elected to that office in 1872, and was re-elected in the following year. He again held office for the years 1885 and 1886. Mr. Henderson had been previously a member of the Town Board, and he also served as a borough councillor. He unsuccessfully contested a parliamentary election against Mr. Henry Dodson. Mr. Henderson was in the service of Messrs N. Edwards and Company, as manager of their store in Blenheim. Subsequently he went to Australia, where he died some years ago.
was Mayor of Blenheim during the year 1874. He was born in 1816, in Glasgow, Scotland. After his arrival in New Zealand, he was for some time connected with the timber industry in the Wellington district, and afterwards took up land on Banks Peninsula, Canterbury. Mr. Hutcheson subsequently joined the service of the Bank of Australasia, and for some time was connected with the Nelson branch. In 1858, he resigned, and went to Marlborough, where he entered into business. Mr. Hutcheson died in 1899.
was Mayor of Blenheim for the years 1875 and 1876, and had previously served as a borough councillor. He was also a member of the Education Board, and other local bodies. Mr. Hodson was a pastoralist, but after disposing of his run he retired and lived in Blenheim up to the time of his death, in or about the year 1900. He took a leading part in Freemasonry, and was the first and only Worshipful Master of Lodge Reunion, No. 1956, English Constitution.
was Mayor of Blenheim during the years 1877 to 1879. He was born in Nelson, in the year 1848, and is the third son of the late Mr. Alfred Fell, who came to New Zealand by the ship “Lord Auokland,” in 1842, and was founder of the firm of Messrs Cock and Company, and for many years a general merchant in Nelson. Mr. Fell was educated in London, where he resided for about thirteen years. He returned to New Zealand in 1871, and opened business shortly afterwards as a general merchant in Blenheim. Some years later Mr. Fell sold out to Messrs Levin and Company, and then removed to Picton, where he has since conducted extensive malt houses. He has been an energetic and useful citizen, and has served his fellow colonists in many capacities. Mr. Fell was a member of the Blenheim. Borough Council for several years, and has been for many years a member of the Marlborough Education Board; he is chairman of the Picton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and was for a long time a member of the Picton Borough Council. He is also a devoted oarsman, and has done good work as president and trainer of the Picton Rowing Club.
was Mayor of Blenheim from the year 1880 to the year 1882, and he also served a considerable period as a borough councillor. Mr. Farmar came from Nelson to Blenheim, and established a business as a cordial manufacturer. He afterwards removed to the North Island.
was Mayor of Blenheim for the year 1887, and had previously served as a borough councillor. He was an architect by profession, and a man of considerable inventive genius. Mr. Douslin came to New Zealand from Tasmania at the time of the Wakamarina rush, and settled for a time at Havelock. He afterwards practised his profession in Blenheim, where he designed many of the important buildings of the town. Mr. Douslin is now (1905) chief designer and architect for the Rhodesia Chartered Company, in South Africa.
was Mayor of Blenheim for the years 1888 and 1889, and he also served some time as a councillor. He was a man of ability and though suffering much from ill health, he devoted a good deal of time and attention to public affairs. Mr. Riley was formerly a cooper, but afterwards owned a livery stable in Blenheim. He died several years ago.
, J. P., was Mayor of Blenheim during the year 1890 and 1891. He was born in July, 1839, at Halifax, Yorkshire, England, where he was educated, and brought up to general work. At twenty-two years of age he married, and left immediately for New Zealand by the ship “Sir George Pollock,” which arrived in Nelson on the 1st of September, 1861. For a few months
was Mayor of Blenheim during the year 1892–1893, and had, for many years previously, been a member of the Borough Council. He was born in the year 1842, at Heaton-Mersey, near Manchaster, England, where he was educated, and learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner. Mr. Bythell afterwards went to Australia, where he prospected for a few years on the Victorian diggings. He then came to New Zealand, and from that time until his death, in 1894, he spent most of his time in Marlborough. For a long time Mr. Bythell worked for Mr. Caleb Davis, one of the oldest builders in the province; and about 1875, he started on his own aceount as a builder and contractor, and carried on a successful business. He was a member of the Lower Wairau River Board, of which he was for some time chairman; he was also a member of the Borough School committee, and of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, of which he afterwards became captain, and was an enthusiastic volunteer in one of the local military corps. Mr. Bythell died in the year 1894, leaving a widow, three sons, and one daughter.
was Mayor of Blenheim from 1894 to 1897, and he also served several terms as a councillor. He was born in York, England, and came to New Zealand in 1860. In the service of the Bank of New South Wales, Mr. Horton opened and managed branches of the bank on the Otago goldfields. Subsequently, he went to Victoria, Australia, where he engaged in mining for two years, and returned to New Zealand at the time of the West Coast “rush.” Mr. Horton became treasurer of the Westland Provincial Council, a position which he held for three years. He subsequently went to Fiji, where he opened the first bank established in the colony; and during his stav there he became a member of the Legislative Council, and held office as Colonial Treasurer. Mr. Horton returned to New Zealand in September, 1876, and has since been engaged in business in Blenheim.
was Mayor of Blenheim in the year 1898. He came from Nelson, in the early days of the settlement of the Wairau, and started a grocery business in the township of Blenheim. Subsequently, he removed to Wanganui, where he is still (1905) in business as a manufacturing cabinetmaker.
was Mayor of Blenheim in the year 1899. He was born at Wallsoken, Norfolk, England, and was a great grandson of Lord Hampdeu, and a nephew of the Bishop of Ripon. After receiving a preliminary education at King William's College, Isle of Man, where he was associated with Archdeacon Farrar. Deacon Williams, Crossley Ward, Hamilton Ward, and others whose names have become household words. Mr. Trevor went to the Moravian College at Neuwied. Prussia. He was also for one year at Heidelberg University. Mr. Trevor then returned to England, where he entered the Customs, and was engaged in the tea and East India department, at London, for five years. He subsequently came to New Zealand, and settled in Blenheim. Mr. Trevor was, for some years, a member of the Blenheim Borough Council, a member of the Blenheim Hospital Board, and a member and president of the Blenheim Bowling Club. He died on the 10th of August, 1903, aged sixty-seven years.
was Mayor of Blenheim in the year 1900. He was born in Nelson, but at an early age went to Blenheim, where he was engaged at various occupations. Mr. McArtney was a member of the Blenhem Borough Council for fourteen years, was for seven years a member of the Wairau River Board and chairman for three years, was captain of the Fire Brigade for four years, and a member of the Wairau Licensing Committee. He is now (1905) farming at Dillon's Point.
was Mayor of Blenheim during the years 1901 and 1902. He is further referred to as a barrister, and as Crown Solicitor, at Blenheim.
, J.P., was Mayor of Blenheim during the years 1903 and 1904. He was born at Islington, London, England, on the 14th of April, 1850, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Indian Queen,” in 1857. Later on, he learned photography with Mr. William Collie, of Blenheim, and in the year 1870, was taken into partnership. In 1874, Mr. Macey purchased the business from Mr. Collie, and still conducts it. He is one of the founders, and a former president of the Blenheim Bowling Club, which he has represented at interpro-vincial tournaments; a trustee for the Independent Order of Oddfellows; and a member of the Marlborough Club. For nine years he was a member of the Blenheim Borough Council, a member of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for about ten years, and of the Education Board and High School Board of Governors for about five years; and he is one of the Marlborough School Commissioners. Mr. Macey is further referred to as a photographer in Blenheim.
For five years before the inception of the Borough Council, the public affairs of Blenheim were controlled by a Town Board. The first meeting of this body was held on the 25th of July, 1864, when the members were: Messrs James Sinclair (chairman), George Henderson, William Collie, Caleb Davis, and William Nosworthy. The subsequent chairmen were Messrs William Nosworthy and George Henderson. The last meeting of the Board was held on the 9th of July, 1868. Blenheim was constituted a borough under the Municipal Corporations Act, on the 6th of March, 1869, and on the 15th of the following May the first election of borough councillors took place. The following gentlemen, who had the honour of being elected members of the first Council, are mentioned in the order of the number of votes received by them: Messrs James Tucker Robinson, Frederick Litchfield, Henry Dodson, William Nosworthy, William Collie, John Mack Hutcheson, James Sinclair, Elijah Bythell, and James Edmund Dodson.
was elected to the Blenheim Borough Council in 1889, and retained his seat until 1898, when he was forced to retire owing to pressure of business. During the nine years he was in the council, Mr. Smale was an active and thoughtful member, and ever ready to do all the good he could for the borough.
is, like other licensing districts throughout the colony, coterminous with the parliamentary electorate. The licensing committees are elected for a term of three years, and they hold their meetings quarterly, when matters affecting the licenses of the district —such as renewals, transfers, or removals—are adjusted. The members of the Wairau Licensing Committee are: Messrs T. Scott-Smith, Stipendiary Magistrate (chairman), H. C. Seymour, H. D. Vavasour, W. Ching, W. P. Simmonds, and J. T. Griffin. The meetings of the committee are held at the courthouse, Blenheim. There are eight hotels in Blenheim, and the hour of closing is eleven o'clock.
, Stipendiary Magistrate, is chairman of the Wairau Licensing Committee. He is further referred to in the Legal Section of this volume.
is a member of the Wairau Licensing Committee. He is further referred to as a member of the Blenheim Borough Council.
, J.P., was elected to the Wairau Licensing Committee in the year 1903. He was born in September, 1860, in the Isle of Man, where he was educated, and brought up to farming. In 1884, Mr. Griffin came to New Zealand, and landed on the West Coast. He resided for ten years in Greymouth, where he was engaged on the Harbour Board extension works, and afterwards in private business as a customs and forwarding agent. In 1894, Mr. Griffin removed to Blenheim to take charge of Mr. W. B. Parker's grain stores. Two years later he started in business on his own account as a grain and produce merchant, and during the South African Boer war he successfully contracted for the supply of provisions to several of the troopships. Mr. Griffin's grain sheds are conveniently situated at the junction of the Omaka and Opawa rivers, and he does a considerable export trade to Wellington, Greymouth and Hokitika. Owing to the rapid increase of trade, new stores, together with a private wharf, are ere long to be erected on a more central site, a little further up the river. Mr. Griffin has been for several years a member of the Borough School committee. He has been a local preacher in the Wesleyan connexion for over twenty years, was Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday
is a member of the Wairau Licensing Committee, and is a brother of Mr. A. P. Seymour, a former Superintendent of the province. He is the proprietor of “Tynesfield,” an extensive sheep station in the Omaka Valley, nine miles from Renwicktown.
, a member of the Wairau Licensing Committee, is further referred to in this volume under the heading of Havelock.
is a member of the Wairau Licensing Committee, and is further referred to as the proprietor of Ugbrcoke station.
occupies what is perhaps a unique position among corporations of its kind in the colony. The duties customarily assigned to a County Council are, in the province of Marlborough, undertaken by minor bodies—chiefly road and river boards—and the only work left to justify the existence of what is usually regarded as the premier governing body of the county, is the distribution of goldfield revenue. For this purpose the Marlborough County Council meets annually, during the month of March, in the Borough Council Chambers at Blenheim, and the sum dealt with varies according to the state of the mining industry in the province; in the year 1904, it amounted to about £197. The Council is elected triennially, and the members returned at the last poll, taken in November, 1902, were: Messrs R. F. Goulter (chairman), W. L. Clifford, F. M. Foster, G. B. Richardson,
are included in the Nelson Military District, to which special reference is made on Page 48 of this volume. The strength of the military forces of New Zealand on the 30th of June, 1905, stood as follows: Six corps of field artillery, with 436 officers and men; nine garrison artillery corps, with 876 officers and men; six corps of engineers, with 443 rank and file; seventy-three companies of mounted rifles, with 4,150 members; 123 corps of infantry, with 6,705 officers and men; sixty-five officers on the active list, unattached; five bearer corps, with 183 members; fifty-seven companies of defence cadets, with 3,006 rank and file; and five garrison bands, with 134 members. This makes the total strength of the volunteer organisation as 284 corps, and 15,998 officers and men. In addition there are 107 rifle clubs, with a membership of 2919, and the permanent force—which includes the headquarters and district staffs—of 382 officers and men. This makes a grand total of 19,299. Of the First Batallion Nelson Mounted Rifles, the A Company is represented by the
, of the First Battalion Nelson Mounted Rifles, was born in Marlborough, in the year 1873, and is the third son of Mr. J. C. Chaytor, of “Marshlands,” Marlborough. He was educated at Nelson College, and at Clare College, Cambridge, England; afterwards learned farming; and is now (1905) manager of his father's estate. Major Chaytor joined the Marlborough Mounted Rifles as lieutenant in the year 1895, succeeded his brother as captain of the corps in 1901. and was promoted to his present rank in 1903. He is one of the most popular and capable volunteer officers in the district; served with distinction in South Africa, in the early part of the Boer war; was in the celebrated ride to the relief of Kimberley, and has a medal and five clasps.
. known as A Company of the First Battalion of the Nelson Mounted Rifles, were formed in March, 1885, under the title of the Marlborough Hussars, and received their present title in the year 1891. Captain E. F. Paul was the first in command, and he was succeeded in 1886, by Lieutenant. Dodson, who retained command till 1892. Lieutenant E. W. C. Chaytor was then elected captain of the corps, and, in the year 1901, was suceeded' by his brother, Lieutenant D'arcy Chaytor, who, on his promotion to the rank of Major, was followed by Captain Canavan, the present commander of the corps. The present subalterns of the corps are: Lieutenants Prichard. Watson, and Freeth. Two parades are held monthly–one mounted, and one foot parade: and a week's encampment for training purposes is held once a year. The Marlborough Mounted Rifles sent sixty men with the various New Zealand Contingents to South Africa during the Boer war.
of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles. New Zealand Militia, joined the Nelson City Rifles in the year 1880. He was promoted to the rank of corporal, and resigned from the corps in 1881. Two years later, he joined the Blenheim Rifles. was appointed sergeant, and was transferred to the Marlborough Hussars in 1889. He resigned in the year 1892, and in 1896 joined the Marlborough Mounted Rifles with the rank of lieutenant. Captain Canavan served as lieutenant in the First New Zealand Contingent in the late South African war. and was present at many of the fiercest engagements during the earlier stages of the campaign. He returned to New Zealand in the year 1900, and on Captain Chaytor's promotion to Major, in 1903, was elected Captain of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles.
of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles, was born at Dumgree station, in the Awatere, in the year 1877, and is the only son of Mr. John Watson, who is referred to in another article in this volume. He was educated in Blenheim, learned farming, and has since been engaged in agriculture, in coniunetion with his father at Spring Creek. Lieutenant Watson has been associated with volunteer corps from his boyhood. He was for some time a member of the Blenheim Borough School Cadets, and joined the Marlborough Mounted Rifles in the year 1895. Two years later, he was selected as a member of the Diamond Jubilee Contingent, and on his return to New Zealand was elected sergeant of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles. In 1900, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant-major, and in the year 1902 was elected lieutenant.
of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles, was born at Picton in November, 1876, and was educated at the Picton and Blenheim public schools. He afterwards learned the trade of a painter, panerhanger, and decorator, and established himself in business on his own account in Market Street. Blenheim, in August, 1903. Lieutenant Freeth served in the First New Zealand Contingent in the South African war, and returned to his corps as a corporal. Later, he was again promoted to sergeant-major, and in that capacity went to South Africa with the Eighth Contingent. He was elected lieutenant of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles in the year 1903, shortly after his return to New Zealand. As a Freemason, Lieutenant Freeth is a member of the local lodge, and is connected with various Friendly Societies.
, known as B Company of the First Battalion of the Nelson Infantry Volunteers, was formed on the 31st of October. 1876, with Captain J. T. Robinson in command. In 1887 the
membership of the corps had greatly increased, and it was decided to form another company. This company was called the Blenheim City Rifles, which, however, disbanded in the year 1898.
Captain Edward S'tone Parker, of the Blenheim Rifle Voluteer
Corps, was born in Blenheim, in November, 1875, and is the eldest son of Mr. W. B. Parker. He was educated at the local Borough School, and joined the Blenheim Rifle Volunteer corps as a private in the year 1897. Mr. Parker subsequently became, in succession, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. He is further referred to as proprietor of Parker's Cycle and Music Depot.
has been connected with the Blenheim Rifle Volunteer Corps since the year 1898, when he joined as a private. He subsequently became, in succession, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant. Lieutenant O'Sullivan was born near Picton, in May, 1882, and is a son of Mr. John O'Sullivan, of Blenheim. He was educated at St. Mary's Boys' School, Blenheim, was afterwards apprenticed to cabinetmaking, and has since followed his trade. Lieutenant O'Sullivan is secretary of the Blenheim Hibernian Society, and drum-major of the Hibernian Band.
was appointed Captain of the Blenheim Rifles in August, 1898. He had been actively associated with volunteering since 1891, and was in the Borough School Cadets two years before that date. Mr. Powell was born in London, in 1874, and is a son of Mr. Edward Powell, of Westport. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1880, by the ship “Northumberland,” was educated in Wellington and Blenheim, and served his time to surgical dentistry at Blenheim under his father. Mr. Powell was also superintendent of the Church of England Sunday school. He afterwards entered the church, and is now (1905) an Anglican clergyman in Canterbury.
was formed in November, 1901, mainly through the exertions of Major Rogers. Membership is open to all youths, over the age of fourteen years, and not under five feet in height. Parades are held weekly. The corps has a strength of fifty-six, and the commanding officers are Captain W. J. Girling, and Lieutenant G. C. Griffiths.
who was elected to the command of the Blenheim Defence Rifle Cadet Corps in the year 1903, was born in Blenheim, in March, 1882, and is the only son of the late Mr. W. B. Girling, sometime of the firm of Messrs Girling and Co. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and at the Wellington College, and afterwards entered his father's firm, of which he has since become managing partner. Captain Girling was a member of the Blenheim Borough School Cadets, and as sergeant of that corps was specially commended by Colonel Fox for his efficient service. Later, he joined the Wellington College Cadets. No. 1 Company, and afterwards assisted in the formation of the Blenheim Defence Rifle Cadet Corps, of which he became the first lieutenant, and subsequently captain. Captain Girling is captain of the Blenheim Rowing Club; and as a member of the Anglican Church, he holds office as people's churchwarden at the Church of the Nativity, Blenheim.
are known as the E Company of the First Battalion of Nelson Infantry Volunteers, and were formed on the 4th of April, 1900, with Dr. Owen as Acting-Captain. Dr. Owen was succeeded by Dr. Claridge, formerly a lieutenant in the Imperial Volunteer Service. In the year 1902. Captain E. G. M. C. Kenny, the present commander, was appointed. The corps has a membership of forty-eight. Drill is held fortnightly, and shooting practices take place nearly every week on the range at Waikawa, about two miles from Picton. The Waitohi Rifles took part in the military reception to the Duke of York, in Wellington and Christchurch. Several of its members saw service in the South African war, and one returned as sergeant-major. The present lieutenants of the corps are: Messrs S. Swanwick and Charles Parfitt.
of the Waitohi Rifles, was born in May, 1860, in the Hutt district. Wellington. and is the eldest son of the Hon. Captain
of the Waitohi Rifles, joined the corps as a colour-sergeant at its commencement, and was elected a lieutenant in the year 1903. He is further referred to as a saddler and harnessmaker in Picton.
was founded many years ago as a Friendly Societies' band. It was, however, re-organised as a garrison band on the formation of the first military corps in Blenheim, and was appointed a half battalion band in the year 1900. It successfully took part in the contests held at Feilding during the year 1905, and in recognition of their success, the members were publicly welcomed on their return to Blenheim.
, Bandmaster of the Blenheim Garrison Band, was born at Kegworth Farm, near Blenheim, in January, 1877, and is the second son of Mr. John Rose, an old and highly respected colonist. Mr. Rose was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, afterwards learned farming, and now follows agriculture, in conjunction with his father. His private residence stands about half a mile from the Kegworth homestead. Mr. Rose has been a member of many local amateur musical societies. He joined the Garrison. Band in the year 1894, and was appointed bandmaster in March, 1901. Mr. Rose has taken part in several interprovincial musical contests, and in 1901 was a member of the Wellington Garrison Band, which accompanied the Reception Contingent to Australia.
was established in August, 1904, with headquarters at Blenheim. It is composed chiefly of former members of volunteer corps, has a membership of twenty-three, and is governed by the usual rifle club regulations. Parade and shooting practices are held periodically. Captain C. J. W. Griffiths (Retired List), one of the promoters of the club, is its present captain.
The first buildings erected in Blenheim for the purposes of the public service were built in Market Place in the year 1864, by the Provincial Council of Marlborough. They were, however, totally destroyed by fire in November, 1876, on the night following the day on which the abolition of the provinces came into force; but they were soon replaced by the present building, which stands on the same site and was erected by the Government. The building is of two stories, built of concrete, and is surmounted by a handsome clock tower. Nearly all of the Government offices, except the Roads and Bridges Department, which is in Picton, are domiciled in the building, which also accommodates the Blenheim Borough Council. The rooms are large and lofty, well lighted and ventilated, and suitably appointed in every case.
Blenheim has been intimately associated with a number of important public works. For instance, it was connected with Nelson by telegraph in the year 1864; the Cook Strait cable, connecting the North Island and the Middle Island, was laid to White's Bay in 1866; the railway from Picton to Blenheim was started in 1861, opened in 1875, and extended to Seddon twenty-five years later. This line is now being carried on to Flaxbourne—or, as it has recently been re-named, Ward;—and ultimately it will connect with the main south trunk line. Some details concerning the New Zealand Government institutions are given on Page 55 of this volume; but as Blenheim is an agricultural town, it may not be out of place to make further reference here to the Advances to Settlers Department. Up to the 31st of March, 1905, 15,349 applications for loans had been granted for the whole colony; total value £5,042,555. Of this amount, the share that was applied for in, and granted to, Marlborough, was £184,065. The work of settlement has been helped by this provision, land has been enhanced in value by expending in improvements part of the money borrowed, while the borrowers begin at once to lighten their liability by means of early periodical payments of the principal along with the interest.
at Blenheim occupy the north-west corner
was appointed Chief Postmaster at Blenheim in August, 1902. He is further referred to on page 932 of the Auckland volume of this Cyclopedia.
, formerly Chief Postmaster at Blenheim, was appointed to the position in December, 1895. He was born in 1843, and joined the service in 1863 at Lyttelton, where he took up duty in the Telegraph Department. When the amalgamation of the two services was effected, Mr. Bull was promoted to the position of chief clerk at Timaru. He also opened the Thames and Greymouth branches, and acted as postmaster at Cambridge and Tauranga, and chief postmaster at Hokitika before going to Blenheim, Before coming to New Zealand, Mr. Bull was in the Tasmanian service. He
was appointed Collector of Customs at Blenheim, in September, 1901. He was born in Christchurch, and is a son of the late Mr. S. Jackman, for many years a prominent contractor in Canterbury. Mr. Jackman was educated at public schools, and, after spending a few months as a clerk in the Christchurch Public Library, he joined the Government service as a cadet in the Customs Office at Dunedin. He takes a keen interest in the social affairs of the town, and is a member of the bowling, golf and tennis clubs, and of the Horticultural Society.
, Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Marlborough Land District, was born in 1848, educated at a private academy in London, and finished at the Nelson College, New Zealand. Mr. Trent entered the Civil Service in August, 1863, as a survey cadet, under the Provincial Government of Nelson. In January, 1868, owing to the opening of the Buller goldfields, and the impetus thus given to public works, surveying, etc., on the West Coast, several officers were sent to Westport, which became the district office of the Nelson Southwest Goldfields. Among these, Mr. Trent was transferred, first of all in the capacity of draughtsman to the District Engineer, and later as Assistant and Mining Surveyor. In 1873, he was promoted to the position of District Surveyor for the Grey Valley district, with headquarters at Ahaura. This position he held until the abolition of the provinces, when, with other Provincial Government officers, he was transferred to the General Survey Department as Chief Draughtsman at Nelson. This position he held until the 31st of May, 1904, when he was promoted to the post he is now occupying, his present appointment dating from the 1st of June, 1904.
, Government Land Valuer for the province of Marlborough, resides at Picton, and is further referred to as captain of the Waitohi Rifles.
, Chief Stock Inspector for Marlborough, was born on the 22nd of December, 1840, at Greenwich, in Kent, England, where he was educated. In the year 1853, he came to New Zealand with his parents, and for a time farmed with his father, on the east coast of the North Island. Mr. Moore afterwards entered the Government service in 1882, and was first appointed Stock Inspector at Motueka, in Nelson. Five years later, he was appointed to Kaikoura, where he did excellent service in clearing the district of the post of scab in sheep; and in the year 1892 he was promoted to his preent position. Mr. Moore is an Orangeman, and is a member of the Marlborough Club.
, the Government Rabbit Inspector for the province of Marlborough, was born at Kaiwarra, near Wellington, on the 22nd of August, 1845, and is a son of the late Mr. James Gee, who landed in New Zealand in the year 1845, as a member of the 56th Regiment, with which he served in the Maori war. He was educated in Wellington, and has spent most of his life at general work, chiefly on stations, in the South Island. For about ten years Mr. Gee lived in Nelson, but he subsequently removed to Marlborough, and has since resided at Renwicktown. He was appointed to his present position about the year 1895. Mr. Gee is married, and has one son and three daughters.
embraces nearly the whole of the province. It terminates at Havelock in the north and Clarence river in the south, and includes the whole of the Polorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds. The sergeant-major in charge has a staff of four constables with him in Blenheim, one of whom is a mounted constable and inspector of factories, weights and measures, etc. There are two constables at Picton, one of whom acts as gaoler; there is one constable at Havelock, and a district constable at Cullensville. The district is law abiding and orderly, and furnishes very few Supreme Court cases of a serious nature.
the Officer-in-Charge, took up his duties on the 19th of April, 1899, when he succeeded Sub-Inspector Kiley, transferred to Dunedin. Sergeant-Major Mason was born at Chatham, England, in 1845, and when only a youth came out to New Zealand, and joined the constabulary at Wanganui in 1868. He served in the West Coast campaign under Colonel Whitmore in 1868–9, and was present at various actions, including those of Okotuku and Nukumaru, and served on the east coast at Tauranga and elsewhere under Colonel Fraser. Mr. Mason was promoted to the rank of sergeant-major in 1876, and is not only one of the oldest but one of the most respected officers in the service. He has been stationed in Tauranga, Opotiki, Auckland, Lyttelton, Christ-church, Timaru, and Wellington, and has the New Zealand war and long service medals.
, Government Sanitary Inspector for the Province of Marlborough, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in February, 1866. He was educated privately, served an apprenticeship of five years to the building trade under his father, and was subsequently employed as a builders' clerk in London and in Manchester, England. Mr. Johnston came
in Blenheim is situated about a quarter of a mile from the centre of the town, in a north-easterly direction, on a section of five acres in extent. It is a small wooden building, but contains a public office, and a ladies' waiting-room, and has a good asphalt platform in front. There is also a large goods shed. A new and up-to-date station is to be erected about one hundred yards from the present building. There are at present (1905) about forty miles of railroad in Marlborough.
The only charitable institution in Blenheim is the Wairau Hospital, which is (1905) about to be rebuilt. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board levies a rate, which is expended partly in the up-keep of the hospital, and in the granting of necessary outdoor relief in the district. Orphans are sent to suitable institutions in other provinces, but their maintenance falls upon the ratepayers of Marlborough.
meets on the second Monday of each month in the Borough Council Chambers in Blenheim. Funds are obtained from levies on local governing bodies, with a Government subsidy of £ for £, and from direct donations, and the proceeds from public functions, with a subsidy of twenty-four shillings in the £. A small amount is also annually derived from the rent of a portion of the Hospital reserve. There is no Old People's Home in the Wairau, and provision is made out of the Board's funds for the maintenance of the aged poor in private lodgings. Members of the Board for the year 1905: Messrs R. J. Bell (chairman), R. Goulter, W. Adams, W. H. Macey, A. Jackson, W. B. Parker, William Murray, P. Meehan, George Armstrong, E. H. Penny, S. M. Neville, and J. J. White; secretary, Mr. C. J. W. Griffiths.
is prettily situated in the southern outskirts of Blenheim, on a reserve of about forty acres, thirty acres of which is held under lease for agricultural purposes. The hospital is an old wooden building, and is shortly to be superseded by a new structure built in brick, on the most up-to-date plan. This building will be situated just in front of the old one, which is to be converted into an Old Men's Home. A considerable sum has been spent in laying out gardens, and planting; ornamental and shelter trees. Dr. James Freeborn Bennett is surgeon.
Dr. James Freeborn Bennett, M.B., Ch.B., Glasgow, succeeded Dr. William Anderson as medical officer to the Wairau Public Hospital, in January, 1905. He was born at Bathgate, in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, in the year 1879, and was educated at the High School and University of Glasgow, where he graduated with commendation and distinction in 1899. He afterwards took a post-graduate course with Sir William Macewen, for whom he acted as house surgeon for six months. Dr. Bennett was then appointed assistant dispensary surgeon to a large children's hospital, and subsequently spent a few months in Burma. He was for a year in South Africa during the late war. Dr. Bennett then returned to England, and shortly afterwards came to New Zealand. For two years he held a private practice in New Plymouth, where, for about ten months, he was assistant surgeon to the public hospital, prior to his present appointment. Dr. Bennett takes an active interest in the social life of Blenheim, and is a member of many clubs.
Matters connected with education in Marlborough are administered by the Marlborough Education Board, the Board of Governors of the Marlborough High School—the same persons sit on both—and the Marlborough School Commissioners. The Government has recently granted a sum of £900 for a Technical School, which is to be built on the block that contains the State schools. The public schools are so conducted that the children of all classes of the community can be taught at them, and the passage from the primary to the secondary schools has now been made easy for qualified pupils.
. For many years the interests of education in Marlborough were controlled by a number of minor corporations, but in 1877 the province was created an educational district with a central governing body known as the Marlborough Education Board, and at the first election, the following gentlemen were returned as members: Messrs A. P. Seymour (chairman), C. Goulter, E. Paul, W. E. Dive, Joseph Ward, T. E. Hodson, J. T. Robinson, H. Ingles, and Captain Baillie. Each year, as population in the province has increased, new schools have been erected; and within recent years the number of schools under the Board's control has grown rapidly. In the year 1890 there were only thirty-one schools in the province, and at present (1905), there are about seventy. The Marlborough education district is one of the most scattered in the colony, and great credit is due to the local Education Board for the promptness with which it assists the settlers in the establishment of aided schools in the outlying districts. In the Sounds there are about thirty schools, with an average of only seven children each, and in several small districts schools have been opened and maintained for the benefit of only one family. In 1899, a High School was established in Blenheim, for the purpose of secondary education. The offices of the Education Board are situated at the corner of Alfred and Seymour Streets, and the Board meets monthly. Members of the Board for the year 1905: Messrs John Duncan (chairman), J. C. Chaytor, W. H. Macey, C. Ferguson, A. G. Fell, A. J. Litchfied, R. McCallum, W. B. Parker, and J. J. W. White. Secretary and treasurer, Mr. John Smith; Inspector, Mr. D. A. Strachan.
, J.P., is a member of the Marlborough Education Board. He was born at Ipswich, England, in the year 1844, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. F. J. Litchfield, who is further referred to as the first Mayor of Blenheim. Mr. Litchfield was partly educated in the Old Country, and partly at Nelson College. He came out to New Zealand with his parents in 1853, and, on leaving college, turned his attention to pastoral pursuits. For about five years, Mr. Litchfield was employed on a sheep station in the Awatere district. and afterwards, for seven years, he farmed his father's property at Kaituna. In the year 1870 he acquired his present farm, which is known as “Livermere.” and is situated in the Renwick Road, near Blenheim. This farm consists of 150 acres, and is devoted to agriculture. Mr. Litchfield also owns a sheep run of 600 acres in the Waihopai district, known as “Longdale,” which is managed by one of his sons. He has also for many years done an extensive trade in chaff-cutting, grain threshing, and heavy haulage, and is one of the largest traction engine proprietors in the province. Mr. Litchfield has been a member and chairman of the County Council, the Omaka Road Board, the Lower Wairau River Board, and a member of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. He has been twice president of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and is a trustee in the estate of the late Mr. Thomas Carter, owner of “Hillersden,” etc. Mr. Litchfield has held almost every office in the local Wesleyan church, and has twice been appointed a delegate to the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia. He is a man of culture, and takes a great interest in literary and scientific subjects, and possesses an excellent library. Mr. Litchfield has been twice married, and has four sons and four daughters.
was appointed Secretary of the Marlborough Education Board in the year 1890. He was born in March, 1834, in London, England, and was educated at Marlborough, in Wiltshire, and under his brother-in-law, Dr. Badham. In October, 1855, Mr. Smith arrived in Nelson, and during the ensuing nine years was engaged in surveying, teaching, and farming. In 1864, he was appointed headmaster of the Nelson Boys' School, and eleven years later he accepted an appointment as secretary and inspector to the Westland Education Board.
, M.A., was appointed Inspector to the Marlborough Education Board in July, 1904. He was born on the 15th of July, 1871, in Montrose, Scotland, came to New Zealand with his parents, and landed at Port Chalmers, Otago, in the year 1877. Mr. Strachan was educated at the Port Chalmers District High School, of which he was dux for the year 1887, and continued in the same institution as a pupil teacher. Two or three years later, he entered the Normal School in Dunedin, and became exhibitioner for the year 1892. Mr. Strachan then went to the Otago University, where he graduate B.A. in 1894, and M.A., with double honours in mental and political science, in 1895. He was afterwards appointed assistant at the Kumara public school, and shortly afterwards was promoted to the mastership of
was constituted by an Act of Parliament in the year 1899. This Act provided for the payment of an annual sum of money from the Colonial Treasury for the maintenance of the school, and it was the first in which the Government introduced the principle of requiring free places to be provided for pupils in proportion to the revenue derived by schools from their endowments. The school was opened on the 26th of March, 1900, and was conducted for the first year in the schoolroom of the Church of the Nativity. In September of the same year the foundation stone of the present building was laid by the late Hon. W. C. Walker, then Minister of Education, and in 1901 the new building, though not then finished, was taken possession of. The section on which the school stands is six acres in area, and extends from Stephenson Street to Frances Street. Half of this section was presented by the late Mr. Thomas Carter, one of the most earnest advocates for the establishment of the school, who at a subsequent date subscribed £50 to the funds of the institution; and the other half was purchased by the Board of Governors. The building is of wood, and contains four class rooms. There is also a playshed, which is fitted up with Sandow appliances. The growing popularity of the school is seen in its increasing numbers. On the opening day of the second year, there were fifty-two names on the roll, and at the beginning of 1905, the number had increased to nearly 110. Dr. Innes, who at first conducted the school single-handed, is now assisted by a competent staff of five, including three university graduates. The examination results have been consistently good, and many of the pupils have gained creditable places in competitive tests. A cadet corps was formed in August, 1903, and there are football, cricket, and hockey clubs. There is also an Old Boys' Association. In December, 1901, a monthly magazine entitled “Marlburian,” was established, and is edited by the pupils.
M.A. LL. D. (New Zealand University), Headmaster of the Marlborough High School, was born in Christchurch, in July, 1860, and is the eldest son of Mr. George Innes, a retired settler. He was educated at Mr. Charles Cook's School, where he won an Education Board Scholarship, at Christ's College, and at Canterbury College, where he became Bowen Prizeman for two years. Dr. Innes graduated M.A. with first-class honours in the year 1881, and in the following year was appointed assistant master of the Timaru High School. In 1883, he resigned to accept an appointment in the Wellington Girls' High School, where he taught for seventeen years, before taking charge of the Marlborough High School. While in Wellington, Dr. Innes studied law, graduated LL.B., and two years later LL.D. During his long residence in that city, Dr. Innes did much in the interests of University education. For twelve years, he conducted large private classes composed of candidates for University honours; in conjunction with Mr. Fleming, the Senior School Inspector of the privince, he fought for the establishment of a University College, and for three years he was chairman of the Court of Convocation of the University of New Zealand. Dr. Innes takes a keen interest in the social affairs of Blenheim, and is president and vice-president of several clubs.
is the only public primary school within the town boundary. It is a substantial brick building of one storey, and stands on a section bounded by Seymour and Alfred Streets and Park Terrace. The school is divided into two separate departments—a Boys' Department and a Girls' Department, each of which is under a separate head, and conducted independently of the other. The Boys' Department has accommodation for girls and boys up to and including Standard I, and for all male pupils above that status. It contains five class rooms; has 300 names on the roll, and there is an average attendance of 250. Mr. D. A. Sturrock is headmaster of the Boys' Department, and has five assistants. The Girls' Department contains three class rooms. There are 160 names on the roll, and the average attendance is 130. Miss Lottie Brewer, the headmistress, is assisted by a mistress and two pupil teachers.
was appointed Headmaster of the Boys' Department of the Blenheim Borough School in the year 1894. He was educated primarily at Arbroath, Forfarshire, Scotland, and afterwards at Dundee, whence he proceeded as Queen's scholar to the Normal Training College, Edinburgh University. Mr. Sturrock was then appointed assistant master to the Ferry Hill School, Aberdeen. Two years later, in 1884, he came to New Zealand, taught for about ten years in the Napier Borough School—first as second, and latterly as first, assistant master—before receiving his present appointment. Mr. Sturrock is a member of, and one of the colonial examiners for, the Tonic-Sol-Fa College, London; and Major of the Marlborough Battalion of School Cadets, and a member of one of the local volunteer corps. He is also president of the local Poultry Association, of the Hockey and Cricket Clubs, chairman of the New Zealand Egg-Laying Competition, and a member of the Marlborough Club.
, Headmistress of the Blenheim Borough School, is a daughter of Mr. Robert Brewer, a well known builder in Blenheim. She was educated in the Borough School, afterwards served for five years as a pupil teacher, and was then appointed mistress of the Port Underwood school. A few months later, Miss Brewer was appointed assistant mistress to the Canvastown school, and shortly afterwards was appointed sole teacher at Onamalutu, whence she proceeded as first assistant mistress to the Girls' Department of the Blenheim Borough School. In the year 1902, she was appointed acting headmistress during the absence of Miss Douslin, and on the resignation of Miss Douslin, Miss Brewer was appointed her successor. She holds a DI certificate.
has been established for many years. It is situated about a mile and a-half from Blenheim, and has of late years been extended, and completely renovated. It is a wooden building of one storey, with three large class rooms, and has accommodation for nearly 280 pupils. There is also a detached playshed. The playground is extensive, and possesses flower beds, planted and cultivated by the pupils, under the direction of the headmaster. There are about 180 names on the roll, and the average attendance is 140. The school cadet corps has a membership of fifty-one, with the headmaster as captain, and there is also a branch of the Navy League, with a membership of thirty-one. The tone of the Springlands school is excellent, and the results of the examinations reflect credit upon the headmaster and his staff. The school residence is a convenient one, and is situated on the opposite side of the road.
, Headmaster of the Springlands Public School, is the eldest son of Mr. C. C. Howard, headmaster of the Picton public school. He was born at Oxford. England, in the year 1870, came to New Zealand with his parents in 1876, and was educated chiefly at the Wellington College, and at the Collegiate School, Wanganui, under the late Dr. Harvey. In 1886, Mr. Howard went to the Old Country to complete his education, returned to New Zealand three years later, and entered the Picton public school as a pupil teacher. A little later, he held a temporary appointment at the Terraceend school, Palmerston North, and then took charge of a school in the Rangitikei district. In 1895, Mr. Howard returned to Marlborough as master of the Tua Marina public school, and later on received his present appointment. He is a member of several social bodies. Mr. Howard married Miss Sybil Greensill, a daughter of Mr. J. A. R. Greensill, and niece of the Hon. Captain Baillie, in the year 1894.
in connection with the Roman Catholic Church in Blenheim was erected at a cost of £1500. It is a handsome two-storied building, and has a well-equipped high school for girls, and also a detached music room. The convent stands on a section of two acres of land adjoining the church. It is a branch of the Convent House in Wellington, which is the mother-house of the district. During the vacations, the Sisters of Mercy return to Wellington, whence the staff is supplied. The boys' and girls' school is taught by the Sisters of Mercy, and examined by the Marlborough Education Board's Inspector, who reports that the teaching is equal to the best in the district. The old convent is now used as the private residence of the caretaker of the property.
for both boys and girls, is largely attended, the teachers are popular, and the instruction is good. Some of the children come a distance of over twenty miles.
was erected in the year 1903 at a cost of £500. It is a large wooden building, and is fitted up with a stage, supper rooms and other conveniences. It has accommodation for nearly 500 persons, is one of the most popular halls in Blenheim, and is largely used for all kinds of public entertainments.
The first church in Marlborough was built by the Rev. Samuel Ironsides, at Port Underwood. It was opened on the 5th of August, 1842, when the service was attended by whalers and Maoris from all parts of the Sounds. On the following Sunday, forty couples were united in the bonds of matrimony. The lack of wedding rings was not allowed to bar the proceedings, as Mrs Ironsides produced a number of brass curtain rings, which served the purpose of the occasion. Mr. Ironsides ministered at Port Underwood and the various Maori pas in the Sounds for three years, during which he baptised 613 adults, and 165 children, and married 171 couples. Things have changed since then; the church-going citizen walks on asphalted footpaths, the country settlers drive in in neat and stylish buggies, but, forty or fifty years ago, almost every-one went to church in a bullock dray. From the fact that there is no established or State Church in New Zealand, it follows that the clergymen of the country are hard working men, who lead unobtrusive lives. It has been said by Anthony Trollope that “A colonial bishop should be hale, vigorous, young, and good-humoured; ready to preach, to laugh, or to knock a fellow down at any moment.” In making this humorously true statement, Trollope was thinking specially of his old school-fellow, the late Bishop Suter, of Nelson, whom he describes as a man who could put a collar on his own horse, ride fifty miles at a stretch, or hold his own in any conflict, by word or hand; but the statement is more or less generally applicable to clergymen in the colonies. The churches represented in Marlborough are the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Methodist and the ubiquitous Salvation Army.
. The history of the Anglican Church in Blenheim dates back to 1857, when the Ven. Archdeacon Butt resigned his cure in Nelson, and removed to the
, Vicar of Blenheim, is the second son of the Rev. Thomas Samuel Grace, and was born at sea during the voyage of his parents to New Zealand in 1850. He was partly educated at the Church of England Grammar school, Auckland. In 1869, he entered the Nelson Theological College, and afterwards went to England, where he was ordained by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1873. During the following year he returned to New Zealand, and entered the Bishopdale Theological College, Nelson, as a chaplain and tutor. In 1881 he passed on to the Maori Mission under the Church Missionary Society, and was stationed at Putiki, Wanganui, where he remained until 1886, when he was appointed vicar of Blenheim; and he succeeded to the Archdeaconry of Marlborough at the death of Archdeacon Butt, who had for twenty-eight years faithfully fulfilled his duties in the district. Mr. Grace married a daughter of the late Captain Colt who married the second daughter of General Sir Walter Raleigh Gilbert, of the Sikh war), and has five sons and four daughters.
, sometime Archdeacon of Marlborough, in the diocese of Nelson, was born at Shrewsbury, England, in October, 1816, and was the son of the Rev. John Marten Butt, vicar of Oddingly. He was destined for the medical profession, and upon completing the necessary course of training and study became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England. A religious training and home surroundings, however, had so influenced his early years that he decided to devote his life to the service of the Church. In order to achieve this object he, in 1841, became a missionary student of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and attached himself to the party which sailed with the celebrated Bishop Selwyn in the ship “Tomalin,” on the 26th of December, 1841, for New Zealand. Mr Butt acted as ship's doctor on the voyage. Sydney was reached on the 14th of April, 1842, after a passage of 109 days, and Auckland a few weeks later. The Bishop established himself at Waimate, in the Bay of Islands, where he founded a college, to which Mr Butt was attached, and his medical knowledge was of great service, not only to the students, but to settlers in the neighbourhood. On the 24th of September, 1843, Mr Butt was ordained to the Christian ministry, and received deacon's orders at the hands of Bishop Selwyn. He was at once despatched to Nelson, where, in company with the Bishop, he arrived in the Government brig on the 8th of December. On the 10th he was appointed to assist the Rev. C. Reay, the first incumbent of Christ Church, Nelson. An educational institution, known as the Bishop's school, was shortly afterwards founded and Mr Butt took charge of it. In 1844, the pupils numbered eighty, and fourteen years later there were over one hundred. When Mr Butt succeeded Mr Reay in the incumbency of Christ Church, the district was large and scattered. It stretched from Motueka to Kaikoura, and Mr. Butt had only one assistant, the Rev. T. L. Tudor, who resided at Motueka. There were long and wearisome journeys to be undertaken, often for long stretches on foot, and without food or shelter, except such as the bush afforded. It was at this period, when both Nelson and the Wairau were peopled with the native race, that the deep feeling of attachment and gratitude felt for Mr. Butt by the Maoris sprang into existence. In 1857, shortly after the formation of the Nelson diocese, Mr Butt was transferred to the Wairau, a district which he had previously traversod from end to end, and where he was endeared to the settlers in their remote, scattered homes. There being no place of worship, divine service was celebrated in the old Courthouse (used by all denominations), which then stood on the banks of the Opawa, near the site of the present railway station. Three years later the first Church of the Nativity, now used as a Sunday school, was built and opened; and in a very few years church work progressed at a most satisfactory rate. The remaining events of Mr Butt's life are intimately associated with the parish, of which he was the spiritual overseer. The present Church of the Nativity was erected in 1877, the parsonage in Weld Street in 1874, and Mr Butt was created first Archdeacon of Marlborough in 1872. Old age, and infirmities caused by a life which would have worn out a stronger frame than even Mr Butt's, compelled his resignation of the incumbency of the church in 1885. Almost up to the day of his death, however, his was a familiar form in the churches of Marlborough, and also at public gatherings for promoting Christian work. He frequently ministered at Picton, and the Sunday before his death he officiated at the Church of the Nativity. On the 21st of December, 1886, the venerable Archdeacon died after a very short illness. Persons drawn from many classes and creeds attended the funeral to show the esteem they entertained for one who, by many acts of kindness and forethought, had endeared himself to all. The service was performed by the Bishop of Nelson, and amongst the pall-bearers there were members of the Legislature and others who had been church officers in Blenheim and Picton. Mrs Butt, who survived her husband till the 18th of October, 1901, was a daughter of the Rev. Richard Davis—who, as a missionary, arrived with his family at the Bay of Islands in the year 1824—and was her husband's faithful helpmate for forty-three years. Four children, who all grew to manhood and womanhood, were born of the marriage.
was born in Lancashire, in 1815, and was educated for the ministry at St. Bee's Theological College. After receiving his education he entered a mercantile firm, in which he remained a few years. He then took up the ministry, joined the Church Missionary Society, and
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Blenheim was opened in May, 1868, by the Rev. Mr. Russell, who succeeded Mr. Nicholson, the first resident Presbyterian minister in Marlborough. Mr. Russell was succeeded, in 1870, by the Rev. W. Sherrifs, M.A., who, in 1881, removed to Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay. In time a larger building became necessary, and the present church was erected in the year 1892, on a site in Alfred Street. It is on the banks of the Omaka river, and faces Market Place. St. Andrew's is a wooden building, with accommodation for 350 persons. There is a membership of over one hundred, and services are held three times a week. There are Presbyterian churches also at Picton and Kaikoura, each with a minister in charge, and the churches at Renwicktown and Seddon are worked in conjunction with St. Andrew's, Blenheim, by a home missionary. Old St. Andrew's church is now used as a Sunday school.
Minister-in-charge of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Blenheim, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and for some years followed mercantile pursuits in his native town. He subsequently decided to enter the church, studied at Belfast, and afterwards spent three years as a student missionary in Queensland. In 1881, Mr. Robb came to New Zealand. For a time he was stationed at Waipawa, in Hawke's Bay, where he was ordained; and in 1882 he received his present appointment.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Blenheim was opened on the 14th of September, 1878, by the Rev. Father A. Seauzeau, S.M. The old church, which had been in use since 1864, became too small, and plans for a new building were prepared by Mr. Thomas Turnbull, architect, Wellington, whereupon the present handsome church in Maxwell Road was erected at a cost of 62,500. It is now (1905) being placed on a concrete foundation at a cost of £100; the sanctuary has been renovated, all the ordinary windows have given place to stained glass windows at a cost of £220, and a new porch with double doors, facing Maxwell Road, has been built at a cost of £120. The church has accommodation for a congregation of 600, and the mid-day services are regularly attended by fully 400 people. There are 1,800 adherents in the district, which extends from Forsyth Island to Clarence Bridge, and from Blenheim to Top House. Churches have been erected at Blenheim. Picton, Tua Marina, and Havelock, and in the year 1904 a church was built at Seddon, at a cost of £340. The church property in Blenheim comprises six acres on the eastern side of Maxwell Road, on which the church, presbytery, new convent, and boys' school are built; and of one acre and a-half on the western side, where the old convent and girls' school are situated. The presbytery is a handsome two-storied residence, is comfortably furnished, and stands in the midst of tastefully laid-out grounds. At the rear of the church there is a large paddock, with stables for the three horses used by the clergy.
S.M., was appointed to the charge of the Roman Catholic Church in Blenheim in February, 1990. He was born near Lyons, in France, in the year 1863, is a son of a large landed proprietor there, and was educated at St. Jodard College, in the province of Loire, and at Barcelona, in Spain, where he read philosophy and theology. For three years afterwards he held the professorship of classics and mathematics at the college of Montlueon, in the province of Allier. In 1881, the Rev. Father Servajean came to New Zealand, and has since served in the Greymouth, Ahaura, Christchurch, Te Aro, and Blenheim parishes. He has performed valnable service for his church, and has built several churches in various districts-Ahaura, Halswell, Addington, and Seddon, and has extended and improved the church property in Blenheim. The Rev. Father Servajean is a man of broad and liberal views, and takes an active part in social and in public life.
S.M., took charge of the parish of Blenheim in May, 1896, Father Goggan was born in the United States and educated at St Stanislaus, Tullamore; St. Mary's Dundalk; and the Royal University, Dublin; and he pursued his philosophical studies at Agen, France, and his theological studies at Barcelona, in Spain. Father Goggan was then sent out as Professor of Science and Mathematics at St. Patrick's College, Wellington.
in Blenheim was established in the year 1860. The first building, which had accommodation for about 150 persons, was erected on Grove Road. Twenty years later, a site was secured in High Street, on which the present handsome church stands. The minister then in charge was the Rev. G. T. Carr. The church has accommodation for 400 persons. There is a well-appointed up-to-date Sunday school, which contains a library, eight separate class rooms, an infant room, a young men's room, secretary's room, and church parlour. The main hall seats 250 persons. A parsonage adjoins the church and school. In addition, there are three other churches within ‘a’ seven-mile radius that are under the pastoral care of the Rev. G. W. J. Spenee, the minister in Blenheim. Mr Spence has been stationed at Auckland, Oamaru, Punedin, Napier, Greymouth, and a few smaller centres. He is assisted in his work by the Rev. B. J. James, who is serving in his first circuit as a minister.
began its campaign in Blenheim on the 3rd of August, 1884, when Captain McMillan and Lieutenant Teasdale conducted the opening services in Hewitt's Hall. Not long afterwards, the present “barracks” (a term that has recently been officially changed to “hall”) were erected. This building, which is of wood, faces Wynen Street, and has seat room for 550 persons; Towards the rear, a Junior Soldiers hall has been built in brick, at a cost of £600. The Salvation Army in Blenheim is in a flourishing condition, and has between seventy and eighty soldiers, in addition to recruits. Good work is done in connection with the Young People's Bible Class, which is well attended. The Blenheim district extends to Onamalutu, and the amount raised for the Self-Denial Fund in 1904 was £200. The corps has had seventy-nine officers since its establishment. Ensign H. P. Sharp is the present officer-in-charge.
Sports, pastimes and other forms of recreation are well provided for in Blenheim, which has three social clubs; namely, the Marlborough, the Blenheim and the Working Men's. The Marlborough Racing Club holds a two days' meeting twice a year on its well appointed racecourse, where the local Trotting Club also holds meetings. Athletic and social clubs are well supported, and sports and recreational exercises are held on borough reserves and private grounds. The Rowing Club's shed stands at the junction of the Omaka and Opawa, and motor launches, pleasure boats, and racing outriggers are often seen on the beautiful reaches of the rivers. The Acclimatisation Society has stocked all the rivers with trout, and the largest of these fish yet (1905) angled in New Zealand—a 30-pound trout, preserved in the Tourist Department's rooms in Wellington—was landed within a very short distance of Market Place, Blenheim. Young fish are still yearly distributed from the local hatcheries. The Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association has private grounds, on which it holds successful annual shows. Blenheim has a Literary Institute, with a public reading room and a good circulating library, but the institution is at present (1905) open only on three days of the week. Marlborough has a bright and bracing climate, abounds in fine scenery, and has much to interest the artist, sportsman, and tourist.
was founded in the year 1885 by Messrs H. Dodson, A. Green, and others, and has always been a strong and popular club. The boating sheds are situated at the junction of the Omaka and Opawa rivers, and the club possesses seven racing skiffs, and five pleasure boats. The Opawa has some excellent stretches for boating purposes, and the weekly practices on the river from September to April are well attended. The Blenheim Club always takes a good position in local and interprovincial regattas. In the year 1900, it was selected by the New Zealand Rowing Association to represent New Zealand against the Australian States at Sydney, and succeeded in gaining second place. The club has a membership of about 120. Officers for 1905: President, Dr. Anderson; Vice-President, Mr. James McKinley; Captain, Mr. J. W. Girling; Secretary, Mr. E. Griffiths.
, Vice-President of the Blenheim Rowing Club, has represented the club at many regattas. He became a member at its foundation, and has occupied almost every office in connection with it, including that of captain, which he successfully filled lor many years. Mr. McKinley was born in Pieton, and is a son of the late Mr. James McKinley. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and for several years was variously employed at general work. At eighteen years of age, he learned carpentry under Mr. David Wemyss, of Grove Road; subsequently, he spent some years as a
was established about the year 1880, and Messrs W. B. Parker and Robert Allan were two of the most prominent of its promoters. The Association has been regarded as the centre of the industrial activities of the province, and is in a prosperous condition. The debenture system. originated some time ago by Mr. Stephen Tapp to augment the funds, has been a successful one. The show ground, which belongs to the Association, is a valuable property of thirteen acres, and possesses a fine frontage to Maxwell Road. An exhibition is held annually in November, and over 6500 is distributed in prizes at each show. There is a membership of about 400. Officers for the year 1905: President, Mr. A. McCallum, junior; Vice-President, Mr. Patrick Meehan; Secretary, Mr. J. J. Corry, and Treasurer, Mr. R. McArtney.
, junior, was appointed President of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association in May, 1905, He was born on the 27th of April, 1860, in Blenheim, and is the third son of Mr. Archibald McCallum, senior, who is further referred to under the heading of Farmers. Mr. McCallum was educated at the local Borough School, afterwards learned farming on his father's property, and started on his own account in the year 1888. For a time, he worked a leasehold section at Spring Creek in conjunction with his farm near Blenheim, but this he subsequently disposed of. Mr. McCalltim's property consists of 225 acres of the best agricultural land. In September. 1902, he established a flour mill in Blenheim, on Grove Road, and carries on a large local and export trade. Mr. McCallum is a member of several social clubs in Blenheim, and is president of the Marlborough High School Old Boys' Football Club. He is married, and has four sons and one daughter.
There are three bands in Blenheim—the Garrison Band, the Hibernian Band, and the Salvation Army Band. There is also a local Orchestral Society, and the town churches possess good choirs. Musical entertainments, however, are not frequently held, but the erection of a town hall—for which a loan of £4,000 has been voted—will perhaps lead to a change in this respect. There is a band rotunda in Market Place, and another in Seymour Square, and from these stands the brass bands occasionally give open-air concerts. At the Bands Contest held in Feilding in October, 1905, the Blenhein Garrison Band entered for eleven events, and secured five first and four second prizes; in all, it won £40, eleven medals, a conductor's baton, and the metronome for the championship. Blenheim also tied with the Feilding Band for the first place in the aggregate points, each gaining 258.
A. Mus. T. C. L., Teacher of the Pianoforte, Organ, Singing, Theory, and the Violin, Hutcheson Street, Blenheim. Mr. Cheek established himself in Blenheim in 1887, and is at the head of the musical profession in the town. He was born in London in 1862, began to receive musical instruction at quite an early age, and was organist at Brondesbury Baptist Church, London, before he was out of his teens. In 1882, Mr. Cheek came to New Zealand by the ship “Wairoa,” and settled down in Wellington. He subsequently removed to Auckland, but twelve months later went to Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay, whence he removed to Blenheim and established his present connection. He has a very large circle of pupils, and for the past seventeen years he has been organist and choirmaster of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cheek holds the higher certificates in barmony (honours), and counterpoint, as well as the diploma of Associate of Music, from Trinity College, London. He annually passes a number of pupils through the Associated Board and Trinity College examinations, and some of the music teachers of Blenheim have been taught by him. The “Musical Herald” of February, 1893, published the part song “O Weary Hands” as set to music by Mr. Cheek, and the composition was subsequently printed in sheet music and found a ready sale. Mr. Cheek's son, Hillier, born in 1888, has inherited musical ability, and holds the pianoforte diploma of the Associated Board of the R.A.M. and R.C.M.
Teacher of the Piano, Violin and Singing, Maxwell Road, Blenheim. Miss McCabe was educated at the Christchurch Convent, and while on a visit to Blenheim in 1890, she was induced to take up her residence thore and to adopt the teaching profession. She prepares pupils for the Trinity College examinations, and is organist to the Catholic Church, and pianiste to the Orchestral Society; previously she filled a similar position in the Choral Society.
Teacher of Pianoforte, Singing, and Theory. Mrs Lucas established herself in the profession at Blenheim in 1894, and has done much for the musical people of Marlborugh. Prior to that time, she and her late husband, who died that year, were ever ready to lend a helping hand in musical matters. During her ten years' experience as a teacher, Mrs Lucas has been successful in passing, pupils for both Trinity College and Associated Board examinations, in theory, singing, and pianoforte. Mrs Lucas has now (1905) removed to Wellington, where she is continuing her profession.
, formerly Bandmaster of the Blenheim Volunteer Band, first took up his duties in 1890, and after devoting about two years to the conductorship he resigned. Mr. Nancarrow help the leadership till 1897, when Mr. Curry again took charge for some time. Mr. Curry was born in Wellington in 1856, and followed the trade of a joiner. He has been associated with musical matters all his life, and was a member of the Wellington Artillery Band for two years under Mr. Salvatore Cimino.
Some interesting facts concerning the history of the newspaper press in Blenheim are given in the general introduction to the Marlborough section of this volume. Two paper—the “Marlborough Daily Times” and the “Marlborough. Express”—are published daily, morning and evening respectively, from the same office. On the 23rd of September, 1905, the “Marlborough Herald,” a new journal, made its appearance; and its first numbers were so well got up and so neatly printed, as to justify the expectation of a long and useful career for the paper.
in Blenheim are domiciled in the Government Buildings, which are referred to in an article in the section devoted to Government institutions. Usually, three Supreme Court sessions are held during the year, and are presided over by Chief Justice Sir Robert Stout. The Registrar of the Supreme Court is Mr. T. Scott-Smith, Stipendiary Magistrate, and Mr. R. McCallum is the Crown Prosecntor. In the Magistrate's Court civil business is taken every Friday morning, and police cases when necessary. Mr. T. Scott-Smith is the Stipendiarv Magistrate, and J. Terry, the Clerk of the Court. In 1857, Dr. Muller was transferred from Nelson to Blenheim, where he was appointed Resident Magistrate, and administered the law until 1878, when he retired into private life. He was followed, successively, by Messrs Stuart, Turnbull, Allen, Dr. McArthur, and Mr. T. Scott-Smith.
was appointed Stipendiary Magistrate at Blenheim, in November, 1902. He was born in Forfarshire. Scotland, where his father was a large sheepfarmer. Mr. Scott-Smith was educated at Dundee Academy, and studied at Edinburgh University, with a view to entering the legal profession. After his admission to the bar, he went to India, where he practised for some years at Calcutta. Rangoon, and Basim in British Burma. He came to New Zealand in the year 1884, was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, and was engaged in private practice until 1902. In 1885, Mr. Scott-Smith published a digest of legal cases tried in New Zealand, which is still extensively used by the profession. He is Registrar of the Supreme Court, District Land Registrar, Coroner, Examiner of Titles, Official Member of the Maori Council, and Warden of the Goldfields for Marlborough.
Barrister and Solicitor, High Street, Blenheim. Established 1899. Bankers, Bank of New South Walos. Wellington Agents, Messrs Brown and Dean, solicitors, 5 Lambton Quay. Mr. Baillie was admitted on the 9th of April, 1897, by Chief Justice Sir James Prendergast. He was born on the 11th of May, 1867, and is a son of the Hon. Captain W. D. H. Baillie, M.L.C., referred to elsewhere in this volume, and also a page 96 of the Wellington volume of the Cyclopedia. After being educated at Nelson College, he was articled to the late Mr. Hartley McIntire for four years, and then proceeded to Wellington, where, in January, 1894. he became managing clerk to Messrs Brown and Dean. He also acted in a similar capacity for Mr. Hankiss, of Palmerston North, before settling at Blenheim. Mr. Baillie was married, on the 8th of December, 1897, to Annie Louise, eldest daughter of Colonel William Staveley, sometime Commandant of Militia and Volunteers, Otago district, and has issue.
Barrister at Law, and Crown Solicitor for the judicial district of Nelson, at Blenheim. Mr. McCallum was born in Marlborough in 1863. He served his articles of clerkship with Mr. W. Sinclair, then Crown Solicitor for Marlborough, and after passing the final examination in 1885, entered into partnership with Mr. Sinclair. That continued till 1899, and since then Mr. McCallum has carried on a most successful practice on his own account. Mr. McCallum is solicitor to the National Bank of New Zealand. Ltd., and the Bank of New South Wales. He has been a town councillor and Mayor of Blenheim, and occupies positions in most of the local bodies, including the Marlborough Education Board, and the Wairau Hosnital and Charitable Aid Board, and he was formerly a member of the Lower Wairau River Board.
Barrister and Solicitor, High Street, Blenheim. Mr. Rogers, who
The pioneers of Marlborough in cluded such medical men at Drs Richardson, Renwick, Vickerman, Allison, Stewart, and Horme. Of these only Dr. Stewart and Dr. Horme were in regular practice, but the others, who were engaged in pastoral pursuits, lent their professional services in cases of necessity. Members of the medical profession practising in the four chief cities of New Zealand are well represented in the published volumes of the Cyclopedia; but in some of the smaller towns the compilers have found medical men less willing to impart information about themselves in their professional capacity. Hence meagreness where, otherwise, there would have been fullness of detail in the medical section. There are five medical practitioners, two chemists and four dentists in Blenheim.
Dental Surgeon, Maxwell Road, Blenheim. Mr. Bagge was born in Blenheim in the year 1874, and is a son of Mr. John Bagge, formerly Chief Postmaster of Blenheim. He was educated at the local public school, and at a private college at Masterton, and afterwards learned dentistry under Mr. J. L. Moffitt, of Masterton. Later on, Mr. Bagge assisted Mr. H. M. Kilgour, at Marton, and Mr. A. H. Tripe, at Marton and Wellington, and in the year 1900 was for about six months with Mr. Hooper, of Feilding, where he qualified as a dental surgeon. He then entered into business on his own account in Blenheim, and now (1905) conducts an extensive and prosperous practice. Mr. Bagge's rooms, which include a surgery, two waiting apartments, and a laboratory, are centrally situated, and well appointed. Mr. Bagge is a member of various social clubs. He is married, and has one son.
The history of banking in Marlborough dates back to 1860, when a branch office of the Bank of New Zealand was opened at Picton, under the management of Mr. Bridges. An agency was also opened at Blenheim, but in 1865, when the seat of Government was removed from Picton to Blenheim, the chief branch of the bank was also transferred to the capital. There are now three banking houses transacting business in Blenheim; namely, the Bank of New Zealand, the National Bank of New Zealand, and the Bank of New South Wales. On page 84 of this volume some information is given concerning the operations of the banks doing business in New Zealand during the year 1904. A large amount of business is also transacted through the Post Office Savings Bank. For the three months which ended the 30th of June, 1905, the money deposited in the savings banks of the colony amounted to £I,705,218, and the withdrawals to £I,582,604. Of these amounts, the eight savings banks in the Blenheim district received £33,691 75 in deposits, and paid out £26,164 12s 7d in withdrawals. The excess of deposits over withdrawals—£7,526 14s 5d— was, with the exception of the four chief cities, and Invercargill and Nelson, greater than in any other district in the colony.
opened a branch in Blenheim in September, 1884, and at first it had premises in High Street. Its present building was completed in the early part of October, 1903. It is of brick and plaster, two stories in height, and stands at the corner of Market Street South and Charles Street. The bank occupies only a portion of the ground floor, and the remainder of the building is let to tenants. Mr. McFarlane was the first manager of the branch, and Messrs R. C. Tennent, E. J. S. Eckford, and R. W. Jenkins have been his successors.
joined the Bank of New South Wales in 1869, was transferred to Blenheim, in September, 1890, and has since remained in charge of the branch.
, Market Place, Blenheim. This is an imposing two-storey concrete building, situated at the corner of High Street, and facing Market Place, and was erected in lieu of the one destroyed by fire on the 1st of November, 1876. The manager's residence also forms part of the building, and the ground at the back is tastefully laid out. The public office is handsomely finished and decorated, and the manager's room is comfortably furnished. There is an agency at Picton, which is controlled by the Blenheim manager, and the institution has clients in all parts of the district. Six officers are employed; and Mr. A E. Mills is the present (1905) manager.
, Market Place, Blenheim. The Blenheim branch of the National Bank of New Zealand
, who is now accountant at the National Bank, Invercargill, was formerly Acting Manager of the National Bank, Blenheim, where he was appointed in 1897, and for three years previously had acted as accountant. He is a son of the late Mr. William Black, at one time manager of the National Bank, Nelson. Mr. Black was born in the South of France, and educated at the Melbourne Grammar School. He came to New Zealand in 1870, and joined the National Bank at Nelson two years later. He has been stationed at Dunodin, Napier, Wellington, Greymouth and Lyell, and was accountant at Reefton before removing to Blenheim. Mr. Black takes a keen interest in boating and other local sports.
Surrounded by the large fertile plain of the Wairau, which in turn is bounded by undulating and hilly pastoral, lands, Blenheim, the capital of Marlborough, is the scene of considerable commercial activity, and the home of a prosperous and thriving community. Good seasons and large yields of produce that have brought excellent prices, have been prevailing conditions for several years past; and the purchase by the Government of large estates, under the Land for Settlements Act, has proved beneficial to the commerce of the town and to the development of the country. In the year 1855, Mr. Wynen, who had previously conducted a store at the Boulder Bank, removed inland, and, on the site now occupied by Messrs Clouston and Company, he erected a small raupo store, the first place of business in Blenheim. A series of earthquakes at that time had the effect of improving the navigable condition of the rivers, and shipping was thereby facilitated on the Opawa, down which the increasing supply of wool was sent. However, since the completion of the railway to Picton, most of the produce has been shipped from that port. Direct shipping communication with England has, in fact, been continuous since 1884, and the large British steamers engaged in the colonial trade obtain no inconsiderable portion of their cargoes at Picton. Some facts and figures worth recalling in this connection are given in an article which appears on pages 86 and 87 of this volume.
Both the town and rural sections were readily taken up when Blenheim was laid out as a township. By 1860, the population had increased to 300 people, and Blenheim possessed several stores, and other institutions of modern civilisation. The returns at the census taken in 1901, gave Blenheim a population of 3226, but since then there has been an increase.
In Blenheim to-day there are a number of well-built business houses, large flour mills, factories, and good hotels, and a great number of stores well stocked with goods, which are retailed at prices showing no appreciable advance on those ruling at Wellington.
To emphasise the growing commercial importance of Blenheim, and the resources of the province of Marlborough, a conference of representatives and public bodies was held early in 1904, and made suggestions for holding an industrial exhibition. At a public meeting held soon afterwards in Blenheim, the scheme was cordially approved; and the meeting led to the creation of the Marlborough Industrial Association. Mr. R. McCallum was elected president, and Mr. J. J. Corry carried out the manifold duties of honorary secretary. A special building was erected in Seymour Square, and the exhibition was opened by His Excellency Lord Plunket, on the 17th of September, 1904. Next to those which had been held in the four chief cities, the Marlborough exhibition proved to be the largest and most comprehensive which had, up to that time, been attempted in New Zealand, and exhibits were received from all parts of the colony.
Deputy Official Assignee and General Commission Agent, High Street, Blenheim. Mr. Dunn is also agent for the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company. He was born in 1861, in Yorkshire, England, and received his education at the Trent College, Nottingham. Mr. Dunn followed a mercantile life until he came to New Zealand, in 1890. For a few years he made Nelson his home, but then removed to Blenheim, where he received the appointment of Deputy Official Assignee, which he still retains. Apart from his official duties, Mr. Dunn does an extensive business in commission agencies, and his offices are very central, being in Clouston's Chambers, High Street. Mr. Dunn is an active member of the Cricket Club, and is honorary secretary to the Marlborough Gun Club.
Land, Estate, Insurance and Commission Agent, Blenheim. Mr. White is agent for the Public Trustee, District Agent for Marlborough for the Phoenix Assurance Company, and Agent for the Marine Insurance Company of London. His office is opposite the Post Office, Blenheim. Mr. White has money to invest on freehold security,
, Assoc. Memb. Inst. C.E., was formerly in practice as an architect and civil engineer at Blenheim. Mr. Dobson is a son of the late Mr. Alfred Dobson, who was engaged on the Great Northern Railway, under the late Sir William Cubitt, P.P.I.C.E. Mr. Douglas Dobson carried out extensive river conservation and diversion works for the Lower Wairau River Board whilst he was in Marlborough. He has also been extensively engaged in road construction and bridge erection, as well as in drainage works; and has latterly carried out water, gas, and sewerage works as Borough Engineer at Masterton, in the North Island.
, sometime an architect and civil engineer in Blenheim, was born at Wanganui in 1853, and received his primary education at Wellington. He then removed to the High School, Christchurch, where, at the early age of twelve years, he gained a prize given by the Provincial Engineer. He was also honorary captain of the High School Cadets, who were considered the best drilled corps in the district, and when he returned to Wellington he received an ensign's commission in the Wellington militia, which was, however, disbanded in 1870. In Wellington, Mr. Park entered the office of his uncle, the Hon. Robert Hart, then a well-known barrister and solicitor of that city. In 1872 he passed both the junior and senior Civil Service examinations. At that time the public works scheme was just beginning, and he was appointed as cadet on the Rimutaka railway. After seeing it as far as Featherston he was transferred to Patea, and there he laid off the railway from Normanby to Patea. In 1879, Mr. Park was transferred from his railway engagements to the charge of the roads in the Waikato district. However, he did not remain there long, as he left the Public Works Department in 1880, and went to Canterbury, where he purchased the “Ellesmere Guardian,” which he sold, after successfully conducting it for six years. Mr. Park then went to the Midland Railway to superintend the work of construction for the contractors, but three years later, owing to the ill-health of his wife, he removed to Blenheim. Mr. Park was for over four years road overseer to the Awatere Road Board, which controls an extensive district in Marlborough. He became a Freemason in 1879, and was afterwards a Past Master of the order, and secretary of his lodge in Blenheim. He was one of the founders of the Wellington Football Club, and for many years held the belt as representative half-back for the Wellington province. On several occasions, he captained the representative team on its visits to Nelson, and when Canterbury visited Wellington. Mr. Park was one of the original members in the Star Rowing Club, and was one of the fastest short-distance runners of his day. He was a widower, with two sons and one daughter, and died at Blenheim in 1904.
Art Photographer, Market Place, Blenheim. This business was founded some time in the fifties by the late Mr. William Collie, the first photographer in Blenheim. In the year 1870, he was joined in partnership by Mr. W. H. Macey, his former manager, who purchased the business in 1874, and has since conducted it on his own account. Under his care the connection has steadily increased, and in 1902 branches were opened at Picton and Havelock. The premises in Blenheim consist of a two-storied wooden building, which includes a handsome and commodious vestibule, containing a fine display of specimen portraits and pictures, two waiting rooms, a dark room, a store room and a well-appointed studio, with good lighting apparatus. A large amount of work is also carried on at Mr. Macey's private residence, where additional room has been provided to cope with the increase of business. Mr. Macey employs a skilful artist in his studio, and a capable operator for outdoor photography, so that he is in a position to turn out work equal to the best in the colony. He has customers all over the province, and beyond it; and does a large business in portraiture, and in the sale of local scenery, of which he has a fine collection. Mr. Macey keeps himself well abreast with the latest improvements in photography. He is further referred to as a former Mayor of Blenheim.
Baker and Confectioner, Wynen Street, Blenheim. This business was taken over by Mr. Young in 1894, and under his supervision, it has become one of the best and most prosperous of its class. An efficient staff is kept by the proprietor, who is thus able to cope with an increasing trade. The premises, which are situated near the the centre of the town, are large and commodious, with a frontage of about forty feet to Wynen Street. Mr. Young, the proprietor, is the son of a pioneer, who arrived in Nelson in 1842, by the ship “Thomas Harrison.” His mother was born in New Plymouth, where her parents arrived from Wiltshire in 1840. Mr. Young was born in Nelson, but when he was four years old he went to New Plymouth, where he was educated. He returned
, in Blenheim, was first established in the year 1858 by the late Mr. Henry Dodson, who was joined shortly afterwards by Mr. Adam Ball, and the business was conducted under the style of Messrs Dodson and Ball until 1874. Mr. Ball then sold out, and Mr. Dodson carried on the business until his death, when it was conducted by his eldest son, who, however, died in the early nineties. Mr. Leonard Dodson, youngest son of the founder, then carried it on in conjunction with Mr. H. T. Thompson, formerly of the Colonial Bank. Three years and six months later, Mrs Dodson, widow of the eldest son of the late Mr. Henry Dodson, took over the brewery, and shortly afterwards employed Mr. James Chinn to manage the business, which has steadily increased under his management. The brewery is a large building of brick, wood, and concrete, with malthouses attached, and is situated near the southern end of Grove Road. It supplies beer to nearly all the free hotels in Marlborough, and “Dodson's Beer” has won for itself a well merited reputation for excellence. The yearly output of the establishment is 700 hogsheads.
, Manager of the Wairau brewery, was born in March, 1846, at St. Pierre, in the Isle of Guernsey, educated at public schools, and at twenty years of age joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Three years and six months later be resigned his commission, and towards the end of 1874 came to New Zealand. Mr. Chinn landed at Picton in January, 1875, and went to Blenheim, where he has since resided. For many years, he was engaged at various kinds of work, including chemistry and photography, before taking up his present appointment in March, 1898. Mr. Chinn is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, takes a keen interest in horticultural matters, and has some fine conservatories and gardens at his private residence in Grove Road.
Joiner, Builder and Undertaker, Charles Street, Blenheim. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Eltham Road. This well-known business was established by Messrs Brewer and Hay, in 1887, and has steadily increased from year to year. In 1897, Messrs Brewer and Hay dissolved partnership by mutual consent, and since then the business has been carried on by Mr. Brewer alone. It extends all over Marlbororough, throughout which many fine buildings have been erected by Mr. Brewer. Mr. Brewer was born at Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England, in 1853, and was educated under the Rev. George Southern. He was apprenticed to the building trade, and when twenty-one years of age he entered his father's business as a partner, and the firm was known as J. Brewer and Son. In 1884, he came to New Zealand in the ship “Oxford,” and landed at Wellington, whence he moved to Blenheim, where he established the present business. Mr. Brewer takes a deep interest in church matters, and has for about thirty years held the position of local preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He has also been connected with the Druid's Lodge for many years, during which he has held the position of Senior Past Arch. Mr. Brewer is married, and has two sons and eight daughters.
, Builders, Contractors, and Timber Merchants, Blenheim. This business was founded in the seventies by the late
Mr. E. Bythell, and conducted under his name until his death in 1894, when it was styled Messrs Bythell and Co., and placed under the sole direction of Mr. Brown. The firm occupies a central site of about an acre, with a good frontage to Maxwell road, and extending back to Walter Street. The premises consist of a fine shop for the storage and display of builders' requisites, with offices attached; also, a large building containing woodworking machinery, and workshop, general storage houses, and the manager's private residence. Messrs Bythell and Co. purchase their timber in large quantities direct from the sawmillers
Bricklayer and Building Contractor, Grove Road, Blenheim. Mr. Daikee was born at Takaka, Nelson, in the year 1856. He was educated at the first school opened in Blenheim, and afterwards learned bricklaying under his father, the late Mr. William Thomas Daikee, who is further referred to as an old colonist. Mr. Daikee afterwards worked at his trade for several years in various parts of New Zealand. In 1882, he joined his father in partnership, and, when his father died, took over the business as sole proprietor. Mr. Daikee carries on a steady and profitable trade in bricklaying, and keeps several men in constant employment. He is also an extensive brickmaker, and his kilns, situated at Tuamarina, seven miles from Blenheim, turn out about 50,000 bricks per month. A large number of these Mr. Daikee uses on his own contracts, and the remainder find a ready sale among contractors all over the province. Mr. Daikee is married, and has two sons and five daughters.
Builder and Contractor, Blenheim. Mr. Fawcett was born in February, 1858, at Blackburn, Lancashire, England, where he was educated and apprenticed to the building trade under his father, who was a partner in the firm of Messrs Livesey and Fawcett. He afterwards assisted for some years in the management of his father's private business. In January, 1887, Mr. Fawcett came to New Zealand, landed at Lyttelton, and was employed by the firm of Messrs Glass and Down, of Christchurch, for about five months. He then went to Wellington, and in July, 1887, removed to the Wairau. For a year or two Mr. Fawcett worked in conjunction with others, but for sixteen years he has successfully conducted business on his own account, and during that time has erected some of the largest and best known business premises and private residences in Blenheim and the surrounding district; such as the new Club Hotel, the Grosvenor Hotel, the new “Express” buildings, Messrs Redwood Brothers' flourmill and residence at Spring Creek, and Mr. Seymour's residence on the Tenterfield run. Mr. Fawcett for many years resided at Grovetown, and was secretary and inspector of the Spring Creek Road and River Boards. He has recently (1905) taken up his residence in the suburb of St. Andrews, where timber supplies can be landed by the river boats in his private yard, which is situated on the bank of the Opawa.
(Lauritz Homes and Charles Lane), Coachbuilders and Wheel-wrights, Maxwell Road, Blenheim. Established 1888. The premises have a frontage of fifty feet. Messrs Homes and Lane manufacture all classes of vehicles, but they make a specialty of dogcarts and springcarts, for which they have gained an excellent reputation. The firm has gained several first prizes for its manufactures at the Marlborough agricultural and pastoral shows. Six persons, including a blacksmith, are regularly employed by the firm.
was born and brought up in Blenheim, where he served his apprenticoship with the late Mr. John Macalister, with whom he remained seven years, and then started on his own account. Mr. Homes is a member of several societies.
was born at Nelson in 1861, and servod his apprenticeship as a coachbuilder with Messrs Balme and Co., with whom he remained seven or eight years. He also worked at his trade in Blenheim, and was for a short time in Wellington. On returning to Blenheim he started his present business.
Coachbuilder and Wheelwright, High Street, Blenheim. Established in 1881. Mr James can turn out every class of vehicle at his establishment, where he has every necessary appliance, such as tyre-benders, tyre-upsetters, tyre-plates, etc. He therefore can hold his own with all competitors, and give a good article at a fair price. Mr. James was born in Melbourne in 1855, and served his apprenticeship with Mr. John Matthews, of King Street, Dunedin. After completing his time, he came to Blenheim, and was employed with the late Mr. John Macalister. Mr. James has taken considerable interest in local affairs. For two years he was a member of the Borough Council. He was for many years a member of the Fire Brigade, of which he has been lieutenant, and has also been sergeant in the Blenheim Mounted Rifles. He has also been connected with the Freemasons and with the Foresters, for a long time. Since 1895, Mr. James has filled the office of president of the Working Men's Club. He has been a member of the Borough School committee since 1898, and is on the committee of the local cycling club.
, (H. Kirby and T. A. Kirby), Coachbuilders, Wheelwrights and General Blacksmiths, Alfred Street, Blenheim. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This large and flourishing business was established in 1885 by Mr. J. S. Kirby. It was begun in a very small way, but is now in the van of businesses of its class in the province of Marlborough. Work is constantly received from all parts of the district, and orders have been fulfilled for customers in other parts of the Colony. In the coachbuilding department, Messrs Kirby Bros. turn out waggons and the heavier lines associated with the trade, as well as buggies and shooting carts, Indeed, a specialty is made of shooting carts, which have always given satisfaction to the firm's
was born in London, and came out to New Zealand with his parents in 1876. He learned his trade at Blenheim under Messrs E. James and Tunnicliffe, and afterwards visited various parts of the colony, in order to be able to compete with the best in the business.
was born in London, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1876 by the ship “Wennington.” He was educated at the state school at Blenheim, and served for seven years under his father at the coach building trade. He then went to the North Island, where he stayed for about three years gaining further experience.
Gentlemen's Clothier, Hatter, and Mercer, Market Street, Blenheim. The premises have a frontage of 42 feet to Market Street, and the owner is doing a good, sound, and steady trade. A large stock of ready-made clothing is kept always on hand, but orders for measured suits are also taken by Mr. Bartlett, and fulfilled at the shortest notice.
was born in Blenheim in 1876, and received his education at the Borough School, under the able tuition of the late Mr. J. P. Lucas. After leaving school, he entered a clothier's and mercer's establishment, where he had eight years of experience until 1898, when he was appointed manager of the Blenheim branch of Messrs E. W. Dee and Sons, of Nelson, from whom he afterwards bought the business. Mr. Bartlett is an accomplished musician, and takes a great interest in the Orchestral Society of Blenheim.
(F. S. Clarke, manager), Drapers, Clothiers, House Furnishers, Etc., Market Square, Blenheim; branches at Havelock and Picton. P.O. Box 13. Private residence, High Street. Telephone 57. This business was established in 1872 by the late Mr. W. B. Girling, who died in 1898. The shop is centrally situated; it is of two stories, and has a floorage space of 7000 square feet. The stock is large, embraces all the newest goods, and all classes are carefully catered for by the management. The firm has an extensive dressmaking room, with a large staff of dressmakers; also a large millinery and fancy room, which is always crowded with novelties. The firm is in touch with the great manufacturers of England and the Continent, and so is enabled to supply its customers at the lowest possible prices, with goods of the newest possible designs and patterns, and with every season's specialties.
Draper, Clothier, Milliner and Dressmaker, Market Place, Blenheim. P.O. Box 57. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Sword's House, Main Street. This business was established in 1882, and is carried on in a two-storey building, which has a floor space of 1000 square feet. Mr Mullen was born in Dublin, Ireland, and entered his father's business to obtain a knowledge of his trade. He came to New Zealand in 1874 by the ship “Knight of Snowdon,” and landed at Port Chalmers. Thence he went to Wellington, where he was in the employment of Mr. McDowell, and managed his branch at Wanganui for six years. Mr. Mullen was in business on his own account in various parts of the North Island before settling in Blenheim. He is a member of the Wairau Lodge of Freemasons.
(James K. Vail, proprietor), Tailors, Market Street South, Blenheim. This business was established in May, 1905, in succession to the firm of Messrs Bates and Lees. It occupies a portion of a new and handsome brick building, has a fine show window facing the main street, and a large general business room, a fitting room, and a private office. The work rooms are situated a short distance away, in High Street. The firm employs about ten persons, and an extensive business is done throughout the province. A heavy stock of the best tailoring materials is always kept, and the fit and finish of the suits turned out are such as to increase and ensure patronage.
, Proprietor of the firm of Messrs Vail and Company, was born at Geelong, Victoria, Australia. He came to New Zealand as a boy, and was apprenticed to the tailoring trade under his father, then a leading tailor in New Plymouth. In the early eighties, he spent about one year and six months with Messrs Ballantyne and Company, of Christchurch, and later on went to Auckland, where he worked for Messrs Poseniski, and then for Mr. Murchie. Mr. Vail afterwards managed a business for Mr. Williams, and subsequently for Mr. Morgan, at Whangarei, for about three years. He again spent a short time with Mr. Poseniski, in Auckland, and from there was appointed cutter for Mr. Blyth, of Napier. A little later, Mr. Vail went to Wellington to take up a position in the firm of Messrs King and Muir. In the year 1902, he was appointed manager of the tailoring department of Messrs Bates and Lees, and in the following year was sent to take charge of their Blenheim branch. This he successfully conducted for two years, and when the firm withdrew, in the early part of 1905, he continued in the business on his own account. Mr. Vail is an Oddfellow and a Freemason, and is a member of the Blenheim Borough School committee.
is a native of Onehunga, but learned his trade
with Mr. W. Higgins, tailor, formerly of Nelson. As soon as he was out of his time, he started for himself in Nelson. Business was then brisk in that quiet town, and for three years
(S. Holcroft, proprietor), Alfred Street, Blenheim. This business was established in the year 1890 by Mr. T. Batty, and was conducted by him in a small wooden building until December, 1903, when it was bought by the present proprietor. The present handsome and commodious premises were built by Mr. Holcroft, in 1904, and consist of a one-storied brick building, which occupies a large section adjoining the Mechanics' Institute. It contains a fine show room, a general shop, and an office, with two large plate glass windows. At the rear there is a large factory, where most of the goods for the business are made, including cabinetware, spring mattresses, upholstery, picture frames, and furniture of every description. There is a first class plant of machinery, and six persons are constantly employed; and Mr. Holcroft keeps a large and well-arranged stock of furniture of all kinds. The goods made and sold are of the best quality, and the prices are reasonable.
, Proprietor of the Up-to-date Warehouse and Factory, was born in Wanganui, and was educated at the Wellington College. He was afterwards apprenticed to the trade of cabinetmaking under Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm, of Wellington, and after remaining in their employment for about seven years, he worked as a journeyman in other leading warehouses in Wellington. In the year 1903, he bought his present business, and has since devoted his energies to its improvement. Mr. Holcroft is a member of several athletic clubs, and a member of the Hibernian Society.
Upholsterer, Cabinetmaker and Picture Framer, Market Street, Blenheim. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Fowler has a very complete stock of household requisites, and can procure any article on the shortest notice. Nearly the whole of the stock is made on the premises under the direction of Mr. Fowler himself, who is a thoroughly experienced workman. None but woods of the best quality are used, and they are thoroughly seasoned before being turned to account. Mr. Fowler has a handsome two-storey brick building, which has a frontage of 30 feet to Market Place. He was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1863, was apprenticed to his trade at Swindon, and came to New Zealand in 1874. Mr. Fowler has been associated with the Oddfellows of the Manchester Unity since 1877, and for more than twenty years he has held the important position of corresponding secretary for the Marlborough district. He is also a volunteer of twenty-two years' standing; during fourteen of these he served as a lieutenant, but owing to pressure of business he some years ago severed his connection with the volunteers.
Furniture Dealer, Alfred Street, Blenheim. Private residence, John Street. Mr. Smale was born in Devonshire, England, in 1852, and was brought up to the drapery business, which he has followed for the greater part of his life. In 1881, he came to New Zealand, and settled in Blenheim, where he established a storekeeping business; but he is now (1905) a furniture dealer. Mr. Smale is referred to elsewhere as an ex-member of the Blenheim Borough Council.
(W. W. Middleton, proprietor), Blenheim. This excellent hotel, which is one of the most popular in the province, is situated in a central position in High Street, almost opposite Seymour Squqre. The business was established in the year 1880 by Captain Priddle; but the building was subsequently burned down, and afterwards rebuilt, and the present commodious house was renovated in 1905. The “Grosvenor” is a two-storied building of wood and iron, stands on a concrete foundation, and possesses a frontage of about 150 feet. There are over thirty rooms, including four public and two private sitting rooms, a commercial room, a large dining room, about twenty bedrooms, and two bathrooms with hot and cold water laid on. The bar room, which is a well-appointed apartment, is stocked at all times with the very best brands of ales, spirits, and wines. There is also large stabling and paddocking accommodation. The whole business is under the personal supervision of Mr. Middleton, who exercises scrupulous care in attending to the needs and wishes of his numerous guests. The Grosvenor Hotel is used as the meeting place of the clubs, societies and associations of the district.
, Proprietor of the Grosvenor Hotel, was born in Staffordshire, England, educated at Sydney College, Bath, and in France, and subsequently went to sea in the merchant service. After gaining his second mate's certificate, he left the sea, and in the year 1879 came to New Zealand in the ship “Euterpe.” He spent a few months in harvesting, and then bought an hotel at Opunake, in Taranaki, which he successfully conducted for about twenty years. In 1895, he sold out, and took a trip to England, but on his return he re-purchased the hotel and conducted it till 1899, when he again sold out and took over the “Grosvenor.” Mr. Middleton was for some time a member of the committee of the Blenheim Racing Club.
Engineer, Iron and Brass Founder, Walter Street, Blenheim. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Walter Street. This business was established by Mr. Fairweather in 1879. The premises, which are built chiefly of iron, cover an area of 1600 square feet, and the machinery is driven by a four-horse power engine, built by the proprietor. The machinery includes drilling, screwing and bending machines, two lathes, an emery wheel, and a travelling crane. Mr. Fairweather makes all his own castings in brass and iron, and he does work in that connection for settlers throughout the whole of Marlborough. He is the manufacturer of “Fairweather's” strippers, which have proved a boon to flax dressers, and he sends these to nearly all parts of the Colony. Mr. Fairweather was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1842, and was apprenticed as an engineer with Messrs Pearce Bros., of Lilybank Foundry, Dundee On the completion of his five years of apprenticeship, he went to Greenock and Liverpool, and thence to America, and while on his travels he gained valuable information as an engineer. In 1875 he came to New Zealand by the ship “Rangitikei.” For a time he was with Messrs John Anderson and Co., of Christchurch; later on he was in the employment of the Despatch Foundry Company, Ltd., Grey-mouth, and then he established his present business, which, by dint of energy and perseverance, and with the assistance of his two sons, he has made the foremost of its kind in Marlborough.
Engineer, Boilermaker, General Blacksmith, High Street, Blenheim. Mr. Garnham's establishment is equal to all the requirements of the district, and is well supplied with screw cutting lathes, drilling machines, punching and shearing machines, steam hammers, screwing machines, heavy and light boiler plate rolls, stationary and portable forges, and the usual complement of all the many smaller tools. Steam gauges, steam and water fittings, brass checks and other valves, all kinds of packings, bar and plate brass, oils, bolts and nuts, copper, tin and other metals bar and plate iron and steel and other requisites for engines and machinery are kept in stock. Mr. Garnham has had over thirty years' experience in England and New Zealand. He came to the Colony in 1878, and worked in Wellington with Mr. E. Seagar, of the Victoria Foundry, until 1889, when he removed to Blenheim and established his present business.
, Ironmongers, and General Hardware Furnishers, Market Place, Blenheim. The firm of Messrs Miller and McKay is one of the most progressive in the province of Marlborough. It has made its way to the front rank, and conducts a steady and increasing trade. The business was established in the year 1881, by Mr. F. C. Litchfield, and was taken over by the present proprietor in 1899. The premises are situated close to the Government Buildings. They have a frontage of sixty feet to Market Place, and consist of a one-storied wood and brick building, which extends from Market Place through to the next street. The building contains several departments, which are all handsomely fitted up. The furniture department, which was added in 1905, has a frontage to Market Place, and carries a large stock of furniture of all kinds, and the front shop displays a varied assortment of crockery, glass, and plated ware, paints and colours, seeds, garden implements, cutlery, mechanics' tools, builders', household, and furnishing ironmongery, guns and ammunition, crystal and cut-glass ware, etc. The whole of the rear of the building is devoted to the storage of bulk stock, such as ranges, ploughs, and other agricultural implements. The firm imports in large quantities from all parts of the world, and holds a number of sole agencies. The office possesses a library of works on commercial subjects, and these enable the firm to keep its stock right up to date. Messrs Miller and McKay are now (1905) opening a branch at Picton in the main street, where they are putting up a fine building with large double-plate glass windows. The stock will be specially adapted to the necessities of a seaport town.
, Senior Partner in the firm of Messrs Miller and McKay, was born in Nelson on the 27th of April, 1862, and is a son of the late John McKay, builder and contractor. He was educated partly in Nelson, at Hodson's private school, and afterwards at Grovetown, under Mr. Leete. Mr. McKay was afterwards employed in the firm of Messrs
Robertson Brothers, ironmongers. Two years later he took up a position in the grocery department of Messrs Litchfield and Sons, and remained in their employment for over ten years. During that time he opened a branch business for them at Mahakipawa, and
Farrier and General Blacksmith, High Street Blenheim. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Maxwell Road. This business was established by the late Mr. Joseph Taylor, in 1855, and was taken over by his son in 1869; but is now carried on by Mr. J. Taylor, junior. The business premises are situated on a quarter acre section of freehold property; and the successive owners have successfully maintained the reputation for good workmanship, which was gained by the late Mr. Joseph Taylor, who was a tradesman of the first order. Shoeing and repairs of all kinds are undertaken, and the owner has clients in all parts of the district.
was born in Manchester, England, in 1840, and landed in Wellington by the ship “Queen of the Avon,” in June, 1859. Two months later, he removed to Blenheim, where he resided ever after; and experienced many trials and hardships in the early days. Mr. Taylor took a prominent part in every movement set on foot for the welfare of the district. As a Freemason, he was a Past Master. He was a Past Grand of the Order of Oddfellows, and had been treasurer of his Lodge for over twenty years. Mr. Taylor likewise served on the school committee, and the Lower Wairau River Board. He died on the 4th of February, 1903.
was born in Manchester, England, in 1841, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Queen of the Avon.” He settled in Blenheim, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Taylor is a Freemason of many years' standing; he was one of the founders of Lodge Unanimity, and he is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter. He is also Past Provincial Grand Master of the Oddfellows. Mr. Taylor joined the local volunteer corps in 1862, and the long service medal was presented to him some years ago. Mr. Taylor has been an active and loyal member of the Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade, in which he served as branchman for many years. He is an ardent philatelist, and has collected some thousands of old and rare stamps, as well as Maori curios, and other rarities, with which he has formed an interesting miniature museum.
Blacksmith, Farrier and Coachbuilder, Grove Road, Blenheim. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. This well-known business was established by the proprietor in 1889, and he receives a fair share of patronage from settlers throughout the whole province of Marlborough. The premises are replete with all modern machinery and tools necessary to the turning out of first-class workmanship, and are situated in Grove Road. They have a frontage of about 25 feet, with a depth of 50 feet. Mr. Charles Tunnicliffe was born in Derbyshire, England, and came to Nelson in the year 1862. He remained at Nelson for some years, and then removed to Blenheim, where he has since resided. Mr. Tunnicliffe is a member of the Blenheim Fire Brigade, of which he is secretary, and he is also a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and a Freemason.
, sometime in business as a tinsmith, plumber, and gasfitter in Market Street, Blenheim, was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland, emigrated to Victoria in 1854, and came to New Zealand in 1861, in time to join the Gabriel's Gully “rush” of that year. He served in the New Zealand militia from 1864 to 1868, while the Maoris, under the leadership of Titokowaru, were in arms in the Wanganui district. Mr. Leslie settled in the Marlborough district in 1887. He died suddenly on the 26th of July, 1905, while travelling on a train near Marton, in the North Island, and was buried at Blenheim, on the 30th of the same month.
Turner, Machinist, Engineer, and Cycle Expert, Wilson and Hutcheson Streets, Blenheim. This business was established in the year 1874 by its present proprietor, originally as a patternmaking and turning establishment. In 1881 a small engineering plant was installed, and since the introduction of bicycles a large amount of attention has been devoted to repairing and adjusting these machines. Mr. Birch receives a considerable share of the local trade in the four departments of his business, and keeps several persons steadily employed. The product of his workshop does credit to his excellent training and extensive experience. Mr. Birch is further referred to as a member of the Blenheim Borough Council.
(Edward S. Parker, proprietor), Market Street, Blenheim. This business house occupies one of the most commanding sites in Blenheim. It takes up the whole of the corner of Market Street North and Alfred Street, two of the busiest thoroughfares, and the premises consist partly of one storey and partly of two stories. As the whole property belongs to Mr. Parker, no expense has been spared in adapting it to his particular purpose, and all the arrangements indicate thoroughness in every detail of the business. The premises have a frontage of over seventy feet to Market Street and Alfred Street, and the extensive glass windows, which face both thoroughfares, give ample room for a fine display of the stock; indeed, the whole of the interior of the premises, with the exception of the workshop, store room, and yard, can be seen by passers-by. The buildings are divided into several separate apartments; namely, the bicycle and music show rooms, and the bicycle workshop. The bicycle show room is the largest in the building, and occupies the whole of the corner of the premises that faces both thoroughfares, and has a double entrance door. The department carries a heavy stock of the very best bicycles and fittings, as in addition to his manufacturing trade, Mr. Parker holds some of the best English agencies. The proprietor has made a thorough study of motorcars and their accessories, and has imported machines to special order. To the left of the bicycle department is the music show room, which extends from the rear of the building to Alfred Street, and has a fine show window facing the thoroughfare. It is reached by two doorways leading from the bicycle department—one direct, and the other by way of a store room, and carries a valuable stock of the best pianos, as well as a large variety of other musical instruments, and the most up-to-date publications in musical literature. The workshop occupies the first floor of a large wooden building, separated by a narrow passage from the one storey section. It is a commodious, convenient, and well appointed apartment, and has, with other necessary appliances, a complete enamelling and vulcanising plant. From morning till night, throughout the week, it is a scene of brazing, enamelling, and other repairing operations, and is in charge of skilful and experienced mechanics At present (November, 1905) plans for a new and
Woolscourer and Fellmonger, Bohally Woolworks, Springlands, Blenheim. This business was established in 1884 by Messrs Tapp Bros., who carried on under that style for eight years, when it was taken over by the present proprietor, Mr. Stephen Tapp. Mr. Tapp has been singularly successful in his business, and has now every convenience for turning out first-class workmanship. The machinery is driven by means of an eight-horse power portable engine, by Messrs Ruston and Proctor. Mr. Tapp keeps a large staff of workmen all the year round, and so is able to cope with the numerous orders with which he is entrusted by the public. The works are situated upon the banks of a creek fed by the Opawa river, and thus there is a plentiful supply of water. Besides carrying on woolscouring and fellmongering for the sheepfarmers of the district, Mr. Tapp is a cash buyer on his own account of wool, hides, and skins. He is a native of Kent, England, and came to New Zealand in 1875. Mr. Tapp learned his trade under the well-known fellmonger, Mr. Joseph Rayner, with whom he worked for about ton years, when he decided to enter business on his own account. He has met with a great deal of success. Mr. Tapp has a thorough knowledge of his business, and has often imparted valuable information on the wool and skin trade to the public through the medium of lectures. He is vice-president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and vice-president of the Marlborough Racing Club. Mr. Tapp is a member of the local Court of Foresters, and has been connected with the Order for about thirty years.
, General Merchants, Wool and Produce Brokers, Stock and Station Agents, Wine and Spirit Merchants, Blenheim. P.O. Box 11. Telephones—22; wharf, 7. This business was first established by Edwards and Co., of Nelson, in the early fifties, and is carried on in an extensive iron store, capable of storing 12,000 sacks of grain. It has the agency for the National Insurance Company, and the Australian Widows' Fund Life Office. Mr. W. E. P. Clouston, who carried on the business for some time, was born in Nelson, on the 24th of June, 1854, and was a son of the late Captain Clouston. He was educated at the Nelson College, joined Edwards and Co. in 1867, and was for many years managing the whole business previous to taking it over on his own account. Mr. Clouston was a Justice of the Peace for many years. As a Freemason, he was a member of the Unanimity Lodge, No. 1236, E.C., Blenheim, and took an active interest in all sporting matters. He died on the 7th of February, 1903.
, Manager for Messrs Clouston and Co., was born in Devonshire, England, in 1870, and came to New Zealand with his parents nine years later. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and then entered mercantile life, which he has followed for over twenty years. Mr. Priddle takes an active interest in Freemasonry, and he is a member of all the local athletic societies, and treasurer of the Marlborough Rugby Union, of which he is also a vice-president. In his day, he was a good short distance runner and footballer. He has been a member of the Blenheim Borough Council and Hospital Board, and president of the Marlborough Dog and Poultry Association.
(Edward Mead and Balfour Stewart Clouston, branch managers), General Merchants, Wool, Frozen Meat, Grain Brokers and Station Agents, Grove Road, Blenheim. Head office and warehouse, Grey Street, Wellington; Branch at Masterton. The headquarters of the firm are referred to at page 713 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia. Though opened only in 1897, the firm's business at Blenheim has increased so steadily that additions to their premises have had to be built, to afford more than double the original storage accommodation. The warehouses at all times carry very large stocks, and the wholesale business extends throughout the length and breadth of Marlborough, and Mr. Clouston makes occasional trips down the West Coast. As suppliers of station and farm requisites, Messrs Levin and Company, Ltd., do a large trade, and carry full stocks of woolpacks, cornsacks, coal, standards, wire, twine, sheep dip, artificial manures, agricultural seeds, etc. They also make advances at the lowest rates of interest against wool, frozen meat, tallow, flax, grain and other produce. Messrs Levin and Co. also purchase produce outright and ship it on their own account. The firm holds the following important agencies: Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Ltd., New Zealand Trust and Loan Company, Ltd., National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand, Ltd., Thames and Mersey Insurance Company, Cooper's Sheep Dip, Highland Sheep Dip, Victoria Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and Westport Coal Company. Mr. Mead attends to the financial portion of the firm's business, and also controls the wool and produce department, whilst Mr. Clouston attends to the merchandise, and acts also as town and country traveller.
took up his present position in the service of Messrs Levin and Co., Ltd., in 1897, having previously acted as the firm's traveller in the Nelson, Marlborough and Westland districts. He was born and educated in Nelson, and is a son of the late Captain Clouston. On leaving college he joined the service of Messrs Nathaniel Edwards and Co., which, six years later, became known as J. H. Cock and Co. Mr. Clouston continued in the company's service for almost twenty-one years, and went through every stage essential to a commercial education. He has at all times taken great interest in sporting matters, and whilst in Nelson was a very active member of the rowing, cycling, football, and other clubs.
, Manager of the financial branch for the firm, attends to the whole of the wool and produce department. He was born in London and came to New Zealand by the ship “Jessie Readman,” in 1874. Mr. Mead has been engaged in commercial work in various parts of the Colony, and has been a resident of Blenheim since 1883. He was the interim secretary of the Wairau Freezing Company, and was subsequently appointed a director of the Company, and has from its inception taken a keen interest in its operations. Whilst he was connected with volunteering, Mr. Mead was for some time sergeant, and was latterly quarter-master of the Marlborough Mounted Rifles. He was one of the founders of the Wairau Cricket Club, and was for two years secretary to the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he has also been vice-president.
Bookseller and General Stationer, Stationers' Hall, Market Street North, Blenheim. This business was established in the year 1880, was bought by its present owner in 1893, and is now (1905) one of the most popular and extensive businesses of its kind in the province. The premises have a fine frontage to Market Street, with two large plate-glass windows, and are fitted throughout with every convenience for the arrangement and display of a large and well selected stock. A great variety of books of all kinds, popular periodicals in the latest editions, newspapers from all parts of the colony and abroad, stationery, and kindred requisites in great variety, together with music, musical instruments, and other subsidiary lines, are always kept in stock; and for quality and price Stationers' Hall compares favourably with the largest establishments in the main centres of the colony. Mr. Penny gives the closest personal attention to the interests of his customers. He is further referred to as Mayor of Blenheim.
, General Storekeepers, High Street, Blenheim. This business was established by Mr. William Cooke, in a small store at the corner of High Street and Dashwood Street, in the year 1874, and, ten years later, he removed into the present commodious premises in High Street. There are several departments in the establishment, and full stocks of groceries, drapery, ironmongery, and other wares in general household use are kept. Messrs Cooke and Sons conduct an extensive trade throughout the district.
, of Messrs William Cooke and Sons, of High Street. Blenheim, was born on the 15th of November, 1843, near Belfast. Ireland, where he was educated and brought up to farming. He came to New Zealand in 1865, and, after working for about six months at road making in Auckland, he sailed by the schooner “Eclipse,” for the Hokitika diggings. The vessel, however, was wrecked in attempting to enter the Nelson harbour for supplies, and Mr. Cooke in company with several other hopeful and hardy colonists, undertook the journey from Nelson to the Buller on foot. About a year later, after considerable success on the goldfields, he went to Blenheim on foot, over the rugged, bush-clad, and, in parts, unexplored country that separated the Buller from Blenheim; and for a few years he took part in clearing and improving the land with the early settlers in the Wairau. In 1869, Mr. Cooke was employed at Captain Dalton's sawmill, on the Picton Road, and five years later he established his present business, subsequently taking two of his sons into partnership with him. He was for four years a member of the Blenheim Borough Council. Mr. Cook is married, and has five sons and one daughter.
General Storekeeper, Grove Road, Blenheim. Private residence, Fell Street. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Daines' business premises have a frontage of 40 feet to Grove Road, and he is doing a good sound town and country trade. The business was established in 1888. Mr. Daines was born in Norwich, England, in 1856. When he was ten years of age he came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “Wild Duck” (Captain Bishop), and landed at Wellington. Thence the family removed to Blenheim, where, after leaving school, he was appointed manager of Messrs R. and W. Parker's store in the Hon. Captain Baillie's bush, during the construction of the Blenheim-Picton railway. Five years later he purchased the business, and conducted it on his own account. After the railway had been finished and the sawmills worked out, Mr. Daines relinquished business in Baillie's bush in 1883, and removed to Blenheim, where he speedily found employment with the Messrs Parker, with whom
Grocer, Market Street South, Blenheim. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Manse Road. This business has been established for some years, and is doing a good sound trade. The shop is in the heart of the town, and has a frontage of about 30 feet to Market Street. Mr. Sowman is well-known throughout the district, and has an extensive connection with town and country residents throughout the whole of Marlborough. He finds steady employment for several assistants, and keeps an express constantly running into the country. Mr. Sowman is sole agent in Marlborough for Cooper's flower and vegetable seeds, and also for the famous Kandewaller teas, which he circulates widely throughout the province. Like all other Marlborough grocers, he is connected with the produce trade, and he ships produce to Wellington, where he finds a ready market for it. Mr. Sowman was born in Nelson in 1862, and was educated at the Bishop's school. On leaving school he removed to Blenheim, where he was apprenticed in the grocery business to Messrs Litchfield and Son, with whom he remained for over twenty years. He was for more than twelve years a successful breeder of poultry, and took several first prizes at the Wellington and Nelson shows. Mr. Sowman is married and has for the past twenty-five years been associated with the Ancient Order of Foresters.
Watchmaker and Jeweller, Market Square, Blenheim. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Stevenson Street. This business was established in 1883 by the present proprietor. It occupies one of the best stands in the town, and is doing the great bulk of the watch and jewellery trade throughout the province. Mr. Harding learned his business with Mr. E. E. Harding, later of Oamaru, and thoroughly mastered every department in the ten years he was with him. He settled in Blenheim in 1883, when he started his present business, and by good workmanship and close attention to the details of his trade, he has earned a reputation which extends beyond the boundaries of Marlborough. As a rifle shot, he is known throughout New Zealand, for his record in that respect dates back to 1875. He has in his time won the North Otago Rifle Association Belt twice in succession, and twice won the third aggregate for the New Zealand Championship. He was the first holder of the Oamaru Rifle Belt, and has won the Blenheim City Rifle Belt five times in succession. Mr. Harding has also won thirteen medals, including three cups, many minor prizes, and the gold medal for the best shot in the South Island in 1898–99.
, General Carriers and Contractors, Blenheim; branch at Seddon.
, of the firm of W. Gosling and Son, was born at Smethwick, near Birmingham, England, on the 1st of May, 1833, and is the second son of the late Mr. Joseph Gosling, who for many years was a prominent contractor at Smethwick. He was educated at Lodge Bank Academy and other institutions, and afterwards worked with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, when he left for New Zealand. Mr. Gosling sailed from England in the ship “Indian Queen,” and landed in New Zealand in January, 1857. In conjunction with others, he chartered a vessel to go to the Collingwood diggings, but through some misadventure was compelled to land at Cloudy Bay, whence he trudged over the rugged country to Collingwood. A few years later, Mr. Gosling returned to Blenheim, worked for a time at timber-sawing, in partnership with Mr. N. T. Prichard, and then took up land. He sold out soon after, and went to Australia, where he traded some time as a contractor in Sydney and Rockhampton, and then went to the Queensland goldfields. Mr. Gosling finally returned to New Zealand, worked for several years at the Wakamarina diggings, and afterwards found employment for a short time at Messrs Brownlee and Company's sawmill at Havelock. He subsequently established his present business in Blenheim, and at Seddon. As a general carting and carrying contractor, he has worked up one of the largest trades in Blenheim, and at Seddon, and constantly employs from six to eight persons. Mr. Gosling has also a large number of heavy vehicles continually on the road. Some years ago, he took his second son into partnership, and the firm has since been known as Messrs W. Gosling and Son. Mr. Gosling is married, and has four sons and two daughters.
Sawmiller, Blenheim. Mr. Cate was born in Wairau, in October, 1859, and is the third son of the late Mr. George Cate, one of the pioneers of the province. He was educated at the Tua Marina public school, and was afterwards employed at sawmilling and farming in different parts of the Wairau. Mr. Cate's present mill was first established at Long Valley, in June, 1899, and when the bush was exhausted, it was removed to its present position at Flat Creek in May, 1905. Mr. Cate has timber rights over a wide area of rimu, maiti, and totara bush; fourteen persons are constantly employed, and the output of the mill, which amounts to 600,000 feet per year, is sent on waggons to Blenheim, where it finds a ready sale.
Drumclog Farm, Blenheim. Mr. Allan was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the 30th of September, 1838, and is the only son of the late Mr. Robert Allan, schoolmaster, of the parish of Stonehouse. He was educated at his father's school, and at an early age was appointed a pupil teacher. After teaching for about twelve months, Mr. Allan resigned, worked for a while in a drain pipe manufactory, and, later on, as a repairer on the railway line between Symington and Abington. In the year 1862, he came to New Zealand by the ship “Cheviot,” and landed at Port Chalmers on the 13th of October, Mr. Allan then went to the Dunstan rush, but two months later he returned to Dunedin, and went to work on Mr. W. H. Cutten's farm at Anderson's Bay, where he remained two years. In 1864 he went to the Wakamarina diggings, and, after about two months' prospecting at Canvastown, turned his attention to farming, at which he has been engaged almost continuously ever since. For a long time Mr. Allan conducted “Rannoch,” a farm on the Old Renwick Road, near Blenheim, and the splendid condition of that property is generally due to his capable management during the early stages of its improvement. In 1884, he took up a section on his own account at Seaview, near Seddon, which he successfully farmed till 1900, when, having sold out his interests, he went for a trip to his native land. Mr. Allan travelled nearly all over Scotland, and visited nearly every place of note and historic interest. He returned to New Zealand in the year 1901, and bought Drumclog Farm, on which he has ninety acres under crop every year, and depastures several hundreds of sheep. Mr. Allan was for a time president of the Blenheim branch of the Farmers' Union. He has been for about ten years a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Committee, and was a very strong supporter of Mr. John Duncan, the Opposition candidate for the House of Representatives at the general election of 1905.
, Doctor's Flat, Blenheim. This farm is a compact and valuable property of 300 acres of good agricultural and pastoral land. It was originally part of Meadowbank station, and was bought by the late Mr. David Herd from Mr. A. P. Seymour. For about fourteen years, Mr. Herd conducted the farm himself, and in the year 1895, he let it to his son-in-law, Mr. J. W. Paynter, the present lessee, “Auntsfield” possesses a fine homestead and is well managed. A permanent flock of about 200 breeding ewes is depastured, and 120 acres are annually placed under cultivation. There is also a large orchard, and a valuable vineyard. A large amount of grape wine is manufactured, for the making of which there is every facility; and the output is favourably known all over the province.
was born in Nelson, on the 15th of May, 1866, and is the eldest son of Mr. John Paynter, a well known farmer of Stoke. His grandfather, the
late Mr. William Paynter, came to New Zealand as early as the year 1842, and he and his sons saw active service in the Maori war in the province of Taranaki, and subsequently settled in Nelson, where the family has since resided. Mr. Paynter was educated at the local public school, and brought up to farming under his father, at Stoke. In 1886, he went to the Wairau, and for many years was engaged at general farm work in
Farmer, New Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Avery is a son of the late Mr. John Avery, one of the earliest pioneers in the colony, and was born in Nelson in 1843. In early life, he followed farming. He has been settled in the Marlborough district ever since he was twenty-eight years of age. His farm of 340 acres is situated in the Fair-hall district, and is worked by Mr. Avery and his son. Mr. Avery was for about twenty years a member of the Wairau Road Board, and has been a member of the Marlborough County Council for many years. He has also at various times been a member of the local school committee. In 1892 Mr. Avery was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the colony. The grounds of Mr. Avery's homestead are tastefully planted with trees and shrubs, and his property has a frontage to the New Renwick Road.
“Clovernook,” Blenheim. Mr. Beatson has a pleasantly picturesque little homestead of 150 acres in extent, on the banks of the Wairau river, within five miles of Blenheim. The land is so fertile that the farm occasionally carries seven sheep to the acre. Mr. Beatson was born in Camberwell, near London, in 1839, and came to Nelson in 1851, by the ship “Midlothian. After spending a few years at Stoke, he removed to Marlborough as a cadet in 1858, and in 1860, pitched camp at the very spot where his house now stands. The whole of the flats were then covered with fern, flax, and scrub, but by dint of intelligent energy, the land has been converted into a most fertile farm. For some years there was no flood of any consequence, but in 1868, the Wairau and the Opawa overflowed and caused the largest flood ever known in the district. Since then banks have been built to keep the water back, and, so far, they have been tolerably successful. Mr. Beatson was married, in 1874, and has a family of eight.
Sheepfarmer, “Caythorpe,” Middle Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Bishell is well known throughout New Zealand as a breeder of Lincoln stud sheep. His farm is named “Caythorpe,” and contains 270 acres. Everything about it betokens careful supervision by a man of experience, who thoroughly understands his business. The stable, which has accommodation for thirteen horses, has a brick floor, and is roomy and well ventilated. Mr. Bishell's yearlings are fed and housed throughout the winter. The barn is large, commodious, and stored with a plenteous supply of wheat and oats. There is a machine shed, which contains a clover and grass-seed mill, binders, mowers, vetching machines, double-furrow and three-furrow ploughs, hayrakes, Cambridge rollers, drays, waggons, drills, and a windmill. Mr. Bishel keeps twenty-four horses for farm use, and for four years in succession he won first prize with his back “York.” With his sheep Mr. Bishell has for many years taken the majority of prizes awarded to exhibits of their class at the Nelson and Marlborough shows, and he finds it hard to supply the demands for his young stock. Mr. Bishell was born at Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, England, in 1849, and thoroughly learned farming in all its branches before coming out to New Zealand in 1875. After a short sojourn in Nelson province, he decided to settle in the Marlborough district. He has, in addition to “Caythorpe, another farm of 325 acres, known as K, and to this also he gives his personal supervision.
, Blenheim. This farm comprises 308 acres of good agricultural land, and is one of the most valuable properties of its size in the district. It was first taken up in the early fifties by Messrs Tytler and Shepherd, and a few years later was bought by the late Mr. F. Williams. Since his death the farm has been equally divided into two sections, and these are worked separately by Mr. P. G. Williams and Mr. R. G. Williams respectively. Sheep grazing and the cultivation of crops, chiefly barley, oats, and clover are carried on, and the excellent condition of the sheep, and the crops produced, attest to its adaptability for both purposes.
is the youngest son of the late Mr. F. Williams, and was born on his present farm on the 18th of August, 1868. for some time he attended the local public school, afterwards received private tuition in Sydney, and later on studied for the legal profession in Blenheim. In the year 1890, however, Mr. Williams gave up the idea of folowing
Farmer, “Willow Brook,” Blenheim. This farm of 370 acres of fine agricultural land lies close to Blenheim, and is the freehold property of Mr. Broughan. About seventy acres at the home-stead are of a swampy nature. Almost the whole of “Willow Brook” has been under the plough, and the area now annually under cultivation varies from 150 to 200 acres. For growing grain of all kinds the ground is unsurpassed, as the soil is of a light loamy nature. It seems almost impossible to exhaust it, for it has been cropped continuously for twenty years, and though hardly any artificial manures have been used, the yields have been well ahead of the average crops for the province. Portions of the land have been laid down in English grasses, and Mr. Broughan was about 300 crossbred sheep from good strains of Lincolns and English Leicesters. Mr. Broughan was born in CountryClare, Ireland, in 1839, and after being left orphans, he and his brother came to New Zealand in the ship “Constantine,” from which they landed on the 1st of January, 1854. Mr. Broughan went straight to Marlborough, which has since been his home. Originally his farm consisted of seventy acres, but he has added to it from time to time by the purchase of adjoining paddocks. Mr. Broughan has kept aloof from public affairs, and has put all his spare time into the working of his farm, which is considered one of the best of its kind in Marlborough. Mrs. Broughan is a daughter of the late Mr. Isaac Aroa, one of Blenheim's oldest settlers, who arrived in New Zealand in October, 1855, by the “Maori.”
Farmer, Fairhall Valiey, Blenheim. Mr. Ching's allotment is known as section 10, block I, and consists of 454 acres of agricultural and pastoral land. A permanent flock is depastured, and an average area of 120 acres is annually placed under crop. Mr. Ching is the youngest son of Mr. William Ching, of Blenheim, and was born on the 5th of May, 1872, at Nelson. Two years later, he arrived in Blenheim with his parents and was educated at the Blenheim Borough School. Mr. Ching was brought up to farming with his father, whom he assisted till the year 1896, when he successfully balloted for a section of the Hawkesbury estate, then being subdivided for closer settlement. Mr. Ching is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of the local branch of the Farmers' Union, of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and of the Renwick Rifle Club.
Farmer, Epworth, Blenheim. Mr. Davies is a native of Blenheim, and a son of the late Mr. Thomas Davies, who died in 1891, and was one of Marlborough's earliest settlers, and well known as a builder throughout the province. Mr. T. S. Davies was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and studied for about two years at the Agricultural College, at Lincoln, Canterbury. Since the
death of his father, he has taken over Epworth, which has an area of about 300 acres, and is situated on the Middle Renwick Road.
(William Pollard, proprietor), is situated in the Waihopai district. It has an acreage of about 7000 acres of undulating and arable land, and carries 6500 sheep. Root crops are grown annually to fatten sheep, and carry them through the winter months, and though this is costly, it is found a highly remunerative process. At the homestead, old and obsolete outbuildings are being replaced with others of more modern type. A fine woolshed, which is quite ample for present requirements, stands on the flat near to the homestead, and the family residence has been renovated by Mr. Pollard, and is now a fine commodious villa, with a frontage to the main road.
is a native of Cornwall, England, and was educated in his native place. He came to New Zealand in 1874. For some years he was settled in the Hawke's Bay district, and gained considerable knowledge of station life, chiefly on the Rissington station When Mr. Pollard came to Marlborough the management of the Birch Hill station was given to him, and he afterwards also managed “Dumgree.” He was for five years manager of “Delta,” of which he is now owner. Mr. Pollard, besides being a large employer of labour, does his best in other ways also to promote the interests of the district.
, Farmer, New Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Des Forges was born in Lincolnshire, England, and was apprenticed to the trade of a butcher, in the town of Great Grimsby. In 1877, he resolved to try his luck in New Zealand, and landed in Wellington during that year. He remained in the North Island about six years, and in 1883 he removed to Marlborough, and was engaged by Messrs Brace and MeKenzie, butchers, who were then trading in Blenheim. In the course of two years, he started in business on his own account, met with satisfactory success, and is now a farmer.
Farmer, North Bank, Wairau Valley. Mr. Fowler was born in Gloucester, England, in 1852, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Chieftain,” He went to Marlborogh in 1878 to manage a large sheep station, on which he remained for many years. After that, he bought a station of his own, but disposed of it a few years later to run a line of coaches from Blenheim to Molesworth. This he did successfully until 1894, when he purchased the Club livery and bait stables, which he left to settle at Wairau Valley. Mr. Fowler has been a Freemason for over twenty years. He is married, and has three sons.
“Timara,” Hawkesbury, near Blenheim. Mr. Goulter, second son of the late Mr. Cyrus Goulter, was born in Marlborough, in 1857. After receiving a thorough education at private schools, he entered the New Zealand Survey Department in 1875, and served an apprenticeship in the field with Mr. E. H. Wilmot, District Surveyor, stationed at Queenstown, Otago, and subsequently passed the necessary examinations before the late Mr. W. Arthur, Chief Surveyor, Dunedin. He was for some years engaged in the triangulation of the Marlborough Sounds, and in the standard survey of the roads in the Wairau Plain. Mr. Goulter attained the rank of District Surveyor, in Marlborough, in 1891, but was shortly after compelled to retire from the service on account of a severe attack of pleurisy. Since then Mr. Goulter has been farming on the Timara estate-part of the original Hawkesbury estate-which he has much improved by draining, clearing ploughing and planting, until it has become one of the most attractive properties in the district. From 600 to 800 acres are annually ploughed and cropped with grain and roots. Mr. Goulter has achieved great success in the raising of fat lambs for freezing purposes, and in 1899 founded a stud English Leicester flock. the ewes for which were obtained from Mr. Andrews, of Greenpark, Canterbury. Mr. Goulter has taken an intelligent and prominent part in local affairs, and was chairman of the Wairau Road Board in 1900. He was mainly instrumental in forming the Marlborough Land and Railway League, of which he was the president. The League has done a large amount of good work by agitating for the completion of the railway from Blenheim to Christchurch. Mr. Goulter was married, in 1880, to Theresa Catherine Bolton, fourth daughter of the late Mr. Edward Bolton, of Nelson.
Farmer, New Renwick Road, Blenheim.
Mr. Hammond is the youngest son of the late Mr. David Hammond. He was born in Nelson, and after receiving
Farmer, New Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Hammond is a son of Mr. David Hammond. one of the early pioneers. He was born in the Old Country, and came to New Zealand with his parents, in 1842, by the ship “Lord Auckland.” His education was due to the beneficence of Mr. Matthew Campbell, philanthropist. Mr. Hammond removed to Marlborough in 1870, and Eatington Farm, of 226 acres, is his property. He has been an active contributor to the wonderful improvements which have been made during the past twenty-five years; has served as a member of the Wairau Road Board, and of the agricultural and pastoral society; and has been chairman of the Fairhall school committee.
Swansdowne Farm, Omaka district, near Blenheim. Mr. Harding was born in June, 1833, at Hfracombe, Devonshire, England, where he was educated, and learned farming. He came to New Zealand in the year 1859, and landed at Nelson. For a time he was employed, successively, in the Nelson and Marlborough provinces, was afterwards employed for three years by Mr. Charles Redwood, in the Wairau, and in 1867 he took up the first section of his present farm. “Swansdowne” now (1905) consists of nearly 500 acres of freehold, and over 900 acres of leasehold, land, and is devoted chiefly to sheep and cattle farming; a little cropping is also carried on. A small herd of pure Devon cattle, some of which were imported from England, is depastured. In the year 1879, Mr. Harding took a trip to the Old Country, in order to re-visit his birth-place. He is married, and has one son and two daughter.
of Lowland Farm, Dillon's Point Road, near Blenheim. Mr. Holdaway was born in Hampshire, England, on the 9th of October, 1836. He came to New Zealand in February, 1842, and landed in Nelson, his father, who was in the service of the New Zealand Company, having landed in the previous year. Mr. Holdaway was educated at a private school in Nelson, and was afterwords employed for some time at various kinds of work in Nelson. Subsequently, for about three years, he worked on large stations in the Waihopai and other places, as a general farm hand, carpenter, etc., and during the succeeding nine or ten years he was employed for most of the time as shearer. In the year 1864, Mr. Holdaway went to the Wakamarina rush, in order to obtain sufficient capital to start a farm. He was very successful, and made £500 in about seven months. He then returned to the Wairau, where he took up his present farm. This property comprises about 214 acres, in two blocks, of rich, agricultural land, and is one of the finest farms in the district. It is devoted to the cultivation of crops—chiefly barley and peas, and to sheep grazing. Mr. Holdaway was one of the first contributors to the local Methodist church, and is a trustee, and an office-bearer. He married Miss Eyles, of Blenheim, and has eight sons and six daughters. For some time five of his sons were simultaneously members of the Blenheim Garrison Band.
Farmer, “Runnymede,” Old Renwick Road, near Blenheim. Mr. Jackson's section contains 510 acres, and is admitted to be one of the best farms in the Wairau Plain. The bulk of the land was originally taken up by the late Mr. Adam Jackson, one of Nelson's pioneer settlers, who successfully farmed it
till 1878, when the present owner obtained a lease. Mr. Jackson subsequently acquired the property on a purchasing clause, and bought the adjoining section in 1891. During the fist eight years of his ownership, Mr. Jackson experieneed the usual hardships inseparable from want of capital; but with the aid of intelligence and hard work, he gradually overcame his difficulties, About 160 acres of the farm are cropped annually, and from 600 to 700 good three-quarterbred Lincoln sheep are depastured, besides other stock. Mr. Jackson has latterly devoted his attention to a stud of pure Lincoln sheep, for which purpose he imported pure bred ewes and rams. In 1899, he imported a complete up-to-date threshing plant by Clayton and Shuttleworth, including an eight horse-power traction engine, the services of which have been eagerly sought by the farmers on the
formerly of New Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Jones was born at Grovetown. Marlborough, in July, 1876. He is the son of Mr. William Jones, a respected settler in the district. Mr. Jones has a farm of 154 acres of the finest land in the New Renwick Road district. He married a daughter of Mr. Baldick, of Port Underwood. Mr. Jones removed from New Renwick Road to the Sounds.
Farmer, “Willowhaugh,” Middle Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Jordan is a native of Germany, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Maori,” in 1852, when only a lad. He landed at Nelson, and after residing there for about twenty-two years, he removed to the Marlborough district, where he has resided ever since. Shortly after he arrived in Blenheim, he accepted the management of “Woodburn,” then the property of Mr. Thomas Redwood. Later on, however, he desired to take a farm on his own account, and he secured 228 acres of first-rate land, on which he successfully keeps sheep and grows crops. Mr. Jordan is liked and respected by his fellow colonists, and has given a good deal of time to the general interests of the district. He has taken a prominent part in road boards, school committees, agricultural and pastoral associations and land leagues, and is a member of the local Court of Forester.
Farmer, Dillon's Point, Blenheim. Mr. McArtney was born in Nelson, but removed to Blenheim when he was quite young After spending some time at various occupations, he settled down to the trade of a baker, at Grove Road, and followed it for some years, before he took to farming at Dillon's Point. Mr. McArtney is referred to in another article as having been Mayor of Blenheim in the year 1900.
Waterlea Farm, near Blenheim. Mr. McCallum is one of the oldest surviving members of the hardy band of pioneer settlers in the Wairau. He is the eldest son of the late Mr. Donald McCallum, and was born in December, 1829, in Clasgow, Scotland, where he was educated and learned farming. Mr. McCallum afterwards went to Geelong, Victoria, Australia, in the year 1854, and in February, 1855, he came to New Zealand, and landed in Nelson. A few weeks later, he removed to the Wairau, was employed for years at the rough work incidental to a pioneering life; but in the close of the fifties, in conjunction with a brother, he took up a section of 150 acres of excellent cropping land near Blenheim. Subsequently, the partnership was dissolved, but Mr. McCallum has carried on farming till advanced in life. “Watcrlea” has been devoted chiefly to agriculture, and the homestead is one of the finest in the neighbourhood. Mr. McCallum has had five sons and four daughters. His third son, Archibald, is president of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and his fourth son, Richard, is a barrister, and Crown Prosecutor, at Blenheim. (Mr. McCallum died some time after this article was in type; namely, on the 29th of November, 1905.)
“Oakfield,” Blenheim. Mr. McCallum is the second son of the late Mr. Donald McCallum, and was born in November, 1831, in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was educated and learned farming. Mr. McCallum went to Geelong, Victoria, Australia, in the year 1854, and came to New Zealand in May of the following year. For a few months he worked in Nelson, and then went to Blenheim, where he was employed at sawing and bush-felling, and subsequently, in conjunction with his brother, was engaged in farming. Later on, however the partnership was dissolved and Mr. McCallum has since farmed on his own account. “Oakfield” is situated on the northern boundary of Blenheim
(George Turner Seymour, lessee), Blenheim. Since 1896, Mr. Seymour has leased 19,000 acres of the Meadowbank estate. He grazes 7000 Merino sheep, the original stock of which was imported by his father from Mr. Rutherford's Leslie Hills station, Canterbury, and the clip has averaged as high as eight and three-quarter pounds persheep. Upon taking up the lease, Mr. Seymour personally superintended the laying of poisoned pollard, for the extermination of rabbits, and his leasehold is now practically free from the pest. So well and carefully was the poison placed that not a single sheep was lost. Mr. Seymour employs two horse teams, and has gone in largely for turnip growing; some years he crops about 200 acres.
, eldest son of Mr. A. P. Seymour, Picton, was born at “Tyntesfield,” Wairau. He was educated at Nelson College, and also studied for two years at Lincoln College, Canterbury. Mr. Seymour acted as manager of “Tyntesfield” from 1885 till 1893, when he took up his present holding. He is a prominent man in rowing circle, and rowed stroke for the New Zealand representative crew against the Australian colonies in 1896. Mr. Seymour is also associated with the Marlborough Hunt Club.
Farmer, Omaka Estate, near Blenheim. Mr. Murdoch owns 300 acres, half of which consists of downs, and the balance is flat land. He farms about eighty acres, and also depastures sheep of the Lincoln and Merino cross. Mr. Murdoch acquired his property at the time the Hawkesbury estate was cut up in 1896, and since then he has made valuable improvements, which include a comfortable residence. Mr. Murdoch was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1854, and came to Otago by the ship “E. P. Bouverie,” in 1870. Subsequently, he was contract ploughing on the Levels station in Canterbury. He removed to Marlborough in 1880, and worked for Mr. Charles Goulter till he bought his present property. Mr. Murdoch is a forester, and a member of the Hawkesbury school committee.
Farmer, Blenheim, Mr. O'Donoghue, who resides on Dillon's Point Road, Blenheim, is the proprietor of “Green Hill,” an extensive farm of nearly 1500 acres in the Blind River settlement. This property was acquired by its present owner in the year 1899, and consists of undulating country, suitable for both agriculture and pasturage, and is one of the tinest holdings in the district. It carries at present (1905) about 1350 sheep, and grows about 300 acres of crops. Mr. O'Donoghue has also seventy-five acres of freehold land on Dillon's Point Road. Mr. O'Donoghue was born in August, 1841, at Mallagh, Ireland, and was brought up to farming on his father's property. At eighteen years of age, he went to America, farmed for a few years, and then returned to England, where he learned the plastering trade. Later on, Mr. O'Donoghue returned to America, and was engaged in farming, and in the year 1877 came to New Zealand, and landed in Wellington. He then went to Blenheim, and farmed in various parts of the Wairau Plains before taking up his present property. Mr. O'Donoghue is married, and has three sons and seven daughters.
(Gregory Onion, Edwin Joseph Onion, and Henry Onion), Farmers, Blenheim. Messrs Onion Brothers took up their present property in the year 1900. The farm is situated on the eastern border of the borough and consists of 150 acres of first-class agricultural land. It is highly improved, and is devoted almost entirely to grain crops.
, Senior Partner of Messrs Onion Brothers, was born in the Wairau Valley, in the year 1864, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. Edmund Onion. He was educated at the public school at the Wairau Valley, and subsequently, up to the date of joining his brothers in the present partnership, was engaged in general farming in various parts of the province. Mr. Onion is a member of the local branch of the Farmers' Union. He is married, and has two sons.
, of Messrs Onion Brothers, is the fifth
son of the late Mr. Edmund Onion. He was born in April, 1873, in the Wairau Valley, was educated at the public school there, and subsequently,
, Dillon's Point Road, near Blenheim, is a compact, and fertile property of 225 acres, intersected by the Opawa river. It was first taken up by the late Mr. Charles Lucas in the early days, and was farmed by him for many years. Later on, it was acquired by his son, Mr. J. S. Lucas, who has since conducted the property on his own account. The tarm consists of rich agricultural land, and is devoted to the cultivation of root crops and cereals.
, the proprietor of Opawa Farm, was born in Nelson in the year 1851, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. Charles Lucas. He was educated partly in Nelson, and partly in Blenheim, and was brought up to farm work with his father. Mr. Lucas afterwards bought Opawa Farm, and has since worked it on his own account. He is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, in which he takes a great interest. Mr. Lucas married Miss Alice Rankin, of Blenheim, in the year 1877, and has, surviving, three sons and two daughters.
is conducted in conjunction with “Benopai” and several other extensive sheep runs situated in various parts of the province, by Messrs A. and R. J. Bell. It consists of 5,600 acres, situated about two miles to the south-east of Blenheim, and bounded on the north by the Opawa river, and on the south by the Ugbrooke station; the Marlborough racecourse is situated within the property, and was formerly part of the estate. “Riverlands” includes both hilly sheep grazing country and rich agricultural flats. A permanent flock of over 4000 sheep is depastured, and about 650 acres are annually placed under cultivation. The main south road runs close by the homestead.
, Managing Partner of the firm of Messrs W. Bell and Sons, is the fourth son of the late Mr. William Bell, and was born at sea in the ship “Champion of the Seas,” in which his parents emigrated, in August, 1860. He was educated in Nelson, brought up to sheepfarming, and worked in conjuction with his father until the latter's death in 1895, when, in partnership with his brother Adam, he took over the estate. Mr. Bell is chairman of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, vice-president of the Marlborough branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union, a member of the committee of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he was president in 1901 and 1902, and a member of the Omaka Road Board. He married Miss Wastney, of Nelson, in the year 1896, and has three sons and one daughter.
Senior, Kegworth Farm, near Blenheim. Mr. Rose is one of the oldest of the surviving pioneer settlers. He was born at Kegworth Farm in Nottinghamshire, England, in the year 1835, lived as a boy at Hilton, near Derby, and was educated
at Etwall. After leaving school, he was brought up to farming on his father's estate. Mr. Rose left for New Zealand in October, 1857, and landed in Nelson on the 12th of February, 1858. He afterwards worked for about twelve months on Mr. H. Redwood's property, went to the Wairau, leased the Junction Farm near Blenheim, and successfully conducted it for many years in conjunction with his brother, the late Mr. Joseph Rose. In the year 1870, Mr. Rose acquired his present farm, “Kegworth,” and in more recent years has purchased two adjacent properties situated between the old and middle Renwick roads, comprising in all 379 acres of the richest agricultural land in the Wairau. His land grows cereals, root crops, etc., to perfection, and over 5000 bushels of peas were produced in 1904. The proprietor is assisted by three of his sons, two of whom are married, and live in residences of their own on different parts of the farms. Mr. Rose is one of the original members of the Wairau River Board, was also for some years a member of the Omaka Road Board, and has been a member of the committee of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Isaac Gifford,
“Roseneath,” part of Kegworth Farm, near Blenheim. Mr. Rose is the eldest son of Mr. John Rose, senior. he was born at the Junction Farm, not far from his present home, in the year 1871; was educated by a private tutor, and at the Blenheim Borough School; and has since assisted his father on Kegworth Farm. Mr. Rose comes of a musical family, has a finetenor voice, and plays several musical instruments. He is choirmaster in the local Wesleyan church, and is a member of the Blenheim Orchestral Society. At the Marlborough exhibition, in 1904, he was awarded the prize as champion tenor singer. Mr. Rose married Miss Watson, of Blenheim, and has one son, and one daughter.
Old Renwick Road, near Blenheim. This farm was originally part of a large holding owned by Mr. Thomas Redwood, and was taken up by its present proprietor in the year 1887. For three years it was held on lease, but in 1890 Mr. Nicoll acquired the freehold. The property consists of forty acres of good agricultural land, and two springs close to the boundary furnish it with an unfailing supply of excellent water. The whole area is annually placed under crop, and the yield of chaff, which is almost the sole product of the farm, is about four tons per acre.
, Proprietor of “The Springs,” was born in Nelson on the 9th of April, 1843, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. Charles Nicoll, a millwright, who arrived in Nelson by the “Fifeshire.” He was educated at various schools in Nelson, afterwards learned carpentry, and was for many years a building contractor in Christchurch, Wellington, Picton, and Blenheim. In 1887, Mr. Nicoll turned his attention to farming, which he has since successfully followed. He is married, and has six sons and three daughters. Two of his sons are in partnership in the produce trade, one residing in Wellington, and the other near Blenheim one is a building contractor, and another a journeyman carpenter, in Blenheim; a fifth is farming on his own account and the youngest is assisting his father at “The Springs.” Of the three daughters, one is the mistress of the Spring Creek public school, another is in business on her own account in Wellington, and the third is at home.
Farmer, Old Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Thomson is a native of Stonehouse. Glasgow, Scotland, and is a son of the late Mr. Robert Thomson. He came out to New Zealand with his parents in the year 1855, when he was but a child of two years. Early in life, he decided to follow farming, and when his father died, he took over the farm. Mr. Thomson married, in 1874, and has a family of four sons and one daughter.
. This property consists of 13,000 acres, and is situated in the Awatere district, about seven miles from Blenheim. Ugbrooke overlooks the sea, and faces the Dashwood Pass Road for six or seven miles. Ugbrooke and Vernon were originally taken up by the late Mr. Henry Redwood (father of the present Mr. H. Redwood), who lived at Vernon, and who was well-known to the early pioneers of Marlborough and Nelson. In 1880 the property was acquired by the Hon. William Clifford, from whose family the present owner, Mr. H. D. Vavasour, purchased the freehold, comprising 8000 acres of low-lying hills and 5000 acres of first-class agricultural land. The whole of the estate is fenced, wire-netted and subdivided into convenient paddocks. Of the agricultural area, 600 acres are cropped annually-300 acres in white crops, and 300 acres in rape and turnips; and wheat yields from 30 to 40 bushels, barley from 30 to 70 bushels, and oats 50 to 80 bushels an acre-all of excellent quality. Cocksfoot, red clover, and other grass-seeds are cultivated, and after three or four crops are taken from the soil, it is laid down in grass. The practice of breaking up 350 acres of new ground every year is observed. At present, about 11,000 sheep are depastured on the station; the breed is a half-bred Lincoln-Merino cross, into which a Shropshire strain for freezing purposes has
, Owner of Ugbrooke, bought the property in 1897. He has been associated with stations since 1871, when he was appointed manager of Flaxbourne estate, which he managed for two years. During 1874–82, he was engaged in farming and breeding pedigree Shorthorn cattle in the Taranaki district; after which he had permanent charge of Flaxbourne till 1897, a period of fifteen years. When he took over the management in 1882, the run was scabby, and the rabbits were as thick as tussocks; but in two years Mr. Vavasour obtained a clean certificate for the eradication of scab. In 1882, the Flaxbourne wool clip was 450 bales; during Mr. Vavasour's management the quantity of wool increased every year, and when he relinquished the position the clip was 1150 bales, with an average of eight pounds and three-quarters, and the rabbits had been practically exterminated. Mr. Vavasour was born in Yorkshire, England, and is the descendant of an old Saxon family, whose estates are in that county. He was educated at Oscott College, Birmingham, and brought up to farming, and came to New Zealand, via America, in 1871. Mr. Vavasour is a keen sportsman, and has, at all times, taken a prominent part in local government, and in all things tending to promote the welfare of the province. He married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Redwood, of Blenheim.
is situated about eight miles to the south-east of Blenheim, in the south-eastern corner of the Wairau Plain, and is bounded on one side by the sea. It is one of the oldest sheep runs in Marlborough, and was first taken up in the forties by the late Mr. Redwood, and acquired by Mr. John Greenfield, the present proprietor in the year 1900. “Vernon” consists of 5,240 acres, and carries about 2,500 sheep. The homestead was originally built by the late Mr. Redwood, and commands a splendid view of Cloudy Bay.
, Proprietor of the Vernon run, was born in Wellington, in September, 1875, and is the only son of the late Mr. Robert Mackay Greenfield, of the firm of Messrs Greenfield and Stewari, timber merchants, and sash and door manufacturers. He was educated at the Wellington College, was afterwards employed on various sheep stations in various parts of New Zealand and Australia, and subsequently acquired “Vernon” in 1900. Mr. Greenfield is vice-president of the Acclimatisation Society, is a member of the Racing Club committee, a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, a director of the Marlborough Brewery and Aerated Water Company, and of the Marlborough Dairy Company.
, Old Renwick Road, near Blenheim. This farm was originally part of Mr. Thomas Redwood's well known property, and was acquired by the present owner in five sections of various sizes. Its total area is 165, acres, and the greater part of this is rich, agricultural land. Paul's Island, an area of 128 acres, situated between the old bed and the new course of the Opawa river, is embraced in the farm; a small portion of which is light and stony. “Woodlands” is devoted almost entirely to the cultivation of wheat and oats, and some excellent crops are grown.
, Proprietor of Woodlands Farm, is of German extraction. He was born on board the ship “Maori” in which his parents emigrated to New Zealand, on the 2nd of August, 1855, and is a son at the late Mr. Franz Hammerich, who farmed for many years in the Moutere district, Nelson. Mr. Hammerich was educated at the Moutere public school, and brought up as a farmer. He removed to the Wairau in the year 1873, and, after two years spent in flaxmilling, took up general farm work. In 1889, he acquired the first section of his property, consisting of ten acres, which he tilled in his spare time, between periods of wage-earning on neighbouring farms, and gradually added to it as his means would permit. By this method he was able, in time, to relinquish outside work, and to devote himself entirely to the cultivation of his own property; and now, after repeated purchases of small blocks, he possesses the freehold title of one of the most profitable farms in the neighbourhood. Mr. Hammerich married Miss Dalziel, in the year 1893, and has two sons and three daughters.
comprises 7500 acres of freehold, all downs, and 28,400 acres of leasehold land. It is situated on the Awatere river, sixty-four miles from Blenheim, and twelve miles from Molesworth. The property is bounded on the east by the Awatere river, on the west by “Hillersden,” on the south by “Upcot,” and on the south by “Molesworth.” “Langridge” is over 2000 feet above the sea level, and was taken up by Mr. Thomas Ward in 1851, held for a short time, and bought by Mr. W. H. Eyes, who sold it to Monro Brothers in 1853, and for many years it remained in the hands of the Monro family. Early in 1899, it was acquired by the present owners, Messrs Walker and Thompson. From 8000 to 9000 Merino sheep are depastured
, of “Langridge,” was born in Forfarshire, Scotland. After receiving his education at the Dundee High School, he was articled to land engineering, which he followed for seven years. Mr. Walker came to New Zealand in 1898, and resided a short time at “Avondale” before taking up “Langridge.”
, of Langridge is a native of Hampshire, England, and was educated at Sherbourne School. He followed farming in the Old Country, and came to New Zealand in 1892. Mr. Thompson resided in Hawker's Bay for some time, and spent five years on “Avondale” and “Benopai.”
The poineers of early settlement in Marlborough underwent more trying experiences than those which fell to the lot of their contemporaries in other more tranquil provinces of the Middle Island. Dealings with the Maoris oft times ended in a conflict or massacre, and ruinous floods frequently devastated the land.
The first European settlers were the whalers, who settled in 1827 at Te Awaite, or “Tar Whire,” as it was more generally terned by Englishmen with little aptitude for following the musical Maori pronunciation. From conventent points of the surrounding headlands they could watch the monsters of the deep; and the industry of whaling, established so long ago, is still carried on with success.
Despite the tribal wars of the Maoris, and their occasional assaults upon the Europeans, settlement progressed surely, thoughslowly, although it was checked for a time by the Wairau massacre, of 1843. But the spirit of adventure was strong in the young colonists of Nelson, and in 1845 exploring parties moved towards the Wairau. Messrs Fox, Redwood, Ward, and Goulter were amongst the earliest settlers on the Plain, and in 1847 Mr. Charles Clifford and Mr. Frederick Weld (afterwards Sir Charles and Sir Frederick) shipped a large mob of sheep from Sydney to Port Underwood, and took them to Flaxbourne. in 1848, the European population of the province was 194, but Sir George Grey's payments to the natives, two years later, of £1,600 and £3,000, in liquidation of their claims to the Wairau, lead to a further increase of settlement. The newcomers were supplied chiefly by Nelson, and the settlers were mostly pastoralists, who took up runs in the Wairau, Waihopai, and Awatere districts.
An incident illustrative of the early days has been described by an old Marlborough settler, who relates that he walked from Nelson to Blenheim, and crossed the bed of the Wairau river, dry shod. On arriving at the northern bank of the river one evening, he decided to camp there until morning, but during the night the river had changed its course to some considerable distance behind him. As he walked over the dry bed he felt like an Israelite of old crossing the Red Sea, and realised that the days of miracles had not entirely passed away.
For this section, as for other portions of the Marlborough division of this volume, the conductors of the Cyclopedia of New Zealand have secured records of representative pioneers, the story of whose lives must prove of interest to the present generation and to future times.
is one of the oldest residents in Blenheim. He was born in January, 1836, at Great Bar, in Staffordshire, England, where he was educated, and was afterwards brought up to the malting business in his father's malthouses. At twenty years of age, Mr. Ball came to New Zealand in the ship “Ann Wilson,” and soon after landing was appointed by Dr. Featherston overseer of a gang of men who were engaged in the construction of the Ngahuranga road near Wellington. In the year 1857, however, when the Collingwood diggings broke out, he joined the rush, but, meeting with little success, he went to New South Wales, where he found work for about six months in the Paramatta orange orchards. In 1858, Mr. Ball returned to New Zealand and subsequently removed to Blenheim, or, as it was then called, Beavertown. Shortly after, he joined the late Mr. Henry Dodson in partnership, and the firm carried on a successful brewing, malting, and hop-growing trade for about fifteen years, under the style of Messrs Dodson and Ball. Mr. Ball then sold out his interests to his partner, and after living a somewhat retired life for ten years, he built a large brewery on Grove road, and at the same time established extensive malthouses at the corner of Herbert and Dodson Streets. Two years later, he sold the brewery, which is now conducted by a company under the name of the Marlboroug Brewery, and has since devoted his energies to the malting business. Mr. Ball is noted for his kindly and benevolent disposition. He married, in the year 1861, and has five sons and five daughters.
was born in the year 1818, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, where he was educated, and was brought up as a farmer. In 1860, he went to Queensland, Australia, in the ship “Champion of the Seas,” and for about seven years was employed as a station manager. Mr. Bell then came to New Zealand in 1867, in the “Kate Waters,” a cattle barque, and for a few years he leased the Hillwood Farm, at Wakapuaka, in Nelson. In the early seventies, he removed to Marlborough, and took up the Erina run, in the Wairau Valley. This he sold ten years later, and purchased the Benopai run, and shortly afterwards the St. Leonards Farm, both of which he conducted until his death. Mr. Bell was one of the most successful farmers in the province, and was much respected. He died in July, 1895, leaving four sons and three daughters.
, formerly in business on a large scale, as a flax-dresser at “Amerfoot,” Blenheim, was born in London, England, in 1837. He went to sea at the age of fifteen, and remained there for about six years. In 1860, he landed in Sydney, and shortly afterwards crossed to New Zealand. He settled down in Marlborough, and followed bushfelling for a time, but in 1874, he turned his attention to flax-milling. Mr. Bell was for a time manager of the Government Reserve accommodation house, on Manuka Island, but had been previously stationed for nine years in Fabian's Valley. In 1874, he leased the Waihopai Reserve, and carried on sheep farming for twenty-one years, besides conducting the accommodation house. At the expiration of his lease, Mr. Bell, having been burnt out of his flaxmill at Waihopai, removed his plant to the “Amersfoot” site in Blenheim. A few years ago he met with a painful accident, which dislocated his hip, and since then he has been unable to take a very active part in local affairs. He is, however, a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. Bell married a daughter of the late Mr. William Pipe, of Fabian's Valley. He is now (1905) out of business.
, formerly a farmer on the banks of the Opawa river, about two miles from Blenheim, was born in 1844, in Bedfordshire, England, where he followed the calling of a farmer until 1874, when he came to New Zealand. He was for many years a resident of Marlborough, and always took an active interest in things appertaining to the welfare of his district. Mr. Chandler is married, and has a large family. He now (1905) resides in the North Island.
Mrs Catherine Carter, widow of the late Mr. Thomas Carter, third Superintendent of Marlborough, was born in Nelson, and is the eldest daughter of the late Mr. G. W.
is one of the oldest residents in Blenheim. He was born in July, 1827, at Hethel, near the town of Newport, in Shropshire, England, where his father, a builder by trade, was then engaged with others in the erection of Lillishall Hall, one of the seats of the Duke of Sutherland. Mr. Davies was educated in a small private school at Sherifales, and afterwards learned carpentry. In the early part of 1858, he came to New Zealand, and landed in Nelson. Three months later, in company with his brother, Mr. Davies went to Blenheim, where he has since continuously resided. He established himself as a builder, in conjunction with his brother, the firm being known as Messrs Davies Brothers, and built most of the earlier residences in the town. Later on, however, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Caleb Davies conducted the business on his own account, until a few years ago, when he retired. He owns considerable property in Blenheim, and his residence is situated on the left bank of the Omaka river. Mr. Davies was a member of the first road board in the district, and was for nearly ten years a member of the Wairau River Board.
came to New Zealand in 1855, landed in Nelson, and shortly afterwards went to the Wairau. For a time, he was employed at timber sawing, and later on took up a small farm; but when the settlement of Blenheim was fairly started, and there was a demand for substantial residences, he turned his attention to his trade—that of a builder. As one of the earliest builders and bricklayers in the province, Mr. Daikee conducted an extensive and prosperous business, and manufactured his own bricks for many years in Blenheim; and he was respected as a thoroughly reliable tradesman. Mr. Daikee died in the year 1904, when seventy-three years of age; and left two sons and one daughter.
was born near Malmsbury, in Wiltshire, England, on the 3rd of September, in the year 1821. When a youth he went to Nova Scotia, but owing to the cold climate returned to England. Mr. Dodson then came to New Zealand in the ship “Fifeshire,” the first vessel to arrive in Nelson, and landed on the 1st of February, 1842, with just four shillings and sixpence in his pocket. He joined the New Zealand Company's survey staff with the late Mr. W. Budge, and worked at Nelson, and at Massacre Bay. Then in March, 1844, he was selected by Mr. Tuckett, Chief Surveyor to the New Zealand Company, to accompany him on an expedition to search the coast of the South Island for a site for a new settlement to be named New Edinburgh. Otakau (since corrupted to Otago) was the place chosen for this purpose. Unfortunately, the New Zealand Company got into financial difficulties, with the result that there was a stoppage in the proceedings, and Mr. Tuckett left its service. Mr. Dodson, with one of the surveyors, remained at Otakau, in charge of the Company's materials, but owing to ill-health he soon returned to Nelson for medical advice. He was then engaged in farming, and in 1854, when the Wairau Valley was opened for settlement, he bought land there, and settled in the Spring Creek district, of which he was one of the pioneers. The district was then subject to destructive floods; but Mr. Dodson, as a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council, the River Board, and also as a private settler—did so much to avert trouble from that cause, that it was not long before the farmers were securely protected from loss and anxiety in that connection. As a settler, Mr. Dodson kept abreast of the times by obtaining improved implements as they came into use. He introduced one of the first manual reaping engines, the self-delivery reapers, one of the first wire binders, string binders, the first double furrow ploughs, and the first traction engine and plant for threshing purposes ever seen in the Wairau. Mr. Dodson was the second colonist to take up farming in the Wairau—first as a dairy farmer, and then as an agriculturist. He was one of the first to advocate the separation of Marlborough from Nelson, and became a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council. Mr. Dodson was chairman of the Spring Creek River Board for twenty-five years, from its inception till the 3rd of January, 1900; a member of the Spring Creek Road Board for five years; a member of the Waste Lands Board for six years, and a Justice of the Peace for eighteen years. He died during the year 1905.
, who was one of the earliest settlers in Marlborough, came to New Zealand by the ship “Iguana,” in 1856. He was born at Oxford, Essex, England, on the 5th of October, 1831, and followed a seafaring life from an early age. Mr. Earll married in the year in which he came to New Zealand. Shortly after landing he moved to Blenheim, where he joined the local police force, of which he was one of the first members. He was also one of the first to open an accommodation house at the
, sometime a farmer at Fairhall, Blenheim, was born at High Trees, Hutton Roof, Cumberland, England, on the 23rd of September, 1826; the summer of which was called the “Droughty Summer,” owing to the excessive drought which came over the land. He was educated at a private academy, and early in life followed farming, the avocation of his ancestors. While a young man he went to the United States, and was for several years there and in Canada, but returned to England, on account of his health, which had suffered in those countries. He afterwards decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and came to Lyttelton in the ship “British Empire,” in 1863; but he soon removed to the Marlborough district, where he remained ever after. When he first went to Marlborough, the site upon which Blenheim now stands was nothing but a raupo and flax swamp, so that the district gave plenty of scope to a man of Mr. Graham's energetic disposition. In five years after his arrival he took up 180 acres of flat land, where he farmed so successfully that he latterly had 1200 acres of freehold property, acquired by dint of energy and perseverance, and frugal habits. Mrs Graham, who also came out in the early days with him, had been a willing helpmate, and enjoyed with her husband the fruits of their joint labours. Mr. Graham died on the 4th of April, 1903.
was born at Brentwood, Essex, England, and was educated at a private school in London, where he was apprenticed to Howitt and Co. He came to New Zealand in 1872, landed at Nelson, and engaged with Wymond and Co., drapers and clothiers, but did not stay long with the firm before he decided to establish the business of W. B. Girling and Co., in which he met with a large measure of success. Mr. Girling died on the 20th of March, 1898; aged sixty-five years.
, sometime of Auntsfield Farm, Blenheim, was born on the 17th of November, 1829, in Dundee, Scotland, where he was educated. He worked for many years in a soft goods' factory, and in the year 1852 emigrated to Australia. For two or three years, he was employed as a shepherd, and then, finding the climate uncongenial, he came to New Zealand in 1855. Mr. Herd landed in Nelson, and in the following year went to the Wairau, where he was employed for a time as a shepherd on large runs. Subsequently, for nearly twenty years, he managed Meadowbank station for Mr. A. P. Seymour. He resigned that position in 1884 in order to farm a property of 300 acres on Doctor's Flat, which he had previously bought from Mr. A. P. Seymour, and which afterwards became known as Auntsfield Farm. This Mr. Herd systematically worked till 1898, when he let it to his son-in-law, Mr. J. W. Paynter, retaining the homestead with a few acres immediately surrounding it. During the remaining years of his life, Mr. Herd devoted his whole time to his extensive orchard, to the cultivation of grapes, and the making of wine. His grape wine won nearly all the prizes awarded in that section at local exhibitions, gained a high reputation all over the province, and was recommended by many medical men for its excellent quality. Mr. Herd died in June, 1905, leaving a widow now (1905) seventy-seven years of age, five son and three daughters.
was born in England in 1811, and landed at Nelson, New Zealand, by the ship “Lord Auckland,” on the 23rd of February, 1842. Mr. Hammond was engaged by the New Zealand Company to survey the Nelson district, then in its natural state. He belonged to the party of surveyors who were cruelly massacred by the Maoris in the Wairau district, but had been recalled to headquarters at Nelson shortly before the raid made by the hostile natives, and in that way he escaped the fate which befell a number of the party. After the New Zealand Company failed, Mr. Hammond decided to take up some land, and he made a home for himself and family on the fertile Waimea Plains, where he remained for a considerable time. In 1871 he removed to Marlborough, where he resided until his death in 1892. Mr. Hammond took no part in politics, but he always did his best for the interests of the district. He was one of the earlier members of the local Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity.
Dr. Horne was born at Isleworth, on the banks of the Thames, England, where his father was an eminent solicitor. He was educated at King's College school, London, and afterwards studied at St. Thomas's Hospital, where he and the late Dr. Cotterell, of Nelson, were under the celebrated surgeon, Le Gros Clark. After obtaining his diploma Dr. Horne made two voyages to Melbourne in the clippers “Lightning” and “James Baines.” Subsequently he came to New Zealand in the
“Maori,” and in 1855 went Home in her by way of China. Having made the round of the world, he came out to Nelson in 1857, and went to Collingwood, where he practised for some time. In 1858 the town of Blenheim had just been founded, and there being a great need for a medical man, he acceded to the request of Dr. Muller and settled permanently in the Wairau. For some years he practised on his own account, and subsequently in connection with Dr. Johnston, later of Feilding, and Dr. Cleghorn, of Blenheim, the latter of whom had also been a student of St. Thomas's Hospital. During the last few years of his life Dr. Horne resided for the most part on his country property, acting as a consultant with his fellow practitioners in important cases, especially those of a surgical nature. Dr. Horne was highly esteemed for his excellent qualities, and his sympathy and active kindness in times of sickness and adversity endearea him to all. He met his death at the disastrous fire which destroyed over twenty buildings at Blenheim on the 30th of June, 1887. He had been attending a sick person at the Criterion Hotel, where he and one of his sons had decided to stay for the night. The fire broke out in the hotel about one o'clock in the morning, and it is supposed that in attempting to rescue his son (who had previously escaped from the burning building), Dr. Horne lost his life. He left a widow and a large family.
, formerly proprietor of Opawa Farm, at Dillon's Point Road, and one of the pioneer settlers in the district, was born in Bristol, England, in the year 1820. He came to New Zealand in early manhood, by the ship “Olympus,” and landed at Nelson. For several years Mr. Lucas carried on a large business as one of the first storekeepers in Nelson, and about the year 1859 he went to Marlborough, where he acquired the Opawa Farm. During the latter years of his life, he lived at Grove Road, Blenheim, where he died in the year 1899
, sometime of “Rannoch,” Old Renwick Road, Blenheim, was a native of Ross-shire, Scotland. In 1851, he emigrated to Australia, and landed in Melbourne. He was at Bendigo, Ballarat, and other goldfields, and was also engaged in stock dealing. In 1855, Mr. McLauchlan came to New Zealand, and landed at Nelson. He travelled to the
, sometime of Blenheim, was born at Clyth, Caithness-shire, Scotland, in 1848, and was one of a family of twelve, who, with their parents, landed in New Zealand in 1865. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Macalister started work on Weld's Hill, Awatere. Shortly afterwards the telegraph was established in New Zealand, and he obtained a position in the department. There he displayed unusual expertness, with the result that he was very soon appointed to the charge of the office at Kaikoura. Thence he was transferred to the King Country, where he served the department so well that the Government acknowledged his services by appointing him, at the age of twenty-four, Inspector of Telegraphs for Nelson, Marlborough and Westland. He held the position for fourteen years, during which many important telegraph lines were erected under his supervision. When the amalgamation of the post and telegraph branches took place, Mr. Macalister was appointed chief postmaster at Blenheim, and filled the position for five years. The sedentary life inseparable from the position did not, however, agree with his health, and he retired in 1887. When he did so he obtained twelve months' leave of absence on full pay, in addition to a flattering testimonial from the authorities. He was also presented with a beautifully illuminated address, together with a large astronomical clock by the officers of the department, contributions having been received from all parts of the Colony. Mr. Macalister left the Government service with a record established by exceptional administrative ability and a thorough knowledge of electricity. He afterwards turned his attention to agricultural and pastoral pursuits with varying success, and also engaged in the businesses of auctioneer, commission agent, contractor, etc. Subsequently he left Marlborough for Auckland, and settled on a sheep run at Rotorua. This venture did not turn out very satisfactorily, and Mr. Macalister removed to Auckland city, where, during the mining boom, he acted as auctioneer for the Free Stock Exchange. In 1895, he returned to Blenheim, and opened a commission agency, which he carried on till his death on the 3rd of December, 1897. In matters affecting the welfare of the district, Mr. Macalister took a keen and intelligent interest; full of energy and possessing more than average ability, he was ever in the vanguard of progress. Being a fluent speaker, he was at home on the public platform. Politically, he was a Liberal, and he twice unsuccessfully contested the Wairau seat. Mr. Macalister was for a time president of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and he also acted as secretary of the Land and Railway League. In private life Mr. Macalister was highly esteemed; warm hearted, hospitable, ever ready to lend a helping hand. He was stricken down in a painfully sudden manner while walking along the footpath, and never regained consciousness. His funeral was attended by colonists who came from all parts of the province to testify to the respect and esteem in which he was held. He married a daughter of Mr. James Sinclair, the founder of Blenheim.
Dr. Stephen Lunn Muller was the first Resident Magistrate of the Wairau district, and ably filled the position for twenty-two years. He was appointed in 1857, with his headquarters at Blenheim, and Picton was visited at regular intervals. Dr. Muller was born at Camberwell, near London, England, in 1814, and was the son of a French gentleman, a count by birth. He was educated for the medical profession at the London University. After taking the degree of M.R.C.S., England, he practised at Peckham for about twelve years, and then decided to emigrate to New Zealand. He landed at Nelson from the ship “Pekin,” in January, 1850, and resided there for nearly eight years, when he proceeded to Blenheim to discharge the duties of Resident Magistrate. Dr. Muller died on the 27th of April, 1891, and was very hale and hearty till three days before his death. He was a man of studious habits, and ever ready to assist any movement which had for its object the intellectual and social improvement of his fellow colonists. He also wrote on the topics of the day, and in that connection he received valuable assistance from Mrs Muller, who was the first in New Zealand to advocate Woman's Franchise. Dr. Muller read interesting papers before the members of various popular associations, recorded the meteorological observations made by him, and
kept a diary which, no doubt, contains items which would be useful to the historian of Nelson and Marlborough. In conjunction with Mr. John Allen, Dr. Muller organised the Marlborough Art and Industrial Association, which was carried on for several years. He left a family of three daughters; namely, Mrs Elliott and Mrs McCrae; and Mrs Arthur Carkeek, of Otaki, Wellington.
was born on the 22nd of March, 1842, at Boxted, in Essex, England, and was educated at Maling's private school. His father, the late Mr. Sammuel Neville, who died in the early nineties at Kaiapoi, where he had for
, who died in Blenheim on the 14th of March, 1905, was for many years a farmer in the Wairau Valley. He was born in Staffordshire, England, in the year 1833, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Edward Thornhill,” in 1862. Mr. Onion first settled at Stoke, Nelson, but afterwards found his way to the Wairau Valley, where he secured the freehold of 100 acres of rich level land. This property Mr. Onion turned to the best account, devoting himself chiefly to sheep grazing and grain growing; in the year 1902, he let his farm, and for the remaining years of his life resided in Blenheim. For many years he was a member of the Wairau school committee. Mr. Onion was married, and had a family of five sons and five daughters.
, J.P., was born on the 30th of April, 1837, at Greenwich, London, England, and is the youngest son of the first family of the late Mr. Edward Stone Parker, who went to Victoria, Australia, in the year 1838, as Native Protector, under appointment by the British Government. He was educated by a tutor, and subsequently at the Melbourne Grammar School. Mr. Parker was then brought up as a stockdealer, and in 1861 came to Otago, New Zealand, in charge of a large shipment of sheep for Messrs Cook
Brothers, of Melbourne and Dunedin. He landed at Port Chalmers, and drove the flock to Lawrence, where it was disposed of. He then took charge
, sometime of “The Laurels,” Blenheim, was born in Devonshire, England, on the 1st of December, 1829. He learned gardening, and became, at an early age, overseer for Mr. George Neumann. Mr. Pike afterwards resigned that position in order to come to New Zealand, where two of his brothers-in-law—Messrs Davies Brothers, builders—had been for some time settled in Blenheim. On arriving in Blenheim, he immediately took up a farm of 150 acres on the south-eastern border of the town, which subsequently became known as “The Laurels.” Mr. Pike afterwards took his sons into business with him, and conducted it, during the latter years of his life, under the title of Messrs W. Pike and Sons. Since his death, two of his sons, Messrs W. D. Pike and T. Pike, have carried on the work under the same title. Mr. Pike was married for some years before he left the Old Country, and had four sons and four daughters, of whom the four sons and one of the daughters are still living. His widow, seventy-six years of age, still (1905) resides in Blenheim.
was born in Devonshire, England, in 1841. While he was a mere lad he went to sea as a cabin boy, but steadily forged his way to the front, and obtained his master mariner's certificate in the early sixties. He was the owner of the barquentine “Ocean Ranger,” which he sailed all round the world. On arriving at Lyttelton in 1879, he disposed of his vessel, and settled with his wife and family at Blenheim, where he purchased the old Grosvenor Hotel, which he successfully conducted until his death, which occurred on the 30th of October, 1894. Captain Priddle left a widow and a family of nine children.
, who is best known throughout New Zealand as the Father of the Turf, on account of his early and long continued labours on behalf of horse racing, is one of the oldest living colonists in Marlborough. He was born about eighty-three years ago at the village of Ticksell, in Staffordshire, England, and came out with his parents in one of the first ships in 1842. His father, the late Henry Redwood, was one of the first, and one of the most courageous, of the pioneer stationholders, both in Nelson and Marlborough, and did a great deal towards opening up the country and popularising it as a sheepraising area. For many years the family farmed on the Waimea, and in 1863 Mr. Redwood took up a large farm at Spring Creek, where two vears later he also established a flour mill. In 1870, however, his two sons took over the whole property, and Mr. Redwood has since lived a comparatively quiet life, and now (1905) resides with his brother in Blenheim. Mr. Redwood was at one time extensively engaged in the importation and training of horses, and he brought several shipments of thoroughbred stock to New Zealand. He also took a keen interest in political affairs during his earlier years, and for some time was a fellow member with the late Mr. Alfred Saunders, of the Executive of the Nelson Provincial Council.
, J. P., of Blenheim, is one of the earliest and best known colonists in Marlborough, and comes of a family distinguished for its pioneering work in the Nelson and Marlborough provinces. He was born in Staffordshire. England, in the
, sometime a farmer in the Tua Marina district, was born in Prussia, and came to New Zealand in 1854. He landed in Nelson and settled in the Tua Marina district in 1859. Mr. Smith has always taken an active interest in public matters, and has been a member of the various local boards, and also of the school committee, but having done his share of work in that connection, he is quite content to let younger men take his place while he enjoys a well-earned rest. He now (1905) lives in retirement in Blenheim.
, some-time of Wairau Valley and Blenheim, was born in London, England, on the 4th of March, 1819, and was educated at the Bluecoat School. At an early age he joined the navy and was engaged in the Indo-China and other services during his terms. Mr. Simmonds came to Nelson, in February, 1842, by the second immigrant ship which reached that part of New Zealand. On settling in Marlborough, he took to sheepfarming in the Wairau Valley, and was so engaged, and with various commercial undertakings in Blenheim, until 1868, when he returned to Nelson. Mr. Simmonds always took a great interest in the affairs of his district, and was a highly respected member of the Order of Oddfellows. He died at Nelson on the 12th of December, 1875, when he left a widow, two sons, and one daughter.
, Founder of Blenheim, was born on the 1st of November, 1817, at Nybster, Wick, Caithness, Scotland, and arrived at Wellington, New Zealand, by He was accompanied by his wife and their the ship “Agra,” on the 3rd of March, 1852, eldest child, then only six months old, and a nurse, who afterwards became well-known in Wairau as Mrs Charles Brindell. Mr. Sinclair soon removed with his family to Nelson. where he opened in business with a stock of goods which he had brought with him from Manchester. From Nelson he went to the Wairau and settled there, and though the effects of the memorable and historic massacre were still felt in the district, Mr. Sinclair soon gained the confidence of the Maoris by his firmness and scrupulous honesty, and almost at once secured a large and profitable trade with them and the settlers; indeed, so much was he respected that for many years he was both banker and merchant for the run-holders and farmers. As the settlement progressed Mr. Sinclair's business-like qualities produced prosperity for himself, and he acquired a considerable fortune, which greatly increased his influence, which he always exerted for the benefit of the district. He and his wife were literally the founders of Blenheim, for they built the first house there; and for over forty years they afterwards went on building up the whole settlement—she with the civilising social graces and hospitalities of a cultivated generous gentlewoman, and he with the intelligent energy of an educated man of wide business experience and indomitable public spirit. Mr. Sinclair was
, sometime of Blenheim, was born at Bolton, Lancashire, England, in 1814, and followed the trade of a blacksmith, at which he excelled. He emigrated to Australia, in 1853, in the “Bonaventura.” On arriving in Melbourne, he went to the Ballarat diggings, which he reached the day after the historic riot. He met with no luck, and so he worked at his trade for a short time, until he decided to try New Zealand, to which he came by the ship “Bella Creole,” in 1854. From Wellington he went to Picton, where he was engaged to carry mails to Blenheim, then a difficult and dangerous undertaking. Mr. Taylor was the first tradesman to start black-smithing in Blenheim, and through want of proper appliances, he was compelled to make some of the tools of his trade himself. He was the father of Freemasonry in Marlborough, and served on the town board before the borough was formed. Mr. Taylor was held in high esteem for his many good qualities, and when he died in 1893, he left three sons and one daughter.
, sometime a Justice of the Peace, was born in Middlesex, England, in the year 1827, and was educated for the medical profession in London, in company with his brother, who afterwards practised for many years in Nelson. He came to New Zealand late in the fifties, and shortly afterwards entered into partnership with his brother in the purchase of land, in various parts of the Marlborough province. They soon became large landed proprietors, and held property at the Clarence, Awatere, Avondale, and at Blenheim. It was whilst inspecting his estate at the Clarence that Mr. Williams came by the accident that ultimately caused his death. He died at Brooklands, Blenheim, in the year 1869, leaving three sons and two daughters.
was for some years postmaster at Kekerangu, where he entered upon his duties on the 6th of May, 1889. He is the son of Mr. William White, of Richmond, who arrived at Nelson in the ship “Bolton,” in 1842. Mr. White was born in 1843, and is, therefore, one of the first Nelsonians. While still young he removed to Marlborough, and was employed for about eleven years at “Upton Downs,” and on other stations. On the 1st of February, 1875, he joined the Post and Telegraph Departments at Blenheim, where he was for twelve months, and then removed to Top House, Nelson, where he was in charge for thirteen years. Mr. White was then removed to Havelock North temporarily, and subsequently entered on his duties at Kekerangu. He has retired from the public service, and now (1905) lives in Blenheim.
, who was formerly in business in Blenheim as a manufacturer and importer, is a native of Maitland, New South Wales, where he resided for some years, but afterwards went to Geelong, Victoria, where he was apprenticed to Mr. George Beatty, boot manufacturer. After completing his apprenticeship, Mr. Wensley was for three years in a leading house in Sydney. He landed in Wellington, in 1882, but soon went on to Marlborough, and established himself in business. Mr. Wensley now (1905) lives in retirement.
The shipping trade of Blenheim dates back to 1849, when small coasters, such as the schooners “Triumph” and “Old Jack,” called at the port of Wairau. The cargoes discharged inside the Boulder Bank were afterwards brought up the river in boats towed by horses. Wool was also taken down the river, and up to Port Underwood, where it was loaded in English-going vessels. The earthquakes of 1855 so improved the rivers that navigation became less difficult, and a few years later a fleet of small vessels, engaged in the colonial trade, sailed up the Opawa to Blenheim. Among these were the “Gipsy,” “Mary,” “Rapid,” “Necromancer,” “Alert,” “Supply,” and “Falcon.” Small steamers afterwards made their appearance on both the Wairau and Opawa rivers, the paddle steamer “Tasmanian Maid” being the first to ply on the Wairau, and the paddle steamer “Lyttelton,” the first on the Opawa. The paddle steamer “Napier” was a regular trader for many years. Small screw steamers now ply regularly between Blenheim and Wellington. The amount of pilotage collected at the port of Wairau during the year which ended on the 31st of March, 1905, was £217 8s 3d, and the amount of light dues, £21 15s 11d. The total expenditure for the same period was £514 3s 2d, of which £320 was spent in protective works; but this sum was of a special, and not of a recurring, nature.
who formerly traded regularly between Blenheim and Wellington, with the s.s. “Pania,” and is now (1905) pilot at the Wairau bar, was born in Suffolk, England, in 1842, and served an apprenticeship to ropemaking. He afterwards went to sea, and served his time at South Shields in the barque “Emily,” which was engaged in the Mediterranean and Baltic trade. At the expiration of his apprenticeship, he visited St. John's, New Brunswick, and shipped in an American vessel. During the American civil war, he was trading on the American coasts, and in the West Indies. In 1862, Mr. Fisk left the American trade, and shipped in the “Star of Tasmania,” and after making a trip to London, he sailed for New Zealand. On landing at Dunedin, he left the sea, and went with many others to the goldfields, where he spent three years, and was fairly successful. Mr. Fisk, however, returned to the sea, and entered on a course of study which enabled him to take his certificate of competency for the coasts of New Zealand. He was afterwards in charge of various well known sailing vessels and steamers, and was most fortunate, largely owing to his careful and steady navigation. So competent a mariner has he proved to be, that in 1896, he received from the New Zealand Government the appointment of colonial pilot for the whole of the New Zealand coasts, and is now stationed at the bar of the Wairau. Captain Fisk has been a Freemason for more than forty years. He has six sons and three daughters, all grown up.
was born at Gravesend, England, in the year 1848. When fifteen years of age, he went to sea, and sailed to all parts of the world. In 1870, he came to New Zealand in the barque “Rapedo,” and left her at Nelson, but shortly afterwards entered a steamboat service, in which he eventually secured a master mariner's certificate. Captain North was for many years in the Union Steam Ship Company's service, as well as in other colonial lines, and is, therefore, well known throughout the New Zealand and Australian ports. His seafaring life has not been without hardships, trials, and adventures; on many occasions, he was dismasted while in wid-ocean, and he was once shipwrecked on the East Coast of England. Captain North is a Freemason and an Oddfellow. He was married, in Wellington, to a daughter of the late Mr. Duncan McIntosh, who came to New Zealand with Colonel Wakefield, in the “Will Watch,” and has two sons and three daughters. He resides at Blenheim, and is now (1905) master of the steamer “Blenheim.”
Photographs for the following blocks came to hand too late to be worked into position with the articles to which they belong; but the connection is, in each case, established by means of the names of the persons concerned, and the pages on which their articles appear.
The district of Spring Creek is virtually an island, as it is surrounded by the waters of the Wairau and Opawa rivers, which, diverging from the same course near Renwicktown, are widely separated in the middle of the plain, then begin to converge, and ultimately join to form one stream shortly before reaching the Boulder Bank. It is named from a small stream that flows through the district, which is fed from springs a few miles from the township. The country was first surveyed in 1844 or 1845, and is all level agricultural land of the very best quality. The first settlers were Dr. Vickerman and Messrs Gifford, Dodson, and Redwood, all of whom have passed away, and all, with the exception of Dr. Vickerman, are represented by direct descendants, most of whom still work the farms taken up by their fathers in the forties and early fifties. At one time the settlers suffered severely through periodical floods, but of late the valuable conservations works carried out by the local River Board has greatly diminished the risk. Spring Creek is one of the largest and wealthiest agricultural and sheepfarming areas in the province, and is closely settled, and systematically worked. Messrs Redwood Brothers have established a flourmill, and there is also a butter factory about a mile from the township. At one time a large amount of flaxmilling was carried on. The township was laid out by Mr. Henry Redwood, who first named it Marlboroughtown, because it was then thought that it would be the chief town in the province. It is situated in about the centre of the district, four miles by rail west from Blenheim, and has two hotels, a public hall, a public school, two churches, several business places, and a few farm residences. The business of the post and telegraph office is conducted at the local store. There is another small township in the district, namely, Upper Spring Creek, but it consists only of a public school and a church. Another village—Grovetown—is situated on the railway line two miles north of Blenheim, and within the Spring Creek road district. It is composed of a church, a public school, an hotel, a blacksmith's shop, the railway station, and a number of farm houses and other residences. There is a post office in the village, which is connected by a daily mail service with Blenheim. The main road through the Spring Creek district is well metalled and kept in good repair, and the district is provided with a daily mail service by rail with both Bleincheim and Picton.
. This school is situated about five miles from Blenheim, on the main Blenheim-Picton Road, in the Spring Greek district, and only a few yards from the railway station. The building is a small one and accommodates only forty-five scholars.
Miss Rosalie G. Williams, formerly mistress of the Marlborough-town School, was born at Mount Pleasant. Picton, and after passing the standards, she studied for her pupil teacher's examinations under the tuition of Mr. Howard, and successfully passed one each year until she acquired the D D certificate in 1897. Miss Williams takes an interest in musical matters, and gained the certificate for theory, under the London College of Music, in 1897. (After this article was written Miss Williams married, and now (1905) lives in Wellington.)
was formed by Mr. Harry L. Robinson, in the year 1902, and has rendered valuable assistance at various public functions and entertainments, and at church services. It has a membership of sixteen, and possesses fifteen musical instruments, including the violin, cornet, clarionet, basso, piano, trombone, flutes, and the horn. Practices are held weekly. Mr. H. L. Robinson is conductor.
, Promoter and Conductor of the Spring Creek Orchestra, is a grandson of the late Mr. William Robinson, who took up land at Spring Creek early in the fifties, and a son of Mr. James Robinson who still (1905) resides at the old homestead. He was born on the 23rd of December, 1877, at Spring Creek, where he was educated, and was brought up to farm life. At an early age, Mr. Robinson showed musical ability, and devoted all his leisure to the cultivation of music. He is now a proficient musician, and he plays four instruments. Mr. Robinson owns an area of one hundred acres of rich agricultural land, which he works to the best advantage.
Farmer, Grovetown. Mr. Aberhart's freehold farm, of ninety-seven acres is well cultivated, chiefly for the purpose of raising root crops, but about one-third is used for grazing. The family residence is a comfortable house with eleven well-furnished rooms. Mr. Aberhart was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1839, and came to Nelson with his parents in 1842. In 1861 he removed to the Wairau where he has since resided. Mr. Aberhart takes an active part in local affairs; has for about forty years been connected with
, Spring Creek. This farm was first taken up about the year 1860 by Mr. Humphries, and after passing through several hands was bought by Mr. Neal, the present proprietor, who also works in conjunction with it the Awarua Farm, an adjoining section of 150 acres, owned by the widow of the late Mr. F. T. Dodson. “Burnlea,” is situated about two and a-half miles southwest of the township, and consists of sixty-four acres of rich cropping land. The farm is bounded on the north by Spring Creek, and is intersected by a small stream or burn, from which it derives its name. It is sub-divided into seven paddocks, is highly improved, and is devoted almost entirely to agriculture. The crops grown are invariably of a heavy and profitable nature. There is also a comfortable homestead.
, Proprietor of Burnlea Farm, is the second son of Mr. T. N. Neal, who is further referred to as a farmer at Marshlands, and was born at Spring Creek, on the 4th of June, 1868. He was educated at the Spring Creek public school, and subsequently was engaged in general farm work, in various parts of the province, before taking up “Burnlea” Mr. Neal is one of the most expert ploughmen and shearers in Marlborough, and has won many prizes at local competitions. He has also been a prominent footballer and cricketer, and in 1905 was a member of the Tua Marina Rifle Club, and was a member of the teams that won the championship in 1903–04–05. Mr. Neal is a member of the Anglican church at Spring Creek, and superintendent of the Upper Spring Creek Sunday school. He married Miss Marion Watson, in June, 1896; but his wife died in July, 1900, leaving one son and two daughters.
Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Dodson was born on the 16th of February, 1851, and is the eldest surviving son of the late Mr. George Dodson. He came to Marlborough with his parents in the year 1854, was educated at Upper Spring Creek, and afterwards learned farming. In 1877, Mr. Dodson removed to his present farm, which his father had previously bought. This property consists of 176 acres of rich agricultural land, and is situated on the main road, about a quarter of a mile from the township. The homestead is pleasantly situated, and possesses a fine flower garden. Mr. Dodson has been a member of the Spring-Creek River Board, and of the local school committee, and is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He married a daughter of Sergeant-Major Alborough, of Nelson, in the year 1877, and has one son and two daughters.
Stump-creek Farm, Spring Creek. Mr. Dodson is the son of the late Mr. Joseph Henry Dodson, and was born at Spring Creek on the 5th of September, 1883. He was educated at the local public school, was brought up to farming, and subsequently took over his father's land. The farm is an excellent property suitable for agriculture, and the greater part of it is placed annually under cultivation.
Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Glifford is the eldest son of the late Mr. Isaac Gifford, and was born at Appleby, Nelson, on the 10th of March, 1848. He was educated partly in Richmond, and partly at Spring Creek, having arrived in Marlborough with his parents in the year 1858. Mr. Glifford afterwards learned farming under his father, and at twenty-six years of age, in conjunction with his brother Thomas, bought a farm of 300 acres. Later on, however, he bought his brother out, and has since worked the farm on his own account. The property is situated in the centre of the district, close to the public school, is first class agricultural land, and is devoted to mixed farming. Mr. Gilford has been a member of the local school committee for nearly thirty years; he is a member of the road and river boards, of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the Farmers' Union, and is a shareholder in the Christchurch Meat Company. In the year 1874, he married Miss Reeves, and has seven sons and one daughter.
Farmer, Upper Spring Creek. Mr. Gifford is the third son of the late Mr. Isaac Gifford, and was born near Richmond,
Farmer, Anspull House Farm, Spring Creek. Mr Gregory was born at Anspull, in Lancashire, England, in May, 1845, and is the fourth son of the late Mr. Richard Gregory. He was educated at private schools, and afterwards learned farming. In the year 1870, Mr. Gregory came to New Zealand, sailed as far as Australia in the ship “Great Britain,” and thence to Nelson in the steamer “Gotenburg.” Shortly afterwards, he went to the Wairau, and for ten years managed the Hawkesbury station for the late Mr. C. Goulter, before taking up his present farm, which he named “Anspull House,” after the country seat of Major Gerrard, formerly master of the Lancashire hounds. The farm consists of 150 acres of rich agricultural land, and is well and systematically worked. It has a fine homestead, and good crops are grown. Mr. Gregory was for several years master of the Blenheim Hunt Club, and when the club was disbanded he bought the pack, which he subsequently sold to Mr. Rutherford, of Rangitikoi. He has been a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of several local bodies. Mr. Gregory is married, and has two sons and four daughters.
Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. McNab's farm is one of the best in the Marshlands district, and consists of 440 acres most of which is first-class land, and the balance medium grazing country. He cultivates over sixty acres, and keeps cattle and sheep on the remainder. Mr. McNab was born in the Nelson district in 1870, and removed in 1891 to Marlborough, where he purchased his present farm in 1895. He has been connected with the local Oddfellows' Lodge for many years, and takes a keen interest in sport. Mr. McNab married a widow with seven children, and since then he has had three of his own.
Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Murphy was born in County Clare, Ireland, and is about seventy years of age. He was educated at a private school in the Old Country, and afterwards learned farming with his father. Mr. Murphy came to New Zealand in the year 1850, and for five or six years was employed in Nelson. He then went to the Wairau, and shortly afterwards took up his present farm. This property consists of 150 acres of good level land, situated close to the township, is highly improved, and devoted to mixed farming. Mr. Murphy has always taken a keen interest in racing, and still keeps a race horse or two in training. He married Miss O'Dwyer, of Spring Creek; but this lady died some years ago, leaving one son and three daughters.
Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. O'Dwyer was born in the County of Limerick, Ireland, in the year 1834, and came to New Zealand in the “Prince of Wales,” in 1842. He was educated at St. Mary's School, Nelson, under the Rev. Father Garin. In 1855 he removed to the Wairau, where he purchased his present farm, which comprises 200 acres of first-class land, fully half of which is under crop. During Mr. O'Dwyer's residence in Marlborough, he has always been more or less actively associated with road boards, river boards and other local bodies. Mr. O'Dwyer has a grown-up family of eight sons and two daughters.
Farmer, Grovetown. Mr. Prichard was born on the 29th of October, 1836, at Merthyr Tydvil, South Wales, England, and is the son of the late Mr. Thomas Prichard, at one time a foreman in the Cyrfarthfa iron works. He was educated at the grammar school in Merthyr Tydvil, served an apprenticeship of four years in the iron works, and in the year 1856 went to Australia, where he spent two years on the Victorian goldfields. In 1858, Mr. Prichard came to New Zealand, landed in Wellington, and went to Picton in the middle of the following year. He arrived in Blenheim on the 1st of November, and during the next two or three years he was engaged in various occupations. In 1862, Mr. Prichard took up his present property of 233 acres. This farm is situated on the north bank of the Opawa river, and was at one time subject to floods. However, in order to protect his land, Mr. Prichard has, by dint of hard and patient, labour, with his own hand, and at his own expense, raised the level of the river bank several feet. The farm is now one of the best in the district, and is devoted to agriculture and stock raising. Mr. Prichard was for many years a member of the Spring Creek Road Board, the Spring Creek River Board, the local Licensing Bench, and the Grovetown public school committee, of which he was chairman for thirty-two consecutive years. He is a Past Master in the local Lodge of Freemasons, a Past Provincial Grand Master of the Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, and a Justice of the Peace. In 1864, Mr. Prichard married Miss C. Rush, daughter of one of the earliest settlers in Nelson, and has one son and one daughter.
Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Reeves is the eldest son of the late Mr. E. Reeves, and was born at Cambridge, England, on the 24th of November, 1851, and came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age. He was educated at the local public school, afterwards learned farming, and at his father's death, farmed in conjunction with his brother, for some years. Later on, however, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Reeves has since farmed an area of 240 acres on his own account. He applies himself chiefly to grain growing, but also grazes about one hundred sheep. He is a member of the local school committee, and of the Farmers' Union. Mr. Reeves married Miss Lamb, and has five sons and three daughters.
Spring Creek. Mr. Redwood is the eldest son of Mr. Henry Redwood, who is well known in connection with racing matters throughout New Zealand as the Father of the Turf. He was born on the 27th of February, 1847, was educated at the Nelson public school, and at ten years of age became a jockey. His riding weight was then only four stone four pounds, and he was the lightest weight that appeared on colonial race courses for many years. Mr. Redwood continued to ride for his father for about seven years. He then went to the Wairau, and assisted his father for a few years in farm work, and in the flour mill; and in 1870 he and his brother entered into partnership and took over the whole property, which they have since conducted under the style of Messrs Redwood Brothers. The farm consists of about 1200 acres of rich level land, situated near the township, and is one of the most valuable properties in the province. It is devoted to sheep grazing and agriculture, and the homestead, which is prettily situated on the right bank of Spring Creek, is modern and complete. The flour mill, which adopted the roller system in the year 1885, is driven by water power, and is one of the most efficiently equipped mills in Marlborough. Many of the methods employed were originated by the proprietors, Mr. Fred Redwood, the junior partner, being a mechanical engineer of ability, and they have since been adopted by flour mill owners all over the colony. The buildings are of wood and iron, lighted throughout by electricity, and possess a five sack plant. The whole of the grain used is grown on the farm, and the Hungarian roller flour manufactured by Messrs Redwood Brothers is favourably known all over New Zealand. Redwood Brothers have recently (1905) erected an up-to-date mill in Blenheim. It is a four-storied building, fitted up with the most modern machinery, driven by a fifty horse-power Tangye
Farmer, Grovetown. Mr. Ross's farm consists of 130 acres of good agricultural land, of which he annually cultivates 100 acres, chiefly for wheat and barley. The farm implements are all of the latest designs, and include one of Booth and Macdonald's digger ploughs. Mr. Ross was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and articled to one of the leading solicitors of the city. After passing his various examinations, he came to New Zealand, and determined to follow the calling of a farmer. He landed at Nelson, whence he went to Blenheim, where he purchased his present farm. Mr. Ross is a member of the Acclimatisation Society, and takes an interest in sport generally.
(Hapareta), Farmer Spring Creek. Mr. Rore was born at Wairau Pa, Spring Creek, and is a descendant of the Ngatirarua tribe. He was educate by the late Captain Curling and has followed the calling of a farmer. For a number of years Mr. Rore has been a racing enthusiast, and has owned many valuable horses. In 1898 he owned what was considered the premier hack of New Zealand, “Hillstone.” Mr. Rore's farm consists of 300 acres, and he has 200 acres under cultivation. He is greatly respected by his tribe, and the colonists in town and country, and married Mere Te Hiko, a daughter of Te Hiko, and great grand-daughter of Te Kanae, one of the invading chiefs, who conquered and settled in the Wairau Plains. Mr. Rore's grandfather on the mother's side was an Englishman, Captain Blenkinsop, who was drowned in a boating accident at Hobart, Tasmania. He was supposed to have bought the Wairau Plains the trouble in connection with which led to the Wairau massacre.
Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Soper was born in April, 1847, at Dartmouth, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “Cornwall,” in the early fifties. Shortly afterwards, the family settled at Spring Creek, where Mr. Soper has resided almost continuously ever since. He now (1905) farms 150 acres of first class agricultural land. Mr. Soper married Miss Squire, of Nelson, in April, 1873, and has two sons and two daughters.
, Farmer, Grovetown. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Sutherland was born in Scotland, in the year 1836, and came to New Zealand in 1854, in the ship “Ashmore.” He landed at Nelson, where he stayed a short time, and then removed to Blenheim and purchased his present farm, which consists of 150 acres of first class land, which is under cultivation with mixed crops. The Wairau river runs along the frontage- of the farm, and small steamers load grain and produce for the Wellington market. Mr. Sutherland takes a keen interest in local affairs.
Waterlea Farm, Spring Creek. Mr. Watson was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1813, and came to the Australian Colonies in 1861 He was for six years in
“The Willows,” Upper Spring Creek, was taken up by the late Mr. George Dodson in the early fifties, and was one of the first homesteads in the district. Many of the latest improvements in machinery and implements were first introduced into the district by the proprietor. “The Willows” is situated on the main road through Upper Spring Creek, and consists of 150 acres of excellent agricultural land. About 300 sheep are depastured, and a considerable area is laid down in crop from time to time.
, the Proprietor of “The Willows,” is the second surviving son of the late Mr. George Dodson. He was born at Upper Spring Creek, on the 6th of November, 1859, was educated at the local public school, and learned farming under his father. Mr. Dodson is a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Farmers' Union, the Chamber of Commerce; and for about six years he was a member of the Spring Creek Road Board. He married Miss Cameron, and has one daughter.
, sometime of Spring Creek, was a son of Mr. George Dodson, senior, and a native of the Marlborough district. He had 150 acres of freehold, and 150 of leasehold land, and had about 200 acres under cultivation, chiefly with wheat barley, and oats. Mr. Dudson's farm had a complete equipment of machinery and other working plant. He died on the 20th of April, 1103; aged forty-two years.
, formerly a farmer of Spring Creek, was born at Nelson, on the 21st of August, 1854, and was educated at Nelson College. He was brought up to farm life in the Wairau, and afterwards took up a farm of 150 acres at Spring Creek, which he worked until his death, in August, 1883. He left a widow, one son, and two daughters.
, one of the pioneers of the Spring Creek district, was born in the year 1819, in Somersetshire, England, where he was educated, and brought up to farming. He was afterwards employed for a time on the Great Western Railway, and in the shipping docks, and early in 1813 he embarked for New Zealand. On the way out the ship in which he sailed was wrecked on the African coast; this caused a delay of several months, and Mr. Gifford did not reach Nelson till the end of the year 1843. For some time, he worked at road-making in the Moutere, afterwards farmed for a few years at Appleby and at Richmond, and in the year 1858 he went to the Wairau and settled at Spring Creek. Mr. Glifford was very successful, and gradually acquired a freehold property of 2,100 acres, and one of the finest homesteads in the district. He was a member of the Spring Creek road and river boards, of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the local school committee. Mr. Gifford married Miss M. A. Ford, of Nelson, who arrived in the colony by the ship “Fifeshire,” in 1842. He died in December, 1901, leaving a widow, three sons, and five daughters.
, who was for sixteen years proprietor of the Junction Hotel at Spring Creek, was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, in England. When he was ten years of age, he accompanied his father to South Australia, where he and his father were farming for sixteen years. They went to the Ballarat goldfields, and thence back to the South Australian farm. In 1863, Mr. March came to New Zealand, and after enduring many hardships, he started the Junction. Hotel. Mr. March died on the 23rd of February, 1901; aged sixty-four years.
, J.P., of Spring Creek, is an old colonist, and has had varied and interesting experiences. He was born on the 5th of December, 1838, at Ramscraigs, near Dumbeath, Caithness. Scotland, where he was educated, and in the year 1859 came to New Zealand, in the ship “Strathallan.” For a few years he was employed by the late Mr. George Rhodes, on the Levels station, in South Canterbury, but he subsequently farmed for a while on his own account at Temuka, and then went to the Otago goldfields. In 1863, Mr Murray went to Australia, where he was employed chiefly as a shearer on the Peak and the Darling Downs, and in November, of the following year, he returned with his wife to New Zealand, and settled in the Wairau. For a few years he was engaged in gener al farm work, and a little later on he took over the Commercial Hotel in Grove Road, Blenheim, which he successfully conducted for six years. Later, Mr. Murray bought a property, known as Poplar Farm, in the Spring Creek district, which he worked for several years, and then let it to Mr. W. O'Brien. Mr. Murray lives in a handsome residence, surrounded by fine gardens, about a mile and a-half from the township of Spring Creek. He is a member of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and of the Spring Creek Road Board and River Board. Mr. Murray has been twice married, and has one son.
, sometime of Spring Creek, was born at Drumcun, County Limerick, Ireland, in 1841, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1842, in the ship, “Prince of Wales,” which arrived at Nelson on Boxing Day. He was educated at St. Mary's Catholic School, and was farming all his life. In 1874 he removed from Richmond, Nelson, to Marlborough, and shortly afterwards purchased a farm at Spring Creek; it consisted of 150 acres, all level, well-cleared, and nearly all under cultivation. He married a daughter of the late Mr. T. J. Thomson, who was one of the early land purchasers and surveyors. Mr. O'Dwyer died on the 31st of July, 1904.
, formerly of Upper Spring Creek, was one of the early pioneers. He was born at Cambridge, England, where he was educated, and was afterwards brought up to farming. Mr. Reeves came to New Zealand in his early manhood, and landed in Nelson, where he was employed for about a year. He then removed to Marlborough, and settled at Spring Creek, where he soon acquired a valuable farm of 150 acres. Mr. Reeves was accidentally drowned in the Wairau river in the early seventies, at forty seven years of age, and left a widow, four sons, and two daughters.
is a rich farming district six miles north by rail from Blenheim. The land is mostly level and very fertile, and some of it is valued at £50 an acre. It is closely settled near the township, but further aflied, and especially to seaward, there are some very large holdings, such as “Marshlands,” the estate of Mr. J. C. Chaytor, which embraces several thousands of acres. Mixed farming is the chief industry of the place, and hops are cultivated to some extent. There is a large cheese factory, with a good number of suppliers, in the village. Flaxmilling and brickmaking are also conducted in the district. But apart from its industrial activities, Tua Marina has interesting associations. It was on the hill near the northern boundary of the district that the Wairau massacre took place, in June, 1843, and a stone obelisk, on which the names of those killed are recorded, marks the spot that was the scene of the tragedy. On the opposite side of the district, too, on the left bank of the Wairau river there is an old Maori pa, which is still the home of a considerable population of native people, and the site of a Maori school. At one time there was a meat freezing establishment in the locality, but this has now been removed. The township of Tua Marina has churches, a public school, an hotel, cheese factory, a railway station, some shops, a flax mill, brick kilns, and a few farm residences. It is connected by rail
is comparatively a new one, and has only about forty scholars. Miss Williams was appointed to the teachership in 1894, and since then the results have been in every way satisfactory.
Miss Mary Caroline Williams, Mistress, is a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Williams, of Waitohi Valley, Picton. She was born in Ballarat, came to New Zealand with her parents,
was educated at the Waitohi and Picton schools, and studied for her teacher's examinations under Mr. Howard at Picton. In 1890 she obtained the E certificate, and in 1891 secured the D certificate, and passed the matriculation examination. Miss Williams takes a keen interest in musical matters, and holds a certificate for theory gained from the London College of Music in 1897.
at Tua Marina is owned by the Waitohi Co-operative Dairy Factory Company, Limited, and was established in 1895 by the joint action of a large number of local farmers. At first the factory was comparatively small, but it has been much enlarged, and is now one of the finest factories of its kind in the province. It is a wooden building, on concrete, and has three distinct departments; the making room, curing and packing room, and the engine room. The machinery of the factory is the largest and most efficient that can be obtained, and is driven by a six horse-power engine, and an eight horse-power boiler. A siding, branching off from the Tua Marina station, leads to the factory, a few yards away, and gives it valuable facilities for despatching its produce. The factory has from the first had an enviable record. The cheese has always been placed by the Government graders in the front rank; many prizes have been won by the cheese, and the whole output, which has from the first been consigned to the same firm—Messrs Oetzes and Gerritsen—has always realised the highest prices in the London market. During the years 1902 and 1903 the cheese brought seventy shillings per hundredweight, and in the season of 1963 eighty-two tons were exported. The total output is increasing year by year, and the financial position gains correspondingly in strength. The total capital consists of six hundred shares of £2 10s each, and only 2s 6d per share has been called up.
, Manager of the Waitohi Co-operative Dairy Factory, was born in Dunedin on the 28th of May, 1872, and is the seventh son of a stonemason. He was brought up to farming in North Otago, and started as a cadet in his present profession in Waikato, and completed his training in his native province, first in a large cheese factory at Oamaru, and afterwards at the Government Dairy School at Edendale. In 1900, he was appointed to his present post, where his painstaking and conscicentious labours have been rewarded with the establishment of a record which would do credit to the oldest factory in the land. He is married, and has a family of one son and one daughter.
, formerly manager of the Waitoki Co-operative Cheese Factory, was born in the Waiareka Valley, near Oamaru, and was educated at the Cave Valley school. He spent at few years on his father's large dairy farm, entered the cheese-making business in 1889, and after serving in various capacities, he was appointed manager of the Waitohi factory in 1895.
Flaxmill Manager, Marshlands. Mr. Woolley was born at Blenheim, and was educated by Mr. John Roby at the Government school, Nelson. He has been engaged during the whole of his life in the flax business, and has for many years been managing Mr. Chaytor's mill at “Marshlands.” Mr. Woolley thoroughly understands his business, and therefore a first-class article is produced at the Marshlands mills. He takes an active interest in cricket and football. Mr. Woolley is married, and resides at Spring Creek.
, about the centre of the Tua Marina district, was first taken up in or about the year 1870 by Mr. Fred Smith. It was then a somewhat wild and unpromising area, but has been converted into one of the most desirable farms in the neighbourhood. Mr. Fred Smith conducted it till 1897, when, on his retirement, it was taken over by his youngest son, Mr. William Smith, the present owner. “Given Hills” consists of 250 acres of fertile, level land, and is highly improved and efficiently equipped as a farm. It carries about one hundred head of cattle, and 250 head of sheep, and grows a large amount of cereals as well. The homestead is situated within a clump of tall bluegums, on the main road. All the implements and machinery are under cover, and the private residence is a handsome building of two stories, surrounded by a beautiful garden.
, of “Green Hills,” was born on his father's first farm, now known as “Lesliedale,” on the 30th of May, 1871, and after passing through the standards at the local school, assisted his father on the
property until 1897, when he took it over on his own account. Mr. Smith is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of the Farmers' Union, and chairman of the local school committee. He has
Partner, Tua Marina. Mr. Lankow's holding consists of 130 acres of first-class land, nearly all of which is under cultivation, and the balance is used for dairying purposes. He is a regular milk supplier to the dairy factory of Tua Marina, of which he is a director, and generally keeps twenty cows for the purpose. There are four first-class draught horses on the farm, and the implements are all of modern design. Mr. Lankow was born in Nelson, in 1850, and removed to the Wairau when he was twenty years of age. He takes a leading part in local politics, and in all things pertaining to the welfare of the district. Mr. Lankow has for some time been connected with the Oddfellows' Lodge. He is married, and has three sons and three daughters.
“Marshlands,” in the Tua Marina district, is an extensive property in the eastern portion of the Wairau. It embraces about six thousand acres, and a large part of it is good land. It is highly improved, and is farmed chiefly with the object of fattening lambs for freezing purposes. There is a large flax mill near the homestead, where there is quite a township, composed of station buildings, workmen's homes, and a good public school. The product of the mill ranks with the finest in the market, and is exported to Melbourne. There are several plantations of ornamental and shelter trees on the estate, and the homestead is connected by a telephone with Blenheim. Good metalled roads intersect the property.
, Proprietor of “Marshlands,” was born in London, England, on the 28th of July, 1836, and is the eldest son of Mr. John Clervaux Chaytor, an English barrister. He was educated at Dedburgh Grammar School, in Yorkshire, and afterwards, during the latter end of the Crimean war, and during the Indian Mutiny, he did garrison duty in different parts of the United Kingdom with the Forfar and Kincardine Militia Artillery, and was promoted to the rank of captain in that regiment, at twenty-two years of age. The regiment was disembodied in the year 1860, and Mr. Chaytor then came to New Zealand. He landed at Auckland, and then went to Marlborough, where for some years he owned the Coverham station in the Clarance Valley. In 1880, he bought “Marshlands.” Mr. Chaytor has long taken an active interest in the affairs of Marlborough and haw served on almost every local body in the province. He was a member of the Provincial Council, and is chairman of the local school committee. His eldest son, Lieut.-Colonel Chaytor, is Assistant-Adjutant-General at the headquarters of the New Zealand Defence Department, and served in the South African war in the Third and Eighth New Zealand Contingents, was wounded, and mentioned in despatches. Mr. Chaytor's second son, after a brilliant course at Clare College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A., LL.B., and obtained a fellowship, is a barrister of the Inner Temple, London. His third son, Major D'Arey Chaytor, is referred to on another page in connection with the First Battalion of the Nelson Mounted Rifles.
Farmer, Marshlands. Mr. Nearl's farm consists of over 200 acres of good level land, well suited for agricultural purposes, and he also carries on dairying. Mr. Neal was born in Nelson in 1842, and was brought up on his father's farm. In 1868 he removed to Blenheim, where he purchased land and settled. Mr. Neal has for many years been associated with the local Oddfellows' Lodge, and takes a keen interest in sporting generally. He is married, and has six sons and six daughters.
Farmer, Tua Marina. Mr. Smith was born close to his present farm, on the 17th of August, 1860, and is the eldest son of Mr. Frederick Smith, formerly of Tua Marina, now resident in Blenheim, who is further referred to under the heading of Old Colonists. He was educated at the local public school, and brought up on his father's farm, and in the year 1899, he bought his present farm, which consists of 250 acres of rich, level land, and is devoted to sheep grazing and agriculture. A permanent flock of 300 breeding ewes is depastured on the farm, and about ninety acres is under cultivation, chiefly for wheat and oats. Mr. Smith
Farmer, Tua Marina. Mr. Wilkins was born in Gloucestershire, England, in August, 1867, and came to New Zealand when eight years of age. He was educated at the Blenheim public school, and afterwards learned carpentry. For some years subsequently Mr. Wilkins followed his trade on his own account, but chiefly as a journeyman, and in 1891 he took up part of his present property and commenced farming. His section now comprises 150 acres of first class land, two-thirds of which is freehold Sheepfarming and agriculture are carried on. Mr. Wilkins is a member of the Pukaka Road Board, the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the local branch of the new Zealand Farmers' Union, and of the Tua Marina Rifle Club; he has also been a member for over twenty years of the Order of Druids. Mr. Wilkins married Miss M. Law, of Tua Marina, in the year 1887, and has one son and eight daughters.
is a dairy farming settlement on the Blenheim-Picton railway, and is situated twelve miles from Blenheim, and about six miles from Picton. It is surrounded by high and rugged ranges, which present some beautiful scenery, and between these the land is level and fertile. The district was first visited by sawmillers, who were soon succeeded by settlers, some of whom also took part in sawmilling until their farms were brought to a profitable condition. The first permanent residents in Koromiko, were the late Captain Dalton and Captain Baillie (now the Hon Captain Baillie), and Messrs George Freeth, N. Bragg, W. Bragg, J. Hart, and H. Hart, all of whom afterwards became successful farmers. The district is given up to sheep and cattle and dairy farming, but a little cropping is carried on, and the manufacture of grape wine is also conducted in the district. The township is scattered, and has a church, a public school, a railway station, and the business of the post, telegraph, and telephone office is conducted at the general store.
, at Koromiko, is one of the oldest public schools in the province, and was established in the early days when the timber industry in the neighbourhood attracted a considerable population. It occupies a site of two acres on the roadside, about the centre of the district, amongst well worked farms and pretty homesteads, and commands a fine prospect of rugged rural scenery. The building is of wood, and contains two class rooms with accommodation for about one hundred pupils. The master's residence adjoins the schoolgrounds. There are sixty-five names on the roll, and the average attendance is forty-eight. In this respect the school has fully doubled itself during the term of the present headmaster. The district is somewhat scattered, and several of the pupils travel a distance of five miles to the school. In the year 1903 one of the pupils gained second place, and another fourth place, for the colony in the Junior National Scholarship test, and all the sixth standard pupils became entitled to free places at the High School; and in 1904, one of the pupils gained the medal given by the member of Parliament for the district. At the Marlborough Exhibition the school obtained special commendation for artistic work.
, the Headmaster of the Waitohi public school, was born on the 2nd of November, 1875, in Dunedin, and is the youngest son of the late Mr. James Robertson, a blacksmith by trade. He was educated at the Union Street school, where at an early age he passed the pupil teachers' examination, and subsequently proceeded to the Normal School, where he matriculated, and
Farmer, Koromiko. Mr. Bragg is a native of Wellington, New Zealand, and his father came to the colony in the year 1840. After receiving his education, Mr. Bragg was engaged in various ways previous to coming to Marlborough, where he decided to take up land. He has res
Farmer, Koromiko, Marlborough. Mr. Hart was born in Waimea West, Nelson, in November, 1844, and is a son of the late Mr. Abraham Hart, an early settler. He was educated at the Richmond public school, and brought up to farming. Mr. Hart then removed to the Wairau, and for about eight years found employment at general work in Blenheim. When twenty-three years of age, he settled at Koromiko, where he has gradually acquired a profitable farm of 200 acres of good freehold grazing land, on which he depastures 300 sheep and a dozen head of cattle. Mr. Hart is a member of the Pieton Road Board, and has been a member of the Koromiko school committee, and other local bodies. He married, and has four sons and one daughter.
Farmer, Koromiko. Mr. Hart is the second surviving son of the late Mr. Abraham Hart, of Nelson, and was born at Richmond, on the 6th of February, 1847. He was educated at the local public school, afterwards assisted his father for a few years at farming, and in June. 1864, he went to Marlborough. For two or three years, Mr. Hart was engaged at general farm work at Spring Creek, and then removed to Koromiko, where he was employed for a while roadmaking and bushfelling. In the year 1868, Mr. Hart bought his section, and he gradually added to it until he now farms an area of 750 aeres. This property is divided into two blocks, and comprises both level agricultural land, and hillv sheep grazing country. A permanent flock of about 800 sheep is depastured. Mr. Hart married Miss Laura Taylor, in May, 1877, and has four sons and three daughters.
Farmer, Koromiko. Mr. Randall was born in the year 1845, at Waimea West, in the province of Nelson, where his father farmed for many years, having landed in Nelson by the ship “Bolton,” in 1842. He learned farming, and in 1857 went to Marlborough, where he was employed for several years in various kinds of work. At the outbreak of the Wakamarina rush. Mr. Randall went to try his luck on the goldfields A little later he returned to the Wairau; he was engaged at timber carting until the advent of the railway, was then employed at general work for a time, and in 1872 he took up his present farm on the Picton Road, near Koromiko, His farm consists of nearly 900 acres, of leasehold and freehold land. It is for the greater part broken and hilly, and is admirably adapted as a sheep-grazig run. About 800 sheep are permenently depastured, and a considerable herd of dairy cows is also kept in order to supply milk to the Waitohi Cheese Factory. Mr. Randall has been for many years a member of the Pieton Road Board, the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Blenheim branch of the Farmers' Union, and of the Waitohi school committee. He married Miss Hart, of Nelson, sister to Messrs John and Henry Hart, of Picton Road, in the year 1881, and has four sons and two daughters.
Farmer, Mount Pleasant, Koromiko. Mr. Williams was born near Adelaide, in South Australia, on the 16th of June, 1850; he was educated at a public school at Ballarat, and at an early age came to New Zealand. For some time he lived at Tuapeka Creek, not far from Gabriel's Gully, in Otago, where his step-father, Mr. Isaac Parfitt, was mining and afterwards carting. A little later, Mr. Williams went to Christchurch, and then to Hawke's Bay, and in the year 1866 he removed to Picton. In the following year he went to work at Captain Dalton's
sometime of Koromiko, was born on the 8th of March, 1826, in London, England, where his father, the late Mr. W. T. Dalton, was a timber merchant. He was educated at the public schools in London, and at Latter's boarding school, at Bexley, and afterwards went to sea in the ship “Earl Grey” (of Messrs Duncan Dunbar and Sons, London), at sixteen years of age. Captain Dalton followed a seafaring life for twenty years. Before completing his indentures he gained his second officers' certificate, and soon after, his first officer's certificate. For several years he was first officer on some of the firm's largest ships, trading principally to India, and was then appointed commander of his first ship, the “Earl Grey.” Later on, he was captain of other vessels in the company's service, and in 1861 resigned his commission to come to New Zealand with a sawmilling plant. Soon after landing, he acquired the timber rights over an extensive area in the Koromiko Valley, and for fifteen years conducted a large sawmill which gave permanent employment to a number of persons, and was a source of great assistance to the early settlers, who were thus enabled to supplement what they earned on their holdings. In 1877, however, the workable timber was exhausted, and Captain Dalton closed the mill, and devoted his attention to sheepfarming. The run consists of 1162 acres of hill and valley, highly suitable for grazing purposes; and the homestead, surrounded by a good orchard, is situated near the main road, not far from the local public school. Captain Dalton was chairman of the local school committee for several years. He married Miss Louisa Kelson, at St. Ann's Church, Limehouse, Middlesex, England, in November, 1855. Captain Dalton died in August, 1905, and his wife survives him.
, the chief port of Marl-borough, is situated at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, which forms one of the safest harbours in New Zealand, and is connected by rail with Blenheim, eighteen miles to the southward. The site of the township was selected as far back as 1848. Later on, after a hard right, it was made the seat of the Provincial Government, and became a centre of importance. It received so much impetus from the discovery of gold at Wakamarina in 1864, that its population at one time was estimated at 3000. However, in 1865, the seat of the Provincial Government was transferred to Blenheim, the goldfields became exhausted, and the population then spread towards the Wairau and Kaikoura. Nevertheless, Picton, as a prospective railway terminus mountainous ranges, and has the waters of the Sound for a frontage. It is the starting point of the favourite tour through the Sounds country, with which it is in daily communication by means of an oil launch. Its traffic as the chief port of the province is very considerable, and on this account alone the town is growing in importance. Picton has a number of industries that must help to assure its prosperity. It has large meat freezing works, extensive lime and cement works, malthouses, a sash and door factory, and a fellmongery; and farming is carried on extensively in the neighbourhood. Then shipping, flax grading, and wool dumping give a good deal of employment. Pieton is well laid out, and the streets are wide and well looked after. Its buildings include churches, a ter and leave the port, which has two extensive public wharves.
was constituted a borough in the year 1867. The first Mayor was Mr. Thomas Williams, who has been followed, in turn, by Messrs A. P. Sey. mour, W. Symes, A. T. Thompson, S. Swanwick, A. G. Fell, Thomas Philpots, Captain Harris, Dr. Redman, and the present Mayor, Mr. J. A. R. Greensill, who is now (1905) occupying the chair for the fourth time. The present councillors are Messrs Thomas Philpotts, T. J. Storey, George Wilkins, J. Anderson, G. J. Riddell, L. Pugh, H. A. McCormick, H. A. Simmonds, and J. F. Esson; and the Town Clerk is Mr. Jabez Blizzard.
The Council Chambers consist of a handsome brick building, with a wood facing. They stand in High Street; and the corporation also owns an and shipping port, has a prosperous and famous future before it. The town has a fine climate, and is valued as a health resort, not only by medical men in New Zealand, but beyond the colony. The noble scenery of which it is the centre makes Picton the resort of many tourists. Its site consists partly of level, partly of undulating, and partly of valley land; and the town is hemmed in on three sides by public school, Government offices, the railway station, police station, the Borough Council Chambers and reading room, a public hall, and a large hospital; hotels, a branch bank, a newspaper office, with a bi-weekly issue, and numerous shops and stores. The Union Company's steamers ply regularly between Nelson, Picton, and Blenheim; and besides these, other coasting steamers almost daily eninstitute and public reading-room alongside the Council Chambers.
The town's water supply is drawn from a large reservoir, about three miles up the Waitohi stream, and all the houses are connected by pipes with the main channels. The pressure in the town is about 120lb to the square inch.
As the site of the town slopes away seaward, elaborate drainage is unnecessary; and there is nothing in
The streets are lighted by means of kerosene lamps, of which there are about thirty; and their upkeep costs about £11 a month.
The disposal of refuse is at present carried out privately, but improved methods for this work are now under consideration.
The total capital value of rateable property in the borough is about £126,000, but of this amount over £18,080 is exempt from taxation.
Rates in Picton are levied on the unimproved values. This system was adopted in 1904, when a poll was taken to determine the matter. The total unimproved values amount to about £15,900, and certain exempted properties are valued at about £9000. The rates are 3⅜d in the pound on unimproved value as a general rate; ½d in the pound on capital value, as a water rate: and 1–9th of a penny in the pound as a hospital rate. The total revenue from all sources is about £2,200 per annum.
The loans now in force are the water works loan of £5,688, borrowed in 1889 at 3½ per cent., the extinction of which is provided for by a sinking fund; and a loan of about £315, to clear the overdraft. The assets of the town are about £900, and there are valuable reserves. Picton has a population of about 950 souls, and the distriet's electoral roll contains about 450 names.
has had a long and honourable connection with public affairs in Marlborough. He is referred to in another article as a man of business.
was elected to the Pieton Borough Council in the year 1901. He was born on the second of March, 1843. on the Island of Jutland, in Denmark, where he was educated, and brought up to a farm life. Mr. Anderson spent several years as a lad in the military service of his country, and at twenty years of age came to New Zealand, at the time of the Maori war. He immediately enlisted in the Auckland volunteers, and took part in the conflict at Drury. A little later on, Mr. Anderson went to the West Coast diggings, where he prospered for about fifteen years, and in 1880 he took up a large sheep run at Kokatahi, near Hokitika. This he sold in 1889, and was subsequently engaged for about nine years in the fruit growing industry at Palmerston North. In the year 1899, he removed to Picton, where he has since devoted his attention to grape growing, and the cultivation of various plants and trees. Mr. Anderson takes a consid-erable interest in public affairs in Picton, and has given a good deal of attention to the promotion of the town's welfare. He is married, and has three sons and two daughters.
has been a member of the Picton Borough Council since the year 1901. He was born in Pietor, in February, 1870, and is the son of a sheep farmer in the Sounds. Mr. McCormiek was educated at the local Borough School, afterwards learned farming, and in 1897 established himself in business as a general storekeeper in High Street, Picton. In 1901, however, he sold out, and has since conducted a commission agency.
was first elected to the Picton Borough Council in the year 1901, served for two years, and was re-elected in April, 1905. He was born on the 25th of August, 1861, at Gloucester, England, where his father was an officer in the police force; came to New Zealand in 1874, and completed his education at the Blenheim Borough School. Mr. Wilkins subsequently learned the bakery trade, and established a business in Blenheim, which he successiully conducted for nine vears. In May, 1896, he removed to Picton, and established a profitable business in High Street. Mr. Wilkins is married, and has five sons and three daughters.
., who has been a member of the Picton Borough Council for several years, is the second son of Mr. John Gerard Riddell, of Hermeston Hall, in North Nottinghamshire, England, and was born in the year 1868. He was educated at Stonyhurst College, and came to New Zealand in early manhood. Since 1893, Mr. Riddell has lived in retirement at his homestead, “Cam House,” near the
was first elected to the Picton Borough Council at a by-election in the year 1901, and re-elected in April, 1905. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in November, 1836 and is the eldest son of Lieutenant H. Simmonds, of the 51st
Regiment, Queen's Own Light Infantry. In 1848, Mr. Simmonds went with his parents to Tasmania, and in the early fifties visited the Victorian goldfields. He came to New Zealand in 1862, and landed at Dunedin. Four or five years later Mr. Simmonds went to Marlborough, where he worked in turn at Havelock, Blenheim, and Renwicktown, and then took up a farm which he conducted for thirty years at Para, on the Picton Road. In February, 1903, he retired from business, and settled in Picton.
who was elected to the Picton Borough Council in April, 1905, was born in Picton on the 13th of November, 1872, and is the third son of the late Mr. William Esson, a Picton pioneer, who is further referred to under the heading of Old Colonists. He was educated at the local public school, and was brought up to farming. At twenty-four years of age Mr. Esson joined the Government service as road overseer for the Marlborough district, but on the death of his father in June, 1902, he resigned his position to take over the farm. This property, which is known as Esson's Valley, comprises an area of 1000 acres, and is devoted to sheep grazing. Mr. Es-son married Miss Webster, of Picton, in June, 1901, and has one daughter.
was elected to the Picton Borough Council in the year 1905. He was born in Picton in October, 1874, and is the fourth son of Mr. William Pugh, one of the oldest living settlers in Picton, who is referred to under the heading of Old Colonists. Mr. Pugh was educated at the Picton public school and at Havelock, and was brought up to the building trade under his father. Later on, he spent two years in the local malthouses, and then went to the Auckland goldfields, where he remained for two years. Mr. Pugh subsequently returned to Picton, and after following his trade as a journeyman for many years he joined his brothers in partnership; and the firm has since carried on an extensive and successful business. Mr. Pugh is a member of the Picton Domain Board, and has also been connected with various social clubs.
is referred to in another article as a member of the firm of Messrs Philpotts and Son.
was elected to the Picton Borough Council in April, 1905. He is further referred to as the proprietor of the Federal Hotel, Picton.
was appointed Town Clerk of Picton in the year 1897, in succession to Mr. Thomas Younger. He was born in Suffolk, England, in February, 1856, and in the following year came to New Zealand with his parents. For three years Mr. Blizzard lived in Nelson, and then went to the Wairau, whence, after spending a short time at Blenheim and at Renwicktown, he removed to Picton in March, 1863. He worked with his father at the black-smithing trade, but after his father's death he relinquished that business. Mr. Blizzard has a private office in the Council Chambers, and carries on business as a general shipping agent in conjunction with his public duties. As a lad he kept his father's books; and before he was twenty years of age he was made secretary to the local bodies of Foresters, an office which he still (1905) holds. Since 1886, Mr. Blizzard has been secretary of the Marlborough Permanent Building Society, and was appointed secretary to the Picton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, in the year 1893. He was a member of the Picton Borough Council for about sixteen years.
has been established for many years, and has done excellent sevice. The fire station is situated in Auckland Street, and consists of a storage shed with a small room at the rear; but as the accommodation is inadequate for the needs of the brigade, a large and more suitable building in soon (1905) to be erected near the Council Chambers in High Street. The appliances of the brigade include a manual engine, one hand reel, 800 feet of hose, several ladders, hooks, etc. There are fire plugs in almost every street, and the power is suffcient to throw water to the highest building in the township. Practice meetings are held monthly, and there is a membership of twelve. Officers for the year 1905; Captain, Mr. J. K. Jeffries; Secretary, Mr. G. Lloyds.
, who was elected to his present position in August, 1905, is the junior partner of the firm of Messrs Jeffries Brothers, carrying and forwarding agents. He was born at Reefton, on the 23rd of September, 1876, and is the second son of Constable Jeffries, the oldest European resident of Nelson. He was educated at the Charlestowa public school, and at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, afterwards entered the Government service as a cadet in the railway department, and was engaged for six years as a clerk in the Picton office. Mr. Jeffries then resigned, and after spending two years in Australia, he returned to New Zealand, and joined his brother in partnership at Picton. He takes a keen interest in the social affairs of the town, and is a member of several clubs.
, who was Mayor of Picton in 1897, was born in England and educated at Cambridge. In early life he was an officer in Green's merchant service, and came to New Zealand in 1858. He followed farming until 1894, but since then he has been living in retirement in the picturesque town of Picton.
at Picton are of wood, and stand close to the water's edge, at the corner of Wellington Street and London Quay. They contain departments for the Post Office, Telegraph Office, and Telephone Office; the Post Office Savings Bank, Government Insurance, Customs; Receipt of Gold Revenue, and the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages; and also Roads and Bridges. Mr. Thomas William Le Cocq is the present Postmaster and Officer-in-Charge of the Customs.
is am old wooden building close to the wharf, and is (1905) shortly to be replaced by a modern building. Picton is the headquarters of the Marlborough railways, and the line has now reached to a few miles beyond Seddon. There is a station at Blenheim, and one at Seddon, and there are ten or twelve flag stations on the way. In the year 1901 the total number of passengers carried on the Marlborough railways was 61,000. Mr. T. Spargo Edwards, manager of the Marlborough section, also acts as stationmaster at Picton.
, Waikaua Road, Picton. The first public hospital ir. Picton was originally established on its present site in the early sixties, and was replaced in the year 1902 by the present handsome building. It is a two-storied wooden building erected on the most up-to-date plan, at a total cost of £3,500, stands within an area of about fifteen acres, and commands a fine view of the harbour. It has accommodation for over thirty patients, and is used at present (1905) both as a hospital and as an Old Men's Home Dr. Redman is the surgeon, and is assisted by an experienced matron and staff of nurses. The Picton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board controls the institution. Members for the year 1905: Messrs A. G. Fell (chairman), Riddell, Oxley, Pirano, Bragg, Chaytor, Harris, McCormick, and Nees. Secretary, Mr. J. Blizzard.
Surgeon of the Picton Hospital, was born in Lincoln, England, and is a son of Dr. Meredith Redman, who practised his profession continuously for forty years in that city. He was educated at the University College in London, where he graduated as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and subsequently practised his profession for some years in London. In the vear 1899, however, he left the Old Country for New Zealand, as surgeon on board the s.s “Aotea,” and came to Blenheim. A few years later, in 1901, Dr. Redman removed to Picton. where, in addition to his connection with the hospital, he conducts an extensive private practice, and holds several professional appointments, including that of Port Health Officer, and Medical Adviser to the Maoris. Dr. Redman takes a keen interest in the affairs of the town, and is a member of several social organisations. He introduced the first motor-car, motor-cycle, and free-wheel bicycle ever brought into the province of Marlborough, and uses them extensively on his professional rounds through the country. Dr. Redman is further referred to amongst former May rs of Picton.
was established in the year 1880, and Messrs A. G. Fell, John Duncan, and Arthur Bartlett were amongst its original members. Mr. Fell has maintained a close association with the club, was for many years its trainer, and is now (1905) its president; and its success is greatly due to his able and untiring efforts. In 1897, the Picton Rowing Club won the champion pairoared race for New Zealand, with Messrs A. R. Smith and C. Fredericks, who, in conjunction with Messrs D. McCormick and F. G. Seymour, won the champion four-oar race for New Zealand in the three succeeding years (Mr. C. Fredericks being stroke-oar on each occasion) at Dunedin, Auckland, and Picton, successively. The Picton Rowing Club has two large storage sheds situated on the Victoria Domain, opposite the public wharf, and its fleet consists of two best-and-best-and two clinker “fours,” two best-and-best and three clinker “pairs,” and two best-and-best single scullers. Meetings are held at the Federal Hotel, and there is a membership of thirtv-five. Officers for the year 1905: President, Mr. A. G. Fell; vice-presidents, Dr. Redman and Captain Harris, and Messrs T. J. Storey, John Duncan, F. A. Oxley, H. Brady; captain, Mr Christopher Fredericks; vice-captain, Mr. Arthur Smith; secretary. Mr. James Godfrey; treasurer, Mr. T. J. Storey.
was elected Captain of the Picton Rowing Club in the year 1902, and has been a member of the club since 1895. In 1895, he was a member of two successful crews; and in 1896 he took part in six decisive wins; and more recently, at interpro-vincial regattas, he has contributed to successes which are further referred to under the heading of the Picton Rowing Club. Mr. Fredericks was born in Picton on the 8th of February, 1879, and was educated at the local public school. For a few months, he worked in Mr. A. G. Fell's malthouses, afterwards for about a year in the erection of telegraph wires through the country, and since 1903 he has been employed as a waggon driver in the firm of Messrs Jeflries Brothers, of Picton. Mr. Fredericks is a member of the local cricket club, and was for some years a member of the Picton fire brigade and football club.
, Vice-Captain of the Picton Rowing Club, joined the club as a member in the year 1896, and for several years was one of its strongest oarsmen. He was born at Picton on the 21st of November, 1874, and is the third son of Mr. G. A. Smith, builder: was educated at the local public school, and learned carpentry under his father, with whom he has since worked. For some years Mr. Smith was a member of the cricket and football clubs, and the local fire brigade. He married Miss Keating, of Blenheim, in the year 1903, and has one son.
D.D.S., Trinity University, Toronto: Dental Surgeon, High Street, Picton.
Pharmaceutical Chemist, High Street, Picton. Mr. Southwick was born at Wallacetown, near Invercargill, in the year 1880, and is a son of Mr. South-wick, the local schoolmaster there. He was primarily educated at various public schools under his father, and then, having gained one of the Education Board's junior scholarships, he went to the Otago Boys High School, where, three years later, he won the Board of Governors' Senior Scholarship. Mr. Southwick was then apprenticed to Messrs B. Bagley and Son, chemists, of Dunedin, and three years afterwards accepted an appointment as assistant to Mr. W. Walker of Milton, where in October, 1902, he finally qualified. Mr. Southwick subsequently held responsible appointments in different parts of the colony, and in September, 1904, he took over Mr. C. F. A. Whiteford's business at Shannon, in the Wellington provincial district. Shortly afterwards, however, he was burnt out, and in June, 1905, removed to Picton, and bought the business formerly conducted by Mr. Hotop.
is of German extraction, and was born in Saxony in the year 1875. His father and three brothers are successful chemists, and several of his kinsmen are medical practitioners. Mr. Hotop was trained under his father, qualified at an early age, and, after holding several professional appointments in Otago, went to Wellington, where he was in business for a time at Petone, and afterwards in Cuba Street in Wellington. Later on, he joined the musical profession, and for several years had charge of the orchestra in the Wellington Opera House. Mr. Hotop subsequently resigned that position, and removed to Picton, where he bougnt a business, which had been established many years previously by Dr. Scott. This business he sold in June, 1905, to Mr. J. H. Southwick. Mr. Hotop is a Freemason.
, who formerly carried on business as a cordial and aerated water manufacturer, in Auckland Street, Picton, was born in Picton in 1878, and loarned the trade with his father, who, upon his death, left him the whole estate, including three orchards and five houses. Mr. Swanwick is not now (1905) in business.
Boatbuilder and Cordial Manufacturer, York Street, Picton. Mr. Brunsell conducts an extensive trade in both departments of his business. His factory is a wooden building measuring forty-five feet, and is divided into two departments, one for boat building, and the other for the manufacture of cordials. Excellent cordials are produced, and the factory supplies the chief hotels in Picton. As a boat builder, Mr. Brunsell is one of the foremost tradesmen in the province, and builds small vessels of all classes, from oil launches to racing skiffs. Mr. Brunsell was born in the year 1871, at Stockholm, Sweden, where he was educated. He afterwards served an apprenticeship of five years in the carpentry department of the naval workshops, where he received a thorough training in building and repairing boats. Mr Brunsell then went to sea as chief carpenter on a man-of-war, and subsequently for several years occupied the same position on board large oceangoing merchant vessels. In the year 1895 he came to New Zealand and shortly afterwards settled at Picton, where for some time he was variously employed. Mr. Brunsell established the cordial department of his present business in the early part of 1903, and added boat building six months later.
Builder, Contractor and Sash and Door Manufacturer, Picton. Mr. Smith is one of the foremost tradesmen in the province, and a very old resident in the township. He was born on the 18th of November, 1843, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, where his father was a builder, was educated at Southwick, near Sunderland, and afterwards learned the building trade. For a time Mr. Smith was in the service of Messrs Picksgill and Miller, and, later, in that of Messrs Atwood and Maddison, two large shipbuilding and contracting firms on the Weir. In 1862, he left the Old Country for New Zealand, landed at Nelson, and a few days after went to Picton, where his father had for two or three years been conducting a successful building trade. During the first few years Mr. Smith worked as a journeyman, and in 1872, he set up as a builder in conjunction with Mr. Philpotts. In 1888 the firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. Smith has since conducted business on his own account. His workshops, factory, and timber yards occupy a freehold section of two acres, at the corner of Buller Street and Devon Street, where there is an efficient plant of machinery, etc. The sash and door factory is an iron building, measuring 110 feet by seventy feet, and turns out the very best material. The whole of the timber used by the firm is cut by a sawmill owned by Mr. Smith and Mr. Charles Reeves, at the head of the Kenepuru Sound. This mill is capable of putting through about 7000 feet a day, and also supplies about 1000 sleepers per month to the Government Railway Department. Mr. Smith has built the Picton Hospital, the Presbyterian church and manse, the local Borough School, the first Havelock wharf, the old Club Hotel, in Blenheim, Oxley's Hotel, in Picton, and other noteworthy buildings. He is a director of the Picton Building Society, a member of the local Court of Foresters, and one of the oldest Freemasons in Picton. Mr. Smith is married, and has eight sons and six daughters.
(T. J. Storey, proprietor), Picton. This hotel, which ranks amongst the best in the colony, is situated almost directly opposite the railway station on London Quay, and within fifty yards of the wharf. It is a two-storied brick building with wooden facings, has been excellently finished throughout, and commands a fine view of the harbour. There are two entrances to the building, both from London Quay, and both through large plate glass folding doors. The commercial room is a large and well lighted apartment, with a massive register grate, over which there is a heavy mantelpiece of beautifully grained rimu. It is furnished with three commercial tables, and a suite of easy lounging chairs, stained in walnut, and suitably upholstered in brown Morocco leather, with a couch to match. The sittingroom at the back of the commercial room is also tastefully furnished, and contains one of Paprica's pianos. The bar and bar parlour are in the centre of the building, and connected with each other by sliding windows; the best of spirituous liquors and Dunedin and Blenheim beers are kept on hand. At the east end of the building there is a commodious and beautifully furnished club room. The dining-room is a large, airy, and well arranged apartment, with a table which extends the entire length of the room, together with a number of smaller tables, which give accommodation for over eighty persons, and a tastefully mirrored over-mantel, and side board stained in mahogany with bevelled glass. The dining room is well kept and attended, and the kitchen is superintended by an experienced and expert male cook. On an average, thirty-five persons sit down every evening to dinner. A massive winding staircase communicates from the private hall to the second floor, where a long carpeted passage runs through the centre and opens out on to a fire escape and balcony, whence a splendid view of the harbour is obtained. There is also a second balcony approached through the sitting-room at the west end of the building. Upstairs there are twenty-three bedrooms, a private drawing room, and a private sitting-room, covered with a finely designed Axminster square, and furnished with a handsome suite and a piano. A large well-lighted billiard room is situated at the back of the premises. It contains a full-sized Alcock table, which is well patronised by local residents and travellers. There are two large bathrooms in the centre of the house on the second floor, with a good flow of hot and cold water and shower baths. The whole of the building is lighted by means of acetylene gas, and is well finished in every respect. The ceilings are all of corrugated iron, while the walls on the lower floor and the passage upstairs are suitably covered with rich papers, and dadoed up to fortyeight inches with oilclothes which accord with the patterns of the papers. The principal rooms are fitted up with electric bells, and for the convenience of travellers arriving late at night, an electric button has been placed at the private entrance. Under its present popular proprietorship, the “Federal” has become the first tourist hotel in the province of Marlborough, and is daily growing in popular favour and patronage.
, the Proprietor of the Federal Hotel, is one of the best known and most popular hotelkeepers in the colony, and by his endeavours to ensure the enjoyment and comfort of his patrons he has personally done a great deal to make the “Federal” the first tourist and travellers' hotel in the province of Marlborough. He was born in the Kaituna Valley, in Marlborough, on the 26th of May, 1865, and after passing through the standards at the local public school he learned agriculture and sheepfarming. About 1891. Mr. Storey bought a farm of nearly 700 acres, in the Fairhall district, about five miles from Blenheim, and successfully conducted it for eight years. In 1899, however, he disposed of his farm, and established an agency business, and was the Marlborough representative of Messrs Booth, Macdonald, and Company, of Christchurch. From this Mr. Storey resigned before taking over the Federal Hotel. Mr. Storey is a life member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and was for many years a member of the committee. He is president of the Picton rowing and ericket clubs. Mr. Storey is further referred to as a member of the Picton Borough Council.
(Francis A. Oxley, proprietor), Picton. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This fine two-storey wooden hotel was established in 1870. It is situated on the corner of London Quay and Wellington Street, and is directly opposite the wharf and post office. During 1899 the house underwent extensive alterations, and ten rooms were added to it. The hotel has three entrances, including that to the public bar, and the entrance from Wellington Street into the new wing opens into a most commodious and elaborate hall. The dining-room is a spacious apartment with four tastefully laid out tables, each of which has seating accommodation for eight persons. The commercial room is furnished with a large commercial table, with all the necessary writing material, and a suite of easy lounging chairs upholstered in green electric velvet, with couch to match. There are twenty-nine rooms in the hotel, including sixteen bedrooms, a billiard room, bar, and bar parlour, four sitting rooms, and a convement bathroom, with shower, and hot and cold water laid on. The billiard room contains a full-sized Alcock table, and is much frequented by travellers and town and country residents. The second floor of the hotel is reached from two portions of the building, and the principal ascent is a massive winding staircase, which rises with an easy grade from the hall at the private entrance. Electric light is used througnout the Pier Hotel, and is supplied from Mr. Oxley's private dynamo. The plant is the only one in the district, and is situated in a building erected for the purpose about fifty feet to the back of the hotel. The dynamo was made by Messrs Crompton and Co., of Clens ford, London, and was fitted up by Messrs Turnbull and Jones, their Wellington agents. It is driven by water power, and has a Pelton wheel, 18 inches in diameter, made by Cousins and Black, of Wellington. The principal rooms in the hotel connect with the bar by electric bells, and the new portion of the building is extremely well finished; every room having metalled ceilings, with elaborately designed ornamental centres.
, Wellington Street, Picton. This hotel was formerly known as the Ship Hotel, and was first established nearly fifty years ago, but has been several times rebuilt. The present house was erected in the early nineties by Mr. Janson, and is a two-storied wooden building with a small balcony. It contains four comfortable sitting rooms, a large billiard room, with an excellent table; fourteen bedrooms, and a large bath room with hot and cold water laid on. The bar is stocked with the best of wines, spirits and cordials; and a good table is kept.
, Junior, Proprietor of the Post Office Hotel, is a son of a shipbuilder, now of Nelson, and was born in Auckland, in April, 1870. He was educated at the Wellington public schools, and afterwards worked successively at carpentry, boat building and farming for many years. Mr. Berg took up the Post Of-fice Hotel in the year 1904.
, at Picton, were established, in December, 1900, and since then an addition has been made to the buildings. The works are situated on the hill, about two miles to the north of the town, and about eighty-five feet above the level of the sea. They are built mainly in brick, on a solid rock foundation, and are fitted up throughout in a most efficient manner. The works are capable of dealing with about 1500 carcases per day, and the output is increasing every year. Mr. E. J. Kelly is the present manager.
Merchant, Picton, Mr. Greensill was born on Haulbowline Island, Cork Harbour. He is the son of Major Greensill, Commissary of Ordnance in the Imperialservice; and is first cousin to Field-Marshall Lord Roberts. Mr. Greensill has taken a keen interest in all local matters, and is looked upon as a man to be depended upon —a man of integrity and judgment. He came to New Zealand in 1856, by the ship “Oriental,” and landed in Nelson, but shortly afterwards settled in Marlborough. During the time of the Provincial Council, he was once elected a member; he has also been a councillor of the borough, and has repeatedly occupied the mayoral chair. He is a director of the Marlborough Permanent Building Society and of King Solomon's Gold Mining Company. Mr. Greensill has long been prominently associated with every department of church work, as churchwarden and lay reader, and in other positions of responsibility. For generations the Greensill family has been connected with the Imperial service, and many of its members have held positions of great trust and responsibility One of Mr. Greensill's brothers (Captain Greensill, of the 24th Foot) was killed in the Indian Mutiny whilst on the staff at Delhi; and another brother (also a captain) served during the whole of the Crimean war. Mr. Greensill has been twice married; firstly, to a daughter of the late Mr. T. W. Downes, J.P., and, secondly, to a daughter of Mr. Justice Conolly. He has five daughters and four sons, and his second daughter is married to Mr. H. J. Howard. [After this article had been placed in its present position, information was received that Mr. Greensill had retired from business.]
(Thomas Philpotts and Charles Winsbury Philpotts), General Merchants, Wholesale and Retail Dealers, Picton. Agents for the Commercial Union Insurance Company. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business was established by Mr. Arthur Beauchamp in 1861, and taken over by the present provrietors in 1889. The firm transacts a large wholesale and retail business in Picton and the various Sounds, which draw their supplies from Picton. Wool, skins, hides and all kinds of produce are bought at the highest market rates.
was born in Newfoundland in the year 1835, and was sent to England in 1853, in the interest of his health, and in order to be educated. He was at Oxford for two years and a-half. After visiting Canada he finally left England in 1859 for Lyttelton, New Zealand. During a visit to Sydney in 1862 he purchased
are situated on the railway line at what is known as “The Elevation,” about one mile and a-half out of Picton. For some considerable time the presence of suitable material there in great abundance had attracted the attention of manufacturers, but no decisive: step was taken until 1904, when the Wellington and Marlborough Lime and Cement Company, Limited, after having tested and re-tested the material, bought an extensive site. The whole of the works are practically under one roof. The building is of corrugated iron, and measures 450 feet by ninety feet. The plant throughout is up-to-date, and no expense has been spared in making it thoroughly efficient for the purpose. The kilns, which are of the American rotary type, are sixty feet long, six feet in diameter, and weigh eighty tons. There are also three Krupp ball mills, two Askham cube mills, and a coal grinding mill. The machinery is driven by a Haslam converted engine of 225 horse power, together with two large boilers of 131 horse-power each. The capacity of the works is about twenty-two tons per day.
, Manager of the Wellington and Marlborough Lime and Cement Works, was born in Lancaster-shire, England, in December, 1851, and served an apprenticeship as an engineer and millwright. At nineteen years, he was appointed manager of the firm with which he had served his time, and at few years later went to Newcastle-on-Tyne to manage the firm's lime and cement works. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Kelly resigned, in order to go to China, under engagement to the Green Island Cement Company, and after erecting, and for six years managing, lime and cement works near Canton, he went to Australia. In New South Wales, not far from Paramatta, he put up a large lime and cement factory, and for six years managed it. Then he went into the interior, about 140 miles west of Sydney, and started what is now the Commonwealth Cement Company, and after spending about eleven months there he came to New Zealand. Shortly after landing, Mr. Kelly was appointed manager of the Melbourne Lime and Cement Company's works, close to Dunedin, and in 1904 he resigned this post to assist in the promotion of the Wellington and Marlborough Lime and Cement Works at Picton.
, General Carriers, Forwarding and Shipping Agents, and Coal, Firewood, and Produce Dealers, High Street, Picton. This firm was established in the year 1894 by Mr. A. Jeffries, and assumed its present title about ten years later, when Mr. J. K. Jeffries joined his brother in partnership. The property extends from High Street—to which it has a fine frontage—back to Wellington Street, and includes a spacious sample room for commercial travellers; a large wood, coal, and produce store, stables, carriage house, yards, etc., and there is also an up-to-date plant for cutting firewood. Five horses, one lorry, and four drays are employed in the business. Messrs Jeffries Brothers are agents for the New Zealand Express Company, the New Zealand Carrying Company, Kier's Forwarding Agency, for Messrs Levin and Company, and other firms, and arrangements are made to meet all steamers. The firm also does a large trads in the transportation of heavy goods, and the removal of furniture, and it is favourably known all over Marlborough for the carefulness and promptitude with which orders are executed.
, Senior Partner of the firm of Messrs Jeffries Brothers, was born on the West Coast, and received a sound commercial education at the Charleston boys' school. He gained his early experience in practical business life as a clerk in the office of the Westport Coal Company, and in the year 1894 entered unto his present business, which, by diligent application, he has made a great success. Mr. Jeffries takes a keen interest in the public and social affairs of the town, and for several years he was senior councillor in the Picton Borough Council. He is a director of the Marlborough Permanent Building Society, and is connected with several other local bodies.
was one of the pioneer settlers of Picton. He was born in the Orkney Islands in the year 1840, and came to New Zealand at an early age. Mr. Esson landed in Nelson in 1856,
and shortly afterwards took up land in Picton, where he farmed for the remaining years of his life. He took an active part in public affairs, and was for some years a member of the Picton Borough Council. Mr. Esson died
was one of the first white women to permanently settle in Picton, and is now (1905) the oldest female resident of the town. She was born in May, 1843, in Upper Canada, where her father, formerly a storekeeper in Ireland, had taken up land. Her father died in the year 1845, and in 1855 she came to New Zealand with her mother, who in that year started a general store in Picton, then known as Waitohi, as the Government then began to make a road through the Waitohi Valley to Blenheim, known in those days as Beaver Town. Mrs Esson has resided all along in Picton, where she was married to Mr. W. M. B. Esson in January, 1869.
, one of Picton's earliest settlers, was born on the 7th of February, 1831, near Killaloe, County Clare, Ireland, and is the eldest living son of the late Sir. John Fuller, a storekeeper, of English birth. Early in the forties the family went to America, and for about twelve years farmed in Upper Canada, where Mr. Fuller, senior, met his death. They then removed to Melbourne, Australia, where Mr. James Fuller was for about one year and three months storeman in a large wholesale warehouse. In the year 1854, he came to New Zealand, and after spending about twelve months in general work at Nelson, he went to Picton, where he has since resided. For twenty years Mr. Fuller successfully traded as a general contractor, then entered into business with Mr. J. A. R. Greensill, and subsequently retired into private life. He was a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council for a year, was for many years a member of the Picton Rifle Volunteers, and of the local school committee, and his taken an active part in many other public bodies. Mr. Fuller was one of the first members of the Anglican church in Picton, was an officer of the church for many years, and is still an active and useful supporter. He married Miss McCormick, of Picton, in the year 1860, and has five sons and four daughters. His mother, Mrs. John Fuller, who accompanied him to Picton in 1855, and died in 1895, was the first European woman to permanently settle in Picton. Mr. Fuller is now the Father of Picton, and in its oldest early inhabitant.
, though of Welsh parentage, was born in Manslow, Shropshire, England, in October, 1828. He was educated at Delvery, near Manslow, and afterwards learned the building trade under his father. In the year 1853, Mr. Pugh came to New Zealand, and for several years was employed successively as a builder, brickmaker, and farmer in various parts of the Nelson province. In 1860, he visited Australia, where for a short time his followed his trade in Sydney, and then went to the gold-fields. In 1861, Mr. Pugh returned to New Zealand, and for one year and six months conducted the Masonic Hotel in Havelock. He then removed to Picton, where he has since resided. Mr. Pugh worked for a time at his trade, and subsequently conducted an hotel for about twenty years. Later on, he kept a dairy farm for a few years, and then returned to the building trade, which he has since followed. Although now (1905) nearly eighty years of age he still takes his place at the bench in the firm conducted by his sons, known as Messrs Pugh Brothers. Mr. Pugh was for many years a member of the Picton Town Board, the Picton Borough Council, the local volunteer corps, the Picton Band, and the Picton Lodge of Oddfellows. He has four sons and four daughters.
arrived in Picton in the year 1864, when there were only three or four houses in the place. He was born in Nottinghamshire,
England, in 1834, and educated for the teaching profession, but emigrated to Australia, where he worked on the diggings at Ballarat and Bendigo for about three years, and was fairly successful. In 1862, he landed in Otago, and worked at Beaumont, Blue Spur, Dunedin, and Gabriel's Gully. He was one of the first to start a cordial factory in Otago. In 1864 he settled at Picton, and carried on a lucrative business as a cordial manufacturer for many years. Mr. Swanwick served as Mayor of Picton for
Dr. Charles Scott, sometime of Picton, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1833, and was educated at Dublin, the Dungannon Royal School, and at the University of Glasgow, where he obtained his L.E.P.S.G. and other degrees. In 1863, he came to New Zealand as ship's surgeon on the barque “Dauntless,” commanded by Captain Cowan, and commenced practice for himself at Winton, where the men employed on
the railway works were placed under his medical charge. After residing at several places in Southland for fifteen years in all, Dr. Scott removed to Picton in 1878, and thence onward acted in the capacity of surgeon to the Picton Hospital. He was also medical adviser to the Maoris, and examiner for the Government Life Insurance Department, and for various societies in the district. Dr. Scott was also associated with the volunteers, and held the position of Surgeon-Major of the Picton corps, which were disbanded in 1880. He was married, and had four sons and two daughters Dr. Scott died on the 21st of March, 1904.
, Picton. This pa was first inhabited in the year 1828, and has steadily increased, and is now the home of nearly a hundred families. A native school has been in existence at the pa for a great many years, and a neat little church was recently completed. The pa is situated in Waikawa Bay, two miles and a-half by road from Picton.
, sometime Chief of Waikawa, was of the Ngatiawa tribe. He was born at Waikawa Pa in 1859, and was educated at the local native school. Early in the eighties he went to reside in the Hutt district, Wellington, where he remained until his father's death, in 1894, when he returned to Waikawa, and succeeded his father in the chiefship. Mr. Love possessed a sheep station in Queen Charlotte Sound, with an area capable of carrying over 10,000 sheep. He married a daughter of the late Hon. W. T. Ngatata, who was Maori chief in the Wellington district for over twenty years, and was a member of the Legislative Council from 1872 until his death in 1888. Mr. Love had a family of four sons and three daughters, and died some time ago.
was from the very early days, until 1871, the harbour for the Marlborough district. As many as a dozen barques were often seen loading at one time with wool and produce for England. It also has the reputation of having been, in its time, the most important whaling station in New Zealand. Many fine whales were captured within it, and in its neighbourhood, and it was no uncommon thing for twenty whaling ships to be in Port Underwood at one time. Port Underwood is situated on the north-east coast of the Middle Island. It is fourteen miles from Blenheim, via Marshlands, and is considered second to no harbour in the Southern Hemisphere. It is six miles in length, and one mile wide, is sheltered by hills of 500 feet above the sea level, and is easily entered in the roughest
J.P., Runholder, Robin Hood Bay, Port Underwood. Mr. Stace was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1847, and was educated at Portsmouth, and at Elizabeth College, Guernsey. For the first ten years of his life he accompanied his father, who was a colonel in the Royal Engineers, to various countries, and came to New Zealand in the “Ravenscraig”, in 1865. After residing a short while in Nelson, he removed to Marlborough and settled down in Kaikoura, where he was one of the first settlers. Early in 1871 Mr. Stace was appointed manager of the Starborough estate, which was then in a most dilapidated coadtion. He, however, soon improved the appearance of the place by planting and fencing; and he practically founded the Merino flock which existed on the station when the land was cut up and sold by the Government in 1898. After managing the station for fifteen years, Mr. Stace purchased his present property, which formerly belonged to Messrs Jackson Brothers, at Robin Hood Bay. Mr. Stace takes at keen interest in church matters and during his residence at Kaikoura he acted as lay reader to the Church of England. His eldest son is the Church of England clergyman in charge of the Havelock and Sounds district, and is universally esteemed and liked. Mrs Stace is a daughter of Mr. Mowat, who arrived in Nelson in 1840.
, sometime of Ocean Bay, Port Underwood, was born at Oxford, England, on the 9th of June, 1820. When he was fifteen years of age, he left his native country, and went to America, where he remained a few years, but in 1838 he joined a whaling ship, and sailed for New Zealand. The ship was the “Vermont,” well known in her time in whaling waters, and was in command of Captain Kenduck. The “Vermont” reached Port Underwood in 1838, and from then until 1850, Mr. Aldridge successfully followed at whaling life. He then took up a section of kind at Ocean Bay, and thenceforward carried on business as a farmer. There were very few white people in New Zealand when Mr. Aldridge arrived in the thirties, and he had to contend against many disadvantages. One of the most tragical episodes in which he took part in the early days was the burial of the victims of the Wairaran massacre in June, 1843. Nineteen bodies were found and buried though it was supposed that more lives were lost. Mr. Aldridge also assisted some of the party to escape by giving them refuge on board the Government brig “Victoria,” which then sailed for Wellington. In 1838, the year he landed in New Zealand, Mr. Aldridge was an unwilling eyewitness to the murder of a Maori woman at Kapiti Island, and after the woman was dead the body was placed on a fire and remained there until roasted and fit for consumption. A similar tragedy was witnessed by Mr. Aldridge in 1839. He was also present at Porirua at the execution of a Maori who had killed Captain Sherry, an old whaler belonging to the whaling ship “Caroline,” and who had come to New Zealand in the early thirties. Mr. Aldridge, during his whaling period, caught twenty-one whales in one season. In the forties he repeatedly crossed Cook Strait in an open boat. Latterly, he resided with his son at Ocean Bay, and lived to considerably over eighty years; but both he and his son have now (1905) been dead some time.
, sometime of Ocean Bay, Port Underwood, was a son of the late Mr. Michael Aldridge, and was born at Ocean Bay, in 1868. His property comprised 890 acres, all hilly country, but first-class pasture land for sheep. Mr. Aldridge had his house connected by telephone with Blenheim, twenty-two miles distant. For many years, Mr. Aldridge was a member of the Waitohi Rowing Club, and had come to the front when competing in championships at Wellington and other places. He was also a member of the Waitohi Football Club, in which he proved himself an excellent wedge forward. He was married and had one daughter. Mr. Aldridge died some time ago.
The county of the Marlborough Sounds is an extensive broken area of country bounded, approximately, by Cook Strait and the mainland. It is throughout mountainous, and some of the hills have an elevation of three or four thousand feet, and descend precipitously into the deep waters of the Sounds. At one time, it has been said, the whole of this country, from sea level to the summits of the highest ranges, was covered with dense forests, which contained many species of plants not to be found in any other portion of the Middle Island. Yet, “though owing to the disappearance of the forest, and constant shooting, many of the native birds have become comparatively scarce, a few of the rare species—such as the small grey kiwi, the Middle Island crow, and the thick-billed thrush—exist in secluded places. On Stephen's Island, the Trios, and the Brothers, the curious tuatara lizard is found; and many of the rare New Zealand land molusca can be obtained in the forests. In the sounds and small bays, and round the numerous islands along the coast, fish are very abundant; so much so that a steadily increasing number of persons now obtain a livelihood by fishing, and several steam launches are employed in the industry.
The Sounds country is naturally divided into two separate portions, known respectively as Pelorus Sound, and Queen Charlotte Sound; of the first, the chief centre is Havelock, and of the second Picton. Queen Charlotte Sound with Tory Channel has a coastline of over two hundred miles, and its entrance is about twenty miles distant from that of Pelorus Sound. Tory Channel is the most direct route of communication between Wellington and Picton; its entrance is about forty miles from Wellington, and about twenty from Picton, and the channel itself is about ten miles long. Queen Charlotte Sound, which on account of its being in the direct line of communication, is the best known of the two, is thirty miles in length. Pelorus Sound is thirty-four miles long, and it has many important bays and inlets; the largest of these is Keneparu, which extends, in a north-easterly direction, to a distance of fourteen miles. The Pelorus Sound, irrespective of islands, has a shore line of about 300 miles.
The Sounds have associations of much interest. Discoveries show that the Maoris must have lived on their beautiful shores centuries ago; and it is to Queen Charlotte Sound that the enquirer must go for reminiscences of the foundation, and for much of the early history, of Marlborough. It was in January, 1770, that the Sounds were first visited by Captain Cook, who anchored his vessel in what has since been called Ship's Cove, where he landed and hoisted the Union Jack. Captain Cook took possession of the Sound in the name of King George the Third, and called it after that monarch's wife, Queen Charlotte. The great navigator returned to the Sounds in March, of the same year, when he anchored in Admiralty Bay; was there again in 1773, and made a final visit in 1777. Resolution Bay, in which he once anchored, is named after his ship, “The Resolution.”
So far as settlement is concerned, whaling was the first industry that attracted the white settler to the Sounds, and the first whaling depot was established in 1827 at Te Awaite, near the entrance to Tory Channel, by Captain Guard, whose son, Mr. John Guard, born at Te Awaite in 1831, was the first European born in the Middle Island; and he was the elder of the two children, who, with their mother, were seized and carried off by the Maoris when the barque “Harriet” was wrecked at Cape Egmont, on the coast of Taranaki, on the 29th of April, 1834. This capture led to
Sawmilling and fishing are carried on in the Sounds; but the main industry is that of farming, or rather the grazing of sheep and cattle. There is some good level land at the head of some of the bays, and the higher and rougher country supplies suitable pasturage. Sheep, when fattened, are sent to the freezing works at Picton, and, for some years, about 30,000 sheep have been dealt with in this way every year. The climate of the Sounds is exceptionally favourable to pastoral work, for owing to the distribution of land and water, and the configuration of the land, it is one of the mildest and most equable in New Zealand. Even lemons, oranges, passion fruit, figs, and other sub-tropical fruits, can be grown along the shores.
But it is to their scenery that the Sounds chiefly owe their fame. The ranges are rugged and lofty, extensively covered with native bush; and in many parts descend almost precipitously to the shore line. The deep and clear waters are calm and placid in almost all weathers, and this characteristic gives an unforgettable charm to many a bay and inlet. It is natural, therefore, that the tourist and holiday traffic to these delightful regions should already be large, and still on the increase. There are about one hundred miles of road-way in the Sounds county, and a large number of the bays are connected by telegraph and telephone, and have a regular mail service with Havelock and Picton. The Pelorus can be reached with about equal facility from Picton and Havelock, but Queen Charlotte Sound is reached only from Picton. Oil lauches are the favourite means of travel in the waters of the Sounds. Most of the settlers obtain their stores from Picton, Havelock, or Blenheim. The only township in the Pelorus itself is Bulwer, a fishing station in the north-eastern part, and Te Awaite is the only township in Queen Charlotte Sound; that is, of course, excluding Picton and Havelock. There is an aided school in almost every
is situated at the north-eastern extremity of the Kenepuru arm of the Pelorus Sound. It is a good grazing run, and consists of about 1,400 acres, 210 acres of which is freehold, and the remainder Crown lease. The freehold portion was originally owned by the late Mr. Daniel Love, a noted Maori chief, who resided near Picton; but no improvements were effected until it was acquired by Mr Duncan, who erected a sawmill on the property, and cut out the timber. Mr. Ewing then bought the farm, but subsequently sold it to Mr. G. M. Harris, its present proprietor. It is chiefly level land, stretching from the seashore sonic distance up the valley, and is in an advanced state of improvement; but the leasehold embraces a large area of rugged, bush country, much of it still in a virgin state. Altogether, however, the farm is highly suitable for grazing purposes, and even in its present condition carries 1,300 sheep and 100 head of cattle.
, Owner of the Heads Farm, was born on the 29th of September, 1856, in Staffordshire, England, and is the son of a farmer. He was educated at Sedgeley Park, Wolverhampton, was brought up as a farmer, and in the year 1876 embarked in the ship “Broomhall” for New Zealand. Mr. Harris was employed for some time at Wanganui, but afterwards went to Marlborough, where he engaged in general farm work in various parts of the province. Later on, he took over an hotel in Picton, and succesfully conducted it for six years, when he left it to take up his present farm. Mr. Harris is married, and has four sons and eight daughters.
is situated on the Kenepuru Sound, and was first taken up about twenty years ago, by Mr. James McMahon. It was acquired by its present proprietor in November, 1904. “Millig” consists of 400 acres, 140 acres of which are freehold, and the remainder Crown lease. It is chiefly hillside country; about half the area is still covered with native bush, and the other half is sown down in mixed grasses. The farm at present (1905) carries over 200 sheep, and a dozen head of cattle. The homestead is picturesquely situated near the Sound.
, Proprietor of Millig Farm, is a son of the late Mr. Thomas Mills, of Hopai Bay, in the Pelorus, Sound, and a nephew of the Hon. C. H. Mills, now (1905). Minister of Customs. He was born on the 25th of June, 1879, at Hopai Bay, and was educated at an aided school. Afterwards for about five years he managed the estate of Hopai, an excellent sheep run of about 1000 acres, and was subsequently succeeded by an older brother, but still retains an interest in the property. Mr. Mills married Miss Ewing, of Wellington, in December, 1904.
, at the head of the Kenepuru arm of Pelorus Sound, is a sheep run consisting of 3000 acres of hill and valley. It was first taken up by Mr. E. G. M. C. Kenny, the present Government Valuer for the province, but was subsequently held by Mr. Moore, and in the year 1901 was bought by Messrs Beech Brothers, the present owners. There is still a large area of virgin bush on the property, but a sawmill situated not far from the homestead is fast reducing the timber. The land is of excellent quality, and well adapted for grazing, and is stocked with 1,500 sheep, and 200 cattle.
, the Senior Partner of Messrs Beech Brothers, was born in Wellington, in February, 1873, and is a son of Mr. George Beech, a Wellington farmer. He was educated at public schools, brought up to farming, and subsequently for some years was engaged in butchering and shearing in various parts of New Zealand and Australia. In the year 1901 Mr. Beech entered into partnership with his brother, and has been very successful. He is chairman of directors of the local dairy factory company, and is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
was first taken up in the fifties, and when acquired by Mr. Peter McMahon in the year 1860, was almost virgin country. It is situated in the Kenepuru, Pelorus Sound, has a south-easterly aspect, and is partly bounded by several miles of shore line. There are several hundred acres of fertile level land, and about 1500 acres of more or less rugged country. “Taradale” is chiefly freehold property. It has been greatly improved, and carries about 1500 sheep and a small herd of cattle. The homestead is picturesquely situated at the head of the bay, and is surrounded by native trees.
was born on the 13th of August, 1832, near Castle Blayney, in the North of Ireland, where he was educated. He afterwards
went to sea for some years in a large collier, trading between Dublin and Whitehaven, and was then appointed an officer on a schooner engaged in the trade with South America. Later on, Mr. McMahon accepted the position of first mate on board a large trading ship plying between
, sometime of the Peninsula Run, Pelorus Sound, was born in the year 1841, in Kent, England, where he was educated and learned engineering. For a few years he followed a seafaring life, and came to New Zealand in 1895. Mr. Godsiff then farmed for a while in Queen Charlotte, Sound, afterwards conducted a fellmongery for two years in Picton, and in December, 1865, settled in the Pelorus Sound. For several years he was part owner of the Manaroa station, and in 1874 he took up the adjoining property, known as the Peninsula run, which he farmed until his death in 1898. Mr. Godsiff was connected with several public bodies, and was highly respected. He left a widow, who still (1905) resides on the Peninsula run, three sons and six daughters.
, formerly of Hopai Bay, was born on the 2nd of March, 1835, at Plymouth, England, and was a brother of the Hon C. H. Mills. He came to New Zealand in the ship “Lord Auckland,” in the year 1842, and landed at Nelson. Subsequently, he spent some years on the Australian diggings, and then returned to Nelson, and started in business as a paperhanger and gasfitter. About twelve years later, Mr. Mills, in company with his brothers, removed to the Sounds, and during the remainder of his life was actively associated with the various industries of the place. He was one of the first to start the sawmilling and dairying industries in the county, and introduced the first cream separator ever used there. At one time Mr. Mills and his brothers owned as much as 5000 acres of land in different parts of the Sounds. Mr. Mills died in August, 1898, leaving five sons and seven daughters.
Farmer, Waitaria Bay, Kenepuru, Pelorus Sound. Mr. Godsiff is the second son of the late Mr. Henry Godsiff, and was born at Clova Bay on the 3rd of January, 1868. He was educated privately at Manaroa, spent his early years at farming and the timber trade, and has lived continuously, except for a couple of seasons, in the Sounds. He bought his present farm from his brother in 1890. The property consists of over 200 acres of rich grazing land, which carries a flock of nearly 500 sheep, including a stud flock of pure Lincolns, and a small herd of cattle. Mr. Godsiff is a member of the Waitaria school committee. He married Miss Annie Curteis, of Mahakipawa, and has six sons.
Farmer and Oil–launch Proprietor, Waitaria Bay, Kenepuru, Pelorus Sound. Mr. Henderson is the second son of the late Mr. William Henderson, and was born at Emerald Hill
(now a part of Melbourne) in the year 1862. He was educated at The Grove and Mahakipawa, was employed for some years at the local sawmills, and then went to Australia in the ship “Waipa.” For a year or two he worked at sawmilling and other occupations in New South Wales; but then returned to Marlborough, and shortly afterwards, in conjunction with his father and a brother, engaged in sawmilling and farming at Waitaria Bay. This partnership was dissolved in 1897, and
Sheepfarmer, Waitaria Bay, Kenepuru, Pelorus Sound. Mr. Henderson is the third son of the late Mr. William Henderson, and was born on the 13th of March, 1864. He was educated privately, and for many years was engaged in sawmilling and farming in conjunction with his father and brother at Waitaria. In 1897, however, the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Henderson has since been engaged in sheep and cattle farming on his own account. His present farm consists of 550 acres of excellent grazing land, and there is also a considerable, area suitable for agriculture. Mr. Henderson has been for several years a member of the local school committee. He is married and has three sons and four daughters.
, sometime of Waitaria Bay, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he was educated. He went to sea at an early age, and for about fifteen years was employed in various merchantmen trading to almost every part of the world. In the year 1856, he left the sea in order to try his fortune on the Australian diggings, and in the early sixties came to New Zealand. For several years Mr. Henderson was engaged in rafting, and other forms of coastal trading about the Sounds. In 1857, he took up land at Waitaria. For many years, in conjunction with his sons, he was engaged in farming and sawmiling, and later on acquired the freehold of an extensive area lying near the head of the bay. Late in the mineties, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Henderson and his sons taking possession of equal shares in the estate; and from that date until his death Mr. Henderson farmed on his own account. For some time he was a member of the local school committee. In the year 1857, he married Miss Jane Daniels, a sister of Mrs A. S. Duncan, relict of the late Mr. A. S. Duncan, of The Grove. Mr. Henderson died in the year 1903, leaving a widow, six sons, and six daughters. His eldest son went to sea under his uncle, Captain John Henderson, and was afterwards captain of Sydney coastal steamers, and now (1905) he holds an appointment as local manager in the service of the Sydney North Coast Company.
Farmer, Broughton's Bay. Kenepuru, Pelorus Sound. Mr. Simpson was born in the year 1847, at Antwerp, Belgium, where he was educated, and afterwards followed a seafaring life for about eight years in the merchant service He came to New Zealand in the ship “Christian Rankin,” in 1865, and went to the Wakamarina diggings; and, later on, he was employed for eight years by the Government in the transport of provisions, in the Wanganui district, at the time of the Maori war. Subsequently, Mr. Simpson returned to Marlborough, where he work-for some years at various occupations, and in 1890 took up his present farm. The property consists of 400 acres held under Crown lease, and carries, nearly 300 sheep, and about twenty-live head of cattle. Mr. Simpson is chairman of the committee of the Waitaria Bay school committee, of which one of his daughters is mistress. He is married, and has eight sons and four daughters.
Senior Partner of Messrs Wells Brothers, Farmers, Four Fathom Bay, Pelorus Sounds. Mr. Wells was born at Nydia
Bay, in 1857. and was brought up to farming. He subsequently assisted his father for about three years, until the latter's death, and has since, in conjunction with a brother, conducted the estate. The property consists of 1500 acres of hilly grazing land, in
, sometime of Four Fathom Bay, Pelorus Sound, was born in England, in the year 1853, and came to New Zealand in the early days. He worked for some time in Nelson, and on the West Coast. In the seventies, he took up his farm at Four Fathom Bay, and resided there until his death, in April, 1903. Mr. Wells was a member of the Order of Foresters. He left five sons and five daughters.
Farmer, Yncyca Bay, Pelorus Sound. Captain Cracroft was born at Ealing, in Middlesex, England, in the year 1858, and was educated at Teignmouth. At thirteen years of age, he was apprenticed in the merchant service, and for thirty-two years followed a seafaring life. For some time he was in the New Zealand Shipping Company's service, which he joined as third officer, and was afterwards in command of of the s.s. “Rakaia” and the s.s. “Hurunui.” During the South African Boer war he served as chief officer on several of the large transport vessels, and was awarded the transport medal. In 1903, however, he resigned his commission, and shortly after came to New Zealand, and took up his present farm. This property, known as Yncyca, embraces an area of over 1000 acres of grazing country, and is devoted to sheep and cattle. Captain Cracroft is married, and has two daughters and one son.
, Mary's Bay, Pelorus Sound. This property was first taken up under a lease from the Crown by Messrs Mills Bros., but was afterwards held for some years by Mr. Bond, and was acquired by the present proprietor, Mr. D. W. Foote, in the year 1903. It consists of 1182 acres of rough hilly land, and takes in the whole of the country surrounding the shores of Mary's Bay. “Homewood” possesses great natural beauties, as the steep hillsides, down to the water's edge, are covered with thick native bush, which, in fine weather, is beautifully reflected in the waters of the bay.! “Homewood,” as a sheep station, carries at present nearly 2000 sheep; but, on account of the scenic beauty of the district, Mr. Foote determined to establish a private holel, and to develop a tourist resort. As such “Homewood” already enjoys much public favour, and promises to become still more popular in the future. The climate is good, and the majority of the days throughout the year are bright and clear. “Homewood” is well sheltered; the district abounds in deer, pigs, pigeons, and quail; and there are fish of various kinds in the sea close at hand. Guns and ammunition can be hired at the house on reasonable terms, and a large stock of stores and provisions of all kinds is kept. There is a convenient wharf, and an oil-launch and several boats with fishing tackle are at the service of visitors. The house is situated about a chain from the water's edge, at the head of the bay, and about ten feet above the level of the beach. It is a one-storied wooden building containing about seventeen rooms with every modern convenience, and is surrounded by fine grounds. An excellent table is kept, the tariff is moderate, and the accommodation good. The comfort an I wellbeing of the guests are personally superintended by Mr. and Mrs. Foote. “Homewood” possesses a post, telegraph, and telephone office, with a regular mail service, and can be reached by oil-launch from either Picton or Havelock, in a few hours.
, the Proprietor of “Homewood,” is the eldest son of Mr. J. D. Foote, of Wilson's
, sometime of Manaroa station, in the Pelorus Sound, was born on the 12th of February, 1851, at Ellerton Hall, in Shropshire, England. He was educated at English colleges, and at sixteen years of age came to New Zealand to an elder brother, Mr. V. V. Masefield. The two brothers subsequently entered into partnership, and for many years conducted a large sheep and cattle run at Gough's Bay, on Banks' Peninsula, in Canterbury. In October, 1889, however, they sold out, and Mr. W. T. Masefield then took up Manaroa station, on which he resided until his death in April, 1901. The estate consists of nearly 2000 acres of sheep country, and is now (1905) carried on by Mrs Masefield and her eldest son. The homestead, which is built in an old English style, is picturesquely situated at the head of the bay. Mr. Masefield was a Justice of the Peace, and was respected as an able and useful settler. For many years he was chairman of the Akaroa County Council, and subsequently occupied many public positions in Marlborough. He married Miss Ellen Tosswill, of Akaroa, in February, 1881, and left two sons and two daughters.
Sheep-farmer, Wilson's Bay, Pelorus Sound. Mr. Foote is the eldest son of the late Mr. R. B. Foote, and was born in February, 1852, at New Plymouth, Taranaki. As a lad he had, at the time of the Maori war, several experiences that nearly cost him his life with the Maoris, who were then encamped near New Plymouth; and once, when he had strayed some distance from home, he was hotly pursued, and did not regain the township for several days. Mr. Foote afterwards removed to Nelson, where he was educated, and brought up to sawmilling and farming; and at twentyone years of age he went with his parents to live at the Sounds. For about ten years he worked at local sawmills, and then took up his present farm. The property is situated on the shore of the sound opposite the tourist resort “Homewood,” and consists of about 1000 acres of rough grazing land, which carries 1700 sheep. Mr. Foote married Miss Harvey, a daughter of an old settler in the Sounds, and has three sons and four daughters.
was born in the North of Scotland, where he was educated, and learned tailoring. He went to Australia at an early age, and shortly afterwards came to New Zealand, and spent a few years at pit-sawing in the Auckland province. Mr. Foote then went to Taranaki, where he took part in the Maori war, as an officer. In 1864, he removed to Nelson, and after working for many years at pit-sawing in various parts of the province, he settled in the Marlborough Sounds, where he farmed during the remaining years of his life. Mr. Foote lived until he was nearly ninety years of age, when he died at Mahua, in the Pelorus Sound, leaving six sons and four daughters.
Farmer, North West Bay, Pelorus Sound. Mr. Tiller was born in London, England, on the 25th of March, 1859, and came to New Zealand in the year 1873. For about nine years he lived in Blenheim, but then took up a bush farm at Onamalutu, which he worked for seven years. Mr. Tiller then sold out, and almost immediately bought his present farm, which consists of about 560 acres of rough grazing land, a large part of which is still in its native state. At present (1905) the property carries 300 sheep and a small herd of cattle. Mr. Tiller owns an oil launch, which is plied about the Sound, for the conveyance of passengers. He married Miss Hammond, of Nelson, and has one son.
,” North West Bay, Pelorus Sound. This property was first taken up by Mr. Cossett, and then owned by Mr. Tiller, and was acquired by Mr. Black in the year 1891. It is an excellent sheep and cattle farm of 817 acres, the greater part of which is cleared and sown down in good grasses; a permanent flock of over 700 ewes and a small herd of cattle are depastured, and a paddock of twenty-five acres is set aside for the cultivation of cocksfoot grass seed. The homestead is a new and up-to-date building, and commands a fine view of the bay. Relics of Maori habitations have been discovered on several parts of the farm, and it is believed by Mr. Black that the place must have been occupied by the natives more than a thousand years ago.
, J.P., was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and was educated at Penpont, about eighteen miles from Dumfries, where his father, Mr. Robert Black, carried
Farmer, Maori Bay, Pelorus Sound. Mr. Borck is the eldest son of Mr. Lauritz Borck, an old settler in the Sounds, and was born at Richmond, in Nelson, in the year 1867. He settled in Maori Bay with his parents in 1872, and spent most of his early years at farm and general work. His present property consists of nearly 550 acres of good grazing land, and carries 400 sheep and about thirty head of cattle. Mr. Borck is a member of the Havelock Poultry Club. He married Miss Godsiff, in the year 1894, and has two sons.
is a small farming district surrounding the shore of the western arm of the extreme head of Queen Charlotte Sound, and possesses some of the finest scenery in the province. The district was first settled by sawmillers; namely, Messrs John Duncan, and W. Brownlee, who conducted sawmilling for many years, but it has since been devoted almost entirely to sheep and cattle farming. There is a post office, a public school, a church, a general store, and a publichcuse in the neighbourhood; and there is a regular and frequent mail service by launch with Picton, about ten miles distant.
, was formed in June, 1902, by Mr. Bowden, a local schoolmaster, who was captain for a time.
was born on the 4th of November, 1856, at Brightwater, Nelson, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. J. Palmer, of Nelson. He was educated at the Hope public school, brought up to farming by his father, and afterwards farmed for many years on his own account in the Nelson province. In March, 1887, Mr. T. Palmer took up a small farm on the Picton road, near Tua Marina, and in June, 1902, sold it to take up his present farm at The Grove. He is a member of the Pelorus Road Board, the local school committee, and was formerly a member of the Waimea Rifle Club, the Blenheim Rifle Volunteers, and the Tua Marina Rifle Club, of which he was president for three years. Mr. Palmer is married, and has one son and seven daughters.
Farmer, Anikiwa, The Grove, Marlborough. Mr. Beauchamp was born on the 5th of January, 1830, at Highgate, in Middlesex, England, and is the eighth son of the late Mr. John Beauchamp, who was the inventor, about the year 1830, of a metal called “British Plate.” His manufactory was in Holborn, but he did not patent his invention, and the same metal was afterwards manufactured by the Germans, and sold as German plate and German silver, and some English firms also manufactured it under the name of nickel silver. Mr. R. C. Leslie, in his “Life and Letters of John Constable, R.A.” (London: Chapman and Hall, Limited) mentions a visit made by Constable and his boys to Mr. Beanchamp's factory, which was a noted place in its time. Mr. Craddock Beauchamp was educated at a public school in his native place, and afterwards went to sea for some years in the merchant service, and in 1851 settled in Australia. In 1862, Mr. Beauchamp came to New Zealand, and purchased his present farm from his brother. This property consists of 1000 acres of rough grazing land, is devoted to sheep and cattle farming, and includes a good deal of mountainous country in its native state. The homestead is picturesquely situated near the shore of an inlet in the Sound. Mr. Beauchamp was for some years a member of the local school committee. He married Miss Harriet Augusta Broughton, a daughter of the rector of Wassington, in Northumberland, England, in the year 1864, and has six sons and four daughters.
Farmer, the Grove, Marlborough. Mr. Thompson is the youngest son of the late Mr.
, J.P., was one of the pioneer sawmillers of Marlborough, and was the first to introduce steam sawmilling into the province. He took up his residence at The Grove, in Queen Charlotte Sound as early as 1861, and for many years conducted a large sawmill in the white and red pine forest which then covered that part of the country, and during that time he also acquired a large sheep run. Mr. Duncan was a reliable and popular public man, gave much time and attention to local public affairs, and was for some time a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council. He lived for some years in retirement at Picton, where he died at a good old age, leaving a widow—who still survives him—three sons, and four daughters.
, J. P., of the Grove, is the eldest son of the late Mr. A. S. Duncan. He was educated partly in Melbourne, and partly at Nelson College, and was brought up with his father. In early manhood he established, and for a few years conducted, a sash and door factory at Wanganui. A few years later, he returned to the sawmill at the Grove, and carried it on for some time after his father's retirement; but when the bush was exhausted he turned his attention to sheepfarming. Mr. Duncan has devoted much time to public affairs. He has been a member of the Pelorus Road Board, the Marlborough Land Board, the Picton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the Marlborough Land and Railway League, and for about twelve years has served on the Marlborough Education Board, of which he is chairman. Mr. Duncan stood as the Opposition candidate for Wairau at the general election of 1905, and at the poll on the 6th of December he received 2030, as against 2938 votes polled by the Hon C. H. Mills, and twenty-ty-three by Mr. G. Turner.
, sometime of The Grove, was born at Peterhead, Scotland, in the year 1825, and spent his early manhood on the sea as a ship's carpenter. He came to New Zealand about 1856, and for some years was captain of a small coastal trading vessel trading between Wellington and the Sounds. Later on, Mr. Thompson settled down to farming in the Sounds. He resided at the Grove and Kenepuru, and died at Picton on the 21st of October, 1893, leaving six sons and three daughters, who are now scattered all over the colony.
is a small mining township at the head of the Mahakipawa Valley, about two miles inland from the eastern arm of the head of the Pelorus Sound, and is reached from Blenheim by rail to Picton, thence by launch to the Grove, and from there by a good road—a total distance of about thirty-six miles. Cullensville came into existence at the outbreak of the Cullensville diggings, in the year 1888, but for some time now (1905) the mines have been practically at a standstill. The plant of the main mine, however, is now being reorganised, and a further trial is to be given to the old field. Farming is carried on in the neighbourhood, and this helps to sustain the township. There is a public school, and a post office with a bi-weekly mail service, and a public house stands on the main road some distance down the valley. There is magnificent scenery in the neighbourhood; good shooting is obtained, and there is abundance of fish in the Sounds.
is situated near The Grove, Marlborough. It was established in the year 1889, shortly after the discovery of gold in the neighbourhood, and is a small wooden building with accommodation for about forty children; there is also a schoolhouse. The playground is about hall an acre in area. Population in the neighbourhood is now sparse, and many of the children walk a distance of over three miles to school. The number on the roll is thirty, and the average attendance for the year ending 1905 was about twenty-five.
was appointed master of the public school at Cullensville in March, 1905. He was born at Ballarat, Victoria, in the year 1882, and came to New Zealand at an early age. Mr. Gilmor was educated at the Wakefield public school and gained a scholarship for the Nelson Boys' College at which he matriculated in 1899. He was subsequently for about one year and six months storekeeping at Feilding in the North Island, and in 1901 was appointed master of the Glenroy aided school. Mr. Gilmor was afterwards master of the Motueka Valley school for about two years; thence he proceeded to Cullensville, and from Cullensville he went to Birchfield, near Westport, as headmaster of the school there, in July, 1905. He holds a D4 certificate.
came to New Zealand in the ship “Whitby,” in 1842, and landed at Nelson, the site of which was then monopolised by swamps and virgin forest. Mr. Cawte had his full share of the toils, hardships and privations, which fell to the lot of the colony's pioneers, and were bravely borne, and in most cases successfully overcome. He was one of those who more than once were face to face with starvation, and who were sometimes reduced to such straits that seed potatoes, after being planted, had to be dug again and eaten. After residing for several years in Nelson, Mr. Cawte went to the Australian goldfields, where he remained till 1859. He then returned to New Zealand, and began farming in the Pelorus Valley, and a little later at Mahakipawa, where he resided until the formation of the province of Marlborough, when he was appointed governor of the Picton gaol. He held the position for more than twenty-eight years, when he returned to Mahakipawa. Mr. Cawte died in 1887, leaving a widow, six daughters and three sons. Mrs Cawte had been his willmg helpmate throughout, and landed in the Colony shortly after her husband.
, Cullensville, near The Grove. This mine is among the oldest claims in the once famcus Cullensville diggings, and it was opened upon the first discovery of gold in the district in the year 1888. Three shafts, of 117 feet, eighty-nine feet, and seventy-six feet deep respectively, and connected with one another by subterranean channels, were sunk, and elaborate machinery for the work erected. For several years, the mine yielded handsome returns, but the first-discovered deposits were gradually exhausted, and the mine sank into disrepair, with the general decadence of the field. In the year 1902 a new syndicate took over the property, and a vigorous prosecution of the work is now (1905) being conducted. There are excellent prospects of profitable returns, and it is not unlikely that the King Solomon Mine may yet be the means of restoring to Cullensville its former status as an important mining centre.
, Mine Manager of the King Solomon Mine, was born in Sweden in the year 1867, and came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age. He was educated at public schools, and learned carpentry in the Wairarapa district, and subsequently worked for many years at his trade. In 1902, Mr. Knutson was one of several who bought the King Solomon Mine, and, two years later, on the death of one of his colleagues, he was appointed to his present position.
Mine Manager, became manager of the King Solomon Mine Gold Mining Company in 1898, and under his direction the property was worked to the best advantage. Mr. Campbell was born in Auckland, in 1866. After leaving school, he served in the New Zealand Telegraph Department for three years but resigned in order to follow mining. He arrived at Cullensville in 1888, when the rush set in, and in conjunction with three others he worked the Wairapa claim, from which over £10,000 worth of gold was obtained in about two years.
is situated at the extreme head of the Pelorus Sound, on the main overland route between Blenheim and Nelson, and is twenty-eight miles north-west from Blenheim. In the early sixties there was but one house—a lodging place for travellers—but Messrs Dive, Gabie, Duncan, and Brownlee soon established sawmills in the district, and in the year 1864 the Wakamarina diggings broke out. The greatly increased traffic and rapidly growing population found a natural centre at the head of Pelorus Sound, for this was not only the junction of the roads that lead to Nelson, to the Wairau, and to the diggings at Wakamarina, but was also a convenient spot for shipping purposes, so that it was not long before a township sprang up with a number of business houses. Havelock, however, is not likely, from its situation and the nature of the surrounding country, ever to be an extensive town or important shipping port. While the diggings were in full swing, and the timber industry was busy at the same time, trade flourished at the port: yet though the mines gave way, and sawmilling fell off, the town experienced no violent depression, owing to the steady growth of the farming industry, which is now its chief support. The depasturage of sheep and cattle and dairy farming are extensively couducted in the neighbourhood, and there is a large cooperative cheese factory. Sawmilling is still vigorously carried on, but chiefly at some distance. Brownlee and Company's Blackball sawmill, one of the largest in the colony, is, however, situated within a mile or so of the town,
was first formed in the early eighties. It consists of five members, who are elected once in two years. The Board also performs the functions of a Harbour Board and a Cemetery Board. The town area is a long narrow strip extending along the shore of the port of Havelock, and is intersected by the Blenheim-Nelson coach road. The town is lighted with lamps, and obtains its supply of water from a reservoir situated on a hill at the rear, every house being connected. There is an efficient fire brigade, under the captaincy of Mr. A. C. Gregor. The rateable value of Havelock is slightly
, who has been a member of the Have-lock Town Board since the year 1902, was born in Nelson in 1862, and was educated and brought up to farming in his native place. In early manhood, he spent a year or two as a coachdriver, and afterwards kept a general store on the Waikakaho goldfields, Marlborough. In 1888, Mr. Orsman was employed as storeman in the store of Messrs Brownlee and Company, of Havelock, and in July, 1901, he established himself in business on his own account as a general storekeeper in Union Street. Mr. Orsman takes a keen interest in the public affairs of the town, and is a member of many public and social bodies.
was appointed Town Clerk and Engineer of Havelock in April, 1904. He was born at Havelock on the 22nd of September, 1867, was educated at the local public school, and afterwards served his time to the building trade, at which he subsequently worked for some years at Blenheim and in Havelock. In February, 1899, Mr. Matthews was appointed secretary and inspector to the Pelorus Road Board, and he still holds those offices.
in Havelock was founded more than forty years ago, and is situated in Lucknow Street. It has recently (1905) been rebuilt, in Gothic style, and stands on a concrete foundation. The church is built of stone procured from the neighbourhood, and is bricklined. It has accommodation for about 150 persons, and there is a membership of about 150. The district embraces a wide area, including Canvastown, where there is also a church. The Rev. A. W. C. Stace is in charge. Mr. Stace is further referred to at page 246 of this volume as having been formerly curate at Reefton.
(Mrs T. Scott, proprietress) Lucknow Street, Havelock, Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This hotel is situated im- mediately opposite the Post and Telegraph Office, in the main street of Havelock, and is the oldest established hostelry in the town. It contains tourteen rooms, which are all well furnished and comfortable.
, Sometime Proprietor of the Post Office Hotel, Havelock, was born in Portland Bay, Australia, in 1848, and came to New Zealand, where he remained eight years, and then went on to Havelock, where he afterwards resided. Mr. Scott was a brewer by trade, but on entering the hotel in 1891, he gave up brewing, and gave his undivided attention to the business of his house. He was a Freemason and a Forester, and he had for more than twenty years been secretary and treasurer to the Havelock Jockey Club. Mr. Scott was married, and had five sons and five daughters. He died early in the year 1905.
Butcher Lucknow Street, Havelock. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Simmonds is a son of the late Mr. William Simmonds, who arrived in Nelson early in 1842 in the second immigrant ship which came to New Zealand. He was born in Blenheim in 1854, and after being educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and at the Bishop's school, Nelson, he was apprenticed at the Soho Foundry, Nelson where he acquired a knowledge of engineering. He, however, went to sea, and roamed about the Colony for several years. Having a knowledge of butchering, he opened a business in Blenheim, in conjunction with his brother in 1879; but shortly afterwards accepted an appointment with a firm, with which he remained ten years. In 1894, he established the business which he now conducts in Havelock, and is steadily forcing his way to success. He does a brisk trade, not only at Havelock, but twenty miles beyond it, and three men are kept in steady employment. Mr Simmonds is a Freemason and an Oddfellow, and has long been a member of the Havelock Town Board and school committee. He is also a member of the Havelock Jockey Club, and has for many years acted as judge at the club's races. Mr. Simmonds is married, and has one son and one daughter.
, Wholesale and Retail Morchants and General Storekeepers, Havelock. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim. This business was established in 1872. The firm carries heavy stocks of general merchandise, including drapery, grocories, ironmongery, crockery and glassware. It does a good steady trade throughout the district for a radius of twenty miles, and all through the Pelorus Sounds. Its delivery carts are kept going, and the business gives employment to four or five men. The firm has the local agency for the Commercial Union Fire and Marine Insurance Company.
, who is Manager of Messrs Brownlee and Co's store at Havelock, was born at Hobart, Tasmania, in 1845, and came to New Zealand in 1862. For a time he followed mining on some of the principal goldfields in Otago, and was at the Dunstan and Shotover. After sojourning for a few years in the south, Mr. Smith removed to Marlborough, and held the contract for carrying the mail from Havelock to Picton for a considerable time. He then turned his attention to storekeeping, and in 1877 he entered the employment of Messrs Brownlee and Company, with whom he has remained ever since. For the past fourteen years he has been manager of the firm's store. Mr. Smith has been a member of the Havelock Town and Cemetery Board. He is mar ried, and has two sons and one daughter.
was born in Nelson, in 1871, and was apprenticed to the brewery and cordial manufacturing business, but he subsequently followed various pursuits. He is a member of the Order of Foresters, and an active sportsman. Mr. Scott is married, and has two sons. For some time he owned the Commercial Hotel, Havelock, but is now (1905) engaged at the store of Messrs Brownlee and Co.
General Storekeeper, Lucknow Street, Havelock. This business was established by Mr. Price in the year 1879. A good stock of general merchandise is always on hand, and Mr. Price does business over an area of over forty miles. His carts run regularly to the country and mining townships, and he also does a good trade with the Sounds. Mr. Price was born in Liverpool, England, in 1843, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1852, in the ship “Fifeshire.” The family settled at Nelson, where, after he left school, young Price was apprenticed to the blacksmithing trade, which he followed for several years. On removing to Havelock, nearly thirty years ago, Mr. Price established the business, which he still suceessfully carries on. Mr. Price is married, and has two sons and two daughters.
Coach Proprietor Lncknow Street. Havelock. Mr. Pickering was born in Melbourne in 1845. In 1859 he went to England, but during the following year he came out to New Zealand and landed at Auckland, where he made a brief stay. He then removed to Picton, where he was employed for several years in managing a general store. After leaving Picton he went in for seafaring and was part owner of a vessel trading between Wellington, Wanganui and the Sounds. In 1876, he sold out and joined the firm of live and Co, Havelock, general merchants, which became extinct in 1878, through the largest fire that ever occurred in Havelock. Mr. Pickering established his present business in 1879, and since then he has been continually on the roads chiefly between Havelock and Blenheim. He was the first to drive a coach from Blenhem to Nelson. The journey was begun on the 19th of April, 1885, when the coach left Blenheim with ten passengers. Havelock, a distance of twenty-eight miles, was reached that day, and left again next morning at 8 o'clock. The Peiorus bridge was not then completed and therefore, the horses were taken out and swum across the river, while the coach was wheeled over by the passengers. The road, otherwise, was in good order, and the only stoppage was at Rocky Point, where the party was detained an hour, while some rocks were cleared away. There was then a great lack of wayside accommodation on the road. Nelson was reached at 3.30 p.m., and the norses swept through Trafalgar Street amid shouting and cheering. At 8 a.m. the following day the return journey was begun, and Blenheim was reached shortly before midday on the 22nd of April. From that date a regular coach service was established, and the credit of doing so was due to Mr. Pickering. At first it was only a weekly service, put it was not long ere a subsidy was granted for a mail, and the service became a bi-weekly one. Mr. Pickering still drives between Havelock and Blenheim, and he is still as good a “whip” as he was in the days of auld lang syne.
(William Brownlee), Sawmillers and Timber Merchants at Havelock. This firm established its business in the sawmilling industry in 1864. Originally the firm's mills were situated at Mahakipawa, whence, after five years' work, they were removed to Kaituna, where they remained for eighteen years. In 1885, Blackball became the scene of operations, and the present mill was erected on the shore of the Pelorus Sound, near Havelock. This mill was first established by the Pelorus Sawmill Company, which went into liquidation in the early eighties. Messrs Brownlee and Co. then bought the property, and, after its complete reorganisation, started the mill anew under the style of the Blackball mill. The buildings connected with the mill cover an area of about ten acres. The mill is driven by 240 indicated horse-power, and the machinery includes two circular sawmilling benches for breaking-down purposes; two smaller travelling benches for running off; a planing machine; a self-feeding splitting saw bench, a cross-cutting saw; one of Covel's automatic saw sharpeners, and a modern saw-gilletting machine; a turning lathe; a vertical boring machine; a sharpening machin and three up-to-date locomotives which are in daily use for conveying logs to the mill from the firm's forest, eighteen miles away. The tramway is built of steel rails, and cost many thousands of pounds. There are substantial railway bridges on the line, and twenty-four trucks are brought from the bush daily. Messrs Brownlee and Co. have timber rights over some 1600 acres of Crown land at the head of the Rai Valley. The mill output is 16,000 feet of sawn timber per day. Adjoining the mill there is a wharf, where vessels drawing from seven to ten feet can berth at low
, the Proprietor of Messrs Brownlee and Co.'s sawmills, was born in the year 1828, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and was brought up as an engineer and millwright. He was for about seven years in the sawmilling industry at New Orleans, America, and after returning to Scotland, in 1858, he resided in Glasgow, until 1863, when he left for New Zealand in the ship “Aboukir,” and landed in Dunedin in January, 1864. During the same year he went to Marlborough and began sawmilling, which he has ever since conducted on an extensive scale. Mr. Brownlee is a widower, and has two sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren.
, Manager of the Blackball Sawmills, is the eldest surviving son of Mr. William Brownlee, the founder and present prcprietor of the firm, and was born at Carluke, in Scotland, on the 5th of June, 1859. He was brought to New Zealand by his parents at the age of four years, was educated primarily at the Havelock public school, and finally at the Nelson Boys' College, and subsequently returned to Scotland, where he spent three years in the offices of the City Sawmills in Glasgow, which were then owned by his uncle, the late Mr. James Brownlee. Mr. Brownlee subsequently went to Australia, where he was engaged in the same class of work in Melbourne and Sydney for three years. He afterwards spent about nine months in the sawmilling and shipping trade at Hokianga in the North Island of New Zealand, and then returned to Havelock, and took charge of the Blackball sawmill.
Farmer, “Oakleigh,” Havelock. Mr. Reader was born in London, England, on the 1st of February, 1857, and is the third son of the late Mr. William Reader who is further referred to as an old colonist. He came to New Zealand with his parents at the age of two years, went through the usual course of primary schooling at Wakefield, and in 1874 removed to the Pelorus with his family, and assisted in general farm work until his father's death, about five years later. Mr. Reader then began farming on his own account
at Havelock Suburban, and has gradually acquired a grazing farm of about 2000 acres. The greater part of the property is broken hilly country, about 800 acres being still in its wild state; but there is also a considerable area of almost level land along the banks of the creek. The farm carries at present (1905) about 1500 sheep, and sixty or seventy head of cattle, including a herd of dairy cows. Mr. Reader is chairman of the Pelorus Road Board and of the committee recently established in connection with the agitation for a Havelock Harbour Board. He is
, near Havelock, was first taken up in the early sixties, and was carried on by its first proprictor for about twenty years. It was bought by Mrs Charles Elliot in the early nineties, and has latterly been conducted by her sons. The property is situated on the southern side of the Pelorus Valley about three miles from Havelock, and consists of 330 acres of freehold land. About 100 acres are nearly level and suitable for agriculture, and the rest is good grazing land. A permanent flock of 300 sheep is depastured, and about twenty cows are milked for the Havelock factory.
Mrs Marian Elizabeth Elliott, Proprietress of Waverley Farm, is one of the oldest settlers in the province.
She was born at Camberwell, near London, England, on the 9th of February, 1840, and is the eldest surviving daughter of the late Dr. S. L. Muller, the first Resident Magistrate of the Wairau. Mrs Elliott came to New Zealand with her parents in the ship “Pekin,” in January, 1850, and landed in Nelson. She was educated partly in England and partly in Nelson, and resided with her parents in Blenheim until her marriage, in the year 1862, with Mr. Charles Elliott, the eldest son of Mr. Charles Elliott, the founder of the “Nelson Examiner.” Mr. Elliott was then engaged in the management of large sheep stations for his father, and they resided for many years in different parts of the province. He now (1905) lives at Waverley Farm. He and his wife have four sons and four daughters.
, who, in conjunction with his brothers, manages the Waverly Farm, is the eldest son of Mr. Charles Elliott and his wife. Mrs. M. E. Elliott, and was born at Spring Creek, on the 26th of May, 1866. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and brought up to farm work. In 1891, he settled with his parents on Waverley Farm. Mr. Elliott is one of the directors of the Havelock Co-operative Cheese Factory.
, formerly Telegraphic Lineman at Havelock was born in Rotterdam, Holland in the year 1835. After leaving school, he went to sea as a cabin boy, and gradually worked himself up to a good position. During the first twelve years of his seafaring life he underwent many hardships and encountered many perils. In 1855, he was in a ship which carried French troops from Marseilles and Toulon, to the Crimea, and was afterwards in the ship “Captain Cook,” which conveyed troops to Bombay, in 1858. He visited Australia, but did not stay there long, as he left Melbourne for New Zealand in 1860. On arriving at Dunedin he at once found employment with the Customs Department, but shortly afterwards joined Dr. Hector's Expedition to the West Coast Sounds, and after being with the expedition for four years, he went to Wellington, where he joined the Telegraph Department with which he was connected for nearly forty years. He now (1905) lives in retirement at Havelock.
was born in Scotland in 1864, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1865, landing at Lyttelton. He was educated at Christchurch, and became a member of the Hoskins Dramatic Company, at the time when Mr. William Hoskins, the cultured actor and Shakespearian scholar, had a lease of the Theatre Royal. Mr. Mathieson remained on the stage for some years, but in 1888 he became interested in mining at Cullensville, where he was one of the owners of the famous Wairarapa claim. He disposed of his mining interests in 1892, and took over the Grand National Hotel at Cullensville. Three years later, Mr. Mathieson left the field and took over the Masonic Hotel at Havelock, where he successfully carried on business for some years. Mr. Mathieson is now out of business, and resides in Blenheim.
, formerly of Pelorus Valley, was born in Somersetshire, England, and was brought up to farming. He came to New Zealand in the year 1859, farmed for some years at Wakefield, in Nelson, and then removed to Marlborough, and settled in the Pelorus Valley. He died in May, 1880, and left six sons and three daughters.
was born at Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1831, and was brought up to farming. In 1852, he sailed for Australia, where he sojourned for about two years, during which he married. He then came to New Zealand, and on arriving at Nelson, in 1854, settled down to brickmaking. He, however, did not stay there long, butsailed for the Pelorous Valley in 1857, in a Maori schooner, via Pelorus Sounds. He was the first settler in the district, and all the hardships which fall to the lot of the pioneer were experienced by Mr. Wilson, who had to build his roughly hewn whare in the dense bush. At that time, Havelock had not been even thought of. Mr. Wilson took up a small portion of land in the Pelorus Valley, and gradually added to it until it consisted of a property of several hundreds of acres. Two years after his arrival in the Valley, he opened an accommodation house, which was
is a small farming district occupying a portion of the Kaituna Valley, about five miles from the town of Havelock. Sawmilling was the first industry conducted, and is still carried on to a small extent in the neighbourhood, but most of the bush has now been cleared, and sheep and cattle farming and dairying have taken the place of sawmilling. There is no township, as the population is scattered; but there is a public school, a post office, and a blacksmith's shop in the district. There is a good metalled road, and the Blenheim-Have-lock mail coach passes daily, so that the district has a regular mail service.
has been established for many years, and is situated in the centre of the district. It stands on a site of an acre in extent, and is a wooden building, with accommodation for forty pupils. There is also a comfortable residence of five rooms connected with the school. There are thirty-eight names on the roll, and the average attendance is thirty-four.
was appointed Mistress of the Havelock Suburban school in the year 1895. She was born at Havelock, and is a daughter of the late Mr. Frank Matthews. Miss Matthews was educated at the Havelock public school, gained a provincial scholarship, and afterwards served as a pupil teacher. Later on, she was appointed assistant mistress of the Renwicktown school for about three years, during which she gained a D certificate, before her present appointment. Miss Mattlews' examination reports have always been excellent, and in three consecntive years, 1901–02–03, pupils from her school gained the Marlborough Provincial Scholarship. Miss Matthews holds a Dl certificate.
, Havelock Suburban, was first taken up in two blocks by Messrs Jones and Sons, about fourteen years ago, and a few years later was acquired by its present proprietor. It consists of 1206 acres of good grazing land, nearly half of which is still in its native state, but is being rapidly improved. Several hundred acres are laid down in good English grasses, and the property promises to make a first-class sheep farm. It is at present (1905) understocked, carrying only about 300 sheep, and twenty head of cattle. A large amount of standing bush is suitable for posts, stringers, and piles, and the expense of clearing is recouped by the sale of the timber.
, Proprietor of Evansdale, is the second son of the late Mr. John Andrews, of Brightwater, Nelson. He was born in August, 1862, educated at the local public school, and afterwards assisted his father in the farm work until he was twenty-two years of age. Mr. Andrews then struck out on his own account, and went to the Wairau. For a few years he was employed as a waggoner, ploughman, and general farm hand; he afterwards managed a farm for Messrs Redwood Brothers, of Spring Creek, and in the year 1892 took up Evansdale run. Mr. Andrews is one of the carting contractors for the Pelorus Road Board, and has a team of four horses and a dray constantly engaged. He married the second daughter of Mr. Evan Jones, and has three sons and three daughters.
Junior, Farmer, Havelock Suburban. Mr. Farnell was born in September, 1856, in Nelson, and is the eldest son of Mr. William Farnell, senior, who is further referred to as an old colonist. He was educated at the local public school, and for thirty years worked at his father's sawmill. For several years after, he was generally employed at home, and on neighbouring farms, and also at Mr. William Cate's sawmill. In the year 1905, Mr. Farnell took up his present farm, which consists of about 120 acres of freehold, and 700 acres of leasehold. The property is largely composed of good grazing hills, embracing also a considerable area of fertile valley land, and is devoted almost entirely to the grazing of sheep and cattle, for which it is highly suitable. Mr. Farnell has been a member of the local school committee for about seven years. He married Miss Guest, of Blenheim, in 1890, and has two sons and four daughters.
Farmer, Havelock Suburban. Mr. Jones was born on the 27th of August, 1838, near Cardigan, in Cardiganshire, Wales. After
, in the Havelock Suburban district, is a sheep and cattle run of 820 acres, and consists of excellent hillside and valley country, with two or three hundred acres of rich flats. It was first taken up on lease about seventeen years ago by Messrs Brownlee and Company, who cut out all the heavy timber and conducted it as a sheep farm. In the year 1898, it was taken over by Mr. Bartlett, its former manager. The property is now (1905) being rapidly improved, and carries 1000 sheep and fifty head of cattle.
, Proprietor of Long Valley estate, was born at Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, in the year 1858. He came to New Zealand in 1864, landed at Onehunga, and for a good many years was employed on large sheep and cattle stations in the southern part of the Auckland province. Subsequently, after spending a short time as a shearer in Hawke's Bay. Mr. Bartlett went to Canterbury, and thence to Otago. He afterwards worked for a while on the Midland Railway, and at Greymouth, and in 1887 went to Marlborough, where he was first engaged as a shearer. Mr. Bartlett was then employed as a general farm hand on Mr. Kennington's run, near Okaramio, and several years later took up the management of Long Valley estate. He is the managing director of the Havelock Co-operative Cheese Factory, and is a member of the local school committee. Mr Bartlett is married, and has four children.
“Newton,” Havelock Suburban. Mr. Looms was born on the 6th of April, 1834, at Newton, in Buckinghamshire, England. He was brought up to farming, and in the year 1862, came to New Zealand, and landed in Nelson. Almost immediately afterwards Mr. Looms made his way to the Wairau, worked for one year and six months on the Langleydale run, and then settled in the Kaituna Valley. For a time, he worked a small farm at Okaramio, and then took up his present property at Havelock Suburban. “Newton” is an excellent grazing farm of about 430 acres, nearly half of which is freehold, and is a very profitable littlesheep and cattle run. Mr. Looms has been a member of the Pelorus Road Board, and of the local school committee. He has all his life been devoted to hunting, and was a member of a noted English hunt club before he came to New Zealand; and, afterwards, of the Blenheim Hunt Club, not now in existence. In the year 1854, Mr. Looms married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Harris, of Newton, Buckinghamshire, England, and they have had four children, none of whom now survive. Mr. and Mrs Looms celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding in September, 1904.
, Farmer, Havelock Suburban. Mr. O'Sullivan is a son of the late Mr. John O'Sullivan, for many years Inspector of Public Works for the Marlborough province, and was born in March 1840, in London, England, where his father was at that time manager for a large railway contractor. He came to New Zealand with his mother near the end of the year 1842, and landed at Nelson, his father having arrived by one of the first ships a few months earlier. After he had received some elementary schooling, Mr. O'Sullivan assisted at general farming and contracting work and in the early sixties accompanied his father to the Wairau. For
, at Havelock Suburban, consists of 1200 acres 200 acres of which is freehold, and the remainder Crown lease. It was first taken up many years ago, and a portion of it was bought by the present proprietor from Messrs Adams and Kingdon. The run consists chiefly of broken hilly country, of which a portion is still in its virgin state, but there are a hundred acres or more of low rolling hills suitable for agriculture. Rocky Creek carries 1200 sheep, besides cattle.
, Proprietor of Rocky Creek run, was born in Somersetshire, England, in the year 1851, and is a son of the late Mr. John Cozens, a flourmiller. He came to New Zealand in the seveties, worked for two years in the neighbourhood of Nelson, and then went to the Collingwood diggings. Later on, Mr. Cozens went to Auckland, and was subsequently engaged for three or four years in rough bush work. He then returned to Nelson, but afterwards went to Marlborough, and was employed for many years at sawmilling in the Sounds and at Kaituna. Finally, he took up the first section of his present run, and has since devoted his attention to farming. Mr. Cozens also owns 236 acres in the valley. He was for some years a member of the Farmers' Union, and of the local school committee. Mr. Cozens is married, and has three sons and one daughter.
, Senior, was born on the 30th of April, 1827, in Shropshire, England, and is the eldest son of a militia-man, who served with the light artillery at the battle of Waterloo. As a youth, he worked for four or five years in his father's coalpit at Corban's Hall, and was then apprenticed to the engineering trade in a small town near Birmingham. For twelve years Mr. Farnell applied himself closely to his calling, and in 1852 he emigrated to Victoria, Australia, where he spent a couple of years at goldmining and the erection of timber mills. In the year 1854 Mr. Farnell came to New Zealand and landed at Nelson on the 24th of December. After working several years as a carpenter in Nelson, he removed in the early part of 1858 to the Havelock district, where he has since resided. Mr. Farnell first worked for a time at bridge building in the Pelorus, was then employed during a few months at roadmaking, and subsequently kept a boarding-house for about a year. Near the close of the sixties, he erected a sawmill in Havelock Suburban, and was joined in partnership, in 1873, by Mr. Norman Campbell, afterwards Sir Norman Campbell; but subsequently this gentleman withdrew from the firm, leaving his brother, Mr. John Campbell, to guard his interests until 1876, when Mr. Farnell bought Mr. Campbell's interest in the mill, and thereby became the owner of it. The mill ran for about thirty years, and during this period Mr. Farnell gradually bought a fine farm, which he worked in conjunction with the mill. The property now embraces over 500 acres of excellent grazing land, and since February, 1904, has been held on lease by Mr. J. W. Moore, a grandson of Mr. Farnell, who now lives in retirement. Mr. Farnell was for several years a member of the Pelorus Road Board, and has also been a member of the local school committee. He was married in the year 1850, and has two sons and three daughters.
is a small township on the main road between Havelock and the Rai Valley, about six miles from Havelock. It is the centre of the Wakamarina diggings, to which it owed its origin, and the name Canvastown was suggested by the fact that the township was at first composed almost entirely of the tents of the diggers. While the diggings held out, Canvastown was a busy place, but the industry has gradually decayed, and there is now (1905) but one dredge on the river, and a few prospectors, to remind one of its former vogue. Nevertheless, Canvastown is in a thriving
was established in the year 1885. It stands on a section of about four acres close to the township, and is a wooden building with one class room a porch, and a small library. The number on the roll is seventyeight, and the average attendance is sixty. A residence of five rooms adjoins the school ground.
was appointed to the Canvastown Public School in October, 1904. He was born in June, 1878, at Brightwater, in Nelson, and is the fourth son of the late Mr. Jabez Hill, who was for many years a farmer at Brightwater. After attending school he farmed for a short time, but when eighteen years of age he resumed his studies. Subsequently he held various appointments under the Nelson Education Board. He also taught for a few months in the Taranaki district, and in the year 1903 was appointed headmaster of the Okaramio school. Mr. Hill holds a D3 certificate. He is a member of various athletic clubs in Canvastown.
, formerly headmaster of Canvastown school, was born in 1875, in Blenheim, and was educated at the Boys' Borough School, under the late Mr. J. P. Lucas. He was afterwards a pupil teacher at the same school. On securing the E certificate, in 1894, Mr. Stratford was appointed to the mastership of the Deep Creek school, in the Wakamarina district. He remained there for three years, and was then promoted to the control of the Cullensville school. After being there one year he was further promoted to the charge of the Canvastown school. He now holds the D certificate, and in the examination gained special mention from the department for English and History. Mr. Stratford has also civil service and musical certitificates. As a teacher, his results have been good. He gained one hundred per cent of passes at his school on three consecutive occasions, and the medal given by the Parliamentary members of the district has twice been gained by a scholar from his school. Mr. Stratford takes a great interest in athletics. He is now (1905) headmaster of the Renwicktown school.
, at Canvastown, is one of the largest and most comfortable hotels in Marlborough, and is situated on the main road at the Havelock end of the Pelorus bridge. It was first established at the outbreak of the Wakamarina diggings in 1888, and while the field flourished, the hotel did a large trade. In November, 1903, in order to keep pace with the increasing business, the old house was replaced by a handsome two-storied wooden building with a verandah and a balcony. It is excellently finished and furnished throughout, and contains a diningroom, with accommodation for about fifty people; four sitting rooms; a large commercial room; a spacious kitchen with accessories; nine bedrooms; and a large bath room, with hot and cold water laid on, and lavatories attached. The best liquors, wines, and cordials are stocked; an excellent table is kept; and the whole house is under the personal management of Mr. and Mrs Dillon. Close by Mr. Dillon has a public hall, with accommodation for about 300 persons; and the post and telegraph service is conducted in a small detached building, standing between the hotel and the hall. The Blenheim-Nelson mail coach passes each way on alternate days.
, Proprietor of the Pelorus Hotel, was born in August, 1847, at Wellington, and is a son of the late Mr. Thomas Dillon who arrived in New Zealand by the ship “Fifeshire.” He was educated at primary and secondary schools in Christchurch, for some years was employed as a jockey, and afterwards bought and conducted for a time the Blenheim-Picton coach service. In the early seventies Mr. Dillon entered the
is situated in the Wakamarina Valley, about four miles from Canvastown, and was established by its present proprietor, Mr. F. A. Smart, in July, 1904. A fifteen horse-power traction engine drives the machinery, and about seven persons are constantly employed. The logs are drawn from the bush by a team of bullocks, and the prepared timber is sent to Blenheim on horse waggons. The monthly output of the mill is about 32,000 feet, and the timber consists chiefly of rimu, white pine, and matai.
, Proprietor of the Mountain Camp Sawmill, was born on the 30th of May, 1876 at Onamalutu, and is a son of the late Mr. Charles Smart, who is further referred to as an old colonist. After leaving school, he worked at a flaxmill for a short time at Kaituna, and then, in conjunction with his brothers, established a mill on the Hawkesbury station, near Renwicktown. About three years later the firm entered the sawmilling business at Onamalutu, and subsequently conducted a flaxmill at Canvastown for about one year and six months. They then dissolved partnership, and Mr. F. A. Smart has since worked alternately at sawmilling and flaxmilling, on his own account. For some time he was employed at Messrs Smart and Lodge's sawmill; later on, he managed a flaxmill at Top Valley, and subsequently he spent a few months at flaxmilling in the North Island. Mr. Smart finally returned to Marlborough, and shortly afterwards established his present mill. He is a churchwarden in the local Anglican church.
(Charles Smart and William Lodge) Sawmillers, Wakamarina Valley, near Canvastown. This firm was established in June, 1899, by Mr Charles Smart and Mr. William Lodge. The mill measures sixty-eight feet by forty feet, and the engine-shed, which is a detached building, measures twenty feet by sixteen feet; and these, with the timber yards and other buildings, cover an area of over an acre. The machinery is the most up-to-date and efficient for its purpose, and is driven by two eight horse-power portable engines. At first the logs were drawn from the bush by bullocks, and the timber conveyed to Blenheim by horses; but in the year 1902, a powerful traction engine was bought for the latter purpose, and a little later on a twelve horse-power steam log-hauler was procured for the removal of logs from the bush. This piece of machinery cost several hundreds of pounds, and there is only one other like it in the province. The firm has timber rights over 800 acres of heavy bush, consisting chiefly of rimu, and matai; and the weekly output is about 40,000 feet. The Wakamarina river, which separates the mill from the bush, is spanned by a substantial bridge, measuring 200 feet in length, and standing forty feet above the level of the river, and this bridge was built by the firm.
, Senior Partner in the firm of Messrs Smart and Lodge, was born in Blenheim on the 3rd of June 1861. He was brought up at Onamalutu, whence he walked as a boy for several yea's to the Kaituna public school, a distance of over five miles. Mr. Smart was afterwards employed for several years as a driver of one of his father's teams, and subsequently during a long period was variously engaged in New Zealand and Australia, but chiefly at general farm work, and at sawmilling. He then worked, in conjunction with his brothers, at sawmilling and flaxmilling alternately, until he entered into partnership with Mr. William Lodge. Mr. Smart was married in the year 1905 to Miss Stratford, of Blenheim.
, of the firm of Messrs Smart and Lodge, was born at Richmond, in Nelson, on the 19th of March, 1871, and is the eldest son of Mr. Mark Lodge. He was educated at the Renwicktown public school, afterwards spent eight or nine years on a rough bush farm in the Onamalutu district, and then joined the rush to the Mahakipawa diggings where, however, he stayed only a few months. On returning to Onamalutu, Mr. Lodge worked for five years at Mr. White's sawmill, and then went to the Collingwood diggings. After two years' prospecting, he again returned to Onamalutu, worked at the bench in Messrs Smart Brothers' timber mill for a time, and then started a flax mill in the neighbourhood on his own account. This he conducted until he joined Mr. Charles Smart in partnership in the year 1899. Mr. Lodge has been a member of the local road board, and of the school committee. He married Miss Smart, a sister of Mr. C. Smart, and has one son.
, Pelorus Valley, Canvastown. This farm consists of 700 acres of excellent grazing country situated on the south side of the main road, and the south side of the Pelorus Valley is the sunny side. “Conrass,” which is just midway between Blenheim and Nelson, fronts the beautiful Pelorus river, noted for its splendid salmon trout. It is one of the oldest farms in the district, the first section, consisting of 214 acres, having been taken up late in the fifties by Mr. John Brown. This portion was bought, in the year 1880, by Mr. Hughes, who subsequently in creased it to 700 acres, and gave it its present title. “Conrass” carries at present (1905) over 1000 sheep, a small herd of cattle, and a few horses.
, Proprietor of Conrass Farm, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, on the 6th of April 1851, and is a son of the late Mr. James Hughes, for many years a well known settler near Havelock. For a few years he attended school at Inniskeen, in his native country, came to New Zealand at an early age, and completed his education at the Christchurch public schools. The family afterwards settled in Marlborough in the Pelorus, where for many years the late Mr. James Hughes and his sons farmed in conjunction, and acquired several valuable properties. On the death of Mr. Hughes, senior, however, the estate was divided between his three sons, who have since farmed on their own account. Mr. Hughes was a member of the Pelorus Road Board for about ten years, and was for some years a member of the Canvastown school committee. He takes a keen interest in education and in politics, and was a supporter of Mr. John Duncan, who stood as the Opposition candidate for the House of Representatives, at the general elections on the 6th of December, 1905. Mr. Hughes married Miss Severne, daughter of a former master of the Havelock public school, in the year 1879, and has four sons and one daughter.
Farmer, Canvastown. Mr. Forrest was born at Carluke, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, where he was educated, and learned engineering. He came to New Zealand in the year 1868, landed at Dunedin, and soon after went to Marlborough. Mr. Forrest was then engaged for a few years at sawmilling in the northern part of the province, but returned in 1875 to Otago, and spent a short time farming and sawmilling in different parts of the province, chiefly in the neighbourhood of Catlin's river. In 1876, he again went to Marlborough, and was engaged for about five years at sawmilling in the Sounds; but in 1881 he paid a visit to his native town in Scotland, where he lived for about three years. Mr. Forrest then returned to New Zealand, and was employed for four years at various sawmills in the Sounds. In 1888 he joined the staff of the Blackball sawmill at Havelock, where he worked until 1894, when he took up his present farm. The property consists of nearly 300 acres of good grazing land, the greater part of which is now (1905) freehold, and makes a first-class sheep and cattle farm. Mr. Forrest was a member of the Pelorus Road Board for about one year. He is married, and has one son.
, Canvastown. Part of this run was taken up by
, Proprietor of the Wilderness run, was born on the 30th of June, 1857, at Nelson, and is a son of the late Mr. William Dalton. He was educated at the Nelson public school, and at eleven years of age went to the Pelorus, where he has since resided. Mr. Dalton was employed for a short time on a kinsman's property, and subsequently in conjunction with his brother, took up the Wilderness run, and adjoining property. Before the Wakamarina diggings broke out, they established a slaughterhouse at the farm, and for two years supplied the diggings with meat. Mr. Dalton is a member of the Pelorus Road Board and for some time was a member of the local school committee. He is married, and has two sons and one daughter.
is one of the old settlers of the Pelorus Valley. He was born in February, 1837, at Hognastown, Derbyshire, England, where his father was a farmer. He was educated under his uncle, Mr. Philip Bown, a schoolmaster, and for some years subsequently was employed by a large trading company, promoted by the Duke of Bridgewater. While in this capacity, Mr. Bown had a good deal to do with the transportation of goods to the Crimea in 1853–4. He was afterwards engaged in various occupations — coalmining, railway works, etc. In March, 1857, Mr. Bown left the Old Country for New Zealand in the ship “Harkaway,” and landed in Auckland after a three months' voyage. He joined a survey party, and had some months of rough experience in the wild country in the north of Auckland. About the year 1859. Mr. Bown sailed in the “White Swan” for Nelson, where he again joined a survey party, and was employed in making some of the first surveys of the country between Nelson and Marlborough. Later on, he took up land in the Pelorus Valley, not far from his present property. In the spring of 1861, he visited the Otago goldfields, where he remained for one summer. Mr. Bown returned to Marlborough a year later, and was engaged in various employments until the autumn of 1864. He then removed to the Pelorus, at the time of the Wakamarina diggings, where he did some prospecting, and also carried on a butchery, and supplied the diggers with meat. About the same time he bought the first part of his present property. Mr. Bown has had many arduous and exciting experiences and some narrow escapes from death. On one occasion, while returning home from Nelson over the Maungatapu mountain, he narrowly escaped being shot by the Kelly gang of bushrangers. Had he been a few minutes earlier, he would have met them taking a party of diggers, whom they had overpowered, off the track to shoot. One of the gang was left on watch behind a rock, and afterwards said he would have shot Mr. Bown, but that he knew his presence was not suspected. Mr. Bown has been for many years a member of the Pelorus Road Board and of the local school committee. He married in the year 1866, and has one son and three daughters. Mrs Bown died in February, 1904.
, which extends from the Pelorus Bridge to the top of the Rai Saddle, a distance of about eight miles, is intersected by the Blenheim-Nelson coach route, and the centre of the district is situated about thirteen and a-half miles west from Havelock. The valley is bounded on both sides by mountainous ranges, and is watered by the Rai river, a good sized stream, well stocked with tr
, in the the Rai Valley is situated about half way on the coach route between Blenheim and Nelson. It was first opened as a boarding-house in the year 1896, by Mrs Luxton, and was taken over by its present lessee in 1899. The house possesses many advantages as a summer resort, as the surrounding country
, Lessee of the Rai Falls Accommodation House, was born in the Awatere, in April, 1859, and is the youngest son of Mr. William Henry Eyes, who is further referred to as a former Superintendent of Marlborough. He was educated at the Blenheim Berough School, afterwards learned the drapery business, and worked for many years at his trade in Blenheim, Wellington, and Picton. Later on, Mr. Eyes gave up the business, and was, for a short time, engaged in various employments before he became the proprietor of the Rai Falls Accommodation House. Mr. Eves is married, and has two sons and three daughters.
(F. W. C. Nees and P. McLean), Sawmillers, Rai Valley. This firm was established in the year 1887 under the title of Messrs Thomson and Nees, and since 1894, when Mr. P. McLean bought an interest, it has been known under the present style. For several years Messrs Nees and McLean's sawmill was situated at Okaramio, where timber was cut from a large area of virgin country. In 1899, the mill was removed to its present position in the Rai Valley, where timber rights are held over nearly 600 acres. It contains two eight horse portable boilers, and gives constant employment to eight men. The daily output is about 2,500 feet and consists chiefly of matai, rimu and white pine, which is sent on waggons to Blenheim, where it finds a ready market.
, Senior Partner of the firm of Messrs Nees and McLean, is one of the oldest and most experienced sawmillers in the province, and has devoted almost the whole of his life to the industry. He was born on the 22nd of August, 1860, at Creswick's Creck, Victoria, Australia. Mr. Nees came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age, and was educated at public schools in Christchurch, where his father carried on business as a sawmiller and contractor. He afterwards assisted his father for about five years, subsequently worked for two years at Messrs Greenfield and Stuart's sash and door factory in Wellington, and then went to Kaituna, under engagement to the sawmilling firm of Messrs Newman Brothers. Mr. Nees subsequently went to Kaikoura to manage the Hapuka sawmill, and two years later returned to the district to erect and conduct a mill for the late Mr. John Hornby. He then, in conjunction with Mr. Thomson established a sawmill at Okaramio, and eight years later, on the withdrawal of Mr. Thomson from the firm, he was joined by his present partner. Mr. Peter McLean. Mr. Nees is a member and judge of the Marlborough Agricnltural and Pastoral Association. He was the founder of the wood-chopping and sawing competitions held in connection with the annual shows, and is a member of the Picton Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and of the Pelorus Road Board. Mr. Nees is married, and has four sons and four daughters.
, of the firm of Messrs Nees and McLean, was born in Marlborough province, on the Avondale station, in the Waihopai Valley where his father was for many years head shephered. He was educated in the district, and was afterwards for many years, engaged at flaxmilling, bushfelling, post-splitting, and prospecting. In the early days, Mr. McLean, in company with his father, prospected unsuccessfully on some of the very spots that afterwards became famous for their rich gold deposits. Early in the eighties, however, he turned his attention to sawmilling, worked for some years with Messrs Newman Brothers, in the Kaituna, and subsequently with Mr. John Hornby, and in the year 1894 joined Mr. Nees in partnership. Mr. McLean was for about six years a member of the Okaramio school committee. He has been twice married, and has seven sons and two daughters. Two of his sons served with the Third and Fifth New Zealand Contingents in the late South African war.
, Sawmillers, Rai Valley. The Rai Valley sawmill was established in June, 1902, by Messrs Robertson Bros., sash and door manufacturers, of Hardy Street, Nelson, for the purpose of supplying timber to their factory. The mill is an up-to-date one, and covers, altogether, an area of about four acres. It has a large stationary multitubular boiler of twenty-five horse-power, and a twenty-horse-power engine. The plant is capable of dealing with 8000 feet of timber per day. Rights are held over 800 acres of bush, consisting chiefly of rimu, and the timber when prepared, is taken by waggon to Nelson. The establishment has accommodation of a kind not usually found in connection
Farmer, Riversdale Farm, Rai Valley. Mr. Forrest was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in the year 1842, and was educated at the parish school in the village of Carluke. He found employment in general work till 1860, when he came to New Zealand. Mr. Forrest was then employed on the Lindis station in Otago for eight months, when he joined the rush to Gabriel's Gully. Subsequently, he spent a short period in Invercargill, and in 1864 he removed to the Rai Valley. For the first thirty years of his residence there, Mr. Forrest was engaged in sawmilling, and then he took up his present farm. This consists of 1150 acres of excellent grazing country, and is at present (1905) stocked with about 800 sheep and 140 head of cattle. Mr. Forrest was for two years a member of the Pelorus Road Board, was the original correspondent of the local aided school, and was subsequently for many years a member of the public school committee. He has one son and five daughters.
is situated in the Kaituna Valley, on the main road between Blenheim and Havelock, and is about eleven miles from Blenheim. The country was at one time covered with dense forest, and sawmilling was the first industry that attracted Europeans. As the timber was exhausted, farming gradually took the place of sawmilling, and Okaramio is now a prosperous dairying and sheep and cattle district. It embraces a large area of fertile valley land, as well as a considerable amount of hilly country, and is suitable for varied farming. A creamery has recently (1905) been erected in the district. The township has an hotel, a general store, a hall, a public school, saleyards, and a post, telegraph, and telephone office. There is a daily mail coach from Blenheim and Havelock, and a tri-weekly service from Nelson. Okaramio is a favourite resort for holiday makers, and there is game in the neighbourhood.
stands on a section of about an acre close to the district post office, and has pleasant surroundings. It is a wooden building, and possesses two class rooms with accommodation for 120 pupils. The school possesses a piano, and there is also a school residence. The inspector's report is very satisfactory, and the pupils who pass the sixth standard are prepared for the Civil Service examination. The number on the roll is fifty-two, and the average attendance is forty-nine.
, Headmaster of the Okaramio public school, is the eldest son of Mr. Robert Cartwright, of Pleasant Point. South Canterbury. He was born on the 24th of May, 1879, and educated in South Canterbury, where for two years he was first assistant master at the Pleasant Point public school. In the year 1902, Mr. Cartwright accepted an appointment under the Hawke's Bay Education Board, as headmaster of the Elsthorpe school. Three years later, he resigned in order to take up his present position. While Mr. Cartwright was in South Canterbury and Hawke's Bay he was a member of various athletic clubs. In South Canterbury he held several championships for putting the shot, tossing the caber, throwing the hammer, and for jumping and running; and in Hawke's Bay he was appointed judge of physical drill to the Public Schools Amateur Athletic Association. Mr. Cartwright was for three years a member of the Temuka Infantry Volunteers. He is now (1905) instructor in military drill to the Kaituna Rifle Club, and has been recommended for the position of captain of the volunteer cadet corps of Okaramio and Canvastown. Mr. Cartwright married Miss Brooks, of Timaru, in January, 1903.
of of the Marlborough Dairy Company is situated about a mile to the south of
, who was appointed Manager of the Okaramio Creamery in September, 1903, was born on the 4th of July, 1881, in Dunedin, and is the third son of the Rev. Duncan Wright. He was educated at various public schools, and was trained as a mechanical engineer in the firms of Messrs Sparrow and Company, and Messrs Stephenson and Poole, of Dunedin. Mr. Wright is a certificated engine-driver, and is continuing the study of engineering under the direction of the American School of Correspondence. He is a member of the committee of the Kaituna Defence Rifle Club.
is situated on the main road midway between Blenheim and Havelock, and has been established for many years. The original building was burned down about three years ago, and was immediately rebuilt. It is of one storey in wood, contains about eighteen rooms, and presents a good appearance. The accommodation includes a large dining room, commercial and sitting rooms, and a kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms; the bar is stocked with the best of liquors and cordials; the kitchen and dining-room are carefully managed, and a good table is kept. The bedrooms are airy and scrupulously clean, and the bath-room is provided with both hot and cold water. The post and telegraph office is situated in a small detached building close by; and a large paddock of forty acres surrounding the house, affords excellent paddocking for sheep, cattle, and horses. A public hall and saleyards are situated near the hotel, and belong to the proprietress.
Mrs Teresa Briggs, who acquired the Okaramio hotel in the year 1902, has proved herself a capable woman of business, and the present prosperity of the house is due to her management. She was born in Ireland, and arrived in New Zealand in 1878, at an early age. Some years afterwards she married Mr. P. Briggs, a boot merchant, in Wellington. In 1891, however, her husband died, and Mrs Briggs, after carrying on the business herself for a couple of years, retired and lived at Vogeltown, until she took possession of the Okaramio Hotel.
Farmer, Okaramio. Mr. Hodgson was born on the 2nd of January, 1860, at Spring Grove, Nelson, and is the second son of Mr. William Hodgson, who is a well known farmer there. He was educated at the Spring Grove public school, afterwards gained some experience of farming and flaxmilling in his native place, and then spent some years on large sheep stations in North Canterbury and Marlborough. In 1885 Mr. Hodgson became general farm assistant to Mr. William Kennington, Okaramio, and three years later went to the Mahakipawa diggings. After being on the goldfields for two years, during which he met with considerable success, he settled down to farming on his own account. Mr. Hodgson's farm consists of over 300 acres, and he keeps sheep, and carries on dairying and cropping. He is chairman of the local school committee, of which he has been a member for fourteen years. In 1890, Mr. Hodgson married Miss Swafford, and has one son and three daughters.
Settler, Okaramio. Mr. Inman was born in Middlesex, England, in the year 1836. He was educated privately, and entered the Royal Exchange Insurance office, but not caring for indoor life, he decided to come to New Zealand, and landed in Nelson in 1855. After his arrival, he went to work on the farm of Dr. Greenwood, at Motueka, where he stayed for two years obtaining experience. He then decided to settle at Okaramio, but went back to England on a visit. When he returned, he brought a portable iron house with him, on the assumption that sawmills might not then be established in the Marlborough district.
Farmer, Okarimio. Mr. Johnston was born at Belfast, Ireland, in 1854, and came to the colony in the ship “Caledonia,” in the year 1881, landing at Lyttelton. He was carpenter for the New Zealand Shipping Company, and also worked for Mr. Langdon, Christchurch. Mr. Johnston spent sixteen years on the sheep runs in the Awatere district, and worked on Blairich, Starborough, and Richmond Brook stations. He takes a keen interest in sporting matters.
Farmer, Okaramio. Mr. Kennington, who is a conspicuous figure amongst the prominent settlers of Marlborough, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1836, and landed in Melbourne in 1858. A few months later, he came over to New Zealand, and resided in Auckland for about twelve months. He then tried his fortune in Hawke's Bay, but finally removed to Marlborough in 1860, and settled at Kaituna, where he has one of the best farms in the district. It consists of about 1400 acres, and grazes 2500 crossbred sheep, and 100 head of cattle. The land has a large frontage to the main coach road between Nelson and Blenheim, and is suitable for agricultural purposes. Mr. Kennington has been a member of the Marlborough County Council, and is one the Committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He was also for a considerable time a member of the Kaituna school committee. Mr. Kennington was married, in 1865, and has a family of six sons and three daughters.
, Okaramio, consists of nearly 1800 acres of rugged hill country. There are about 370 acres of freehold, part of which is good agricultural valley country, and the rest is held on Crown lease. It was first taken up by the late Mr. Gibson, and was taken over by its present proprietor about eighteen years ago. Dairy farming is carried on and 900 sheep are depastured. Mr. Leslie is one of the largest suppliers of milk to the local factory.
, the Proprietor of Long Gully Run, was born in County Leitrim, in Connaught, Ireland, in the year 1852, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Carnatic” in January, 1875. For several years he was employed in general contracting, and then took up land on the north bank of the Wairau river, where he farmed for about twelve years. In the year 1887, he acquired the Long Gully run, which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Leslie was for several years a member of the local school committee. He married Miss Blick, the daughter of an early settler of Spring Creek, in the year 1878, and has, surviving, six sons and six daughters.
Farmer, Kaituna, near Okaramio. Mr. Mortimer was born in the year 1846 in Nelson, and is a son of Mr. John Mortimer, of Nelson. He was educated at his native place, at ten years of age went to the Wairau, where he was engaged in general farm work. Later on, Mr. Mortimer farmed on his own account at Renwicktown, and at Bartlet's Creek, where he remained for ten years. He subsequently acquired his present farm, which consists of nearly 370 acres of freehold and leasehold property. It is devoted to sheep grazing, and carries an average of about one sheep to the acre. Mr. Mortimer is a member of the Okaramio Rifle Club, and has also served on other local bodies. He is married, and has four sons and eight daughters.
is a long narrow valley. It extends about seven miles in a north-westerly direction from the north bank of the Wairau river, and the township, which stands midway in the valley, is situated fifteen miles in a direct line north-west of Blenheim. Most of the country is hilly, and some of it exceedingly broken. The Onamalutu creek passes through the valley, and is well stocked with trout.
The first settlers in the district were Mr. J. J. Ward, who arrived late in the fifties, Mr. Charles Smart, and Mr. J. I. Barton. There was, at one time, some flaxmilling in the district, and a little goldmining and sawmilling is still carried on. Sheep and cattle and dairy-farming, however, have largely taken the place of these industries. The township of Onamalutu has a public school, a sawmill, and a few farm residences, and a good road connects it with the Blenheim-Nelson route. There is also a post office, and the mail is brought twice a week on horse-back from Kaituna.
was established many years ago, and is situated in the township on a site of about an acre. It is a small wooden building, and has accommodation for about forty pupils. The number on the roll is thirty, and the average attendance is twenty-eight.
Miss Elizabeth Charles was appointed mistress of the Onamalutu public school in February, 1904. She was born in Canterbury, and is a daughter of Mr. William Charles, of Oxford. Miss Charles was educated at the Waddington public school in West Canterbury, where she afterwards served four years as a pupil teacher, and then went to the Normal School in Christchurch for a year's training.
She subsequently became mistress, successively, of the Greendale and Carlton public schools, before her appointment to Onamalutu.
Farmer, Onamalutu. Mr. Folster has a farm of 300 acres, on which he grazes crossbred sheep. At the homestead there is a handsome six-roomed house; of which Mr. Folster was both architect and builder. Mr. Folster was born in Holstein, five miles from Hamburg, in Germany, and learned the trade of a bricklayer and plasterer. He landed in Queensland in 1865, and shortly afterwards came to New Zealand. Prior to settling at Onamalutu, Mr. Folster resided successively in Auckland, Taranaki, Nelson, and Christchurch.
, Farmer, Onamalutu. Mr. Rickersten was born in Denmark in 1835. He came to Australia in 1860, and was on the Gippsland diggings for some years. On coming to New Zealand, he worked on the West Coast goldfields. He reached
Marlborough in 1867, and engaged in farming. His present property consists of one hundred acres, on which he conducts mixed farming, and depastures
Farmer, Onamalutu. Mr. Smart is the second son of the late Mr. Charles Smart, and was born at Blenheim in the year 1866. He was educated at the Gibsontown public school, and was afterwards employed at general work, chiefly horse driving, until 1897, when he took up his present farm. The property consists of about 550 acres of sheep grazing land, and carries about 360 sheep, and three hundred head of cattle. Mr. Smart married Miss Warmoth, in August, 1898, and has two sons and one daughter.
, sometime of Onamalutu, was born in Manchester, England, and went to Melbourne in 1854, in the clipper “Guiding Star,” which brought out the first German band that ever visited Australasia. He brought out a sawmilling plant, which he took to Gippsland Mr. Barton subsequently resided in Sydney for some years, and on arriving in Auckland, he worked as a pattern-maker at a foundry. He then removed to the Bay of Islands, where he was for six months erecting a flour-mill for the Church Mission station. After spending some time on the Collingwood diggings, and working in other parts of the Nelson district, Mr. Barton went to Marlborough to build a flourmill for the late Mr. Henry Godfrey, at Woodburn, near Renwick. He settled at Onamalutu in 1859, and was the first person to take up land in the district. At that time the valley was in its rough primitive state, with no roads, and was swarming with wild pigs and native birds, now almost extinct. Mr. Barton had a farm of 450 acres, on which he kept Romney Marsh and crossbred sheep, and devoted only a limited area to general farming. Mr. Barton was a member of the Onamalutu school committee. He died on the 21st of April, 1900.
, of Onamalutu, was one of the pioneer settlers of the district. He was born in England in the year 1837, came out to New Zealand about 1860, and settled in Onamalutu, where he farmed until his death in March, 1898. Mr. Smart left seven sons and five daughters.
is situated seven miles due west of Blenheim, on the right bank of the Wairau river. The site of the township was first noted as a stopping place for bullock drivers on their way down the valley, and was a favourite spot for this purpose, owing to its central position, and the absence of the poisonous tutu plant, which played such havoc among cattle in the early days. Its first settler was Mr. John Godfrey, who opened an accommodation house, which was known as the “Sheep-skin Tavern,” from the fact that it was largely made of sheepskins. This house, primitive as it was, was a great boon to travellers in those days, and for several years supplied the want of a half-way resting-place. In the year 1855, however, Dr. Renwick took up the Delta run, from Mr. Green, of Nelson, and immediately laid off part of it as a township, which was shortly afterwards named Renwicktown, in honour of its founder. This spot soon became a Scotch settlement, and has remained so more or less to this day. Shortly after the foundation of the township, Messrs Lakeman Brothers opened an hotel, not far from Godfrey's accommodation house. This house was known as the “Woolpack,” and for many years was the centre of a large trade. It long since passed into decay, and was removed. It was at Renwicktown in the early fifties that the first horse races were run in the province, and the contests took place on ground now included in one of Mr. Brydon's paddocks. A public school was soon established, and it was in Renwicktown in 1875 that the Rev. D. Nicholson put up the first church in the Wairau. Renwicktown has steadily gone ahead, and the township now (1905) has a Government building, with a post, telephone, and telegraph office and other departments, a large public school, two churches, two hotels, several good general stores, cabinet-making, blacksmithing, engineering, and other establishments. The surrounding country is closely settled, and is devoted to sheepfarming and agriculture, for which it is highly suitable. Renwicktown is on the Blenheim-Nelson coach route, and is in daily communication with Blenheim and Havelock. Three good metalled roads connect the township with Blenheim. Renwicktown has a population of about 350.
Blacksmith and Farrier, Renwick. Established 1890. Mr. Gibson has by industry and good workmanship succeeded in building up a lucrative trade. He is a native of Marlborough, and, after leaving school, served his time with Mr. W. Boyle, sometime of Renwick. For a time he followed various callings throughout the Middle Island, and then returned to Renwick, where he established his present business.
Butcher, Cattle Dealer and Farmer, Renwicktown. Established 1877. Mr. Tapp conducts a large and remunerative butchering business, and has a fat rendering plant, which turns out from thirty to forty tons a year. He is a cash buyer of cattle, sheep and horses. A farm of 400 acres is used for grazing purposes, and root crops are grown for stock. Mr. Tapp is a native of Kent, England, where he served his time to the butchering. After coming to New Zealand, he was butchering and baking for years, and finally started on his own account at Renwick, in July, 1877. He is well-known throughout the whole of the district, and has been fairly successful in business. In public matters, Mr. Tapp has taken a keen and intelligent interest. For seven years he held a seat on the Omaka Road Board; he has been a member of the Renwick school committee for more than twenty years; was president of the Upper Wairau Racing Club, now defunct; and is a member of the Marlborough Racing Club, and president of the rifle club. Mr. Tapp is also a prominent Oddfellow, and represented the local lodge at the first conference of the Order held in Nelson.
(G. Bary, senior, G. Bary, junior, and John Bary), Grovers, Drapers, and Produce Merchants, Renwicktown. This firm has a complete butter plant, by which all butter received from the neighbouring farmers is treated, and then shipped direct to England. The store was established in the year 1881, and is replete with every line of goods required in a farming district. The building is situated in the main street, and the business portion covers 1300 feet of floor space. The post and telegraph office was kept in the store for a number of years, but owing to the place growing rapidly a Government post office was erected.
, who established the business was born in Tornea, Sweden, in 1832, went to Melbourne, Australia, in the early fifties, and was engaged in mining at Bendigo. Thence he came to New Zealand, and went to Collingwood, in the Nelson district. After some time there, Mr. Bary removed to Renwick, where he arrived on New Year's Day, 1857, and at once began to turn his hand to anything in the way of work. Bullock driving or general station work was all that was then obtainal le, and these he engaged in for a short time. Mr. Bary erected the first wire fence in Marlborough. He was subsequently appointed manager of the late Mr. Henry Godfrey's flour mill. After some years at milling, he was appointed Inspector of River Conservation Works in Marlborough. In 1881, Mr. Bary started a small store, of which the present large retail and produce business is a development, and it now has trade connections with all parts of New Zealand.
, who is in partnership with Mr. G. Bary, junior, and is manager of the business of Bary and Sons, was born at Renwicktown.
, named after the river Avon, which runs through the property, consists of nearly 80,000 acres of rugged sheep grazing country, and is situated in the Waihopai Valley, about seven miles from Renwicktown. It extends from the Waihopai Valley, to the Awatere river, and embraces what was formerly Summerlands, Redwood, Glenlee, and Avondale runs. About 30,000 acres of the property are freehold, and the station at present (1905) carries about 20,000 sheep. The homestead is situated in the Waihopai Valley on the old Avondale run, and there is also another homestead on the Glenlee portion of the estate, with wool sheds, etc.
, Proprietor of Avondale station, was born in Devonshire, England, in the year 1836. He came to New Zealand, and landed in Port Chalmers in 1854. Mr. Teschemaker spent some years on large stations in Southern Otago, and then took up the management of “Taipo,” his brother's run at Oamaru, whence he removed to Avondale. He has been connected with various local bodies, and is now (August, 1905), in England on a pleasure trip.
, Manager of the Avoldale station, was born near Oamaru, in November, 1872, and is the second son of Mr. Charles de Vere Teschemaker. He was educated chiefly at Sherbourne School, England, and since his return to New Zealand has devot-his whole time to Avondale station. He is a member of the Wairau Road Board, the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Marlborough Racing Club. Mr. Teschemaker married Miss Dillon, of Leefield, in the year 1905.
Farmer, Goulter's Valley, Renwicktown
, Goulter's Valley, Renwicktown. This farm was originally a part of Messrs Ward and Seymour's run, was afterwards held for a time by Mr. W. B. Parker, and was bought in two blocks by its present owner; the first of 360 acres in the year 1893, and the second of 240 acres, in March, 1902. It is first class level and undulating land, embraces almost the whole of the upper part of the valley, and is well appointed for all classes of farming. The farm has a north-easterly aspect, and is well sheltered from the prevailing winds. A permanent flock of nearly 600 sheep is depastured, and about 300 acres are annually placed under cultivation.
, Proprietor of “Brookby,” was born on the 29th of September, 1839, near the Lakes of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. He came to New Zealand in the year 1861, worked for several years on Captain Nicholson's farm in Nelson, and in 1870 went to the Wairau, to farm a piece of land of about eighty acres, near Blenheim, which he had previously purchased, and still holds. This he worked—and carried on contracting in his spare time—till the year 1893, when he took up his residence on the first section of “Brookby.” Mr. O'Connor is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the Farmers' Union. He was one of the first members of the Blenheim Hibernian Society, with which he is still (1905) connected, and was for several years a member of the local school committee. He is married, and has three sons and nine daughters.
Farmer, Renwicktown. Mr. Brydon is the second son of the late Mr. William Brydon and of Johanna Brydon, who are further referred to as old colonists. He was born on the 3rd of December, 1852, was educated at the Renwicktown public school, and brought up to farming under his father. Since his school days, Mr. Brydon has spent the whole of his time on his parents' property at Renwicktown, and now (1905) holds a portion of this on lease from his mother, and farms it on his own account. He is a member of the Renwicktown Rifle Club. Mr. Brydon married Miss Eliza McDonald, and has two daughters.
, Fairhall Valley, Renwicktown. This property is an extensive area of freehold country, and was farmed for many years by Mr. Charles Goulter, and afterwards for a time by the late Mr. John Fleming. In 1895, it was bought by its present owner, Mr. James Laidlaw. “Craigieburn” consists chiefly of fertile downs, and is well watered by a stream running through the property. Nearly 600 sheep are depastured, and about 113 acres are devoted to crop.
was born on the 3rd of July, 1842, near Moffatt, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, where he was educated. He learned shepherding in the Highlands, and towards the end of the year 1879 came to New Zealand in the ship “British Empire.” Mr. Laidlaw landed in Nelson, went to Marlborough and worked for two years on the Dumgree run, after which he was appointed manager of the Delta station, for the Renwick family. Nine years later, he resigned to take up the management of Tulloch Mains at Kaikoura, for Mr. G. F. Bullen. Mr. Laidlaw is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the local branch of the Farmers' Union. He married Miss Jane Thomson, daughter of Mr. James Thomson, farmer, Blenheim, in 1882, and has two sons and two daughters.
, in the Waihopai, near Renwicktown, was acquired by Mr. John Newman, in the year 1889; part of it he bought from Mr. Joseph Ward, and the rest, some years later, from the late Mr. Samuel Eves. At his death it fell into the hands of his eldest son, Mr. Charles Newman, who was soon after joined in partnership by his brother, Mr George Newman, and the firm has since been known as Messrs Newman Brothers. Cowslip Farm consists of 500 acres of excellent valley and undulating country, and is given up to agriculture and sheep farming. It is in first class condition, carries about 500 sheep, and grows nearly 100 acres of crops—chiefly wheat, oats, barley, and peas.
, of Messrs Newman Brothers, Proprietors of Cowslip Farm, is the second son of the late Mr. John Newman, and was born on his present farm on the 11th of July, 1864. He was educated at the Renwicktown public school, and also received private tuition. Mr. Newman was brought up to farming under his father, and afterwards spent some years at general farm work, chiefly on the large stations, in various parts of the province. In 1894, he joined his brother in the ownership and management of Cowslip Farm.
is a property of 1160 acres, and is owned by Mr. Charles Goulter. It is situated in the Five Mile Valley, close to Renwicktown, and was originally part of the Hawkesbury estate sold to the Government some years ago. “Hawkesbury” is well known as the home of some excellent prize sheep and prize cattle. In regard to sheep, Mr. Goulter confines his attention to stud Merinos, and as a prizetaker he is probably unequalled in Marlborough. Besides money prizes, he has won forty gold and silver medals for prize Merino sheep at shows in Marlborough and Canterbury, and five medals and five diplomas won in all parts of the world, including one gold medal recently won at the St. Louis Exhibition. The Wolsley Cup, to be won three times in Canterbury, was won by Mr. Goulter for the year 1904, and a £50 cup, given by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the most valuable scoured fleece, to be won three times before becoming the exhibitor's property, was won by him in the year 1902. All the members of Mr. Goulter's prize flock are registered in the New Zealand Flock Book, and his Jersey cattle, which are registered in the Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association Herd Book, have also won special distinction. Mr. Goulter's sheep pens, yards, and their surroundings show that the proprietor has exercised great care and forethought throughout the whole arrangements. About 2200 Merinos graze on the property, besides a fine herd of Jersey cattle. About one hundred acres are cropped. Mr. Goulter is also proprietor, in conjunction with Mr. Bernard Ward, of the Blairich estate, of 19,000 acres, in the Awatere district, eight miles from Seddon railway station.
was born at Waimea West, Nelson, and is a son of the late Mr. Cyrus Goulter, who landed at Nelson in the ship “Fife shire,” in the year 1842, and was prominently associated with public affairs in Marlborough in the early provincial days. He was Speaker of the Provincial Council, Provincial Treasurer, and Commissioner of Crown Lands, and was also one of the first members of the Wairau Road Board. Mr. Charles Goulter was educated at the Catholic schools, Nelson, under Father Garin, and afterwards devoted himself to sheepfarming. Latterly, he has given his attention wholly to the breeding of stud sheep.
“Leefield” is an extensive sheep station of 32,000 acres, situated in the Waihopai Valley, about eleven miles from Renwicktown. It was originally taken up by the late Hon. Constantine Dillon, afterwards came into possession of his son, Mr. P. G. Dillon, at whose death, in March, 1890, it fell into the hands of his widow, who still owns it. For many years after the death of Mr. Dillon the run was ably conducted by Mr. Corbett, a capable and experienced manager; and since his resignation, in the year 1905, to take up a similar position at “Bank House,” the estate of the late Mr. Alexander Monro, “Leefield” has been managed by Mr. F. N. Dillon. The greater part of the station consists of rugged mountainous country, but in the Waihopai Valley there are some good agricultural areas, and excellent pastoral downs. The estate is given up almost entirely to pasturage, and a permanent flock of about 12,000 sheep is depastured. The homestead is one of the prettiest in the province, and stands on an eminence overlooking the Waihopai Valley.
, Manager of Leefield station, is the only
Spring Terrace Farm, Kaituna, near Renwicktown. Mr. Maher is the eldest son of the late Mr. Michael Maher, and was born on his father's run, of which Spring Terrace Farm is a part, on the 21st of December, 1855. He was educated at the Roman Catholic College in Nelson, and afterwards assisted in general station work until his father's death, when he took over the management of the property. On the subdivision of the estate in 1893, Mr. Maher turned his attention to his own section, which comprises about 300 acres of level agricultural land, on which he conducts mixed farming. He takes an active part in local public affairs, and has been a member of the Pelorus Road Board, and the local school committee. Mr. Maher is married, and has two sons and three daughters.
(Messrs McCallum Brothers, proprietors), Fairhall Valley, Renwicktown. This farm was originally a portion of the Hawkesbury station, and was bought by its present owners from Mr. Redwood Goulter, in the year 1900. It comprises 750 acres of good agricultural land, nearly all level, and is fenced, subdivided, and highly improved. The farm is devoted to agriculture and sheep grazing. About 550 acres are annually placed under crops—chiefly, barley, oats and peas, and a permanent flock of about 300 sheep is depastured. The present residence of the owners was erected in the year 1902.
, of Messrs McCallum Brothers, was born in Blenheim, on the 11th of February, 1871, and is the eldest son of Mr. Duncan McCallum. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and afterwards assisted his father in farm work until 1900, when he entered into partnership with his brother to take up Norwood Farm. Mr. McCallum is a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He married Miss M. Janson, of Wellington, in February, 1903, and has one son.
, of Messrs McCallum Brothers, is the second son of Mr. Duncan McCallum, of Blenheim, and was born on the 3rd of November, 1872. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and then assisted his father until taking up Norwood Farm in conjunction with his brother. Mr. McCallum is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
Farmer and General Carrier, Renwicktown. Mr. Watson is one of the pioneer settlers of New Zealand, and when only a child he came to Wellington with his parents in the ship “Clifford.” His father was the first pressman in Wellington in 1842, when he was connected with “The Independent” and “Spectator.” Mr. S. Watson was born in 1841 within the sound of Bow Bells, London. He remained in Wellington with his parents till 1859, when he removed to the Marlborough district, which was then in its native state of swamp, flax and raupo. In 1871, he settled in Renwicktown, and started business as contractor, carrier, and farmer. His farm of 150 acres is all level, and is worked to the best advantage, although Mr. Watson makes a specialty of the carting business. In his time, Mr. Watson has been a very keen sportsman, and was well to the fore at local races in the early days. He owned the course on which these races were run, and did everything in his power to encourage sport generally. He is still a member of the Marlborough Racing Club, and although not quite so enthusiastic as he was in his younger days, he still rejoices in the name of a “Good old sport.” He was at one time a member of the Omaka Road Board.
was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 1st of May, 1854, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1856. He lived in the Wairau for some years and was brought up to farm work. At one time he managed Ugbrooke station, and afterwards had a lease of “Buttergill.”
was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was educated and learned tailoring. Having determined upon a pioneering life,
Mrs Johanna Brydon, of Renwicktown, is one of the oldest settlers in the province of Marlborough. She was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the 26th of April, 1819, and was educated at private schools. In the year 1836 she married Mr. William Brydon, who came to New Zealand in 1841, in the expedition under Captain Wakefield, and was followed in February, 1842, by Mrs Brydon Mrs Brydon, whose husband died in 1883, has about two hundred grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
, formerly of “Leefield,” was born in Nelson in the year 1848, and was educated in England, at Cheltenham and Sandhurst. During his college days, he was a prominent footballer, and on one occasion played for All England. He returned to New Zealand in 1870, and lived for the remainder of his life, partly in Nelson, and partly at “Leefield.” Mr. Dillen took an active interest in all matters affecting the country, and was a useful member of many local bodies. He died in Blenheim, in March, 1900, leaving a widow, one son, and four daughters.
was one of the pioneer settlers of the district. Of Irish stock, he was born in London, in the year 1830, came to New Zealand with his parents in one of the first three ships, and landed in Nelson, in January, 1842. For some years the family lived at the settlement of Nelson—then only a scattered group of pioneer homes—afterwards farmed on the Waimea Plain, but, later on, removed to the Wairau. Mr. Maher then joined a party of surveyors, but subsequently settled down in the Kaituna district, on the the north bank of the Wairau river; and during many years of successful farming there he secured the freehold of about 1500 acres. Mr. Maher was a man of an active and well balanced mind; he took a keen interest in public affairs, and was a member of various local bodies. He died at Kaituna, near Renwicktown in January, 1874, and left a widow—who still resides at the homestead—four sons and one daughter.
, sometime of Waihopai, near Renwicktown, was born in Hampshire, England, in the year 1825, and landed in Nelson by the ship “Bolton” in 1842. For a time he farmed in Nelson, and then went to the Wairau, where he was known for many years as one of the fastest shearers of his day. About the year 1855, Mr. Newman bought some land in the Waihopai Valley from Mr. Joseph Ward, and from the late Mr. Samuel Eves, which he called Cowslip Farm. He married Miss Maria Eves, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Samuel Eves, in the year 1858. Mr. Newman died in July 1888, leaving six sons and five daughters.
, whose eldest daughter married the late Mr. John Newman, formerly of Cowslip Farm, in the Waihopai Valley, was born in Warwickshire, England, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Whitby,” in the year 1841. He landed in Nelson, and later on went to the Wairau. Mr. Eves introduced the first cattle and horses in the Wairau, and established a dairy farm. At one time, he milked as many as forty cows, a large herd for the early days. Mr. Eves was eighty-nine years of age when he died.
is situated on the right bank of the Wairau river, about twenty-three miles west of Blenheim, and is the centre of an extensive sheepfarming and flaxmilling district. The Hillersden run, one of the largest sheep stations in Marlborough, is situated close to the township, and there are also other large stations in the district. Across the river, immediately opposite, lies the Government settlement known as North Bank. Wairau Valley has a church, a public school, and an hotel; the different trades are represented, and there is a post and telegraph office. It is connected by a good metalled road with Blenheim, and there is a bi-weekly mail coach service.
(Messrs Carter Brothers, proprietors), Wairau Valley. This is the leading flaxmill in the province, and thoroughly up to date in every respect. The motive power is supplied by an eight-horse power turbine (Herculos), and an eight-horse power portable engine, which drive two strippers, a scutcher, and a circular saw. Water is supplied by a race, which is five miles in length, and taps Boundary Creek and its small tributaries. The mill gives employment to twenty-five persons in full work. Most of the raw material is procured on the Hillersden station, and the refuse (short and young leaves) is finished off by the use of hacklers, and sold as second-class fibre. The weekly output of this mill is about four tons and a half, and the quality ranks as first-class, the brand, “C.B. over H.,” being well known on the London market. A single bale, exhibited at the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Show of 1898, secured first prize against competitors.
, formerly manager of the Hillersden flaxmill, is a native of Nelson, and the fourth son of Captain Whitwell, well known in Nelson. He was educated at the Nelson public schools, and learned the trade of fitter at the Anchor Foundry, where he worked for some years. After that he went to the Wairau, where he carried on farming with little success. He then returned to Nelson where he engaged in flaxmilling, which he also followed at Foxton, where he was employed at Rutherford and Pascall's mills, which he left to take up the management of the Hillersden flaxmill.
“Erina” is a good little run situated in the Wairau Valley, and was one of the first stations taken up in the district. It has been the property of the present owner, Mr. G. F. Watts, since 1883. It consists principally of hilly country, and is suitable only for Merino sheep, having no agricultural land, with the exception of a few paddocks. Mr. G. F. Watts is the only surviving son of the late Mr. C. F. W. Watts, who was one of the pioneers of New Zealand, and also one of the earliest settlers in the Wairau district. Mr. G. F. Watts, since the death of his elder
“Hillersden” is nearly 155,000 acres in extent. It lies in the Wairau Valley, Waihopai Valley, and at the head of the Ascheron river, and is the property of Messrs Carter Brothers. The proprietors have a freehold title to about 80,000 acres, and the balance is held under lease. Almost the whole of the run is hilly, and the flat country contains from 9000 to 10,000 acres. About 3500 acres are laid down in English grasses, and the whole property is subdivided into sixty small, and twenty large divisions. There are plantations covering 400 acres of land, planted in blocks between the paddocks on the flats. The run carries on an average about 45,000 Merino sheep, and has a fair average clip of eight pounds and a half. The scoured wool alone runs into a total of 300 bales. There is an excellent stud flock—about 1500 Merino ewes and the necessary number of rams, some of them specially imported from South Australia, and all of the well-known Murray breed. There is accommodation at the home station for about seventy men; twenty-five are constantly employed, and the number is increased by about forty during shearing time. “Hillersden” is one of the largest sheep runs in Marlborough.
, the Manager of “Hillersden,” is a son of the late Mr. William Bell, at one time well known in Nelson and Marlborough as the owner of Benopai station and St. Leonard's estate. Mr. Bell was born in Scotland, and came out to Queensland with his parents when only five years of age. After spending seven years in Australia, the family crossed to New Zealand, and settled down in Marlborough. Owing to his time being fully taken up with the management of “Hillersden,” Mr. Bell has no leisure to identify himself with public affairs. He is part owner of the Waipapa run, in the Clarence district.
Farmer, Wairau Valley. Mr. Bonnington was born at Chesterfield, in Derbyshire. England, in the year 1833, was brought up to farming under his father, and in 1851 came to New Zealand. For a time, Mr. Bonnington was engaged in farming, hotelkeeping, and butchering in Richmond and other parts of Nelson, and was also for a few months at the Collingwood diggings. Later on, he conducted an hotel for several years in Picton, and afterwards joined in the Wakamarina rush, though without much success. Mr. Bonnington subsequently took up his present farm in the Wairau, which consists of 300 acres of freehold grazing land. He was for a long time a member of the local school committee, and for several years its chairman. Mr. Bonnington has been married for nearly fifty years. He has, surviving, thirteen children, a large number of grandchildren, and several greatgrand-children.
is the name given to a large and fertile valley watered by the Awatere river, which rises towards the western boundary of Marlborough and falls into Cook Strait. The township, which bears the name of Awatere, is sixteen miles by the coach road from Blenheim, and there is a good cart road all up the river—which it crosses and recrosses several times—as far as Molesworth station, which is seventy miles from Blenheim. The Molesworth and Kaikoura
(Mr. A. Farmar, proprietor). This property consists of about 2,700 acres of freehold, and is twenty-six miles distant from Blenheim. The run is well watered and sub-divided, the land being laid down in cocksfoot, cowgrass, and clover. From fifteen to twenty miles of fencing have been erected, the half of which is rabbit proof. For many years the rabbit pest had to be fought, but was at last got under. The flock consists of strong combing Merinos, of the Murray type, of South Australia.
, formerly proprietor of “Altimarlock,” was born on the estate in 1856. His education, begun at Nelson College, was afterwards completed at the Nelson Theological College. Since leaving school, he has been engaged in sheepfarming, and has travelled considerably, both in and out of the colonies. He is a member of the Awatere Road Board, and for many years took great interest in show matters.
, sometime of “Altimarlock,” was born in Caithness-shire, Scotland, in August, 1813, and followed the sea for many years. In 1843, he came to New Zealand in the ship “Ralph Bernell,” and two years later he settled in the Awatere district, where he had bought “Altimarlock,” which then comprised 1400 acres. In 1852, in conjunction with the late Captain Cross, he took up “Middlehurst.” Mr. Mowat died on the 27th of March, 1875, from an attack of bronchitis. He left a family of five sons and four daughters; namely, Kenneth Phin Mowat, till lately of “Altimarlock”; Thomas Renwick Mowat, of the Bank of New Zealand, Marton; Alexander Mowat, Blenheim; John Tinline Mowat, Australasian agent for Law's Sheep Dip; Harry Mowat, of Wellington; Mrs H. J. Stace, Robin Hood Bay; the late Mrs Nicholson (married to Mr. John
. This station is thirty miles from Blenheim, forty miles from Molesworth, and about fifteen miles from Awatere Junction. The name of the estate was selected by the Venerable Archdeacon Grace, and means in English, “Sunny Spot.” It was originally known as “The Reserve,” as the land had been set aside by the Government as a camping ground, or resting place for sheep. The property was taken up in February, 1883, by Mr. A. C. McRae, who purchased 1800 acres, and leased 2500 acres from the Crown. Since then, the proprietor has taken over Ring Creek run from the Assets Realisation Board, the area being from 10,000 to 11,000 acres, and he now holds, in all, about 15,000 acres. Mount Horrible divides the holding from the Leefield estate. “Aotea” is considered a second-class grazing run, some of the land being rough, hilly country, and the expenses of musteringare heavy. The country is somewhat cold for lambing. The rabbits have been practically extirpated, though they infested the run when it was taken over by Mr. McRae, and as many as 6000 skins were marketed in twelve months. There is very little agricultural land on the property, but a few acres are cultivated for horse feed and cocksfoot grass.
, Proprietor of “Aotea,” was born at Waipapa, Clarence river, in 1861, and brought up to station life at Clarence. In 1881 he went to the Clarence runs for two years, and then removed to Awatere. He took up the present property in 1883. Mrs McRae is a daughter of Mr. Mowat, an early colonist and pastoral settler, who has been dead for some years.
, sometime of Blairich, Scotland, settled in the Awatere in 1850. He was born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, in 1800. In response to a call made by Lord Selkirk, for volunteers for a Free Company, he and 200 young men set sail in 1816 for Hudson's Bay, North America. Mr. McRae remained there for six years, during which he was married. In 1822 he returned to the North of Scotland, and took charge of a sheep farm for Major Gilchrist. He had about 9000 sheep under his control, and was in the position for six or seven years, when he left to manage “Blairich,” where he remained till the first Duke of Sutherland gave him the adjoining farm. On the death of his father, in 1841, Mr. McRae set sail for New Zealand, and landed at Nelson, in 1842, by the ship “Mary Ann,” on which he brought with him his family of three sons and five daughters. Mr. McRae was for eight years in Nelson, and farmed two sections at Waimea South, and had the whole of 88 Valley for cattle rearing. In 1848, he acquired Lake Roto-iti station, which he sold to Mr. Charles Christie, two years afterwards. In 1850, he removed to the Awatere, and took up “Blairich,” and “Braes of Sutherland.” Mr. McRae died on the 3rd of September, 1864, in consequence of an accident he met whilst dipping sheep. He took great interest in all public affairs, and was one of the founders of the Nelson Institute. His widow died in 1879. Mr. and Mrs McRae had four sons and five daughters. The eldest son, Mr. William McRae, of “Waipapa,” Kaikoura, died in 1870; the second, Mr. Phillip McRae, of “Blairich,” Awatere, in 1888; and the third, Mr. Nehemiah McRae, was drowned while attempting to cross the Awatere river in 1872. The youngest son, Mr. R. E. McRae, of Manaia, was born in Nelson. The eldest daughter, Mrs Vallance, of Wairarapa, died in September, 1875, and the second, Mrs Harkness, of Richmond, Nelson, died in January, 1881. The third daughter, Miss Margaret McRae, is living in Richmond, Nelson. Mrs Mowat, of “Altimarlock,” Awatere, was the fourth daughter, and Mrs Trolove, of Nelson, the fifth and youngest.
, Awatere, was named after a place at which the late Mr. George McRae had resided in Sutherlandshire, Scotland. It was taken up in 1849 by Mr. McRae, who settled on the property a year later. He also had the Braes of Sutherland station (now known as the Jordan), which carried six thousand sheep, and which he afterwards transferred to Messrs Nehemiah and Phillip Roderick McRae. Upon the death of their father, these settlers rented “Blairich” from his widow until 1879, when it was purchased by them. They also bought “Weld's Hill” from Mr. John Tinline, about the year 1867, and “Camden” from the late Mr Henry Godfrey, in the fifties. Mr. Nehemiah McRae was drowned on the 11th of May, 1872, while crossing the Awatere, and thereupon the properties were all taken over by his brother, Mr. Phillip McRae, who died in July, 1888, leaving two sons and two daughters. Mr. Charles Goulter and Mr. Bernard Ward now (1905) own the property in partnership.
, Manager and Part Owner of “Blairich,” was born at Nelson, and received his education at St. Mary's school. He was for some
, Awatere. This run was taken up by the late Dr. Renwick in October, 1848, and was named after an estate in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, close to which the Renwick family had resided. The original area was 21,000 acres, and about 7000 acres consist of good agricultural land, of light loamy soil, suitable for grain growing. The land is considered equal to Starborough, and is well-watered and sheltered by low hills. Two hundred acres are cultivated annually for root crops, and a similar area for grain. The land is broken up in lots and cropped, and afterwards sown down in grass. Previous to 1893 rabbits were numerous, but by poisoning and the introduction of stoats and weasels the estate is now practically free from the pest. The whole run is fenced, there being forty miles of wire fencing and eight miles of netting. The station carries 13,500 sheep, half of the flock being pure Merinos and the remainder Merino crossed with English Leicesters. The clip is steadily increasing. About fifty head of cattle are also depastured on the property. The woolsheds, sheepyards, stables and the agricultural machinery for station use are quite modern. A large concrete dam, to conserve the water, has been built, which develops sufficient horse power to drive a water wheel for cutting chaff, grinding oats, etc.; the water is likewise laid on to the homestead residence, which stands on rising ground, and is surrounded by a large plantation of ash, fir, and bluegum trees. There is a railway station on the estate, and the main south road runs for about twenty-five miles through “Dumgree,” which is owned by Mrs Renwick, of Nelson. Mr. John Watson, of Spring Creek, managed “Dumgree” for twenty years.
(Waiharakaka) Awatere, was long one of the most importand sheep stations on the East Coast. Originally, it embraced an area of 66,000 acres of freehold property, and 12,500 acres of leasehold. Flaxbourne is situated about twenty-four miles distant from Blenheim, from which the homestead is thirty-six miles distant, and the southern boundary fifty-four miles. It adjoins the Starborough and Blind River runs on the north, and is bounded on the south by Kekerangu, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, and by Richmond Brook on the west. Flaxbourne was taken up as far back as 1847 by the late Sir Charles Clifford, who was the first Speaker of the House of Representatives, and is also said to have established the first sheep station in New Zealand, which was in the Wairarapa district. At first Flaxbourne was the only sheep station in Marlborough, and included a large territory from the neighbourhood of White Bluffs and Vernon on the north, to the northern boundry of Kekerangu on the south. It contained probably not far short of 200,000 acres, and included Vernon, Starborough, Blind River, and a portion of Richmond Brook. In the end only Flaxbourne was retained by Sir Charles Clifford, who subsequently was joined in partnership by Sir Frederick Weld, sometime Premier of New Zealand, and later still Governor of West Australia, Tasmania, and the Straits Settlements. At the death of Sir Frederick, in July, 1898, the Clifford family purchased the whole of the interests in the freehold property, though the estate continued to be managed under the old style of Clifford and Weld. The land at Flaxbourne is of limestone formation, with a blue papa strata. About one-third of the area of the estate is good agricultural land; over 5000 acres were brought under cultivation by the Clifford family, and the area annually cropped averaged from 400 to 900 acres. The grain, turnip, and other kindred crops, however, were grown only for the use of the station. The carrying capacity of Flaxbourne was estimated at one sheep and a half per acre, and about 50,000 sheep were shorn yearly, exclusive of lambs. The Flaxbourne flocks latterly consisted chiefly of crossbreds from Merinos and Leicesters, but originally they were bred from stock imported from the Murray, in Australia, and drawn from the best stud flocks in Canterbury. Fencing to the extent of about 160 miles was erected on Flaxbourne, and about 100 miles of it had been netted, so as to be proof against rabbits, which at one time were very numerous, but had latterly been practically exterminated. This was done at a cost of £20,000, and the work was carried on from 1893 to 1897 by a large body of men, often as many as one hundred rabbiters being employed on the estate. The wool clip of Flaxbourne averaged about eight pounds per sheep, and over 1400 bales were despatched from the station in the year 1898–9. During the season of 1897–8 about 5600 sheep and lambs were frozen, and in 1899 that number was increased by 2000; in all, 15,000 sheep were sent away from Flaxbourn as frozen carcases or otherwise, during the season of 1898–9. Cocksfoot and clover grasses flourish in most of the paddocks, which are splendidly watered with perpetual streams. The homestead has so many buildings that it has the appearance of a small township. In the shearing-shed there were twenty-six Wolseley shearing machines, which were driven by a Hornsby portable oil engine of fifty-one horse power. Flaxbourne, as a pastoral property, gave steady employment to about thirty men, and that number was doubled during the busy season. From its first establishment, the station had been managed successively by the following gentlemen: J. Lang, four or five years; H. Harris, two years; George Lovegrove, two years; H. Westmacott, about fifteen years; H. D. Vavasour, twelve years; E. A. Weld, until the property was taken over and cut up for closer settlement by Government, in the year 1905. An area of 11,000 to 12,000 acres is still owned by the Clifford family, and of this Mr. E. A. Weld is still (1905) manager.
was born in Wellington, in 1854, and is a son of the late Sir Charles Clifford. He was educated at Beaumont College, Berkshire, near Windsor, England. Mr. Clifford studied civil engineering, and when he came to New Zealand in 1889, he was on the staff of the Midland Railway Company at Christchurch and Nelson, being officer in charge of the works. He returned to England, and came out again, in 1896, to take charge of Flaxbourne. Mr. Clifford is chairman of the Awatere Road Board. He represents Marlborough on the Racing Conference, and takes an interest in all public affairs connected with his district.
, the Manager of the unsold portion of old Flaxbourne, has a proprietary interest in the estate. He originally took charge in 1896, and had been previously engaged on the run for several years in a minor capacity. He was subsequently placed in charge of the rabbiters, and
(known also as Fairfield run) lies on the south side of the Awatere river, at an altitude of 2,000 feet above sea level. It comprises 18,000 acres of freehold, and 29,200 acres of leasehold—of which a portion is sublet on terms to Mr. S. M. Neville—and is the property of Mr. J. W. Shirtliff. The late Dr. Muller held the original license for the run, which was subsequently put up and bought by Mr. Thomas Cawthron, who held the property till it was acquired by the present owner in October, 1896. It is sixty-eight miles distant from Blenheim, and seven miles from Molesworth homestead. The run consists of hilly country, very much broken; it is essentially a sheep run, and carries 6,000 Merino sheep, besides cattle and horses. An average clip is obtained, and also a good percentage of lambs. A small area of land is cropped for station use. The estate is well provided with plantations, homestead paddocks, owner's house, woolshed, outbuildings, sheep-drafting yards, concrete dip, etc.
is a native of Nelson, where he received his education. He has acquired considerable experience of sheep in the Nelson, Marlborough, and Wellington provinces.
was a property of 33,600 acres. In 1898 it was bought by the Government, and after being surveyed and subdivided into suitable blocks it was disposed of in February, 1899, under the “Land for Settlements Act of 1891.” Originally the run consisted of three properties, which were taken up for sheepfarming in 1849. One of the properties was Wakefield Downs, formerly owned by the late Mr. Samuel Stephen, who came to New Zealand as surveyor to the New Zealand Company; another was “Marathon,” the property of the late Captain Fearon, of Nelson and Marlborough, and known originally as “Newcomes,” from Major Newcome, the first occupier. About 1866 these properties came into the hands of Mr. Tetley, who took into partnership several young Englishmen of capital. Mr. Richard Beaumont, one of the cadets, then quite a young man, and Mr. Richard Wharton, afterwards owner of Highfield station, Amuri, took over the properties from the various mortgagees, and formed them into the run which became known as “Starborough,” of which Mr. Beaumont became the sole owner about 1872. He also rented from Mr. C. Y. Fell the Blind River estate of 5600 acres, and held it with the rest till it was cut up by the Government in 1895. “Starborough” is about twenty miles from Blenheim, by the Taylor Pass, and a little less by the Redwood Pass. What it was as a stock-run may be inferred from the fact that when it was bought by the Government, 40,000 sheep were sold off the property, all of them in the primest condition; namely, 10,000 Merinos, and 30,000 crossbreds, from Lincoln and Merino studs noted as prize sheep throughout New Zealand. The sheep brought very high prices, and were for the greater part taken to Canterbury. For purposes of settlement the Government had “Starborough” cut up into sections of various sizes. There were forty-five sections, ranging from fifty acres to 300 acres of agricultural land, and four small grazing runs varying in area from 2300 acres to 3500 acres, all pastoral country. On the downs, where the land is partly agricultural and partly pastoral, there were blocks varying from 450 acres to 2900 acres. The grazing runs were offered for lease for twenty-one years at an upset rental of 1s 9d per acre, and the agricultural land, at 6s 9d per acre under a lease in perpetuity; namely for 999 years. Some of the agricultural land which had been cropped had yielded, without any aid from artificial manures, forty bushels of oats per acre. The whole of the valuation was carried out by Mr. F. M. Foster, formerly manager of the Starborough estate, and Messrs Carkeek, Simpson and Wilson surveyed the land for the Government—an undertaking which occupied about six months. The property is all open country, well covered with good tussock intermixed with the finer native grasses. About 7000 acres had been ploughed and sown down in English grasses, and the whole was subdivided into about sixty paddocks. There were about 120 miles of wire-netting erected to cope with the rabbit nuisance, which at one time prevailed to an alarming extent; but under the management of Mr. F. M. Foster, who took charge of “Starborough” on the death of Mr. Richard Beaumont, the rabbits had been completely annihilated, and between February, 1893, and February, 1899, the wool clip increased from 700 bales to 1100 bales a year. The last clip showed an average of ten pounds ten ounces per fleece, and that weight was vouched for by Mr. F. M. Foster, at the sale, which was conducted by Mr. Boyle, of Messrs Pyne and Co., Christchurch, and Mr. E. G. Staveley, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. “Starborough,” as a property, was four miles in width and twenty miles in length, and its close settlement has done much to promote the progress of the province of Marlborough. The new settlers in a very short time fenced nearly the whole of their sections and expended considerable sums of money in effecting other improvements of a lasting nature.
, Awatere. This property of 637 acres is owned by Mr. F. M. Foster, who purchased it from the late Mr. Richard Beaumont's trustees just before the Government acquired Starborough estate for closer settlement. The spacious fourteen-roomed house, stables, and outbuildings were included in the purchase, but not the men's quarters and woolsheds, which belong to the Government. The section is well sub-divided, laid down in English grasses, and depastures 1500 Lincoln-Merino sheep and fifty head of cattle and horses, all Starborough stock, purchased by the present owner. The whole of the land has been ploughed. There is a plantation of thirty-five acres, principally blue gums, which were planted many years ago, with the object of supplying timber and firewood for the estate. There is an abundance of good fresh water on the property, some of the creeks being fed by natural springs.
, Proprietor of Starborough Homestead, was born in Canterbury, where he was brought up to station life. He was for a time associated in North Canterbury with the Australian and
are situated in the Awatere district, and are owned by the Assets Realisation Board, Wellington. Upton Downs comprises 49,750 acres, 26,800 being freehold; and Weld's Hill, 38,700 acres, of which 22,000 acres are freehold. Mr. J. F. Foster manages both properties.
was acquired in 1849 by Dr. Bedborough, who held it for eight years, when it was disposed of to Mr. Hugh Stafford, who surrendered it to the Bank of New Zealand, in terms of mortgage. The place was put up to auction by the Bank in 1879. Upton Downs is all open country, and carries about 20,000 Merino sheep. There are sixty-six miles of fencing, of which thirty-six miles are wire-netted. There are 800 acres of good flat land, and 400 acres are cropped annually, the average yield for oats being thirty-five bushels per acre. The men's quarters are comfortable, and the stabling accommodation ample. The twelve-roomed dwelling house is in charge of a caretaker.
, named after the late Sir Frederick Weld, was taken up in 1849, or 1850, by Mr. John Tinline, who sold it to McRae Brothers thirten years later. In 1887, it was surrendered to the Bank of New Zealand. Weld's Hill carries about 17,000 Merino sheep, and forty head of mixed cattle. The property, all open country, adjoins Kekerangu and Gladstone stations. About one hundred acres are cropped for station use. The rabbits were plentiful on the two estates, but by means of poisoned grain, etc., the pest has been eradicated.
Sheepfarmer, Ugbrooke, Lower Awatere. Mr. Gunn owns 452 acres, part of the Ugbrooke estate, which formerly belonged to the Hon. William Clifford. The sheep kept by Mr. Gunn are all English Leicesters crossed, and they are fattened off with turnips for the market. Mr. Gunn has been most successful in his grazing operations. He also owns 434 acres at Starborough, all fenced, and carrying stock. Mr. Gunn was born in Caithness-shire, Scotland, in 1849, and brought up to farming. He came to Canterbury in 1862, by the ship “Chrysolite.” For a time he had a farm of one hundred acres in the Lincoln district, and has had considerable experience in mixed farming during his residence in New Zealand. Mr. Gunn acquired his present homestead in 1891.
. The reserve of 296 acres attached to this accommodation house is Crown land, and is designated a small grazing run. The holding is thirty-eight miles from Blenheim, and the same distance from Molesworth. It was formerly a shearing reserve for all the Upper Awatere runholders, being part of a block of 17,000 acres set aside for the purpose. The section held by Mr. Cummings, the proprietor of the accommodation house, carries 300 sheep in winter. From thirty to forty acres can be ploughed, and the soil is of fair quality. Until a bridge was erected over the Jordan, in 1896, a chair (cradle) was used to carry passengers across the stream. The accommodation house, licensed in 1885, contains eleven rooms, and is the only one in the district.
, Proprietor of the Jordan Accommodation House, took charge in the year 1895. He is a native of Nelson, and has spent over twenty years on Marlborough stations, including Upcot, Avondale, Upton Downs, Langridge, and Muller. He managed Upcot for nine years before settling on his present holding.
is a small township situated twenty miles from Blenheim, and was formerly a portion of the Starborough estate, which was purchased by the Government for closer settlement. It is situated immediately opposite the Starborough homestead, which still retaines the old name of the estate. The township has been cut up into half-acre and quarter-acre sections, and considerable building has been going on. Seddon is at present (1905) the terminus of the railway from Blenheim, but it is expected that by the year 1907 the line will be extended to Flaxbourne. A large town hall has recently been erected, and business has increased in every direction. There are three stores, two blacksmith-shops, a saddlery, a boarding house, and an hotel in the township. The business of the post and telegraph office is conducted at the railway station. A large State Nursery on the bank of the Awatere river, has been very successfully conducted; and the main south road from Blenheim, after crossing the Awatere by a fine steel and iron bridge, runs through the township. Seddon is the terminus and starting point of the Kaikoura-Blenheim coach, which runs twice a week.
(William A. Fuller, proprietor), Seddon, Marlborough. This hotel was established in the year 1897 by Mr. John Barrett, and was acquired by the present proprietor on the 1st of March. 1905. It is a two-storied wooden building, and contains twenty rooms, including eight double bedrooms—exclusive of those used by the family and servants—four parlours—three of which contain pianos—and a bathroom with hot and cold showers. The dining-room is capable of seating twenty-four guests,
, Proprietor of the Starborough Hotel, was born in Picton, and is a son of Mr. James Fuller, an old colonist of the district. He was educated at the Picton public school, and afterwards engaged in the butchering business. Subsequently, Mr. Fuller was for ten years in business for himself in Shannon and at Ohingaiti, in the North Island. He is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the largest shareholder in the Seddon public hall. At one time Mr. Fuller was largely interested in athletics, and was one of the promoters and playing members of the Awarua Football Club. As a member of the Awarua Cricket Club, he won a silver cup for the best batting average. Mr. Fuller married a daughter of Mr. William Carter, of Renwicktown, Marlborough, in the year 1893.
General Merchant, and Storekeeper, Seddon, Marlborough. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim. Agent for Alliance Assurance Company, Royal Insurance Company, and Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland weekly papers, and the Marlborough daily papers. This business was established in the
was born at Picton, and is the second son of Mr. James Fuller, an old settler of Marlborough. He was educated in Picton, and afterwards entered the service of Mr. Greensill, a general store-keeper at Picton. After six years, Mr. Fuller was appointed manager of a branch store at the Mahakipawa goldfields, Marlborough, where he remained for eleven years. While at Mahakipawa he was a member of the local school committee. Mr. Fuller is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Marlborough Racing Club, and a steward of the Awatere Racing Club. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Wartohi. Picton, No 111, New Zealand Constitution, and as a Forester he is a member of the Picton Court.
, General Store and Post Office, Seddon. Established on the 25th of June, 1899. Mrs Lambert is doing a good business, and has stocked her store with articles to suit the requirements of the district. She has lived in the Awatere district for many years, and is highly respected. Her husband, Mr. David Lambert, formerly carried on business as a blacksmith at Seddon He was born in Sussex, England, in 1846, and came to New Zealand in 1873. Mr. Lambert was in the Taranaki district for twelve years, and has lived in Marlborough for nearly twenty years.
Storekeeper, Seddon. Mr. Kirk is a son of Captain Kirk. He was born in Hokitika in 1869, and educated at Nelson. Mr. Kirk was with Messrs Ward and Co., brewers, of Christchurch, for seven years, and, on severing his connection with that firm, he established the business now (1905) carried on at Takaka, Nelson, by Messrs Robert Kirk, and Richard W. Kirk. He established his store at Seddon in 1905.
Contractor, Seddon. Mr. Schwass was born in Germany, in 1840, and came to Nelson in 1843 with his parents. He resided in and about Nelson for eighteen years, during which he followed various occupations. After that he removed to Marlborough, where he was engaged by Mr. Eyes and other settlers, and latterly he has been leasing and cropping land as well as doing contract carting. Mr. Schwass keeps two waggon teams and a ploughing team going constantly; and owns in all twenty-seven horses. He is married, and has seven sons and three daughters.
Farmer. Seddon. Mr. Barnes is a son of the late Mr. Samuel Barnes, one of the earliest settlers in the Wairau. He was born in Blenheim, on the 8th of June, 1869, and was educated at the local Borough School. Mr. Barnes afterwards turned his attention to farming, and from 1886 till late in the nineties, he farmed property held on lease from Mr. Beaumont, the proprietor of the Starborough run. On the subdivision of that estate, he successfully applied for a section. His
Farmer, Seddon. Mr. Dick, who farms a section of 594 acres of the original Richmond Brook estate, near Seddon, was born at Tua Marina, on the 31st of August, 1872, and is a son of one of the early settlers. He was educated at the Tua Marina public school, and was afterwards engaged in farming with his father, until the sub-division of the Richmond Brook estate, when he successfully applied for his present holding. This property is, for the most part, undulating, and is well adapted for pastoral purposes. There is a permanent flock of 600 ewes, and about 1500 sheep are annually fattened for the market. A few head of cattle are also kept, and about 100 acres are annually put down in green crops. Mr. Dick is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and is also a member of the Awatere school committee. He is married and has five children.
Farmer, “Glencairn,” Seddon, Marlborough. “Glencairn” is a farm of 700 acres, held on a lease in perpetuity from the Government. About 760 sheep are depastured, principally half-bred and crossbred Leicesters. The lambing has
run as high as 122 per cent., and the average for the five years.
Farmer, Seddon. Mr. Francis is one of the oldest residents in the Seddon district. He was born on the 26th of February, 1841, at Mendlesham, Suffolk, England,
and was educated at Chilton House Academy, Stowmarket. Mr. Francis was afterwards for three years in the merchant service, and then for two years conducted an hotel in London. In the year 1867, he emigrated to Australia, and in May of the following year, came to New Zealand. He worked for twelve months for Mr. Beaumont, of Kaikoura, and was then for one year and six months on Mr. J. C. Chaytor's sheep station, near the Clarence river. Mr. Francis subsequently returned to his former employer at Kaikoura. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Beaumont took over the Starborough run, and Mr. Francis continued in his service until 1898, when he acquired a small holding at Richmond
Farmer, Seddon Mr. Gray was born on the 24th of January, 1864, at Mortlake, Australia, where he was educated. He came to New Zealand when twenty years of age, and during the three years following his arrival he was engaged at general farm work on the Richmond Brook estate. For nine years subsequently he was engaged in agriculture on leasehold property, and on the subdivision of the Richmond Brook estate for close settlement, Mr. Gray, as a former farmer of the district, was allowed the straightout selection of a block. He chose his present farm of 191 acres of first-class land, and has since applied himself with considerable success to agriculture and sheepfarming. He was for several years a member of the local school committee. In September, 1888, Mr. Gray married a daughter of Mr. Thomas Francis, who is further referred to as a farmer at Seddon, and has four daughters.
Farmer, “Lion's Beck,” Seddon, Marlborough. Mr. Heard has an area of 436 acres, held on a lease in perpetuity from the Government. His stock includes 600 sheep, chiefly half-bred Merinos and Leicesters, and the lambing has averaged ninety per cent. The land is nearly all undulating, the soil being of a light loamy nature, and about thirty acres is devoted to the cropping of oats. Mr. Heard was born at Addington, Canterbury, in the year 1868, and is a son of Mr. George Heard, an old Canterbury settler. He was educated at Addington, and afterwards entered the workshops of Messrs Booth and Macdonald, of Christchurch, where he remained for two years. Mr. Heard was subsequently engaged in shepherding on the St. James Station, Hanmer Plains, and the Highfield station, in the Waiau. He acquired his present holding in April. 1899, and has since built a residence, and effected many improvements. Mr. Heard is an Oddfellow of many years' standing. He married the second daughter of Mr. William Dickens, an old settler of Cust, Canterbury, in June, 1893, and has one son.
Farmer, Seddon, Marlborough. Mr. Johnston has a fine property of 444 acres of Government land, on which he depastures 700 Leicester crossbred sheep. The land is all ploughable, and the cropping of wheat, barley, and oats is carried on. The farm is bounded on one side by the Awatere river, and a fine view of the ocean can be obtained from the homestead. The dwelling-house and outbuildings are up-to-date in every respect. Mr. Johnston was born in Midlothian, Scotland, in the year 1854, and as a young man served an apprenticeship to the woollen manufacturing industry in Selkirk. He came out to New Zealand in the year 1882, and was for ten years employed by the Kaiapoi Woollen Company at its Kaiapoi mills. Mr. Johnston afterwards commenced dairy farming, near Eltham, Taranaki, where he remained for seven years. Subsequently, in 1899, he removed to his present holding. As a Forester, he is a member of Court Woodford. Mr. Johnston married a daughter of Mr. Angus Murray, of Oamaru, in the year 1902, and has one son.
Farmer, “The Firs,” Seddon, Marlborough. Mr. Marfell has a farm of 369 acres of Government land, of which he has
a nine hundred and ninety-nine years lease. The property, when originally taken up by Mr. Marfell, was covered with tussocks, which he has since cleared, and has also effected other improvements, including the building of a modern residence and outbuildings. About 500 Leicester crossbreds are depastured, and the lambing has averaged from 90 to 100 per cent. Barley, wheat, and oats are cropped, and the breeding of draught horses is also carried
Farmer, Glenriff farm, Seddon. Mr. Meehan was born in December, 1856, in Donegal, Ireland, and is the eldest son of Mr. Thomas Meehan, formerly a stonemason, but at present (1905) a farmer in Ireland. He was educated at a public school, trained to agricultural and pastoral farming in his native place, and in the year 1875 came to New Zealand. For about six months Mr. Meehan was employed at various work in Auckland, and then went to Marlborough, where he finally settled. From that time till 1899 he termed several properties held under leasehold title in the Wairau, and, on the subdivision of the Starborough estate for close settlement, obtained his present holding, which includes two sections, situated about one mile apart, and contains, in all, 723 acres. The property is well and systematically worked, and is devoted chiefly to sheep-farming and cropping. Mr. Meehan is a member of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the Awatere Road Board, and is a vice-president of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. While in the Wairau, he was a member of the Wairau River Board, and during his term of office the flood-escape channel was carried out by that body. Mr. Meehan married Miss Henrietta Morrin, of Tua Marina, in July, 1885.
(Arthur Schwass and Herbert Schwass), Farmers, Waggoners and Contractors, Starborough, near Seddon. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand, Blenheim. The Messrs Schwass have a portion of the original Starborough estate. It has a frontage to the main road, and is all fanced and subdivided. The whole is open country, and is well watered even in the driest seasons. Throughout three or four hundred acres the soil is light and loamy, highly suitable for grain growing, and the Messrs Schwass propose to crop two or three hundred acres annually and stock the rest with good strains of crossbred sheep. The Messrs Schwass are prominent waggoners and contractors in Marlborough, and keep twenty-three horses in the collar, and have others in reserve at grass. Three large waggons are kept steadily going on the road, carting station produce and requisites for the run-holders, with whom they hold contracts. The Messrs Schwass were born in Nelson, have resided in Marlborough since their boyhood, and have followed waggoning and contracting since 1887. As footballers, the brothers do good work for the teams they represent from time to time.
Farrier and General Blacksmith, formerly of Awatere. Mr. Mead was born at Motupiko, Nelson, in 1869, and was brought up to his trade under Mr. R. Coleman, with whom he was for four years. Prior to taking over the Awatere business, he was engaged at Hillersden and Birch Hill stations, and was also in business on his own account at Blenheim. Mr. Mead left Awatere some time ago, and went to settle in the North Island.
is situated about twenty-six miles from Blenheim, and is on the sea coast. Formerly, it consisted of an estate of 5,600 acres, and was originally taken up by the late Mr. Fell, father of Mr. C. Y. Fell, Crown Prosecutor, Nelson. On the death of Mr. Fell, the property was carried on for the benefit of the family, and was afterwards leased to the owner of Starborough, until it was acquired by the Government, by whom it was cut up into about twenty holdings, ranging from 120 to 500 acres. There is a telegraph office at Seddon, two miles and a-half distant, and good shooting is obtained on Lake Grassmere, about one mile away from the settlement.
(David Wheeler, proprietor), Blind River, Awatere. This house is situated at the extreme southern boundary of the Blind River estate. It is an eight-roomed building, within easy distance of Saltwater Lake, of which it has an excellent view. The locality is a very healthy one. “Grassmere” affords good accommodation for tourists, who can have shooting in the immediate neighbourhood. After leaving Starborough (now Seddon),
was born in 1848 at Auckland, which he left at an early age. Mr. Wheeler has followed fellmongery work and wool washing for about thirty years. He was wool-classing on the Clarence Reserve, Kaikoura, for nine years, and at St. Helen's station, Hanmer Plains, for five years, prior to taking up the Government Reserve and keeping the Accommodation House at Grassmere.
Farmer, Ocean View Farm, Blind River, Marlborough. Ocean View Farm is a property of 150 acres of Government land, held on a nine hundred and ninety-nine years' lease. There are about eighty acres of flat land, the rest being hilly, and wheat, oats, and barley are grown. Mr. Allen was born at Reading, Berkshire, England, in the year 1854, and was brought up to a seafaring life. He arrived in New Zealand in 1875, landed at Lyllelton, and then transhipped to Port Underwood, Marlborough. For three years afterwards, Mr. Allen was employed as a shepherd at Weld's Hill, and Blairich stations. After a few years on the Starborough and Flaxbourne runs, he bought a livery stable in Blenheim and owned the mail coach between Blenheim and Kaikoura for nine years. Subsequently, in 1898, Mr. Allen secured his present holding. He has taken a great interest in the progress of the district, and was, for a time, a member of the Blind River school committee. Mr. Allen married a daughter of Mr. Joseph Berryman, of Cornwall, England, in the year 1880, and has two sons and one daughter. Mrs Allen came to New Zealand in 1877, and resided in Blenheim up to the time of her marriage. She was of an extremely kindly disposition, and died on the 25th of July, 1905.
Farmer, Blind River, Awatere. Mr. Morrow's holding of 300 acres was formerly a portion of the original Blind River estate. It has a frontage to the main road, and is considered to be one of the best selections in the neighbourhood. The land in its natural state will carry a sheep to the acre in a good season, and would carry double the number if it were broken up, cropped, and laid down in grass. Mr. Morrow was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1839. He was brought up to farming, and emigrated to Australia by the ship “Australia,” in 1838. He was for about five years on the leading Victorian goldfields, and after coming to New Zealand, he was for several years mining at Dunstan, Shotover, Wetherstones, and Waitahuna. In 1865, he joined in the “rush” to the West Coast, and was present at Hokitika, Greymouth and the Buller. The Wakamarina “rush” of 1866 brought him to Marlborough. He had no luck on the goldfields, and he took to sheepfarming in 1895.
Farmer, Blind River, Marlborough. Mr. Rogerson's property consists of 125 acres of Government land, held on a lease in perpetuity. Originally, it was covered with tussocks, and overrun with rabbits, and there were neither roads nor conveniences of any kind in the district. But Mr. Rodgerson, with indomitable pluck, overcame all obstacles, and has been very successful in his undertakings. He depastures about 160 Leicester and Merino crossbred ewes, and there has been over 100 per cent, of lambs. Very little cropping is carried on, on account of the poor railway facilities in the district. Mr. Rodgerson was born near Hull, Yorkshire, England, in the year 1848, and as a youth served an apprenticeship as an engine-fitter and pattern-maker. To gain further experience, he afterwards went to sea for five years in the Wilson line of boats, trading from England to ports in the North Sea. In 1874, Mr. Rodgerson came to New Zealand in the ship “Calliope,” landed at Port Chalmers, and after visiting various parts of New Zealand settled in Christchurch, where for a number of years he was employed in Mr. John Anderson's foundry. He subsequently removed to Nelson, where he found employment with the Anchor Foundry and Shipping Company, and in 1895 secured his present holding. Mr. Rodgerson has always taken an active part in public matters. It was through his endeavours that the Blind River public school was established, and for six years he gave his time and attention to the upkeep and Wellbeing of the school. He has been chairman of most of the public and political meetings held in the district, and he is a staunch supporter of the Seddon Government. Mr. Rodgerson was married in the year 1869, and has three sons and five daughters.
Farmer, “Collingbourne,” Blind River, Marlborough. “Collingbourne” is a property of 317 acres of Goverenment land, held on a nine hundred and ninety-nine years' lease. A large number of sheep are depastured, and cropping is also carried on. The land is chiefly flat, and the Blind river runs through the property. Mr. Trueman was born in Wiltshire, England, in the year 1842, and was brought up to an agricultural life. He came to New Zealand in 1875, in the ship “Mataura,” landed in Nelson, and then transhipped to Blenheim. For twenty years, Mr. Trueman was engaged on the Picton-Blenheim railway. In 1895 he removed to his present holding, where, with the assistance of his son, be has been prosperous in all his undertakings. Mr. Trueman married a daughter of the late Mr. Robert Blackmore, of Collingbourne, Wiltshire, England, in the year 1866. Mrs Trueman died in April, 1905, leaving one son and one daughter.
is on the main coach road between Blenheim and Kaikoura, and is on the sea coast, fifty miles from Blenheim. There is no hotel at the settlement, which, however, has a telegraph and money order office. Good accommodation may be obtained at the station boarding-house. The country is wild and hilly, and is suitable only for sheep farming. Small steamers discharge cargoes at Kerkerangu by means of a boat.
is what is known as a lineman's station, and there are only about four others of its grade in the colony. It has the usual money order, Savings Bank, and Government Life Insurance departments. The office was opened when the telegraph line was constructed about 1870, and the district superintended by the officer in charge extends from the Clarence river in the south to the Salt Water Lagoon in the north.
House is a fine two-storey building, and is one of the best appointed houses of its kind in Marlborough. The bedrooms are neat and comfortably furnished; a good table is kept, and there is a pleasant sitting room, well supplied with periodicals, books and illustrated papers.
, formerly Proprietor of the Kekerangu Accommodation House, took possession from Mr. Dugald McCallum, in 1892. He was born in Blenheim in 1862, and brought up to station life on “Hawkesbury,” Marlborough. After being on that station for several years, he travelled for a year through various parts of Australia, and then returned to New Zealand. In 1882, he went to work on Kekerangu station, and at the end of ten years he took over the Accommodation House, with which, however, he now (1905) has no connection.
is a large station of 120,000 acres. It is situated on the East Coast, at a distance of fifty miles from Blenheim, and forty from Kaikoura. Originally the land was in the possession of various occupants, but some of the holdings fell into the hands of the late Mr. John Symons, who subsequently purchased adjoining properties and acquired the leasehold of a large tract of country. After the death of Mr. Symons, “Kekerangu,' which means “Black Beetle,” was occupied by his sons, until it was purchased by Mr. Edmund Rutherford. For about a mile and a half the main south road runs through the station, which extends in a southerly direction for fifty miles, and is then bounded by the Clarence river and the main range of the Kaikouras. Upwards of 40,000 Merino sheep graze on the run, which is considered one of the healthiest in the province of Marlborough. The homestead a Kekerangu has the appearance of a township, as, besides the numerous station buildings, there is a post and telegraph office, a school, and an accommodation house.
was born in Victoria, and came to New Zealand when a youth. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and afterwards settled in the Mackenzie Country, where he carried on sheep
“The Shades” Kekerangu. This property is thirty-five miles from Kaikoura, and fifty-five miles from Blenheim. It is a freehold of about 8000 acres, and is bounded by the Kekerangu station, on the north, “Wood-bank” and small grazing runs on the south; by the Pacific Ocean on the east, and by the Clarence river on the west. The Blenheim-Kaikoura main road runs through the property, which is mostly hilly, and of limestone formation. About thirty miles of fencing have been erected, and the land has been sown in cocksfoot, red clover, and perennial ryegrass. The rabbits, which at one time were plentiful, have been kept down since 1894, and at the present time give no trouble whatever, very few being seen on the run. From fifty to one hundred acres of turnips are grown annually for fattening purposes. The estate carries 5500 crossbred and halfdred Merinos and Lincolns and Leicesters, the rams having been obtained from different stud flocks. Originally, “The Shades” extended from Kekerangu to Clarence river, and had a total area of about 30,000 acres. The land was taken up by the late Dr. Shaw and Mr. Frederick Trolove, and upon the death of the former was bought by Messrs P. and J. W. Trolove, who effected many improvements, including the breaking up of fresh land every year. Mr. Peter Trolove afterwards sold his interest, and now (1905) resides in Hoon Hay road, Spreydon, Christchurch.
resides at “The Shades,” of which he took possession with his brother, in 1893. He was born in Marlborough in 1863, and is a son of the late Mr. Edwin Trolove, formerly of Stoke, Nelson, an early settler, who came to New Zealand in the forties. Mr. J. W. Trolove was educated at Nelson College, and having decided to follow station life, he was three years at “Woodbank,” and was also at “Starborough” during the management of Mr. Thomas Hall, now in Taranaki. Mr. Trolove takes a great interest in cricket and shooting. He is married to a daughter of Mr. A. S. Collyns, of Nelson.
is a small settlement twenty-five miles from Kaikoura, and about seventy from Blenheim; The residents are for the most part employed on the adjacent stations. The township has an accommodation house, a blacksmith's shop, a post office, and a small school. Waipapa and Woodbank stations are situated opposite each other, about a mile from the bridge. The erection of the Clarence bridge has proved a great boon to the settlers and to travellers. It is an iron cylindrical bridge, with four spans of 120 feet, and one of 80 feet. The work was carried out by Messrs Blaikie and Malcolm, at a cost of £11,500, and the Government found all the ironwork. It was finished in January, 1887, and it took nearly three years to build it. There is plenty of game in the district, the roads are suitable for cycling, and the settlement is connected with Kaikoura by telephone.
(James Johnston, proprietor), Clarence. This House contains nine rooms, and can accommodate twelve persons. It is the only house between Kekerangu and Kaikoura, and the mail coach stops there on Tuesday and Thursdays to change and feed the horses
, the Proprietor, was born in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, in 1857, and was brought up to blacksmithing and farming. In 1875 he came to Port Chalmers
Farmer, “Ivy Cottage,” Clarence Bridge, Kaikoura. Mr. Adair has 2800 acres on a twenty-one years' lease from the Government. The property was originally a portion of the Waipapa station, and the land is hilly, includes a good deal of bush country, and is suitable only for grazing purposes. About 997 half-bred and three-quarter bred Leicester and Merino sheep are depastured, and the stock includes sixty head of cattle. A large sheep dipping plant is one of the features of the property, and is capable of treating 2000 sheep a day. Mr. Adair was born in Donegal, Ireland, in the year 1865, came to New Zealand in 1883, and landed in Wellington. His first employment was with Mr. G. Wood, of Swyncombe station, and subsequently he was employed on various other sheep stations in Marlborough. After a time spent at St. James, at the head of the Clarence river, as rabbit inspector, he was engaged by Mr. Bullen, of the Green Hills station, where he remained for eight years. Mr. Adair was than fortunate enough to draw a section at Hundalee, which he worked for three years, but subsequently sold out to his brother. He acquired his present property in 1902. Mr. Adair is keenly interested in all sports, and is vice-president of the Kaikoura Racing Club. He is also an Oddfellow of many years' standing. Mr. Adair married a daughter of Mr. Samuel Bassett, of Blenheim, in the year 1890, and has three sons and three daughters.
Farmer, “Porangarau,” Clarence Bridge, Kaikoura. Mr. McInnes has a property of 917 acres on a fourteen years' lease from the Government. The holding was originally a portion of the Waipapa reserve. There are 450 acres of ploughable land, and the rest is suitable for cattle and sheep. About 740 crossbred Leicester sheep are depastured, and the stock includes twenty head of cattle. Since taking possession of the property, Mr. McInnes has erected a dwelling house, put up a considerable amount of fencing, and effected various other improvements. Mr. McInnes was born at Tavistock, near Timaru, in the year 1875, and is a son of Mr. Malcolm McInnes, of “The Levels.” He was educated at the West Christchurch school, and was subsequently engaged in shepherding at Green Hills and other stations in Marlborough. Mr. McInnes acquired his present property in February, 1904 He is a member of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Kaikoura Collie Dog Club, and the Kaikoura Racing Club. Mr. McInnes married a daughter of Mrs Hamilton, of Kaikoura, in August, 1904.
. Clarence Bridge. This property is a portion of the original Waipapa station, of 71,000 acres, which was first owned by Mr. William McRae. It was afterwards let to Mr. Walter Gibson and others, and subsequently sold to Messrs Carter and Bell. In the year 1901, the run was acquired by the Government, for closer settlement, and the holdings were let on a twenty-one years' lease. Messrs R. S. Hugonin and R. Le Clerc Latter, took up the homestead block, of 13,000 acres, in November, 1904. The land is rough and hilly in parts, and 4000 acres are covered with native bush, which is gradually being cleared. About 6000 halfbred Merino sheep are depastured, but the run is capable of carrying 9000 sheep. New fencing has been installed, and the rabbits have been kept well in hand. The buildings of the station are old, with the exception of a large woolshed, erected a few years ago; the interior of this shed is well lighted for all purposes, and will hold 1000 sheep, with room for fourteen shearers to work comfortably. There is also a spacious homestead surrounded by about 600 acres of flat land. About 100 acres are laid down in turnips, and from forty to fifty acres in oats, for station use.
was born in Barry's Bay, Akaroa, in the year 1883, and is a son of Mr. Robert Latter, of Akaroa. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and before taking up his present holding, in conjunction with Mr. R. S. Hugonin, learned sheepfarming with his father. Mr. Latter is a member of the committees of the Marlborough and Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Associations.
(from the Maori “kai,” food, and “koura,” crayfish) is the name of a well-known town and district in southern Marlborough. The district is noted for its pre-eminent advantages as a pastoral country, and the town is recognised as being one of the most picturesque and healthy spots in New Zealand. It is often referred to as the Scarborough of the colony. Kaikoura lies between the sea and the Seaward Kaikouras or Lookeron Mountains, and at the back of the town the peninsula rises abruptly for one hundred feet, and affords splendid sites for dwelling-houses. The mountains close to the township rise to a great height, and are covered with snow for about nine months in the year. The view on a fine day is worth going many miles to see, and but for the ocean in the foreground, the visitor might imagine he was sojourning in Switzerland. There is a bi-weekly coach service between Kaikoura and Blenheim, ninety-six miles north, and there is also a tri-weekly coach service between the township and Culverden, the terminus of the railway from Christchurch Owing to the treacherous nature of the bar, only small steamers can trade to Kaikoura from Lyttelton and Wellington, between which there is a weekly service. The township was once noted for its whaling industry, which is still (1905) carried on to some extent, chiefly by Maoris and half-castes; and the whaling station is situated in the south bay. The average haul of late years has been two whales a season. Kaikoura has a post, telegraph, and money order office, a bank, and a daily newspaper. The religious bodies represented are Church of England, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic, each with a resident minister. There are many lodges and societies, a racing club, and a mounted troop of volunteers. The chief industries of the district consist in wool growing farming, co-operative dairying, fishing, flaxmilling, wool scouring and sawmilling.
was constituted under the original Counties Act in the year 1876. The county has an area of 673 square miles with 524 holdings and 329 ratepayers, 227 miles of formed roads, and two miles of formed footpath in the township and suburbs. The rateable capital value of property is £481,651, and the improvements are valued at £127,257. The land under cultivation is estimated at over 100,000 acres. The county has borrowed £3,482 under the Loans to Local Bodies Act; the general rate is one penny in the £, a rate of one half-penny being levied within the boundaries of the river board district; and the total revenue is £2,500. There are four licensed houses, all in the township. The wharf at the township is vested in trustees, and is leased at a rental of £200 a year. At the census of 1901, the county had a population of 1,760.
, who represents the Suburban riding of the Kaikoura County Council, was elected chairman of the Council in March 1905. He is also the representative of the Domain Board and the Board of Health for the Kaikoura riding; a member of the Suburban school committee; and is a member of the Masonic Lodge Kaikoura, No. 60, New Zealand Constitution. Mr. Boyd is a native of Donegal,
was elected to the Kaikoura County Council in the year 1899. He is a native of Ulster, Ireland, came out to New Zealand in 1863, in the ship “Queen,” and landed in Auckland. Mr. Keenan settled in Kaikoura in 1867, and has since been engaged in farming.
was first elected to the Kaikoura County Council in 1899. He is also a member of the committee of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pasetoral Association.
was elected a member of the Kaikoura County Council in the year 1901, for the Peninsula riding. He was born in Oamaru in 1869, and is a son of the late Mr. Robert Haswell, sometime schoolmaster at Oamaru, Kaikoura, and other places. After leaving school, Mr. Haswell spent two years and six months in the Kaikoura telegraph office. He then left the public service to become clerk to his father, who had started an auctioneers' business in Kaikoura. Later, Mr. Haswell served an apprenticeship to the building trade, and subsequently acted as foreman builder for Mr. W. Cooke, Kaikoura, a position he held for seven years, during which he superintended the erection of the Church of England, and other important buildings. In 1903, Mr. Haswell started in business for himself, and has since done some important work in the township, including the erection of the Bank of New Zealand and the Town School, which is one of the largest buildings in Kaikoura. He is chairman of the committee formed for the purpose of establishing a Town Board, was for five years a member of the Town School committee, and has for many years been identified with all local sports and athletic meetings. Mr. Haswell is an Oddfellow of many years' standing, and has passed through all the chairs of his Lodge. He married a daughter of the Rev. J. Rapley, St. Albans, Christchurch, in November, 1899, and has one son and one daughter.
was elected, in November, 1902, for the Clarence, riding of the Kaikoura County Council. He was born in the year 1874, at the Conway. Marlborough, where he was educated, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Monk holds 640 acres under a lease in perpetuity, at Puhi Puhi, where he has a modern residence, and he has also a small farm at Kaikoura. He depastures about 1250 sheep, and has been most successful in his operations. Mr. Monk is a member of the Kaikoura Racing Club, a member of the committee of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and acts as starter and handicapper for the wood-chopping events held under the auspices of the Bushmen's Athletic Club. Formerly, he took an active interest in athletics, cricket and football, and has been a successful competitor in several footraces. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Robert Hamilton, of Kaikoura, in the year 1904.
was elected in the year 1902 as one of the representatives of the Clarence riding of the Kaikoura County Council. He was born in the Awatere, Marlborough, in 1862, and is a son of Mr. W. J. Smith, an old settler of the province. Mr. Smith is engaged in sheepfarming, and has a run of 3000 acres at Puhi Puhi, where he depastures 1500 Merino and English Leicester crossbreds. He resides in Kaikoura, where he manages a freehold property of 140 acres for his mother. Mr. Smith has open for many years a member of the Kaikoura Racing Club, of which he has been a steward, is chairman of the Collie Dog Club, a member of the committee of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a director of the local dairy company. As a Freemason he is a member of Lodge Kaikoura. No. 60, New Zealand Constitution, and he is also a member of the local Lodge of Oddfellows. Mr. Smith married Miss Sherry in the year 1882, and has two sons and four daughters.
was elected a member of the Kaikoura County Council in the year 1904. He was born in the North of Ireland, and arrived in New Zealand in 1876, in the ship “Leicester.” Mr. Mackle settled in Kaikoura in 1885, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits.
was elected to the Kaikoura County Council in April, 1905. He has served for upwards of thirty years on the local school committee, and was one of the founders of the Kaikoura Public Library. Mr. McInnes, who is the oldest settler in Kaikoura, was born at Eaglesham. Renfrewshire, Scotland, on the 19th of July, 1824, and took up his residence in Kaikoura in 1859, just after arriving in New Zealand.
was elected a member of the Kaikoura County Council in April, 1905. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the district, and was one of the promoters of the local dairy factory.
was appointed Clerk of the Kaikoura County Council in December, 1902, and became inspector early in 1905. He is a native of Kaikoura, and a member of the local Mounted Rifles.
, who was for some years a member of
the Kaikoura County Council, was born in Nelson in the year 1869, and is a son of Mr. Estcourt Parsons, of Kaikoura. He has followed a farming
, formerly Government Surveyor, Kaikoura, joined the service at Nelson in 1884, and remained there till 1889, when he was transferred to Taranaki, where he served for seven years. He entered on his duties at Kaikoura, in February, 1896. Mr. Buckeridge was born at Nelson in 1863, and is a son of Mr. George Buckeridge, Hampden Street, Nelson. He was educated at Nelson College, and is now (1905) farming at Kawhia, in the North Island.
stands on the point midway between the Esplanade and the west end of Kaikoura. It commands an excellent view of the harbour, and the church, Sunday school and manse are all situated on an acre section. The church has seating accommodation for it congregation of 250 persons. It was opened on the 2nd of November, 1879, by the Rev. James Paterson, of Wellington. There are close on 400 adherents in the district, and services are attended by full congregations. The church is entirely free from debt, and the managers have paid for even the recent additions, which cost £277, and also for a pipe organ, constructed in Christchurch, at a cost of £156. The Sunday school is a most substantial concrete building, and was erected in 1892 at a cost of £500. It is fitted up to accommodate from 200 to 250 scholars, and there are close on 100 children in attendance. There is a second church at Kowai, four miles from Kaikoura, and services are held there on Sunday afternoon. It has seating accommodation for 150 persons.
the Minister in charge, began the work in connection with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand in Kaikoura in November, 1877. Mr. McAra was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1847, educated at the Glasgow University, and brought up to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church. Before coming to New Zealand, by the ship “City of Auckland,” he was for two years missionary at the Wynd Free Church, Glasgow. After a short stay in Auckland, Mr. McAra, was appointed to his present duties, which he has worthily fulfilled. He was one of the founders of the temperance movement in the district, and has laboured for that cause. Mr. McAra also assisted to form the Mutual Improvement Society, and has at all times taken a keen interest in its management.
, Kaikoura. The church building measures 73 feet by 30 feet, and is capable of seating from 300 to 400 worshippers. It was erected at a cost of £1000. The Roman Catholic denomination was one of the first to open a church at Kaikoura, and prior to that had a building at Kowai. The congregation numbers, about 340, men, women, and children, and the church district extends from the Clarence river on the north to the Conway in the south. A school, which has been established some years, is attended by sixty children. The Rev. Father John Golden has been parish priest since the year 1900.
was established by Mr. George Renner in 1880. It is a daily evening paper and is the advertising medium for South Marlborough and North Canterbury, through which it circulates from Awatere in the north to Culverden and Cheviot in the south. Mr. W. B. Ingram is now (1905) the owner.
, Formerly the proprietor of the “Kaikoura Star,” was born in England, and arrived in Nelson in 1855. He was in the Post and Telegraph Department for years, and then took up journalism. In 1877, he was on the “Bruce Herald,” Otago, and subsequenty had charge of the “Mataura Ensign” from its first publication. Before settling at Kaikoura, Mr. Renner was associated as editor with the “Clutha Times,” and “Ellesmere Advertiser.” He took a hand in all public matters at Kaikoura; was one of the founders, and also chairman and secretary of the Kaikoura Settlers' Association: had been associated with the Ashley licensing committee from 1894: was chairman of the Town School committee, and prominently associated with racing, cricket and football. Mr. Renner is a Freemason of many years' standing. After leaving Kaikoura, he became proprietor of the “Pahiatua Era,” in the Wellington district.
Barrister and Solicitor, West End, Kaikoura. Established 1891. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. McIver is the only solicitor in practice between Blenheim and Cheviot. He passed as a barrister in 1890, and was admitted to the Bar by Mr. Justice Edwards. Mr. McIver was born in the Wairau Valley, and educated at Renwick and at Nelson College. He was articled, first to Mr. Alfred Rogers, and afterwards to Messrs Sinclair and McCallum, with whom he remained seven years. Mr. McIver is secretary of the Kaikoura Rifle and Tennis Clubs.
Pharmaceutical Chemist, West End, Kaikoura. Established in 1890. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Burland, being the only chemist practising between Blenheim and Cheviot, has succeeded in building up a lucrative business. The premises are tastefully fitted up, and the stock is large and up-to-date in every respect. Mr. Burland was born at Goole House, County Carlow, Ireland, on the 14th of November, 1859, and was educated under the late Mr. James Earl, M.A., London University, at his private school. In 1875, he passed his arts examinations at Apothecaries' Hall, Ireland, and the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, and gained first and sixth place respectively. He was apprenticed for four years to Dr. D. D. Tate, resident medical officer to the North Dublin Union, and subsequently occupied the position of assistant at that institution, which invariably sheltered nearly 3000 inmates. Later on, he found employment with the firm of Hamilton Long and Co., Dublin, and occupied responsible positions. An accident to his only brother rendered his return to the home at Carlow necessary, and for eight years he successfully
Baker and Confectioner, Torquay Street, Kaikoura. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This thriving little business was founded by Mr. Collins in 1892. Two delivery carts are kept steadily employed throughout a radius of ten miles, and the coach supplies some of Mr. Collins' customers, who reside in the Waian district. His reputation as a confectioner is so good that his services as a caterer are much in request. Tropical fruits and colonial fruits in their season are on sale in Mr. Collins' well-kept shop, as well as sweets and confectionery. Mr. Collins was born in the County of Durham, England, and came out to New Zealand with his parents when he was ten years of age. The family resided for some time in the Heathcote Valley, and Mr. Collins learned his trade in Christchurch, where he gained experience in four different shops.
, Kaikoura. This company was registered in 1894 with a capital of 2000 shares of 20s each. The first issue of 1000 shares was nearly all taken up by the settlers of the district, and shares are fully paid up. The factory is situated in the centre of Kaikoura Suburban, and is about three miles from the township. Its plant is complete and up-to-date, and the total cost of buildings, plant, and machinery has been about £1000. For years shareholders have received dividends at the rate of six per cent, per annum, and the surplus of profits has been distributed to milk suppliers as bonuses, proportionate to the quantity supplied. The average price paid for milk is 3½d per gallon, and the average number of cows milked for the factory is about 300, owned by about thirty-five suppliers. The manufacture of cheese has been at the rate of about seventy tons per annum, and owing to its high standard of excellence, there is no difficulty in disposing of it; in fact, orders for double the quantity available are received. The factory's cheese always commands, and has commanded, top prices in the English and colonial markets, and took first prizes in 1895 at the Canterbury Metropolitan Show, and again in November. 1898, at the same exhibition. Mr. J. T. Graham, the manager, has established his reputation as a good cheesemaker, and gain-his experience at the Stirling factory under Mr. William Sawers. The secretary of the company is Mr. J. N. Flower.
Tailor, Clothier, and Outfitter, The Esplanade, Kaikoura. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business which was the first of its kind in the district,
Tailor, West End, Kaikoura. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Stanlake does a good steady business, which is gradually increasing throughout the whole of the Kaikoura district. He carries a good assortment of English and colonial tweeds, and also a full stock of serges, vicunas, homespuns, Bannockburns, etc. Mr. Stanlake is well supplied with all English tailoring journals, and can turn out all kinds of goods in the latest styles and fashions. He was born in Exeter, England, in 1862, served three years to his trade at Home, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Tainut,” in 1882. After following his trade for about eighteen months at Lyttelton and Christchurch, he went to the North Island, and put in a year or two at Masterton. He then visited England, where he was married, but returned to Masterton, whence he removed to Kaikoura in 1896, and has gradually worked up a steady business. Mr. Stanlake is secretary of the Kaikoura Racing Club, of which he was one of the founders, and has all along taken a prominent part in its management.
(S. Binney, proprietor), Beach Road, Kaikoura. The “Adelphi” is the only hotel at the west end of Kaikoura, and as it is the first house met by the traveller, he, as a rule, makes it his temporary abode. The house is two stories high, and contains twenty-four rooms, seventeen of which are bedrooms. The dining room is large and lofty, with seats for fifty persons; the five sitting rooms are cosy and convenient, and the billiard room contains one of Alcock's full-sized tables. There is also a large sample room. By reason of its good name, and the popularity of its host, the “Adelphi” commands a large share of patronage from the country settlers and travelling public.
Mrs M. Idle, widow of Mr. E. Idle, took over the “Adelphi” in 1895. Mr. and Mrs Idle conducted the Jollie's Pass Hotel, Hamner Plains, for six years, where they were well-known and highly respected. Mr. Idle died on the 25th of July, 1897. He was a personal friend of the late Mr. Warner, the well known Christchurch hotelkeeper, who was accidentally drowned at New Brighton. Mrs Idle who married again, has left the hotel, and is now (1905) the wife of Mr. L. J. Payne, farmer, Kaikoura.
, formerly Proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, Kaikoura, was born in Norfolk, England, in 1859, and when an infant came to New Zealand by the ship “Monarch.” He subsequently spent some years in Australia, but returned to New Zealand, and took to station life near Southbridge, in Canterbury. In 1887, he became a resident of Marlborough, where he followed various pursuits. Mr. Prior was vice-president of the Kaikoura Football Club, and steward of the Racing Club. He died in the year 1903.
General Blacksmith, Farrier, Coachbuilder, and Wheelwright, West End, Kaikoura. Established 1863. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Gray's shop has
a frontage of 50 feet, and is 50 feet deep. Three blacksmiths and one wheelwright are constantly employed, and extra assistants are required during the summer months. Mr. Gray is an importer of waggons, drays, and traps of all descriptions, and has also built
Ironmonger, Builder and Contractor, The Esplanade, Kaikoura. Mr. Cooke has been established as a painter since the year 1884, and as a dealer in hardware since 1887. He carries on a large trade, and employs ten persons constantly, and keeps a heavy stock of ironmongery, builders' furnishings, cutlery and electro plated ware. Mr. Cooke was born at Leicester, England, in 1858, and came to New Zealand in 1874. He was on the West Coast for some years, and there served his apprenticeship as a painter. Mr. Cooke has been in Kaikoura for nearly twenty-four years, and was for a time a member of the County Council.
Cycle Agent and Repairer, formerly of Kaikoura, but now (1905) of Cheviot, was born in Denmark, and came to Canterbury in the ship “Crusader,” in 1872: was in the Oxford and Amuri districts as a partner in the firm of Laugesen and Sons till 1808, when he joined Messrs Cooke and Co. as manager of their cycle business at Kaikoura. He is now (1905) in business at Cheviot.
Wholesale and Retail Storekeeper, also Flaxmiller and Woolscourer, Beach Road, Kaikoura. Agent for s.s. “Wakatu,” Victoria Fire Insurance Company, Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, Levin and Co., Wellington, Wood Bros., Christchurch, Pyne and Co., Christchurch. Established about 1874. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business, which was taken over by Mr. Flower in 1893, is carried on in a two-storey building 28 feet by 45 feet, and the section has a
. Mr. Haswell formerly carried on business as a general storekeeper and produce merchant at the corner of the Esplanade and Brighton Street, Kaikoura. The business he owned had been established in the year 1883, and was taken over by him in 1896. It was carried on in a two-storied building, with extensive frontages to the Esplanade and Brighton Street. Mr. Haswell was born on the West Coast in 1874. His parents settled at Kaikoura nine years later, and he was for five years in the local post office. Mr. Haswell identified himself with athletic sports, and was associated with the Kaikoura Mutual Improvement Society. He is now (1905) a storekeeper at Feilding in the North Island.
. (F. H. Flower, proprietor; J. G. Garratt, manager), Beach Road, Kaikoura. Established 1898. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This mill gives employment to twenty-five persons, eleven of whom are engaged in the mill. The weekly output is five tons of hemp, which is disposed of in Wellington. The fibre is classed “fair average quality.” A McLaren eight horse-power steam engine drives the plant, which is complete in every respect.
(Louis Laugesen and William Laugesen), Sawmillers and Timber Merchants, Puhipuhi, Kaikoura. Established in 1892: removed to present site in 1898. Bankers. Bank of New Zealand. The machinery of the mill consists of twin circular saws and two others, including planing and moulding machines, and is driven by an eight horse-power portable steam engine, by Hornsby. The output runs from 2000 to 3000 feet per diem. Rimu, matai, and totara are the timbers cut, and the produce is shipped from Kaikoura to Lyttelton. From ten to twelve men are employed in connection with the mill. The firm has successfully carried on the industry for the past seventeen years at Amuri and Oxford.
—comprizing 130,000 acres, 16.000 of which are freehold, and the balance held under a twenty-one years' lease from the Government—is administered by the Assets Realisation Board. The homestead, known as “The Reserve,” is situated fifteen miles south of Kaikoura, on the Kaikoura-Wairau road. A considerable area of the estate is ploughable. The climate and soil of the Clarence valley is most suitable for fruit growing, and the quality of oats grown there cannot be surpassed in New Zealand. At present (1905) there are 23,000 sheep on the estate, which are all Merinos except 1000 half bred Leicester Merino breeding ewes; but it is capable of carrying from twenty-eight to thirty thousand Merinos in its present state. As the
, Manager of the Clarence estate, was born at Hawkeswood, Amuri, and is the third son of the late Mr. John Scott Caverhill, who in the early days owned Motunau, Cheviot, Hawkeswood and Highfield stations. Mr. Caverhill first joined the Assets Realisation Board at Motoa estate, Foxton, where he remained until the property was sold. He is a member of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
, Kaikoura; Napoleon Run, Kekerangu; Messrs Wiffen Brothers, proprietors. Greenburn Flat is about sixteen miles south of Kaikoura, on the main south road, and is a property of 380 acres, held under a lease-in-perpetuity from the Government. When properly cleared of manuka scrub and flax, the land will carry 1000 sheep. The land is flat and of first class quality, and is well adapted for the cultivation of all root crops and cereals. Oats have yielded as high as seventy-five bushels to the acre on the property. It is well watered by the Greenburn river and two creeks, and is entirely free from rabbits. A modern eight-roomed residence has been erected, and other buildings include a four-roomed cottage, a large stable and chaff house, and an L-shaped woolshed, which has accommodation for six shearers.
is situated at the head of the Spey river, five miles from Greenburn Flat, via Tukutukuiwi road. It is a Government property of 2836 acres, held on a twenty-one years' lease, with option of renewal. There were 475 applicants for this desirable property, which was drawn by ballot by Mr. H. A. Wiffen. The land, which is of sandstone formation, and of very fair quality, is well watered by the river Spey and its tributaries. The improvements include a two-roomed cottage and sheep yards, and several subdivision fences are in course of erection on the property. At the present time (1905) about 2000 halfbred sheep are depastured, but with the ploughing of about 700 acres, and further surface sowing, the property should be capable of carrying 3000 sheep.
is situated about two miles from Kekerangu. and is a Government property held under a twenty-one years' lease, with option of renewal. It consists of 2000 acres of first class land of limestone formation, about 1400 acres of which is open country, the balance being light bush; and is well watered by the Kekerangu river and other streams. Its present carrying capacity is from 1200 to 1500 sheep. This run was drawn by ballot by Mr. A. E. A. Wiffen, on the 25th of September, 1905. There were 300 other applicants for the block.
was born at Stanstead, Essex, England, in the year 1873, and was educated at the Grammar School, Cheltenham; West's Collegiate School at Royston, Cambridgeshire, England, and at the Christchurch Boys' High School, New Zealand. He is a son of Mr. Arthur Wiffen, of Blenheim, and came to New Zealand in 1888. After a short time spent at the Boy's High School, in Christchurch, Mr. Wiffen started to gain experience in sheepfarming on his father's property, situated on the Port Hills, Canterbury, but subsequently went to Hokitika. where he opened a business, which he disposed of shortly after in order to join his brother in taking up some land near Blenheim. He then went to Duncdin for a time, where he was bookkeeper, grain-sampler, and buyer for the Otago Malting Company. Mr. Wiffen is a member of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the Sheepowners' Association. He married a daughter of Mr. Mark Sinclair, of Dunedin, in September, 1899, and has one daughter.
was born at Donnington Hall, Newbury, Berkshire, England, on the 21st of September, 1879. and was educated at the Cheltenham Grammar School, England, and at Warwick House School, and the Boys' High School, Christchurch, New Zealand. For several years he was in partnership with his brothers in a sheep run at Mount Riley, Marlborough, where he remained until drawing by ballot his present
. This property consists of 5,000 acres of freehold and 12,000 acres of leasehold land, and is owned by Mr. Charles Wood, who took it over when the original Swyncombe estate was divided in 1887. The leasehold portion carries 2000 sheep, and the freehold about 6,500, and is stocked with the progeny of Merino ewes and English Leicester rams, aithough only Merino wethers are depastured on the back country. The run has been fenced and subdivided, twenty-four miles having been put up on the freehold and about nine miles of cross fencing on the leasehold. Of the freehold area, 3000 acres consist for the most part of rich agricultural land, which will grow anything. The country is open, with a few gullies, and there is no lack of water. Oats for feed and turnips for the winter months are grown. The station is well supplied with implements, including shearing machines, oil engine, steam chaffcutter, reaper and binder, drain digging and rotary disc ploughs, seed drills, etc. The two-storey residence originally erected on the property was considerably enlarged and fitted up on modern lines in May, 1898. A large orchard has been planted, and two gardens fully stocked with small fruits, which give phenomenal yields, afford convincing proof of the fertility of the soil.
, of Lynton Downs, settled at Swyncombe in 1882, and five years later took over Lynton Downs. He was born in Christchurch in 1863, and is a son of the late Mr. W. D. Wood. After spending two years and a half at Lincoln College, of which he was one of the first students, he devoted his attention to station outies. Mr. Wood has been chairman of the Kaikoura. Dairy Factory since its inception, and, in 1889, he was elected a member of the County Council, of which he was for some time chairman. Mrs Wood is a daughter of Mr. J. N. Flower, formerly of the Bank of New Zealand.
was originally owned by Mr. George Fyffe, and was subsequently acquired by Messrs Inglis and Collyns, who disposed of it in the year 1892, to the present proprietor, Mr. Angus Kennedy. This property is bounded by the Hapuku and Kohai rivers, and comprises 2,500 acres of freehold land, and 12,000 acres held on a twenty-one years' lease from the Government. Two thousand five hundred half-and-cross-bred Leicester sheep are depastured, but the run is capable of carrying upwards of 4000 sheep. About 900 acres of the property are ploughable, and oats have averaged as high as sixty bushels to the acre. The homestead, “Rockwood,” is a freehold property of 100 acres, adjacent to the run. The dwelling-house is a handsome two-storied modern building, containing over twenty large rooms, and was erected by Mr. Collyns.
, Kaikoura, is a leasehold property of 9,530 acres of mountainous land. The higher peaks are covered with snow nearly all the year round, and are of no use for grazing purposes. The run is capable of carrying about 1000 sheep, but is at present (1905) used only as a grazing ground for a mob of 200 cattle.
was born at Corrybeg, Inverness-shire, Scotland, where he was educated, and was brought up to a sheepfarming life. He came to New Zealand in the year 1876, in the ship “Timaru,” and landed at Port Chalmers. Thence he went straight to Kaikoura, and was engaged in shepherding for Mr. Bullen
, Kaikoura. This property, originally 9,500 acres, was first taken up about the year 1854 by Captain George Rock Keene, who disposed of it in 1882 to Mr. W. D. Wood, of Canterbury. When Mr. Wood died, in 1904, the estate was cut up, and Mr. W. B. Andrew, of Park Farm, Greenpark, Canterbury, bought the portion known as “Swyncombe,” and installed his son, Mr. Samuel Andrew, as manager of the property. There are 2700 acres, of which fully two-thirds are ploughable; including 600 acres of heavy reclaimed swamp land, of exceptional fertility. The stock at present (1905) includes 1800 breeding ewes, of which about 600 are Merinos, and the rest are three-quarter bred Merino-Leicesters, and there is a flock of 500 mixed hoggets and wethers. The run, when properly cleared and in working order, is capable of stocking three sheep to the acre. The property is well watered, and the rabbits have been kept well in hand, with the aid of the large amount of rabbit proof fencing that has been erected. The homestead is about six miles from Kaikoura, on the main south road. It is the intention of the new proprietor to erect a modern homestead and new outbuildings, and also to effect other improvements.
, of “Swyncombe,” Kaikoura, was born at Park Farm, Greenpark, Canterbury, in the year 1880, and is the son of Mr. W. B. Andrew, a well-known and successful farmer of that district. After serveral years spent in gaining experience in agriculture and sheepfarming at Greenpark, Mr. Andrew was placed by his father in charge of “Swyncombe.” He is a member of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
is a property of 9140 acres of freehold land, situated on the east coast of Kaikoura. In conjunction with. The Shades property it was taken up about the year 1857, by the late Mr. F. W. Trolove, in company with the late Dr. Shaw. Two or three years later, the partnership was dissolved, and Dr. Shaw retained “The Shades,” and Mr. Trolove “Woodbank.” The property was managed by Mr. T. Hall until 1885, when, after the death of Mr. Trolove, his only son, Mr. Peter Trolove, resided on the run. Mr. A. J. Murray, the present proprietor, acquired the
was born at Greenpark, Canterbury, in the year 1873, and is a son of Mr. J. G. Murray, of Greenpark. He was educated at Warwick House and Lincoln College, and after five years spent with his father, purchased his present holding. Mr. Murray is a vice-president of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association; a member of the Sheepowners' Association; a life member of the Canterbury and Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Associations; chairman of the Clarence Bridge school committee, and also a Justice of the Peace. He was for some time lieatenant in the Kaikoura Mounted Rifles. In April, 1904, he married a daughter of Mrs J. V. Ross, of Christchurch.
was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1864, and came New Zealand with his parents at an early age He was educated at Nelson College, and afterwards entered the office of Messrs Fell Brothers, Blenheim, and left their employment about twelve months later to reside at “Woodbank.” Mr. Trolove now (1905) resides in Hoon Hay road, Spreydon, Christchurch.
Dr. Shaw was born at Boston, Lineolnshire, England, and was brought up to the medical profession. During the last twenty years of his life, he travelled all over the world, and first visited New Zealand about the year 1860.
Dr. Shaw was uncle of the late Mr. Frederick Trolove, who, when he came to the colony in 1857, was assisted by Dr. Shaw to take up land. Dr. Shaw revisited New Zealand on several occasions subsequent to 1860, and while in the Colony he generally spent most of his time in Nelson. Whenever it was posbible Dr. Shaw made his journeys on foot, as he was a devoted lover of walking, and a noteu pedestrian. He died in England about 1884.
sometime of Woodbank,” Marlborough, was born in Lincolnshire, in 1832, and was brought up to farming. He landed in New Zealand about 1857, and first took up “Middlehurst” in the Awatere, a station of about 10,000 acres, but owing to the severity of the weather, soon relinquished it. Acting upon information supplied by an old whaler, named “Black Jack White,” that the country from the Ure river to the mouth of the Clarence was open for settlement, he went thither, but found that a shepherd was already in possession; he, therefore, moved onward, and eventually settled to the south of the Kekerangu river, where he took up land in conjunction with the late Dr. Shaw. The holding extended from Kekerangu to the Clarence, and included “Woodbank” and “The Shades.” About 1865, Mr. Trolove sold a portion of the present Kekerangu frontage to Mr. Tetley, and in 1869, when Mr. Trolove and Dr. Shaw dissolved partnership, the property was divided into two runs. Mr. Trolove, who held “Woodbank,” died at Nelson on the 14th of July, 1881. He was a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council, and took a leading part in questions affecting the welfare of the district and the Colony. Mr. Trolove left a family of one son and two daughters.
Farmer, “Glenburn,” Kaikoura. “Glenburn” is a freehold property of 300 acres of first class land. About 200 crossbred sheep are depastured, and dairying is also carried on. Mr. Hailes has also 150 acres of leasehold property at Puhi Puhi. Mr. Hailes was born in Staffordshire, England, in the year 1853. He accompanied his parents to New Zealand, in 1863, in the ship “Edward Thornel,” and landed in Nelson. After two years spent in the Wairau, the family moved to Kaikoura where Mr. Hailes assisted his father in farming and contracting. He started farming on his own account in 1875, and has been most successful in all his operations. Mr. Hailes has taken no part in public life, and has devoted his whole time and energy to the management of his property. He married Miss Cokley in the year 1888, and has three sons and two daughters.
. Farmer. “Pine Terrace,” Kaikoura, Marlborough. Pine Terrace is a leasehold property of 155 acres. Mixed farming is carried on, and a good deal of contracting and outside ploughing is also done. Mr. Hailes was born in Staffordshire,
England, in July, 1854, and is a son of the late Mr. Walter Hailes, sometime of Kaikoura. He came to New Zealand with his parents in the year 1863. in the ship “Edward Thornel,” which struck the Fiteshire Rock on entering Nelson harbour. The passengers, however, were all landed safely. After a time spent in the Waiau, the family settled in Kaikoura, where Mr. Hailes, with his father, engaged in roadmaking for the Provincial Government, and were paid for their labour in land. Mr. Hailes acquired his present property in this fashion, and has resided on it for over thirty years. He is a member of the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and has served on the Suburban and Catholic school committees. Mr. Hailes has been twice married. His second wife is the only child of Mr.
Farmer, Kaikoura. Mr. Lyford, who is now (1905) farming at Kaikoura, was appointed manager of Weld's Hill, Upton Downs, and Blairich stations in April, 1897. He is a native of Kaikoura, and was brought up to station life. Mr. Lyford worked on the Clarence run for fifteen years, and managed it for three years for the Estates Company. He has also worked Kekerangu, Molesworth, Snowdon, Waipapa and Green Hill stations.
Farmer, “Thornbrake,” Kaikoura. This property consists of forty-six acres. Mr. Miskin owns five thoroughbred brood mares, and the racer “Mauser,” bred by Mr. G. G. Stead, and purchased from Mr. Murray-Aynsley, both of Christchurch. He has also reared some very fine thoroughbred foals. In racing he has been successful, having won with “Leo,” ten races out of twelve, for which he started, including the Waiau Cup. Mr. Miskin was born in London, in 1869, and is a son of Dr. G. A. Miskin, Slade House, London. He was educated at King's College, London, and at Epsom College, devoted to the education of the sons of medical men. It was intended that he should follow the medical profession, but he abandoned the idea and came to New Zealand in 1885. Mr. Miskin revisited England in 1890. He is a keen sportsman, and particularly fond of racing and shooting.
Sheepfarmer, “Ludstone,” Kaikoura. Mr. Smith was born in November, 1833, at Ludstone Hall, Claverley, Salop, England. In 1850 he, in company with the rest of the family, twelve in all, landed at Nelson. Shortly after landing his father died, leaving the mother to look after the children. Although then barely seventeen years of age, young Smith went to the Wairau, and found employment on Hillersden, Stronvar and Landsdowne stations until 1859, when he travelled to the Mackenzie Country to look for sheep-carrying land. Failing in this object, he proceeded to Kaikoura and examined the Tytler run, Clarence Valley, a sub-lease of which had been offered to him by the lessee from the Crown, Mr. C. F. Watts, of “Lansdowne.” This run had never been stocked and as there was no road to it, stores and other station requisites would have to be packed on horseback. The country was also over-run with wild dogs, which would be a nuisance to stock, for some years at least; again, in consequence of the altitude of the country, the sheep were liable to be snowed up. However, Mr. Watt's offer was accepted, and the run was occupied in 1860. The sheep did well and increased at an extraordinary rate, although the flocks had to be driven to Kaikoura every year to be shorn. The wild dogs were systematically pursued and practically extirpated, and although scab existed on all sides of the run, infection of the sheep was prevented by frequent dipping. The first draft of Merino wethers sent to the
Nelson market realised by weight 25s per head, off the shears. All the wool was freighted to Wellington from Kaikoura in a small schooner at a cost of £1 per bale. In 1870, Mr. Smith relinquished the Tytler run and went to reside on the Ludstone property, situated on the south road, a mile and a half from the Kaikoura post office. Most of the land comprising the Ludstone freehold, 1513 acres, was purchased from the Crown in 1865, but 230 acres were bought from the late Mr. Richard Beaumont some time later. It was mostly covered with fern, flax and toi-toi, and over-run by silver grey rabbits. Very little stock was carried till 1870, when systematic clearing, ploughing and grassing began to tell in favour of the stock, and against the rabbits, which were kept down by poisoning, etc., but in recent years stoats and weasels have been employed to keep them down. About three-fourths of the land is well grassed, and is used almost exclusively as a sheep farm. Over 4000 sheep are shorn every
, sometime of Kaikoura, came to Nelson with his parents in the ship “Mary Ann,” in the year 1842. He resided with his family at Wakapuaka till he was sixteen years of age, when he went to the Wairau, and remained there till early in 1868, when he removed to Kaikoura, and purchased the Travellers' Rest Hotel, then the oldest house in the district. Mr. Close erected the Adelphi Hotel in 1871, and carried it on till his death on the 8th of November, 1894. Besides his property he had a farm of 268 acres opposite the Kowai school, and a small farm of twenty acres and eleven town sections at Stratford. Mr. Close was instrumental with others in forming the first river board, and was a member of the Kaikoura County Council for many years. He was a Freemason and an Oddfellow. Mr. Close was survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters.
is one of Kaikoura's earliest settlers, and went to the district in 1865. He was born in London, England, in 1830, and came to the colonies at the close of the forties in Dr. Lang's vessel, and commenced cattle farming at Geelong. When the rush to Ballarat set in Mr. Doddemeade went thither, and in six months he and his party took over £10,000 out of their claim. Subseqiently Mr. Doddemeade assisted Professor McCoy in the mechanical department of the Melbourne University, but again went to the goldfields. In 1862, he visited England, but came out to New Zealand in 1863, and went to Hokitika in the second boat that sailed for the West Coast goldfields. In company with his mates, he walked overland through the Buller district, and took part in the Wakamarina “rush.” All local enterprises at Kaikoura have found a most ardent supporter in Mr. Doddemeade. The Rock Oil Company and asbestos works at Takaka received much attention from him during 1889 and 1890. He has also been a member of the Kaikoura County Council, and has occupied a seat on the local road board.
has resided in Kaikoura for twenty-five years. He was born at Bath, England, and arrived at Melbourne early in February, 1855, by the “James Baines,” which completed the passage in a little over sixty-thre days. Up to that time that was the fastest trip ever made to Melbourne by a sailing vessel. Mr. Flower went almost immediately to Sydney, where he was for some time a master in the King's School, Parramatta. Subsequently, on the establishment of the grammar school at Goulburn, about 1860, he went there as second master. In 1863, he came over to Auckland and continued his profession, by conducting a commercial school very successfully in Hobson Street. Later on, he joined the late Dr. Kidd, in partnership, and when that gentleman was appointed the first headmaster of the Auckland College
, J.P., of Swinley, Kaikoura, has been a resident of the district since 1874, and was for some time in partnership with his brothers. Mr. Parsons was born at Lambrook, Somersetshire, England, in 1811, and was educated at the Grammar School, Summerton, and for two years in France. In 1865, he went to British Columbia, and there became interested in stock raising on cattle stations for a couple of years. He then returned to England and came out to Australia in the snip “Swiftsure,” in 1869. From Australia, Mr. Parsons crossed to New Zealand in the steamer “Tararua,” which was subsequently wrecked at Waipapapa Point on the southern coast of Otago. Five years were spent by Mr. Parsons in the Pelorus Valley, and he received his commission as a Justice of the Peace in 1880.
was born in Dorsetshire, England, in 1854. He is a son of the late Mr. John Parsons, and was educated at Cleveland House school, Weymouth, and also at the Taunton Wesleyan College. Mr. Parsons landed at Lyttelton by the ship “Countess of Kintore,” in April, 1876. He settled first at Pelorus Valley, and removed to Kaikoura in 1881. In rifle shooting, he held the world's record at 700 yards, and was the first to put on the possible with the Martini-Henry at that distance.
has resided in the district since 1868. He was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1821, and brought up to shepherding. Mr. Rorrison came to New Zealand in 1857, and after spending a short time in Nelson, he proceeded to the Wairau, and worked on the Summerlands run, the property of the late Mr. Charles Eliott, for two years. Afterwards he removed to Dumgree, owned by the late Dr. Renwick, and remained there ten years, during seven of which he acted as manager. Eventually he settled in Kaikoura, where he owned a farm of 330 acres, which he sold about 1878. Mr. Rorrison is highly respected by all for his many sterling qualities. He has occupied a seat on the County Council, and takes a deep interest in church matters, and in any movement calculated to advance the welfare of the district.
Photographs for the following blocks came to hand too late to be worked into position with the articles to which they belong; but the connection is, in each case, established by means of the names of the persons concerned, and the pages on which their articles appear.
is the strip of country that lies between Nelson and Otago, to the west of the Southern Alps. The district is about 240 miles long, and its average breadth is about twenty-five miles. The area is nearly 6,100 square miles, “composed,” says the New Zealand Official Year Book, “for the most part of the great central snow clad mountain chain and its outrunning ranges, intersected by narrow bush-clad valleys, and subsiding westward into undulating plateaux, river straths and shelving coasts.” The northern boundary is the Grey river, with its tributary the Arnold; while on the south the Awarua river, running into Big Bay, separates it from Otago. “The whole country,” in the words of the Official Tourtsts' Guide to Westland, “presents a bewildering succession of white crested ranges, sparkling snow fields, craggy, outrunning spurs outlining gleaming glaciers, rolling foothills, with a strip of undulating littoral country dotted with lakes, streaked by foaming alpine rivers, and backed by the eternal snows of the great divide.”
A striking feature of Westland is the number and volume of its rivers. The Grey has already been noticed in connection with Nelson, but the most important part of its course really belongs to Westland. Going south along the coast the traveller would cross a large number of streams—the Teremakau, Arahura, Hokitika, Totara, Waitaha,
As in most mountainous countries, there are in Westland large numbers of lakes—the principal of which are Christabel and Hochstetter, Brunner, Mahinapua, and Kanieri, Rotokino, Poerua and Mapourika. Many of these are small mountain tarns; others are tidal lagoons; others again are shallow sheets half overgrown by reeds and raupo. Conspicuous for its beauty is lake Mahinapua, within a few miles from Hokitika—famous for the wonderful clearness of the shadows reflected in its dark waters. The mountains, from which these lakes and rivers are fed, are all ridges or offshoots of the Southern Alps. The great central cluster of peaks—Mounts Cook, Tasman, Stokes, Hardinger, de la Beche, Darwin—is claimed by Canterbury, but there are many isolated peaks that reach a lofty elevation within the boundaries of Westland. The chief of these are Mount Aspiring 10,000 feet (on the border line of Otago, Canterbury and Westland), Mounts Alba, Castor and Pollux, each over 8000 feet, and Mounts Ward, Hooker, Dana, and Brewster. The main range is pierced by several passes, all of which were well known to the natives before the advent of the Europeans. The most frequent route runs from Hokitika into Canterbury, by way of the Otira Gorge and Arthur's Pass. There is a foot track through Browning's Pass, via Kokatahi (tributary of the Hokitika) or up the valley of the Arahura; another through the Mathers Pass at the head of the Hokitika to the head waters of the Rakaia on the Canterbury side; a third over Whitcombe's Pass, also leading down to the Rakaia Forks. The bridle track over Haast Pass—which is considerably less than 2000 feet above sea level and therefore well below the snow line—affords easy access from South Westland into Otago and Canterbury; but the districts which it connects are very sparsely settled.
The climate of Westland is of course largely determined by the physical configuration of the country, and the character of the prevailing winds. The rain-bearing winds from the north-west and south-west, laden with moisture, precipitate it upon the snowy ridges on the forest-clad slopes of the Southern Alps, with the result that the rainfall is twice, or thrice, as heavy in Westland as in any other district in the colony. The average rainfall for the whole of Westland is about 110 inches; and in the upper levels of the mountain country even this high record is frequently exceeded. Yet in spite of this humidity, the climate is equable and temperate, and neither fogs nor sudden storms are prevalent. When the rain comes it is heavy and decisive—there is no drizzle; but when a storm has cleared away the air is singularly bright and pure.
One natural effect of the heavy rainfall and temperate climate is a dense growth of vegetation. “With the exception of a few natural grassy openings (pakihi), and occasional artificial clearings, the whole of the western slope is clothed with dense forest from the sea to the winter snow line on the inland hills.” But, as is natural on such abrupt and heavily-watered slopes, there is little depth of soil. According to the New Zealand Year Book “the high pastoral uplands have a coating of rich mould, and this continues fairly good down to the heavy timber lands.” The lower slopes of the mountains are covered generally with a thin soil, which barely pays the labour of clearing off the timber. At the foot of the hills there is a level stretch of land running down toward the sea and watered by the drainage from the slopes above. These alluvial flats along the river mouths and coast line comprise the best agricultural and pastoral ground in the district, and have therefore been especially favoured by settlers. The “pakihi,” or natural clearings on the plateaux, in clude extensive tracts of swamp
According to Maori legend, the district now known as Westland was first colonised from Hawaiiki by a certain chief named Ngahue. He had fled from his own island to avoid punishment for some crime, and when he reached the western shore of New Zealand, Aorangi, the Great White Cloud, pointed out to him the mouth of the Arahura river as a suitable refuge. There he first found the pounamu (greenstone), and, taking fragments of it back to Hawaiiki, he fashioned with it the canoes—Arawa, Tainui, and others—in which the Maoris made their great migration to these lands. Many years after the Maoris had settled down in the North Island, a noted Bay of Plenty chief named Tama, a descendant of the great Ngahue, wandered to the South Island in search of a lost sister, and found again the hoard of greenstone which Ngahue had first discovered. He took back fragments of the precious stone to the north, and the Waitaha tribe, captivated by its beauty, decided to migrate from their own land in search of this treasure. They left the Bay of Plenty about the year 1450, and took apparently about
Soon after the Waitaha tribe left the Bay of Plenty, the Ngatiwai-rangi, whose home was near Poverty Bay, started out on the same quest. They travelled down the East Coast to Cape Palliser, crossed in canoes to Blind Bay, and landed near the month of the Motueka river. But the Waitaha already occupied these lands, and the Ngati-wairangi thus perforce wandered further south.
They crossed to the West Coast about 1520, reaching the sea at West Wanganui Inlet, and finally spreading south as far as Milford Haven. Along this strip of shore, between the mountains and the sea, they lived for 250 years, finding great stores of greenstone, and growing rich through their trade in this precious commodity with other tribes. Meanwhile the Waitaha had been superseded by the Ngatimamoe, who had in turn given place to another tribe from the Gisborne district, the Ngaitahu. For these two and a-half centuries the Ngatiwairangi were almost a lost tribe, and they kept much to themselves, and carefully concealed the source of their supply of greenstone. When the Ngaitahu, in their career of conquest, had got as far south as the Waitaki river, some of the tribe were accidentally found by a mad woman of the Ngatiwai-rangi, who guided them across the Southern Alps by Browning's Pass to the head waters of the Hokitika, where greenstone could be found. This advent of the Canterbury natives on the West Coast is dated somewhere between 1750 and 1770, and from this time the solitude of the Ngatiwairangi was frequently invaded by strangers.
The Ngaitahu tribe gradually fell into the practice of making regular excursions across the Southern Alps to trade in greenstone. They crossed the dividing range by Campbell Gorge, Harper's Saddle, Arthur's Pass, Browning's Pass or Whitcombe's Pass, but always returned by the upper course of the Hokitika, as that route was shorter, and their heavy loads necessitated a speedy journey. Arahura was the great centre of the greenstone trade, and for many years both tribes profited greatly by it, till mutual jealousies kindled war between them. The first Ngaitahu expedition, under a famous chief, Te Rangimatau, gained a great victory near the mouth of the Hokitika; but a second war party was badly beaten near Lake Mahinapua. Then came a third and fourth raid, and in this last expedition the Ngatiwairangi were finally vanquished near Paparoa, in the Grey Valley. The victorious Ngaitahu ravaged the whole of the West Coast, from north to south, and the Ngatiwairangi who were not slain were soon incorporated with the conquerors as slaves.
The branch of the Ngaitahu that settled on the West Coast maintained its ground undisturbed until the famous raid by the Ngatitoa and Ngatiraukawa under Te Rauparaha in 1827. A section of the invaders under Niho came down the West Coast, starting from Cape Farewell. They scaled the cliffs along the sea coast by means of vine-ladders, and annihilated all the Ngaitahu settlements in their track. But most of the precious green stone of which they were in search was already concealed. Disappointed in their quest they wandered further south, crossed by the Haast Pass into Otago, and finally roused the Ngatimamoe, who combined against them and destroyed them
The first white men to explore the West Coast were whalers. In the Otago volume of this Cyclopedia reference has been made to the visits paid by whalers to the West Coast Sounds as far back as the beginning of the 19th century. Jackson's Bay, at the southern extremity of Westland, was frequently used by the Australian and American whalers as a station for watering and refitting their vessels. But it was not till 1845 that Europeans visited this part of the island for the purpose of testing its capacity for settlement. In that year, Messrs Heaphy and Brunner, surveyors employed by the New Zealand Company, travelled down the coast from Cape Farewell. They followed in the track of the Maori was parties led by Te Rauparaha, and actually used the scaling ladders made by the great chief in his famous raid eighteen years before. They condemned the harbours and river mouths as unsafe for navigation, but they found a considerable area of ground suitable for agriculture. Two years later Mr. Brunner came down the coast on a second exploring tour. He went overland from Nelson to the head of the Buller, and followed the river to its mouth. He then journeyed along the coast, southward as far as the Waiho, beyond Okarito, and thence retraced his steps to the Grey river. He went up the river, and discovered, on his way, the great coal field that now bears his name. He finally got back to Nelson over the low saddle between the Grey and the Inangahua and rejoined his friends after an absence of eighteen months. In 1857, Mr. James Mackay, with two Massacre Bay Maoris, went down the coast from West Wanganui to the mouth of the Grey, and explored the Upper Grey Valley. On presenting his report to the Native Department he was authorised to purchase land on the West Coast from the natives. Accordingly, in 1859, he set out from Christchurch with his cousin, Mr. Alexander Mackay, and, with Mr. Rochfort's survey party from Nelson, crossed the Hurunui saddle into Westland, following the course of the Teremakau, and subsequently that of the Grey. But the natives refused to treat with them, and they finally returned to Nelson by sea in the first vessel that succeeded in crossing a West Coast bar.
In 1860 Mr. Mackay made another attempt to deal with the Maoris. He was joined at the Grey by Mr. S. Mackley, who became, later, a sheepfarmer in the Grey Valley. The negotiations for purchase necessitated a journey to Jackson's Bay, to determine the boundaries of the native reserves. In the end the Maoris of the West Coast—110 in all, being the sole survivors of the once numerous native tribes — sold to Queen Victoria 7,500,000 acres of land for the sum of £300, receiving also land reserves to the extent of 10,000 acres, chiefly on the site of the present town of Greymouth.
Thus Westland passed into the hands of Europeans, and it is a remarkable coincidence that just at this time gold was first discovered in that part of the colony. When Messrs Mackay and Mackley, on their homeward journey, reached the Buller, they found there a prospecting party of twenty Europeans from Canterbury. But though Mr. Rochfort's party had found traces of gold, these prospectors were not satisfied with the indications, and Mr. Mackay guided them up the Aorere to Collingwood, where gold was already being profitably worked. About that time a number of Maoris brought to Collingwood a parcel of gold they had obtained up the Buller. A Collingwood resident, Reuben Waite, was tempted by this to charter a small vessel, and fifteen men went round the coast as far as the Buller. A few others followed later, but they were not very successful. Slowly, scattered parties discovered gold in the Greenstone creek, at the Kanieri, on the Arahura, and at other localities in North Westland. By December, 1864, an influx had already begun, and the steamer “Nelson” was the first to cross the Hokitika bar with a shipload of ciggers.
But the year 1865 was the year from which Westland first dates its rank as a great gold-producing district. News travelled slowly in those isolated districts, but as last a “rush” set in, and the splendid results achieved by the pioneers soon attracted swarms of diggers from all parts of the colonies. Steamers from all New Zealand ports were so overcrowded, that the authorities compelled them to
The social life of Westland during the mining days was unique in its way. The typical digger was usually a fine specimen of manhood, anything from twenty to forty years of age, hardened to all kinds of privations, and somewhat prone to excesses of a kind not now so easily tolerated. The population of “the Coast” was almost entirely male, and, according to Mr. Northcroft, “dance houses and hotels furnished the chief and almost sole opportunities for enjoying the society of the other sex.” The nature of their occupation, in itself highly speculative, did not tend to encourage habits of regular industry, or to promote steadiness in any shape or form. As a class, the diggers made money easily and spent it lavishly. They had a social code of their own, and even a distinctive garb, which has already become one of the traditions of early colonial history. “Full dress consisted of a high slouch hat, the front turned up sharp and the back turned down, a Crimean shirt with a knotted crimson silk scarf, a pair of moleskin trousers, having a bright yellowish tinge by reason of the clay which seemed to wash in, but never wash out, and kept in position by a crimson silk sash, sometimes carrying a leathern sheath with knife, ‘nugget’ pattern boots, and crimson silk laced cord around the crown of the hat.” In this picturesque guise the digger loved to disport himself about the little townships and settlements in the intervals of his toilsome, but usually highly remunerative, labours. Cornelius O'Regan, a West Coaster, who died in the morning of his manhood, but not before showing much promise as a poet, vividly describes the diggers as—
And in the same piece—in which an old miner is recalling to his chum the lives they once led—there is another vigorous verse which may fitly be quoted in this connection:
The natural effect of the expansion of the mining industry was to attract a large population to the Coast, and to promote the rapid growth of commerce. During the gold days some of the larger merchants turned over as much as £200,000 or £300,000 a year. Even Melbourne houses had representatives on the Coast, and a large number of locally owned schooners and brigantines traded between Australia and Hokitika or Greymouth. Hokitika was in those days the first or last port of call for vessels in the Australian trade; and McMeekan and Blackwood's and the Panama Company's steamers came in regularly. The wharves at Hokitika, now mostly abandoned, were crowded with vessels of all descriptions. Theatres ran nightly, and with these and variety shows, bowling allies, shooting galleries and billiard saloons, the Coast population seem to have been at no loss for amusements. All these social and commercial features point to the strenuous vitality of the life on the Coast in the “golden days.”
There are three main goldbearing deposits in Westland. The so-called “riverine leads” consist of ancient river beds partially washed away, as at Kumara and Rimu. The “beach leads” run along the coast line or parallel to it. The third class of deposits are isolated patches of auriferous gravel, as at Bell Hill, Bald Hill, and Humphrey's Gully. These drifts all coat the seaward faces of the hills, while neither gold nor drift is found on the inland slopes. In all these districts hydraulic mining has been more or less extensively carried on, and these operations are now being greatly extended. Kanieri Lake is to be utilised as a source of water supply, while the tapping of the Arahura river and the extension of the old Humphrey's Gully water race will largely increase the area of ground available for sluicing. In addition to this form of mining, dredging has already assumed large proportions on the Coast. It is the opinion of experts that large areas of country that have hitherto defied the efforts of the gold-searcher can be treated profitably by the methods that have succeeded so well
The mineral wealth of Westland is by no means confined to gold. A rich mineral belt traverses the greater part of the main range through the whole length of the district, and specimens of nearly all the known minerals have been discovered in various places. The Paparoa Range, north of Greymouth, is particularly rich in minerals. Copper occurs in the Taipo, Arahura, Whitcombe and Jackson vallevs; the best lodes lving to the west of the Matakitaki, near the Haast river, with large beds of coal and limestime close at hand. Petroleum has been found in the Arnold Valley, where it is hoped that the boring operations will turn out a success. Silver ores, usually in conjunction with gold, have been found in several localities, especially near Rangitoto. But apart from gold, by far the most important mineral found on the West Coast is coal. Several varieties of coal are mined in large quantities at or near West Wanganui, Westport, Greymouth and Reefton. The mines along the Brunner, and on the Blackball Creek, in the Upper Grey Valley, are especially productive; and extensive seams are now being prospected and worked at the State coal mines at Seddonville and Point Elizabeth. All the way down the coast from the Paparoas as far as Jackson's Bay, isolated patches of coal are found; and no doubt borings would locate large measures at a considerable depth below the overlying glacial drift. However, basing our calculations only upon the limits of the proved areas, the supply of coal is almost inexhaustible. By far the most valuable variety is the world-famed Westport bituminous coal, which the late Sir John Coode described as equal, if not superior, to the best description of steam coal from any part of the world. A glance at the statistics of the New Zealand coal industry will show the immense importance of these deposits to Westland. The output of coal in the colony for 1903 was 1,420,193 tons; of which Westland alone contributed 781,032 tons, or more than half the total. Westport alone produced over 570,000 tons in 1903, and the total quantity raised at Greymouth and Westport up to the end of 1903, was, approximately, 8,900,000 tons, or about 48 per cent, of the total amount of coal produced in New Zealand since its mines first began to work. The demand for steam coal of the quality found in Westland is practically unlimited, and it is difficult to over-estimate the value of this great natural asset both to Westland and the colony as a whole. Moreover, there is every reason to believe that only a very small section of the coal-bearing areas has
Apart from mining, the most important industry on the West Coast is sawmilling. There are between forty and fifty mills at work on endowment reserves, Crown and private lands, and their total output for 1903 was about 26,000,000 feet. The material for the mills is close at hand in almost every corner of the district; for the whole of Westland is covered more or less closely with forests. The chief timbers are komahi and rata, but they are useful principally for firewood. The best milling timber is rimu, which is widely distributed from the sea coast to the Dividing Range. There are valuable stretches of white pine or kahikatea on the low-lying coastal lands and swamps, and there is a considerable quantity of silver pine, which provides timber that is practically imperishable. In 1903 nearly 900,000 silver pine sleepers were cut on the Coast for the Government railways. The other marketable timber—black pine, cedar, totara—are found in smaller patches, but their aggregate area is larger. Approximately there are about 2,200,000 acres of bush in Westland, a large portion of which carries timber fit for the sawmill. The only other extractive industry of any importance on the Coast is flaxmilling, but there are only about ten mills at work so far, and their output is not large. About 1000 men are employed altogether in the sawmills and flaxmills and on the West Coast. Other industries may claim brief mention in connection with the notices of the towns.
After this digression upon the products and industries of Westland, it may be well to recur briefly to the history of the district. From the outset Westland suffered from several serious disadvantages as to government and administration. Portions of the West Coast were in the province of Nelson and portions in Canterbury; and as the provincial governments performed many of the functions now relegated to the General Government, many absurd inconsistencies resulted. For instance, if a man crossed the Grey river from Cobden to Greymouth, he required a new miner's right because he had got into another province. The district was represented in the Canterbury Provincial Council, but there was much dissatisfaction on the West Coast about the way in which the common fund for roads, tracks and bridges was administered. A movement thus arose precisely similar to the movement which led to the separation of Southland from Otago, and Marlborough from Nelson. The West Coast settlers demanded independence, and in 1867, in response to their request, Westland was separated from Canterbury by an Act of the General Assembly. It was constituted the County of Westland with a local government of its own.
It would be impossible, within a brief limit of space, to give any idea of the full scope of Westland's political history, but a short reference to the salient facts may find a place in this cursory record. The first County Council consisted of the Hon. John Hall (chairman), Messrs J. H. Bonar and W. Shaw representing Hokitika, Messrs J. Whall and W. Harrison representing Greymouth, and Messrs J. Clark, T. Keary, Edward Barff and Conrad Hoos representing the rest of the district of Westland. The chairman, in opening the first session, referred with satisfaction to the greater efficiency of the means the district then enjoyed for the purpose of controlling local administration and checking expenditure. All the departments formerly under the provincial government of Canterbury were now supervised by the County Council. Among the important measures dealt with by the County Council during its first year of office may be mentioned, primary education, gold prospecting, and tramway construction,
In 1874 therefore Westland, now including all the gold districts on
In this same session of 1874 there was passed the Westland Education Ordinance, under which the schools on the Coast were administered till the present national system of education came into force. An education rate was struck throughout the province to support the district schools, supplemented by a Government grant of £3000 for the year. By the end of 1874, however, the receipts on all accounts had fallen about £9000 below the expenditure, and during the next session (1875), reference was frequently made to the heavy financial burdens laid upon the province, and the unfairness of the adjustment of her share in the provincial debt. The Council made a brave effort to carry on the work of developing the district. Communication with the settlement at Jackson's Bay was improved. The railway between Hokitika and Greymouth was surveyed, and the claim of the district for railway communication with Canterbury was urged vigorously on the attention of the Government. But it was gradually becoming more mani fest to the members of the Council that it was practically impossible to carry on the administration of the province under existing conditions. “Is it for the advantage of the colony,” asked the Superintendent in 1875, “that an important division of it should have to be dependent upon the General Government for assistance from year to year, to enable it to carry on the bare necessities of government, and to be called upon to pay annually £11,600 for interest and sinking fund on debts incurred by a neighbouring province of which we once formed a part, while at the same time that province is in receipt of revenue of about £700,000 per annum?” Here we meet once more the chief grievance for which Westland so long demanded redress in vain—the inequitable allocation of her share in Canterbury's debts. In the course of the same speech the Superintendent, after dwelling upon the needs of the district in the matter of roads and schools, pointedly suggested that Westland could expect relief only through a radical change in the system by which the colony was governed. “Would this state of things,” he asked, “have been allowed to continue for the time it has, under a colonial system of government?” and he concluded with the inference that “so long as the present provincial system exists, so long will the weaker subdivisions of the colony continue to suffer.” The bearing of this statement upon the question of abolition is obvious enough; and when, in the next year, the great struggle of Provincialism was crowned with success, the result was received with no greater enthusiasm in any district of the colony than in Westland.
But though Westland enjoyed so brief an independent existence many of its leading men have played an important part in the political history of the colony. The Hon. James Bonar, after the abolition of his office as Superintendent, long held a seat in the Upper House; Messrs Lahmann, Barff, Button, Keary, O'Regan and Colvin; Mr. R. H. Reeves, long associated with the Inangahua electorate; Mr. Eugene O'Conor, who was for many years identified with the Buller; Mr. Guinness, the present Speaker of the Lower House; and the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, the Premier, who sat in the first Provincial Council for Westland, and has ever since been generally recognised as the parliamentary representative of the whole West Coast, all own Westland as their political birthplace and training
Westland to-day is a very different district from what it was even in 1876. Some conception of the growth of the district during the last forty years may be gained from a brief glance at the chief towns and centres of population on the Coast. Greymouth, with a population of 4,500, is the metropolis of Westland. From it four railway lines radiate, to Hokitika, Reefton, Otira, and the State coal mine at Runanga. The town is well paved and lighted, and it has a good drainage system, and an excellent water supply. The Corporation owns water works and gas works; there is a good public library and a telephone exchange. The town possesses a foundry, breweries, sawmills, sash and door and furniture factories, meat preserving works, lime kilns, and cement works; and it is the site of one of the Government railway workshops. Hokitika, the centre of life in Westland during the “golden days,” has been partly superseded by its northern rival. It has still a population of some 2000, and though it has the usual complement of local manufactures—foundry and engineering shops, fish canneries, breweries, coffee and spice works, sash and door and furniture factories—it is mostly dependent on the adjacent flax and timber mills, and on the gold mining industry. The town has gas and telephones, a good library, reading-room and museum; while, as in Greymouth, the educational system of the colony is well represented by both primary and district high schools. The town is picturesque, and the view of the snow-capped Dividing Range is remarkably fine.
Apart from these two centred of population, the towns on the West Coast are identified almost entirely in some form or other with mining industries. The township of Brunner, with the adjacent villages of Dobson, Wallsend and Taylorville, contains about 1,500 people. The townships all depend upon the coal mines, with their allied industries of coke burning, brick and tilemaking. The railway line to Greymouth is so actively occupied in carrying coal that it is the best paying section in the colony. Blackball, with 800 inhabitants, is another township built upon the coal industry; the coalfield in the vicinity being one of the finest in New Zealand. Of the gold-mining townships the most important are. Kumara, and Ross. The hydraulic gold-mining industry centres at Kumara, which, with Dillmanstown, has about 1,120 inhabitants. Large sludge channels have been constructed to carry away the tailings from the claims, and the water is brought down to the “faces” on stagings or flumes from a considerable distance. Ross, twenty miles south of Hokitika, with a population of 650, is another important gold-sluicing centre, from which much may yet be expected when the deep auriferous levels, now water-logged, have been drained and worked. There are many other small townships—Ahaura, Stillwater, Stafford, Rimu, Kanieri, Blue Spur, Okarito—all associated with either timber milling or gold sluicing, and never likely to become large or populous unless some extraordinarily rich discoveries of mineral wealth should be made in their vicinity.
The means of communication in Westland are somewhat limited, owing to the rough and impracticable nature of the country. The chief railway is the Greymouth-Hokitika line, which now runs to Reefton at the north, and is being extended southward to Ross. From Stillwater the Westland end of the Midland Railway branches off toward Canterbury, running as far as the foot of the Otira Gorge. But the most ordinary means of transit on the Coast is by coach. Twice a week coaches run through the Otira Gorge and Arthur's Pass, to and from Canterbury. Once a week a coach takes the mail south to Okarito, whence it is carried on horseback to Gillespie's Beach, and still further south—once a fortnight—to Jackson's Bay. The main south road has been so far improved that it is now possible to ride down through Westland and over Haast Pass into Otago. Whitcombe's Pass is being opened by another bridle track, but much of the back country is still almost inaccessible. As far as possible the needs of local communication are supplied by small coastal steamers. Subsidised boats are specially
One serious difficulty that has always interfered, not only with the inter-communication, but with the commercial development of the country, is the lack of good harbours. Jackson's Bay is the only naturally good ocean harbour on the coast, and could easily be converted into a first-class port. Most of the river mouths are navigable, but all are obstructed by difficult and dangerous bars. Bruce Bay and Awarua Bay, toward the southern extremity of Westland, are open roadsteads; Okarito is a bar harbour, sometimes completely blocked by sand. Small steamers can enter the mouths of the Haast, Paringa, Cascade, Teremakau, Arawata and other West Coast rivers; but even in the larger estuaries the bars are a permanent danger. At Hokitika two large training walls have been built, one of them 2000 feet long. Inside the bar there is about 1000 feet of berthage, with from eighteen to twenty-two feet of water; and for ten months out of the twelve the bar is generally safe for vessels drawing eight to ten feet of water. At Greymouth, twenty-four miles north-east of Hokitika, even more extensive harbour works have been carried out. A sea wall has been built out some 3,500 feet on the south side of the river mouth, and on the north side there is another breakwater 1,125 feet long. The result is that there is a depth of eight feet to sixteen feet on the bar at low water, and twenty-one feet at high water. Vessels of 1,500 tons can now come up to the wharves; and there is berthage accommodation of over 2,000 feet, with a minimum depth of twelve feet to sixteen feet at low water. The trams run down on to the wharf, and coal, the principal export, is emptied from specially constructed trucks by means of steam and hydraulic cranes into the ships' holds. The port's statistics for the past few years show that the heavy expenditure upon these harbour works has been fully justified by the results. During 1903, 623 steamers and sailing vessels, of 216,355 tons capacity, entered the harbour. The exports consisted of 170,317 tons of coal, 2,000 tons of coke, 1,648 tons of bricks, and 22,000,000 feet of sawn timber, while 44,000 tons of general cargo were imported. The total value of exports from Greymouth in 1903 was £417,802, as against £411,115 in the previous year; and from Hokitika the value of exports was £54,275, as against £42,561 in 1902. These figures show that, in spite of the many physical and geographical disadvantages, the trade of Westland is flourishing, and is likely to expand rapidly in the future.
Since the abolition of the provinces the expansion of the district has been slow but steady. Westland still depends almost solely upon its mineral wealth; and, as has been shown, its yield of gold and coal, has played an important part in the development of the colony. As an indication of the present conditions and prospects of the district, the opinion of Mr. E. J. Roberts, Chief Surveyor for Westland may be noted with advantage. Mr. Roberts considers (1905) that settlement is making good progress, and that land is being taken up in small areas in every portion of the district. The importation of cattle from the North Island is decreasing, which means that Westland is beginning to rely on its own resources. The isolation of Westland from the rest of the colony, through lack of good harbours, and deficient railway connection, is still severely felt, but both these needs are in a fair way to be remedied. But the hopes of the district are still chiefly built upon its prospects of mineral wealth; and there is great need for systematic prospecting. This want is now (1905) in a fair way to be filled by the appointment of a Government prospector, who is to commence operations at once on the Coast. In the great belt of metalliferous land running north and south the whole length of the Coast, samples of nearly all the known metals have been found; but no one knows what is really there, or below the false bottoms of the river beds that have been already treated. Mr. Roberts believes that if Jackson's Bay were improved, it could, without serious expenditure, be converted into a fine harbour for oceangoing boats, and the coal in the vicinity would make it one of the most flourishing ports in the colony. According to the same authority, the completion of the Midland railway line is eagerly looked for by the people of Westland, not only because it will afford greater facilities for the coal and timber industries on which they largely depend, but because it will help to attract attention to their district by
No description of Westland, however brief, could be complete without some reference to the magnificent scenery which makes this district one of the colony's most attractive tourist resorts. Westland, as the Tourist Department's guidebook justly remarks, presents special features of interest to every type of traveller—the geologist, the botanist, the naturalist, the artist, the mountaineer. Of the more famous scenic attractions usually associated with the West Coast, it must be remembered that the Mount Cook district, and the Hokitika Christchurch road, belong strictly to Canterbury, and the “West Coast Sounds “so-called, fall within the border line of Otago. Mention of these has been made at some length in other volumes of this work; and it is here sufficient to remind the reader that Westland, which includes the whole western slope of the Southern Alps, contains types and specimens of all the most magnificent Alpine scenery that has made these islands famous throughout the world. Though the Hokitika-Christchurch road has been described in the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia, it is impossible to pass it by without some brief reference to the wonders of the Otira Gorge, one of Westland's gradest scenic possessions. Describing the view from the top of the Zig-Zag, at the head of the Gorge, Mr. Roberts writes: “Behind and in front are scarred and towering precipices fully 2000 feet high, topped by fantastic rocky pinnacles, presenting scarred bold faces of rock, almost destitute of all vegetation. Below, on the left, the river surges over obstructing boulders and falls in picturesque cascades; in front appear the ravined and chasmed sides of the Otira Gorge, coated with shaggy gnarled storm-twisted forest and veined with flashing streaks of white cataracts, the whole bounded by the snowy crown of Mount Barron. The grade now descends rapidly, and makes through enormous accumulations of rock overgrown with an impenetrable mass of dwarfed ratas, festooned with trailing moss, and a riotous tangle of Alpine underbush. And thence, for a distance of two and a-half miles, there are obtained swiftly succeeding glimpses of soft creamy waterfalls, fissured cliffs, redbarked cedars curtained with most,
In the vicinity of Greymouth and Hokitika there are many settlements where gold-sluicing on a large scale affords a unique and picturesque attraction to the sightseer. From Kumara, and Greymouth more especially, a large number of drives can be taken to picturesque spots within easy reach of Brunnerton, Port Elizabeth, Cobden, Stillwater, Kokiri and many more. In the neighbourhood of Hokitika interesting trips can be made to the two lakes Kanieri and Mahinapua. Of these, Mahinapua Lake, and the long winding creek which leads into it from the Hokitika river, are remarkable for the wonderful vividness of the reflections of bush and mountain and sky cast upon their dark waters. Lake Kanieri is completely surrounded by forest-clad hills; and the view of these and the distant snow-capped ranges is one of rare magnificence. For those willing to go further afield, an immense variety of Alpine scenery can be reached on either of the three practicable routes by which the Dividing Range can be crossed—Browning's Pass, at the head of the Arahura, Mathias Pass, at the head of the Hokitika, and Whitcombe's Pass, leading over into the headwaters of the Rakaia. “The wonderful gorges of the Whitcombe, the magnificent Barron canon, the lovely Wilkinson Glacier, with the ice-laden precipices of Mount Evans above, and the mossy cedar forest in front, the
noble snow crest of Louper's Peak looking down on the flower-strewn slopes of the Pass, the stern precipitous gulch of Louper's stream, the glittering pinnacles of the Arrowsmith Range.” All this and much more can be seen during a few days' trip over one of these routes alone. For those who desire a closer acquaintance with the Alpine region, it is easy to follow the Okarito river past Lake Mapourika, and so to the verge of the Franz. Joseph Glacier, one of the most glorious of all New Zealand's scenic splendours. “Hoary summits clear and sharp in the far distance; drifting expanses swooping down in soft white curves; creamy swells rippling and surging downward; milk-white folds overlapping chalklike cliffs; patches of sky-blue tints showing through as it were foamy lace; the quivering ice blush of the hidden hollow; a huge white billow heaving high; next turquoise clefts, powdered steps, headlong descents of cobalt; zig-zags of emerald and white, outlined by indigo depths; awesome crevasses; abysmal fissures; poised transparencies; translucent stairways; blue chasms full of reflecting light—and so on through a complete chromatic scale of colour and artistic effect. From Gillespie's Beach, a little further along the Coast, the tourist can reach the Fox Glacier, which, though perhaps less strikingly beautiful than the Franz Joseph, has a weird grandeur all its own. “The ceaseless crush which ploughs up the boulders at its face, like grains of sand, the constant crunch of the ice, the intermittent crash of overhanging ice walls, and the reverberating thunder of the avalanches which roar down night and day
Westland was originally part of the province of Canterbury, and remained so until the year 1870, when Mr. John Hall (afterwards Sir John) was sent over to inaugurate a system of county government. Mr. Hall became the county's first chairman, and held office until the elections were completed, and the newly-constituted body was in working order. Mr. Conrad Hoos, the first chairman formally elected by the County Council, held office for about two years. He was succeeded by Mr. Herman Lahmann, of Greymouth. Mr. Lahmann held the chairmanship for fully two years, until the system was superseded in 1874, by the Provincial Council of Westland. The Superintendent's salary was fixed at £700 a year, and a free house. Mr. J. A. Bonar became the first Superintendent, and he held of fice until the province was abolished, with the other provinces, on the 1st of November, 1876.
first and only Superintendent of Westland, and formerly a member of the Legislative Council, was a prominent figure in Westland, from the early days of the gold rush, until his death on the 7th of November. 1901. He was a son of the late Mr. Archibald Bonar, at one time a banker in Edinburgh, and afterwards Intimately connected with the initiation of the Hokitika Savings Bank, of which he was for some years manager. Mr. Bonar was born in Edinburgh. Scotland, and was educated at the Edinburgh Academy. He accompanied his father to Australia in the year 1854, and held a position a shipping clerk with Messrs J. Henty and Co., in Melbourne, for a few years. In 1863, Mr. Bonar came to New Zealand, and entered into business as a general merchant in Invercargill under the style of Henderson and Bonar. Two years later, he removed to the West Coast, and landed in Hokitika in March, 1865. Mr. Bonar established himself as a merchant and shipping agent, and carried on an extensive business, including the agencies of Messrs McMeeking, Blackwood, and Co., and afterwards of the Union Steamship Company, and the principal shipping firms in England, America, and Europe trading with New Zealand; and was also appointed Lloyds' agent. From the first he took a prominent part in public matters and was a member of the first public body on the West Coast—the Hokitika Improvement Committee. In the year 1876, Mr. Bonar acted as Secretary of the Goldfields for a short time, under the Canterbury Provincial Council, was a member of the Executive Council of that body, and held the position until the separation of Westland from Canterbury. He was elected the first Mayor of Hokitika in 1867, and held office until the following year. For about a year Mr. Bonar was chairman of the Experimental County Council, and on the establishment of Provincial Government at Hokitika in 1874, became the first at only Superintendent of Westland. He was afterwards Administrator of the affairs of the Provincial Council, and also wound them up. In December, 1877, a silver epergne was presented to him, on the completion of this commission, by the people of the district for the manner in whcih he had carried out the duties of the Superintendency. Mr. Bonar turned the first sod of the Hokitika-Greymouth railway in the year 1879. He was called to the Legislative Council in June, 1868, and continued to take an active interest in his duties until his death. For about thirty years he performed the duties of Visiting Justice to Her Majesty's Gaol. and was for many years Official Visitor to the Seaview Asylum. For some years Mr. Bonar held office as president of the Hokitika Hospital, find was for a number of years chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board. He was justly considered the father of the volunteer movement on the West Coast, and was promoted to the rank of Major in the year 1884, and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1891; he obtained his long service medal in 1865, and subsequently received the Victoria decoration. Mr. Bonar took a general interest in the development of the West Coast, and was a strong supporter of goldmining interests. As a man he was universally loved and respected. Mr. Bonar married a daughter of the late Mr. William Montgomerie Bell, of Melbourne, of the firm of William M. Bell and Company, merchants, in 1874. At his death he left a widow and five sons.
was called to the Legislative Council in May, 1901. He was born in Wrighton, Sussex, England, in the year 1831, and learned the trade of a painter. Mr. Holmes went to Australia in 1852, followed goldmining at Forest Creek, Bendigo, and Ballarat, and also carried on business as a painter at Geelong. He came to New Zealand in 1861, but shortly afterwards went back to Australia, and brought his wife and family to New Zealand. Mr. Holmes followed his trade in Dunedin for some time, and removed to Hokitika in July, 1865. For many years he conducted the business of a painter and paperhanger in Hokitika, and established a branch at Greymouth. In 1880, Mr. Holmes bought the Okuku water race at Kumara, and sold it after having worked it successfully for twenty years. He was also one of those who put up the second battery plant at Reefton. Mr. Holmes has served on the Harbour Board, the High School Board, the Licensing Bench, and other public bodies. He has been captain of the Fire Brigade, is vice-president of the Hokitika Savings Bank, and has been a Justice of the Peace for the last twenty-five years. He is a Liberal in politics. Mr. Holmes has had many ups and downs since his arrival in New Zealand, but has always paid twenty shillings in the pound. He has been twice married, and has, surviving, five sons and six daughters.
was called to the Legislative Council in June, 1868, and continued a member until he died on the 7th of November, 1901. He is referred to in another article as the first and only Superintendent of the province of Westland.
was a member of the Legislative Council in the sixties, and in 1877 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives for Grey. In 1886, he was appointed a member of the New Zealand Commission for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. Mr. Gisborne is more fully referred to at page 71 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
formerly a member of the Legislative Council for Westland, was appointed in the year 1872, and held office until his death in 1890. He had previously been a member of the original Westland County Council, of which he was elected chairman in 1872, and held the position until that system of Government was superseded by the inauguration of the provincial system.
was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1892. During the time he was in the Council he supported the Old Age Pensions Bill, the Factories Bill, and the Advances to Settlers Bill. Mr. Kerr opposed the Alcoholic Liquors Sales Control Bill. Prior to entering the Legislative Council. Mr. Kerr was prominent in local politics, and was for many years a borough councillor. He was also a member of the Greymouth Harbour Board, Education, Board, etc. Mr. Kerr died on the 25th of August, 1901.
, who sits for Westland in the House of Representatives, was first returned to Parliament in the year 1879, as one of the two members for Hokitika. He served the Hokitika district until 1881, and was returned as the first member for the new electorate of Kumara in 1882. On the 24th of January, 1891, he became Minister of Public Works in the Administration of Mr. John Ballance, who died on the 27th of April, 1893, and was succeeded in the Premiership by Mr. Seddon on the 1st of May. Mr. Seddon still (December, 1905) holds that office. He was made a member of the Privy Council of Great Britain in 1897. Mr. Seddon is further referred to at pages 40, 41, and 42 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
, Member of the House of Representatives for Grey, has represented the electorate since the 22nd of July, 1884. He was Chairman of Committees for ten years, and was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in June, 1903. Mr.
was returned a member of the House of Representatives for the Westland constituency, in 1863, held office until 1870, and was re-elected in 1876. As a miner, Mr. Barff made a good representative of the goldfields of the West Coast, and was generally known in politics as the framer of the Mining Act of 1877, known as Barff's Act. This act has since served as a basis for other mining legislation.
was a member for Westland in the House of Representatives from 1866 to 1867. He is further referred to as the champion of the Lyttelton tunnel, and as Superintendent of Canterbury, at pages 37, 38, and 93, of the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia.
was returned for North Westland to the House of Representatives in 1870. He was at one time a goldfields warden and magistrate, and was stationed at Westport. At the time of the Fenian riots at Addison's Flat, he displayed great judgment and discretion, and was the means of averting trouble which otherwise might have resulted in bloodshed.
was a member of the House of Representatives in the years 1871–1875. He represented the Hokitika electorate at the time when that constituency returned two members, and was an energetic representative. Mr. White was well known as a shipping agent, and for some time represented the old Panama Company at Hokitika. For a number of years he was a member of the Hokitika Borough Council.
was returned to the House of Representatives by the electors of Ross, in 1871, and served his constituency until the year 1876. He was well known as a staunch advocate of the mining industry. Mr. Tribe resided chiefly in Wellington after his election, and died there many years ago.
represented Hokitika in the House of Representatives in the years 1876 and 1877. In 1868, he was elected to a seat on the Westland County Council, and about the same time was chosen Mayor of Hokitika. As a member of the County Council, Mr. Button was useful in frustrating two or three bare-faced attempts at political jobbery. A few years later, he was induced to stand for Parliament. Notwithstanding his success at the poll, he resigned after the second session (1877) rather than continue the representative of a constituency which favoured a party he felt bound to oppose. He is further referred to on pages 110 and 111 of the Auckland volume of this Cyclopedia.
represented Hokitika in the House of Representatives during the years 1878 and 1879. He also sat for Rodney, a North Island constituency, from 1880 to 1884. Mr. George, who is a nephew of the late Sir George Grey, was called to the Legislative Council on the 22nd of June, 1903.
was returned to the House of Representatives, for the Buller constituency, in the year 1879, and served his electorate until 1881. He is more fully referred to at page 245 of the Canterbury volume of this work.
represented Westland in the House of Representatives from 1879 to 1881. He was the proprietor and editor of the “West Coast Times,” and issued a well illustrated volume entitled “The Golden Coast.”
represented a Westland constituency from 1882 to 1884. He was for some years Resident Magistrate at Hokitika, with jurisdiction throughout Westland. Mr. Fitzgerald was also well known as a journalist in Invercargill, and in the year 1862, in partnership with others, he founded the “Southland Times,” with which he was intimately connected for some time. He was afterwards editor of the “Timaru Herald,” and died at Timaru. He was a brother of Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, sometime Auditor-General of New Zealand.
, J.P., who represented Hokitika in the House of Representatives from 1884 to 1887, was born in Jersey, Channel Islands, in 1837, and educated at the Jersey Grammar School. He emigrated to Victoria in 1857, and came to New Zealand nine years later. As representative for Hokitika, Mr. Bevan was instrumental in obtaining a grant of 500 acres of land on the shores of Lake Mahinapua for the Old Men's Home. Mr. Bevan was also a member and chairman of the Hokitika Education Board for many years, being the Government representative on that body. He was a commissioner for thirteen years on the Westland Waste Lands Board, and has also identified himself with other local bodies of the district.
, who at one time represented Westland in the House of Representative, was elected in 1887, when he defeated Mr. John Bevan by 290 votes, and sat till the
close of the session of 1890. During that time many Bills, in connection with which Mr. Grimmond took a prominent part, were introduced and passed, the Hokitika High School Act being amongst the number. In 1890 he contested the seat against Mr. Seddon, who obtained a majority of 338,
was a member of the House of Representatives for the Grey electorate from 1868 to 1870, and from 1871 to 1875. He was the first editor of the “Grey River Argus,” owned by Messrs Kerr, Arnott, and Co., and his cultivated intelligence, and his lucid literary style made the paper one of the best in New Zealand during his editorship. Mr. Harrison was a progressive politician and a fluent speaker, and took a special interest in the amendment of the Land Laws. Owing to his outspokenness in recommending Point Elizabeth as a proper site for a harbour for the district, and advocating the construction of harbour works by prison labour, and that a central prison for the colony should be established there, Mr. Harrison was rejected by the electors of Grey.
was returned to the House of Representatives for the Grey electoral district in the year 1876, but resigned in the following year. He is further referred to in the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia, at pages 508–9.
represented the constituency of Greymouth in the House of Representatives, from 1876 until 1879. He was known as a merchant in the district, and is still remembered as having made a stir in the House on the question of the incidence of taxation.
represented Grey Valley in the House of Representatives during 1879–1880. He was born in London, England, in the year 1839, and arrived in Australia with his parents in 1849. Mr. Masters afterwards came to New Zealand, settled on the West Coast, and in conjunction with the late Mr. Forsyth established the business now (1905) carried on by Messrs Forsyth and McKay. As a public man and a private citizen, Mr. Masters did much to forward the interests of the West Coast, and he was much respected. He is further referred to as a former Mayor of Greymouth.
was elected to the House of Representatives for the Grey electorate in the year 1881. In the following year the district was divided, and Mr. Weston stood for Inangahua, for which he was returned; but he resigned his seat in 1883, in order to attend to his private business. Mr. Weston is further referred to at pages 247–8 of the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia.
was a member of the House of Representatives for Grey, from 1882 to 1884. He stood for the district at the general election of 1905, and at the polls on the 6th of December, he received fully 2,600 votes. Mr. Petrie is further referred to as a member of the Greymouth Borough Council.
The town of Hokitika, founded in 1864, had a phenomenally rapid growth. Up to 1866, thousands of people were living in canvas tents, and there were neither roads nor streets. The first body set up in the public interest was a locally-formed improvement committee. Under its direction streets were laid out, and the settlement began to assume a city-like appearance. A large theatre was built, and was crammed every night at high prices. At one time, there were nearly 200 public houses in the town, all within a radius of a mile. Sleeping accommodation was, however, very limited, and men who could not squeeze into tents slept at hotels, where they had to pay three shillings a night for the privilege of a blanket on the floor, or on a dining table. In those early days Mr. G. S. Sale, now a professor in the University of Otago, held almost unlimited powers to deal with all judicial and financial matters; in fact, he was the administrator of the affairs of the West Coast. When Westland obtained local self-government, Mr. Sale was county secretary till the post was abolished, and then he sat as a member of the Westland County Council. The first Mayor of Hokitika was the late Hon. J. A. Bonar, afterwards a member of the Legislative Council. The corporation was created in the year 1867, and in that year the late Sir George Grey, then Governor of New Zealand, visited the West Coast, and was entertained at a banquet by the citizens of Hokitika. During the year 1868, riots known as the Fenian Riots, took place in the town. The excitement arose over the Irish Home Rule agitation, and was intensified by the news of the execution of the three Manchester “Martyrs,” and the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh by O'Farrell, at Sydney. At the time there were thousands of Irishmen digging at Hokitika, and most of them were sympathisers with their brethren at Home. The trouble and tumult that ensued resulted in a trial in the Supreme Court, before Mr. Justice Richmond. The ringleaders were found guilty, but the Judge, in passing the sentences, tempered justice with mercy, and in due
That was forty years ago, and the Hokitika of to-day is a quiet business-like place, with the improvements usually found in modern towns. The town is situated 120 miles west by rail and coach from Christchurch, in the county of Westland, of which it is the capital town, and is in the electorate and provincial district of Westland.
Hokitika was originally called Okatika, and it was on the 20th of December, 1864, that Captain S. A. Leech (who died at Westport on the 30th of November, 1905) crossed the bar in the s.s. “Nelson,” thus opening up the navigation of the river. The next vessel to cross the bar was the schooner “City of Nelson,” which was followed by the schooner “Colleen Bawn” and afterwards by the s.s. “Wallaby.” In January, 1865, the first large vessel to anchor in the roadstead was the “Claud Hamilton,” of the Panama Company. Hokitika was then a medley of tents and shanties, which rapidly increased in number. However, early in the year 1865, the first building, occupied as a branch of the Bank of New Zealand, was erected; and it was in December 1864, that the first town allotments were marked off by Warden Revell, after whom the main street was named. About the first week of March, 1865, Westland was proclaimed a goldfield. The original town of Hokitika stood on a sandy beach, overgrown by pine trees and scrub, through which it was not easy to travel.
At Present The Chief Public Bodies Of Hokitika Are The Hokitika Borough Council, The Hokitika Harbour Board, And The Westland County Council. The Local Volunteers Consist Of The First Westland Rifles, Known As No. 1 Company Of The Second Nelson Battalion Of New Zealand Rifles. Hokitika Has Three Banks; The Bank Of New Zealand, The National Bank, And The Bank Of New South Wales. It Has Also A Savings Bank, And Two Industrial Building Societies. The Government Departments Within The Borough Include The Lands And Survey Office, The Stock Office (With A Resident Inspector), The Customs House, The Chief Post And Telegraph Office, The Railway Station, The Supreme Court, Stipendiary Magistrate's And Warden's Court, The Police Office, The Gaol And Mental Hospital. The Charitable Institutions Of The District Consist Of A Benevolent Society, The Westland Hospital, And The Local Hospital And Charitable Aid Board. Hokitika Has A District High School, A Public School, And The Roman Catholic Convent Has Schools For Primary And Secondary Subjects; And Westland Has A Board Of School Commissioners, As Well As An Education Board. Hokitika Has Four Churches; Namely, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist And Presbyterian; Two Daily Newspapers, “The West Coast Times” And “The Guardian”; And It Is The Headquarters Of The Westland Agricultural And Pastoral Association, The Hokitika Horticultural And Poultry Society, And The Westland Acclimatisation Society. There Are Also Cricket, Football, Tennis And Racing Clubs. The Westland Institute Is A Literary Club With A Library, A Reading-Room, And A Museum, And There Are Various Other Literary Societies. Freemasonry Is Represented By The District Grand Lodge, English Constitution; Lodge Pacific, Under The Same Constitution; And Lodge Westland Kilwinning, New Zealand Constitution. Hokitika Has Several Engineering Works And Iron Foundries, A Sawmill, Two Breweries, And An Acrated Water Factory. The Lighting Of The Town Is Undertaken By The Local Gas Company. A Clock Tower, Begun In February, 1902, And Finished In May, 1903, Commemorates The Coronation Of King Edward VII, the despatch of 130 men from Westland to South Africa, and the names of Westland troopers, who lost their lives while on service with New Zealand contingents in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. During the seventies the population of Hokitika varied from ten to twelve thousand, but at the census of 1901, it stood at 1946.
Amongst people who do not know the place, there is a vague erroneous impression that Hokitika is very tame with respect to scenery, and unusually damp in the matter of climate. But fine views of Mount Cook are obtained from the Terraces, and though more rain falls at Hokitika than at Wellington, the capital of Westland gets more sunshine than the capital of the colony. It is said that in spring the Westland pastures are three weeks ahead of those of Canterbury, and three weeks later in going in the winter. This no doubt testifies to the humidity of the climate, but then it is also a testimony to its mildness.
was originally formed under the Hokitika Municipal Corporation Ordinance of 1867, enacted by the Westland Provincial Council, and it was subsequently incorporated on the 24th of August, 1868, under its Act of the General Assembly relating to boroughs. The area of the borough is 1,280 acres. The total rateable capital value in the year 1905 was £127,158, and the unimproved value £48,343, and general and special rates are levied on the unimproved value. The general rate is threepence three farthings in the pound, and the special rate is a penny-halfpenny; and in addition, a charitable aid rate of a penny farthing in the pound is levied on the capital value. There are two existing loans: one of £1,978, under the Municipal Corporations Act, of which £400 has been paid off, and a loan of £10,000 under the Local Bodies Loans Act, for drainage purposes, with a currency of forty-one years. There are over fifteen miles of streets formed, and about twenty miles of footpaths, and one-third of these are asphalted. The streets are level, and exceptionally well kept, and were formed by day labour. There are eighteen hotels within the borough, and they pay licenses ranging from £40 to £45 per annum. The income from all sources for the financial year 1904–1905, was over £3,000. The assets of the borough consist of a Town Hall and reserves. On these are built the fire brigade station, and the Agricultural Hall and Drillshed, valued at £3,000. Cass Square, which is beautifully laid out, is also the property of the Council. It is nine acres in extent, and is valued at £3,000. There are other reserves, which are used for public purposes, and which bring up the total value to £15,000. In the year 1905 the Council considered proposals for the general drainage of the borough, and for the inauguration of a water supply scheme. Up to that year, provision had been made only for drainage of surface water, and the residents generally were dependent on rainwator tanks. The Hokitika cemetery is under the control of the Borough Council, and is situated on the top of a terrace on the northern boundary of the town. The borough of Hokitika is lighted by thirty gas lamps, and gas is supplied by the local gas company at 7/6 per thousand feet net. Members of the Borough Council for the year 1905: Mr. J. Mandl (Mayor), and Messrs G.
is a son of the late Dr. Mandl, and was born in Austria in the year 1836, educated in his native country, and served in the army. He went to Victoria, Australia, about the year 1860, afterwards came to New Zealand, and was on the Tuapeka and Waitahuna goldfields for about two years. At the outbreak of the West Coast diggings, Mr. Mandl was attracted to Hokitika, where he embarked in business; first as a storekeeper at Blue Spur, and later on, with his present business in Fitzherbert Street. He was first elected Mayor of Hokitika in 1899, and subsequently served in the years 1899–91 and 1895–96. Mr. Mandl also sat as a borough councillor for six years, and on three occasions he was chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. He has greatly assisted in promoting the mining industry on the West Coast, and was a strong advocate for the Grey-Hokitika railway, which has proved such a boon to the district. Mr. Mandl is a widower, and has four children. His son has successfully completed his medical studies at Edinburgh, and is now practising his profession.
has been a member of the Hokitika Borough Council since the year 1885. He is further referred to as the proprietor of the Westland Sheet Metal and Tinware Works.
has been a member of the Hokitika Borough Council since the year 1888. He was born in 1839, in Ireland, where he was educated. Mr. Dee arrived in New Zealand, in August, 1862, and, in 1865, settled on the West Coast. He followed gold mining for some time, commeneed business at Waimea, and subsequently became a general storekeeper at Hokitika.
who is a member of the Hokitika Borough Council, was elected in 1895. Mr. Clark was born at Blackley, Manchester, England, in 1847. From the age of twelve he followed mercantile pursuits, and was in the employment of Mr. Robert Whittaker, Pendleton, and of Messrs Booth and Whitehead, brokers, Salford. He then spent fifteen years in the Royal Navy, sailed to Panama in the ship “Captain Cook,” and came on to New Zealand in 1866 as an able seaman on the R.M. s.s. “Rakaia.” Mr. Clarke procured his discharge at Wellington, caught the gold fever, and went to Hokitika, where he worked as a miner, and was fairly successful for several years. In 1875, he undertook the duties of district assessor, and became a general commission agent. In 1878 Mr. Clarke was engaged by Mr. Archibald Scott, insurance, shipping, and general agent, Hokitika, and when that gentleman's business was bought by Mr. W. Duncan, in 1879, Mr. Clarke was retained as manager, a position he still holds. He is also chairman of the Hokitika school committee, a position be has held for a number of years, and is also a member of the Westland Education Board, and of the District High School Board. Mr. Clarke was instrumental in forming the Stafford Literary Institute, in 1870, and is on the committee of the Westland Institute. Mr. Clarke has been associated with the Oddfellows since 1869, and has passed through all the chairs of the Loyal Waimea Lodge. In Freemasonry he is associated with Lodge Pacific, No. 1229, English Constitution, Hokitika, and was secretary of the District Grand Lodge of Wastland for many years, besides having filled all the offices. Mr. Clarke is married, and has, surviving, two sons and two daughters. One of his daughters was killed by a waterwheel while she was picknicking with a party of friends at Lake Mahinapua, on the 27th of December, 1901.
was elected a member of the Hokitika Borough Council in 1904, and was re-elected in the following year. He is further referred to as chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board.
was elected a member of the Hokitika Borough Council in April, 1905. He was born at Hokitika, and is an ironmonger by trade.
was elected a member of the Hokitika Borough Council in the year 1905, and had previously been a member for two years. He has a fruit shop and drapery business in Revell Street.
was appointed Town Clerk and Treasurer of the borough of Hokitika on the 1st of August, 1898. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up as an accountant. After being two years in Africa, Mr. Campbell came to Wellington, New Zealand, in 1901. He settled in Hokitika, and was an accountant in a mercantile office before he received his present appointment.
, Registered Offices, Tancred Street; Works, Stafford Street, Hokitika. Directors: Messrs A. Stevenson (chairman), W. Williams, John Maunders and the Very Rev. Dean Martin. Mr. P. Wilson is manager, and Mr. W. Duncan secretary. The buildings, which are of brick, include a retort house, purifying house, gasometer, offices, and workshop. The retort house contains eleven retors, and the gasometer is capable of holding 20,000 feet of gas. The company makes over 3,000,000 feet of gas annually, and charges ten shillings per thousand feet net for lighting, and six shillings and eight-pence for cooking purposes.
, Manager of the Hokitika Gas Company, Limited, was appointed to his present position in the year 1880. He is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland, and came to New Zealand about the year 1863.
was established in the year 1866. Mr. Mallard was its first captain, as well as one of its founders. The brigade has a complete plant, including a steam engine, and two manual engines, all valued at £1000. Several concrete tanks and wells, together with the water of the Hokitika river, serve for fire purposes. There are three fire bells, and a night-watchman is one duty from 11 p.m. till 6 a.m. The brigade is supported by grants from the Borough Council, and voluntary subscriptions; and the annual expenditure, including the salary of the night-watchman, who is an officer of the Council, is about £250. Officers for the year 1905: Messrs H. L. Michel, captain: W. Thompson, lieutenant; A. A. Andrewes, might-watchman.
who is further referred to as a former Mayor of Hokitika, has been associated with the brigade for many years. In 1896, he was president of the New Zealand Fire Brigade Association, and has attended the annual conferences for the last fifteen years. With other members of the association, he has worked hard to secure legislation with a view to placing the fire brigades of the colony upon a sounder footing.
, formerly Lieutenant of the Hokitika Fire Brigade, has been associated with the brigade since 1880, and has rendered valuable services during that time. At competitions he has been singularly successful. Mr. Braddon has made himself extremely popular with the members of the brigade and the citizens generally. He was born in Sandridge, Victoria, in 1862, and came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age. He was brought up to the brewing trade, has been on the same premises for the past twenty-five years, and now holds the position of brewer to Messrs Mandl and Co. He first worked under Mr. Stennard in Hokitika, and later on he gained further experience, under the late Mr. T. I. Hudson. On Mr. Mandl taking over the whole management of the brewery, Mr. Braddon remained in his employment, and in 1890 he was promoted to the position of brewer.
, the property of the Borough Council, is one of the finest public buildings of its kind on the West Coast. It was erected in the year 1866, and is a two-storied wooden building. The Council Chambers are, with the Town Clerk's office, on the first floor, and the second floor includes a public reading room, library and museum. The land attached to the Town Hall comprises an acre and twenty perches, with a frontage to Revell Street, in the centre of the borough.
The West Coast has three boroughs, each of which is a seaport; namely, Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport; and Brunner, Kumara, and Ross also are boroughs. Hokitika became a municipality in the year 1866, Greymouth two years later, and West-port in 1873. Eighteen citizens have occupied the mayoral chair of Hokitika; and of these Mr. H. L. Michel was Mayor for nine years, and Mr. J. Mandl (Mayor in 1905) for seven years.
formerly a member of the Legislative Council, was the first Mayor of Hokitika, and held office for about two years, before the incorporation of the borough in 1868. Mr. Bonar is further referred to in other articles.
was the second Mayor of Hokitika, and held office in the year 1868. He was in business in Hokitika as a chemist and druggist, and subsequently became an
was the third Mayor of Hokitika, and was elected in the year 1869. He is further referred to on pages 110–111 of the Auckland volume of this work.
was Mayor of Hokitika in the year 1869–70. He was for some years a grain merchant in the town, but subsequently became a settler in the Canterbury district.
was Mayor of Hokitika during part of the year 1871. He was well known in the borough as the proprietor of a furniture business, which he conducted for many years. Mr. Clarke subsequently removed to Tasmania, where he died.
was Mayor of Hokitika in the year 1871. He was well educated and did good work in the borough. For some time Mr. Higgin carried on business as a chemist and druggist in Revell Street, and subsequently removed to the Palmerston North district, where he died.
was Mayor of Hokitika during the year 1872–73. He subsequently removed to Inverargill, and is further referred to on page 869 of the Otago volume of this Cyclopedia.
was Mayor of Hokitika during the year 1874–75. Subsequently, be became a settler in the Canterbury district, and was a well known auctioneer in Christchurch for many years. Mr. Tabart is further referred to on page 372 of the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia.
was Mayor of Hokitika for the years 1876–77, and officially received the Marquis of Normanby when he visited the West Coast. Mr. Jack was an energetic man, and carried on business in Hokitika for many years in Bealey Street, as a contractor and an untertaker.
was Mayor of Hokitika in the years 1878–1879. He was a member of the auctioneering firm of Learmonth and Wade, with which he was connected for a number of years. Mr. Learmonth subsequently became general manager of the South British insurance Company at Capetown, South Africa.
was Mayor of Hokitika in the year 1881. He was a cabinetmaker, and proprietor of the “Railway Hotel.”
was Mayor of Hokitika from 1882 to 1885. He was born in the year 1834, in Gloucestershire, England, where he was educated and learned the drapery trade. About 1856, he arrived in Australia, and at once entered into hotel-keeping at Carisbrook for a few months. Mr. Fowler then went to Hay, in New South Wales, where he followed his trade, and travelled throrough the country districts with considerable profit. In 1865, when the West Coast “rush” set in, he crossed over to New Zealand, and at once established himself in business in Hokitika, in a small, unpretentious building. Mr. Fowler soon built up a good business connection, and was compelled to enlarge his premises. At the time of his death he occupied the largest drapery establishment in Hokitika, and it was well known throughout the Coast as the “West of England” house. Mr. Fowler was a borough councillor for many years, a member of the Charitable Aid Board and Benevolent Society, an active adherent of the English Church, and a member of its choir for eight years. Mr. Fowler, who was generous to a fault, had been a widower for many years. He died on the 5th of July, 1898.
, J. P., was Mayor of Hokitika in the year 1885–86. He was first elected as a member of the Borough Council in 1869, and served for a number of years. Mr. Tait is well known in Hokitika as the local photographer. He is a trustee of the Hokitika Benevolent Society, and of the Westland Hospital, and a member of the Licensing Committee.
was Mayor of Hokitika during the years 1896–7, and from 1897 to 1903, and was also a member of the Borough
Council from 1885 to the conclusion of his mayoralty in 1903. His municipal policy was always of a progressive nature. He was chairman of the first Charitable Aid Board when the Act of 1885 was brought into force. Mr. Michel has been for many years associated with the Westland Education Board, Harbour Board, and High School Board, and as a Freemason he is Superintendent of the Westland and Nelson district under the New Zealand Constitution. He has been captain of the Fire Brigade for about twenty-five years, and is a past president of the Fire Brigade Association of New Zealand. Mr. Michel was born in Newcastle. New South Wales, in 1858, and when a youth landed at Hokitika, where he has followed commercial pursuits. Since the age of fourteen he has been in the firm of which he is now proprietor. Mr. Michel has always willingly helped the promotion of useful local objects, and is president of numerous clubs and societies. In the year 1887, he received a numerously-signed requisition to
was Mayor of Hokitika for the years 1888–89, and is said to have been the youngest man to hold the office. He is a son of the Hon. J. Holmes, and is at present (1905) a resident of Christchurch.
was Mayor of Hokitika in the year 1892. He was proprietor of the business conducted under the style of Mark Sprott and Company. Mr. Robinson officially received Lord Onslow when he visited Westland. He died in Hokitika.
, who was Mayor of Hokitika in the year 1893–94, was at one time partner in the firm of Learmonth and Wade. He was well known as an auctioneer, and as deputy official assignee for Westland, and had been previously connected with the Bank of New South Wales as ledger-keeper at Hokitika. Mr. Wade died at Capetown, shortly after his arrival in South Africa, in the year 1903.
. Members for the year 1905: Messrs G. A. Perry (chairman); M. Pollock, A. W. Bock, J. Toomey, and the Hon. J. Holmes, M.L.C. (elected by the burgesses of Hokitika); W. Rose (Collector of Customs), T. W. Duff (chairman Westland County Council), and J. Mandl (Mayor). Captain G. W. Bignell is secretary and harbourmaster. The Hokitika Harbour Board came into existence in the year 1876, when the shipping facilities were in a crude condition, though the importance of the scaborne trade had compared very favourably for many years with that of other seaport towns. The Board has grappled with the difficulties of a bar harbour, and has provided many necessary improvements for shipping, by means of a loan of £10,000. At high tide there is from eighteen to twenty feet of water at the wharves, and at the bar, according to the state of the river and tide, from eight to twelve feet. The length of the training wall and breastwork is 2003 feet on the north side, and on the south side the training wall is 451 feet in length. The length of the wharf is 900 feet, and the signal station stands on the north training wall. The principal export from Hokitika is timber, and about two million superficial feet were shipped from the port during the year 1904. The offices of the Board, which were erected in 1880, are situated on the wharf at Gibson's Quay.
was elected chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board in the year 1905. He is the second son of the late Mr. William Perry, and was born in Hokitika in 1872. Mr. Perry was educated at Hokitika, and at Nelson College, and afterwards studied law in Wellington, and qualified as a solicitor. He is a member of the Education Board, and of the Hokitika Borough Council.
Secretary and Harbourmaster for the Hokitika Harbour Board, entered upon his present duties in the year 1886. He was born in Leeds, England, in the year 1844 and followed the sea from his early boyhood. In 1861 Captain Bignell came to New Zealand by the barque “Donna Anita,” and found his way to the West Coast, after being in the employment of Messrs J. T. Peacock and Co., of Lyttelton, for two years. Since that time, he has been associated with local shipping, and was for many years master of the s.s. “Titan' and the s.s. “Waipara.”
has jurisdiction over the electoral district of Westland, which extends from the mouth of the Tere-makau river on the north, to Big Bay on the south, and back to the ranges from the sea coast. There are eighty-six licensed hotels and accommodation houses in the district. The committee meets quarterly. Members for the year 1905: Messrs R. J. Acheson (chairman), J. Tait, A. W. Bock, A. Clifton, J. E. Harris, and J. F. Byrne. Mr. J. C. Malfroy is clerk.
, which was constituted in the year 1876, under the Counties Act, has a district which covers an area of 1,293,797 acres, and is the largest county in the colony. The county is bounded on the north by the Teremakau river, on the sorth by the Awarua river, on the east by the Southern Alps, and on the west by the ocean. The number of ratepayers in the county is 4500, and the rateable value is £168,477. Crown lands are valued at £511,397. The boroughs of Hokitika, Kumara, and Ross are not included in the county valuations. There are three ridings, Kanieri, Arahura and Southern; the rate is 11/2d in the pound on the capital value, and the annual revenue amounts to £4,200. There are about 740 miles of formed roads and tracks in the county, and the main road, which runs from the Teremakau river on the north, to Waiho in the south, is well metalled. Owing to the narrowness of the county, and the Southern Alps forming the watershed, and causing precipitousness in the land, the Council is occasionally at considerable expense in repairing damages; owing to the flood of the year 1904, a special expenditure of £1000 was incurred in this way. There are a number of important bridges in the county of Westland; and tenders were invited in 1905 for rebuilding some of them. Over the Arahura river there are two bridges, a lower and an upper bridge. There is a large bridge over the Kanieri river, on the main south road; one, over the Kokatahi, was opened in 1903, and there is a bridge of about 100 feet in length over the Totara river. In the year 1903 the fine bridge over the Teremakau river was washed away. In 1905 the Council obtained a loan of £4,788, under the Loans to Local Bodies Act, to pay off the overdraft. Several small cemeteries in the country districts are under the control of the Council. The offices of the Council are in one of the oldest Government buildings on the West Coast. It was originally erected as the Provincial Treasury, is of wood and iron, adjoins the Supreme Court, and contains four rooms. Members for the year 1905: Messrs A. Cumming, T. J. McGuigan, H. A. Bancke, and A. Clifton, Kanieri riding; T. W. Duff, J. F. Byrne, and T. McGrath, Arahura riding; and J. Grimmond, and S. J. Ferguson, South Westland riding. Mr. T. W. Duff is chairman, and Mr. D. J. Evans, county clerk.
, J.P., is chairman (1905) of the Westland County Council, and one of the representatives for Arahura riding. He was born on Banks' Peninsula in the year 1865, and has spent most of his life on the West Coast. Mr. Duff is well-known as a bootmaker at Stafford.
, J.P., has been a member of the Westland County Council for the Arahura riding since the year 1887, and has on two occasions been chairman. He was born in 1832, in Kilkenny, Ireland, where he was educated, went to Australia in 1852, and landed in Melbourne. In 1866, he removed to New Zealand and settled in Hokitika.
is a member of the Westland. County Council, for the Kanieri rid-riding. He was born in 1852, in Wellington, and is a son of one of the early missionaries. Till 1881, he spent the greater portion of his life in the Chatham Islands, but in that year he became associated with Westland, and engaged in mining. In 1904, on the report of the discovery of gold at Wilberforce, Mr. Bancke was asked by the County Council to report as to the best means of access to the field, with which he was so greatly impressed, that he gave up other mining ventures to take up a claim in the district. Mr. Bancke has been a member of the County Council since 1893.
was chairman of the Westland County Council for nine years, and has been a member for over twenty years. He was one of the first members elected to the Borough Council of Hokitika. As an energetic member of the County Council, Mr. Cumming has left no stone unturned to promote the interests of the district. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the year 1841, and was educated at the Cumnock school. Mr. Cumming began life as a grocer's boy in Glasgow, and was afterwards for about ten years in the tea trade. He came to New Zealand in 1862, and landed in Otago by the ship “City of Dunedin.” The gold fever was then at its height, and Mr. Cumming was appointed gold buyer for the Bank of Otago at its Hindon branch. He afterwards took charge of a business for two years for Messrs Eastgate and Company. In 1865 Mr. Cumming removed to Hokitika, and established himself in business in Revell Street. He, however, sold out four years later, and took up some land in the Kokatahi district. Mr. Cumming was for some time chairman of the Westland Licensing Committee. He married a daughter of Mr. Gavin Millar, of Airdrie, Scotland, and has eight daughters and two sons.
is a member of the Westland County Council for Kanieri riding. He was born in the year 1858 in Warwickshire, England, where, after leaving school, he followed farming work for some time, and was afterwards employed at lime-burning and quarrying. He subsequently came to New Zealand, and was farming at Ashburton, Canterbury, for about one year and six months. Mr. Clifton then removed to the West Coast, where, till the outbreak of the Rimu “rush,” he was employed at various occupations. Since
, J.P., is a member of the Westland County Council for the South Westland riding. He was born in the year 1848, in County Derry, Ireland, where he was educated, and brought up on his father's farm. In 1873, Mr. Ferguson came to New Zealand, and went to the West Coast, where he joined his brothers, who had settled there previously. He entered into partnership with them, and later on, bought his present holdings at Ferguson's. Mr. Ferguson was also engaged in mining for a short time, and has a wide knowledge of South Westland. He is married, and has one daughter, who is married to Mr. Paul Renton, of Hokitika. Mr. Ferguson is further referred to as a farmer and runholder at Ferguson's, and as the local postmaster.
is a member of the Westland County Council for the Southern riding, and is further referred to as a former member of the House of Representatives.
, who is a member of the Westland County Council for the Arabura riding, is well-known on the West Coast as a sawmiller, mine owner, and business man at Dillmanstown.
is a member of the Westland County Council for Kanieri riding. He was born in Victoria, Australia, in the year 1874, and is a son of Mr. Owen McGuigan, proprietor of the Hokitika-Kanieri tramway. Mr. McGuigan came to New Zealand with his parents in 1875, was afterwards brought up to a commercial life in Melbourne, Australia, and, later on, was a Customs officer in West Australia. He then returned to New Zealand, and entered into partnership with his father.
was appointed Clerk and Treasurer of the Westland County Council in the year 1891. He is also secretary of the Hokitika Horticultural and Poultry Society, and secretary and treasurer of the Westland Racing Club.
, who was a member of the Westland County Council for many years, was born at Rutherglen in 1863, and arrived at Kanieri with his parents when quite young. He has grown up with the place, and has witnessed its golden prosperity and subsequent decline. At the time Mr. Staines joined the Council the revenue of the county was about £14,000 a year, but now it is less than a third of that amount. He was a hardworking member, and was always ready to forward the interests of the district he represented. Mr. Staines has been a member of the Westland Education Board since the year 1892. He is one of the school commissioners of Westland, a member of the Charitable Aid Board, president of the Mining Association, and vice-president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He is also an attached member of the Masonic Order. Mr. Staines took an energetic part in promoting the erection of the butter factory at Kokatahi. He married a daughter of Mr. W. Stevenson, and has three sons and three daughters.
meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the Land Survey Offices, Fitzherbert Street, Hokitika. The Board has virtually full power over the disposal of all Crown lands in Westland; that is, of those lands that have been withdrawn from the goldfields, which are under the control of the Warden. In the year 1905, a number of surveyors were engaged in cutting up blocks with a view to settlement. These lands are being taken up by residents of the West Coast, and persons from various parts of the colony, with a view to stock raising, and for dairy-farming purposes. Members of the Board for 1905: Messrs G. J. Roberts, chairman: J. S. Lang, A. Cumming, and M. Pollock.
. Chairman of the Westland Land Board, was born in Wellington in the year 1848, educated in England, and trained as a civil engineer in Glasgow. He returned to New Zealand in 1869, joined the Land and Survey Department in Wellington in 1872, and after passing through several grades of the service, was promoted to his present position as Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for Westland.
, J.P., is a member of the Westland Land Board. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in the year 1838, and followed farm work from his boyhood. In 1857 Mr. Lang caught the gold fever, and emigrated to Victoria, in the barque “Ida,” from Liverpool, and worked on the Ararat goldfields; after which he was employed on railway contracts at Castlemaine. Mr. Lang came to New Zealand in 1860, visited the Otago goldfields, and was subsequently employed in the erection of the telegraph line between the Molyneux and Invercargill. In the “rush” of 1865 he went to Hokitika, and for a time engaged in bush work, but in 1867 he took up fifty acres of land at Kokatahi. Mr. Lang was a member of the Westland County Council for three years as representative for Kanieri riding, and he was chairman during one year of his term. He is a member of the Hokitika Agricultural and Pastoral Association, at whose shows he has been a large prize-winner. Mr. Lang's model dairy farm is as fine a property as can be found in Westland, and even compares favourably with farms in the pastoral districts of Wellington and Canterbury. There are 500 acres of land, of which 200 have been cleared and sown in English grasses. About thirty-five Jersey milch cows are grazed—the number varying with the season. A De Laval separator is used in the dairy, and is capable of treating thirty-three gallons of milk per hour; it is worked with a four-feet water-wheel, supplied by a water-race about a mile long. Over one hundred pounds of butter per week are turned out during the winter months and more than double that amount during summer and autumn, and the highest price is obtained for the butter; the “Familiar” brand being a sufficient guarantee of quality. Mr. Lang was the first to introduce water-power for dairy purposes on the West Coast. The cowsheds and yards are well built, and contain nineteen stalls, in which the cows are housed during the winter months, and hand-fed. By this mean; they are kept in health, and give milk in greater quantity. Mr. Lang has also been successful as a poultry-keeper. His farm at Kokatahi is now (1905) let to a tenant, and Mr. Lang himself resides in Hokitika.
was appointed a member of the Land Board for Westland in the year 1902. He was born in 1843, in London. England, where he was educated. In 1855, Mr. Pollock arrived in Melbourne, Australia, where he gained his first experience of mercantile life. In 1862, he was attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush, and various other goldfields. Mr. Pollock settled in Hokitika in 1867, and entered into partnership with Mr. John Bevan, under the style of Pollock and Bevan. He is treasurer of the Hokitika Hospital and Benevolent Society, and is a trustee of the Hokitika Savings Bank.
The West Coast is part of the Nelson military district, of which Major G. C. B. Wolfe, N.Z.M., is the commanding officer, and Lieutenant H. S. Trask, N.Z.M., adjutant. The second battalion of the Nelson Infantry Volunteers has its headquarters at Greymouth, with Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. F. Morice as major, Captain A. P. Harper, adjutant, and Surgeon-Captain E. Teichelmann, medical officer. The corps that constitute the battalion consist of the First Westland Rifle Volunteers, stationed at Hokitika, and known as A Company; Greymouth Rifle Volunteers, B Company; Denniston Rifle Volunteers, C Company; Reefton Rifle Volunteers, D Company; and Millerton Rifle Volunteers, E Company. Of the fifteen Defence Rifle Clubs in the district, four are on the West Coast; namely, at Waimangaroa, Murchison, Charleston and Birch-field. The second battalion Nelson Infantry Volunteer Band is stationed at Greymouth.
are known as No. 1 Company of the Second Nelson Battalion. New Zealand Rifles. The corps was one of the first volunteer corps formed in New Zealand. It has a strength of sixty-two men including officers; and periodical parades are held in the local drillshed. Officers for the year 1905: Captain, Mr. J. C. Macfarlane; Lieutenants, Mr. F. McGregor, and Mr. W. Winchester: Secretary, Mr. C. Sellers; Dr. H. Macandrew, Surgeon-Captain; and Mr. R. Millar, Sergeant-Major and Drill Instructor.
has held office in connection with the First Westland Rifles since the year 1898. Prior to his present appointment he was lieutenant in the Grey Rifles for about nine years, gained his captain's certificate, and was for a time acting-captain. Mr. McGregor served with the Second New Zealand Contingent in the South African Boer war, as farrier sergeant. He is further referred to as a coachbuilder.
was appointed Drill Instructor to the Second Nelson Battalion New Zealand Rifles, in the year 1901. He was born in the year 1849 at Belfast, Ireland, where he was educated. Sergeant Millar had considerable experience in the British Army in various parts of the world, especially in India, before he received his present appointment.
, formerly Drill Instructor for the Westland district, was born in London, England, in the year 1854, and joined the 77th Regiment in 1870. For eight years he was in various parts of the East Indies, and was then in Ireland for four years with the rank of Colour-Sergeant. He came to New Zealand in 1883 by the ship “Lusitania,” and landed in Wellington, whence he proceeded to Hokitika, where he was in the employment of Mr. G. Benning for twelve months. Prior to his engagement as drill instructor, Mr. Benning was First Lieutenant in the Westland Rifles. He now (1906) resides in Christchurch.
was established some years ago, and is equipped with complete brass instruments. The band competed successfully at the Greymouth contest. Officers for the year 1905; Rev. Father P. Aubrey, conductor; Mr. A. S. Sargison, bandmaster; Mr. D. Grecney, sergeant; Mr. C. Beale, drum-major; and Mr. F. Angel, secretary. Practices are held in the Hokitika drillshed.
Sargison has been a member of the Hokitika Volunteer Band since its inception, and was appointed bandmaster in the year 1904. He was born in 1864, in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, and came to New Zealand at an early age. He married a daughter of the late Mr. J. Hawkes, of Tasmania, in the year 1894, and has two sons and two daughters. Mr. Sargison is further referred to as a watchmaker and jeweller, in Revell Street, Hokitika.
are represented in all the more important centres of population on the West Coast, and there are customhouses at Hokitika, Greymouth, and Westport. At Hokitika the Lands and Survey Department is represented, with a resident Commissioner of Crown Lands and a Land Board, of which the Commissioner is chairman. There is also an office in connection with the Department of Agriculture, with a Resident Inspector of Stock for Westland. The railway department is represented at each of the larger towns by a resident stationmaster, and the usual flag stations serve the smaller settlements. Greymouth is the headquarters of the Public Works Department; the State Coal Mine Department, of the Inspector of Police for the West Coast, and the district Railway Traffic Manager, and the District Engineer. An Inspector of Factories in Greymouth represents the Labour Department for the Coast, and the Government Life Insurance and Public Trust offices are each represented by a district officer. At Westport there is a branch of the Lands and Survey Department, in charge of a district surveyor, and the Mines Department is represented by an inspector.
, Hokitika. These buildings adjoin the Post Office, and include the Supreme Court, Stipendiary Magistrate and Warden's Court, the office of the Commissioner of Crown Lands and offices for the Chief Surveyor, Education Board, and County Council. The site extends from Sewell Street to Fitzherbert Street.
, Holkitika, stands at the junction of Sewell Street and Gibson's Quay, and was built in the year 1872. The postal district extends from Teremakau to Jackson's Bay, and includes forty-two sub-offices. There are eighty-four private letter boxes, a telephone exchange with 109 subscribers, and twenty-three bureaus connected with the office. About forty-seven mails are received or despatched on an average every day. Within the town of Hokitika there are two daily deliveries of letters. The staff includes the Chief Postmaster and eighteen clerks, operators, and messengers.
was appointed Chief Postmaster at Hokitika, in May, 1903. He was born in New Plymouth, and has been connected with the Postal Department since May, 1870. Mr. St. George was stationed at Waimate, Canterbury, for twenty years and for six years at the Bluff, before he received his present appointment.
, Hokitika, is situated on Gibson's Quay, and was erected in 1897, at a cost of about £400. The building replaced an old wooden structure, which had done duty since the inception of the Customs Department in Hokitika in 1866. The business transacted by the department keeps it in touch with country extending from the Teremakau river in the north to Cascade Point in the south. Gold and timber are the chief articles of export.
, Collector of Customs at Hokitika, was born at Richmond, Nelson, in 1867. He was educated in his native place, and at Wanganui High School, and entered the Customs Department in Wellington in 1884. After serving in various parts of the colony, he was appointed Collector at Hokitika in the year 1901.
, sometime Collector of Customs at Hokitika, was one of the oldest officers in the service, he having joined the Customs Department at New Plymouth in the year 1862. He was a son of the late Mr Richard Chilman, Collector of Customs at New Plymouth for some years, and was born in New Plymouth in 1847, and educated at Bridge Street School, Nelson, and at Beardsworth School, Taranaki. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Customs Department, under his father, and remained at New Plymouth for five years, and was subsequently at Dunedin for a similar term. In 1872 he was promoted to be officer-in-charge at the Customhouse at the Bluff, and two years later he became landing waiter and tide surveyor at Lyttelton. In 1890, he went to Wellington as landing waiter, and in April, 1892, he was promoted
for the Westland Land District has its offices in Fitzherbert Street, Hokitika. The building is of wood and iron, and contains fifteen rooms, including two strong rooms. Mr. G. J. Roberts is Commissioner and Chief Surveyor; Mr. T. M. Grant, Chief Draughtsman; and Mr. A. D. A. Macfarlane, Receiver of Land Revenue. The general office and field staff includes four draughtsmen, two accountants, a land clerk, five cadets, nine surveyors, and a messenger. The Land and Survey Department also takes charge of the Westland roads on behalf of the Roads Department, Wellington.
was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for the Westland Land District in 1902. He is further referred to us chairman of the Westland Land Board.
, Crown Lands Ranger, resides in Hokitika. He was for many years a resident at Kokatahi, where he holds a farm of 271 acres. Mr. Meharry was born in the year 1854, at Belfast, Ireland, where he was educated, and brought up on a farm. In 1871, he went to Australia, and landed in Melbourne. Shortly after, Mr. Meharry came to New Zealand, and went to Hokitika, where for about seven years he engaged in mining in various parts of the district. He subsequently spent some time as a contractor in the Ashburton district. About 1883 Mr. Meharry returned to the West Coast, and started farming in the Kokatahi district, where he was for some time treasurer, and for five years chairman of directors, of the Kokatahi Dairy Factory. In March, 1904, Mr. Meharry was appointed Crown Lands Ranger. He is married, and has three sons and three daughters.
is Government Valuator for the countries of Westland and Grey, and for the five boroughs included within their boundaries. He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1838, and became a colonist in 1860, when he landed in Port Chalmers, by the ship “Storm Cloud.” After serving in the Waikato Militia, Mr. Webster settled on the West Coast in 1866. He was appointed Government Valuator in 1897.
on the West Coast has its headquarters at Hokitika. The district includes the counties of Westland, Grey, Buller, and Inangahua, the area of which is about four million acres. The offices stand in Sewell Street, and adjacent to the other Government offices. A resident inspector and clerk are stationed at Hokitika.
was born at Nelson on the 26th of January, 1855, and is the second son of the late Mr. Charles Empson, merchant, who arrived at Nelson by the ship “London,” in 1842, and later was a member of the firm of Eyes and Empson, of Meadowbank station, Marlborough. Mr. Empson was educated at the Bishop's school, Nelson, and at Marlborough, under a tutor. He was brought up to station life, and also had some experience in Australia. Mr. Empson returned to New Zealand, and joined the Agricultural Department in the year 1891. The following year he was appointed Inspector of Stock, and stationed at Kurow, and subsequently had charge of the Tuapeka and South Canterbury districts, with headquarters at Lawrence and Timaru respectively. He was transferred to the Westland district in December, 1900. As a Freemason, Mr. Empson is a member of Lodge Kilwinning, New Zealand Constitution, Hokitika. He married the only daugher of the late Mr. George Young, solicitor, of Stokesley, Yorkshire, England, and has one son and two daughters.
was the first to be established on the West Coast. The building is of wood, and iron, and stands on part of a camp reserve at the corner of Sewell Street and Weld Street. There are also three cottages, occupied respectively by the sergeant and three constables, fronting Sewell Street. The district includes Hokitika, Stafford, Kanieri, Ross and Okarito, and extends as far as the Otira Gorge.
has been in charge of the Hokitika Police District since January, 1903. He joined the Armed Constabulary force almost immediately after his arrival in New Zealand in 1879. Sergeant Folley served in many parts of the colony before he was appointed to Hokitika.
is about a mile distant from the centre of the town, and is situated on an elevated terrace at Seaview. The prison contains thirty cells, ten of which are in the female division. The average number of prisoners undergoing imprisonment at one time is about twelve. The female department is under the charge of a competent matron, Mrs M. Ryan, who has occupied the position since 1883. Mr. J. R. Poynton has been gaoler since the year 1900.
, Overseer in the Public Works Department was appointed to the charge of the Hokitika-Ross railway construction work in November, 1904. He was born in the year 1878, at Mosgiel, Otago, and was educated in Wellington and on the West Coast. Mr. Green was brought up to work as a carpenter in connection with bridge building and railway connection. After acting as working overseer for three years, he was appointed an overseer under the Public Works Department in 1903. For eighteen months, Mr. Green was in charge of the Motupiko Tadmor railway, before being transferred to Hokitika. He married a daughter of Mr. P. Gibson, of Greymouth, in the year 1895, and has four sons and one daughter.
, Overseer in the Public Works Department, and formerly overseer of the Blackwell construction works, is an old colonist. He was born at Chertsey, Surrey, England, in the year 1837, and educated at Ripley school. Mr. Nightingale was brought up on his father's farm, and afterwards learned engineering. In 1862, he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, and after a short stay, came to New Zealand, and landed in Lyttelton. The Lyttelton tunnel works were then in progress, and Mr. Nightingale was appointed time-keeper; but on the rush breaking out at Wakamarina he proceeded to the West Coast, where he was fairly successful. He subsequently went back to Canterbury, conducted an hotel in Christchurch for a short time, and then returned to the diggings on the West Coast. Mr. Nightingale finally entered the public works department, where he has remained for nearly forty years. He is a widower, and has five children. One of his sons is part proprietor of the “Hokitika Guardian,” another is manager of the Greymouth business of McKay and Sons, drapers, while another, who has recently graduated B.A., is a teacher in the Wellington district.
, which is the terminus of the West Coast railway, connects with the Otira and Reefton lines. It is conveniently situated in the centre of the town, on a reserve of about five acres. The station contains the station manager's offices, waiting-rooms, a ticket lobby and a booking-office. The platform is about 200 feet in length, and the goods shed has a floor space of about 4000 square feet. There has, latterly, been a large increase in the volume of traffic, especially in coal and mining machinery. The staff at the station includes a stationmaster, a clerk, a storeman, and a porter. From four to eight trains arrive or depart daily.
was appointed stationmaster at Hokitika in the year 1899. He was born in Hobart, Tasmania. Shortly after his arrival in Dunedin, he entered the New Zealand railway service, and had served in various parts of the colony prior to his present appointment.
, formerly Stationmaster at Hokitika, was born in Sydney, Australia, but was educated in Nelson, New Zealand, and joined the railway department in the year 1879 at Westport. He took an active part in the Hokitika Horticultural and Poultry Societies, of which he was vice-president. He is not now (1906) a resident of Hokitika.
, Junior, the Junior Assistant Engineer of the Hokitika Ross railway, is a son of Mr. E. I. Lord, C.E., Town Clerk and Borough Engineer, of Greymouth. He was educated at the Grey High School, and afterwards served for six years under his father, and gained a knowledge of civil engineering and survey work. Mr. Lord worked under building contractors in order to acquire a knowledge of building, and in April, 1905, was appointed to his present position. He has won a reputation for himself, first, as an amateur, and, later, as a professional runner, in various sports and matches.
The funds required for the support of hospitals, asylums, and kindred institutions, are chiefly derived from Government subsidies and local rates. To these may be added fees from patients, and contributions due to private generosity. There are large hospitals at Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport, and smaller ones at Reefton, Kumara, Ross, and Charleston. The institution at Greymouth is shortly (1905) to be rebuilt, and will consist of substantial brick buildings. There are benevolent societies at Hokitika and Greymouth. The work of distributing charitable aid, and relieving the absolutely destitute, is carried out by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards of Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport respectively.
was incorporated in the year 1885. The district under the jurisdiction of the Board extends from the Teremakau river on the north to Martin's Bay on the south, and one of the Board's duties is to provide funds for the maintainance of hospitals and benevolent institutions throughout the district. There are three hospitals and three benevolent societies; namely, at Hokitika, Kumara, and Ross, and an annual requisition is sent by the Board to the various local bodies in the district to raise necessary funds. For the year ending the 31st of March, 1905, £1610 was raised in this way, and a subsidy of pound for pound was received from the Government in addition. Of the total of £3,220, the Benevolent Societies in the three centres received about £700, and the balance was allotted to the various hospitals, with the exception of a small sum for the expenses of the Board. Members for the Board for the year 1905: Messrs J. F. Byrne, chairman; T. T. Jones, J. Mandl, T. J. McGuigan, A. Chifton, T. W. Bruce, J. Grimmond, and Dr. H. Macandrew.
, Junior, was appointed Secretary of the Westland District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in the year 1902. He is further referred to as secretary of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
. Members for the year 1905: Messrs J. Toomey (president), W. Heinz, T. W. Beare, J. Tait, A. Cumming, Alex. Hutchison, A. Clifton, H. A. Bancke, and J. J. Breeze. Mr. J. H. Wilson is secretary and treasurer. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday in each month. There are also six district committees; namely, at Rimu, Kanieri, Kokatahi, Blue Spur, Stafford, and Goldsborough, to which may be added the Hokitika district committee formed through the exertions of Mr. James Chesney. The expenditure of the hospital for the year ending on the 31st of March, 1905, was £2,200. A considerable revenue is raised by the annual subscription of ten shillings, which entitles members to free admission to the hospital. The amounts raised are subsidised by the Government to the extent of twenty-four shilling for every pound.
was elected President of the Westland Hospital Board in December, 1904, and had previously served as a trustee for nine years. He was born in Victoria, Australlia, in the year 1863, came to New Zealand at an early age, and settled on the West Coast. Mr. Toomey is known as a general storekeeper in Revell Street, Hokitika.
is a trustee of the Westland Hospital. He is further referred to as a member of the Hokitika Borough Council, and as the proprietor of the Westland Sheet Metal and Tinware Works.
was erected about the year 1865 on the south side of the Hokitika river, by voluntary subscriptions, upon which the institution also largely depended for its maintenance. About 1877 the present buildings were erected, at a cost of £3,500, on the Hospital reserve, which lies on the main north road, about two miles from town. The site is a fine one, on a terrace, overlooking the port, and many miles of the West Coast beach. The main building is of wood and iron, and contains three wards, two of which are set aside for male patients, and the other for female patients, and there are also several separate rooms; fifty beds in all are available. The number of inmates in April, 1905, was twenty-four males, and nine females. The Old Men's Home, in the same building, contains two wards and a smoking-room, and had six inmates in the year 1905. The grounds include a large vegetable garden, and a few pigs are kept. In the year 1904 the cost of maintaining the hospital was £2,610, of which £1210 was obtained by levies for charitable aid upon the local bodies. In this, as in other West Coast districts, the miners personally contribute liberally to the hospital, and about £400 a year is given in this manner. The matron, Miss E. M. Griffiths, is assisted by four nurses and a warder.
, Hokitika, was erected in the year 1872 by the Provincial Government. It is situated on a Government reserve, about a mile from the Post Office, and occupies an excellent site on the terrace land to the north of the borough of Hokitika. There are about 150 acres of land in connection with the institution, and the whole area is cultivated with the assistance of the inmates, more than half of whom are kept regularly employed. There are four principal buildings, which include seven dormitories and thirty-seven single rooms. There are also two large dining-rooms, and a padded cell. In 1905 there were 138 males and thirty-seven females in residence, in addition to four males and two females, who were out on probation. The staff of the institution consists of a resident superintendent, a matron, a head attendant, three charge attendants, eight male and six female attendants, and a farm labourer. The Superintendent's residence is a pretty six-roomed house with a verandah, from which fine views are obtained.
, Superintendent of the Seaview Asylum, Hokitika, has been connected with the institution since the year 1877, and was promoted to his present position on the 1st of April, 1904. Mr. Downey came to New Zealand in 1871. He subsequently settled on the West Coast, was employed as attendant at the Seaview Asylum, and became head attendant in 1885. Mrs Downey acts as matron of the Asylum.
was appointed Head Attendant at the Seaview Asylum on the first of April, 1904. He was born on Christmas Day, 1852, at Dundee, Scotland, and accompanied his uncle, Captain
was incorporated in the year 1886, and has its offices in Tancred Street. Meetings of the trustees are held the third Tuesday in each month at the County Council Chambers. The voluntary contributions to the society are never less than £100 per annum, and on that sum a Government subsidy of twenty-four shillings per pound is received. Trustees for the year 1905: Messrs W. Duncan (chairman), J. Toomey, J. Tait, J. Mandl, T. J. McGuigan, Dr. H. Macandrew, the Rev. W. J. Elliott, H. G. Hawkins, W. Douglas, the Very Rev. Dean A. P. Martin, and Sergeant W. Folley. Mr. H. H. Halliday is secretary.
, Chairman of the Trustees of the Hokitika Benevolent Society, takes a keen interest in the institution, to which he devotes much of his time. He is further referred to in connection with the Hokitika Savings Bank.
was appointed secretary of the Hokitika Benevolent Society in October, 1901. He was born in Nelson, where he was educated, and was afterwards for thirty years in the Telegraph and Postal Department. In the year 1880, Mr. Halliday had charge of the telegraph branch at Nelson, and subsequently served in Wellington and district as relieving officer for about twelve years. He retired from the service in 1895. Mr. Halliday married a daughter of the late Mr. George O'Connor, of Hokitika, in 1893, and has three sons and one daughter.
There are two Education Boards on the West Coast; namely, one for Westland, and one for Grey. Westport, in the southern portion of the provincial district of Nelson, is under the jurisdiction of the Nelson Education Board. There is also a Board of School Commissioners at Hokitika for the administration of reserves set apart for education in the provincial district. District High Schools have been established at Hokitika, Greymouth, Reefton, and Westport, and public schools, not only in the larger towns, but also in a great number of the small country settlements. Denominational schools have also been established, chiefly by the Roman Catholic Church, which has Convent High Schools at Hokitika, Greymouth and Reeiton, and primary schools conducted by Sisters of Mercy. There are Schools of Mines at Westport, Reefton, and Kumara.
has its offices in the Government buildings. It was constituted many years ago, but is practically non-effective, as the local District High School is administered by the Education Board. The building known as Government House in Hokitika is vested in the High School Board. Members for the year 1905: Messrs H. L. Michel (chairman) J. F. Byrne, J. J. Clarke, J. Tait, and the Hon. J. Holmes, M.L.C. Mr. C. K. Kirk is secretary.
is an imposing brick building situated in Hampden Street. The school was founded in the year 1877, and the present building was erected in 1887. The school days of Hokitika date back as far as 1865. The old schoolhouse, which had done duty from 1877, was destroyed by fire in 1887. The present school contains seven class-rooms and two teachers rooms. The corridors are lofty, and the whole school is well ventilated, and supplied with hot water pipes. There is a fine library containing about 400 volumes. There are 280 scholars on the roll, and the average attendance is 270, which is considerably above the average for the colony. A classroom is set apart for secondary education, and this department has forty-five in attendance. Scholarships are annually offered by the Education Board for competition amongst the pupils of the public schools throughout Westland. Scholars are also admitted after passing Standard VI, upon payment of £2 per quarter. School staff for the year 1905: Mr. H. G. Wake, B.A. (Rector)), Mr. B. H. Low, B.A. (First Assistant Master, in charge of the secondary classes), Mr. H. Williams (First Assistant Master), Miss E. Ward (Infant Mistress), and five other teachers.
, B.A., was appointed Rector of the Hokitika District High School and Headmaster of the Primary School in the year 1899. He was born at Kaiapoi, Canterbury, in 1871. Prior to his present
, First Assistant Master of the Hokitika Dististrict High School, is a son of the late Mr. Henry Williams, of Hauhau, Hokitika, where he was born in the year 1866. He was educated at Kanieri, and there served his term as a pupil teacher. In 1886, Mr. Williams was appointed assistant master at Gillespie school, became headmaster of the Stafford public school in 1895, and remained there until he received his present appointment.
, B.A., is First Extra Assistant Master of the Hokitika District High School, and has charge of the secondary classes. Mr. Low is further referred to at page 876 of the Auckland volume of this work.
Miss A. E. B. Batten, formerly First Assistant Mistress of the Hokitika District High School, was born in Victoria, Australia, and commenced teaching in Port Melbourne. She was afterwards on the staff of the Redan school, Ballarat, and is now (1906) at Ross, where she is doing relieving work.
at Hokitika, was founded on the 15th of October, 1878, on a site of an acre in extent, at the corner of Stafford Street and Sewell Street, Hokitika. The portion of the building fronting Sewell Street, was the first to be erected, but in 1881 the portion facing Stafford Street was made, and includes a number of cells, a chapel, a refectory and sacristy. In the year 1890, another wing was added to the building, to supply boarders' quarters, and the community room; and in 1905 a one-storey music room and an infant school were also erected. The other portion of the convent is two-storied. The Sisters conduct three schools; namely, the parish school, with an attendance of about sixty children; the infant school, with forty children; and the select school, with about twenty children. Four sisters daily teach at Kanieri, where from forty to fifty children attend, and at Rimu, where the attendance is from twenty-five to thirty. Branches of the convent are conducted at Ross, and Kumara; the branch at Ross is known as St. Patrick's, and that at Kumara as St. Bridget's. Thirty children are taught at Ross, and 130 at Kumara, and, in addition to the primary instruction, secondary education, including music and languages, is also supplied, and pupils are prepared for matriculation in connection with the University of New Zealand. Thirteen Sisters are engaged in teaching, including the four who have charge of the out-schools. The convent at Hokitika was the first convent of the Order of Mercy in the Middle Island, and from it the convent at Greymouth was established in the year 1881, that at Lyttelton in 1890, and those at Ross and Kumara in 1889. Most of the Sisters in residence have come from Ireland.
of the District of Westland have control over education reserves throughout the provincial district, which includes not only the Westland but also the Grey education district. Commissioners for the year 1905: Mr. J. Staines, chairman, and Messrs J. Grimmond, H. L. Michel, and T. V. Byrne, Mr. A. J. Morton is secretary.
, Chairman of the School Commissioners for the district of Westland, is further referred to as a former member of the Westland County Council.
, B.A., Secretary of the School Commissioners of Westland, is further referred to as Inspector and Secretary of the Westland Education Board.
of Westland. This Board's district originally included the district now under the control of the Education Board of the district of Grey, but, on the 14th of September, 1885, Grey was constituted a separate district. The country under the control of the Westland Board extends from the Teremakau river southward to the boundaries of the old provincial district of Westland, and includes the boroughs of Hokitika, Kumara, and Ross, and the pastoral districts to the southward of Ross. The original Board was constituted under the old Act, and the existing Board under the Westland and Grey Education Boards Act of 1888. The returns for the year ending 31st of March, 1905, showed that there were thirty-four schools under the control of the Board; these had a total number of 1015 names on their rolls, with an average attendance of 903, and were in charge of forty-eight teachers. The offices of the Board are at the back of the Supreme Court, between Sewell Street and Fitzherbert Street; the building, which is of wood and iron, and contains a board room, an inspector's room, and a store room, was originally used by the Survey Department, and has been in the occupation of the Board since 1888. Members of the Board for the year 1905: Messrs T. W. Beare, LL.B. (chairman), H. L. Michel (treasurer), J. S. Benyon, J. J. Clarke, A. Cumming, T. W. Duff, J. Staines, J. Grimmond, and G. A. Perry. Mr. A. J. Morton is secretary and inspector of schools, and M. C. R. Kirk, clerk and truant officer.
, LL.B., Chairman of the Westland Education Board for the year 1905, has been a member of the Board for several years. He is further referred to as a solicitor of the Supreme Court at Hokitika.
, B.A., Inspector and Secretary of the Education Board of Westland, was born in the year 1860, in South Australia. He was educated in New South Wales, and in New Zealand, and graduated B.A. in the New Zealand University while at Napier. In 1874, Mr. Morton became a pupil teacher at East Christchurch School, where he was afterwards assistant master, and served in all for six years. Later, he was second master of the Boys' School at Napier for five years. In 1886, Mr. Morton became headmaster of the Woodville school, and was appointed Inspector and Secretary under the Westland Board in 1893. For several years he has been conductor of the Hokitika Glee Club, which has performed some important cantatas and oratorios. Mr. Morton is a member of the library committee of the Westland Institute.
was appointed Clerk and Truant Officer of
In the early days, the only means of communication with the West Coast was by sea, and the discomforts that travellers encountered were considerable; still as early as the year 1865 provision was made for man's religious and moral wants on the Coast. In that year the first Roman Catholic missionary was at work in Hokitika, where he established St. Mary's, the first Roman Catholic church on the Coast. Shortly after that, Anglican services were provided, under the auspices of the Right Rev, Dr. Harper, the first Bishop of Christchurch, and afterwards Primate of New Zealand, who travelled overland to the West Coast from Canterbury—a great undertaking in those days. Two years later the first Presbyterian church in Hokitika was opened, and St. Paul's Wesleyan church was erected in the year 1872. Since then, various other churches have been established in the province. A large number of smaller settlements have church buildings, and services are held in many other places.
, Hokitika, is a fine wooden building in Fitzherbert Street, and has seat accommodation for about 300 persons. The church was thoroughly ronovated in 1882, when the walls were raised and other improvements effected. The altar, which is one of the finest on the West Coast, is handsomely carved, and was erected in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The church is tastefully finished throughout, and there is a fine manual organ. The Sunday school is attended by 120 scholars, who are in charge of thirteen teachers. The parish in cludes Arahura and Maori Pa.
was appointed Vicar of All Saints Church, Hokitika, in February, 1899. He was born in England, and subsequently went to Queensland, Australia. Prior to his present appointment, Mr. Hawkins was for five years vicar of Courtenay, Canterbury.
was founded in the year 1866. Services were conducted by the Rev. J. Hall for about six months before the first resident minister (the Rev. J. Gow) was appointed. The distriet extends from the Teremakau river, in the north, to Jackson's Bay, in the south, and from the sea coast to the hills, and includes Ross and Kumara, where home missionaries are now in charge. The church in Stafford Street was opened on the first Sunday in February, 1867. It stands in two acres of ground, and is capable of seating 320 persons. There are two Sunday schools connected with the church, one of which is at Arahura. The church is a substantial wooden building, with a prominent spire. The manse is a convenient residence, and stands on part of the church site.
M.A., Minister of the Presbyterian Church, in Hokitika, was born in Argyllshire, Scotland. He was educated at the Grammar School at Greenock, and graduated at the Glasgow University. Mr. Douglas afterwards came to New Zealand, and arrived at Port Chalmers on New Year's Day, 1874, by the ship “City of Dunedin.” He was appointed to the charge of Akaroa, Banks' Peninsula, and in the year 1881 received his present appointment.
extends from Arahura river on the north, to the Hokitika river on the south, and from the seaboard to the Central Alps. The principal church is known as St. Mary's, and is erected on part of a section of two and a quarter
S.M., V.F., Parish Priest at Hokitika, took charge of St. Mary's Catholic church in the year 1868. He was born in the South of France, in 1830. Dean Martin went to Australia as a Marist missionary, by the ship “Star of Peace,” and afterwards arrived in New Zealand by the ship “Storm Bird.” After sixteen months as curate in Nelson, he went to Dunedin in 1862, and afterwards in 1864, to Inveargill, before he was transferred to Hokitika.
at Hokitika was erected in the year 1872, at a cost of £1200, on a site of two acres of land, with frontages to Tancred Street and Sewell Street. It has accommodation for 300 persons, and there is a fine pipe organ, and an excellent choir. The Sunday school has an attendance of about sixty children, under the charge of six teachers. The district includes Ross, Kanieri, Blue Spur, and Humphiey's. The church at Ross is under the charge of the minister at Hokitika. It is a wood and iron building with accommodation for about 120 persons. Services are held monthly. At Kanieri, where a small church was erected in the seventies, services are held every Sunday afternoon. At Kumara a home missionary is stationed, and the district is under the superintendence of the minister at Hokitika.
was appointed to St. Paul's Methodist Church in Hokitika in 1904. He was born in 1866 in Waikato. Mr. Elliott was ordained in 1897, and prior to his present appointment was stationed in Wellington for three years.
formerly minister of St. Paul's, Hokitika, was called to the ministry in the year 1885, and entered upon his duties at Hokitika in the year 1896. Mr. Ginger was born in Herefordshire, England, in 1861, and educated in the Isle of Wight. In 1889 he came to New Zealand by the ship “Iberia,” and was stationed at Christchurch for about three years, and for a similar period at Cromwell, Otago. On returning to Christchurch in 1895, he joined the Methodist Union Church, and took charge at Hokitika. Mr. Ginger, who has laboured consistently in the temperance cause, was trust secretary for the Bible Christian district for five years, and president for one year. He married a daughter of Mr. Richard Davy, of Cardiff, Wales. Mr. Ginger is at present (1906) stationed at Greytown, in the provincial district of Wellington.
In the principal settlements on the West Coast, cricket, football, hockey, tennis, golf, rowing, and aquatic clubs have been established, and it is plain that athletic and manly sports are popular. Jockey and trotting clubs also abound, and some of the race courses are a credit to the districts which own them. Friendly societies are well supported, and there are flourishing lodges, not only in the three seaports, but in the inland towns, in connection with Forestry, Druidism, Oddfellowship, and Hibernianism. The Masonic Order, under the English Constitution, has its Grand Lodge in Hokitika. Matters affecting the progress of agriculture and pastoral settlement are dealt with by the Westland and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, which have their headquarters respectively at Hokitika and Greymouth. There are also poultry and kennel clubs, and the Westland Acclimatisation Society is a useful and active body.
, Westland, English
, No. 1229, English Constitution, Hokitika, was the first Freemason's Lodge opened on the West Coast of New Zealand, and was consecrated on the 8th of February, 1866. The meetings are held in the Masonic Hall on the Tuesday nearest the full moon in each month. Officers for the year 1905; Messrs T. W. Bruce, Worshipful Master; J. R. Moore, Senior Warden; E. E. B. Mabin, Junior Warden; J. J. Williams, Treasurer; and H. B Bock, Secretary.
, No. 88, New Zealand Constitution, was constituted in the year 1867. Meetings are held on the Wednesday nearest to each full moon, in the Freemasons' Hall, at the corner of Revell Street and Hamilton Street. This building, the property of the Lodge, was originally erected for the Bank of Australasia, and is of two stories. Officers for the year 1905: Messrs A. A. Andrewes, Worshipful Master; W. E. Williams, Senior Warden; J. C. Crene, Junior Warden; J. McMillan, Secretary; and A. Mahar (Past Master) Treasurer.
, Hokitika, was founded in the year 1865. Meetings are held in the first week in January, and at Easter, for two days on each occasion. They are held under the auspices of the Canterbury Jockey Club, and are patronised by a fair class of horses from Wellington, Christchurch, and Wanganui. The total prize money for the New Year meeting is about £500, and for the Easter meeting, £450. The attendance numbers about 2,500, and excursion trains run in connection with the races. The racecourse is a portion of the Public Reserve, and contains about thirty-six acres, leased from the Borough Council, and the whole course it visible from the lawn. The grandstand has seat room for 600 spectators, and is fitted up in the most modern style, with a refreshment room, a circular bar, a ladies' lavatory and cloakroom, a saddling paddock, and a stewards' room. Within the enclosure there are fourteen scraping sheds and a large paddock. The outside grounds are well laid out, £2,300 having been spent on improvements up to the year 1905. The Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association holds its shows annually on the grounds, which are further improved from that source. Officers for the year 1905; Messrs A. Stevenson, chairman and judge; J. H. Pollock, handicapper; D. J. Evans, secretary and treasurer; F. A. G. Archer, starter; H. Karnbach, junior, clerk of course; H. Butland, time keeper; E. H. Robinson, clerk of scales; and Dr. Teichelmann, honorary surgeon. There are about eleven stewards.
, Hokitika. Patron, the Right Honourable R. J. Seddon; President, Mr. C. R. Glass, J. P.; Vice. President, Mr. T. J. McGuigan; Secretary, Mr. J. Peake, junior; Treasurer, Mr. J. J. McIntosh. This Association was incorporated in the year 1893, and its shows are held annually on the Hokitika racecourse. At the show of February, 1905, there was a considerable increase in the number of stock exhibited, and a great improvement in the class of breeding. There were over 240 exhibits, £150 was distrubuted in prize money, and about 1200 people were in attendance. There are about 120 members, who pay an annual subscription of seven shillings and sixpence. One of the objects of the Association is to encourage West Coast people to utilise the land for agricultural and pastoral purposes; and, indeed, settlement is now proceeding apace throughout Westland, and there is a great demand for land, the value of which is rapidly rising.
, J.P., President of the Hokitika Agricultural and Pastoral Association, is a dairy farmer at Kokatahi. He was born in the year 1841, in Midlothian. Sc
, Junior, was appointed secretary of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association in the year 1903. He was born in 1871, at Hokitika, where he attended school. Mr. Peake afterwards entered the offices of the Hokitika Borough Council and the Westland County Council. He was subsequently for about six
, whose operations extend through the whole of the county of Westland, from the Teremakau river on the north to Jackson's Bay on the south, was founded some years back, but did very little till the year 1892. The society now has complete hatcheries and fish ponds at Lake Kanieri, and is energetically and economically managed. Perch, carp, tench, and American catfish have been liberated from time to time in Lake Mahinapua, and the experimental results have proved to be eminently satisfactory. In 1897, when the society was revived and reformed, about 35,000 brown and rainbow trout were liberated in the streams running into Lake Kanieri. Later still, the society released large numbers of fish, and expects to go on doing so from year to year. It is, however, its intention to liberate only fish of one kind in each of the principal streams in Westland. By this neans it is hoped that with so many rivers at its disposal, the society will be able to keep the breeds of the fish pure and distinct. Thirty opossums were liberated on Mount Tuhoa, in 1896 and, later on, arrangements were made for releasing twenty head of deer. The society has an oil launch running on Lake Kanieri for the convenience of tourists and visitors. Officers for the year 1905; Dr. E. Teichelmann, president; Messrs D. J. Evans and G. A. Burgess, vicepresidents; and Mr. James King, secretary. There are seventy members, and the annual subscription is five shillings. The society's affairs are managed by a council of ten members.
was established in the year 1894. Olficers for the year 1905; Messrs J. Mandl, patron; A. J. Morton, president; J. J. Breeze, vice-president; F. H. Rickard, treasurer; and D. J. Evans and A. Keller, joint honorary secretaries. The general show is held in February, the chrysanthemum show in May, and the poultry show in July. There are about 120 members who pay an annual subscription of five shillings each. In all departments the shows are well patronised, and exhibits are received from various parts of New Zealand. In 1901 the society erected a Horticultural Hall in Camp Street, on a borough reserve at a cost of £135. The annual shows are held in this hall, and in the adjoining drillshed.
was founded as a Mutual Improvement and Literary Society, in the year 1868. Four rooms are occupied on the first floor of the Town Hall building in Revell Street, Hokitika, and two of them are fitted up as a museum. There is a free reading room, liberally supplied with daily and weekly papers and the subscribers' library contains about 3,500 volumes of standard works. The institute has about sixty members, each of whom pays an annual subscription of £1. Officers for the year 1905; Messrs E. E. B. Mabin, president; G. A. Perry, vicepresident; Dr. H. Macandrew, treasurer; and a committee of twelve. Mr. H. Weston acts as secretary and librarian.
was established in the year 1898. It was formed on the Star-Bowkett system, and in 1905 had £11,400 invsted on mortgage in Hokitika and district. Officers for the year 1905; Messrs A. Stevenson (chairman), D. J. Evans, H. L. Michel, J. J. Breeze, and A. Mahan. Mr. G. H. Eisfelder is secretary.
was established in August, 1904. It is managed by the dirctors and secretary of the Westland Society, and is working well, All the preliminary expenses, amounting to £200, have been paid.
Each of the four chief towns on the West Coast—namely, Grey-mouth, Hokitika, Westport, and Reefton has two daily papers. The “West Coast Times” and “Hokitika Guardian,” respectively morning and evening papers, were founded in the year 1865, at Greymouth. In the same year, the “Grey River Argus” appeared as a morning journal, and the “Greymouth Evening Star” came out in the following year. The “Westport News” was founded in 1866, and in 1873 the evening paper of Westport, the “Westport Times” and “Evening Star” made its appearance. At Reefton, the “Inangahua Herald” is the morning paper, and the “Inangahua Times” the evening paper. The “Kumara Times” is a daily evening paper; the “Ross and Okarito Advocate” and the “Charleston Herald” are both bi-weekly; while the “Buller Post” at Murchison, the “Buller Miner” at Westport, the “Weekly Argus” at Greymouth, and the “Leader,” at Hokitika, are weekly journals.
is a daily evening newspaper, and was founded in the year 1865 by Mr. Joseph Klein, who afterwards conducted the “West Coast Times.” Mr. David Curle, who
, Manager and Part Proprietor of the “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star,” was born in the year 1871, at Hokitika, where he was educated, and brought up to mercantile life. In 1902, he joined the paper as manager, and, a year later, became a partner in the firm. Mr. Benjamin is interested in football and cricket, is a member of local clubs, and for several years represented his elub and Westland in football. He married a daughter of Mr. Robert Johnston, of Greymouth, in July, 1902.
, formerly editor and part proprietor of the “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star,” was interested in the journal until the year 1903, when he disposed of his interest to his partners, Messrs D. J. Evans and Charles Nightingale. He was born at Birmingham, England, and is a son of the late Mr. J. S. Dawes, F.R.G.S., one of the founders of the Midland Institute, of Birmingham, and was educated at Edgbaston. On the death of his father, in the year 1880, Mr. Dawes came to New Zealand, and landed at Lyttelton. After twelve months of clerical work in Wellington, he went to the West Coast, and became editor and proprietor of the “Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star.” Mr. Dawes was a prominent member of the Hokitika boating club, and was associated with most of the clubs and institutions in Hokitika. He occupied a seat on the Borough Council for a term, and in 1898, he took an active part in endeavouring to promote the shipping interests of the port. Mr. Dawes retired from business in the year 1903, and removed to Wanganui.
,” which was established in the year 1865, has its publishing offices in Weld Street, Hoitika. The paper, which is the oldest on the West Coast, has a large circulation throughout the province, and is published every morning. It cosists of four pages of eight columes each, of which one-third is reading matter, and the balance advertisements. Politically, the journal supports the Seddon Administration. In the year 1901 the “West Coast Times” Printing and Publishing Company, Limited, was incorporated, and took over the business of the paper. The proprietors also publish a weekly paper, named The Leader,” which is issued every Saturday, and circulates throughout the district. Mr. H. L. Michel is chairman of directors.
The Supreme Court at Hokitika is administered by Mr. Justice Denniston, who has his headquarters at Christchurch; and the Registrar in charge of the Deeds Registry Office, is also Stipendiary Magistrate and Warden. There are resident Crown Prosecutors at Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika, where sittings of the District Court are held by Judge W. R. Haselden. The Warden's and Magistrate's Courts, which are held in a number of settlements, in addition to the three principal centres, are under the jurisdiction of Mr. W. G. K. Kenrick, who is stationed at Greymouth, and Mr. R. J. Acheson, at Hokitika. These Magistrates are supported by local Justices of the Peace, in the various centres of population. There are barristers and solicitors at Westport, Hokitika, Greymouth, Reefton, and Kumara.
of the Judicial District of Westland has been established many years, and the district extends from Karamea to Big Bay. Sittings are held in the months of March and September of cach year. The Court rooms form part of the Government buildings in the block that
, whose circuit includes Westland, was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, in June, 1845, and was appointed to be a Judge of the Supreme Court in New Zealand in 1889. His biography and portrait appear at page 241 of the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia.
was appointed Registrar of the Supreme Court, an I Stipendiary Magistrate and Warden at Hokitika in March, 1905. He is further referred to on pages 9134, in the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
at Hokitika is situated in the Government buildings, near the Post Office, between Sewell Street and Fitzherbert Street. The building is close to the Supreme Court, and was erected in 1870. It contains a court-room, magistrate's and clerk's rooms, public offices, and a strong-room. The magisterial district is bounded on the north by the Teremakau river, and on the south by the Awara. A Magistrate's Court is held at Hokitika twice a week, and a Warden's Court fortnightly. Regular sittings are also held at Stafford, Goldsborough, Kumara, and Ross, and quarterly sittings at Okarito. The business, as in all mining districts, is chiefly in the Warden's Court, and applications for mining leases come from all parts of the district. Officials for the year 1905: Messrs R. J. Acheson, Warden and Stipendiary Magistrate; J. C. Malfroy, Clerk of the Court; T. W. Cameron, cadet; J. McDonald, messenger and crier of the Supreme Court; and Constable A. Bennett, baliff.
, Clerk of the Stipendiary Magistrate's and Warden's Court, Hokitika, was born on the 20th of June, 1878, in Hokitika. He was educated at the Hokitika District High School, where he took a scholarship. After a short experience of mercantile life, Mr. Malfroy spent ten months at Rotorua. In 1896 he passed the civil service examination, and joined the public service in New Plymouth, in the Department of Justice. Mr. Malfroy served as relieving officer, and was stationed at Paeroa in 1899 as assistant clerk. In 1901, he was transferred to Ahaura as Clerk of the Court, and was promoted in August, 1903, to his present appointment. Mr. Malfroy also acts as Clerk of the District Court, and of the Westland Licensing Committee. He is a member of the local football, cricket, tennis and hockey clubs, and is secretary of the Hokitika Cricket Club.
LL.B., Barrister and Solicitor, Hamilton Street, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Beare is an Englishman by birth, but was educated in Christchurch. On leaving school he entered the office of Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw, Christchurch, and passed the general knowledge examination for solicitors in 1888. In the same year he matriculated, and after a successful course at Canterbury College graduated in 1892. He took his degree of Bachelor of Laws at the New Zealand University, and was admitted to the Bar in 1893, at Hokitika. He accepted an engagement with Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham at Greymouth, where he had considerable experience in conducting all the cases for the firm during the absence in Wellington of the senior partner, Mr. A. R. Guinness, now (1906) Speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1836 Mr. Beare started practising his profession at Hokitika, where he has ever since been most successful, particularly in criminal law. He holds the position of solicitor for the Government Advances to Settlers Office in the Westland district, and for the Waiho Water Race and Sluicing Company, Limited, etc.
Barrister, Solicitor, and Conveyancer, Hamilton Street, Hokitika. Private residence, Brittan Street. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales, Mr. Lewis was born in London in 1848, educated privately, and arrived in Australia in 1857. Crossing over to New Zealand a few years later, he was articled to Mr. J. A. J. McGregor, of Dunedin, admitted to the bar in Christchurch in 1873, and practised in Dunedin till 1882. Prior to establishing his present practice in Hokitika, he was for a time associated with Mr. S. M. South, then Crown Prosecutor, at Hokitika.
Barrister and Solicitor, Hamilton Street, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand and Bank of New Zealand. This business was established by Mr. Park at Hokitika in the year 1883. He was afterwards joined in partnership by Mr. James A. Murdoch, but later on the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Park has a first-class connection throughout the West Coast, and has long been prominently identified with the interests of the mining community.
, Crown Prosecutor for Westland, is a son of Mr. Gavin Park, who came out to New Zealand in the ship “Philip Laing” in the later forties. Mr. Park was born at Lyttelton in the year 1854, was educated privately, and attended the Otago University. He was articled to Messrs Joyce and Adams, in 1879, passed his first series of examinations in 1881, and, becoming duly qualified, was admitted to the bar by Mr. Justice Williams in 1883. Mr. Park went in the same year to Hokitika, and established his present business.
The care of the sick and suffering is thoroughly provided for in the well-equipped hospitals of the West Coast, and the medical profession is strongly represented in the various centres; there are five practitioners stationed at Greymouth, three at Westport, two at Hokitika, and two at Reefton, and some of the inland towns also have a resident medical man.
M.B. (Edin), Hall Street, Hokitika.
F.R.C.S. and M.R.C.S. (Eng.) L.R.C.P. (Ireland), and Associate of Mason's Science College (Birningam), Hamilton Strect, Hokitika. Dr. Teichelmann was born in South Australia, in the year 1859, and is of German and Scotch parentage. He was educated at Hahndorf College, at Adelaide University, and at Queen's and Mason's Colleges, Birmingham, England. Dr. Teichelmann also studied at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and at the Dublin Hospitals, Ireland. He acted as Demonstrator of Physiology at Mason's Science College, Birmingham. Dr. Teichelmann has been assistant physician and Resident Pathologist at the General Hospital Birmingham, Assistant Surgeon at the Jaffray Suburban Hospital, Resident Medical Officer of the Birmingham Workhouse, and private assistant to Mr. Lawson Tait, Birmingham. He also practised privately in England for two years, and when he landd in Australia he established himself in Adelaide, at Port Adelaide, where he filled the post of Health Officer for two years. In February, 1897, he came to New Zealand to accept the position of Surgeon Superintendent to the Westland County Hospital.
Surgeon and Mechanical Dentist, Hamilton Street. Hokitika. This practice was established in the year 1900 by Mr. McBrearty, of Greymouth, and was acquired by Mr. Coulson in 1903. The premises consist of ground floor rooms, in the Masonic Hall building; the surgery is fitted with every necessary appliance, and there is a commodious work room, and waiting room. Mr. Coulson was born in the year 1879, in London, England, came to New Zealand with his father, Captain Coulson, by the ship “Lord of the Isles,” and arrived in Wellington in 1887. He was educated in Dunedin, removed to the West Coast in 1895, and studied for his profession in Greymouth and Hokitika. Mr. Coulson is a member of the local cricket and swimming club, and is captain of the hockey club. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Richard Watkins, of Timaru, in the year 1904.
Surgeon and Mechanical Dentist, Hamilton Street, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This practice was established by Mr. Renton in the year 1897. The surgery is well appointed and fitted up with the most modern appliances. Mr. Renton is a son of Mr. James Renton, one of the oldest settlers of the West Coast, and was born in Hokitika in 1873. He studied for his profession in Christchurch, under Mr. F. W. Thompson, passed his examinations at Dunedin, and proceeded afterwards to London, where he obtained valuable experience. Mr. Renton returned to New Zealand in 1897, and commenced practice in Hokitika.
The West Coast has been well provided with banking facilities from the early days of the goldfields. Many interesting and exciting experiences concerning events in those days are fully set forth in an interesting little book entitled “Banking under Difficulties,” published in 1888, and written by a bank official. Greymouth has four branch banks, Hokitika three, and Westport and Reefton two each. The first bank on the Coast was built at Hokitika early in 1865, and in the same year another was opened in Greymouth. Hokitika is the only place on the Coast which has a local savings bank, but the Post Office Savings Bank is represented in all the larger centres. Though the returns of gold are small, in comparison with the immense quantities won in the early days of the goldfields, still a considerable amount is brought into the various banks.
, at Hokitika, stands at the corner of Camp Street and Revell Street. It was opened in the early days of the goldfields, and the Bank
was appointed manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Hokitika in May, 1903. He had been previously stationed in various parts of New Zealand.
has been represented in Hokitika since the early days of the West Coast. It is domiciled in a large twostoried building, which was erected in the year 1873, and contains a banking chamber, a manager's room, a strong room, and officers' quarters. The staff includes a manager and five assistants.
was appointed manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Hokitika in the year 1901. He was born in Auckland, and is a son of the late Captain Burgess, of that city. Mr. Burgess has been an officer of the Bank of New Zealand since 1874.
, Revell Street, Hokitika, was opened in 1883 by Mr. C. F. A. Broad, with Mr. J. D. Lynch second in charge. The bank does a large gold purchasing business throughout the Westland district, and has a good commercial connection.
was established in the year 1866, by the late Mr. A. Bonar, father of the Hon. J. A. Bonar, sometime Superintendent of Westland. Mr. Bonar, senior, acted as manager of the bank until his death in the year 1872. The premises, which were erected in 1880, are situated in Hamilton Street, and consist of a wood and iron building, containing a banking chamber, suitably fitted up. The bank is open twice weekly—on Thursday afternoons and Saturday evenings. It has been a highly successful institution. Officers for the year 1905: The Hon J. Holmes, vice-president; Mr. W. Duncan, manager; and six local trustees.
was born in the year 1843 in the parish of Errol, Perthshire, Scotland, where he went to school. He entered the service of the Union Bank of Australia, in London, and in 1863 was transferred to Melbourne, Australia. Then he came to New Zealand, where he eventually was appointed manager of the Hokitika branch of the Union Bank of Australia. Mr. Duncan occupied this position for eight years, and started business on his own account in 1879. He has been chairman of the Hokitika Benevolent Society since 1885. Mr. Duncan married a daughter of Mr. James Petrie, of Hokitika, in the year 1871, and has two daughters, both of whom are married. He is further referred to as a general commission agent. Mr. Duncan is manager of the Hokitika Savings Bank, agent for the Public Trustee, secretary to the local Gas Company, and holds numerous other agencies.
Notwithstanding the comparative decay of the mining industry, there can be little doubt that in trade and industry considerable progress is being made on the west coast. In greymouth, westport and hokitika, there are numerous retail shops and wholesale establishments, and there are also foundries and engineering works, tinsmith and woodware factories, breweries and aerated water and cordial factories. One of the staple industries of the coast which has grown to large proportions, is sawmilling, and there are mills at greymouth, hokitika, and westport, as well as many in the country settlements. Coal is also a strong factor in the trade of westland, and both westport and greymouth ship large quantities. Extensive workshops in connection with the railways are maintained at greymouth and westport. Hokitika has a whitebait packing factory, which is in operation during the season, and there are successful dairy factories in various parts of the district.
General Commission Agent, Tancred Street, Hokitika. Mr. Duncan has conducted this business since the year 1879. He is agent for the Victorian and National Fire Offices, the National Mutual Life Association, the Anchor Shipping Company, and Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewen, Christchurch. Mr. Duncan also does a considerable business as a licensed land broker and custom house agent. The premises occupied by him consist of offices and a store built in the early days of Hokitika. Mr. Duncan is further referred to as manager of the Hokitika Savings Bank.
Civil Engineer and Authorised Surveyor, Hampden Street, Hokitika. Mr. Macfarlane is a son of the late Mr. D. Macfarlane, sometime Stipendiary Magistrate for Westland, and was born in Chicago, and educated at Hokitika, where he joined the Survey Department as a cadet. He made considerable progress, passed his examinations with credit, became a duly qualified and authorised surveyor, and eventually set up in business on his own account. Mr. Macfarlane is familiar with the whole of the Westland pro- vince, and has been connected with all the principal mining ventures. He has also been associated with large tunnelling works and syphons for bringing in the water to the goldfields, and he is well and favourably known for the thoroughness of his work generally. In sporting circles, cycling, football, and cricket he has taken more than a passing interest.
(Joseph Mandl) Brewers and Malsters, Fitzherbert Street, Hokitika. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This firm's business is one of the foremost of its kind on the West Coast, and was established in 1875. Since then Mr. Mandl has won for the product of his brewery a good reputation along the Coast, as well as in Canterbury and the North Island, to which he personally pays periodical visits. In this way he keeps in touch with his numerous customers, and at the same time goes on extending his business. The brewery contains a twenty hogshead plant. About eighty hogsheads are kept in stock, the weekly output being from fifty to sixty hogsheads. For over twenty years this well-known brand of ale has been gradually improved, until it is now equal to the best in New Zealand. In 1893 Mr. Mandl purchased the very extensive and substantial malt-houses situated in Weld Street, formerly owned by Messrs Pizzey and Co., and erected at a cost of over £4000. Messrs Mandl and Co. gained honourable mention for ale in bulk at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition of 1888, and the gold medal for draught beer at the West Coast Exhibition of 1903–4. Mr. Mandl is referred to in another article as Mayor of Hokitika.
(Robert McMillan and Henry Thompson), Builders, Contractors, Undertakers and Monumental Masons, Gibson's Quay, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. P.O. Box 26. Private residences:— Mr. McMillan, Sale Street; Mr. Thompson, Weld Street. The firm's freehold premises are built on a double section with a frontage of 30 feet. They include an ironmongery store, well equipped with a full and complete stock of furnishing and building materials. Messrs McMillan and Thompson have a most complete plant for the carrying out of the work entrusted to them. Their machinery is driven by means of a Campbell's gas engine. Among the buildings which testify to the enterprise and ability of this firm may be mentioned the Hokitika Club and Horticltural Hall and the business premises of Messrs Thomas Cahill, E. J. Lloyd and J. H. Arthur. Besides transacting an extensive business as builders, the firm does a considerable trade as undertakers, and imports the best monumental materials direct from Italy. In all cases the firm's customers can depend upon prompt and efficient service.
, the senior partner of the firm, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861. When quite an infant he came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “Brother's Pride,” well known to old colonists on account of forty-nine deaths occurring through fever during the voyage, and two after the vessel was quarantined. He commenced to work at his trade with Messrs Shain and McGregor, of Hokitika, but left
is a son of Mr. W. A. Thompson, a coal merchant in Hokitika. He was born in Hokitika, in 1874, and joined Messrs Sinclair and Jack, whose business Mr. Thompson, in conjunetion with Mr. McMillan, took over on the the death of the surviving partner in 1895. As a footballer, Mr. Thompson has done a good deal of work as one of the Hokitika Club's first fifteen.
Monumental Mason and Undertaker, Stafford Street, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Stafford Street. Mr. Ralfe established himself in business in 1890. His stand is about the best in Hokitika, as it is in a central position, and arranged in such a manner that it cannot but attract the eye of the most casual observer. Neatness and completeness are the main leatures of Mr. Ralfe's yards. Mr. Ralfe is a direct importer of both marble and granite from Genoa and Carrara, in Italy, and shipments arrive regularly every three months. He has designs of almost every conceivable shape and size, and can indent for patrons at short notice. The cemeteries throughout the West Coast bear witness to the class of work turned out by this up-to-date tradesman. A fair trade is done in marble mantelpieces, wash-stands, and other articles of that description; in fact, marble work of every kind is undertaken, with satisfactory results. As an undertaker, Mr. Ralfe has an exceptionally good plant for conducting funerals. Iron railings in every conceivable design can be made to order on the shortest notice. Mr. Ralfe was born at Ashley Bank, Canterbury, in the year 1864, and was brought up on the West Coast. He served eleven years under Messrs Sinclair and Jack, and then established his present business. Mr. Ralfe was a member of the Borough Council during 1893–4, and local secretary for the Greymouth Industrial Exhibition, held in 1894. In musical matters, he has long taken a leading part, and he assists in the Church of England choir and at local concerts.
Coachbuilder, Wheelwright, and General Blacksmith, corner of Revell Street and Stafford Street, Hokitika. This business was established in the year 1868, by Mr. Eckmann. The premises stand on a frechold corner section, the two-storied buildings are of wood and iron, and contain a wheelwright's shop and a smith's shop. There is also a fiveroomed private residence. An Acme gas engine of five horse-power drives the machinery, which consists of circular and band saws, boring machines, planer, and sand-papering drum; and there are two forges. Both light and heavy vehicles are manufactured, and four persons are employed. Mr. Eckmann was born in the year 1841, in Germany, where he was educated, and learned his trade. He afterwards went to Melbourne, Australia, by the ship “Morning Light,” in 1863, and in the same year came to New Zealand, and landed in Port Chalmers. Mr. Eckmann then followed gold mining at the Hartley and Riley “rush.” He subsequently returned to Dunedin, where he found employment for about two years. Later, Mr. Eckmann removed to the West Coast, and settled in Hokitika, where, for a time, he worked as a carpenter. Mr. Eckmann married Miss Grace, of London, England, in the year 1868.
Coachbuilder and General Blacksmith, corner of Revell Street and Hampden Street, Hokitika. This business was founded by Mr. J. Jolly, in the early days of Hokitika, and conducted by him for many years, and was bought by Mr. McGregor in the year 1903. The premises
was born in the year 1867 in Banfishire, Scotland. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1872, and landed at Port Chalmers by the ship “Janet Court.” Mr. McGregor was educated at Dunedin and Greymouth, afterwards learned his trade at Greymouth and was for some eight or nine years a member of the firm of McGregor and Sons. He then removed to Hokitika, was employed by Mr. F. Eckmann for about six years, and acquired his present business in the year 1903. Mr. McGregor was a member of the Order of Foresters at Greymouth, and passed through all the chairs in the local court. As a Freemason, he is a Past Master of Lodge Pacific, 1229, English Constitution. Mr. McGregor is further referred to as a lieutenant of the First Westland Rifles.
Wheelwright and Coachbuilder, Revell Street, Hokitika. This business was established by Mr. Raine in the year 1869. Mr. Raine was born in 1837, at Richmond, Yorkshire, England, where he went to school. He learned his trade at Barnard Castle, and afterwards went to Melbourne. Australia, in 1858. In 1861, Mr. Raine was attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush in Otago, but returned in the following year to Australia. Seven years later, he came back to New Zealand, settled on the West Coast, and established his present business. Mr. Raine has been a member of the local hospital committee, and he was for eight years a member of the fire brigade. He married a daughter of the late Mr. E. Ennis, of Melbourne, in the year 1874. Mrs Raine died in May, 1901, leaving five daughters and one son.
(Miss Agnes Addison, Miss Jemima Addison, and Miss Alice Addison). Draper and Ladies' Outfitter, Hamilton Street, Hokitika. This business was established in the year 1888 by Mrs Addison, who died in January, 1903. The old premises were replaced in 1891, by a large double-fronted verandah shop, with a residence adjoining. The stock is varied and fashionable, and special attention is paid ladies' and children's outfitting. The departments include, drapery, millinery, mantles, haberdashery, laces, ribbons, gloves, hosiery, underclothes, mercery, carpets and linoleums.
Merchant Tailor, Revell Street, Hokitika. Telegraphic address, “Evans Tailor, Hokitika.” Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. This business was founded by Mr. Ben Dyson in 1869, and taken over by the present proprietor in 1891. The premises, which are situated in Revell Street, immediately opposite Stafford Street, are well lighted throughout for the display of the large and varied stock of tweeds, serges, worsteds, Bannock-burns, and other materials of the best quality. Mr. Evans, who has spent twenty-five years in the tailoring business, has been associated with the West Coast for a number of years, and is therefore well up in the needs of the district, and cuts out nothing but the best and heaviest of materials. Style and fit are guaranteed at his up-to-date establishment, and the prices charged are exceptionally low, considering the quality of the work. Mr. Evans' trade extends from Reefton in the north to Jackson's Bay, in the south. In the town of Hokitika he does business with the leading townsfolk, as he has not only retained Mr. Dyson's old customers, but further increased his list of patrons. Mr. Evans was born in Shropshire, England, in 1866, and was apprenticed to the tailoring trade
at twelve years of age. He landed in Australia by the ship “Austral,” in 1888, and came to New Zealand in
Clothier and Draper, Revell Street, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This business was established in the year 1897 by the present proprietor, and has steadily increased in volume. Mr. Mahan was born in Ireland, in 1865, and accompanied his parents to New Zealand in 1874, in the ship “Duke of Edinburgh.” He was educated at Timaru, and subsequently followed teaching at the Waitohi school. Later on, he served an apprenticeship with Messrs Cowan and Foster, drapers, Timaru, and was then appointed to take charge of the clothing department of the South Canterbury branch of the D.I.C. Mr. Mahan afterwards conducted a business on his own account at Timaru, and gained experience also at Oamaru and Dunedin. In 1890, he took charge of the Hokitika branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, successfully conducted the branch for seven years, and then resigned to establish his present business. Mr. Mahan takes a great interest in social and local affairs, and is a member of most of the local clubs. In 1893, he married a daughter of the Hon. James Holmes, M.L.C.
Wood and Coal Merchant and General Carrier, Wharf Street. Hokitika. Private residence, Sewell Street. This business was founded in the year 1870, by Mr. Maunder, who conducted it until 1904, when he disposed of it to Mr. Dowling. Mr. Dowling was born in 1872, at Kanieri, where he was educated and brought up to mining, and also gained a general experience of outside work. He served for about three years in the First Westland Volunteers. Mr. Dowling married a daughter of Mr. William Warren, of Kumara, in 1902, and has two sons.
Coal Merchant and Carrier, Weld and Hall Streets, Hokitika. This business was established by the late Mr. Richard Stopforth in the early days of the West Coast, before the formation of streets and roads. It was conducted by him until the 27th of June, 1887, when it was taken over by his son, Mr. Thomas Stopforth. The premises are situated at the corner of Weld Street and Hall Street, on an acre of land, and include a handsome new residence, erected in 1904; stables, which contain seven stalls; and a coal yard. Mr. Stopforth was born on the 18th of December, 1870, at Hokitika, where he went to school. He is a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the Westland Racing Club. Mr. Stopforth married a daughter of Mr. Robert Leonard Morris, of Kumara, on the 17th of July, 1895, and has five sons and one daughter.
Coal Merchant and Carrier, Rolleston Street, Hokitika. Yard in Hamilton Street. Mr. Thompson was born in the year 1841, at Bath, England, where he attended school. He came to New Zealand in the year 1862, and landed at Lyttelton by the ship “Mermaid.” Mr. Thompson remained in Canterbury until 1865, when he removed to Hokitika, and commenced business as a livery stable keeper. For nine years subsequently, he was employed by Messrs Mark Sprott and Company, and afterwards established himself in business as a coal merchant and carrier. Mr. Thompson was for fourteen years a member of the Hokitika Borough Council, for sixteen years a member of the Hospital Committee, and for twelve years he was on the local school committee. As a Forester he served for many years as secretary of the local court. Mr. Thompson became a Justice of the Peace in the year 1897. He married a daughter of Mr. Stephen Penny, of Salisbury, England, in the year 1862, and has two daughters and two sons.
Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Revell Steet, Hokitika. Private residence, Hampden Street. This business
was established in the year 1865 by Mr Robeck. The premises are freehold, and consist of a wood and iron building which contains a shop and saloon; there are also three bathrooms, with hot and cold water, and a shower. Mr. Robeck was born on the 17th of January, 1835, in Germany, where he was educated, and
(Thomas Palmer, proprietor), Revell Street, Hokitika. This hotel was established in the year 1875, and acquired by the present proprietor in July, 1904. It is a two-storied building of wood and iron, and contains thirty-six rooms, including twenty-six bedrooms, three sitting rooms, a dining hall, capable of seating fifty guests, and a billiard room. Mr. Palmer was born in the year 1870, in County Antrim, Ireland, was educated in Belfast, and brought up to a mercantile life. In 1887, he went to Melbourne, Australia, by the s.s. “Cusco,” and was for about four years engaged in mining at Mount Morgan. Mr. Palmer subsequently gained experience in dairying in South Australia for two years. He afterwards came to New Zealand, and was dairy manager of the Mangatainoki Factory for two years, and. later, of a Teranaki factory for two years, Mr. Palmer was then for three years manager and secretary of a dairy factory in North Otago, whence he removed to the West Coast, and took up a similar position at the Tetara Flat Factory. In 1904, he bought the freehold of the Commercial Hotel in Hokitika. Mr. Palmer was for some time secretary of the Grey Valley school committee. He married a daughter of Mr. Andrew Todd, of Mount Morgan, Queensland, in the year 1893, and has two sons and two daughters.
(Mrs M. Woolhouse, proprietress), Wharf Street Hokitika. This hotel has been established for many years. It was at one time known as the “Swan,” and was conducted by Mr. Lynch, but was acquired by its present proprietress in the year 1903. The hotel stands on freehold land, and was re-built in the year 1900. It is a two-storied building of wood and iron, and contains twenty rooms, including eleven bedrooms, four sitting rooms, a commercial room, and a dining room capable of seating twenty guests. There is also a six-stalled stable in connection with the hotel.
(John James Melntosh, Proprietor), Gibson's Quay, Hokitika. This hotel was established in the year 1865. It is a two-storied building of wood and iron, built on a freehold section, and contains thirty-three rooms, including twenty bedrooms, four sitting rooms, and a dining-room capable of seating fifty guests. The stables connected with the establishment contain three loose boxes and six stalls. Mr. J. J. McIntosh acquired the Red Lion Hotel in 1901. He is the eldest son of Mr. George McIntosh, was born in the year 1867 in Invercargill, brought by his parents to the West Coast at an early age, and went to school in Hokitika. For a number of years Mr. McIntosh followed farming pursuits, and still holdss a farm at South Beach. He is a member of the fire brigade, vice-president of the Hokitika cricket and football clubs, captain of the Hokitika Aquatic and Cycling Club, a member and steward of the Westland Racing Club, vice-president of the Hokitika Swimming Club, a member of the committee of the Acclimatisation Society and Tourist Department, and treasurer of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. As a Freemason, Mr. McIntosh is a member of Lodge Kilwinning, Hokitika. He married a daughter of Mr. D. McPhee, of Woodstock, in the year 1898, and has five daughters.
(Edward O'Connor, proprietor), Revell Street, Hokitika. This hotel was established in the very early days of the gold-fields, probably in 1865. It is built of wood and iron and contains twelve rooms; six of these are bedrooms, two are sitting rooms, and there is a dining room capable of seating thirty guests.
, Proprietor of the Southland Hotel, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in the year 1848. He attended school in his native county, and sailed for Melbourne in the ship “Champion of the Seas,” in 1866. In the following year
he landed at Hokitika, and engaged in gold mining for a few years. After a trip to Australia, where he spent three months in Queensland and seven months in Victoria, Mr. O'Connor returned to the
Tinsmith, Gasfitter, and General Ironmonger, Revell Street, Hokitika. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Hampden Street. Mr. Amberger's freehold premises have a frontage of twenty feet, with a depth of 100 feet, and the shop is fitted with double windows, and dust proof show cases. The workshop, in which four persons are employed, has a floor space of 1500 square feet, and contains all the plant necessary for carrying on an extensive business in every branch of the trade. Special attention is paid to the manufacture of all descriptions of tinware, baths, tanks, chimneys and mining fluming. A large stock of general and furnishing ironmongery is maintained. Mr. Amberger was born near Frankfort, Germany, in the year 1852, was apprenticed to his trade in his native land, and came out to New Zealand in 1870, by the ship “Halcione,” and landed at Wellington. For about eleven years he was in the employment of Mr. W. Heinz. He is a member of the Masonic Order, was formerly associated with the Oddfellows, and for about sixteen years was in the local fire brigade.
, formerly in business as a general blacksmith, at the corner of Gibson's Quay and Tancred Street, Hokitika, successfully carried out contracts for the Westport and Hokitika Harbour Boards. Mr Burns afterwards disposed of his business to Mr. Cederman. He was born in New Glasgow, near Montreal, Canada, in 1839, and was there apprenticed to his trade. In the year 1856 he arrived in Victoria, Australia, by the ship “Rising Sun,” from Boston, and worked on the leading Victorian goldfields. In 1862, he crossed over to Gabriel's Gully, and in 1865 the West Coast “rush” attracted him. He conducted a successful business at Kanieri for many years, and also had a flourishing branch at Westport for some time. Mr. Burns was for some time a member of the Hospital Committee, and of the Oddfellows' Lodge, and the Hokitika Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
Engineer, Iron Founder, Blacksmith, and Boilermaker, corner of Gibson's Quay and Tancred Street, Hokitika. This business was established in the year 1882, and acquired by the present proprietor in July, 1902. The premises are situated on a freehold section, and consist of a two-storied wood and iron building, which contains engineering, blacksmithing, and boiler-making departments. In the engineering department a six horse-power engine drives the machinery, which consists of four lathes, two drills, two punching machines, screwing and shearing machinery, a cold cutting saw, and a Roots blower for foundry work. The smiths' shop contains three forges, and in the boiler-making department there is a punching machine, used largely in the manufacture of iron pipes for mining purposes. There is also a fine cupola attached to the foundry. All classes of work connected with mining, dredging, sawmilling, and shipping are carried on.
was born in the year 1870, at Riwaka, Nelson, where he was educated, and afterwards learned his trade with Messrs S. Luke and Sons, Wellington, where he served for a period of five years and six months. Subsequently, he was employed by Messrs A. and T. Burt, Dunedin, and assisted in erecting and altering
(George Davidson and Duncan Davidson), Engineers, Blacksmiths and Ironfounders, Hokitika. This business was established in the year 1865, in Revell Street, by Mr. George Davidson, who died in 1897, and has since been conducted by his sons, Messrs George Davidson and Duncan Davidson. In 1866, the business was removed to Bealey Street, where it stands on a freehold site which measures 1333 feet by 166 feet. The buildings are of wood and iron, and the engineering shop contains four lathes, two drilling machines, shaping, punching, shearing, slotting and bolt screwing machines. There is also a hack-saw machine, set of rollers, circular and band saws, and a finishing machine. The plant is driven by a four horse-power Tangye gas engine. The blacksmiths' shop contains three forges and a cupola blast furnace. All kinds of repairs are effected, and the firm manufactures sawmilling plant of all descriptions, and the patent geared log-hauling engine invented by Mr. George Davidson. Up to the early part of 1905, eight of these engines were already at work on the West Coast, and Messrs Davidson have fitted up various mills from Reefton southwards. About twelve persons are employed.
, Senior Partner of the firm of G. and D. Davidson, was born in the year 1870, at Hokitika, where he attended school. He learned his trade at the Hokitika Foundry, and succeeded as principal partner in the business at his father's death in 1897. Mr. Davidson has registered a patent for the geared loghauling engine which is manufactured by the firm. He has been engineer of the local fire brigade since 1892. Mr. Davidson has been twice married, and has one daughter and one son.
, Junior Partner in the Hokitika Foundry, was born in the year 1875 at Hokitika. After leaving school, he learned engineering in the Hokitika Foundry, and subsequently joined his brother in partnership, on the death of their father. Mr. Davidson has been a member of the local fire brigade since 1897, and is a member of the local football club.
Wholesale Tinsmith and Plumber, the Premier Tinware Manufactory, Revell Street, Hokitika. This business was established
by Mr. Debenham in the year 1887. It is conducted in a double-fronted shop, with a workhouse and residence behind, which stand on a freehold section of land. Mr. Debenham was born in the year 1862, at Inglewood, Victoria, Australia, and at the age of three years was brought by his parents to Hokitika, where he was educated, and learned his trade. He afterwards went to Australia, and had eighteen months' experience at his trade in Sydney. Mr. Debenham subsequently returned to Hokitika, where he established his present business. For about twenty years he has been a member of the local band, and
Westland Sheet Metal and Tinware Works, Hokitika and Greymouth. This business was founded in the year 1868, by Mr. Heinz, in Revell Street. It is conducted in a large wood and iron building, which contains a shop, a workhouse, and an office. There is a large plant of the latest design for all classes of work, including plumbing, tinware, gasfitting, hot and cold water services, and the manufacture of sheet-metal pipes for mining purposes, Mr. Heinz being the first to manufacture these pipes on the West Coast. He is also engaged in ironmongering, dealing direct with the English and American manufacturers. The Greymouth branch is situated in Mackay Street, opposite the “Greymouth Star” office, and is managed by Mr. Emil Heinz, who learned his trade in New York, United States of America, and also holds diplomas of the New Zealand technical trade schools. Mr. Heinz was born in the year 1843, in Germany, where he went to school. He afterwards went to Australia, landed in Melbourne in 1858, and learned the trade of a tinsmith at Ballarat. He was attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush in the year 1862, and after a short experience of mining, found employment at his trade in Dunedin. In 1864, Mr. Heinz went to Wakamarina, where he worked at his trade until 1865. He then removed to Hokitika, and became a member of the firm of John Newton and Co., in Revell Street. After selling his interest in the business, Mr. Heinz went to Victoria, Australia, and afterwards to Germany for a trip. In 1868, he returned to New Zealand, and founded his present business. Mr. Heinz has been a trustee of the Hospital Board, and was at one time secretary to the Benevolent Society. He married a daughter of the late Mr. P. Amberger, of Germany, in the year 1867, and has two sons. Mr. Heinz is further referred to as a member of the Hokitika Borough Council.
, formerly a horseshoer and general blacksmith, in Revell Street, Hokitika, was born at St. Columb Minor, England, in the year 1839, and served his apprenticeship with his father. At the age of twenty-three, Mr. Jolly left his native land for Australia, where he spent nearly three years in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. He then came to New Zealand, and after spending some time in Otago, went to the West Coast in 1865, established himself as a general blacksmith in Hokitika, and successfully carried on the business for nearly forty years. Some years ago Mr. Jolly acquired a beautiful country residence about six miles out of town, in the Arahura Valley, where he owns 130 acres of the best land in the district. He has planted five acres of fruit trees, and his orchard is considered one of the finest on the West Coast. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and was for some time in the Hokitika Borough Council. Mr. Jolly was married in the early days of Hokitika, and has a grownup family of five sons and three daughters. Some years ago he paid a visit to his native land, and after seeing many parts of England, he came to the conclusion that his adopted country was the best in which to spend the remainder of his days.
Boot Importer, Revell Street, Hokitika. This business was established in the year 1867, on Gibson's Quay, and was removed to its present site in Revell Street in 1883. The premises include a double-fronted shop with a verandah, a large fitting-room, workroom, and storeroom, erected on freehold land. Every description of up-to date footwear is kept, and the well assorted stock, low prices, and courtesy at all times, make the store one of the leading establishments on the West Coast. Mr. Little is the second son of the late Mr. Robert Little, farmer, of Antrim, Ireland, and his mother was the daughter of the late Mr. Archibald Wilson, of Maxwell's Walls, farmer. He was born on the 10th of June, 1840, at Craigiehaw, near Antrim, Ireland, where he went to school, and learned his trade. In 1863 Mr. Little went to Australia in the ship “Norman Morrison,” and landed in Brisbane, Queensland. He afterwards bought a bootstore in Maryborough, where he continued until the year 1867, when he came to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast. He was among the first volunteers, and for a number of years was captain of the Hokitika Cadets. Mr. Little married a daughter of the late Mr. Owens Kinawley, farmer, County Fermanagh, Ireland, in the year 1873, and has three sons and three daughters.
Wholesale and Retail Butcher, Revell Street, Hokitika. Branch at Greymouth. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. This business, which was founded by the present proprietor in the year 1865, has a very extensive town and country trade. Mr. Hannam is a cash buyer of stock, and is in a position to supply goods at a most reasonable price. He enjoys the reputation of allowing nothing but the primest meats and small goods to leave his establishment. He was born in Islington, London, in 1836, and brought up to the trade of a butcher. He came out to the colonies by the ship “Donald McLean,” in 1856, and worked at his
, formerly in business as a butcher in Revell Street, Hokitika, is a son of the late Mr. R. D. Bust, who was eredited with owning the first shop in Melbourne in the year 1849, and was born at Hull, Yorkshire, England, in 1846. He worked at his trade in Collingwood, and subsequently joined his father in business. In 1860 he was in Dunedin, and in 1867 in Auckland, where he was employed by Messrs Hellaby Bros., the leading butchers in the city. Mr. Bush then removed to the West Coast, where he did much to expose the evils arising from want of properly strict inspection of all stock slaughtered for human consumption. After leaving Hokitika, Mr Bust was in business in Vivian Street, Wellington.
General Merchant, Revell Street, Hokitika. Branches at Stafford, Rimu, and Ross. This business was founded by Mr. Linnemann in the year 1865 at Stafford, and four years later, a branch was opened in Hokitika. A branch was also established at Rimu, where Mr. Linnemann was one of the first to start business, and at Ross in 1899. The premises in Revell Street, Hokitika, and at Stafford are freehold, but the stores at Rimu and Ross are erected on ground held under goldmining licenses. Mr. Linnemann is a direct importer of various classes of goods, including grocery, hardware, crockery, stationery, and fancy goods. He was born in July, 1840, at Hamburg, Germany, where he was educated, and brought up to mercantile life. Mr. Linnemann went to Australia in March, 1860, and was for some time at forest Creek, Victoria. He afterwards came to New Zealand, and went to Dunedin in 1864, where he continued for fifteen months. Mr. Linnemann subsequently removed to Hokitika in the year 1865. As a Freemason, he has been treasurer of the local lodge, and he is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of the Order. Mr. Linnemann married a daughter of the late Mr. F. Strien, of Hokitika, in 1866, and has three sons and two daughters.
(Henry Leslie Michel), Coffee, Spice and General Merchants, Wharf Street, Hokitika. This important business was originally formed by Messrs Parsons and Co., of Melbourne, who retired from Hokitika several years afterwards. It has since been carried on solely by Mr. H. L. Michel. The premises have a total frontage of about sixty feet and a depth of 100 feet. A ten horse-power steam-engine, by Messrs Richard and Watts, supplies the motive power for the coffee-roasting plant, which is a very complete one. Amongst the firm's well-known brands of coffee may be mentioned the “Arab” and “Globe” brands, which “once used always used.” Mr. Michel personally visits the larger towns of the Colony periodically, and so keeps in touch with the various local markets.
, Proprietor of the business, is referred to elsewhere as a former Mayor of Hokitika, and as captain of the Hokitika Fire Brigade.
Merchant, Hokitika. Mr. Stevenson is one of the most popular business men on the West Coast, and has been identified with Hokitika for nearly forty years. He was born in Barhead, Scotland, in the year 1862, was brought to New Zealand by his parents a year later in the ship “Victory,” and landed at Port Chalmers. On the opening up of
the goldfields on the West Coast, Mr. Stevenson, senior, walked overland from Otago to Hokitika, where he was associated with mining for some years. Subsequently, he started business as a
Stationer and Bookseller, Revell Street, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, Fitzherbert Street. Agent for the Dresden Piano and Organ Company. Mr. King's present premises were erected at the end of 1897, after the great fire, and have a frontage of thirty feet. All the stock is new and of superior quality. School books and requisites are kept on hand, as well as all the leading Colonial and English periodicals, including the “Canterbury Times,” “Weekly Press,” “Otago Witness,” “Australasian,” and “Town and Country Journal.” Mr. King was born in Dunedin, and was in the produce trade at Hokitika until 1892, when he established his present business. He takes a leading part in the affairs of the Acclimatisation Society and Camera Club.
General Storekeeper, Hampden Street, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This business was originally founded in 1868, and was taken over by Mr. Allen in 1880. The premises are freehold, with a frontage of about sixty feet. Although Mr. Allen does not keep a very extensive stock, he has a good variety of general merchandise. He is assisted by Mrs Allen, and by strict attention to business has obtained a fair share of trade. Mr. Allen was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1831, and on leaving school followed a seafaring life, trading to Africa and South America. In 1849, he landed in Victoria from the barque “Essex,” and found his way to the Ballarat gold fields. In 1862, Mr. Allen crossed over to the Otago goldfields, and a short time after removed to Napier, where he joined the Defence Force, and saw active service during the Waikato war of 1865. About 1867, he removed to Hokitika, and obtained employment with Messrs J. Chesney and Co, and a few months later with Mr. J. Churches, with whom he remained nine years. He received the appointment of watchman to the Hokitika Fire Brigade, faithfully filled the position for fourteen years, and then resigned through old age and infirmity.
Jeweller, Revell Street, Hokitika. This business was established in 1870, and taken over by Mr. Brocklehurst in 1882. He maintains a large and well assorted stock of jewellery and watches and optical requisites, at prices to suit all demands. As a working jeweller, Mr. Brocklehurst manufactures gold and silver articles of every description, and his connection is gradually extending from Reefton in the north to Jackson's Bay in the south. He is a son of Mr. Brockle-hurst, of Hokitika, was born in Victoria, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1865. For three years he worked at his trade in Hokitika, under Mr. T. R. Proctor, and subsequently under the late Mr. Lance, after which he established himself in business on his own account. Mr. Brocklehurst is a trustee of the Wesleyan Church, and was formerly a member of the Horticultural Society, which he helped to promote.
Watchmaker and Jeweller, Revell Street, Hokitika. This business was founded by Mr. Ingram in the year 1866. He was born at Hayle, Cornwall, England, on the 4th of January, 1836, and learned his business with his father who was a watch-and-clock-maker. In 1855 Mr. Ingram went to Australia by the ship “James Bains,” and for five years found employment in Melbourne. He was afterwards for eighteen months at Castlemaine,
Watchmaker and Jeweller, Revell Street, Hokitika. This business was established in the year 1889, and is conducted in a wood and iron building, which contains a shop and workshop. Mr. Sargison learned his business in Hokitika, under the late Mr. J. Lange. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Hokitika, English Constitution. Mr. Sargison is further referred to as the bandmaster of the Hokitika Volunteer Band.
Livery and Bait Stable Proprietor, Hokitika Livery Stables, (Telephone 20), Revell Street, Hokitika. These stables were founded by the late Mr. Mark Sprott, in the year 1865, and have been conducted by Mr. Dowell since 1877. They are centrally situated, and stand on freehold land, fronting Revell Street. The buildings are of wood and iron, and contain seven stalls and four loose boxes, besides standing room for a large number of vehicles. In 1903, Mr. Dowell purchased the Salvation Army barracks adjoining his stables, and has transformed them into a residence. Eleven vehicles of various kinds and fourteen horses are employed in connection with the business.
was born on the 8th of July, 1836, in County Durham, England, and began to work at the coal mines at the age of eight years. In the year 1857, he went to Victoria, Australia, in the ship “Sir William Eyre,” landed in Melbourne, and proceeded to Ballarat. He followed the diggings for six years in different parts of Victoria, and then came to New Zealand, in the year 1863, at the time of the Hartley and Riley rush in Otago. Mr. Dowell was one of the lucky diggers on the Shotover, where he made £900 in the first three months. He afterwards removed to Hokitika, in 1865, and followed goldmining for eighteen months. Later, Mr. Dowell bought an hotel, which he conducted for thirteen years, and subsequently acquired his present business. He has been twice married, and has had thirteen children, of whom five sons and five daughters survive.
General Carrier, Sale Street, Hokitika. Mr. Walker was born on the 20th of March, 1840, at Dundee, Scotland. He is a sail-maker by trade, and came to New Zealand in 1854, by the ship “Storm Cloud.” In 1861, Mr. Walker was attracted to the Gabriel's Gully rush, and was one of the first sixteen to work on that field. He afterwards visited Australia, returned to New Zealand, and found employment in a store in Invercargill. Mr. Walker then went to the West Coast, at the commencement of the Hokitika rush in 1865, and was employed in connection with sawmilling and mining. Later, he entered the service of the late Hon. J. A. Bonar, with whom he remained for about thirty-four years. Mr. Walker subsequently had three years' experience in digging at Preservation Inlet, and founded his business as a carrier in 1898. He became a member of the local fire brigade on the 1st of August, 1866, and served for twenty-six years, when he was made a life member; he also served for sixteen years in the first two rifle corps of Westland. Mr. Walker married a daughter of Mr. David Gill, of Victoria, and has, surviving, two sons and five daughters.
(James, John, Daniel, and Thomas Lincoln, and Daniel Toomey), Sawmillers and Timber Merchants,
, the Senior Partner, was born in Victoria in 1859, and brought up on the West Coast. He worked at the Mapouriki diggings for three years, and previous to joining the firm in partnership he was employed for over twelve years in one of the leading sawmills on the West Coast.
was born in Hokitika, in 1869, and educated at the Hokitika Catholic schools. He has had over twenty years' experience in the timber industry.
, was established in the year 1894. The company's capital is £2,000 in ten shares of £200 each. The original mill of the company at Awatuna was destroyed by fire in January, 1898. It was re-erected under contract by Mr. Hornby, and in the year 1903 was removed to Kapitea Creek. The mill was completed in the following year, and is up-to-date in every respect. It is worked under contract by Mr. A. Thomson. The company has timber rights over 800 acres of bush, which is practically yet to be worked out. The capacity of the mill is 7000 cubic feet per day. Directors in the year 1905: Messrs H. L. Michel, chairman; B. Lyons, F. Henne, A. Boys, and A. Stevenson. Mr. A. B. King is secretary.
, formerly Mill Manager for the Westland Sawmilling Company, was born in Yorkshire, England, in the year 1832, and followed the trade of a millwright in Austwick and Liverpool, till he went to Melbourne, Australia, with his wife, in the ship “Blue Jacket,” in 1855. After eighteen months of contracting, he got the gold fever, and had six or seven years' experience on the Bendigo, Ballarat, Smythe's Creek, and Mount Blackwood diggings. Fortune having been kind to him he crossed to New Zealand in 1863, and subsequently commenced contracting at Picton and erecting sawmills in Marlborough. In 1876, he established himself as a sawmiller at Mount Pleasant, three miles from Picton, where he conducted business for over six years. Mr. Hornby was subsequently a sawmiller in Kaituna valley, where he was unsuccessful in land and building speculations, etc. The machinery of the mill at Awatuna, where he was milling for several years, was used in his mill in Queen Charlotte Sound, and it was bought by Mr. Kensington, who retained Mr. Hornby's services to erect machinery for the Sawmilling Company at Awatuna. Whilst a resident in Marlborough. Mr. Hornby took an active share in local politics. He was a member of the Picton Road Board for many years, was on the Pelorus District Road Board, and was member and chairman of the Okaramio school committee. As a Freemason, Mr. Hornby belongs to the New Zealand Constitution. He has been twice married; in the second instance to a daughter of Mr Glover, of Stafford. Mr. Hornby is now (1906) interested in a sawmill in the provincial district of Auckland.
was born in 1835 at New Cross, London, England, and after leaving school worked in the Ayr and Calder Bottle Company's Works in Thames Street. In 1853, he went to South Australia; visited the Coromandel rush in New South Wales; and after some time spent in Victoria, came to New Zealand in 1861. Mr. Boys then went to Waitahuna, and at the time of the Hartley and Riley rush he removed to the Dunstan. He was subsequently employed in the Macetown district, where he was connected with Maguire's water race. Since 1865. Mr. Boys has been a resident of the West Coast, and for many years was in business as a storekeeper and hotelkeeper at Blue Spur. He is proprietor of the Auckland Minerals Company, and a partner in the firm of J. Chesney and Company. In the early days Mr. Boys served on one of the local road boards. He has been twice married, and has, surviving, one daughter.
was born in October, 1840, in Yorkshire, England. He went to sea as a youth, and took part in the Crimean war. In 1857 he landed in Victoria, Australia, where he followed the goldfields until attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush in 1861. Mr. Hudson was one of the first on the field. and afterwards visited the Waipori and Wakamarina diggings. In July, 1864, he crossed the Hurunui Saddle from Canterbury with horses, the first taken to the West Coast by that route. Mr. Hudson afterwards opened a store at Blakiston, the first township at Greymouth, and, subsequently, in conjunction with Mr. Pace, opened stores at Hokitika and Totara, and also bought gold for the Benk of New South Wales for some time before the bank opened in Westland. Later, Mr. Hudson established one of the first hotels, the “Albion,” on the West Coast, the site of which he afterwards sold to the Borough Council. He also owned and managed the Cleveland Hotel. For some years Mr. Hudson carried on business as a contractor for the formation of roads and the construction of bridges. He was subsequently appointed Inspector of Roads and Works under the Public Works Department. Mr. Hudson served as a member and as treasurer of the Hokitika Harbour Board for nearly twenty years; was a member of the Hokitika school committee for twenty-two years, of which he was for a long time chairman; was for twenty years a member of the Education Board, and for many years a member of the Hokitika Benevolent Society. He was also one of the first members of the local fire brigade, and served for a number of years as lieutenant. As a volunteer, Mr. Hudson was a member of the Westland Light Horse, and afterwards of the First Westland Rifles. He is a Freemason and a Past District Grand Master. Mr. Hudson married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Higgins, of Galway, Ireland, in the year 1866, and has, surviving, three sons and three daughter.
was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the year 1838, and sailed for Australia in 1860, in the ship “Prince of the Seas.” A year later, he came to New Zealand, and, beginning at Gabriel's Gully, he followed the various “rushes” in the Otago fields. At Wakamarina, he opened a store, and also owned a good claim there, but sold these properties on the outbreak of the West Coast goldfields. For a time he worked at Ross, and afterwards at Okarito; and then went to Kanieri, where he conducted a store for twelve months. In 1866, Mr. McWhirter established a store at Goldsborough. He and Mr. Seddon, the Premier of New Zealand, were fellow-members of the Arahura Road Board, and he ever remained one of Mr. Seddon's staunchest supporters. On the formation of the Westland County Council three members were elected to represent the Arahura riding-namely, Messrs Seddon, McWhirter and Beale, and the election was one of the most exciting that ever took place in Westland. Mr. McWhirter was chairman of the Westland Education Board, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hokitika High School, chairman of the Westland Charitable Aid Board, and chairman of the Goldsborough school committee. He was also chairman of the Westland County Council for four years. Mr. McWhirter entertained Governor Bowen at a banquet when he visited Goldsborough. He was a Freemason, and an Oddfellow. He was also one of the largest gold buyers in the Waimea district. Mr. McWhirter married a daughters of the Rev. Mr. Hogg, Presbyterian minister, and three sons and two daughters were born of the union. He died in the year 1901.
, who for many years was one of the most prominent business men in Hokitika, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1831. He came out to Melbourne when the gold “rush” was at it height, and managed various businesses on the Victorian diggings with decided success. About 1863, when the Otago “rush” set in, Mr. Perry crossed over to New Zealand, and was stationed for about two years at Queenstown, where he managed an extensive business. When the West Coast diggings broke out, Mr. Perry moved to Hokitika, and about 1872 he established his business in Revell Street. The death of Mr. Perry, on the 6th of June, 1898, caused widespread regret throughout the district, with which he had been so long, successfully, and honourably associated.
has been long and closely connected with the sawmilling industry in Westland. It was he who, on the 8th of October, 1865, cut the first timber cut on the West Coast by steam power. He was associated with Messrs Findlay and Haworth, whose mill he constructed.
has been identified with Hokitika for about forty years. He was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1830, and was educated in Edinburgh. For about twelve years he followed a pastoral life, and went to Australia in 1854, in the ship “Champion of the Seas.” Mr. Robertson was on the Castlemaine goldfields for about seven years. On the outbreak of the West Coast “rush.” he went to Greymouth, and worked at Stafford, Humphrey's Gully, Blue Spur, and Rimu, until 1897, when he retired from active life. In 1859, he married Miss Mary Henry, of Melbourne, and has two sons and one daughter, all married. Mr. Robertson has been connected with the Wesleyan church on the Coast ever since that body has been established in the district.
Mine Manager, Stafford Street, Hokitika. Mr. Boyes is a partner in and manager of, the well known Wheel-of-Fortune claim at Stafford, which is further referred to under the heading of Stafford. He was born in the year 1868 in Nelson, where he was educated, and brought up to commercial work. Mr. Boyes was afterwards in business in the Nelson district, for some years on his own account. He then removed to the West Coast, and for a time was connected with McLeod and Company at Ross (now McLeod's Terrace Sluicing Company). Mr. Boyes was one of the original party who started the Montezuma dredge on the North Beach. In 1904, Mr. Boyes, together with Messrs Lewis, Mcllroy and Murdoch, took over the Wheel-of-Fortune claim. He is an enthusiastic cricketer, has been a representative player in the Nelson, Marlborough, and Wanganui district, and held the batting average for two years in Wanganui. Mr. Boyes is married, and has one daughter.
is a settlement situated on the south side of the Hokitika river, and it is in the Kanieri riding of the county, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. In the early days, when the traffic between Hokitika and Ross was along the seabeach, South Spit was a very busy place. It has a small public school, and there are sawmills and two or three farms in the vicinity. At the census of 1901 the population of South Spit was returned as twenty.
Farmer, South Spit, Hokitika. Mr. McIntosh is one of the oldest identities of Hokitika, and holds 310 acres at South Spit, and at Lake Mahina pua, where he carries on mixed farming. He was born in Banfishire, Scotland, in 1841, and was brought up on a farm. In the year 1863, Mr. McIntosh emigrated to Tasmania, but after a short stay he came to New Zealand, and visited Otago and Southland. He settled in Invercargill for a time, but on the discovery of gold in Hokitika in 1865, he removed to the West Coast. For a short period Mr. McIntosh engaged in mining, but, later, started storekeeping at the Hauhau and at Totara Lagoon. In the end of the sixties he bought his present farm, on which he has since resided. Mr. McIntosh is a member of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He is married, and has seven children. Mr. J. J. McIntosh, of the Red Lion Hotel, Hokitika is one of his sons.
is situated on the Kanieri river, three miles and a-half from Hokitika, and is in the Kanieri riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. It lies to the north of the Hokitika river, and is east-by-south of the borough of Hokitika, on the main south road. It was the first township of importance south of Hokitika, and sprang into existence in the year 1865, when the “rush” to the West Coast diggings set in. At one time it contained fourteen hotels, and diggers from all parts of the Australian colonies were then at Kanieri. At the present time, a fair amount of sluicing goes on, and those employed make good wages. There is still a considerable area of unworked land which is said to be highly auriferous, but owing to lack of local capital nothing can be done with the property. At Woodstock, two miles from Kanieri, a rush took place many years ago. Kanieri has three churches; namely. Church of England, Roman Catholic and Methodist. The journey from Hokitika to Kanieri is by a good road or by tramway. The local State school is well attended, and the Roman Catholic church has a local school, which has between thirty and forty pupils. Mails close daily at 2.15 p.m. and arrive at 3 p.m., and there is a telegraph office attached to the post office. There are two hotels, three stores, two smiths shops, a butchery, and a bakery, and a resident constable has been stationed at the township. The population at the census of 1901 was 149, with an additional thirty-five at Kanieri road, and seventy-two on Kanieri tramline. There is game in the neighbourhood. Kanieri Lake, one of the finest of New Zealand mountain and forest lakes, is within driving distance. The district roads are suitable for cycling.
was built in 1878, and stands in about two acres of ground, consisting of worked out tailings. The school building is one of the handsomest in the whole of Westland. The roll numbers sixty-six pupils, with an average attendance of fifty-five, many of whom come from a considerable distance. All standards up to the seventh are taught, and the school is in charge of Miss Potts and one assistant.
. Mr. Beck was formerly a wholesale and retail butcher at Cobdon Quay, Kanieri. He is a son of the late Mr. R. Beck, of Hauhau, and was born in Victoria, Australia, in the year 1863, and brought up near Hokitika. After being engaged at school teaching at Blue Spur he went to Victoria, and shortly afterwards returned to New Zealand, and joined a survey party on the West Coast. He was subsequently county overseer for about four years, and then he leased a butchery business from the executors of the late Mrs Rose. Mr. Beek is a Freemason, and was a member of the Westland Racing Club, and the Agricultural and Pastoral Association.
, Kanieri. This store is conducted by Mrs Staines wife of Mr. John Staines, of Koiterangi. It is well stocked, and a good business is done with residents throughout the district.
is situated on the main south road, about four miles from Hokitika river. The township, which at the census of 1901 had a population of 189, is a mining one, and is in the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. It has two hotels, four stores, and a public school, in addition to the residences of the settlers; a gold dredge is at work, and some hydraulic sluicing is still carried on. There is also a sawmill driven by water power. Most of the residents of Woodstock are connected with the mining claims of Rimu, about a mile further to the south. The business of the post office is conducted at one of the local stores. Church services are held regularly in the district, and there is regular coach communication with Hokitika.
is situated on the south bank of the Hokitika river, about a mile from the Kanieri School. When it was erected, about twenty years ago, the river was unbridged, and it was used as a side school till the Rimu “rush” set in, when it was considerably enlarged and separated from the jurisdiction of the Kanieri School Miss Staines then took charge, with Miss Milner as assistant. The school so increased in numbers that it was found necessary to appoint a master, and Mr. Mackay took charge in 1886. The building, situated on a five acre reserve, with about an acre for a playground, has accommodation for 150 scholars, and as many as 120 have been in attendance at one time. The school has been extremely successful in mining scholarships, and as many as four have been held at one time. The annual examinations for some years past show the percentage of passes to have been very high, and for discipline the school has led the Westland district.
, Headmaster of the Woodstock Public School, is assisted by Mrs Mackay, with Miss Irwin as pupil teacher. Mr. Mackay was born in Skye, Scotland, in 1859, and went to Victoria with his parents in 1862. He was brought up and educated in Melbourne, and came to New Zealand in 1878. For nine months Mr. Mackay assisted at Kumara School, and was teaching for a similar term at Ross. Mr. Mackay is married to a daughter of Mr. Kildahl, solicitor, of Ballarat, Victoria.
Draper and General Storekeeper, Woodstock. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand, Hokitika. This business was established in 1895 by the present proprietor, who has successfully carried it on an extended its operations. Mr. Wells was born in Waikouaiti, Otago, in 1864. He was brought up and educated at Kanieri, and was apprenticed to the storekeeping business under the late Mr. T. Learmont, with whose firm he remained for over twelve years, and only resigned through being incapacitated by illness. Two years later he was appointed storeman to Mr. P. Hansen, of Woodstock, and retained his position until he established his present business.
General Storekeeper, Woodstock. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business was established about 1878, and taken over by Mr. Hansen in 1891. The premises are commodious and well adapted for the trade, which has a considerable connection amongst the mining community. Mr. Hansen is well acquainted with the requirements of the goldfields, and carries heavy stocks of suitable general merchandise. Mr. Hansen was born in Denmark in 1853, and in 1873 came out to Auckland by the ship “Loch Harvey.” Being a tanner by trade, he worked for Messrs Ireland Bros. for three years, and was employed on the railway at Kaiapoi just before the Kumara “rush,” which he followed. Eighteen months later he moved on to Hokitika, where he again engaged in mining with renewed success on the Rimu and Woodstock goldfields, until 1891, when he gave up active mining, but is still interested in various good claims.
, Woodstock. This company is a private one, and is the third proprietary which has worked the Woodstock dredge; the Woodstock Dredging Company, and afterwards the new Woodstock Company, having both been unsuccessful. The dredge is a large and powerful one-necessarily so, as a portion of the ground is very rough. The pontoons are 106 feet long by thirty-two feet beam. Power is derived from a twenty-five horse power boiler, and the main engine is of twenty horse power; the Payne winches are driven by a pair of Marshall engines. The ladder is seventy feet long, and the buckets have a capacity of four and a-half cubic feet. A complete electric lighting plant is installed, and both are and incandescent lamps are used. The claim is sixty-eight acres in extent, and the dredge has many years of work ahead of it.
works on the Woodstock Gold Dredge, and is one of its owners. He was born in the year 1878, at Kelso, Otago, where he was educated, and brought up to farm work. In 1898, Mr. Williams started work in connection with dredges, and worked in Southland, on the Mataura river, and at Waikaka. He afterwards went to Nelson, where he worked for some time on a dredge, in the Collingwood district. Later, Mr. Williams removed to the West Coast, to the Grey district, where he worked on the “Leviathan.” He was also one of a party who for sometime owned the Shellback dredge in the Grey Valley. In addition to his interest in the Woodstock dredge, Mr. Williams has a large sluicing claim at Rimu. As an Oddfellow, he is a member of Lodge Tapanui.
is a township situated five miles southward from Hokitika, and is in the Kanieri riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. It received its name from the red pine timber, which formerly grew abundantly in the district. In the year 1882 gold was
is situated about a mile from Woodstock, five and a half miles from Hokitika, and fifteen miles from Ross. The office also transacts money order and Savings' Bank business, and issues mining rights. Mails are conveyed daily by coach to and from Ross and Hokitika.
, who is Postmaster at Rimu, is also manager of Mr. C. J. E. Linnemann's branch store, and took charge in 1904.
(Stuart and Chapman, proprietors), Rimu. This mill was started in the year 1899, and is about five miles and a-half from Hokitika. The plant comprises a boiler of thirty horse-power, an engine of sixteen horse-power. Bullock's patent bench, and the usual complete plant. The output is 6000 feet per day, and the timber is carted by road to Hokitika by contract system, but timber for local consumption is delivered by the firm's own teams. Fourteen persons are employed. The Mikonui sawmill, also owned by Messrs Stuart and Chapman, is situated six miles beyond Ross. It has a complete plant, and is devoted almost exclusively to the cutting of silver pine, of which there is a large supply. Ten men are employed, and the mill is managed by Mr. D. P. Stuart, of the firm of Stuart and Chapman.
, of the firm of Stuart and Chapman, is manager of the Seddon's Terrace sawmill. He was born in the Canterbury district, in the year 1872, and brought up on a farm. In 1887, Mr. Chapman removed to the West Coast, and was engaged in various classes of work, principally
, Miner, Seddon's Terrace, Rimu. Mr. Boyd is a son of Mr. philip Boyd, of Rimu. He was born at Back Creek in 1876, and was educated at Woodstock. He has been employed on the goldfields in the district since his youth, and joined Messrs Neilson and Party in August, 1897.
(Arthur Clifton and Thomas O'Neill), Hydraulic Sluice Miners, Seddon's Terrace, Rimu. The original party consisted of Messrs Clifton and Cashman, who, in June, 1887, opened up a claim a few chains from the present holding. In 1888, the members of the party were Messrs Rea, Sweeney and Beatty. Owing to not having sufficient fall for their tailings, they were unable to work the ground to advantage, and the present holding was purchased in 1894 by Messrs Beatty and Clifton, who were shortly afterwards joined by Mr. O'Neill. There are three acres of ground, of which only a portion has been worked. It took the members of the party several months to open out the claim, as they had to drive a new tunnel to obtain the necessary fall for the tailings, and also cut a race for sluicing. The returns have proved highly satisfactory to the members of the party, in view of the fact that they get but eight Government heads of water, from Messrs Handley and Party, for only about five hours a week.
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1827, and followed farming pursuits in his native land until he was attracted to Australia by the gold discoveries. He landed in Victoria from the ship “Black Swan,” in 1856, and for some years he worked on the Ballarat and other Victorian goldfields. In 1861, he crossed over to Otago, and went to Dunstan, Waitahuna, the Gabriel's and Molyneux fields. Being successful as a miner he established himself in business as a hotel-proprietor and storekeeper. In 1865, he went to the West Coast, where he met with varied success. Owing to advanced age, and his claim being a profitable one, Mr. Beatty retired from action with Clifton and Party, and replaced himself with a wages man. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Seddon Government. Mr. Beatty died some time ago.
Miner, Seddon's Terrace Road, Rimu. Mr. Harris was born at Wood's Point, Victoria, Australia, in the year 1865, and came to New Zealand at an early age with his parents, who settled at Hokitika. He was educated in the
Church of England School, and at the Academy at Hokitika. Mr. Harris was afterwards at the Jackson's Bay settlement with his father, and when but a youth started mining with him. He was one of the first at the Rimu “rush” in 1882. About the year 1899, Mr. Harris went to the North Island, where he engaged in contracting and sawmilling work in the Wellington, Hunterville, Palmerston North, and Shannon districts. He subsequently took up a dairy farm at Shannon, and held it for two years. Mr. Harris then returned to the West Coast, and settled at Rimu, where he has since resided, and has a comfortable home. He has an interest in several mining properties. In 1902, Mr.
is a gold mining settlement about seven miles to the eastward of Hokitika, and is in the Kanieri riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. Mining in the vicinity, however, has to a large extent decayed. The beautiful Kanieri Lake is about five miles distant, and there the Westland Acclimatisation Society has its fish hatchery. As a tourist resort the district is becoming increasingly popular, owing to the lovely scenery, both on the lake itself, and on the way through the settlement. Most of the buildings are residences for the few remaining miners; there is, however, an accommodation house, which is also the local store and post office. There is no regular coach communication, but mails arrive by mailmen on Mondays and Fridays. At the census of the year 1901, the population was returned as forty-six, with seven additional at Kanieri Lake.
at Kanieri Forks is conducted at the store of Mr. F. J. Havill, who acts as postmaster, and has also an accommodation house and general store. He also acts as mailman, and conveys the mails to and from Hokitika on Mondays and Fridays.
, in the palmy days of Kanieri Forks, was an hotel, but in 1903, it was licensed as an accommodation house. It contains thirteen rooms; the best liquors are kept, and there is good accommodation. Mr. Havill's store was established about the year 1870, and contains a good stock of general groceries, drapery, mining supplies, etc.
, Postmaster, General Storekeeper and Accommodation House Keeper, was born in the year 1869, at Hokitika, where he went to school. He followed goldmining for some years, and was mining at Ross for four years. At Kanieri Forks, Mr. Havill was one of the party that, as owners of an important claim, brought in the large pipe line from Kanieri Lake. In the year 1903 he acquired his present business. Mr. Havill has been a successful competitor as an athlete, particularly swimming, in Ross and Hokitika. In 1898, he married a daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Kennedy—formerly owner of the property now owned by Mr. Havill—and has two daughters.
is situated about twelve miles to the south-east of Hokitika, and is one of the beauty spots of New Zealand. Many picturesque views are obtainable along the road, and avenues of tall trees and native bush, in all its impressive colouring, form pictures that would gladden an artist's eye. The lake is surrounded by high hills, which are covered with dense bush down to the water's edge. The snow-capped hills in the distance form a striking contrast, and when reflected in the waters of the lake, create a pleasing picture. The distance across the lake is nearly seven miles. Boats are available for picnic parties and tourists, and there are many charming little bays to be visited, Camp Bay being the favourite resort. The road from Hokitika is good, and the distance can be traversed by cyclists in an hour.
is situated on the banks of the Kanieri river, close to the lake, and was established by the Westland Acclimatisation Society in 1897. The Society raised £125 for this purpose, and received a Government subsidy of pound for pound. Quite £700 has been spent on the hatchery; the bush has been cleared, a breeding house and also a caretaker's residence built, and trout ponds formed. In 1897, 30,000 trout ova were imported, hatched, and afterwards liberated in Kanieri lake and river. In 1898, 80,000 trout were liberated in the neighbouring rivers, and in 1899, 516,000 trout were hatched and liberated. About eighty per cent, is the average successful result of the hatching.
was born at Kanieri in the year 1873, and is a son of Mr. McFadyen, an old colonist, who was proprietor of the Kanieri-Hokitika tramway for twenty years. Mr. McFadyen has been identified with mining for many years, and he was for some time proprietor of the Kanieri Lake Retreat Hotel. He married Miss A. A. Cooper, of Ashburton, in 1895.
is situated eight miles from Hokitika, and is in the southern riding of the county and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. It lies on the west of the Hokitika-Ross railway line, which is within about a-quarter of a mile from Lake Mahinapua. The ordinary method of reaching it, however, is by the Mahinapua river, which runs out of it, and empties itself into the Hokitika estuary. The river runs
(James Henderson, proprietor), Lake Mahinapua. This hotel was erected in the year 1905, and is within a quarter of a mile of Lake Mahinapua, and near the railway station on the Hokitika-Ross railway, seven miles from Hokitika. It is a solidly built house, and contains twelve rooms. The tariff is moderate, there is good accommodation, and the best liquors are kept.
, Proprietor of the Mahinapua Hotel, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the year 1856. He afterwards came to New Zealand, and landed in Otago. After a short residence there, Mr. Henderson removed to the West Coast, where he engaged in mining and dredge work. In 1877 he married a daughter of Mr. G. I. McIntosh, an old settler of South Spit, and has seven children.
(Proprietor: Mr. Ewen McGregor, Mangaonoho, Wellington). The mining claim owned by Mr Mc-Gregor is situated close to Lake Mahinapua. The lead is about thirty-five feet in width, and two and a half miles in length. A unique method is used in working the claim. The material is scooped by means of Mr. McGregor's own patent scoop dredge, and hauled by wire ropes to the tables. The scoop works as though it were excavating a canal, the bottom of which is kept clear of water by a strong pump, driven by water power. The dredge is driven by an engine of fifteen horsepower, holds one cubic yard, and handles forty yards per hour. Two large dams, and about seven miles of water race, are connected with the claim. Six men are employed.
, Manager of the Claim, was born in the year 1877 in Christchurch, where he was educated, and brought up as a wheelwright in the service of Messrs P. and D. Duncan. He served for six years as a wheelwright, and afterwards learned joinery for two years. Mr. Sneddon then entered the service of Mr. McGregor in the North Island, as clerk and manager of a timber yard, etc. He subsequently removed to the West Coast, and for some time managed a dredge at Birchfield. Mr. Sneddon holds a first class competency certificate for stationary engines.
Lower and Upper Kokatahi is situated about fifteen miles from Hokitika, on the Kokatahi and Hokitika rivers, and about four miles from Lake Kanieri. It is a farming and grazing district, and is completely surrounded by hills. The settlement has two hotels, a store and a post office, with telephonic communication with Hokitika, and a dairy factory and creamery. The roads are good for cycling, and there is abundance of game in the neighbourhood.
(Charles Philip Norman, proprietor), Kokatahi. This hotel was established about the year 1886, and contains thirteen rooms. It has good accommodation, a moderate tariff, and the best liquors are kept; there is also stabling for six horses in connection with the establishment. Sportsmen find this hotel very convenient.
, the proprietor of the Kokatahi Hotel, is also the owner of a freehold farm of 350 acres, and is a large supplier of milk to the local dairy factory. He was born in the year 1839, in the Isle of Jersey, Channel Islands, where he was educated and brought up on a farm. In 1858, Mr. Norman went to Australia, and in 1862 arrived in Otago, where he took part in the Hartley and Riley, Fox's, Arrow and Arthur's Point “rushes.” He was subsequently attracted to the West Coast by the “rush” at Greenstone, and for about thirty years followed goldmining in various parts of the West Coast. In 1886, Mr. Norman bought the property on which stands his hotel, together with his farm. He took a prominent part in connection with the inception of the local dairy factory, of which he has been one of the directors. Mr. Norman is married, and has one son and three daughters.
(John Graham, proprietor), Lower Kokatahi. This hotel was built in the year 1902, and is situated ten miles from Hokitika, at the junction of the roads leading to Koiterangi and Upper Kokatahi. It is a well kept three-storied building, and contains fourteen rooms. There is good accommodation, a moderate tariff, and the best liquors are kept. Good fishing and shooting can be obtained in the neighbourhood. There is a farm of one hundred acres in connection with the establishment, and another of thirty-seven acres is held in the district by Mr. Graham. In the Koiterangi district he also holds 200 acres, and Mrs Graham, 101 acres.
, the Proprietor of the Longford Hotel, was born at Carlisle, England, in the year 1852, and in 1861 landed at the Bluff with his father, by the ship “Robert Henderson.” He removed to the West Coast, settled at Hokitika in 1865, and was brought up on his father's farm. He subsequently bought land
Grazier, Lower Kokatahi. Mr. Diedrichs is said to be the largest run-holder on the West Coast. He possesses between five thousand and six thousand acres of freehold land in the Kokatahi district, and has two runs of 20,000 acres each at South Wanganui. On the freehold estate there is a homestead of 150 acres, on which are situated commodious buildings and fine cattle-yards. The other freehold properties in the immediate neighbourhood consist of blocks of 420 acres, 1000 acres, and 4000 acres respectively, and all the land is more or less improved and sown in English grasses. Mr. Diedrichs is the largest supplier of stock for the local market. One of the original herds of Mr. Diedrichs consisted of Herefords, which were brought from Cheviot, then the property of the Hon. William Robinson. Owing to their hardy nature, cattle of this breed are best suited to the wet climate and rough weather experienced on the West Coast. German by birth, Mr. Diedrichs was born in Holdenburg in 1833, and is a son of the late Garrand Diedrichs, a blacksmith. In his younger days, Mr. Diedrichs learned his father's trade until he reached the age of seventeen, when he went to seek his fortune in America. There he was employed in a store for a few years, but was attracted to Australia by the alluring newspaper accounts of gold in the year 1855. He followed up the various rushes for ten years, and his efforts were very successful at Forest Creek and other fields of note. In 1863, he came to New Zealand, and was present at the opening of the Wakamarina, where fortune still smiled on him for a period of fifteen months. Purchasing a mob of cattle in Nelson, he successfully drove them amid many dangers over the “Old Saddle.” He had to swim them through the Teremakau, and eventually landed twenty-five head at Hokitika. Mr. Diedrichs established himself in business at Greymouth as a stock-dealer and butcher for two years, and subsequently removed to Ross. Here he was again successful for a period of ten years, when he finally settled on the property he had acquired at Kokatahi. Mr. Diedrichs has ever held aloof from all local politics, and to this he thinks his success is largely due. The Government some time ago entertained a proposal for the purchase of the greater part of Mr. Diedrichs' property, with a view to opening it up for settlement.
Dairy Farmer, Burnside Farm, Kokatahi. Mr. Glass is the holder of a farm of about 360 acres, 200 acres of which is bush, and supplies milk to the Kokotahi dairy factory. He is further referred to as President of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Hokitika. Mr. Glass is a Justice of the Peace.
Grazier, Kokatahi. Mr. Karnbach's property embraces 700 acres of fine freehold land, and 12,000 acres of leasehold. The soil is of a heavy nature, and admirably suited for cropping. The freehold is all laid down in English grasses, subdivided and stocked with store cattle. The leasehold property makes a capital cattle run, as it is situated on both sides of the Hokitika river, and on the borders of Canterbury. Mr. Karnbach also has a large tract of country at South Wanganui, of which 740 acres are freehold, and partly improved and stocked. In the same district, he holds under lease from the Government about 18,000 acres of grazing country, for the greater part of a rough mountainous nature, and grazes upon it upwards of 400 head of cattle, and beeween five and six hundred crossbred sheep. Mr. Karnbach was born in Prussia in 1842, and was brought up as a butcher. In 1859, he went by the s.s. “Prince of the Sea” to Victoria, Australia, where he spent four years at quartz reefing and in alluvial
mining at Bendigo, and other leading mining centres. He came to New Zealand in 1863, and followed his trade on the Dunstan, and Hamilton, and other diggings. Mr. Karnbach established himself in 1865 at Ross, and successfully conducted his business for a period of eighteen years, when he removed to his present homestead, which he purchased in the sixties. He
Farmer, Lower Kokatahi. Mr. Lyes and his sons hold a considerable area of land in the Kokatahi and Koiterangi districts. Mr. Lyes' holding comprises eighty-six acres, on which his homestead is situated, and he has also two other farms, one of 127 acres, and one of 960 acres in the Koiterangi district. His sons hold about 1250 acres. Grazing and dairy farming are carried on. Mr. Lyes was born at Bury St. Ed-Edmunds, Suffolkshire, England, in the year 1850. He is a son of Mr. Lyes, who has been Inspector of Public Works in the town of Wishbeach, England, for forty-five years. In 1868, he went to America, where he was engaged in farm work for four years. Mr. Lyes then returned to England, and in March, 1872, left for New Zealand by the ship “Agammenon.” The ship had an eventful voyage, including a mutiny, a leak, and an enforced sojourn at Rio Janiero, where the captain and crew were discharged, and the “Agammenon” was laid up for three months for repairs. After leaving Rio Janiero, the ship sprang a leak, and was forced to put in at Capetown, where she was condemned, and the passengers were delayed for ten weeks. Mr. Lyes finally came to New Zealand in the barque “Lyttelton,” and landed at Lyttelton on the 10th of January, 1873, having been ten months and three days on the voyage. He went to the West Coast shortly after his arrival in New Zealand, and settled in the Arnold district for about six years. He also worked for some years in the Kokatahi district, and was for some time mining with fair success in the Kanieri and Rimu districts. In 1889, Mr. Lyes settled in the Kokatahi district, where he has since resided. He is chairman of the local school committee, of which he has been a member for several years, was one of the original directors of the Kokatahi Dairy Factory Company, and has for some time been a member of the committee of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. Lyes has also taken part in the work of the Anglican church in his district. He is married, and has five sons and four daughters. One of his sons was a member of the Eighth New Zealand Contingent at the time of the South African Boer war.
McConnon, Walter, Farmer, Lower Kokatahi. Mr. McConnon has a farm of forty acres at the back of the Kokatahi township. He devotes his attention principally to horse breeding and dealing. The racing stallion “Ozioso,”—one of the Le Loup and Traducer strain—is owned by Mr. McConnon, and kept for stud purposes. Mr. McConnon was born in Tasmania in the year 1844, brought up on a farm, and afterwards learned the trade of a builder and cabinetmaker. In 1865 he came to New Zealand, landed in Invercargill, and a year later removed to Hokitika. For nine months, Mr. McConnon was engaged in mining, but subsequently went into business as a builder, with his father and brothers. The firm erected the Presbyterian church, and other buildings in Hokitika. Later, for about fifteen years, Mr. McConnon was in business as a cabinetmaker. About 1896, he took up a farm of 100 acres in the Lower Kokatahi district, but afterwards sold it, and then took up his present holding. For many years Mr. McConnon has been a member of the Westland Racing Club; he is president of the Kokatahi racing committee, and has owned and raced horses on the West Coast. For a number of years he was a member of the committee of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. McConnon has been married for many years, and has five daughters.
Farmer, Kokatahi. Mr. Thorn was born in Devonshire, England, and was a pupil of W. F. Quicke, L.C.P., F.R.G.S., King's Lodge College, Exeter. He held a first-class certificate, and is registered in the College of Preceptors, London, for a third-class 1st division certificate.
He followed farming pursuits till he came to New Zealand, by the ship “Durham,” in 1880. Mr. Thorn had intended settling in Canterbury, which he visited, but the rush to Rimu, near Hokitika, having set in, he followed it up, and during his fourteen years of goldmining experience met with general success. His homestead is the finest in the Kokatahi district. Mr. Thorn is married to a daughter of Mr. Hill, veterinary surgeon, of Chagford, Devonshire, and has three daughters.
is a farming settlement situated about fifteen miles from Hokitika, on the south-western bank of the Koiterangi river, and is in the Kanieri riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. Its population at the census of 1901 was eighty-five. The district began to be occupied as a farming settlement about the year 1880, and a a large extent of the country has recently (1905) been thrown open for selection, including ordinary Crown lands, private lands, a municipal reserve of 2,000 acres, and other areas resumed under the Land for Settlement Act. The district has a creamery owned by the Kokatahi Dairy Factory Company, a small lime-burning plant, and a sawmill. There is also a local public school, which is attended by about thirty pupils. Religious services
Butter and Cheese Manufacturer, also Postmaster for the district, Koiterangi. Mr. Dimmick is a native of New Zealand, and was born at Nelson in 1859. His parents were amongst the early settlers, and arrived in Nelson in the “Indus,” one of the first ships, and afterwards settled at Richmond, where Mr. Dimmick still owns a valuable farm of 100 acres. Mr. Dimmick settled at Koiterangi about fifteen years ago, and engaged in dairying pursuits; he has produced some of the finest butter in the colony, and has at present 190 acres of land under grass, of which 100 acres are freehold. Mr. Dimmick married Miss Cropp, and has a family of four children.
Farmer, Windsor Farm, Koiterangi. Mr. Mackley's farm of 138 acres is just across the Koiteangi river, towards the Hokitika river, and was formerly part of the Midland Railway Company's lands. Dairying and sheepfarming are carried on by Mr. Mackley, who was born in the year 1874, on the Waipuna station, the property of his father. He was educated at Noble's, and brought up to farm and station life. In 1898 Mr. Mackley owned, in partnership with a brother, a farm in the Gisborne district, which he held for one year and six months. He subsequently returned to the West Coast, and engaged in general work for some time. In 1903, Mr. Mackley took up Windsor Farm, on which he has effected considerable improvements.
Farmer, Koiterangi. Mr. McArthur was one of the earliest settlers at Koiterangi, and holds a fine farm of 300 acres. Dairying is carried on, and milk is supplied to the local creamery. Mr. McArthur has also a lime-burning plant, and is a building contractor, and in 1905 built a new school at Kokatahi. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1848, and learned the trade of a joiner. In 1870 Mr. McArthur came to New Zealand, and worked at his trade for ten years at Tapanui, where he had a water wheel, and a good plant for morticing and other work. He subsequently decided to try his fortune on the West Coast, and in the early eighties took up a farm of 140 acres at Koiteangi, under the homestead system, and he afterwards increased his area to 300 acres. Mr. McArthur is a director of the Kokatahi Dairy Factory, of which he was one of the original provisional directors, a director of the Kokatahi Saleyards Company, and chairman of the Koiterangi school committee, with which he has been connected since its inception. He was one of the original members of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and is a member of the committee. Mr. McArthur is married, and has five daughters.
Farmer and Sawmiller, Koiterangi. Mr. Smith's homestead farm is known as “Camelback,” owing to the fact of its lying under the large hill of that name, and is in the centre of the Koiterangi district, adjacent to the local school, creamery, and post office. It is 200 acres in extent, and is devoted to dairying. Mr. Smith owns another farm of about 450 acres in the Hokitika Gorge, where grazing is carried on. He has also a small sawmill, driven by a waterwheel of nine horsepower, and a considerable amount of black and white pine is cut for local consumption. Mr. Smith was born in Warwickshire, England, in the year 1857, and at about sixteen years of age came to New Zealand by the ship “Lutterworth,” and landed at Port Moeraki. He worked in various parts of Otago, and was engaged for some time at sawmilling work in the Tapanui and Catlins districts. About 1879 Mr. Smith removed to the West Coast, and took up land in the Koiterangi district, where he has since resided. He has always taken a keen interest in the general progress of his district; he has been for a long time a member of the local school committee, and has been chairman on several occasions. Mr. Smith is married, and has eight children.
Farmer, Koiterangi. Mr. Staines owns a farm of 400 acres at Koiterangi, seven or eight miles from Kanieri. About three hundred acres have been cleared and sown in English grasses, and cattle are fattened on the farm for the local markets.
is a mining town near the Totara river, and is twenty miles to the south of Hokitika, with which it has communication by means of a daily coach service. It is in the southern riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. Ross sprang into existence in the year 1865, with the discovery of gold at Jones' creek and Totara river. Many hundreds of miners were formerly at work in the district, and it is said that between 1865–1870 there were 3500 miners on the field. At one time there were forty-seven hotels in Ross, and the majority of them did a brisk business. The whole neighbourhood is auriferous, and
which includes the settlement of Donoghue's, embraces an area of four square miles. The census of 1896 showed the population to be 758, but at that of 1901 it had fallen to 614. The general rate is one penny in the pound, the charitable aid rate one penny, and there is a water rate of 1½d in the pound. The capital rateable value of the borough is £30,000, the total revenue does not exceed £1000, and the ratepayers number about 350. The footpaths and formed roads are about four miles in extent. As is usual in mining districts, the town consists of sections leased from the Crown, and an annual ground rental is paid by the tenants. In the year 1904, a water supply for the extinction of fire, was installed in the borough at a cost of £3,200, and there is a municipal fire brigade, with fourteen members. A two- storey building known as the Coronation Hall is the property of the Council, and was built partly by means of a Government subsidy. It contains Council offices, and a public hall for general purposes. The members of the Council in 1905 were: Mr. T. W. Bruce (Mayor) and Messis L. Pedrazzi, J. McKay, D. Collins, W. Searle, W. R. Jones, J. Murdoch, J. Mitchell. J. Woodhouse, and A. Gardiner, councillors. Mr. W. J. Caulfield is Town Clerk.
was born in Northumberland, England, in 1861, educated at Morpeth Grammar School, and served nine years in the employment of a co-operative drapery firm. In 1882 he landed in New Zealand from the s.s. “Garonne,” and eventually took employment in the New Zealand Clothing Factory at Reefton, where his father, the late Mr. Thomas Bruce, was a leading mine manager and speculator. In 1893 Mr. Bruce opened the Masterton branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, and he had charge of the woollen exhibits at the Wellington Exhibition of 1885. After spending about two years with Mr. J. C. Fowler, of the Bon Marche, Napier, Mr. Bruce was obliged to return to Westland, owing to the death of his father. He spent twelve months with Messrs Gallagher Brothers, of Cronadun, before going to Ross to take charge of Mr. W. L. Fowler's business, which he bought out at the expiration of four years. Mr. Bruce has for a number of years been a member of the Ross Borough Council, and has been president of the Miners' Association, secretary of the Kanieri Lake Water Race Company, member of the Westland Charitable Aid Board, and president of the local football and cricket clubs. He is also attached to the Order of Freemasonry. Mr. Bruce was appointed manager of the Mont d'Or Gold Mining Company in the year 1892. He married a daughter of Mr. Otto von Pain, of Sydney, and has one son and one daughter.
was appointed Clerk to the Borough Council of Ross in the year 1893. He is also secretary to the Totara Hospital and to the local school committee.
, which does the usual Money Order, Savings Bank, and Government Life Insurance business, was opeded during the sixties. Mails arrive from Hokitika daily at 6 p.m. and are despatched at 7.45 a.m. The southern mails arrive on Saturday evening and are despatched on Tuesday morning. Mrs Langdon is postmistress
at Ross was erected in 1868, and is situated on
, which was formerly carried on by the Presbyterians and Wesleyans, was opened about 1877. The school is large, and has four class-rooms, with accommodation for 400 scholars. At one time there were 360 names on the roll, but the mining industry having fallen off, the number has decreased to 105, with an average attendance of ninetyfour.
Headmaster of the Ross School, is a Scotsman by birth. He was for ten years a teacher in Perthshire, in his native land, and has been teaching in the colonies for over twenty years. He came from Bendigo, Victoria, in 1881, to take charge of the school at Ross, and since then has continuously filled the position.
, Ross, has been in ex- istence for many years, but has recently been repainted and renovated. It is a wooden building, and has accommodation for about 150 persons. The interior is handsomely fitted, and there is a small organ in the gallery. Adjacent to the church is a presbytery, which contains six rooms, and there is also a convent school, which has an attendance of about fifty children. The district, of which Ross is the headquarters, extends southward from the Hokitika river to Jackson's Bay. The southern portions of the district are visited twice yearly. Services are held regularly at Ross and Rimu. There is a small church at Rimu, and a convent school with forty pupils. At Gillespie's Beach there is also a small church.
Parish Priest in charge of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Ross, was born at Listowell, County Kerry, Ireland, and was educated at Carlow College. He was ordained in June, 1901, and sent out to New Zealand. Father O'Connor was for eight months at Rangiora, and then went to Ross to relieve Father Bogue; and, at the latter's death, was placed in charge of the parish.
was Priest in charge of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church for about three years before Father O'Connor entered on the duties of the parish. At his death a handsome memorial was erected in the Hokitika cemetery by his parishioners.
(with which is incorporated the Ross Guardian, which was established in the early days of Ross as one of two daily papers) is now (1906) published on Wednesdays and Saturdays in each week. It is a double demy four-page sheet of twenty-eight columns, and circulates throughout the district south of the Hokitika river.
, proprietor of the “Advocate,” was born in Wanganui. Before acquiring the paper, he had a long experience as a printer in the Government Printing Office, Wellington, and at Patea and Dannevirke. Mr. Brown has managed the “Advocate” since the year 1902.
, Roass, is situated in Bond Street, in a good position overlooking the township. The branch is an old one, and used to purchase large quantities of gold. Mr. Aitken is the manager.
(David Patrick Stuart and John Chapman, proprietors), Ross. This building is situated close to the Waitaha Bluff,
, one of the partners in the firm of Stuart and Chapman, and manager of the Waitaha Bluff sawmill, was born at Westbury, Tasmania, in the year 1874. He came to New Zealand with his par- ents at an early age, and settled at Kumara, where he went to school. Mr. Stuart afterwards engaged in mining, but about 1891 he started work with a local sawmill, and since then he has been employed continuously at sawmill work. In 1899, in conjunction with Mr. Chapman, Mr. Stuart started the Seddon's Terrace sawmill at Rimu, and the Waitahi Bluff sawmill in 1903.
, which was registered in 1882, consists of 12,000 £1 shares, of which only 3000 have been issued. The claim was owned in the first instance by Messrs Charles Davey and Joseph Ledger, who held a lease of ten acres in 1875. Mr. Ledger disposed of a portion of his interest to a Frenchman, Mr. C. Malfroy, who named it “Mont d'Or,” The mode of working it at that time was of a primitive nature. The results, however, were very encouraging, and accordingly water was brought from Jones's Creek, and the water race was extended to higher levels, so that additional ground might be worked. Owing to a large landslip in 1880, the higher levels were worked, and amply repaid the party, which then consisted of Messrs Davey, Ledger, Malfroy, and McKay. In order to make further extensions, bring in a large supply of water, and build dams, etc., the present company was formed, with Mr. Davey as working manager. Previous to registration 4000 ounces of gold were obtained, and 7082 ounces were won from the Greenland claim of twenty-eight acres, previous to its being taken over by the Mont d'Or Company in 1890. The total amount of gold taken from the Mont d'Or alone up to December, 1897, was 32,740 ounces. As a sluicing claim it occupies the premier position on the West Coast, and many thousands of pounds have been paid in regular shilling dividends. The water race and dams are on a most complete scale. Mr. John McKay is now (1906) the manager.
is a farming and grazing settlement in splendid timber country, nine miles from Ross, on the main south road, in the southern riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. It is expected that, on the completion of the extension of the railway system of Westland to Ross, a considerable number of sawmills will be at work in the vicinity of the post and telegraph bureau at Ferguson's, as the local bush contains large quantities of red, white and silver pine. A large sluicing claim, known as McLeod's Terrace, which is situated about two miles to the north of Ferguson's, is owned by a limited liability company. The accommodation house in the district is owned by Mr. S. G. Ferguson, who also acts as postmaster. The population was not separately returned at the census of 1901.
are conducted on the premises of Mr. Samuel George Ferguson. The building is of two stories, and contains eleven rooms. An accommodation house license has been issued to Mr. Ferguson, who supplies comfortable quarters and good fare at reasonable rates.
, J.P., after whom the district is named, is the local postmaster. He owns a farm of 185 acres, and has erected a handsome homestead, with all necessary outbuildings. Mr. Ferguson has also a run of 6000 acres on which he grazes sheep and cattle. He is further referred to as a member of the Westland County Council.
is situated on the Greymouth-Hokitika line of railway, and is twenty miles from Greymouth, and five from Hokitika. It is in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. Arahura was at one time known as Harcourt's Ferry. It is four miles from Stafford, and is served by the post office there. At the census of 1901, no special return was made of the population.
is situated about three miles from Hokitika, and was erected in the year 1878. A second class-room was added in 1891. There are sixty children on the roll, with an average attendance of about fifty. The annual examinations of the school have been very satisfactory.
, the Headmaster, took charge of the school in 1887, and is assisted by Mrs Henderson, who had been associated with the school for several years previously. Born in Dublin, and educated at the Normal Training College, Dublin, Mr. Henderson was engaged in teaching in various model schools in Ireland before emigrating to New Zealand by the ship “Ruapehu,” in 1886. He was for twelve months at Wangaehu school, near Wanganui, before being appointed to the Arahura road school. Mr. Henderson is secretary of the Westland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. He married a daughter of Mrs Olive, of Hokitika, and has one son and two daughters.
, Arahura. This company was established in August, 1905, with a capital of £2000, in £1 shares. The factory is strongly built on a concrete foundation, and stands on elevated
, Manager of the Arahura Dairy Factory, was born in Dunedin in the year 1878. He was educated at Stirling, and was brought up to farming. In 1898, Mr. Cameron started work in the Stirling factory, under Mr. W. Sawers, and, later on, acted as an assistant at Edendale to Mr. James Sawers, a well known dairy expert. In 1902, he was placed in charge of the Matueka Dairy Factory, and in 1903 he took charge of the Stirling Dairy Factory during the illness of Mr. W. Sawers. In 1904 Mr. Cameron took charge of the Waimana Dairy Factory, Bay of Plenty, for the Assets Realisation Board, prior to his present appointment.
, sometime a farmer at Arahura, was born in For- farshire, Scotland, in the year 1840, and went to Victoria, Australia, by the ship “Shalimahr” in 1860. On the discoverv of gold in New Zealand in 1861 he sailedl in the ship “Ocean Chief” for Otago, and was amongst the first to leave Dunedin for Gabriel's Gully. After being on the diggings for some time, he started storekeeping in Munro's Gully, and was successful. Early in 1865, he left for the West Coast, where he followed the diggings for some time, and finally, in 1867, took up a dairy farm at Arahura. He devoted much time to the formation of the Westland Agricultural and Pastoral Association in 1893, and was elected its first president. He was also a member of the Westland Education Board.
is a mining hamlet situated on the Waimea creek, and on the main West Coast road, eight miles from Hokitika. It is in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. The first “rush” to the district took place in 1865, and it is stated that in 1870 the township contained thirty-seven hotels and seventeen stores. It is estimated that at that time the population exceeded 5000 people, amongst whom were a large proportion of Scandinavians. Stafford, in its palmiest days (which ended about 1875) was a payable field. It has contributed a fair quota of gold, but the diggings are now nearly worked out, although a few good sluicing claims still remain; amongst them the “Wheel of Fortune.” Stafford's nearest railway station is three miles and a-half distant, on the Greymouth-Hokitika line of railway. There are four churches in the settlement; namely, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Roman Catholic, and the clergymen in connection with all come from Kumara, ten miles distant. The Government buildings are represented by the local Magistrate's Court and Police Station, and the business of the Post Office is conducted at one of the local stores. There are also two hotels, a blacksmith's smithy, and a bootmaker's shop. Stafford has a public library, a reading room, an Oddfellows' Lodge, and a local public school. At the census of 1901 the population numbered 116.
, County Overseer for the southern portion of the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, was born in the year 1873, at Arahura, where he went to school. He worked for some years at sawmilling, engine-driving, etc. Mr. Thomson was appointed to his present position in February, 1902, and is a resident of Piper's Flat, near Stafford. He married a daughter of Mr. D. Sullivan, an old identity of the West Coast, who has been in the Stafford district for over thirty-three years; and three children have been born of the union.
was erected in the year 1867. The buildings consist of a courthouse, police station, and a two-cell lock-up. Six police officers were stationed in Stafford in 1870, but owing to the migration of the population, and the decline of Stafford as a goldfield, the number has been reduced to one of-ficer-in-charge. He acts as Clerk of the Court, Receiver of Gold Revenue, Registrar of Births and Deaths, and as Mining Registrar. The district is a most orderly one, crimes of a serious nature very rarely occur, and the Warden and Stipendiary Magistrate holds a sitting only in each alternate month.
is a three-roomed building situated on one acre of ground in the north end of the town, and was opened about the year 1878. It was at first a one-roomed building, but an increase in the attendance necessitated the addition of two rooms. There are seventy-seven names on the roll, and the average attendance is seventy-three. The schcol has made very satisfactory progress.
was founded by Dr. Matthews, and opened in 1870. Through lack of support it was closed in 1896, but was re-opened in August of the following year. The subscribers pay a subscription at the rate of 3/6 per quarter, and the library contains about 500 books. Mr. Edgar W. Newrick is the librarian.
Wholesale and Retail Family Butcher, Stafford. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Kumara. This business was originally established by Messrs Olson and Brown in the year 1865, and taken over in 1884 by Mr. Mundy, who does the leading trade in the district, and is noted for keeping nothing but the primest meat and superior dairy-fed pork. Mr. Mundy was born in Bendigo, Victoria, in 1859, and learned his trade there. In 1873, he came to New Zealand, and worked as a baker under Mr. Rhotoff in Stafford, and then with Mr. Berdinner in the butchering trade. Later on, he was at Kumara with Mr. Denfield, baker, and he afterwards took over his present business. Mr. Mundy also runs vehicles which meet the trains at the station, a distance of three or four miles. He can also supply vehicles on hire.
(Henry William Sandle, manager), General Storekeeper, Stafford. The Stafford branch of Mr. Linneman's business was opened in the year 1865, and has been successfully managed by Mr. Sandle since 1882. The local post and telephone office is attached to the store, money order and savings bank business being transacted. Mails arrive and depart by the coach, north and south.
, J.P., Manager of Mr. Linn mann's branch store at Stafford, and also postmaster, was born at Assington, Suffolk, England, in the year 1842, and educated at Goymer's Grammar school, and the National school, Stoke-by-Nayland. He followed mercantile pursuits for some time, came out to New Zealand by the ship “Regina.” landed at Lyttelton in 1859, and was engaged in various occupations in Canterbury till he went to the West Coast goldfields in 1865. Mr. Sandle worked as a sawyer and miner, and assisted in constructing the fluming for the Government water race at Waimea. In 1882, he took charge of Mr. Linnemann's store. Mr. Sandle was for several years registrar of births, deaths, and marriages for the Waimea district, and is now (1906) Deputy Registrar of Births and Deaths at Stafford. He was also for many years secretary of the Foresters' Court, Stafford, and the Oddfellows' Lodges at Stafford and Goldsborough. He is a Past Chief Ranger of the former United Westland District of Foresters, and a Past Provincial Grand Master of the Hokitika District, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. Mr. Sandle was a member of the Westland County Council from 1877 to 1882, and is at present a member of the Stafford school committee, and the Stafford Literary Institute. He is, also, lay reader and churchwarden of St. John's Anglican church, Stafford.
, Stafford. This claim is now (1906) owned by a private company, and the principals are: Messrs J. A. Murdoch, solicitor, Kumara; W. J. Mcllroy, merchant, Kumara, J. B. Lewis, solicitor, Hokitika; and F. A. Boyes, mine manager, Hokitika. The Wheel of Fortune claim has, under various conditions, been working for about thirty years. Some years ago an English company, with a large capital, took over the claim and effected great improvements. It was acquired by the present company in the year 1904, and is being successfully worked. The claim consists of fifty acres, every foot of which is gold-bearing. Water is brought six miles from Lake Mudgee, to the extent of twenty-seven heads, and the depth of ground worked is from thirty to eighty feet. The system of working is by hydraulic sluicing, and the tailings are disposed of by two sets of bucket elevators driven by Pelton wheels. The buckets are of four cubic feet capacity, and the elevators are capable of dealing with over 100 tons an hour. The works are lit at night by electric light. About fourteen persons are employed.
, Part Owner and manager of the Wheel of Fortune claim, has had considerable experience in mining matters. He is further referred to under the heading of Hokitika.
is a mining township, situated on the Waimea creek, ten miles north-east of Hokitika, and about eight miles from Kumara, in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. the nearest railway station is called Stafford, and is distant five miles and a-half to the south-east, or three miles and ahalf beyond the township of Stafford. During the sixties Golds-borough had a population of from 1000 to 1200 persons, who were employed chiefly in goldminig; but at the census of 1901, the population had decreased to 146. Gold of good quality has always been obtained in the district, and during the early days two banks had branches in the township, and did a prosperous business. A considerable amount of sluicing is still carried on, and water is obtained from the Government water races. About the year 1900 Goldsborough was destroyed by fire; and, latterly, owing to the encroachments of the river, the houses in the lower part of the settlement have had to be removed. Services are conducted in the local churches of the Anglican and Roman Catholic bodies, and there is an excellent State school in the township, with an average attendance of twenty-eight children. Goldsborough has two hotels, and the business of the post office is conducted at one of the local stores. The old postal district of Big Dam is now (1905) included in Goldsborough. The roads in the district are fair, and the coach from Hokitika and Stafford passes daily to Kumara. The courthouse and police station at Stafford are sufficient for the requirements of the settlement.
is domiciled in the store of Mr. S. Stuart, where Money Order and Savings Bank and Government Life Insurance business is also transacted. Mails arrive from, and are despatched to, Christ-church twice weekly, and there is a daily mail service with Kumara and Hokitika.
, who entered business as a storekeeper at Goldsborough, in the year 1877, carried on an excellent trade throughout the district for many years. He was born in Switzerland in 1839, and followed the trade of a baker and confectioner in Berlin, Germany, for some years. In 1861 he emigrated to Australia, and for nine years worked on the Victorian goldfields. Mr. Dolph then came to New Zealand, and proceeded to the West Coast, where he was engaged for about seven years in goldmining, before he established himself in business at Goldsborough. He afterwards disposed of his business to Mr S. Stuart.
, Goldsborough. Water from this race is supplied for sluicing at Golds-borough and at Callaghan's. There are seven miles of race, and a large storage dam. There is a gauger in charge, with an assistant for repair work, etc. The race is under the control of Mr. John Rochford, overseer of the Government water races, Kumara.
was appointed Sub-Manager and Gauger of the Government Water Race, Golds-borough, in April, 1903. He was born at Greymouth, in the year 1876, was educated at Maori Creek, and at fifteen years of age started work on the Kumara Water Race. After a period of eleven years he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Reid is a member of the Albert Lodge of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, Kumara, and has gone through all the chairs. When in Kumara, he was a member of the Kumara Rifles, and of the Kumara Catholic Band.
is the nearest railway station to Kumara, from which it is four miles and a half distant, on the Greymouth-Hokitika line of railway. It is in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. Kumara Junction is eleven miles from Greymouth, and thirteen from Hokitika, and is two miles to the south of the bridge over the Teremakau river. Postal business is conducted at the local railway station, and is in charge of the stationmaster. The district is well timbered, and two large sawmills are at work in the vicinity. There is also a public school. Coaches from Kumara meet every train. No separate return of the population was given at the census of 1901, but it is reported that there were fifty-seven persons then in residence at Kumara Beach.
is a serviceable building with a large vestibule; a waiting room, and stationmaster's office; there is also a large goods shed, and a residence for the officer in charge. The business of the postal department and telephone bureau is conducted in the building, and mails are received and despatched daily. The stationmaster is assistby a cadet and a porter.
, Stationmaster and Postmaster at Kumara Junction, was born in Featherston, Wellington, in the year 1871. After leaving school, he entered the Postal Department, where he remained for three years, and was subsequently transferred to the railway department. Mr. Greatbatch served for ten years, and occupied the position of stationmaster at Granity for one year, before receiving his present appointment in August, 1902.
is situated within a short distance of the railway station. It is built of wood and iron, has one classroom, and was opened in 1902. There is accommodation for forty pupils. There are thirty names on the roll, and the average attendance is twenty-six.
, Headmaster of the Kumara Junction School, holds an E4 certificate. He was born at Kumara in the year 1885, and educated in the local school. Mr. Harrison was appointed a pupil teacher in 1899, and served for four years in the Kumara school. After teach- ing for a short period in the Rangiriri school he was, in April, 1903, appointed headmaster at Kumara Junction.
(William Morris, J.P., proprietor), Kumara Junction. This mill was erected by Mr. Morris in the year 1894, and has been working continuously since that time. The plant is up-to-date, and includes a twenty-five horse-power engine built by the Despatch Foundry in Greymouth, a Bullock's patent bench, a fifteen feet boiler, and all necessary appliances. The output is about 15,000 feet per month, and the owner holds control over good timber country. A private siding conneets the mill with the railway line. About fourteen persons are employed.
, Manager of the Beach Road Sawmill, is a brother of the proprietor; and is also part owner, with his brother and Mr. Roberts, of a mill on Mahinapua Creek. Mr. Morris was born in the year 1862 in Herefordshire, England. He afterwards came to New Zealand, and landed on the West Coast in 1878, but soon went to Canterbury, where he worked for three or four years. Mr. Morris then returned to the West Coast, and was engaged in mining for some years. He was manager of the Waiwhero sluicing claim at Barrytown, and of the Pactolus claim for some
is situated on the south-west bank of the Teremakau river, four miles and a-half from the railway station at Kumara Junction, and eighteen miles from Hokitika. It is in the county, the electorate, and the provincial district of Westland. There are two banks in the town; the Bank of New Zealand, with a resident manager, and the National Bank, which is visited periodically from Greymouth. Gold in the district was first discovered at Greenstone, and mining is carried on chiefly by hydraulic sluicing. It is stated that at one time 250 miners annually found 15,000 ounces of gold. These returns continued until the year 1890, when they suddenly dropped to 8000 ounces. The field was at its best in the latter part of 1876, when, it is stated, there were eighty hotels in the district, all doing a good trade. The Government has assisted the miners of Kumara as no other workers have been helped in the colony. At the cost of thousands of pounds, water races have been constructed to enable miners to work successfully what would otherwise have been useless ground. Miners who are not in a position to pay for the use of the water are allowed to use it free of cost. Kumara, however, is the home of the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. The town has four churchs; Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, and Presbyterian, and there is also a Salvation Army corps. In addition to the ordinary schools, Kumara has also a School of Mines. There is a well-equipped fire brigade, which has been liberally supported by the local residents, and the town has a well-appointed cottage hospital. There are thirteen hotels within the borough, and one of the local firms has also a bottle license. The Government buildings include a courthouse, post office, and police station. A daily paper, “The Kumara Times,” is published in the settlement, and the Ioval Albert Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, is domiciled in the town. At the census of 1901 the population of the borough was 1121.
has about eight miles of formed streets and two miles of footpaths. The rateable value of the property is £24,712; there is a general rate of 1½d, and also a charitable aid rate of 1½d in the pound. There is a very efficient water supply obtained from the Government water race, with a pressure of forty-five pounds to the square inch. The sum of £800 was borrowed under the Loans to Local Bodies Act for the purpose of establishing the water service. Half the loan was still unpaid in the year 1905. The present Premier of New Zealand, the Right Hon R. J. Seddon, was the first Mayor of Kumara, in 1877; and the members of the Council in 1905 were: Mr. J. A. Murdoch, Mayor, and Messrs J. S. Benyon, J. Jorgenson, R. McGlone, T. T. Jones, R. Rowse, M. Eggleton, C. Evenden, W. Campbell, and W. B. Gilbert, councillors.
was elected Mayor of Kumara in 1903, and was re-elected in the two succeeding years. Mr. Murdoch was born in 1869, in Adelaide, South Australia, and was educated in New Zealand. He is president of the Kumara Hospital Trustees, and a member of the Grey Harbour Board; and is further referred to as a barrister and solicitor.
was appointed Town Clerk of Kumara in the year 1885. He was born in Rutlandshire, England, in 1841, and after leaving school entered the employ- ment of Messrs Venables and Co., the well known stationers, of London. Owing to ill-health, he emigrated to the colonies in 1859, and engaged in mining for four years in Victoria, and in Otago until 1866, when he removed to the West Coast. Mr. Rudkin was a member of the Kumara Borough Council for six years, during which he was instrumental in making many improvements in the town. In addition to being Town Clerk, he holds about twenty-six other offices, as legal manager of mining companies, or as agent for insurance companies.
. The station, situated in Seddon Street, consists of a good substantial shed built by the Borough Council, and the plant comprises a hand engine, a fire engine, hose, hydrant and hook ladder. The town is well supplied with water, which has a pressure of ninety feet. The members of the brigade take part in the usual fire brigade competitions annually held on the West Coast, and have won many trophies.
, more generally known as the “Police Camp,” comprises a large barrack, The buildings stand in about two acres of ground. In the year 1877, the station was under the charge of a sub-inspector, who had a sergeant, detective, mounted constable and five ordinary constables under his control. Since then, however, the district has become more settled, and one constable is found sufficient for ordinary requirements.
is erected on about two acres of ground, and divided into three wards, with accommodation for fifteen patients. There is also a detached fever ward and an Old Men's Home.
was opened in the year 1876, and is a substantial one-storied building, containing five class rooms. The playground is two acres in extent, and is well laid out. In conjunction with the school there is a technical class, which receives instruction in carpentry, etc. The school has several scholarships to its credit, and a good proportion of certificates are annually received from Wellington. The staff includes eight teachers.
, Headmaster of the Kumara Public School, was born in Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1863, and was educated and trained as a teacher at the Model School, Belfast, in which and its suburbs he subsequently taught for five years. He came to New Zealand in the s.s. “Aorangi” in 1885, and was three weeks afterwards appointed first assistant teacher at Ross, and five years later as first assistant teacher at the Hokitika High
at Kumara was renovated in the year 1905, and has accommodation for 200 persons. The Anglican parish at Kumara extends from Otira to Arahura. Regular services are held at Kumara, Stafford, and Waimea, and occasional services at other places. The Waimea and Stafford churches are named respectively St. Luke's and St. John's; they are old buildings, and were erected in the early days of those districts. There is a vicarage in Kumara, and the Stafford vicarage is occupied by a lay reader.
M.A., Vicar of Kumara, is further referred to at page 193 of the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia.
is a suitably fitted up building; it has accommodation for about 250 persons, and has a serviceable organ. The charge includes Humphrey's Gully, Greenstone, and Stafford, and extends to Aitken's, on the Christchurch road. Morning and evening services are held in Kumara, and Sunday afternoon services at Stafford. The church at Stafford is supplied with an organ, and Sunday schools are conducted at Kumara, Dillmanstown and Stafford.
was appointed minister in charge of St. Andrew's Presbyterian church, Kumara, in the year 1904. He was born in Riverton, Southland, in 1879, and was educated in Invercargill by a private tutor. Mr. Crockett entered the service of the Southland Implement Company in Invercargill, and also the engineering firm of Jabez Hayes and Company. In 1902, he went to Eketahuna as Home Missionary, and in 1904 was appointed to the Kumara charge. While in Invercargill Mr. Crockett had charge of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is married, and has one son.
, which now forms part of the Christ-church diocese, was formerly in the Wellington diocese. There are four churches in the district—namely, at Kumara, Greenstone, Stafford, and Waimea. Services are held regularly at Kumara, and at the other churches. The church at Kumara is a large building, with accommodation for 300 persons, and the interior is well finished. The Catholic congregation is considered the largest in Kumara. The convent, which was opened in 1876, with schools conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, affords tuition for 120 scholars.
the Parish Priest in charge, was appointed to Kumara in 1888. He was born in Queenstown, County Cork, Ireland, in 1858, educated at St. John's College, Waterford, and ordained in 1882. He came to New Zealand in the following year, and was for nearly twelve months curate at St. Mary's Cathedral, Hill Street, Wellington. Father O'Hallahan was subsequently stationed at Timaru, and afterwards appointed assistant priest at Christchurch. On the West Coast, he has filled the position of assistant priest at Westport, and parish priest at Ahaura. Father O'Hallahan is extremely popular, not only with his own but with other denominations.
embraces the districts of Kumara, Kumara Junction, Greenstone, Westbrook, and Stafford. At Kumara, there is a church which has accommodation for 150 people, and the parsonage is adjacent to the church. There is also a church at Stafford, and in other parts of the district services are held in the schools. Sunday schools are conducted at Kumara and Kumara Junction.
was appointed missionary in charge of the Kumara Methodist Circuit in April, 1905. He was born in the year 1874 in Timaru, where he went to school. Mr. Aker early entered the Salvation Army, and went through the Army Training Home in Melbourne. He was in the Army service for seven years, for most of the time in towns and districts in New Zealand. In 1903 Mr. Aker entered the Methodist church as a Home Missionary at Akaroa (Peninsula circuit), prior to his present circuit. He is president of the Kumara branch of the No License League, and of the United Endeavour Society. Mr. Aker is married.
, Seddon Street, Kumara, was established in 1875. The journal changed hands in 1896 and has since been the property of Messrs Stephen M. Benyon and William T. Richards, with Mr. J. S. Benyon, as manager and editor. It is a supporter of the Seddon Government.
, the Editor and Manager of the Kumara Times, entered upon his duties in December 1896. He is the youngest son of the late Mr. Stephen Benyon, of Landport, Portsmouth, England, a painter in Heraldry, and was born in 1836, and educated at Mesney's Academy (endowed by Sir Walter Arundel) and is a decorator by profession. As with many other young men, the gold fever induced him to seek his fortunes in the Colonies and he arrived in Victoria in 1852; he is therefore a very old colonist. Mr. Benyon followed gold mining with varied success, working at his trade during intervals. He was at Bendigo, Forest Creek and at Ballarat, during the Eureka riots. Coming to New Zealand in 1869, he settled for many years at Okarito, having bought the stores and stock of Messrs Mace and Canavan. For five years he was secretary to the Okarito Road Board, and finally came to Kumara in 1885. Mr. Benyon filled the mayoral chair from 1889 till 1894, and officially welcomed His Excellency Lord Onslow during his visit to the West Coast.
, Kumara. The Courthouse stands on a quarter of an acre of ground, and contains the court-room, clerk's office, magistrate's room, and a public lobby. Mr. R. J. Acheson, Stipendiary Magistrate and Warden, holds periodical sittings, and the local Justices of the Peace take ordinary cases during the intervals.
Solicitor, Kumara. Mr. Byrne has been well known as a solicitor on the West Coast, and as a public man. He has been several times Mayor of Kumara, and was elected to the Borough Council for the first time in 1892. Mr. Byrne was a member of the Charitable Aid Board for some years, and was at one time chairman of the Kumara school committee. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Ward, an old West Coaster, who came with the first of the “rushes.”
Barrister and Solicitor, Seddon Street, Kumara. Mr. Murdoch was formerly a member of the firm of Park and Murdoch, of Hokitika and Kumara, but he now practises at Kumara on his own account. He was trained under Mr. Park in Hokitika, passed his examination as a solicitor in 1893, and was admitted in 1898 as a barrister. Mr. Murdoch is further referred to as Mayor of Kumara.
at Kumara is situated in Seddon Street, and is a substantial wooden building with the manager's residence attached. The bank has been represented at Kumara since the year 1875, and the staff consists of a manager and one officer.
, Manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Kumara, was born in Auckland, in the year 1852, and entered the Auckland office in the assay department. He was subsequently at the Thames for three years, and at Lawrence for a similar term, and had charge of the bank's agency at Reefton, from 1882 till 1891. In the following year Mr. Pickett took charge at Ross whence he was transferred to Kumara. He is a Freemason, and a member of the Order of Foresters.
General Ironmonger and Blacksmith, Seddon Street, Kumara. Established in 1876.
Mr. John Davidson, sometime managing partner in the firm of J. and M. Davidson, was born at Ravenglass, England, where he was brought up as a general blacksmith. Previous to coming to Victoria, Australia, in 1858, he was employed at his trade
at Bootle, near Glasgow. He followed his occupation in Victoria until he came to New Zealand in 1865, when he settled in Hokitika. There he carried on his trade for four or five years, and then removed to Kumara, where he laid the foundation of a large business. Mr. Davidson did not take an active part in public affairs, but he was esteemed by all who knew him. He died some time ago.
General Storekeeper and Butcher, Seddon Street, Kumara. Established in 1890.
, Kumara. This mill was erected by Mr. William Morris in 1894, and furnished with machinery of the latest type, including a twenty-five horse-power engine made by the Dispatch Foundry Company, of Greymouth, a Bullock's patent bench, and twin circular saws for breaking down purposes. The mill's capacity is equal to 7000 feet of sawn timber daily. With the exception of the small quantity used locally, the timber is shipped to Christchurch, where it finds a ready sale.
(Alexander Cowie and Victor Bice, proprietors). This dredge, situated on the Greenstone Creek, started work in the year 1902, and was acquired by the present proprietors in October, 1904. It is fitted with an up-to-date plant; the boiler is of twenty horsepower, with a twelve horse-power engine; the buckets have a capacity of four and a-half feet, and the elevators, of thirty feet.
Mr. Alexander Cowie, Senior Partner, is manager of the Greenstone Creek dredge, and has had considerable experience in connection with dredging on the West Coast.
Mr. Victor Bice, Junior Partner of the Greenstone Creek dredge, was born in the year 1879, at Greymouth, where he went to school. He was brought up to engine-driving, spent some years in the Government service, and subsequently worked at various sawmills. Mr. Bice holds a first-class competency certificate and has had considerable experience in dredge work. He was working on the Greenstone Creek dredge prior to its purchase by himself and Mr. Cowie in
October, 1904. Mr. Bice is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, Greymouth.
was constructed in the year 1876 by the Government of New Zealand. Its total length is thirteen miles, and its source is the Kawhaka Creek. There are three reservoirs and one dam, and one of the reservoirs is at the head of the creek. The reservoirs contain about 7000 cubic feet of water. There are twelve miles of piping, and each pipe measures from thirteen to thirty inches in circumference. The water is let to sluicers at a nominal charge of 7½d per hour per sluiceing head.
Mr. James Rochford, Assistant Manager of the Government Water-race, Kumara, was born at Sandhurst, Victoria, in the year 1864. He came to Goldsborough with his parents when very young, and oblained an appointment on the Kumara water race in 1881. Besides being assistant manager, he does all the survey work that is needed in connection with the water race. Mr. Rochford is one of the stewards of the Kumara Jockey Club, and takes a prominent part in all sporting and dramatic matters.
Mr. John Palmer, Sub-Manager and Ganger, Government Water-race, Kumara, was appointed to his present position in the year 1895. He was born at Portsmouth, England, in 1840, and was attracted to Victoria, Australia, by the gold discoveries in 1862. Mr. Palmer worked on the Back Creek, Castlemaine, Lachlan, Daylesford, and Woods Point diggings
Mr. Andrew Thornley, sometime a director of the Long Tunnel Company, Kumara, was born at Boston, Lincolnshire, England, in the year 1834. He was a son of a farm manager, and followed farming pursuits until he was twenty years of age, when he found employment in the Cleveland and Middleborough Ironworks. In 1859, he left England for Australia; he was in Geelong the following year, and then became a contractor for public works in Victoria and New South Wales. He was subcontractor
for the Wallsend Coal Pit Tramway Company at Newcastle, and in constructing the breakwater at Woolongong, a seaside about sixty-four miles south of Sydney. He next went to the Gulf diggings in the southern portion of New South Wales, Araluen and Little River. In 1865 Mr. Thornley arrived in Hokitika, and followed mining until 1885, and was also engaged in contracting and road-making between Goldsborough and Stafford. In 1885, he entered the employment of the Long Tunnel Company. Mr. Thornley, always in a quiet, unostentatious manner, furthered the interests of the mining industry. He died some time ago.
, or the township of Dillman's, as it is familiarly known to all West Coasters, is situated about a mile from Kumara. It is in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. Dillmanstown first came into prominence about the year 1870, when Cashman and party found paying gold. In 1875 gold was obtained at the farther end of the township, and in July, of the following year, the general “rush” set in. It is estimated that at one time fully 3000 men were digging between Dillman's and Kumara. In 1883, the Government put down a water-carrying plant known as No. 1 Channel. The yield of gold of late years has, however, slowly decreased. The public school is attended by about 120 children, who receive instruction up to Standard II, and are then transferred to the main school at Kumara. There are six hotels in the township, which has also a post office and telegraph station. The roads are good for cyclists, fishing and shooting are obtainable in the neighbourhood, and greenstone is found in the district.
is a branch of the Kumara public school, from which it is about one mile distant. Children receive instruction up to a certain point, and are then transferred to the Kumara school. The building is of wood and iron, contains one class room and a porch, and there is a playground and shed. Miss Elizabeth M. Stark is sole teacher in charge.
Miss Elizabeth M. Stark was appointed to the Dillmanstown public
(Mrs McGrath, senior, and Thomas McGrath), General Storekeepers, Hydraulic Miners, Sawmillers and Timber Merchants, Dillman's. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales, Greymouth. Telegraphic address, “McGrath, Dillman's.” This firm's large and extensive business was founded in the year 1878 by the late Mr. Patrick McGrath, who conducted a successful trade at Dillman's till his death in 1890. Mr. Thomas McGrath then took charge on behalf of his mother, and subsequently admitted into partnership Mr. Thomas Moynihan, an executor in the estate, who was himself a practical miner with large interests in the district. Thus a union of forces took place, and the business grew by leaps and bounds, special attention being devoted to hydraulic mining. Intent upon carrying out their mining operations on an extensive scale, and requiring a large quantity of water, Messrs McGrath and Moynihan, in August, 1896, purchased from Mr. Holmes the Okuku water-race, and several mining properties in the neighbourhood. The race carries thirty Government
heads of water, and has its source in the Okuku river, eight miles from Dillman's. There are four dams, one of which has a depth of thirty feet, and is always filled to overflowing with a perpetual supply of water. There are from two to three miles of iron pipes and fluming, the latter being constructed of silver pine and heart of red pine. There is a pressure of eighty feet, and the race is constructed
in such a manner as to give an additional forty feet by raising it, without interfering with the flow of water. In May, 1898, Messrs McGrath and Moynihan amalgamated five or six of their claims with the Okuku Water Race and Goldmining Company, including in all about fifty acres of ground. The property has four faces with a frontage of 400 feet. About twenty-four heads of water are allowed to play on the face from four nozzles for ten hours daily. The twelve-feet boxes in the tail race have a fall of about seven inches, and measure twenty-eight inches wide by thirty inches high. The whole of the tailings from the front of the claim find their way into the Teremakau river by means of a sludge channel, 7 feet by 4 feet, constructed in 1898 by Messrs McGrath and Moynihan to supersede the old tunnel, which was found insufficient for requirements. The tunnel took over six months to complete. The property is worked to the best possible advantage, and gives employment to from eight to fourteen thoroughly competent miners. The property at the back of Dillman's, known as the Lee Company, consists of four acres, on which four men are employed, and two nozzles work on the face for about six hours daily. It has two tail-races, of twenty-four and twenty-six inches, with a total strength of 650 feet and 1100 feet respectively. A race of nearly 3000 feet was constructed for the purpose of opening up ground that had hitherto been worked unsuccessfully, owing to the channels being at too great a height to work the lower levels. The washing up returns are at all times satisfactory to
(Mrs McGrath, senior, and Thomas McGrath, proprietors; Mr. Gilbert London, working manager), Sawmillers and Wholesale Timber Merchants, Dillman's. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales, Greymouth. The mills are situated about three quarters of a mile from Dillmanstown, and were originally the property of Mr. William Morris. The present proprietary took them over in the year 1896 and is fast building up a large local trade. A Pelton wheel, three feet in diameter, is used, giving a pressure of sixty-five feet and equivalent to eighteen horse-power. The milling plant consists of three saws (circular and breaking-down) and breast and block-cutting benches. The bush, which is 500 acres in extent, is worked by day labour, and the plant is capable of an output of 6000 feet daily. Logs are hauled out of the bush by means of a patent steam winch, with wire rope. Messrs McGrath and Co. give constant employment to ten men, and have two timber carts running daily.
(Robert Watson and Sons, proprietors), Dillmanstown. This mill is about one mile from Dillmanstown, with which there is communication by a good metalled road. The plant includes the usual breaking down and breast benches, a fourteen horse-power portable engine, a ten horse power hauling engine, and machinery for cutting blocks for mining purposes. The output is 4000 feet per day, and about eight persons are employed. Two three-horse teams are employed in carting.
, Senior Partner of the Union Sawmill, was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in the year 1837, and brought up to mining and general work. In 1854 he went to Melbourne, Australia, and was engaged in mining in Victoria. Mr. Watson came to New Zealand in 1866, went to the West Coast, and attended all the principal gold rushes. About 1875, he started in the timber trade, near Hokitika, and in 1889 established his present mill. Some years later, Mr. Watson took into partnership his two sons. His eldest son has been second engineer to the Durban City Council in Natal since the year 1902. Except for being a short period on the Kumara school committee, Mr. Watson has taken no part in public life. He has three sons and two daughters.
, Partners in the firm of Robert Watson and Sons, sawmillers, are the second and third sons of Mr. Robert Watson, and have been brought up to the timber trade from boyhood.
is a small mining district situated about four miles from Kumara, and is in the Arahura riding of the county of Westland, and in the electorate and provincial district of Westland. At one time there was considerable goldmining in the district, and a small amount of sluicing is still carried on. The business of the postal department is conducted at the residence of Mr. S. R. Honey, and there is a small school with twelve names on its roll. The population of Callaghan's at the census of 1901 was seventy-nine.
Miner, Callaghan's. Mr. Honey was formerly manager for the Humphrey's Gully Sluicing Company, of which he was also a tributer for some years. He was born in Adelaide, Australia, in 1851, came to Hokitika in 1866, and was brought up to clerical work. He afterwards entered on mining pursuits, to which he has been attached for over thirty years, chiefly in the Waimea district, where he worked several sluicing claims. He is mining correspondent for various new Zealand papers, and was a member of the first Kumara volunteers. The postal business of the district is conducted at Mr. Honey's house.
is a mining district situated about sixteen miles by road from Greymouth, and is in the Maori Creek riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland. It is named Dunganville after the late Mr. P. Dungan, who was at one time a member of the Westland Provincial Council, though the district was previously known, and is still spoken of by old settlers, as Maori Creek. Very little mining is carried on in the district, owing to the expense and difficulty of obtaining sufficient water, but two dredges are at work in the vicinity. The settlement consists of one hotel and two stores, in one of which the business of the local post office is conducted. There is also a public school attended by seventeen children, a Roman Catholic church, an Anglican church, and a public library. The population at the census of 1901 was returned as ninety.
, Dunganville. This hotel has been established for many years; it contains seventeen rooms, including a billiard room. There is good accommodation, good liquors, and a moderate tariff. A general store attached to the hotel carries a good supply of groceries, drapery, boots, etc. The Post Office for the district is conducted at this store; postal notes are issued, and there are three mails weekly.
, sometime proprietor of the New River Hotel and store, is further referred to as an old colonist.
Storekeeper and farmer, Dunganville. This business was established by Mr. O'Donnell in the year 1878. The building
has been termed the metropolis of the West Coast, and is undoubtedly the commercial centre of Westland. It is situated between Hokitika (distant twenty-five miles) and Reefton (distant forty-five miles). An excellent train service is maintained with both towns. The town is built on Maori land, and this has, in a minor way, been a drawback, as the land is vested in the Public Trustee, and held by the present occupiers on leases of twenty-one years, which, however, can be renewed. The Grey, as it is familiarly called, first sprang into existence in the year 1865, when gold was reported to have been discovered in the district.
The gold industry has been an important factor in bringing Greymouth to the position which it now occupies as the chief town in Westland, though it also owes much to the valuable coal deposits at Blackball and Brunnerton. The coal is said to be equal to the best in the colonies, and it is estimated that between 2000 and 3000 tons are exported weekly. But though the West Coast is rich in auriferous and carboniferous deposits, it cannot be said to be an agricultural province, although there are several good farms between Hokitika and Reefton. Stock of all kinds is imported from Wanganui, and sales are held regularly every week, Of late years the timber industry has sprung up, and is now making rapid progress. The exports of timber from the port amount to many millions of feet per annum. The railways connected with Greymouth include the line to Reefton, the Christchurch line—which in the year 1905 was open to Otira—and the lines to Hokitika and to the State coal mines at Runanga. When the railway system of the colony is completed it is intended that Greymouth shall be connected with Canterbury and Nelson. Greymouth has four banks—the National Bank, Bank of New South Wales, Union Bank of Australia, and the Bank of New Zealand, all of which ship gold to Wellington in large quantities. Speaking generally, the people may be said to be in a prosperous condition.
In the early days Greymouth was a favourite haunt of bushrangers, and about six miles from the town, a monument has been erected to the memory of a young surveyor named Dobson, who was foully murdered by the Burgess gang, who had mistaken him for a gold buyer.
The harbour protection works at Greymouth have transformed an almost impossible port into a workable maritime depot, which is extens very used by the Union Steamship Company's steamers, by the boats of the Anchor line, and other vessels. One of the first business men to settle in Grey was Mr. R. Waite, who arrived on the site of the township, and landed on the river beach, in July, 1864. He brought with him a considerable quantity
Greymouth is the principal settlement in the electorate of Grey, and is in the provincial district of Westland. The population of the borough has been steadily increasing; at the census of 1896 it was returned as 3099, and five years later it had risen to 3748, in addition to eighty-nine persons on ship-board in the harbour. For the year 1904, the total value of exports from the port was £450,448, and the imports for the same year were £70,440. The Greymouth of 1905 has a number of public bodies; namely, the Greymouth Borough Council, the Greymouth Harbour Board, the Grey County Council, the Grey Education Board, the Grey Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and the Grey River Hospital Board. There are two newspapers, the “Grey River Argus,” and the “Evening Star,” and both journals occupy substantial premises in Tainui Street. The fraternal orders represented are: the Greymouth Masonic Lodge, Loyal Grey Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity,
has been a member of the Legislative Council of New Zealand since the 8th of April, 1902. He is a farmer at Totara Flat, which is twenty-seven miles north-east by rail from Greymouth.
was instituted in the year 1868, and the late Mr. Edward Masters, who was afterwards a member of the House of Representatives, was the first Mayor. Greymouth has an area of 2,000 acres; half of which is Native Reserve; and the rentals are collected and disbursed amongst the native owners, through the Public Trustee. The borough has over seventeen miles of metalled streets, fifteen miles of asphalted footpaths, and four miles of main roads; and there are two bridges over the Grey river, one connecting Cobden with Greymouth, and the other the State coal mine with Greymouth.
The water supply for Greymouth is obtained from the Grey river. The water is filtered before being pumped, by means of a subterranean channel under the gravel bed of the river. The two pumps employed consist of three throw rams each, driven by two Tangye forty-two brake power gas engines. The water is lifted 286 feet to the reservoir, which is situated on a limestone spur. It holds 800,000 gallons. The average pressure is equal to 116 pounds to the square inch, and about eleven miles of mains have been laid within the borough. The works for the construction of water supply were commenced in the year 1900, and were completed in 1904. A change of one shilling per thousand gallons is made for water supplied by meter as extraordinary supply, but the charge for ordinary supply is six per cent, on the annual value of each dwelling.
In the year 1900 the Borough Council purchased the local gasworks at a cost of £17,000, and a sum of £1500 has since been expended in improvements. The gas works include holders, retorts, purifiers, etc. When the Council took over these works in 1900, the annual output of gas was seven million feet; but, in 1905, the output amounting to seventeen million feet, and the revenue had increased to over £6000 per annum. The gas mains are laid throughout Greymouth, and the charge is nine shillings and twopence per thousand feet for ordinary consumers, seven shillings and sixpence for public lighting, and five
The streets are lighted by ninety-four street gas lamps.
Greymouth is drained by a brick main, sewers through the principal streets, and pipe sewers an the bystreets; and the main outfall is into the estuary. The whole of the drains are properly trapped and ventilated. The total length of sewerage in Greymouth is eight miles and a-half. The whole of the water supply and drainage works were designed and carried out by Mr. E. I. Lord, the Borough Engineer.
The rates levied in the town of Greymouth are: A general rate of 4½d on the unimproved value, a Charitable Aid rate of 5–16ths of a penny on the capital value, a water rate of six per cent, and a library rate of 1d in the pound on the annual value. The annual revenue of the Corporation, from all sources for the financial year which ended on the 31st of March, 1905, was £15,000. The estimated population is 4,400, and the capital value of property is £481,450, of which the unimproved value is £168,900. The annual value of property in the borough is £30,000.
The loans that have been raised for municipal purposes are: Loan for the construction of the Cobden bridge, £1885, obtained under the Loans to Local Bodies Act; general loans, £40,000, £9,348, £15,000 and £5000 at five per cent; total £71,233, less £3000 for redeemed debentures. The Council has not collected any of the security rates on loans, but pays all interest and sinking fund out of profits from gas and water.
Greymouth has three fire brigade stations; the principal one in Boundary Street; a branch station in Tainui Street, and another in Blaketown. The Boundary Street station possesses a Shand and Mason fire engine, two manual engines, hose, ladder carriage, and the usual appliances, and the branch in Tainui Street has 200 feet of hose, and a ladder. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. Ryan, captain; Mr. T. C. Clark, lieutenant; Mr. J. Walton, secretary; and twenty-two firemen. Besides the fire engines mentioned, the brigade has at its disposal the high pressure water supply, and 140 fire plugs distributed all over the town.
One of the most notable works undertaken by the Borough Council is the erection of a Town Hall, on a site of half an acre, with frontages to Mackay. Albert, and Tarapuhi Streets. It was designed by the Borough Engineer, and the total cost of the site, building, and furniture has been £12,500. The foundation stone was laid on the 30th of December, 1904. The building consists of a main hall, measuring ninety feet by fifty feet, with a horse shoe gallery, and has accommodation for 700 persons. It is provided with separate exits as fire escapes from various parts. The western, or municipal wing, measures fifty feet by sixty-four feet, and contains offices for the town clerk, and borough engineer, in addition to the mayoral and committee rooms and a small hall for council meetings, which measures forty feet by eighteen feet. The eastern, or library wing, measures fifty feet by sixty-four feet, and contains a free lending library and public reading room, measuring thirty-four feet by twenty-seven feet. There is also a large ladies' reading room on the first floor. The museum and art gallery, measuring forty-two feet by eighteen feet, is on the second floor. The Free Library was subsidised by Mr. Andrew Carnegie to the extent of £2,250, on condition that the library should be free, and that a rate of a penny in the pound should be levied for its maintenance. The building is of brick, in the Renaissance style of architecture, and possesses a tower of eighty feet, in which it is proposed to place a four-face chiming clock. The interior of the building is finished in elastic pulp plaster, and the ceilings are in steel.
Greymouth has a reserve of about eighty acres, which has been cut up into quarter-acre sections for the purpose of leasing for periods of twenty-one years each, with right of renewal on a re-valuation clause for a further period of twenty-one years; and so on. A considerable revenue is likely to accrue to the borough from this source.
Members of the Borough Council for 1905–6: Mr. J. A. Petrie, Mayor; Messrs D. Sheedy, D. Tennent, J. Petrie, J. E. Coates, D. Shannahan, J. Kerr, B. Hart, H. Bignell, and J. McLean, Councillors.
Officers for the year 1905: Messrs E. I. Lord, Town Clerk, Borough Engineer and Building Surveyor; E. Warnes, Assistant Town Clerk and Rate Collector; I. Lord, Junior Clerk; J. Warnes, Overseer of Works; S. Ainsworth, Inspector of Meat during Slaughter; M. Cane, Sanitary Inspector and Poundkeeper; J. Evans, Water Inspector; C. McQueen, Engineer of Water Works Pumping Station; E. Goodall, Caretaker Fire Brigade Plant; J. Kennedy, Manager of Gas Works; A. Scott, Gasfitter; W. Ryan, Captain of Fire Brigade; and four assistants.
was elected Mayor of Greymouth in April, 1903, and again in the year 1904. He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1852, and landed in Port Chalmers
has been a member of the Greymouth Borough Council since the year 1875. He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in the year 1848, and arrived in New Zealand in
has served as a member of the Greymouth Borough Council, since the year 1903. He was born in Greymouth in 1867, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. Edwin Ashton, who was well known as a livery stable keeper and hotel proprietor.
has been a member of the Greymouth Borough Council since the year 1899. He was born in the year 1859, in London, England, where he was educated, and learned his trade as a carpenter. Mr. Bignell came to New Zealand in 1873, and landed at Port Chalmers by the ship “Tweed.” He afterwards removed to Oamaru, where he was in business as a builder for about fifteen years. Mr. Bignell was then employed in connection with bridge construction and buildings on the Midland railway for two years, and commenced as a builder in Greymouth in the year 1887. He has since erected many considerable buildings at Greymouth, including the grand stand at the racecourse, Messrs Thomas McBeath's building, the Victoria wing at the local hospital, and was engaged in the erection of a further wing in 1905. Mr. Bignell has been a member of the Greymouth Licensing Bench since 1900, and as a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Oamaru Kilwinning.
has been a member of the Greymouth Borough Council since the year 1880. He was born in the year 1839, in County Cork, Ireland, where he was educated, and learned farming. Mr. Sheedy went to Australia, in 1859, and followed the goldfields for some time. He was then attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush in 1861, and was one of the pioneers of the Otago goldfields. Mr. Sheedy went to Hokitika in 1865, and was afterwards engaged in storekeeping at Waimea for three months. He then removed to Greymouth, and became the licensee of the Brian Boru Hotel on the 9th of June, 1865. Mr. Sheedy has been a member of the Greymouth Harbour Board for fifteen years and was one of the founders of the Grey River Hospital, of which he was a member for many years, and was, also, at one time, chairman of the Hospital Trustees. He was one of the two who marked out the Greymouth racecourse in 1867, and has since been connected with the Greymouth Jockey Club, as a member and steward. In 1862, Mr. Sheedy married a daughter of the late Mr. E. Two-hill, who died at the age of ninety-six, and has four sons and four daughters. Mr. Sheedy is further referred to as the proprietor of the Brian Boru Hotel.
was elected a member of the Greymouth Borough Council in the year 1900. He was born in 1872, in Greymouth, where he was educated, and brought up to a mercantile life by his father, Mr. Duncan McLean. Mr. McLean afterwards had thirteen months' experience in Melbourne, Australia, in his uncle's firm—Messrs McLean Brothers and Rigg. He subsequently returned to New Zealand, and for about fourteen years has had the management of his father's business at Greymouth. Mr. McLean has held the office of chairman of the Greymouth Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, since the year 1902.
has been a member of the Greymouth Borough Council since the year 1903. He was born at Plymouth, England, in 1863, and was brought as an infant to New Zealand. Mr. Hart was educated at Greymouth, and learned the trade of a sailmaker with his stepfather. Mr. C. Hansen. He went to sea for a year in connection with his business, and during that time visited New Caledonia, Melbourne, and Sydney. Mr. Hart afterwards gained experience in connection with his trade in Melbourne, Sydney, Dunedin and Auckland. He then settled at Greymouth, and in the year 1904 became proprietor of his present business. Mr. Hart is interested in temperance work, and is a trustee and treasurer of the trust board in connection with the Greymouth Methodist church, and was also for some time superintendent of the Sunday school. He married a daughter of the late Mr. J. Ball, of Auckland, in the year 1886, and has an adopted daughter.
has been a member of the Greymouth Borough Council since the year 1903. He was born in Motherwell, Scotland, in 1869, and was educated at Gartsherrie
Academy. Mr. Tennent
, C.E., M. Inst. M.E., member of the Incorporated Association of Municipal and County Engineers, member of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors, etc., etc., Town Clerk and Engineer to the Greymouth Borough Council, is an engineer of considerable standing, and was appointed to his present position on the death of the late Mr. Lahman. Mr. Lord was born near Hobart, Tasmania, in the year 1843, and his grandfather, Edward Lord, R.N., was Acting-Governor of Tasmania from 1810 to 1812. He was educated at the Hobart High School, where he gained some distinction, was articled to a leading firm of civil engineers, and at the completion of his term successfully passed the necessary examination. Mr. Lord came over to New Zealand in 1864, and commenced the practice of his profession at Auckland. He assisted in the surveys for the military settlers until interrupted by the war, and he then returned to Tasmania. On returning, in 1866, to New Zealand, he went to Hokitika, where he received a contract from the Canterbury Provincial Government to survey 200 miles of prospecting tracks on the West Coast. He next obtained an engagement from the Public Works Department to survey several large water-races on the Coast. In 1875, he accepted the position of district surveyor at Greymouth, and held the post until 1885, when it was abolished. Shortly afterwards Mr. Lord was appointed Borough Engineer. He has acted as engineer to the Kanieri Lake Water-race Company and Greenstone Sluicing Company. Since 1899 the whole of Mr Lord's time has been devoted to the affairs of the borough, and as Borough Engineer, he has carried out water works, drainage works, and street improvements at a cost of £40,000; and supervised the erection of the Greymouth Town Hall and Municipal Buildings, from his own design, at a cost of about £10,000. He has also designed public abattoirs; and all these works have been successfully carried out without accident or hitch of any kind. Mr. Lord has been a member of the Greymouth Education Board and the Greymouth school committee, and the High School Board, and he is a director of the Greymouth “Evening Star” Company, the Permanent Building Society, and also acts as one of the fire inspectors for the borough.
, the Manager of the Greymouth Borough Council's gasworks, took charge originally in the year 1888, when the works belonged to the Greymouth Gas Company, from which they were bought by the Corporation in the year 1900. Mr. Kennedy was born in London, in the year 1856, and was educated at the Catholic school connected with the Oratory of Brompton. He landed in New Zealand in 1875, and served six years at the Christchurch gasworks, where he gained much practical knowledge in his business. Mr. Kennedy then went to Invercargill, where for six years he held various positions in the Corporation gasworks. He was then appointed to the management of the Greymouth gasworks, and did much to place the company in a flourishing position. Mr. Kennedy was the first in New Zealand to use slack coal entirely for gas-making, and he has by that means produced excellent results. The idea has been followed by various gas companies, and has resulted in large savings to all interested. Mr. Kennedy is married, and has a grown-up family of four sons and two daughters.
has had charge of the Greymouth Fire Brigade since the year 1903. He was born in 1864 in Victoria, Australia, came to New Zealand with his parents at an early age, and settled in Greymouth, where he went to school. Mr. Ryan afterwards worked for Mr. D. McLean, merchant for fifteen years, and began business on his own account in 1899. He married a daughter of the late Mr. William Sullivan, of Greymouth, in the year 1895, and has three sons and two daughters.
stands about half a mile out of the town, on the bank of the Grey river, and adjoins the railway line. The building is of wood and iron, and stands on a concrete foundation. The plant consists of two forty-two horse-power gas engines, each of which provides a set of triple ram pumps, eight inches in diameter, and capable of lifting 15,000 gallons each an hour. The pumps draw from a well twenty-five feet deep, and the river water filters through a gravel bed, six feet deep, and laid for five or six chains in the river. The water thus pumped is lifted to a reservoir, 287 feet above the level of the station, on the hillside, whence it is
, Engineer-in-Charge of the Greymouth Water Works Pumping Station, is the second son of Mr. C. McQueen, of the well-known engineering firm of Kincaid and McQueen, Dunedin. He was born in the year 1865 in Dunedin, and was educated there at the High School. Mr. McQueen learned engineering at the works of his father's firm, and remained there for several years. He has since worked on many large pieces of machinery, and erected the first Sew Hoy dredge. Mr. McQueen also put together the first two current-wheel dredges on the Clutha river, and, later, was manager and engineer of the Talisman dredge for two years. He afterwards returned to Dunedin, where he was for some time employed in connection with the erection and working of battery and mining plants, among which were the Golden Site Battery, Wilson's river, and a machine at Preservation Inlet. Mr. McQueen then went to Tasmania, where he worked on tin mining machinery; he erected engines on the Zeehan silver fields, on the east coast, and was employed by the Exploration Company, for which he superintended the building of the first tin dredge. Mr. McQueen subsequently returned to Dunedin, and in 1900 removed to the West Coast, where he was employed by Mr. W. Roberts, engineer, who superintended the erection of various dredges. In May, 1903, he was appointed to his present position. Mr. McQueen married a daughter of Mr. John Anderson, of the firm of J. Anderson and Co., dairy factory machinery manufacturers, Dunedin, in the year 1887, and has, surviving, four sons and two daughters.
is provided with the leading English and colonial newspapers and periodicals, and residents are allowed the use of the reading room free of charge. The lending library contains over 3000 standard works in all branches of literature, and fresh books are added from time to time. The library is the property of the corporation, and the Borough Council took control of the institution, on the completion of the new Carnegie library wing of the Town Hall buildings, in 1905.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1870. He was a prominent and progressive citizen, and was engaged in business as an ironfounder and sawmiller. Mr. Kilgour died in August, 1898.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1871–72. He was the third occupant of the office, and succeeded Mr. J. Kilgour. During Mr. Wickes' mayoralty the great flood of 1872 devastated the southern portion of Greymouth, and will long be remembered by old West Coasters. Mr. Wickes was born in London, England, in the year 1836, and engaged early in life in the timber trade. In 1853, he went to Australia in the ship “Strathfeldsaye,” and followed mining at Ballarat and in Queensland, and was present at the Ballarat riots. Ten years later, he came to New Zealand, landed in Auckland, and worked as a builder and contractor. When gold was discovered on the West Coast, he established himself in business in Greymouth as an ironmonger, auctioneer, and mining agent, on a site now occupied by Messrs Griffin and Smith, in Boundary Street. Mr. Wickes was associated with the Wallsend Coal Mine, at Brunnerton, and was one of the founders of the Greymouth Acclimatisation Society. He has been a Forester and a Freemason, and has been active in promoting local interests.
was Mayor of Greymouth for a portion of the year 1873. Mr. Glen was a produce merchant in Greymouth, and died about the year 1895.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1874. He was a member of the firm of Thomson, Smith and Barclay, drapers, and died in the year 1904.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1875 and 1876. He is further referred to as a member of the firm of G. W. Moss and Company, auctioneers.
was Mayor of Greymouth during the years 1877 and 1878. He was well known for many years in connection with the firm of Buxton and Company, of Nelson. Mr. Hamilton died in the year 1901; his portrait and a sketch of his life appear on page 113 of this volume.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1879–80–81 and in 1886, and held office at a somewhat momentous period of the borough's history; namely, at the time when Sir John Coode designed the harbour works, which were estimated to cost £250,000 sterling. He was born in Kent, England, in 1844, came to New Zealand in the year 1854 in the steamer “Nelson,” landed at Nelson, and was educated at Nelson College, and trained for a mercantile life. Mr. Nancarrow subsequently settled on the West Coast, and took an interest in local affairs, especially in mining matters. He was at one time chairman of the Hospital Committee, and of the High School Board of Governors. Mr. Nancarrow died some years ago.
was Mayor of Greymouth during the year 1882–83. He was a member of the well known firm of Thomson, Smith, and Barclay, drapers. Mr. Barclay died in May, 1890.
, J.P., was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1884, and served on the Borough Council for fourteen years. Mr. Dupre is a watchmaker. He has since left Greymouth, and carries on his business in the Wairarapa, in the provincial district of Wellington.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1885. He was the founder of the firm of Thomson, Smith and Barclay, drapers.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1887 and 1888. He is further referred to as a former member of the House of Representatives, and in connection with the Greymouth “Evening Star” newspaper.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1889 and 1890. He was well known on the West Coast as a coach proprietor. Mr. Mitchell left New Zealand to settle in West Australia.
was born in London, England, and emigrated with his parents to Australia in the year 1861, when three years of age. The family came to New Zealand a few years later, and settled at Dunstan, Otago, where Mr. Kettle, senior, entered into business. In 1874, they moved to Greymouth, where Mr. W. R. Kettle was apprenticed to Mr. Duncan McLean, with whom he remained for over eight years. Mr. Kettle entered the Borough Council in 1891, and was elected Mayor in 1893. In 1894, he was nominated by the Governor as a member of the Greymouth Harbour Board, of which he was elected chairman in 1897. He was elected a member of the Grey Education Board in 1893, and has since continuously held his seat on that body, and was chairman in 1896–7. He is a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Conciliation Board for the settlement of labour disputes. Both in public and private life, Mr. Kettle is extremely popular with all sections of the community.
was Mayor of Greymouth for six years, and served for a number of years as a councillor. He served for ten years on the Greymouth Harbour Board, was for several years a member of the Hospital Board, and has been a member of the Westland Land Board since the year 1885. During Mr. Mathesons mayoralty, the progressive policy of the Borough Council was inaugurated; the works projected included water works, gas works, drainage, a town hall and library, as well as two large bridges over the principal streams in the borough. While on a visit to Scotland, Mr. Matheson successfully interviewed Mr. Carnegie, who made a subscription of £2,250 to the Greymouth library. Mr. Matheson was born in the year 1836 in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, where he attended school. He went to Australia in 1856, landed in Sydney, but spent about seven years in Victoria, and engaged in mining at Ballarat, Bendigo, and Forest Creek. Mr. Matheson was attracted to New Zealand by the Dunstan rush in 1863, and also followed goldmining at Mount Ida and Hamilton's. He afterwards removed to Invercargill, where he was engaged in the construction of the Invercargill-Bluff railway line, and, later, went to Auckland, where he held various contracts—military and civil—during the time of the Waikato war. In the year 1866, Mr. Matheson settled in Greymouth, and for a time followed mining. He subsequently took contracts for the construction of Government roads, and erected the first permanent wharf at Greymouth, in conjunction with the late Mr. Edward Butler. Mr. Matheson entered business as a general merchant, in 1878. He married the widow of the late Mr. William Norris, of Greymouth, in the year 1885, and has one son and three stepdaughters. Mr. Matheson is further referred to as a merchant and wool-brooker.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the year 1895. He is well known in the district as a successful merchant.
was Mayor of Greymouth in the years 1896–97–98. He was born in Sweden, and emigrated to Victoria, Australia, in 1859. In 1865, Mr. Skoglund came to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast. He was for a considerable time a storekeeper at the diggings. Mr. Skoglund is in business as a commission agent, and is the shipping and general representative for the Blackball Coal Company in Greymouth, and was secretary to the Greymouth Gasworks Company, Limited.
was Mayor of Greymouth during the year 1903. He is further referred to in connection with the firm of A. Hildebrand and Company.
receives by way of endowment the earnings of the Grey-Brunnerton section of railways. The annual income is £18,000, and the Board has raised by loans £225,000, of which £150,000 was raised in England, and £75,000 in New Zealand. The depth of water on the bar at full tide averages about twenty feet. The wharves provide berthing accommodation amounting to 1824 feet and vessels from 1000 to 1500 tons can cross the bar, and be berthed at the wharf. The towage charges for steamers vary from a maximum of £30, to a minimum of £7 10s for towage in and out. Sailing vessels are charged at the rate of ⅙ per ton on the registered tonnage, the maximum charge not to exceed £20. An annual income amounting to 6d per ton is derived from a royalty on coal shipped from the harbour. One of the Board's difficulties has been the
was elected chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board in the year 1905, and holds his seat on the Board as Mayor of Brunnerton. He was born in the year 1859, in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, where he was educated and learned coalmining. Mr. Russell came to New Zealand in 1877, and was for five years in the employment of the the Bay of Islands Coal Company at Kawakawa. On removing to Westport, he worked on Denniston Hill for nearly a year, and then went to Brunnerton, and worked in the Brunner and other mines. Mr. Russell afterwards became the proprietor of the Rainbow Hotel, in which he remained seven years. He takes a lively interest in musical matters, is bandmaster of the Brunner Brass Band, and is a cornet player of considerable ability. Mr. Russell was one of the promoters of the West Coast bands' contest. He is secretary of the Grey Valley Workers' Union, a society which he was instrumental in founding, and he is a prominent member of the Order of Druids, of which he was the first District President in Brunnerton. During the Brunner mine disaster Mr. Russell was one of the most willing volunteers in the rescuing parties, and one of the first to enter the mine after the explosion.
has been secretary of the Greymouth Harbour Board since the year 1901. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1870, and came to New Zealand at an early age. Mr. Burnett was educated at, the Boys' High School, in Christchurch, and was afterwards for some time in the service of the Union Steamship Company. He subsequently acted as clerk for a local coal company before he received his present appointment.
Harbourmaster to the Greymouth Harbour Board, entered on his duties in the 1885. He is a native of Waterford, Ireland, and was born in 1839. Captain Connor came to New Zealand in 1858, and was for many years engaged in the inter-colonial trade.
includes the ridings of Waipuna, Nelson Creek, Red Jack's, Brunnerton, Paroa, Cobden, Maori Creek, Marsden and Hohonu. It extends for about forty miles along the West Coast line, and back to the ranges of the great Divide, the boundary lines being twenty-five miles north of Greymouth, and fifteen miles to the south. The population of the county is 6000. The capital value of all property is £443,452, and the general annual revenue from all sources, exclusive of Government grants, is about £8000. Rates of 1½d in the pound, and a charitable aid rate of three-eighths of a penny in the pound are levied on all property in the district. There are 1460 ratepayers. The Council has borrowed £2,820, of which £2,699 was obtained under the Loans to Local Bodies Act for roads and bridges, and £121 as a separate loan for a special district. The large bridges within the county include the bridge over the Teremakau river, which is maintained partly by the Grey, and partly by the Westland County Council; there are also bridges over the Little Grey, Inangahua, Grey, Ahaura, Arnold, and New River. The bridge over the Cobden is maintained partly by the Council, and partly by the borough of Greymouth. The council chambers are situated in Mackay Street, Greymouth, on half an acre of land, part of a police reserve. The building is of wood and iron, and contains five rooms; it has been occupied since the year 1877. Members of the Council for the year 1905: Mr. J. Hargreaves, chairman: the Hon. J. Marshall, M.L.C.; and Messrs J. McCarthy, J. Ryan, M. Hannan, J. Finn, W. McKechnie, S. R. Harris and R. Larkins. Mr. J. Higgins is engineer; Mr. M. Phillips, county clerk; and Mr. N. J. Phillips, assistant clerk.
, J.P., is (1905) chairman of the Grey County Council, of which he has been a member since the year 1893. He was born in Lancashire, England, in 1839, and went to Melbourne, Australia, in 1853. In 1865 Mr. Hargreaves arrived in New Zealand, settled in the Greymouth district, and has resided at
has been a member of the Grey County Council for the past twelve years, and was chairman for twelve months. He has been actively identified with public affairs in Westland and Grey since 1880, has been chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and is still (1906) a member of the Grey Education Board. Mr. Harris was born in Scotland in 1842. In early life he went to sea, and was a mariner for ten years. At the time of the Indian Mutiny Mr. Harris was in Madras. Subsequently, he was connected with the mail boats running on the New Zealand coast, and on the outbreak of the West Coast goldfields he went to Hokitika, and followed the various “rushes.” In 1890 he went to Greenstone and followed mining there for some years. He also started hotel keying in 1874, and at the present time is proprietor of Harris's Hotel. Greenstone, where he is always pleased to welcome his friends. Mr. Harris is a Freemason, and has been connected with the Oddfellows for more than thirty years. He is also secretary of the Greenstone Mining Association. In 1872 he married Miss Annie Camplin, of New South Wales, and they have one son and four daughters.
has for many years been a member of the Grey County Council, and was for some time its chairman. He was born in Victoria, Australia, in the year 1856, and came to New Zealand in 1869. Previous to taking up his residence in Greymouth, Mr. M'Carthy was in business with his father at No Town, a small hamlet, fourteen miles from Hokitika. He has a practical knowledge of goldmining, which is of much assistance to him on the Council. During Mr. M'Carthy's term of office as chairman, the Council carried out several important public works.
was appointed clerk to the Grey County Council in the year 1888. He is a native of Ireland, and came to New Zealand in 1862. Mr. Phillips also acts as secretary and treasurer to the Charitable Aid Board, and as secretary and treasurer to the Grey River Hospital.
are known as B Company of the Second Nelson Infantry Battalion, and were formed on the 18th of February, 1884. The corps has a strength of sixty-four men, including officers; and parades are held periodically in the large drillshed in Tainui Street. Officers for the year 1905: Captain W. S. Austin; Lieutenants, G. E. Perkins and F. Sotheran; and Dr. W. McKay, Surgeon-Captain.
has been in charge of the Greymouth Rifle Volunteers since the year 1903. He is also captain of the No. 1 Company, Greymouth School Cadets. Mr. Austin was previously lieutenant of the old Reefton Defence Rifle Cadets, afterwards lieutenant of the school cadets under the existing system, and was for about three years captain of the Reefton Rifles. He is further referred to as first assistant of the Greymouth District High School.
who was in command of the Greymouth Rifle Volunteers during the lengthened absence of Captain Morice, was born in Germany, and came to New Zealand in 1879, by the ship “Euterpe.” Like other colonists, he has roughed it in his time, and experienced many ups and downs. However, after settling on the West Coast in 1886, he became fairly successful in business as a butcher, and owned one of the largest businesses in Greymouth. Mr. Lutz, who is a naturalised British subject, and has made many friends in New Zealand, settled at Mauku, in the Auckland district, after leaving Greymouth.
is a very fine wooden building, with a square clock-tower. The telegraph staff is under the supervision of the chief postmaster. There is a telephone exchange with a large number of subscribers. The building has a large public office, telegraph operators' room, chief postmaster's office, mail room, and messengers', room. Mr. G. W. Sampson is the Chief Postmaster.
at Grey-mouth was first established in the year 1865 on the Quay, and in 1890 the present building was erected in Tainui Street, adjoining the Post Office. Gold and coal are the chief articles of export, but the timber industry has been going ahead with extraordinary rapidity. A comparison of the imports and exports for the years 1894 and 1904, shows a large increase in the volume of business passing through the Greymouth Customhouse. The total exports in 1894 amounted to £232,031, while ten years later they were increased to £450,448. The imports show an even greater proportionate advance; namely, from £26,121 to £70,400.
was appointed Collector of Customs at Greymouth in September, 1903. He was born at Wanganui in 1860, and entered the Government service in the Customs Department in Dunedin, in the year 1881. He has filled various positions in the colony, and was for three years chief clerk in Dunedin before he received his present appointment.
, Landing Waiter and Locker of the Customs, Greymouth, was born in the year 1801 in London, England, and was educated in London and in New Zealand. He came to New Zealand at an early age and arrived in Wellington, by the ship “Salisbury.” Mr. Redmond afterwards joined the Telegraph Department in Wellington, and continued the connection until the year 1887. He subsequently joined the Customs in Wellington, on the 24th of July, 1894, and was appointed Assistant Tide Surveyor. Mr. Redmond was transferred to Greymouth, on the 7th of August, 1899. He is a member of the Order of Druids in Greymouth, and is a Past Arch of the Order.
, Greymouth. The Greymouth branch of the Public Trust Office was opened in May, 1893. Besides administering the estates of deceased persons and fulfilling other functions, the office attends to the administration and collection of rents from the various Native Reserves in the district. The town of Greymouth itself is partly built on a Native Reserve, and the rentals supply a very fair annual income to a number of Maoris. The office also administers the “Brunner Disaster Fund,” so liberally subscribed to by the people of New Zealand, for the relief of the sufferers by the Brunner mine explosion in 1896.
, Inspector of Bridges for the Westland-Nelson section of railways, was appointed to his present position on the 13th of November, 1904. Mr. Pyne was born in 1864, in Cornwall, England, where he was educated, and apprenticed as a wheelwright. In the year 1886, he arrived in Napier, by the s.s. “Kaikoura,” and after ten months' employment at Hastings in connection with sewerage work, he joined the maintenance branch of the railway at Napier. Mr. Pyne afterwards became leading bridge carpenter, and held the position for ten years, before his promotion to the office of inspector. As an Oddfellow, Mr. Pyne is a member of the Waipawa Lodge, Manchester Unity. He was married, in 1885, in Cornwall, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Deacon, and has two sons.
was established about the year 1866, and the present buildings were erected in 1893; they include the inspector's office, clerk's office, and men's quarters. The lock-up is in an adjoining building, and contains five cells with a bathroom and a store-room, Greymouth is the police headquarters for the whole of the Nelson and Westland provincial districts. The staff at Greymouth includes an inspector, sergeant, detective, and fifteen constables, and forty-four men are stationed in the district.
has been in charge of the Nelson and Westland Police District since 1902.
of the district of Westland was opened in Hokitika, in the year 1870, by the late Mr. C. Y. O'Connor, afterwards Engineer-in-Chief in West Australia. It was subsequently removed to Greymouth, and since 1893 has been in charge of Mr. John Thomson, B.E. M. Inst. C.E., Resident Engineer. Members of the staff for the year 1905: Messrs G. C. McGlashan, J. H. Dobson, T. B. Bartley, and F. S. Dyson (assistant engineers); H. R. Atkinson (surveyor), H. Vickerman, B.Sc. and H. Patterson (engineering cadets); G. T. Grace, W. Southern, and H. Colvin (clerks); J. J. Fraser (draughtsman); W. J. Reynolds, F. Barrowman, W. H. Green, J. McDonald, J. Nightingale and D. Doyle (overseers); and T. O'Connor (chairman).
, B.E., M. Inst. C.E., was appointed Resident Engineer-in-charge of Public Works at Greymouth, and of the Greymouth Harbour Board, in the year 1893. He came to New Zealand in 1877, from Belfast, Ireland, where he had been on the engineering staff of the Harbour Commissioners.
, Assistant Engineer under the Public
Works Department, has charge of the construction of the Coal Creek State Mine railway, also the Ngahere-Blackball railway, and the Hokitika railway. He was born in 1857 in Dunedin. Mr. McGlashan was educated in Dublin, Ireland, and Edinburgh,
prior to the year 1903 was represented in Greymouth by an officer of the police force, as labour agent, and inspector of factories. Then a permanent inspector, with a separate office, was appointed to have jurisdiction over the entire West Coast. His office is situated in Mackay Street.
was appointed Inspector of Factories and Labour Agent in charge of the West Coast in 1903. He was born in the year 1836 in County Westmeath, Ireland. Mr. Isdell went to Victoria. Australia, in 1859, and came to New Zealand three years later. He was chiefly engaged in goldmining, which he gave up owing to indifferent health.
includes the lines, Greymouth to Hokitika, Greymouth to Reefton, Stillwater to Otira, and Greymouth to the State collieries. The headquarters are at Greymouth, with Mr. J. Ashley as Traffic Manager. The Grey-Brunner railway was constructed under the Nelson and Westland Coalfields Act of 1877, as an outlet for the Brunner coal from the mines to the nearest port. The estimated cost was £200,000, there being four miles of embankment, and a viaduct of a most expensive nature. The Grey-Hokitika railway is twenty-four miles in length, and was constructed at a total cost of £195,000. This was opened in the year 1894, and is very largely used for the carriage of timber and merchandise generally. The Midland
was appointed Traffic Manager of the Westland Section of the New Zealand Railways, in June, 1904. He is further referred to on page 153 in the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia.
, Foreman of Works on the Nelson and West Coast section of New Zealand railways, was appointed to his present position in the year 1904. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to New Zealand with his parents, by the ship “Helenslea,” in 1864. After he left school he learned carpentry, and found employment at that trade for a number of years. In the year 1886, Mr. Bathgatts joined the railway department in Auckland, and continued in that district until he has transferred to Picton in 1896. He held the position of leading bridge carpenter on the Picton section of railways for seven years, and was afterwards for a year bridge inspector on the Wellington-Napier section.
(Maintenance Branch) of New Zealand railways for Westland district, has its head office at the Greymouth railway station. The railways throughout Nelson and the West Coast are under the control of this department. The staff consists of a district engineer, stationed at Grey-mouth, a foreman of works, a bridge inspector and two other inspectors, a chief clerk, a draughtsman, four clerks, and twenty-seven gangs of men employed on the lines. About 200 miles of railway are under the control of the Department.
was appointed Acting District Engineer at Greymouth in the year 1904. He was born in 1877 in Wellington, where he was educated, and entered the railway service in the Engineering Department in 1891, Mr. Widdop was for four years stationed at Wanganui before he received his present appointment.
is situated at the north end of the borough, and contains the traffic manager's, district engineer's, and clerks' offices, besides waiting rooms. A goods-shed, covering over 2000 feet of space immediately opposite the station, is used for town work, and two large sheds on the wharf are used for the import and export traffic. The main station, which was erected in the year 1895, is fitted up with the latest signalling and interlocking appliances. It has an extensive passenger platform, and there is a platform on the wharf across Mawhera Quay. Forty-three persons, including guards, porters, and the clerical staff, are under the control of the station-master, and about fourteen trains arrive and depart daily.
has been Stationmaster at Greymouth, since December, 1904. He was born at Stafford, Westland, in 1867, and received his education on the West Coast. In 1884, Mr. Spindeler entered the railway service in Dunedin, and continued on the Otago section, until he was transferred to Greymouth district. He became chief clerk at the Greymouth station, and held the position for eight years and a-half, before his promotion. As a Freemanson, he is attached to Lodge Greymouth, English Constitution. Mr. Spindeler married a daughter of Mr. J. Duncan, of Dunback, Otago, in 1891, and has one daughter.
was appointed Chief Clerk at the Greymouth railway station in the year 1904. He was born in 1875, at Sandhurst, Victoria, Australia, but was brought to New Zealand in the following year, and was educated at Timarau, Christchurch, and Heathcote. On leaving school, he entered the railway service at Timaru as a cadet, and subsequently served at Christchurch, Rakaia, Temuka, and at Timaru again, before being appointed clerk at Lyttelton, where he served for six years, and was for six months afterwards a relieving stationmaster. Mr. McCarthy was then transferred to Waitotara, where he continued for two years as stationmaster, and was subsequently for five months at Sefton, Canterbury, in the same capacity, and for two years at Springston, whence he was promoted to be chief clerk at Greymouth. Mr. McCarthy is well known in the district as an accomplished violinist. He plays the first violin in the Orchestral Society, and is leader of St. Patrick's choir. In the year 1900, he married a daughter of Mr. George Agar, a well known resident of Lyttelton, and has one son and one daughter.
was appointed Traffic Clerk at the Greymouth railway station in the year 1899. He was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, came to New Zealand in 1884, went to Dunedin, and there joined the railway department as a cadet. In the year 1890, he was transferred to Wellington, where he served for six years in the accountant's office; was in the office of the locomotive superintendent for a year, and was transferred to Greymouth in 1899, Mr. Nicholson married Miss Playle, of Karori, Wellington, in the year 1896, and has one son.
has occupied the position of coaching foreman at the Greymouth railway station since the 20th of January, 1899. He was born in July, 1863, at Stornoway, in the Island of Lewis, in the north of Scotland, where he went to school. Mr. Clark followed a seafaring life for nine years, and became, successively, boatswain, third mate, and second mate. In the year 1876, he came to New Zealand by the ship “Assaye,” and landed at Port Chalmers. In November, 1877, he joined the railway department, in the goods shed, at Dunedin, where he became porter on the platform. He was then appointed signalman, and was afterwards promoted to the position of guard. He married a daughter of the late Mr. McRae, of Glasgow, in the year 1878, and has, surviving, two daughters, and five sons.
consist of a large wood and iron building, near the railway station, and include a fitting shop, a machine shop, a smith's shop, a boiler shop, and a wood workshop, in addition to the running-engine shed. The machinery includes four lathes, three vertical drills, shaping machines,
was appointed Foreman of the Greymouth Railway Workshops and Locomotive Running Shed, on the 16th of April, 1891; he also has charge of the whole of the hydraulic cranes and plant on the wharves at Greymouth. Mr. Watson was born at Stockport, England, and served his apprenticeship at Crewe, under the London and North Western Railway Company. After nine years' service, he came to New Zealand in the year 1880, and arrived at Lyttelton by the ship “Hereford,” on New Year's Day. In December of the following year Mr. Watson entered the Hillside Workshops, Dunedin, and eight years later was transferred, as leading fitter, to the Addington Railway Workshops, Christchurch, where he remained for ten years. Mr. Watson was married in Dunedin in 1887.
occupy a substantial brick and wooden building immediately opposite the loading cranes, and close to the wharf. The engine-room has two 16-inch high pressure cylinders, with a 20-inch stroke. The fly-wheel is six feet in diameter, and the crank discs measure 2 feet 3 inches. The other measurements are: Connecting rod, 3 feet 6 inches, and piston rod, 3 feet by 3 inches. The machinery has been fitted with cleverly designed oil sponges, the invention of Mr. Nuttall, the officer in charge. The engines are from the workshops of Sir William Armstrong. There are two Cornish boilers, which are employed in driving a double-acting horizontal high-pressure steam engine, with 17-inch cylinders and 20-inch stroke, besides a double-acting pump attached to each piston rod. A weight of eighty-six tons is raised seventeen feet, and gives a pressure of 728 pounds to the square inch. The power is thence transmitted to two eight-ton hydraulic cranes on the wharf, where they are used in delivering coal from the trucks into the ship's hold. There are also three capstains to haul the full trucks towards the cranes, as the empties are pushed further along the line.
, who was formerly in charge of the hydraulic machinery, was born in 1857, and is a native of Blyth, England. After receiving an elementary education, he began his industrial life in the boiler-maker's shop of Sir Charles Mark Palmers at Jarrow-on-Tyne. Mr. Nuttall came to New Zealand in 1878, and found employment with the Spring Coal Company He was appointed to take charge of the Government cranes at Greymouth in 1890.
is managed by a committee, composed of the Mayor of Greymouth, and four members of the Greymouth Borough Council; the Chairman and six members of the Grey County Council; and the Mayor of Brunnerton, and one member of the Brunnerton Borough Council. Meetings are held at the Grey Council Chambers, on the same day as the County Council meeting. The contributions for the year 1905 were: £577 from the Grey County Council; £757 from the Greymouth Borough Council; and £147 from the Brunnerton Borough Council; total, £1,481. These moneys carry a subsidy of pound for pound from the Government. In addition to providing funds for the Grey River Hospital, the Board dispenses charitable aid, and grants subscriptions, amounting to £570 a year, to various industrial schools and orphanages. The Grey River Hospital receives about £1500 a year, the Greymouth Benevolent Society £349; £350 is expended on outdoor relief; and salaries and incidentals amount to about £100 per annum. In the year 1905 Mr. J. McLean was chairman of the Board, and Mr. M. Phillips, secretary.
, Chairman of the Grey Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, is also a member of the Greymouth Borough Council.
originally stood on the site now occupied by the Greymouth Post Office, but it was removed in the year 1875, to a site of three acres, about two miles from the centre of the borough, near the seashore. The Hospital consists of two brick wings, and a number of wooden buildings, but it is hoped that the whole of the wooden portions will be replaced in the near future. The Jubilee wing was erected with funds raised at the carnival held during Queen Victoria's Jubilee year, and contains twelve beds. In 1905 a second wing was erected, at a cost of £3,500. The accommodation includes twelve beds in the medical ward, twelve beds in the surgical ward, ten beds in the female ward, and nine beds for old men; and in the wing erected in the year 1905 there is an operating theatre, and twelve beds. The private ward contains nine beds, a kitchen, and a padded cell. There are three reading rooms and a laundry, which is fitted up with the latest appliances for drying by means of steam pipes. About sixty or seventy patients annually pass through the hospital. Accommodation is provided for the nurses in a cottage, which contains four rooms. Good gardens surround the hospital, and some very pretty
, Chairman of the Grey River Hospital Board, is further referred to as a member of the Greymouth Borough Council, and as the proprietor of the Brian Boru Hotel, Greymouth.
Miss Margaret Elsie Fothergill, Matron of the Grey River Hospital, was born in Dunedin, and educated at the Napier High School. She was trained for her profession at the Wellington Hospital, where she served successively as probationer, staff nurse, and sister for four years. Miss Fothergill was appointed to her present position in the year 1902.
became warder of the Grey River Hospital in the year 1883. He was born in the year 1839, in Manchester, England, where he was educated, and learned the trade of a calico printer. Mr. Massey went to Australia in 1861, and in the following year was attracted to New Zealand by the Gabriel's Gully rush. He afterwards removed to the West Coast, and followed goldmining at Ross, Waimea, and Greenstone, for a number of years. Mr. Massey was then employed as a driver on the tramway between Hokitika and Stafford, and in 1871 removed to Greymouth, where he had a small dairy farm for several years. He was appointed to his present position on the 1st of May, 1883. Mr. Massey married a daughter of the late Mr. William Ashworth, of Mancchester, in the year 1860, but she died in 1861, leaving one daughter.
Miss Jane Knight, formerly Matron of the Grey River Hospital, was appointed to the position in February, 1896. Miss Knight is a native of Lancashire, England. She came out to New Zealand in 1886, and was first engaged at the Christchurch Hospital. Whilst in Canterbury, Miss Knight received a thorough training in the art of nursing, and successfully passed her examinations. She holds several certificates of competency and several testimonials from members of the medical profession. Miss Knight resigned her position in 1898, and now (1906) resides in Christchurch.
Miss Marion Hunter Macandrew was formerly a nurse at the
Grey River Hospital. She was born in Dunedin, trained at the Wellington Hospital for nearly two years, and gained her certificates. Miss Macandrew was then appointed head nurse in Dunedin Hospital, and held the position for four years. Her next appointment was as matron of the Kumara Hospital, where she remained also for nearly four years. Miss Macandrew is now (1906) matron of the Ashburton Hospital.
is supported by contributions from the various local bodies and voluntary subscriptions, which are augmented by a Government subsidy. It grants out-door relief when necessary, and has done much good work amongst the poorer classes of the district. The Trustees in charge of the Society are changed annually, two members being appointed by the Greymouth Borough Council, and the other members by the Grey County Council, and the Brunner Borough Council, respectively. Miss E. Smith was acting secretary for the year 1905.
was founded under the Greymouth High School Act of 1883. The Board of Governors consists of six members, two of whom are appointed by the Governor-in-Council, one by the Grey County Council and the Inangahua County Council, respectively, and one, respectively, by the Grey Borough Council and Grey Education Board. Members for the year 1905: Messrs W. R. Kettle (chairman); the Hon. A. R. Guinness, M.H.R., C. Parfitt, E. I. Lord, J. T. Skoglund, and M. Hannan. Mr. F. W. Reimenschneider is secretary. Four annual scholarships are given by the Board; two to town, and two to country, schools. The Board derives revenues from endowments vested in the Westland School Commissioners, and from £1000 invested at interest. An annual contribution is paid to the Education Board of the district of Grey for secondary education.
was appointed Secretary of the Grey High School Board of Governors in the year 1894. He was born in New Plymouth in 1856, and educated at the Bishop's School, Nelson. Mr. Reimenschneider entered the Native Department of the Civil Service, and was stationed at Wanganui for four years. He was subsequently in the Waikato district for two years, and afterwards for ten years in Wellington. Mr. Reimenschneider removed to the West Coast, and was appointed acting clerk to the Westport Borough Council during the illness of Mr. James Payne.
, which is conducted in the District School buildings was established in the year 1883. There are about forty scholars under Mr Alan A.
, the Principal of the Greymouth High School, and Headmaster of the District School, was born in the year 1859, and educated at the best colleges in Dublin, Galway and Paris. Having come out to New Zealand, he received his first appointment in Napier, where he was second master in the Grammar School, under the late Canon D'Arcy Irvine. He resigned this post in order to go to Canterbury, where he was appointed second master in the Rev. Mr. Brown's classical school at Timaru. Mr. Adams has been about eighteen years in the Greymouth school, and has held his present appointemnt since 1890. He is much esteemed, and takes a keen interest in the wellfare of his pupils, large numbers of whom have distinguished themselves in the University, Law, and Civil Service examinations, and his successes long ago established him as one of the most capable teachers in New Zealand. Mr. Adams is married to a native of Nova Scotia.
was appointed First Assistant of the Greymouth District High School in the year 1903. He was born at St. Just. Cornwall, England, in the year 1871, arrived with his parents at the age of six years, in New Zealand, by the ship “Caroline,” and was educated at Westport and Reefton. As a Freemason, Mr. Austin is a Past Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge, New Zealand Constitution, and is secretary of Lodge Mawhera at Greymouth.
, formerly Second Assistant Master at the Greymouth District High School, was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, in the year 1865, and is a son of Mr. W. A. Malcolm, Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland. Mr. Malcohn received his primary education at Tokomairiro, and at the West Christchurch public school, at which he was a pupil teacher for four years. He then became a student at the Normal Training College for two years. He was a relieving master under the North Canterbury Education Board for two years, and matriculated in 1885. Whilst performing his duties as a teacher Mr. Malcolm underwent a two years' term of study at Canterbury College. He is married to a daughter of Mr. R. J. Johnston, late District Engineer, of Greymouth. After leaving Greymouth, Mr. Malcolm went to the North Island.
of the district of Grey. Members for the year 1905: Mr. J. Byrne, chairman: Hon. J. Marshall, M.L.C., Messrs J. Petrie, S. R. Harris, J. Flynn, W. R. Kettle, F. White and J. McCarthy. Mr. J. Kerr is Treasurer, Mr. H. Smith, Inspector of Schools, and Mr. C. Phillips, Secretary. For a long time the whole of the educational districts of Westland were under the control of one Board, but in June, 1881, two separate bodies were formed. In the year 1904 there were thirty-three schools, fifty-seven teachers, and 1384 scholars in the Grey district. The chief schools are the Grey District High School, with a roll of 550 pupils, the Taylorville school, with about 200 children, Cobden school, with 180, and Blackball with over 100 scholars. The offices of the Board are in a brick building in Mackay Street, and were built in 1905 at a cost of £545. The building contains a Board room, and a secretary's room, with a strong room.
, Chairman of the Grey Education Board, was born in the year 1810 in Tipperary, Ireland, where he went to school. He afterwards went to Australia, and landed in Melbourne, in 1859. After some experiences on the goldfields, he removed to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast in 1866. Mr. Byrne is the proprietor of a hotel at Paroa. He was elected to the Grey Education Board in 1887, and has been continuously a member since that date.
, B.A., (New Zealand University), Inspector for the Education Board of the district of Grey, was born in London, England, in the year 1869, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1875. He received his primary education at Geraldine, was a pupil teacher, and served as an assistant master for over eight years. In 1889 Mr. Smith removed to the West Coast, and was appointed head teacher at the Paroa
is situated in Tainui Street at the west end of the town, and is an exceptionally fine wooden building. It contains a separate room for each class, as well as the headmaster's and teachers' rooms. The headmaster is assisted by a staff of fourteen. Very large playgrounds are allotted to the boys and girls respectively, and there is an excellent system of supervision in force. Between 500 and 600 scholars are on the roll. In conjunction with the school, there is a manual class for carpentry, which is taught by Mr. W. Arnott, a builder and architect of great ability. The class, which is entirely selfsupporting, was started some years ago, and has gradually developed until now it is one of the best of its kind in the Colony.
, Greymouth, is a fine wooden building, at the corner of Albert Street and Hospital Street, on two acres of ground, which also contains the Sunday school and vicarage. The church, which has seat accommodation for 600 persons, was designed by Messrs Young Bros., architects, of Westport, and in the year 1905 it was considerably renovated, at a cost of £600. The east end has a very fine stained window, erected to the memory of the late G. T. N. Watkins, who was incumbent for over ten years, and much beloved in the district. Holy Trinity has an excellent pipe organ. There are 300 scholars and twenty teachers on the roll of the Sunday school, of which Mr. Arthur Vickerman is the superintendent.
, Vicar of Holy Trinity Church, and Archdeacon of Mawhera, was born at Nelson, and educated at Bishopdale Theological College under the late Bishop Suter. He was ordained deacon in 1885, and admitted to the priesthood two years later. Mr. York's first appointment was as curate at Brunnerton, where he remained five years. From Brunnerton he removed to Dunedin, and was assistant curate at St. Paul's Cathedral. After making a twelve months' tour of the world, Mr. York was offered and accepted his present living, where he is universally esteemed. He is a broadminded man, and a musician of considerable ability. Mr. York was appointed Archdeacon of Mawhera in 1903. He married a daughter of Mr. Joseph Petrie, of the “Greymouth Evening Star,” in the year 1900.
, Organist of Holy Trinity Church, Greymouth, holds a diploma as Associate in Music from the Royal College of Music, London.
stands in Hospital Street, Greymouth. The building is of wood and iron, and, since its erection in 1870, has been so much enlarged, that it now has accommodation for 300 persons. It is intended, however, to erect a new church on a site in Tainui Street, adjoining the manse. This site of three-eighths of an acre has been bought at a cost of £700, and in 1905 £1200 had been promised towards the cost of the new church. The manse is a commodious wood and iron building, and from its verandah one obtains fine views of the town and sea coast. The district extends from Greymouth to Dunganville, where there is a church with accommodation for sixty persons. Services are also held periodically in the school room at Marsden. St. John's church has a Sunday school, attended by 200 children, under the charge of twenty teachers. The ordinary revenue in connection with the Greymouth charge of the Presbyterian church is from £700 to £800 per annum.
was appointed to the charge of St. John's Presbyterian Church in September, 1892. He is a native of Shetland, where he was partly educated. Mr. Stewart came to New Zealand in the year 1867, and arrived at Lyttelton by the ship “Mermaid,” of the White Star line. He was trained for the ministry under the Colonial Board of the Northern Church, in Canterbury, and in Hawke's Bay. Mr. Stewart was subsequently stationed at Rakaia, Canterbury, for three years, and was ordained in the year 1890 at Woodville, where he remained for four years, and was appointed to his present charge in the year 1892. Mr Stewart has been clerk of the Westland Presbytery since 1892, and for nine years had the chief oversight of the Chinese mission. He has also been Moderator of the Brunner charge since 1892, of the Totara Flat charge since 1899, and of the Reefton charge since 1900. Mr. Stewart married a daughter of the late Mr. Robert Stevenson, of Stafford, West Coast, in the year 1885. Mrs Stewart died on the 2nd of November, 1903, leaving four sons and three daughters.
is situated in Church Street, Greymouth. Its foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Redwood, on the 17th of April, 1887, and the church was opened by Bishop Grimes, on Pentecost Sunday, the 30th of May, 1888. The edifice is a substantial one of brick and is 135 feet in length, fifty-four feet in width, with walls thirty-three feet in height, of Gothic architecture. It was designed by Mr. F. W. Petre, architect, Dunedin, and erected by Messrs Arnott and Seabrook, contractors, Greymouth. In the year 1905 a large and beautiful front—including side porches, a fine tower with bells, and a spire 125 feet high—was erected by Mr. Thomas Bell, contractor, Greymouth. The entire cost of the building, including furnishings, was £800. It will accommodate 800 persons, and the interior is well finished. The property of the Roman Catholic Church at Greymouth inclndes the Convent, in charge of the Sisters of Mercy, who conduct the Girls' High School, the parish school, and the Catholic schools at Brunnerton; a monastery for the Marist Brothers, who conduct the Boys' School; and a fine presbytery. The Very Rev. Dean Carew is priest in charge, and is asisted by the Rev. Father Taylor.
S.M., took charge of St. Patrick's, Greymouth, in 1884, and has been an earnest worker. He was instrumental in erecting the new church and schools in Greymouth, at Brunnerton, and the Catholic chuiches at Reefton and Capleston, the parochial residences of the Catholic clergy in Palmerston North and Greymouth, and the fine club rooms for the young men of his congregation in Greymouth. Dean Carew was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in the year 1849, and completed pleted his studies for the priesthood at the Catholic University School, Leeson Street, Dublin. He was ordained in Ireland in 1874 by Archbishop Redwood, and arrived in New Zealand in 1875. During his residence in New Zealand, Dean Carew has been stationed, respectively, at Napier, Reefton, Palmerston North and Greymouth.
extends as far as Barrytown, twenty miles to the north, to Rutherglen, six miles to the south, and to Taylorville, eight miles to the east, of Greymouth, and now includes the State coal mine township of Runanga. The principal church is situated in Tainui Street, on a quarter-acre section. The building is of wood and iron, with seat room for 275 persons; it is intended to erect a new building at an early date, towards which there is in hand a sum of £300, and the present church will then be used as a school. A vestry adjoining the church is capable of seating fifty persons, and there is also a parsonage of nine rooms. At Taylorville, a wood and iron church owned by the connexion, has accommodation for 200 persons.
was appointed to the charge of the Greymouth Methodist circuit in April, 1905. He is further referred to on page 519 of the Otago volume of this Cyclopedia.
, No. 1233, English Constitution, was founded in the year 1868. Quarterly meetings are held in the Masonic Hall, Greymouth. Officers for the year 1905: Messrs E. Holmes, Worshipful Master, and T. Saywell, Secretary.
, No. 136, New Zealand Constitution, was founded in November, 1904. It has a membership of sixty, and meetings are held monthly in the Lodge room over the Union Steamship Company's offices, in Werita Street. Officers for the year 1905: H. P. Stark, Worshipful Master; A. S. Dunford, Senior Warden; W. J. Watson, Junior Warden; and W. S. Austin, Secretary.
, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, was founded in the year 1867. Meetings are held fortnightly at the Lodge room in Gilmer's Hotel. There is a membership of sixty-eight, and the accumulated funds amount to nearly £4000. Officers for the year 1905: Messrs E. Warnes, Noble Grand; W. Cunliffe, Vice-Grand; T. Eddy, Grand Master; J. Martin, Elective Secretary; and E. Hopkins, Permanent Secretary.
, United Ancient order of Druids, No. 37, District 13, was founded in Greymouth in the year 1881. There is a membership of 180, and the accumulated funds in November, 1904, amounted to £731. The Lodge meets on alternate Wednesdays in the Druid's Hall, Hospital Street. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. J. Ryan, Arch Druid; Mr. W. Turley, Vice-Arch; Mr. H. E. West, Secretary; Dr. J. McBrearty, Treasurer; Messrs J. Jackson and S. Levinson, Arch Druid Bards; Messrs R. Willis and J. Mallett, Vice-Arch Bards; Mr. J. Vergurson, Outer Guard; Mr. G. Martin, Minute Secretary; and Mr. E. Ashton, District President.
, Secretary of Lodge Star of the West since its formation in the year 1881, was born in 1847 in Essex, England, where he was educated. He afterwards went to Australia in the year 1863, by the ship “Sunda.” Four years later, Mr. West came to New Zealand, and was for a time engaged in gold mining at Charleston. He removed to Greymouth in 1876, and in 1878 became accountant to Messrs Thomas and McBeth, with whom he has since remained. Mr. West served for some time as a member of the school committee, and has taken an active interest in all sports. He married a daughter of the late Mr. William Harrison, of London, in the year 1868, and has five sons and four daughters.
, Past District President of the Order of Druids, and Minute Secretary of Lodge Star of the West, Ancient Order of Druids, was born in the year 1869 at Whangamarino. He was educated at public and Catholic schools in Greymouth, was afterwards for ten years with the firm of Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, solicitors, and was subsequently for two years shipping clerk to Mr. Martin Kennedy. Later, Mr. Martin was employed for nine years at the wharf in Greymouth, under the Union Steamship Company; and since the year 1903 he has been employed by the Railway Department on the wharf.
was established in the year 1902. This club holds an annual show on Arbour Day, in the month of July, in each year. The shows are held in the Opera House, Greymouth, and have been very successful; a profit of over £60 or £70 is made in connection with each show, and a large number of prizes are awarded every year. The club has a considerable number of movable cages, and is continually increasing them, so as to make the annual show more effective. Patron, the Hon. A. R. Guinness, Speaker of the House of Representatives; President, Mr. J. A. Petrie; and Messrs W. Arnott, J. Steer, T. W. Ponsonby, and G. S. Smith, vice-presidents. Mr. W. E. Reynolds is treasurer, and Mr. J. B. Merrett, secretary.
Club is managed by thirteen stewards, and a secretary, Mr. E. A. Wickes. The club owns fifteen acres of land, known as Victoria Park, and the race meetings are well patronised. In 1904, the club established the New Zealand Futurity Stakes (No. 1) of £1000. Under this scheme it is intended to hold trotting meetings in the years 1907 and 1908, to test the capacities of horses foaled in the year 1905. This is an American plan, which is as yet a novelty in New Zealand.
was established in the year 1903. Shows are held annually on the 30th of November, and the 1st of December, in Victoria Park, Greymouth. At the shows of 1903 and 1904, the Association was very successful, and £300 were given away in prizes. The Association is doing a great deal to foster the agricultural and dairying interests of the West Coast. Officers for the year 1905; Mr. J. Petrie, president; Mr. W. E. Reynolds, treasurer; Mr. J. B. Merrett, secretary; a number of vice-presidents, and a committee of fifteen.
. The hatching ponds were formerly situated at Omotuomotu, but have latterly been-transferred to Ikamatua. The Society liberates into the various streams and rivers of the district between 50,000 and 100,000 trout annually, and it has also introduced fallow deer and black opossums. Officers for the year 1905: Mr. T. W. Wilson, president; and Miss E. Smith, secretary.
has a membership of twenty-six persons, and the band is equipped with a full set of brass instruments. Officers for the year 1905: H. Seymour, conductor; W. Garth, bandmaster; W. Cox, deputy bandmaster; and H. Rogers, secretary.
was appointed Conductor of the Second Nelson Infantry Battalion Brass Band in February, 1905. He was born in the year 1869 at Swinden, Wiltshire, England, where he was educated, and learned engineering. Mr. Seymour subsequently adopted the musical profession, and was for some time connected with theatrical companies in London and the provinces, and conducted an orchestral band of his own. He came to New Zealand in December, 1904, and arrived in Wellington, by the s.s. “Gothic.” Mr. Seymour afterwards fulfilled professional engagements in Auckland, appeared at Government House with the City Band, and removed to Greymouth in 1905, to take charge of the Second Nelson Infantry Battalion Band. He married a daughter of the late Mr. George Thompson, of Cheltenham, England, in the year 1889, and has one daughter.
was established by Messrs Kerr, Keogh and Arnott in 1865. It is a penny morning paper, containing twenty-eight columns of closely-printed matter, on double demy paper. In politics it is neutral, but it favours Liberalism in its truest form. The machinery of the office is driven by a two horse-power steam engine, and is all of modern construction. The various departments are arranged in a systematic manner, and although in the one establishment, they are yet separate in themselves. The jobbing trade forms no inconsiderable portion of the business. The total staff of the office numbers sixteen.
one of the founders of the “Grey River Argus,” was born in Dumfries, Scotland, on the 6th of October, 1834. He served his apprenticeship on “The Dumfriesshire and Galloway Herald,” and subsequently worked for two years on “The Dumfriesshire Courier.” Mr. Kerr went to Melbourne, Australia, in July, 1858, and was on “The Melbourne Age” for three years, where he was a fellow employee with Mr. George Fisher, who afterwards became well known as a politician in Wellington. In 1861, Mr. Kerr crossed to New Zealand, and obtained employment on “The Otago Daily Times,” when Sir Julius Vogel was at its head. After four years he went to the West Coast, and in conjunction with Messrs Arnott and Keogh established “The Grey River Argus.” In time the proprietary was formed into a company under “The Limited Liabilities Act.” Mr. Kerr is further referred to as a former member of the Legislative Council. He died at Westport on the 25th of August, 1901.
was founded in the year 1866 by the late Mr. James Brown, who was known in his day as “Snyder Brown.” It was afterwards conducted by Mr. J. Tyrell, of Westport, and subsequently by Mr. Joseph Ivess. Mr. Joseph Petrie, who had the management of the paper for some time during Mr. Tyrell's proprietorship, also started a small paper named the “Mail.” In 1875 he bought “The Evening Star” from Mr. Ivess, and has since been closely associated with the paper. “The Greymouth Evening Star” Company, Limited, was registered in the year 1895. The building is in Mackay Street, and was erected in 1902; it is of two stories, in brick, and contains a full modern plant, including linotypes, and the latest printing machinery. The “Star” is a four-page paper, and contains thirty-six columns. It is issued every evening, with an occasional supplement, and has a large circulation in Greymouth, and the country districts of Westland generally. Its politics are of the Independent Liberal order, and interesting information is supplied by correspondents from all parts of the West Coast. Mr. Joseph Petrie, who is a large shareholder, is editor; and is further referred to as a former member of the House of Representatives. Mr. F. H. Kilgour is manager.
are conducted in the Courthouse, Hospital Street, Greymouth. The building, which was erected in the year 1876, is of wood and iron, and contains a court room, a public office, and offices for the judge, the magistrate, and the clerks. The District Court sits quarterly, the Warden's Court fortnightly, the Magistrate's Court weekly, and the Police Court as required. The Magistrate rerides at Greymouth, and holds regular sittings at Brunnerton, Ahaura, Reefton, Lyell, Murchison, Westport, and Charleston. Municipal by-law and petty cases are taken by Justices of the Peace during the absence of the Magistrate. The district is one of the largest in New Zealand, and difficult to supervise, as its scattered settlements necessitate constant travelling. Formerly it was divided into two districts, each having its own Magistrate. Mr. W. R. Haselden is District Judge, Mr. G. W. K. Kenrick, Warden and Stipendiary Magistrate, and Mr. B. Harper, Clerk of Court.
was appointed Warden and Stipendiary Magistrate for the district of Grey, on the 1st of February, 1904. He practised his profession as a solicitor on the Auckland goldfields for some years before he received his present appointment. Mr. Kenrick resides in Greymouth, and holds courts at Westport, Reefton, Lyell, Charleston, and Ahaura.
Solitor. Mackay Street, Greymouth. Established in 1896. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia, Ltd. P.O. Box I. Private address, Alexander Street. Mr. Coates's business connection extends from Ahaura to Kumara. Mr. Coates, who was born in Greymouth in the year 1868, is a son of Mr. W. J. Coates, and received his education at Christ's College, Christchurch. He was articled to Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, with whom he served four years. Subsequently, he was engaged in farming, but he returned to the profession, and having passed his examinations in 1895, he set up in business in Mackay Street.
P., Barrister and Solicitor, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This practice was established in the year 1903 by Mr. Harper, who was born in Christchurch, Canterbury, educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and subsequently graduated B.A. at Oxford University. In 1888 Mr. Harper was called to the English Bar, at the Inner Temple, London, and shortly afterwards returned to New Zealand. In 1892, he again visited
L.F.P.S.G., L.M.G., M.P.S., Physician and Surgon, Hospital and Tainui Streets, Greymouth. Dr. McBrearty is the son of a Glasgow merchant. He was born in Greenock, Scotland, in the year 1844, and educated at Glasgow University, and at the Andersonian Institute where he studied for the profession, and was successful in acquiring his degrees. Dr. McBrearty was for a term in the Glasgow Hospital, and practised at Glasgow and Greenock for nearly three years. Towards the end of 1866 he came to New Zealand as surgeon on the ship “Viola.” After his arrival he went to reside in West Taieri, Otage, where he practised for about eighteen years. In 1885, Dr. McBrearty removed to Kumara as surgeon-superintendent of the Hospital, and five years later he established himself in his profession in Greymouth. He is surgeon-major of the Naval Volunteers, and also surgeon to the Druids, and for some time he stood in a similar relation to the Hibernian Society. He was surgeon to the Brunner mines for five years, and at the time of the great disaster he was for three days and three nights in continuous attendance on the sufferers. Dr. McBrearty is vice-president of the Greymouth Trotting Club, and of the Amateur Athletic Association, and president of the Oriental Football Club. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Wilson, of Alloa, Clackmannan, Scotland, and has three sons, one of whom—Dr. J. McBrearty, junior—is now (1966) practising in Greymouth.
Surgeon, Greymouth. Mr. Millington, who is registered as a Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery, London, established his practice in Greymouth in the year 1890, removed to Picton three years later, and continued to practise till May, 1898, when he returned to Greymouth. Mr. Millington was born in Liverpool, England, and educated at the University College, London. He landed in New Zealand in 1890.
M.D., M.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C.P. (Lond.) and F.R.C.S. (Edin.) Greymouth. Private residence, Cowper Street. Dr. Morice is Surgeon-Superintendent of the Grey River Hospital, Greymouth.
Surgeon and Mechanical Dentist, Hospital
Pharmaceutical Chemist and Druggist, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. P.O. Box 51; Telephone, 118; Bankers. Union Bank of Australia, Limited. Mr. Williams established his business in Greymouth in the year 1865, on Richmond Quay, and thus opened the first chemist's shop in the Grey district. About five years later, he bought out Mr. Ewan Prosser, of Mawhera Quay, and it is on this site that the business is still conducted. The pharmacy is considered one of the most up-to-date in the colonies, and is completely stocked with toilet requisites, perfumery, genuine patent medicines, pure drugs, and chemicals. A feature of this establishment is the dispensing of physicians' prescriptions, and family recipes, in which the purest drugs are used. All prescriptions are compound ed by thoroughly qualified dispensers. On the 1st of February, 1905, Mr Williams disposed of his business to his two sons, Charles Philip Williams and Lilly Joseph Williams, who are both qualified chemists, and have had considerable experience at the drug business. They enjoy the confidence of the public, and are recognised as first class chemists.
, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth, was established in the year 1865. Mr. J. E. Denniston (now Mr. Justice Denniston) became teller shortly after its opening. The bank has been burnt down on three occasions, the last time in 1892, after which the present premises were erected. They are thoroughly up-to-date in every respect, no expense having been spared to make the interior comfortable; indeed, the premises are said to be the best in Greymouth. The assay plant and smelting house are the most complete on the West Coast, and are supplied with a double furnace, generators, and all the appliances necessary for separating fine silver and gold.
was appointed Manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Greymouth in the year 1903, and had previously been manager at Hokitika for about five years.
, formerly manager of the Bank of New South Wales at Greymouth, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1858. He came out to the colonies in 1864, with his parents, who settled in southern Otago. His father was for many years manager of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company. Mr. Campbell first joined the service of the National Bank of New Zealand, in which he remained for two years. He was afterwards for two years engaged in farming, and then joined the Bank of New South Wales at Dunedin in 1877. Mr. Campbell has been stationed in different parts of the colony; he was accountant at Napier, Wanganui, and Auckland respectively, and previous to being appointed to Greymouth, in 1894, he was manager at Hawera. He is now (1906) connected with one of the Government departments in Wellington.
, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. The Union Bank of Australia has been represented in Greymouth since the seventies, and is the only branch of the Bank on the West Coast. The original premises were dedestroyed in 1879. The present building is of wood and iron,one storey in height, and the manager's private quarters are attached to the building. The staff includes the manager and five officers.
, Greymouth, is situated at the corner of Mawhera Quay and Tainui Street, and immediately opposite the Greymouth wharf. The branch was opened in the year 1865, under the management of Mr. John Kissling. The present premises were erected in May, 1878, and consist of a handsome twostoried building. The bank does an extensive gold-buying business, and exports the bullion direct. The staff includes a manager and six officers.
was appointed Manager of the Bank of New Zealand in Greymouth, in the year 1901. Mr. Henry joined the North of Scotland Bank in 1881, seven years later he became an officer of the Colonial Bank in London, and in 1901 was transferred to the head office, in Dunedin, New Zealand. He continued an officer of the bank till its amalgamation with the Bank of New Zealand in 1895, and has since continued with the Bank of New Zealand.
, formerly manager of the Greymouth branch of the Bank of New Zealand, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1854. He was educated at Tavistock Grammar School, and came out to the colonies on the first voyage of the Orient liner “Lusitania,” in 1877. On reaching Auckland, Mr. Goldsworthy almost immediately joined the service of the Bank of New Zealand, and was afterwards stationed at various centres in the Auckland, Otago, and Westland districts. He now (1906) holds a commercial position in Auckland.
, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. This branch was established in the year 1873. The present Bank premises are in brick, one storey in height, and were erected in 1894. There is a fine suite of offices with a large strong room, and a smelting house at the back. The Bank has a valuable connection, and nine officers are employed on the staff.
, Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, Limited, is one of the oldest working officials on the West Coast, and entered the Bank's service in the year 1873. Mr. Broad was born in Williamstown, Victoria, and is a son of the late Mr. Charles Broad, Resident Magistrate, and was educated at the Bishop's School, Nelson. Mr. Broad's first appointment in the bank was at Reefton, and since then he has filled positions at Kumara, Waimate, Wanganui, Goldsborough, Rimu, and Hokitika. He entered on his present duties in September, 1890.
, West Coast branch, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. This office was opened in March, 1893, and the business of the society on the West Coast, is managed by the officer in charge.
was appointed District Secretary of the Australian Mutual Provident Society's branch at Greymouth in the year 1905. Mr. Kemp is the eldest son of Dr. W. G. Kemp, formerly of Wellington. He was born in January, 1871, and was educated in Wellington, and at Wanganui College. Mr. Kemp afterwards entered the service of the Australian Mutual Provident Society in Wellington, in 1888, and was subsequently appointed to Greymouth. While in Wellington, he was a member of the Thorndon Bowling Club.
for the West Coast district is situated in Tainui Street, Greymouth. The building contains a public office, an agent's room, and the resident agent's private room. The staff consists of the officer-in-charge and a clerk.
was appointed Resident Agent of the Government Life Department at Greymouth in the year 1904. He was formerly a teacher at Auckland, and entered the service of the Government Life Department in 1893.
(George William Moss and George Thomas Moss), Auctioneers, Stock and Station Agents, Valuators and Land Transfer Brokers, Mackay Street, Greymouth. The premises occupied by this firm were built in the year 1903. They are modern and convenient, and the site on which they stand comprises a quarter of an acre of leasehold land. The firm of G. W. Moss and Co. holds regular weekly stock sales at Greymouth, Ahaura, and at Totara Flat, where they own sale yards. Sales of property are held as required. Messrs Moss and Co. are agents for the New Zealand and London and Lancashire Insurance Companies, and agents for Lloyd's of London, England. As shipping agents, they act for the Wanganui and Wellington Steam Packet Company, the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company, and are Greymouth representatives for Messrs Cassidy and Company's line of coaches to Christchurch. They also act for the Dresden Piano Company, of Dunedin.
, Senior Partner of the firm of G. W. Moss and Company, established the present business in the year 1865, when he came to Greymouth as agent for the old Panama Company's boats. He afterwards represented Messrs McMeekan
, Junior and Managing Partner of the firm of G. W. Moss and Co., was born in London, England. He came to New Zealand at an early age, was educated on the West Coast, and afterwards joined the Railway Department, in which he served for about four years. Since the year 1885, Mr. Moss has been connected with the firm of G. W. Moss and Co., and has acted as managing partner since 1891.
(James Daniel Lynch), Auctioneers and General Agents, Mackay Street, Greymouth, and Hamilton Street, Hokitika. This business was established in the year 1865 by Mr. Mark Sprot, who inaugurated the Live Stock Auction business on the West Coast, and alternate weekly sales of stock have since been regularly conducted at Greymouth and Hokitika. In addition to the regular weekly sales of stock at Greymouth and Arahura, large auction sales of fat and store cattle, sheep etc., are held periodically at Totara Flat saleyards, near Reefton. The firm has an extensive business connection throughout the West Coast in the many departments of its trade, and employs a large staff. It is attorney and agent for the Manchester and Atlas Fire Insurance Companies, controlling the West Coast from Belgrove in Nelson district, southwards; and district agent for the National Mutual Life Association, China Traders Marine Company, and New Zealand Government Accident. The shipping department of the firm is represented by agency for the coastal steamers s.s. “Torgauten.” “Himitangi,” and “Queen of the South.” Large consignments of produce from Canterbury and Blenheim pass through the firm's hands for distribution throughout the counties of Grey, Westland and Inangahua. As financial agents and absentee representatives a leading position is occupied, numerous clients entrusting the firm with their investments.
, Principal of the firm of Mark Sprot and Co., was for many years a bank manager, from which position he retired in the year 1898, in order to take up the business which his well known energy, ability, and tact have advanced to a position second to none on the West Coast. He is local director and part proprietor of the “Grey River Argus” Newspaper Company, the Greymouth Fresh Food and Ice Company, Grey Land and Timber Company, and the “West Coast Times” Newspaper Company. Mr. Lynch is also largely interested in the sawmilling industry, and other industrial concerns, in all of which, as in his business, he takes the keenest interest. For some years he has been a member of the Greymouth Borough Council. Mr. Lynch is a trustee of the Hokitika Savings Bank, and is a steward of the Westland Racing Club.
, Commission, Shipping, and Insurance Agents, Richmond Quay, Greymouth. This company was incorporated in the year 1902, and took over the business of Mr. E. A. Wickes, which had been successfully conducted for a number of years. The directors are Messrs E. A. and H. J. Wickes, and J. B. Merrett, who is also secretary. The offices of the firm are situated in a substantial brick building which contains a public office, and three private rooms, well lighted, and suitably finished and fitted up. The company has agencies for the West Coast Timber Trading Company, the Phoenix Fire Insurance, Australian Widows' Fund, Ocean Accident Corporation, Thames and Mersey and Australian Alliance Marine offices, New Zealand Plate Glass Company, Diamond Confectionery Company, Jubilee Incubator Company, Brunner Sawmill Company and Reid and Grey, Dunedin. It also does the secretarial work of the West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Greymouth Poultry Club, the Jameson's Reward Gold Dredging Company, and undertakes general shipping and insurance business. In 1905 the firm opened a poultry supply store that is completely equipped with everything requisite for the growing industry of poultry raising.
F.G.S. (Lond.), M.F.I.M.E. (Eng.), M.M. (N.Z.), Consulting Mining Engineer and Metallurgist, Greymouth, Specialties: Reports, Lode and Hydraulic Mining. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. P.O. Box 77. Telegraphic address, “Daniel, Greymouth.” Codes, Moreing and Neal, A.B.C., Universal Mining. Mr. Daniel, who is a leading mining authority, was born at Ballarat in 1860, and is a son of the late Mr. James Daniel, mine owner of Victoria. In 1870 (after his father's death) he came to New Zealand. He was educated at the Otago University, studied at the School of Mines, and served his engineering articles with the firm of Davidson and Conyers of Dunedin. He then followed practical mining and holds the New Zealand Government mine manager's seven years' service certificate. His mining experience is very extensive, and his reports upon mining properties are of exceptional value. During 1895 he examined the whole of the mining reserves of the West Coast in connection with the Midland Railway Arbitration case. He has also undertaken the floating of many large properties with considerable success. He is the New Zealand representative of Dr. John Storer, Reginald A. F. Murray, and Lawrence Elson, the eminent Australian scientists and mining specialists. In social life Mr. Daniel is exceedingly popular.
, formerly an Architect, Artist, and Draughtsman, Mackay Street, Greymouuth, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the year 1874, and is a son of the late Mr. James Bennie, of Brunnerton, and at one time an engineer and a mine manager in the south of Scotland. He came out to New Zealand with his parents by the ship “Timaru,” in 1880, and finished his education in the Working Men's College, Melbourne, where he also studied under Mr. Thomas Searell, the well known Melbourne architect. During the seven years that Mr. Bennie studied under this gentleman he was entrusted with the practical work of the plans and specifications for the Hobart Exhibition, in connection with which he was generally praised as a rising artist, and obtained two gold medals for pen and ink work and water colours. On settling on the West Coast, Mr. Bennie established himself in business as an architectural artist and teacher of painting. Mr. Bennie submitted designs to the postal authorities in Wellington for the new
, sometime a Civil and Mining Engineer, Authorised, Lieensed and Registered Mining Surveyor, and Architect, at Greymouth, was engineer for a number of mining companies, including the Croesus (Paparoa) Gold Mining Company, the Taipo, Waiwhere and Pactolus Sluicing Companies, and other important updertakings. Engaged on engincering and mining works on the West Coast since its earliest days, he and his brother (Mr. R. A. Young) established the firm of Young Brothers, at Greymouth in the year 1873, and for many years carried on a very extensive practice. They designed, carried out, and were sole engineers for the works of the Westport Colliery Company at Westport. These works rank amongst the foremost engineering works in New Zealand, and at the time of their construction, they were of greater magnitude than any other colonial works of similar character. In 1886, Mr. C. Napier Bell, the Midland Railway Company's chief engineer resident in the colony, engaged Mr. H. W. Young as his chief assistant engineer, and after Mr. Napier Bell's retirement Mr. Young remained as chief assistant to the engineer-in-chief, the late Mr. Robert Wilson, and was acting chief enginear during Mr. Wilson's absence from New Zealand. Mr. Young was an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, member of the Federated Institution of Mining Engineers, of the Society of Architects, and of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors. He died some time ago.
Artist and Photographer, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. Established 1880. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, Tainui Street. The studio is a twostoried building, situated in the principal thoroughfare, and is undoubtably one of the best equipped in the Middle Island. Mr. Ring's superior work and finish have obtained for him a very wide patronage. He sent a fine specimen of his work to the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, held in London in the year 1866, and gained a medal for artistic beauty, excellence of finish, and general softness of work. His views of New Zealand are surpassed by those of no other firm in the colony, and the collection is in every way replete. Some of his productions in the pages of the Cyclopedia speak for themselves. Mr. Ring was born in London, England, where he was educated, and brought up as an artist. He went to America, and for some time was a diligent student, in the famous studio of Messrs Allen and Rowell, Boston, and gained an extensive knowledge of photography in its varied branches. Mr. Ring came to New Zealand in 1879, in the ship “Pleione,” and landed at Wellington, where he set himself up in Molesworth Street; but owing to illhealth he went to the West Coast, where he established his studio in 1880. He is a church worker, and has been superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school for over twenty years. He is also a member of the school committee.
General Baker and Confectioner, Tainui Street, Greymouth; private residence, Thompson Street. This business was originally established as a co-operative bakery, and was acquired by Mr. Costigan in the year 1897. The building is of wood and iron, and contains a shop and bakehouse. Mr. Costigan was born on the 28th of September, 1868, at Maori Gully, where he was educated. He learned his trade as a baker at Brunnerton, and afterwards worked at Hokitika. Mr. Costigan was subsequently employed by the Bakers' Co-operative Society, from which he bought his present business. He is a Past Master of the Hibernian Society. In the year 1896 he married a daughter of Mr. P. Finnegan, of Ireland, and has four daughters and one son.
Baker and Confectioner, Chapel Street, Greymouth. This business was established in the year 1898 by Mr. Jones, and acquired by the present proprietor in 1904. The premises consist of a wood and iron building, which contains a shop, residence, and bakery; there is also a stable in connection with the establishment. Mr. Robertson was born in the year 1880, in the Isle of Arran, where he was educated. He
Builder and Contractor, Greymouth. This business was established by Mr. Bell in the year 1900. Since that time he has carried out contracts for important public buildings, as well as a large number of cottages in various parts of the town and suburbs. Messrs Thomas and McBeath's brick building, which faces Herbert Street, the Greymouth Town Hall, and the new spire of the Roman Catholic church were constructed by Mr. Bell. In connection with his various contracts, Mr. Bell often employs twenty persons. He was born in Northumberland, England, on the 13th of April, 1859, educated at Sunderland, and when only eleven years of age, commenced his first experience of carpentry. He arrived in New Zealand on the 5th of November, 1879, and landed at Lyttelton, where he continued until the year 1887. After being for a short time employed in farming in North Canterbury, Mr. Bell removed to the West Coast, and settled in Greymouth, where he found employment at his trade until he established his present business. He married a daughter of the late Mr. A. W. Millar, of Rangiora, in 1885, and has, surviving, one son and two daughters.
(Ernest M. Holmes and Henry Holmes), Painters, Paperhangers, Oil and Colour Merchants, corner of Tainui and Mackay Strects, Greymouth. The premises comprise a one-and-two storey building, with a frontage of twenty-four feet by a depth of fifty feet. The partners are direct importers of all descriptions of painters' and paperhangers' requisites, of which they keep a large stock for the wholesale and retail trade.
was born at Hokitika in 1869, and was brought up to the painters' and paperhanging trade by his father. He afterwards removed to Greymouth, and worked for Mr. John O'Hogan until the latter's death. His father then bought Mr. O'Hogan's business, of which Mr. Ernest Holmes and his brother took charge in 1884. Later on, the business became their own property, and they now (1906) conduct it in partnership.
, Merchant Tailor, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This business was established in the year 1901, and is conducted in a double-fronted shop, with cutting and work rooms behind. There is a general assorted stock of tweeds and trimmings, and an expert cutter and twelve persons are employed. Mr. Cohen was born in the year 1841, in Germany, where he was educated and learned tailoring. At the age of fifteen, he went to England, where he had five years' experience of mercantile life at Shields. Mr. Cohen went to Australia, in 1861, and followed his business for three years. In the year 1865, he came to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast, where he followed goldmining for a time. Mr. Cohen was subsequently engaged in storekeeping at Totara Flat for fourteen years, and then he established his present business.
(Thomas Patrick Fogarty and Kim Heller Williams). Mercers and Boot and Shoe Importers, Boundary Street, Greymouth. This firm was established in the year 1903. The premises consist of a double-fronted verandah shop of wood and iron, with a fitting room, offices and store. A general stock in all departments is maintained.
, of the firm of Fogarty and Williams, was born in the year 1875 at Red Jack's. He was educated in Greymouth, and learned his trade with Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Fogarty was afterwards manager of the Kaiapoi branch of the New Zealand Clothing Company for two years and a-half, and of the Feilding branch for six months. He became a partner in the firm of Fogarty and Williams in the year 1903. Mr. Fogarty is a member of the Greymouth Fire Brigade, and has been a member of the Greymouth Band for about fifteen years.
, Junior Partner of the firm of Fogarty and Williams, was born in Paroa, in the year 1876. He was educated in Greymouth, and was brought up to the mercery business in the local branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, in which he remained for about twelve years. Mr. Williams became a partner in the firm of Fogarty and Williams in the year 1903.
(William Thomas Kyle and James Kyle) Merchant Tailors. Mackay Street, Greymouth. This business was established by Kyle Bros. in Greymouth on the 3rd of March, 1903. The premises consist of a wood and iron building of one storey, which contains a double-fronted shop, an office, and fitting and work rooms. About sixteen persons find steady employment in connection with the business, and in the busy season as many as twenty persons are employed.
, Senior Partner of the firm of Kyle Brothers, was born in the year 1879, in Greymouth, where he was educated, and learned tailoring. He afterwards went to Wellington where he learned the business of a cutter, and had experience at Te Aro House. Mr. Kyle then became foreman for Mr. D. Sankey, of Vivian Street, for five years, and was subsequently joined by his brother, when they commenced business under the style of Kyle Bros. While in Wellington, Mr. Kyle took an interest in labour organisation, and was chairman of the Te Aro branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation. In the year 1903 he removed his business to Greymouth. Mr. Kyle is a member of the Greymouth Young Men's Improvement Society.
, Drapers, Outfitters, and General House-furnishers, Greymouth. Head establishment, Hokitika. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This firm is one of the oldest in Westland, and was founded at Hokitika early in the sixties. The Greymouth branch was opened in the year 1896. The premises now occupied were taken over in 1902, and had previously been used as an auction room. The building is of brick and iron, and has been re-arranged to suit the purposes of the drapery trade. It consists of a double-fronted verandah shop, with a top light, and measures about thirty-three feet by seventy feet; and the land extends to Mackay Street, from which there is an entrance.
, Manager of Messrs W. McKay and Son's branch at Greymouth since the year 1900, was born in 1870, in Hokitika, where he was educated. He learned his business with the late Mr. W. F. Fowler, with whom he continued for fifteen years. On the death of Mr. Fowler he was appointed to his present position. Mr. Nightingale married a daughter of Mr. W. Morrish, bootmaker, of Greymouth, in the year 1898, and has three sons and one daughter.
, formerly Manager of the Greymouth branch of Messrs William McKay and Son, took charge of the Greymouth business on the inception of the branch. He is a native of Cornwall, England, and is a son of Mr. H. Oliver, well known in mining circles. After leaving school, he entered the drapery establishment of Mr.
, Greymouth Branch, corner of Mawhera Quay and Albert Street, Greymouth. This well known firm opened its Greymouth branch in the year 1883, and does a very extensive trade. Full lines are stocked in the clothing, mercery, and boot departments. By almost every boat arriving at Greymouth cases of goods are received from the chief establishments at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The firm is also agent for the celebrated “Victory” sewing machines.
, Manager of the Greymouth branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, was born in Otago, in 1860, and is a son of the late Mr. Thomas Ferens, who came to New Zealand in 1848, in the ship “John Wickliffe.” He was educated at the Oamaru Grammar School, and adopted the clothing trade as his vocation. Mr. Ferens was in the employment of the firm in Dunedin until 1885, when he was transferred to Greymouth to manage the branch in that town, and has built up an excellent business for his principals. He is an old athlete, and is also a member of the choir of St. John's Presbyterian church.
Merchant Tailor, corner of Mawhera Quay and Albert Street, Greymouth. Branch at Kumara. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia, Ltd. Mr. Williams was born in Oamaru in the year 1868, and is a son of Mr. J. E. Williams, formerly well known in shipping circles in Otago. He served an apprenticeship to his trade, was for three years with Messrs Ballantyne and Co., of Christchurch, and gained, besides, valuable experience in leading tailoring establishments in Christchurch and Wellington. Mr. Williams' business premises have frontages of twenty-two feet and thirty feet respectively; the lighting arrangements are of the best, and dust-proof glass cases display to advantage the latest importations. The building is fitted throughout with shelving, which occupies over 9000 square feet of wall space. But even with all this space at his disposal, Mr. Williams is often at a loss to find room for the incoming season's goods, as he carries by far the largest stock on the West Coast. The workroom, which is situated over the shop, embraces an area of about 750 square feet of floor space, and gives employment to thirteen persons, who are experienced tailors. Mr. Williams imports the whole of his stock from England and the Continent, a large percentage being from Huddersfield, in the West of England. For fit, style, and finish, his establishment ranks second to none, each garment speaking for itself. The business connection is rapidly expanding throughout the West Coast, and, besides that, there are customers now residing between Auckland and Invercargill, whose orders are as regular as the seasons. Mr. Williams has the welfare of the district at heart. He is a Freemason, a member of the Jockey Club, and of other sporting clubs.
Coal Merchant and Carrier, Hospital Street, Greymouth. This business was established by the late Mr. Martin Kennedy, who died in the year 1904, and has since been conducted by the present proprietor. Mr. Kennedy's stables contain eight stalls and three loose boxes, and about eight horses and drays are employed in connection with the business. Mr. Kennedy had contracts for carting materials for the builders of the Roman Catholic church spire, and the Hospital wing, which were erected in 1905; also the contract for the new Town Hall, and carting for the Borough Council. He was born in June, 1872, in Greymouth, where he was educated, and was employed in connection with his father's business, which he acquired in 1904. Mr. Kennedy has been a member of the Greymouth Fire Brigade since 1895, and a member of the Catholic Band since its formation, and of the Order of Foresters since 1902. He married a daughter of the late Mr. W. Sullivan,
Hairdresser and Tobacconist, Cosmopolitan Hairdressing Saloon, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. Private residence, Herbert Street. This business was established by the late Mr. John Muller, in the seventies, and was bought by the present proprietor in September, 1904. The building is of wood and iron, and contains a saloon suitably fitted up, and a shop with a verandah. Mr. Deere was born in the year 1867, in County Limerick, Ireland, where he went to school. He arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, by the ship “Fernglen,” in 1879. Mr. Deere afterwards removed to Greymouth, learned the grocery trade, and was in the employment of Messrs Griffin and Smith for twenty-two years. He acquired his present business in 1904. Mr. Deere married a daughter of the late Mr. Jeremiah O'Brien, of Hokitika, in April, 1891, and has four sons and one daughter.
(Daniel Sheedy, proprietor), Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. This hotel was established by Mr. Sheedy in the year 1865. The first building was burnt down, and the present one was erected in 1885. It is a two-storied building in wood and iron, and contains about thirty-five rooms, of which the greater number are bedrooms. There are five sitting rooms, and a dining-room capable of seating thirty guests. Mr. Sheedy is further referred to as a member of the Greymouth Borough Council.
(Jeremiah M'Carthy, proprietor), corner of Mawhera Quay and Boundary Street, Greymouth. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This well known hostelry has the reputation of being one of the best houses on the West Coast. The building, which was erected about the year 1887, is of two stories, and contains twenty-one comfortably furnished bedrooms, several sitting-rooms, and a commercial room. The dining room is capable of seating thirty people. The billiard room is fitted with one of Alcock's best full-sized tables. An excellent table is maintained, and liquors of the best brands are supplied to customers. The “Commercial” is centrally situated, and easy of access to passengers by trains and steamers.
, the Proprietor, was born in Bendigo, Victoria, and came to New Zealand in 1869. He is a very popular landlord. Mr. M'Carthy is further referred to as a member of the Greymouth County Council.
(Thomas Oxenham, proprietor) corner of Mawhera Quay and Tainui Street, Greymouth. This hotel was established in the year 1865, and has been conducted by Mr. Oxenham since 1896. The building is a two-storied one of wood and iron, with a large balcony on two sides, and contains fifty-two rooms, including thirty-nine bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, a dining-hall capable of seating sixty guests, a billiard room which contains three tables, and three sample rooms. The “Gilmer” is well known as one of the leading commercial hotels on the West Coast. The proprietor, Mr. Oxenham, was born in the year 1850 at Enfield, Middlesex, England, where he was educated. He was afterwards apprenticed to the printing business, and was for many years with Messrs Waterlow and Sons, of Finsbury Pavement. After that he carried on business on his own account in Garlick Hill, London. Mr. Oxenham came to New Zealand in the year 1887, and landed in Wellington by the s.s. “Rimutaka.” He went to Petone, where he built the first hotel in the township, and conducted it for nine years. Afterwards he removed to the West Coast, settled at Greymouth, and acquired the Gilmer Hotel in 1896. As a Freemason, Mr. Oxenham is treasurer of Lodge Mawhera, No. 136, Greymouth.
(John Keller, proprietor), Corner of Tainui Street and Mackay Street, Greymouth. Telephone, No. 50. This business was established in the year 1903. It is conducted in a three-storied building of wood and iron, and contains thirty-three rooms, including twenty-four bedrooms, three sitting rooms, a dining hall capable of seating fifty guests, lavatories and baths, and two shops on the ground floor. The general sitting room measures thirty-three
, Proprietor of the Greymouth Coffee Palace and Tea Rooms, was born in May, 1863, in Victoria, Australia. In 1867, he came to New Zealand with his parents, who settled on the West Coast. Mr. Keller was for twenty-two years in the Kumara district, and was employed principally at mining and carpentry. He afterwards removed to Greymouth, built the Coffee Palace in 1903, and is assisted in the management by Mrs Keller. Mr. Keller has also twenty acres of leasehold land at Gladstone, and uses it as a farm for the production of vegetables, milk, and eggs. As a volunteer, he served for about nineteen yours and a-half in the Kumara Rifles, of which he was for a time sergeant, and was for ten years a member of the Kumara Band. Mr. Keller has won two cups in shooting competitions, and won the Martini-Henri Rifle, presented by the Premier, Mr. Seddon, for the best shot in a triangular match between three teams of ten, selected from Kumara, Ross, and Hokitika. In 1890, he gained a silver medal as the best shot in the Kumara Rifles, and in 1894, won a gold medal as the best shot in the South Island; and he also holds a long service medal for sixteen years' service. Mr. Keller is a member of the Order of Foresters, Kumara. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Green, of Ross and Blenheim, in the year 1882, and has four daughters and one son.
Plumber, Gasfitter and Tinsmith, Hospital Street, Greymouth. Mr. Brimble has at different times undertaken several contracts for plumbing and gasfitting, including those at the Post Office, State school, and the large Greymouth drillshed. He was born in Bristol, England, in the year 1853, and arrived in Australia with his parents in 1860. The family remained in Victoria two years, then crossed over to New Zealand, and settled on the West Coast in 1865. Mr. Brimble was for a period of seven years in the employment of Mr. Thomas Ballinger, of Wellington, where he first became thoroughly acquainted with his trade.
(Engineers, Boiler makers, Iron and Brass Founders and General Smiths), Greymouth. This company was registered in the year 1875, with a capital of £12,000 in 12,000 £1 shares. The board of directors consists of Messrs Felix Campbell, Andrew Matheson, P. M. Griffen and G. S. Smith. The secretary and manager are Messrs William Rae and Joseph Hambleton respectively. Previous to the incorporation of the company Messrs Rae and Sewell had commenced business in the various branches, but as the trade expanded beyond their anticipation, the company was formed. The company has paid regular dividends to shareholders. At present it employs sixty persons. It has in its time manufactured 8000 feet of waterpipes for the Humphrey's Gully Company, a hundred tons of girders for the Otira Gorge bridge, ten-head stamper batteries, and sets of joints and crossings for the Government railways, besides the usual work for the sawmills, sluicing and crushing claims, coal mines, etc.
J.P.F.I.A.N.Z., Secretary of the Company, owns nearly half of the shares, and is a native of Haddington, Scotland. He was educated at the Haddington High School, and proceeded to Glasgow, where he served his time as an accountant in a merchant's office, but, like many others, he thought of trying his fortune in Australia, and landed in Melbourne in the year 1852. He was immediately engaged by the late firm of Messrs Edmund Westby and Co., as accountant, and remained in the position for four years. Then he went to the Bendigo goldfields, where he bought a share in a steam puddling mill. The
ground proved to be exceptionally rich for some time, but he eventually sold out and commenced business as a sawmiller with his partner, Mr. G. F. Walker, in Bendigo. Prices were high, and the speculation turned out a most profitable one. When gold was found at Gabriel's Gully, New Zealand, Mr. Rae left for Dunedin, and commenced business as a timber merchant; but when, the “rush” to Hokitika was in full swing, he moved thither, and entered into the timber trade with his late partner, Mr. Haworth. The business
, the Manager of the Dispatch Foundry Company, Limited, entered on his present duties in 1889. He has his private residence in Puketahi Street, Greymouth. Mr. Hambleton was born in Manchester, England, in 1844. His father was an engineer by profession and he followed the calling in his native town, where he was for several years with Mr. Isaac Watt-Bolton. Mr. Hambleton sought further experience in the United States. He worked on the gunboats of the Mississippi during a time of war, and was employed on Rhodes Island by the noted firm of Corless and Nightingale, patentees of the “Corless” engine. After returning to the Old Country, Mr. Hambleton came out to New Zealand by the ship “Stornoway,” and landed at Port Chalmers in 1868. For twelve months he was on the ship “Star of the South,” trading between Napier and Auckland. After that, he established himself in Dunedin, where he conducted the Britannia Iron Works for three years. Mr. Hambleton then returned to a seafaring life for sixteen years, during which he was in various steamers, as chief, second, and third engineer. Latterly, for five years, he was chief engineer on the “Herald,” and left that position to take charge of the Dispatch Foundry. Mr. Hambleton has been shipwrecked on three occasions, one of which was on the ill-fated “Star of the South,” which was wrecked on the Greymouth breakwater. Mr. Hambleton married a daughter of the late Mr. William Galbraith, of Nulton Mills, Glasgow, and has three sons and three daughters.
Westland Sheet Metal Works, Greymouth. Established at Hokitika in 1865, and at Greymouth in 1887. Mr. Heinz is a direct importer of English and American goods. He does all manner of plumbing works, constructs and repairs hot water services, and does gasfitting and tinsmithing in all their branches. Mr. Heinz manufactures dairy utensils, factory cans, milk dishes, etc., and is in a position to fulfil orders for 10,000 feet of pipes for mining purposes. He was the first on the West Coast to make these pipes, and everything he makes is made of the best material and sold at the cheapest rate. Mr. Emil Heinz, manager of this business, is a son of Mr. William Heinz, Hokitika. He learned his trade in New York, United States of America, and holds diplomas of the New York Technical Trade Schools.
Tinsmith and Canner of Whitebait, corner of Tainui Street and Convent Lane, Greymouth. Established in 1865. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Private residence, High Street. This enterprising trader, who carries on a considerable business, employs three persons, who are kept busy all the year round, supplying orders for the local trade and the West Coast generally. In the year 1884, Mr. Foxcroft established a whitebait canning factory in a substantial building situated in High Street. Four or five tons are usually put through during the season, according to the plentifulness of fish in the Grey river, and are shipped to Australia, where there is a favourable market. Mr. Foxcroft is a native of Manchester, England, and came in 1853 to Australia, where he remained until 1861, when he crossed over to New Zealand, and worked on the several goldfields of the West Coast with varied success. In addition to tinsmithing, Mr. Foxcroft does a large plumbing and gasfitting business.
Farrier and General Blacksmith, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This business was founded by Mr. Greaney in the year 1895, and is conducted in a brick building, which stands on leasehold land. Mr. Greaney was born in 1875 in Greymouth, where he went to school. He learned his trade in the district, and entered into business at the age of twenty. Mr. Greaney was a member of the Greymouth Band for fourteen years, and was for seven years a member of the Fire Brigade. He married a daughter of Mr. Alexander Donoghue, of Ross, in the year 1903.
(Edwin Barlow) Cycle and General Engineers, behind Messrs Mark Sprot and Co.'s Auction Room, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This business was acquired by the firm of Barlow and Company in the year 1904. There is a suitable plant for repairing cycles, sewing machines, locks, guns, and all kinds of fine work. Machines are chiefly built from Birmingham Small Arms parts. Messrs Barlow and Co. are agents for the “Rex” machine, from Messrs Inglis Bros., of Wellington, and for the “English Premier,” from Mr. Clarke, of Palmerston North. Mr. Barlow was born in the year 1867, in Worcestershire, England, where he was educated, and learned engineering. He came to New Zealand in 1883, and landed in Wellington from the ship “Wanganui.” Mr. Barlow settled in Christchurch, where he was chief engineer for the “Lyttelton Times” Company for over seventeen years. He subsequently removed to the West
Cycle Engineer, Tainui Street, Greymouth. This business was established in the year 1901, and is conducted in a wood and iron building, which contains a shop with a verandah, a repairing and building shop, and an enamelling room with nickel bath, and complete appliances for the trade. “The Greymouth Special,” from Birmingham Small Arms parts, is the name of the machine built on the premises.
was born in the year 1870, in Berlin, Germany, where he was educated and learned engineering. In October, 1890, he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, and was for eight years in the cycle trade for various firms; and then he came to New Zealand to take charge of the Greymouth branch of the firm of Massey-Harris cycle manufacturers. Two years and a-half later, Mr. Schultze resigned his position, and found employment as a fitter in the Government railway workshops. He afterwards started business on his own account in the year 1903. Mr. Schultze is a member of the Greymouth Boxing Club. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Goold, of Victoria, on the 5th of March, 1894, and has three sons and two daughters.
Engine Smith, Boundary Street, Greymouth. This business has been conducted since September, 1904, by Mr. Williams, who was born in Wales, England, in the year 1842. He was educated near London, where he learned his trade. Mr. Williams went to Australia in 1867, and was for about twelve years in Castlemaine, where he was in partnership with his father. He came to New Zealand in 1879, and settled on the West Coast. Mr. Williams was for five years at Ross, and afterwards went to Hokitika, where he was contractor for iron work on the wharf. He subsequently established himself in business in Kumara, where he was for a number of years, and, later, worked for various mining companies at Reefton. Mr. Williams then removed to Westport, where he started business on his own account, and in the year 1899, settled in Greymouth. He was employed for two years in the Dispatch Foundry, and worked on the railway line for the Public Works Department, for about eighteen months. Mr. Williams married the daughter of the late Mr. Fletcher, of Launceston, in 1872. Mrs Williams died in 1890, leaving two daughters and one son.
, Wholesale and Retail Boot and Shoe Manufacturers and Importers, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. Head establishment at Wellington, with branches throughout New Zealand. This branch was opened in the year 1886, and an excellent stock, especially suitable for the locality, is always on hand. The branch does a large and increasing business, the celebrated “Palace,” boots being in great demand.
, formerly Manager at Greymouth for R. Hannah and Co., was born at Bendigo, Australia. He came to New Zealand when quite young, and entered the firm's employment at Wellington. After serving his apprenticeship, Mr. Startup went to sea, and was employed on several of the Union Steamship Company's boats for a period of eight years. He re-entered the service of Messrs Hannah and Co. in 1896, and, on leaving Greymouth, returned to the North Island.
(Thomas Hannam, manager), Wholesale and Retail Family Butcher, corner of Albert Street and Mackay Street, Greymouth. Head establishment, Revell Street, Hokitika. This branch business was opened by Mr. Hannam in the year 1892, and receives its supplies from Hokitika. A good trade is done in Greymouth and its suburbs.
(A. Hildebrand and Jesse Steer), Wholesale and Retail Family and Shipping Butchers, Small Goodsmen and Preservers, Boundary Street, Greymouth. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. This firm, which is reputed to be the largest butchering business on the whole of the West Coast of the Middle Island, has an exceptionally smart looking front shop, and the general cleanliness of the whole establishment is very noticeable. The glazed tiled walls, shaded in dark blue, and the heavy marble counters, imported direct from Italy, are attractive and much admired. Mr. Steer believes in having everything abreast of the times. The large American Buffalo weighing-machine is a novelty seen in but few shops in the country, and is capable of weighing with the greatest accuracy from an ounce to a ton. The firm buys only the best quality of cattle, sheep, lambs, and pigs, and pays the highest price for stock. The weekly output numbers from ten to twelve carcases, and over sixty sheep, exclusive of pigs and calves. Messrs Hildobrand and Co. are also the largest makers of small goods on the West Coast, and possess a plant for this class of work second to none in New Zealand. The curing of bacon and ham is carried on, on an extensive scale. This is a now departure, but the success that has attended the “Mawhera” brand has been phenomenal, and the firm is likely to make more extensive improvements in this department, which should be a boon to the district, as pig-raising is a very profitable investment if a ready market can always be obtained, and Messrs Hildebrand and Co. provide such a market. Another branch of the business is the preserving industry. Whitebait, beef, tongues, sausages, and other articles in season, are preserved and shipped to Australia and different parts of New Zealand. The firm also possess a cool storage and ice-making plant, and supplies ice in any quantity. Ever alive to the requirements of the public, the firm is resolved to build up a business equal to the best in New Zealand.
, the Managing Partner of Messrs Hildebrand and
Company's business, has been associated with the firm for more than twenty
, Produce and General Merchants and Furnishing Manufacturers, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. P.O. Box 47; telephones, 28, 58, and 59. The late Mr. J. W. Easson established this business about twenty-four years ago. Some years later, Mr. J. W. Easson, junior, was admitted into partnership, and since the death of Mr. Easson, senior, in 1892, the business has been carried on in the old style by the two sons, Messrs J. W. Easson and Percy George Easson. The firm's premises on Mawhera Quay have a frontage of thirty-three feet and extend back to Mackay Street, and the old premises on Richmond Quay have been turned into a furniture factory, which has a frontage of fifty feet; and there the firm manufactures all kinds of furniture and upholstery. Indeed, the factory is the largest of its kind on the West Coast, and every department is under the management of an experienced specialist. The warehouses are stocked on a large scale with all the lines of a general store. In addition to its stores and factory, the firm owns the West Coast Cycle Works, in Mackay Street, where a large business is done in every branch of bicycle work; repairs are efficiently executed, and “Remington,” Humber,” “White,” and “Triumph” bicycles are on sale. The firm has also a branch at Westport, and altogether the Messrs Easson have, by means of commercial talent and enterprise, made their business one of the largest and most noteworthy on the West Coast.
(W. R. Kettle and Charles Kettle), Merchants, Importers, Indentors, Wine and Spirit Merchants, and General Commission Agents, Mawhera Quay and Werita Street, Greymouth. Telephone, 17. P.O. Box, 44. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. Private residences, Mr. W. R. Kettle, Tainui Street; Mr. Charles Kettle, Turamaha Street. This well-known firm was founded by Mr. W. R. Kettle in the year 1882, in premises previously occupied by Messrs F. and J. Hamilton on the same site as the present building. Business increased rapidly, and after one or two changes to larger quarters, Mr. Kettle bought the bonded store of Messrs F. and J. Hamilton, as well as a vacant section on Mawhera Quay, and in 1886 a large store in Tainui Street. In 1889 Mr. Charles Kettle was taken into partnership; and thus strengthened, the firm continued to add very largely to the success of its operations. Two years later, the Tainui Street premises were burnt to the ground, and, as the firm was uninsured, it lost heavily. Notwithstanding this, Messrs Kettle Brothers leased Coates' bond, and pushed trade with unabated vigour. But they were again the victims of a fire, which, breaking out in Mr. North's drapery establishment, swept the front block from Waite Street to Werita Street. By this second disaster the firm was a great loser, but its members were by no means disheartened. They re-opened their second store on Upper Mawhera Quay, where they continued till their new building was ready for occupation. The main portion of this fine brick building has a frontage of forty-four feet to Mawhera Quay, by sixty-eight feet to Werita Street, and is the handsomest business house on the West Coast. It was designed by Mr. W. H. Young, and built at a cost of £2000. The four main windows have 400 square feet of plate glass. The stock is valued at £5000, and is of the best quality. The very large amount of support the firm enjoys is ample proof of the quality of its goods and the moderation of its charges.
, the Senior Partner of the firm, is fully referred to in another article, as a former Mayor of Greymouth, Mr. Kettle is a Justice of the Peace.
(George L. Tacon and P. Tansey; I. Nashelski, accountant), General Agents and Indent Merchants; Manufacturers' Representatives; Sharebrokers and Company Managers; Office, McLean's Buildings, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This rising and enterprising firm was established in the year 1902. The offices include a large public office and two private rooms, and storage for goods is provided in another building. The principal lines handled by the firm are grain and produce, butter, hams, and bacon, candles, etc., and the owners also handle timber as selling agents. The firm represents many of the leading New Zealand manufacturers as sole agents; and its business extends over the whole Coast, including Nelson; and only the trade is supplied. As insurance agents, Messrs Tacon, Tansey, and Co. are direct agents for the Government State Fire Insurance Department, and are also brokers to the Government Accident Insurance Department. The firm's business is of an extensive nature, and from a modest beginning has been of rapid growth.
was born in in the year 1873, in Christchurch, where he was educated at the West Christchurch school and the Boys' High School. He served with Messrs Whitecombe
and Tombs, Limited, and Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co., as clerk for two years after leaving school. Then he went to sea as an apprentice with the New Zealand Shipping Company, and voyaged on the sailing vessels of that line to London and other parts of the world. On completing his apprenticeship, Mr. Tacon retired from the sea, and settled in Otago, where he followed mining for some years, with varying success. Mr. Tacon received an appointment at Greymouth, in 1900, as manager of a large Otago syndicate. On the collapse of the mining movement, he founded his present business, and, a little later, joined Mr. Tansey in partnership. He married a daughter of Mr. J. E. March, Superintendent of
was born in the year 1878, on the West Coast, where he was educated, and trained for a mercantile life. He commenced business on his own account at Kumara, in 1899, as an accountant, sharebroker, insurance, and general agent; and took a prominent and creditable part in the dredging movement, and the collapse which followed it. On leaving Kumara, in 1902, he removed to Greymouth to join Mr. Tacon. He resides at Greymouth, and is unmarried.
was born in Christchurch in 1878, and was educated at the Boys' High School, and Christ's College, Christchurch. He received an appointment in 1897 as bookkeeper to the recently formed Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand; and remained at Reefton in that position until 1905, when he removed to Greymouth to join the staff of Messrs Tacon, Tansey and Co. Mr. Nashelski is unmarried.
(George Joseph Whitaker and Bernard Fear Whitaker), Booksellers and Stationers, Boundary Street, Greymouth. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. This is a branch of the firm, whose headquarters are in Lambton Quay, Wellington, and was opened by Mr. George Whitaker in the year 1887. The shop has a very fine appearance, and contains the largest direct imported stock of books, and the latest novelties and fancy goods, in Greymouth. The firm makes a specialty of engineering, mining, and technical books, and of educational books for primary and secondary schools.
, the Managing Partner at Greymouth, was born in Handsworth, Staffordshire, England, in the year 1850, and brought up to the railway waggon-making trade at the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Waggon Company's Works in Handsworth. He came to New Zealand in the year 1874 by the ship “Salisbury,” and worked at his trade in Wellington. Wanganui, and Foxton before establishing the firm's business in Greymouth.
Railway News Agent and Bookseller, Keller's Buildings, corner of Tainui and Mackay Streets, Greymouth. Mr. Young has an up-to-date shop, where all the leading books and magazines may be obtained. He is also news agent on all the trains of the Westland section of railways. Travellers can depend on getting from Mr. Young or his employees, everything they may require in the way of light and entertaining literature. Mr. Young was born in the year 1884, in Timaru, where he went to school, and at eleven years of age was engaged in selling papers. In 1895, he started on the Dunedin-Christchurch section of railways as agent for several papers, and in 1904 took over his present business. Mr. Young has made several trips to Australia.
Grocer, Provision Merchant, Woolbroker, and Coal Merchant, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This business was established by Mr. Matheson in the year 1878. It is conducted in a wood and iron building, which contains a verandah, and a double-fronted shop with offices. Mr. Matheson also owns, on the opposite side of the street, a large wholesale store, which has a wool and skin department. He is further referred to as a former Mayor of Greymouth.
Grocer and Provision Merchant, Tainui Street, Greymouth; private residence, High Street. This business was established in the year 1895 by the firm of Rowe and Truscott, and has been conducted by Mr Truscott since 1902. The premises consist of a wood and iron building, which contains a verandah, a large double-fronted shop with offices, and an extensive store room behind. Mr. Truscott imports largely from England and America, and goods are delivered throughout the district. Mr. Truscott was born in the year 1865, in Cornwall. England, and came to New Zealand with the parents in 1873. He was educated at the Thames, Auckland, and was brought up to a mercantile life. Mr. Truscott settled in the Greymouth district, where he found employment until 1895, when he established his present business. He is a member of the Order of Druids. In the year 1899, he married a daughter
(Benjamin Hart), Sailmaker and Oilskin Manufacturer, Mackay Street, Greymouth. This business was established in the year 1879 by Mr. C Hansen, and conducted by him until the year 1904, when it was purchased by the present proprietor, Mr. B. Hart. The establishment consists of a shop and three workrooms, and five, persons are employed in the business. In addition to sails, tents, and oilskins, canvas hose pipes for sluicing claims are manufactured. Mr. Hart is further referred to as a member of the Greymouth Borough Council.
Carrier, Herbert Street, Greymouth. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Agent for the New Zealand Express Company. Mr. Anderson was born in Denmark in the year 1840, went to sea when fifteen years of age, and finally came to New Zealand in the ship “Alice Thorndyke,” as mate of that vessel. In 1867, he tried his luck at the diggings at Charleston and Addison's Flat. He then went to Greymouth, and in 1869 he established the carrying trade, which has gained for him the reputation of being a most reliable man; and his business is now one of the best known on the West Coast.
Coach, Livery, and Bait Stable Proprietor, Ashton's Livery and Bait Stables, Boundary Struct, Greymouth. This business was established in the year 1865, by the late Mr. E. Ashton, who died in 1898, and was succeeded by his son, Mr. Edwin Ashton. The premises consist of wood and iron buildings, erected on freehold land, about a quarter of an acre in extent. The stables contain fifteen stalls and two loose boxes; and about fourteen vehicles, and sixteen horses are employed in the business. Mr. Edwin Ashton was born in February, 1867, in Greymouth. He was educated in the district, and at the Bishop's School, Nelson. Mr. Ashton afterwards succeeded to his father's business in 1898. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge Greymouth, and is also District President of the Star of the West Greymouth-Reefton and Dunollie Lodge of Druids. Mr. Ashton married a daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Horn, of Wanganui, in the year 1890, and has one son and one daughter.
General Carrier, Greymouth. This business was established in the year 1892. The premises contain a residence, and there is a stable with three stalls. Two vehicles are regularly employed in the business. Mr. Rugg was born in 1872, at Kumara Junction, near Kumara, where he went to school, and learned his trade.
Carrier and Forwarding Agent, near the Gas Works, Chapel Street, Greymouth. This business was established by Mr. Ryan in the year 1899. He finds employment for two horses and traps, and undertakes all kings of carrying work. Mr. Ryan is further referred to as captain of the Greymouth Fire Brigade.
(James Duncean, proprietor), Coal Creek, Greymouth. This mill is situated near the Coal Creek bridge, about three miles from Greymouth. It possesses a complete and up-to-date plant, including one portable and one stationary engine, a twin saw breaking-down bench, one breast bench, a planing machine, and a hauling engine of eight horsepower of the latest design, built at the Dispatch Foundry, Greymouth. The capacity of the mill is about 7000 feet per day, and fifteen persons are employed. The timber—red and white pine—is carted to Greymouth by road. Mr. Duncan owns about 214 acres of timber.
, Proprietor and Manager of the Coal Creek Sawmill, also conducts a dairy farm at Coal Creek, where he has a comfortable homestead. He was born at West Taieri, Otago, in the year 1863, and brought up on a farm. Mr. Duncan afterwards learned sawmilling, an occupation formerly followed by his father. He was subsequently contracting and managing mills in Southland, and in 1901 removed to the West Coast. Later, Mr. Duncan started a small mill at Coal Creek, and established his present mill in 1903. He gave the timber for the local school, which was afterwards removed to Runanga. Mr. Duncan at one time was a competitor in chopping and sawing contests. He is married, and has a family of seven sons and three daughters.
Sawmill Manager, Greymouth. Mr. McAlpine is employed by Mr. Perotti, a well known Greymouth sawmiller and speculator. He is generally in charge of one of Mr. Perotti's mills, but is largely employed in erecting and altering mills, and dredges, etc., Mr. McAlpine was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1864, came to New Zealand in 1876, and settled in the Canterbury district, where he was engaged in farming for some years. He has had considerable experience in connection with farming machinery, especially traction and portable engines, and for some time was owner of a traction plant. Mr. McAlpine removed to the West Coast, and was engaged in sluicing for about two years. He then became connected with the sawmilling industry, and has been employed by Mr. Perotti since the year 1897. Mr. McAlpine holds a second class certificate for traction and portable engines. He is married, and has four children.
(D. Tennent, manager; W. T. Ogilvie, secretary), Timber Merchants and Sawmillers, Greymouth Sash and Door Factory. Sawmills at Arnold's Siding, Kokiri, Kaimata and Greymouth. This company was incorporated in the year 1904, when the businesses of the Greymouth Sash and Door Factory, and of Messrs Stratford, Blair and Company were amalgamated. The four splendid mills of the firm are all driven by steam power, and the latest, most modern, and most complete machinery is at work in each mill. About 1,000 acres of freehold, and 3,000 acres of leasehold timber lands, are worked by the company. Red, white, and silver pine and birch (beech) are the timbers used, and are among the best selected and carefully dried on the Coast. The total output of timber from the mills is from four to five million feet annually, and the greater portion is exported from Greymouth. The Sash and Door Factory is centrally situated in Greymouth, and the building measures eighty-nine feet by forty feet. Many thousands of feet of well seasoned timber are kept in stock, ready for manufacturing purposes. The plant, which consists of a large American moulder, a chain saw mortice, chisel mortice, fret, and band saws, plane moulder, and all necessary machinery, is driven by a twenty-three brake gas engine. From 100 to 120 persons altogether are employed in connection with the mills and factory.
, one of the principal proprietors of Stratford, Blair and Company, sawmillers, was born in the year 1849, at the Hutt, near Wellington, where he went to school. He commenced work in connection with farming, and removed to the West Coast, in 1869. For some time Mr. Stratford was engaged in contract work in the construction of railway and county bridges. In the year 1887, he commenced a sawmilling business, in conjunction with Mr. Blair, under the style of Stratford and Blair. The firm was afterwards changed to Stratford, Blair and Company, and was incorporated as a limited company, under the same style, in February, 1905. Mr. Stratford married a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Pelling, of Greymouth, and has three sons.
, Secretary to Messrs Stratford, Blair and Company, Limited, was born in Christchurch, in 1882, and was educated in Greymouth. He was brought up to the timber trade, and became clerk, and, later on, bookkeeper, for Messrs Stratford, Blair and Company. On the formation of the new company in September, 1904, he was appointed secretary. As a volunteer, Mr. Ogilvie has been a member of the Grey Rifles since 1899, was promoted to the rank of corporal in 1902, and sergeant in 1905. He is also a member of the Grey senior football team, and takes an active interest in rowing.
. Headquarters, Richmond Quay, Greymouth, Secretary, Mr. E. A. Wickes; manager of Christchurch branch, Mr. H. B. Coupe. This company is formed of sawmillers in the Grey and Westland counties, and was established in the year 1895 for the mutual protection of the trade. Each sawmill proprietor is a director of the company. The company has engaged the services of a timber expert in Melbourne, and its shipments to that port in white pine alone, for butter-box making, sometimes exceed 2,000,000 feet per year. The schooners “Zion” and “Sir Henry” convey freights round the coast of New Zealand and to intercolonial ports.
, Secretary to the West Coast Timber Trading Company, has been connected with the company since its inception. In
addition to his secretarial work, he engages actively in a commission agency business, and his shrewdness fits him well for the many responsible undertakings with which he is connected. As an accountant and financial agent, he occupies a high position in Westland. Mr. Wickes, who has an excellent knowledge of goldmining, is secretary to the Mahinapua Dredging Company, Golden Lead Gold Mining Company, and the Kakanui Gold Mining Company. He is also agent at Greymouth for the Pheonix Fire Insurance Company, of London, the Australian Alliance and the New Zealand Plate Glass Insurance Company, besides being the sole agent in Westland for the Remington typewriter. Mr. Wickes was born in Greymouth, and is the eldest son of Mr. Edmund Wickes, one of the colony's earliest settlers. He was educated at Melville House Collegiate School, Christchurch, and entered the establishment of his father,
, who was one of the pioneers of Nelson, and particularly of the West Coast, was born in Kirby, Lonsdale, Westmorland, England, in the year 1827, and spent most of his early days in the West Riding of Yorkshire and the several centres of the coalmining industry. He arrived at Nelson, New Zealand, in 1857, and after undertaking a few minor contracts in that locality, he gave his attention to coalmining, and was the first to open up—in the year 1861—the noted Brunner mine. Mr. Batty brought the coal down to the port in canoes at first, but with an indomitable perseverance he soon had forty men employed, with barges carrying twenty-four tons, and horses to draw them up the river. However, as he possessed only a permit, and was not granted a lease, the mine was taken from him on a change in the Superintendency of the province, and a lease was granted to a company which proposed to make a railway to the port, and build wharves, etc., but failed to carry out this undertaking. Its lease was afterwards cancelled, and the mine was then worked successfully by the Nelson Provincial Council for some years. Mr. Batty also prospected Coal-brookdale and Mount Rochfort in the Buller district, and finally directed his attention to the Seven Mile or Port Elizabeth districts at the Grey. Mr. Batty discovered several seams there and at the Ten Mile; but wearying of his efforts to promote a company to work them, he retired to a life of farming, and continued to be so engaged until the time of his death.
, founder of the well-known firm of Hildebrand and Co., and one of the earliest settlers on the West Coast, was born in Germany, and brought up to the trade of a butcher. He emigrated to Australia in 1862, but almost immediately came to New Zealand, where he settled at Dunstan, Otago, and was present at the “rush” of 1863. Mr. Hildebrand removed to the West Coast in the year 1865, and opened a butchery at Stafford, a mining town six miles from Hokitika. After that he went to Greymouth, where he started the business which now bears his name. He was for many years connected with the Grey Racing Club, and was also a prominent Oddfellow. For over six years he was a member of the Greymouth Borough Council, to which he belonged at the time of his death, which took place on the 31st of December, 1894. Mr. Hildebrand's funeral was one of the largest that had ever taken place in Greymouth, and his fellow councillors acted as pall-bearers. His death was deeply regretted, and the local newspapers spoke highly of his many good qualities. Mr. Hildebrand's widow, who survives him, is a daughter of Mr. William Steer, of Greymouth, who is referred to in another article.
is a well known settler in the Greymouth district. He is the second son of Mr. John Jones, Pentra, near Llanidloes, Montgomeryshire, North Wales, England, where he was born in the year 1855, and brought up to lead mining. In 1875, he came to New Zealand by the ship “Orpheus,” and landed at Port Chalmers. Mr. Jones, with his young wife, went to Kaitangata, where he took a contract for driving the main heading in the mine, and was afterwards employed at hydraulic sluicing at Kumara. Later, he was engaged in sinking the Coalpit Heath shaft, at Brunner, and took a contract for driving in the Brunner mine, and struck the coal in the dip. Mr. Jones subsequently contracted for sinking shafts and driving tunnels at Reefton. He worked out a claim at Barrytown, and exploited a large sluicing claim at Kumara, and one at Fife's Terrace. He then went to Greymouth, and bought the Post Office Hotel, which he rebuilt, and managed for twelve years. Mr. Jones was one of the partners who took up Republic Healey's Gully Sluicing claim, and floated it into a company under the name of Republic Healey's Gully Sluicing Company. This claim, which is about twenty miles from Greymouth, is still worked, and Mr. Jones is managing director. He is also a director of the Montgomery's Terrace Mining Company. Mr. Jones, in conjunction with partners, has an interest in a farm of 100 acres of freehold, and 600 acres of leasehold, and in a sawmill at Red Jack's. He was one of the first to start dredging on the West Coast, and is the patentee of Jones' Patent Gold Saving Table. Mr. Jones was one of the founders of the Greymouth Trotting Club, of which he is still a member; he served for ten years in the Greymouth Rifles, and was also a member of the Grey Rifle Club, of which he was a crack shot. As a Freemason, Mr. Jones is a member of the Greymouth Lodge. In 1875, when he was twenty-one years of age, he married a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Jones, of Bryndwr, North Wales.
, who was for twenty-four years a member of the Grey County Council, was an old settler in the Maori Creek district, now known as Dunganville. He was born in the year 1832, in Dundee, Scotland, where he attended school. Mr. McKechnie went to sea at an early
, who was a member of the Grey County Council for nearly twenty consecutive years, was an old resident of Barrytown. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in December, 1838, and followed farm work till he reached his majority, when he embarked for Victoria, in the American vessel “Scurling,” chartered by the White Star Line. Mr. Ryall landed in Melbourne in 1860, and worked there till the close of the following year, when he went to Otago at the time of the “rush” to Gabriel's Gully. For five years he had the usual goldfields experience. He went to the West Coast in 1866, and eventually settled down in Barry-town, where he conducted savings bank and money order business for the Government for some time, and gave his services as local postmaster for about twenty-five years. He was appointed Warden's agent at Barrytown in 1885, and held the position for many years. Till 1897, Mr. Ryall carried on the business of a general storekeeper, when he retired in favour of his son. He was a hard working member of the County Council, and did much to improve the district. Mr. Ryall was for a period chairman of the Council, and filled a similar position on the Charitable Aid Board. He was for some years one of the Governors of the Greymouth District High School (as representative of the Grey County Council), but on account of the great distance which he had to travel to attend meetings, he withdrew from the position. Mr. Ryall was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1886. He was a member of the local Hospital Committee, and was for over ten years continuously chairman of the school committee. Mr. Ryall died some time ago.
, formerly Clerk in Charge of the Bond Stores at Greymouth, was born in East London, England, in the year 1838. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1862, and settled in Canterbury; but was on the diggings in Otago, and worked at Mount Ida and other places. Mr. Swingland removed to the West Coast in the year 1865, and joined the Customs Department in 1867. He takes a lively interest in charitable matters, and within the space of twelve years forwarded nearly £400 to Dr. Barnado's Homes in London, all gathered by private canvass during his leisure hours. Mr. Swingland is a devoted Oddfellow, and a Past Worthy Grand Master of the Order. He now (1906) lives in retirement at Wanganui.
was born in the year 1826, in Sussex, England, where he learned his trade. He emigrated to Tasmania in 1843, in the ship “King William,” and followed his occupation as a bootmaker there for over three years; then went to Geelong until 1849, when he again returned to Tasmania, where he remained until 1854. He then crossed over to New Zealand, and settled in Nelson at his trade. He was afterwards appointed district constable at Richmond, eight miles from Nelson, and held that situation for twelve years. In 1888, he removed to the West Coast, and established the business which is now conducted by one of his sons on his own account. Mr. Steer has six sons and five daughters, and one of his sons is managing partner in Messrs Hildebrand and Co., the largest butchering firm on the West Coast.
is a son of the late Dr. Williams, of Wareham, Dorsetshire, and was born in that town in 1835. Shortly after leaving school he was engaged as a dispensing assistant, first at Dorchester and afterwards at Netther Stowey, and finally he entered
, Greymouth, has its offices in Mackay Street, and was constrtuted under the State Coal Mines Act of 1901, to enter into the business of colliery proprietors. It took over the Westport-Cardiff mine at Seddonville, and at the end of the year 1902 commenced work at the Greymouth Point Elizabeth mine. This property consists of about 10,000 acres of coal bearing land, situated five miles distant from Greymouth. The two townships near the mine are named respectively Runanga and Dunollie. The company which had previously worked the Greymouth-Point Elizabeth mine had commenced the construction of the connecting line of railway, including a bridge across the Grey river, and had also done some prospecting. The mine was re-opened by the State Department, and in June, 1904, a commencement was made to transmit coal to the market. The output for the year 1905 was equal to 3,000 tons of coal per week, and the greater portion was shipped from Greymouth. The mine is worked by a system of tunnels connecting with the railway line, and the drainage is by gravitation. Numerous outcrops have been discovered throughout the entire area of the mine. Since April, 1904, about 220 men have been employed on the works. The mines worked by the State on the West Coast are under the charge of Mr. James Bishop, as general manager.
is situated eight miles north-east of Greymouth, occupies an important position on the West Coast, and is second only to Westport as a coal-mining centre. It was formed into a borough in the year 1887, and, as the scene of the oldest coalfield in New Zealand, it has played an important part in the coal industry of the colony. The Brunner coal seam was discovered by Mr. Thomas Brunner, a surveyor in the employment of the New Zealand Company. In 1844–5, in company with two Maoris, Mr. Brunner travelled from Nelson to Westland along the Buller river. From Westport he voyaged to Grey and up the Grey river, and discovered the celebrated coal seam on his way. His trip was a very arduous one, and, in fact, so dangerous that the Royal Geographical Society gave him its medal in acknowledgment of his services. Work at the mine was first commenced in the year 1864 by Matthew Batty and party, who were the first to lease it from the Nelson Provincial Government. Subsequently, a compauy from Ballarat, in Victoria, worked the mine for about four years, when its lease was cancelled. The property was then worked for some years by the Provincial Government itself, and in 1874 a lease was granted for twenty-one years to a Melbourne firm, on the usual rent and royalty, and with a stipulation that for the first few years there should be an annual output of 12,000 tons, until the maximum reached 30,000 tons a year. However, in six months the syndicate sold out to Messrs Kennedy Brothers, of Greymouth, and these gentlemen disposed of three-fourths of their interest to the Westport Coal Company and Union Steamship Company. The mine is worked by means of a tunnel driven into the face of the Paparoa range. The system of working is what is known as the “board and pillar” principle. The plant is ot the latest type in the world, and it is estimated that over 2000 tons of coal per week could, if required, be brought to the surface. For many years the men in the Brunner mine had been accustomed to work with naked lights, as the mine was regarded as being perfectly safe in that respect, but the appalling explosion which took place at 9.15 a.m. on the 26th of March, 1896, when sixty-five men and boys were entombed, proved the contrary, with a tragical emphasis still remembered throughout New Zealand. Since then new methods have been introduced. It is expected that the Wallsend mine, which has been idle for some time, may shortly (1905) be opened up again. Of late the borough of Brunnerton has passed through troublous times owing to the competition of Westport; a factor which has done much to stagnate local trade, and reduce property values. The borough of Brunnerton is divided by the Grey river, and connected by a fine bridge. The south side of the river is in the provincial district of Westland, while the portion on the northern side is in the provincial district of Nelson, but the entire borough is in the electorate of Grey. Brunner, Walsend, Dobson, and Stillwater are included within the boundaries of the borough. There are four churches; namely, Anglican and Presbyterian, with resident clergymen, and Methodist and Roman Catholic; and there are three State schools—one at Dobson, one at Taylorville, and one at Stillwater. The nuns connected with the Catholic church conduct a private school, which is well attended. Mails arrive from different parts of the coast four times daily, and the post office is rated
was established about the year 1878. A fair amount of work is transacted in money orders, Savings Bank, and in Government Life Insurance business. Mails close daily at 8 a.m., 12.45 p.m. and 4.55 p.m., and arrive at 8.15 a.m. 12.55 p.m., and 4.55 p.m.
is, on account of its intimate connection with the coal trade, one of the most important on the West Coast. It is seven miles from Greymouth, to which it despatches enormous quantities of coal. The station buildings contain the stationmaster's and clerk's offices, waitingrooms, and luggage office. There is also a large goods shed, and three passenger trains arrive and depart daily.
is a substantial wooden building, capable of accommodating 300 or 400 scholars. The class rooms are lofty and well ventilated, and there is also a large well-fenced playground. The school is the principal one in the district, and the building is one of the best under the supervision of the Crey Education Board.
, Headmaster of the Taylorville school, was born in Northumberland, England, in the year 1864, came to New Zealand in 1874, and received his primary education in the school of which he now has charge. Mr. Scott's first appointment was that of teacher in charge of the No Town school, and he was afterwards second assistant at the Greymouth District High School. In 1887, he was appointed first headmaster of the Dobson school. He held that position for over nine years, and gained excellent results at each annual examination. In 1896, Mr. Scott was promoted to be headmaster of the Taylorville school—the second largest under the Grey Education Board. He holds a Dl certificate. Since the institution of scholarships by the Grey Education Board, Mr. Scott's pupils have been almost invariably successful in winning the coveted honour, and though he has now been more than twenty years in the Board's service not a single bad report has been recorded against him. Mr. Scott takes a keen interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his profession; he was president of the local branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute in 1897, and represented the district at the annual conference of teachers at Dunedin in the same year.
is maintained by a contribution of one half-penny on every ton of coal taken from the Brunner mine. It is paid by the company, and in case of any of the mine employees meeting with an accident, a weekly allowance of twelve shillings and sixpence is made from the fund, which was inaugurated in 1892. The Sick and Accident Fund and Grey Valley Accident Relief Fund are separate funds, and there is also the Grey Valley Medical Association, by means of which members paying one shilling and three pence fortnightly obtain medical relief for themselves and families.
, Brunerton. There are 260 members who pay a weekly subscription of sixpence each. When a member who has paid his dues meets with an accident, which unfits him for work, he receives an allowance of twenty shillings a week.
. Registered address, Buck's Head Hotel. Taylorville, Brunnerton. The Union is managed by a president, delegates, and a committee of twelve. It was formed in the year 1896, immediately after the Brunner mine disaster, and is affiliated with all the trade and labour unions on the West Coast. Its objects are to raise funds for the protection of labour, and, as far as the light of science can make provision, to prevent loss of life and health amongst the workers. The subscription is one shilling a month. Half-yearly meetings are held on the first Monday in May and the first Monday in November.
, M.B.C.M., Edin., Physician and Surgeon, formerly of Brunnerton. Dr. Mcllroy is now (1906) practising his profession at Lumsden, in Southland.
(Robert Russell, proprietor), Taylorville, Brunnerton. This fine two-storied building contains fourteen rooms, eight of which are bedrooms. The dining room is well appointed and capable of seating over thirty people, and the spacious billiard room contains one of Alcock's best full-sized billiard tables in excellent order. The proprietor, Mr. Robert Russell, is referred to in another article as chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board.
, who was formerly manager at Brunnerton for Hildebrand and Co., was born at Rutherglen, Greymouth. After leaving school, he entered the employment of Mr. Russell, butcher, Greymouth, and remained with him for nearly three years. He entered the service of Messrs Hildebrand and Co. in the year 1896, and was appointed to the management of the firm's Brunnerton branch (now closed) in the year 1898. Mr. Bruhn is now (1906) in business as a butcher at his native place, Rutherglen.
(David Armstrong and George Armstrong), General Storekeepers and Bakers, Taylorville, Brunnerton. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand, Greymouth. This firm's business was founded in the year 1886, and was taken over by Messrs Armstrong Brothers in 1895. The premises are conveniently situated, almost immediately opposite the Wallsend-Taylorville bridge. Besides doing a good business as general storekeepers throughout the country districts, Messrs Armstrong Brothers claim pre-eminence for their bakery.
, the Senior Partner, takes the general management of the store, and attends to the buying and financial portion of the trade. He was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, in 1859. In 1874, he landed in Wellington, by the ship “Alexandria,” and followed various pursuits before going to the West Coast. For ten years, he engaged in mining at Westport and Brunnerton. During the existence of the Brunner volunteers Mr. Armstrong was captain of the corps.
, the Junior Partner, was born in Dumbartonshire in 1872, and came to New Zealand with his family two years later. He learned his trade of baker in Westland, and, later on, joined his brother in partnership. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Order of Druids. Though he is still interested in the firm of Armstrong Brothers, he is now (1906) also engaged in business as a storekeeper at Cobden, and is mentioned in that connection at page 274 of this volume. His portrait appears at page 286.
was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1862, and came when a child with his parents to New Zealand. He was employed in the butchering trade at an early age, and has successfully continued in it. He was the principal butcher on the first Midland Railway works, and afterwards owned the leading business in Brunnerton, with a branch in Greymouth. Mr. Johnston takes a great interest in municipal and other matters. After the division of the Brunner Borough into wards, he stood for election for the east ward, against three well-known residents and was returned at the head of the poll by a large majority; and he was re-elected, unopposed, on three subsequent occasions. For some years he took an active part in volunteering; and is a Past Master in the Order of Freemasons. He afterwards removed from Brunnerton to Cobden.
, Manager of the Tyneside Coal Mines at Brunner, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, educated in England and Germany, and served his time in the well known firm of Messrs Simpson and Wilson, of Glasgow, with whom he remained eight years. As an experienced mining engineer his knowledge was gained from Messrs Archibald Russell, of Lanarkshire, among the largest coalmasters in Scotland. Mr. Alison was assistant general manager at Hamilton, the firm's headquarters, and had charge of the sinking of three shafts, besides doing a considerable amount of work in opening up and developing the firm's numerous properties. He was engaged in England by the London directors of the Greymouth-Point Elizabeth Railway Coal Company, Limited, to act as the Company's mining engineer at Brunnerton, where much that was profitable to the Company was done under his direction. The whole of the work of bridging the Grey river, laying the railway to Point Elizabeth, and developing the coal mine was carried out under his superintendence. The mine is now (1906) the property of the Government of New Zealand, and Mr. Alison is manager at the Tyneside mines in the Brunner district.
, or, as it is sometimes called, Stillwater Junction, is nine miles distant from Greymouth, on the Grey-Reefton section of the New Zealand railways, and is at the junction of the Christchurch line, which is (1905) open to Otira. The railway station, which stands at an altitude of ninety-six feet above the level of the sea, is one mile distant from Brunnerton. The settlement is in the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland.
. At Stillwater Junetion the Christchurch line (running as far as Otira in 1905) conjoins with the Grey-Reefton line. The buildings are substantial and commodious, and have a large goods shed and engine shed; and the station building contains a vestibule, a public office, a stationmaster's office, a storeroom, and a ladies' waiting room; and there is also a stationmaster's residence of six rooms. There is a tablet signal connection with Ngahere on the one side, and with Brunnerton on the other. The staff consists of a stationmaster and porter.
, Stationmaster at Stillwater Junction, was born at Grangemouth, Firth of Forth, Scotland, in the year 1875. He came to New Zealand at an early age, and was educated in Christchurch. Mr. Malloch entered the railway service as a cadet, and after serving at Addington, was for five years at Timaru, and for two years and six months at Christchurch. In December, 1904, he was appointed to Stillwater. Mr. Malloch is married, and has three children.
is situated two miles from Taylorville. The school was opened in the year 1888, with an attendance of eighty scholars, but at that time the Midland Railway headquarters were at Stillwater, and that accounted no doubt for the large attendance. Since the taking over of the line by the Government, and the removal of all the permanent staff to Greymouth, the school attendance has decreased, and now numbers only fifty pupils. There is accommodation for 100 scholars, and the school is under the jurisdiction of the Grey Education Board.
, formerly Manager of the Victory Extended Gold Mining Company, at Brunnerton, was born at Collingwood, Nelson, in 1861, and received his education at Greymouth. After leaying school, he was engaged in looking after the ferry at the Arnold Junction for many years. Mr. Curtis started mining when sixteen years of age, and worked at different places on the Buller, where he was fairly successful for twelve months. On leaving the West Coast, he engaged in prospecting in the North Island, but with no success. He accordingly returned to Greymouth and almost immediately commenced prospecting the Paparoa ranges, where he eventually discovered the now famous “Victory.” Mr. Curtis, who is married and has six children, now (1906) resides at Stillwater.
is the name given to a ralway siding on the Greymouth-Christchurch line; it is distant thirteen miles from Greymouth, four miles from Stillwater Junction and thirtynine miles from Otira, and is in the Red Jack's riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland. There are three sawmills in active operation in the vicinity, and a small amount of farming is also carried on in the district. The railway station stands 129 feet above the level of the sea. At the census of 1901 there was no separate enumeration of the population.
(Proprietor, Mr. D. H. Roberts, Greymouth), Baxter's Siding. This mill has been working in its present position since the year 1902, and has many years' work ahead of it. Power is derived from two portable engines, of twelve Lorsepower and eight horse-power respectively. The mill is completely equipped with a good plant.
, Manager of Roberts' Mill, was born at Scott's Gap, Southland, in the year
1881, educated at Clifton, and brought up to sawmilling. He began work at a mill at Woodend, Canterbury, where he worked for a number of years, and afterwards went to Bush Siding, on the Seaward Bush line. When quite a youth, Mr. Bates had charge of a
is on the Greymouth-Christchurch line of railway, fourteen miles from Greymouth, and thirty-seven miles from Otira, the terminus of the line; it is also five miles from Stillwater Junction, and the railway station stands at an altitude of 179 feet above sea level. The settlement is on the western bank of the Arnold river, in the Maori Creek riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, in the provincial district of Westland. Kokiri is one of the principal seats of the sawmilling industry, and many thousands of feet of timber and white pine sleepers are sent annually to Greymouth for export. The sawmills of Messrs Baxter Brothers and of Messrs Stratford, Blair, and Company give employment to a considerable number of men. There is a railway flag station at the township, a post and telephone office, a State school and an hotel. A few small farms in the vicinity are held by some of the workers at the sawmills. At Maori Gully, close by, there are several good goldmining claims. The bush around the township concists chiefly of silver pine, white and red pine, and beech, commonly called birch. There is game in the neighbourhood, and fishing in the river. At the census of 1901 the population was 103.
has been established for about nine years. It is situated on a rising piece of ground, less than a quarter of a mile from the railway line. The rapid increase of the timber trade necessitated a new school, and the old building is now used for the infant school, and the two together contain two large classrooms with a verandah. There is accommodation for about 100 pupils, and the number on the roll is about sixty-five. There are two teachers, a headmaster and an assistant.
, Headmaster of the Kokiri school, was born at Paroa in the year 1875. He was educated at Kumara, where he served a course of six years as a pupil teacher. Mr. Seebeck then went to Canterbury College for a year. He was afterwards appointed assistant at Kumara, where he served for three years, and, later on, was headmaster at Goldsborough for five years. Mr. Seebeck received his present appointment in July, 1903. He holds a Dl certificate. Mr. Seebeck is married and has three children.
(James Baxter. Thomas Baxter and William Baxter), Sawmillers and Timber Merchants, Kokiri, near Greymouth. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Messrs Baxter Brothers entered into partnership as sawmillers in the year 1895, and though they had but little capital they have built up a connection second to none in New Zealand. The plant is capable of turning out 40,000 feet of sawn timber per week, independently of several hundred sleepers. It has been stated that for railway sleepers, silver pine has no superior, and of late years very large orders for such sleepers have been placed with millers by the Government. The machinery owned by Messrs Baxter Brothers is of a modern type, and includes a fourteen horse-power portable engine and boiler built by Marshall, of Lincoln, England; twin breakingdown steel saws capable of cutting the largest tree; many minor saws, and breast bench and planing machines, Some years ago, this firm bought Messrs Feary Brothers' mill at Stillwater, with 800 acres of excellent silverpine. This property has been connected—by means of a tramway over two miles in extent—with bush at Kokiri. With few exceptions, the employees of Messrs Baxter Brothers live in their own houses, or in huts on the property, and there are roomy stables with accommodation for twelve horses. The principal trade is done within New Zealand, although large shipments are from time to time forwarded to Melbourne. The timber industry has of late years developed with marvellous rapidity, and amongst those who have been instrumental in facilitating its progress, Messrs Baxter Brothers hold a prominent position. The individual members of the firm are extremely popular with all classes, and were mainly instrumental in organising local sawing and chopping contests, which are attended by competitors from all parts of the district. Visitors to the West Coast, who take an interest in colonial industry, will be amply repaid by inspecting the mills at Kokiri.
, Senior Partner in the firm of Baxter Brothers, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the year 1861, and came to New Zealand with his parents in the following year, in the ship “Robert Henderson.” He went to school at Hokitika, and afterwards entered the “West Coast Times” office under the late Mr. Cline. However, he shrewdly reasoned with himself that much more money might be made in opening up a new industry than by wielding an average country editor's pen, or in “setting
was born at Hokitika in 1867 and went to school in his native place. He obtained his first employment at a sawmill. Mr. Baxter takes a real live interest in local affairs. It was he who was the prime promoter of the sawing and chopping competitions, which have done much to improve that class of work. Like his brothers, he has a practical knowledge of the timber trade, and is popular with the firm's employees.
, the Junior Member of the firm, was born in the year 1869 at Hokitika. After leaving school he went to Westport and obtained the contract for the delivery of timber for the Westport harbour works, then under construction. He then worked for Messrs Wilkie Brothers, at Cape Foulwind. In 1896, he entered the employment of Messrs Butler Brothers, as a sawyer, and was afterwards with Messrs Stratford, Blair, and Co., of Greymouth, with whom he remained until he entered into partnership with his brothers. In 1897 Mr. Baxter married a daughter of Mr. Robert Cherrie of Brunnerton.
(William Butler and Joseph Butler), Sawmillers and Timber Merchants, formerly of Kokiri. This well-known firm, which was one of the largest in Westland, and ranked amongst the leading sawmill businesses in the South Island, was established in the year 1892. The plant was a very complete one, capable of turning out 40,000 feet of timber per week, and the mill was kept working full time, to supply a brisk trade in New Zealand and Australia. In the sister colonies the name of Butler Brothers has long been familiar to all users of New Zealand timbers. The firm's bush in Westland covered an area of 2000 acres, and consisted principally of red, white and silver pine. It shipped white pine in large quantities direct to Melbourne, where it was used in the manufacture of butter boxes. The machinery was of the latest pattern, and had been imported from England and America. Messrs Butler Brothers were the first to introduce into Westland the steam hauler, which results in great economy in hauling heavy logs from the bush. In fact, so powerful is the steam hauler that timber, which at one time had to be left in the bush, is now taken out with but little trouble. Acting on the advice of Mr. Freyberg, the Government expert, the firm at one time exported, with other merchants, large quantities of timber to London, but the results were not encouraging. Between thirty and forty men were constantly employed in connection with the mills of Messrs Butler, who, while in Westland, gained a high reputation for bridge building. Several large bridges in the province bear witness to the substantial character of their work, and reflect great credit upon them as contractors. The brothers were born in Leamington, Warwickshire, England, and first settled in 1871, in North Canterbury, where they undertook several bush contracts. Three years later they went to Southland and engaged in farming for ten years, and then they removed to the West Coast. They now (1906) have a sawmill in the Auckland district, at Naumai, ninety-one miles from the city of Auckland.
, the Senior Partner in the firm, is a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand. He married a daughter of Mr. McKenny, in 1898.
, the Junior Partner, has been known as a keen cyclist and long distance road rider.
is a flag railway station, nineteen miles from Greymouth, on the Christchurch-Greymouth line, ten miles from Stillwater, and thirty-two from Otira. It stands at an altitude of 269 feet above the level of the sea, and was previously known as Craig's Siding. Aratika serves the district of Kotuku, and is in the Red Jack's riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland. The Kotuku public school serves the settlement. No separate return of the population was recorded at the census of 1901.
was established in the year 1899, and serves the districts of Kotuku, and Aratika. It is a wood and iron building, and contains one classroom and a porch. The school has accommodation for about thirty pupils, the roll number is twenty, and the average attendance is sixteen.
was appointed sole teacher of the Kotuku public school in the year 1903. She was born at Balclutha, Otago, where she was educated, and afterwards removed to the West Coast with her parents. Miss Barnett was pupil teacher at the Dobson school before she received her present appointment.
(John Waller and Son, and R. W. England, Christchurch, proprietors), Aratika. This mill was long known as Craig's Siding mill, but owing to the alteration of the name of the siding it was changed to Kotuku. The mill has been working for about ten years. Timber is obtained from private property and from Government timber reservations. The mill is well fitted up, and the machinery includes a boiler by Luke and Son, a stationary engine of thirty horse-power, twin saws with a large Bullock's patent bench, an American planer, and a hauling engine, etc. It is capable of turning out 10,000 feet per day. Twenty-two persons are employed.
, Manager of the Kotuku Sawmill, was born in Dunedin in the year 1873, and began sawmilling at an early age. He worked in various capacities in several Southland mills, and served ten years with the Pine Company, and with Mr. Massey, a well-known Southland sawmiller. In December, 1903, Mr. Lloyd went to the West Coast, and took charge of the Kotuku Sawmilling Company's mill. When in Southland, he was a member of the Colac Bay Rifles. He is married, and has two children.
is a small settlement on the Greymouth-Jackson line, and is twenty-one miles from Greymouth, twelve miles from Stillwater, and thirty-one from Otira. It is in the Red Jack's riding of the county of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland. Two sawmills are actively at work in the neighbourhood, and one of these is a very large one. There are indications of petroleum near Kotuku, and boring operations have been undertaken on an extensive scale. The local railway station stands at an altitude of 287 feet above the level of the sea. The nearest post office is at Moana, two miles distant. The population was returned as eighteen at the census of 1901.
(William Jack, Thomas John Jack, and James Francis Jack), Sawmillers, Kotuku. The mill of Messrs Jack Brothers is one of the largest on the West Coast, and is situated about a mile from the Kotuku Siding, to which timber is conveyed by a tramway. There is a boiler and engine, each of thirty-five horse-power, and two breast benches; the steel breaking-down bench, with wire rope attachment, was the first of that description fitted up on the Coast. The output from the mill is large. Messrs Jack Brothers have the command over some good timber country, and a large amount of white pine is shipped to Australia. In addition to the ordinary timber-sawing, a good deal of silver pine sleeper-cutting is also carried on.
, of the firm of Jack Brothers, is a son of the late Mr. Jack, of Winton, Southland, who was for thirty years a sawmiller. He was born in Tasmania in the year 1860, came to New Zealand with his parents about 1864, and was educated in Invercargill. Practically, his whole life has been spent in sawmilling work, with his father, and later on in partnership with his brothers. The present mill was established in the year 1902.
, of the firm of Messrs Jack Brothers, was born in Tasmania, and came to New Zealand in the year 1864. He has had a life-long experience in the sawmilling industry. Mr. Jack is married and has six children.
, of the firm of Messrs Jack Brothers, was born in Tasmania. He came to New Zealand in the year 1864, was brought up to sawmilling, and has since continued in the trade in partnership with his brothers.
(John Marshall), Sawmillers, Kotuku. The sawmill of Messrs Marshall and Company lies about four miles from the Kotuku siding, and is connected with it by tramway. The mill is devoted practically to the cutting of silver pine sleepers, and a large area of good silver pine bush is controlled by the firm. A ten horse-power portable engine supplies the power, and there is a breaking-down and a breast bench. The output of the mill averages about 130 sleepers per day, and a large amount of squaring is also done.
, the principal owner and the manager of the
is a pretty little settlement situated on the shores of the beautiful Lake Brunner, on the Greymouth-Christchurch line, and is twenty-three miles from Greymouth, fourteen miles from Stillwater, and twenty-eight from Otira. It is in the Red Jack's riding of the county of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland The scenery is magnificent, and the surrounding country is entirely covered with bush. There are several large sawmills in the immediate neighbourhood, and flaxmilling is also carried on. The business of the post office is conducted at the railway station, which is 301 feet above the level of the sea. The settlement also has a good hotel and a store, and the public school is attended by about thirty children. There is plenty of game in the neighbourhood, and excellent fish abound in the lake and streams of the district. The population was returned at 106 at the census taken in the year 1901.
is situated on the shores of Lake Brunner, It is a substantial building, containing a vestibule, a stationmaster's room, waiting-rooms, and a post office lobby. Money orders are issued, and Post Office Savings Bank business attended to, in addition to the general postal work.
, Stationmaster and Postmaster at Moana, was born at Southbridge, Canterbury, in the year 1875. He entered the railway department at Lyttelton, and served successively at Christchurch, Papanui, Dunsandel and Southbridge, and was appointed to Moana in April, 1905.
is a wood and iron building, erected in May 1904. It contains one classroom and a porch, and is lined with a kind of linoleum or oilcloth, which gives it a very cheerful ppearance. The average attendance is thirty.
, Sole Teacher of the Moana Public School, was born in Charleston, and was educated in Greymouth. She was for three years, in charge of the State school at Kotuku, and received her present appointment in 1904. Mrs Abram married Mr. J. R. Abram, of the Union Steamship Company's service, in the year 1902. He was accidentally drowned in the year 1903. Mrs Abram has an E3 certificate.
(Richard E. Stratford, Moana, and William Goss, Christchurch). The mill of the company is situated twenty-four miles from Greymouth, and near to the Moana railway station, on the north shore of Lake Brunner, across which logs for the mill are rafted. A steamer of fifteen horsepower, thirty-four feet in length by eight feet six inches beam, is used for rowing the rafts of logs, which are hauled to the different skids by two powerful steam haulers. There is also a five horse-power oil launch, which is used for conveying the men to and from their work. The Company has a large holding of private and leased bush, consisting of white and red pine; the white pine is shipped direct to Melbourne and Sydney, and the red pine to Christchurch, where it is handled by Mr. Goss. The boiler of the mill is of forty horse-power, with an engine of twenty-two horse-power, and there is a nine horse-power portable engine for driving an extra breast hench. The breaking-down bench is fitted with twin saws, and a steel bench with wire rope attachment.
, the resident partner of the firm of the Moana Sawmilling Company, was born in Wellington in the year 1847. His father was one of the earliest settlers, who landed by the barque “Cuba,” in the year 1839. Mr. Stratford was brought up on his father's farm at the Hutt Valley, and educated in Wellington. He took part in the Maori war of 1864–67, as a volunteer and dispatch rider, in the Wanganui and Patea districts. Mr. Stratford afterwards became connected with the timber industry in various parts of
New Zealand. He was one of the pioneer millers of Catlins river, Otago, and, later on, went to Stewart Island, and remained there for five years, as manager for McCallum and Company. Mr. Stratford then crossed over to Southland, where at Longbush he was manager of, and afterwards contractor for, two large mills, owned by Messrs Tapper and Lee. Subsequently he removed to the West Coast, where he has since been a leading spirit in the West Coast timber industry. Mr. Stratford, who has been settled in the Lake Brunner district for ten years, is chairman of the Moana school and Lake Brunner regatta committees. He is
is the largest of the Westland lakes, and is remarkable for its beautiful scenery. It is situated partly in the Hohonu riding of the county of Grey, and partly in the Maori Creek riding of the same county, and is in the electorate of Grey. Lake Brunner is twenty-four miles from Greymouth, fifteen from Stillwater Junction, and twenty-seven from Otira. The railway station, which is named in the railway guide “Sawmill Company's Siding,” stands at an altitude of 303 feet above the level of the sea. The settlement on the shores of Lake Brunner is known as the Swede's Mill Settlement, and is named after a large sawmill, at which about thirty-five persons are employed. The homes of the men form quite a little village. Postal business is conducted at the residence of Mr. Emil Nyberg, and the local public school is known as the “Swedes” school. At the census of 1901, the population in the Hohonu riding was twenty-five, and in the Maori Creek riding eleven.
is known as the Swede's school, and was built by the residents of the district, who are practically employees of the Lake Brunner Sawmill ing Company. It has one classroom and a porch, and there is an average attendance of about twenty children.
Teacher of the Lake Brunner Siding school, was born at Cape Terrace, near Kumara, and was educated at Kumara, Westbrook, and Reefton. Miss Tansey has been teaching since the year 1902, and took charge of the Lake Brunner Siding school when it was opened. She is a member of the Teachers' Institute.
(John Nyberg, Emil Nyberg, Anton Larssen, Lake Brunner Siding; Thomas Hindmarsh Kerr and John Brownlee, Christchurch). Lake Brunner Siding. The mill of this company is situated close to the Lake Brunner railway siding, with which it is connected by a private siding: the offices are in Christchurch, and the West Coast shipping business is attended to by Mr. E. A. Wickes, of Greymouth. The mill was started in the year 1894 by Messrs Nyberg and Larssen, who were joined later on by Messrs Kerr and Brownlee. It is probably the largest on the West Coast, and is fitted up on the most complete scale. The boiler is twenty feet by six feet, and the stationary engine is of twenty-four horse-power. The large breaking-down bench has twin saws and there are two breast benches, an American planer, a large engineer's turning lathe for repair work, and a saw sharpening machine. Logs are taken into the mill by a locomotive, which has four and a-half miles of a steel rail track. The timer cut is chiefly red pine, of which the company has an almost unlimited command. Twenty-five persons are employed, and the monthly output is about 300,000 feet.
, of the Lake Brunner Sawmilling Company, acts as mill manager and engineer of the Company. He was born in the year 1866 in Norrland, Sweden, where his father was a Crown lands ranger. Mr. Nyberg was brought up to farming. He came to New Zealand in 1887, and for a few years was engaged in various occupations, such as railway work, goldmining, etc. In 1894, in conjunction with his brother and Mr. Anton Larssen, he started sawmilling. Mr. Nyberg is the holder of a second-class competency certificate as a driver of a stationary engine. He is chairman of the local school committee, and as a Freemason is a member of Lodge Mawhera. New Zealand Constitution, Greymouth. Mr. Nyberg is married, and has four children.
, one of the partners in the Lake Brunner Sawmilling Company, is in charge of the work in the bush. He was born in the year 1869 in Norrland, Sweden, where he was educated. Mr. Nyberg came to New Zealand in the year 1890, and was engaged in bridge work and bush work for some time. In conjunction with his brother and Mr. Larssen, he started sawmilling at Lake Brunner Siding in 1894. Mr. Nyberg is the local postmaster, and is married.
, one of the partners in the Lake Brunner Sawmilling Company, was born in Norrland, Sweden, in the year 1869, and was brought up to farming on his father's farm. About 1890, Mr. Larssen came to New Zealand with Mr. E. Nyberg, with whom he worked for some time at bridge and bush work. In conjunction with the Messrs Nyberg he started sawmilling in 1894. Mr. Larssen has recently (1905) been on a trip to Sweden.
was thrown open as a settlement by the Government in the year 1896. It consists of an area of over 3000 acres of very fair bush and swamp land, and is in the Hohonu riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland. The railway station which serves the settlement is known as Roto Mana, and is situated on the Grey-Christchurch line; it is twenty-two miles from Otira, twenty from Stillwater, and twenty-nine from Greymouth. Good metalled roads have been made through the settlement, in which there is a creamery owned by the Fresh Food and Ice Company of Greymouth. Dairying and grazing are the chief industries in the district. The business of the post and telephone bureau is conducted by Mrs Woods near the railway station at Roto Mana, near which there is a flaxmill. There is a public school at Poerua, near the creamery, and services in connection with the Anglican Church are held once a month in the school house. Several small lakes add to the beauty and attractiveness of the district, and provide fishing and shooting for sportsmen. At the census of 1901 the population was returned as being thirty-four at Poerua, and nineteen at Poerua Lake.
Farmer, Poerua Settlement. Mr. Feary owns 264 acres of good land, on which he has a comfortable
Farmer, Mount Howe Farm, Poerua Settlement; Postal address Roto Mana. Mr. Haste was one of the original selectors in the Poerua Settlement when thrown open, and secured a good section near Mount Howe, from which his place derives its name. His farm consists of 226 acres of freehold land, and dairying and grazing are carried on. Mr. Haste was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in the year 1853. He was educated at East Keswick College, and afterwards learned farming and malting. In 1880, Mr. Haste came to New Zealand, landed at the Bluff, and engaged for some years in farm work, contract ploughing and carting in Otago and Canterbury. He was afterwards engaged for some time in contract work, bridge building, etc., on the Midland railway. Mr. Haste was for some time a member of the local school committee. He is married, and has eight children.
is a flag station not far from the railway bridge that crosses the Teremakau river at Jackson's, and serves the district of Inchbonnie. It is on the Greymouth-Christchurch line, stands at an elevation of 474 feet above sea level, and is thirty-six miles from Greymouth, twenty-seven from Stillwater, and fifteen from Otira. Inchbonnie is in the Hohonu riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Westland. There is a large amount of fine bush in the neighbourhood, as well as a fair quantity of flax. There is a sawmill near the railway station, and the flax cut in the district is conveyed to the mill at Roto Mana. Practically the whole of the agricultural land in the Inchbonnie district is included in the run of Mr. T. W. Bruce. The postal business of the district is conducted at the residence of Mr. W. Youngman. Good game and fish abound in the neighbourhood. Inchbonnie had a population of nineteen at the census taken in the year 1901.
, the property of Mr. T. W. Bruce, is a fine freehold estate of 6000 acres, and adjoins the railway siding of Inchbonnie. It is situated on the Teremakau river, and Lakes Brunner and Poerua, and is traversed for four miles by the railway. There are about 1,200 acres of good agricultural country in a total area of 3,000 acres of open land; and 3,000 acres are covered with bush. The bush land contains timber of good quality, and two sawmills have been erected. Both sheep and cattle are depastured. Another run of 13,000 acres at the Otira, held by Mr. Bruce, is used as summer country. Excellent fishing and shooting are obtainable on Mr. Bruce's property.
. J.P., was born in the year 1832, at Jedburgh, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up as a farmer. In 1859, he came to New Zealand by the ship “Indiana,” and for about eight years managed the Motunau run in North Canterbury. He afterwards took over the Cora Lynn and Riversdale stations, which carried about 17,000 sheep. In 1893, Mr. Bruce disposed of these runs, and returned to Inchbonnie, which he had acquired in 1868. When at Cora Lynn he was for many years chairman of the Upper Waimakariri Road Board. During his term of office a large bridge was constructed over the Upper Waimakariri, and another over the Poulter river. Mr. Bruce was appointed to the Commission of the Peace by the Stout-Vogel Government.
Photographs for the following blocks came to hand too late to be worked into position with the articles to which they belong; but the connection is, in each case, established by means of the names of the persons concerned, and the pages on which their articles appear.
New Zealand, owing to its extensive seaboard, the large number of good harbours it possesses, and its steadily increasing prosperity, is naturally the centre of a large shipping trade, which is also an important factor in its progress. The three principal islands, of which the colony of New Zealand mainly consists, have a coast line aggregating 4330 miles in length, and there are numerous lesser islands, and several other distinct groups. The earliest record of vessels visiting New Zealand is that of the 13th of December, 1642, when the Dutch navigator, Abel Jausen Tasman, came in sight of the Middle Island in his yacht “Heemskirk,” which was accompanied by the “Zeehaen,” fly-boat. From the time of Tasman's departure, there is no authentic account of any ship visiting the country, till the 6th of October, 1769, on which day Captain Cook sighted land at Young Nick's Head, and two days later cast anchor at Poverty Bay. He spent some time in exploring the coastline of the main islands, and took his departure from Cape Farewell for Australia, on the 31st of March, 1770; but he returned, however, in the years 1773, 1774, and 1777. During the period covered by Captain Cook's earliest visit, a French officer, M. de Surville, in command of the ship “Saint Jean Baptiste,” sighted the north-east coast of New Zealand on the 12th of December, 1769, and remained on the seaboard for some time, Another French officer, M. Marion du Fresne, visited the west coast of the North Island,
Trustworthy records of shipping appear to have been commenced only in the year 1822, and these naturally covered the entire services of Australia, inclusive of New Zealand. In that year 268 vessels were entered and cleared at the whole of the ports; and the average registered tonnage —under 552 tons—gave a total for the year of 147,869 tons. In the year 1841 the figures show considerable increase in the number of vessels—2,576; though the tonnages had been reduced to an average of 214. Ten years later, the statistics show for Australia alone 4780 vessels of 975,959 tons, or an average of 204 tons—a further reduction in the average register. In this year—1851—separate returns for New Zealand are given for the first time; and 560 vessels entered and cleared at the ports of the colony. The average tonnage of these ships—200 tons—gives a total gross tonnage of 112,140 tons. Four years later, records were made distinguishing inward bound vessels from outward bound vessels, and in that year ships aggregating 88,614 tons entered inwards, and aggregating 79,825 tons, outwards. In the succeeding year, besides figures under these headings, ships registered in and belonging to the colony were also tabulated, and this local tonnage amounted to 6662 tons, gross. From the year 1858 to 1864 good progress was made; the increase for ten years being 335,390 tons inwards—total 426,004, and outwards 353,428, increased total, 433,253; locally owned vessels having advanced 15,911 gross register, the total being 22,573 tons. During the next ten years, owing no doubt to the unsettled state of affairs caused by the Maori war, and afterwards to the withdrawal of the troops, both inward and outward shipping showed a considerable falling-off; during the first half of the decade it amounted to 26,708 and 47,720 tons, respectively. Notwithstanding this setback in foreign vessels, the locally owned fleet made remarkable progress, with an increase of 16,362 tons, the total being 38,935, gross tonnage. During the decennium ending 1884, the New Zealand fleets increased steadily and showed an advance of nearly 150 per cent., or 53,761 tons; the total standing at 92,696 tons. A decided extension was also evident in the general returns, the figures recorded showing 529,188 and 534,242 tons, respectively, for inward and outward entries. Further progress was exhibited in 1894, although the figures reached some two or three years previously had not been maintained. The tables show 631,100, 631,250, and 99,388, respectively, as gross tonnages inward, outward, and locally owned. Of the 609 vessels which entered the ports of the colony, the average tonnages were 1036, with crews aggregating 21,834; while the 614 ships that cleared, averaged 1028 tons, with 21,934 persons to work them. The most important advance all round appears in the returns for the decennium ending 1904, when the figures were: 1,154,569 gross tonnages of inward ships, 1,144,764 of outward, and 157,334, for locally owned vessels. Taking the records for the year immediately preceding, 608 vessels had departed, the average tonnage being 1786; and 617 arrived, averaging 1830 tons, while the persons employed numbered 30,660 and 30,600, respectively. Of the inward ships, representing 1,102,064 tons, 145 of 455,741 tons, carrying crews numbering 7,799 souls, were British; 403 of 478,419 tons, manned by 16,407 persons, were colonial; and sixty-nine of 167,904 tons, carrying crews of 6,304, were foreign owned ships. In the same year there were 570 ships, including coastal vessels, belonging to, and registered in, the colony; and these are excluded from the foregoing figures. Of these colonial vessels, 335 were sailers, of 46,042 tons gross, and 235 were steamers, aggregating 104,867 tons. By far the largest number—302—were owned in Auckland, but these averaged only 106 tons, while the remaining 268 vessels, belonging to six other ports, had an average of 443 tons. Although during the recent decennial period the number of oversea vessels has continued much the same, the average size of such ships has been nearly doubled.
It would be an impossible task to give details and descriptions of the ocean-going, intercolonial, and coastal fleets of the New Zealand mercantile marine, but a few of the big liners trading regularly to the colony, are noticed in these pages, to indicate the facilities that are now afforded to traders and travellers.
The expansion which has taken place in shipping in recent years has not, only resulted in larger and more powerful vessels, but, naturally, in increased comfort to voyagers. The hardships of a four-months' voyage in an old-fashioned immigrant ship have become a thing of memory and tradition, and floating palaces now convey the new-comer to New Zealand ports in forty-two days, under conditions of elegance and ease. The refrigerating process has worked miracles, not only in the development of the colony, but in life on board ship, for in place of the “salt horse” of the old sailers, fresh provisions are served to passengers of all classes, as well as to the crews.
New Zealand has given birth to several shipping companies, whose operations have substantially contributed to improvement in coastal, intercolonial, and world-wide communication. The most prominent of these are the New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, the Union Steam Ship Company, Limited, and the Northern Steamship Company, Limited. The history of the New Zealand Shipping Company (which has its headquarters in Christchurch) will be found at page 378 in the Canterbury volume of this Cyclopedia. Dunedin is the home of the Union Steam Ship Company, which is fully referred to on pages 400–3 of the Otago volume, and at page 791 of the Wellington volume. The Northern Steamship Company, Limited, naturally
An Australian company—the Huddart-Parker Proprietary, Limited—has for a number of years supplied up-to-date connection by regular intercolonial traders; and some particulars of its operations will be found on page 775 of the Wellington volume of the Cyclopedia of New Zealand.
However, the passenger and freight carrying trade of the colony is far from being wholly undertaken by local or even colonial vessels. In fact, New Zealand is extensively connected with British shipping firms, companies, and combines. Prominent amongst these is the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Limited, some information concerning which appears on page 782 of the Wellington volume of this work. The Tyser Line, Limited, the Federal Houlder and Shire Combine, and the New Zealand and African Steam Ship Company, Limited, also carry passengers and all kinds of merchandise to and from New Zealand, and to and from all parts of the world.
of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, was built in the yards of Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie and Company, at New-castle-on-Tyne, in the year 1902. Her measurements are 500 feet over all, 475 feet between perpendiculars, fifty-nine feet ten and a-half inches beam, thirty-six feet depth of hold, and her draught, when loaded, is twenty-seven feet eleven inches. Her gross registered tonnage is 8000 tons, and her total carrying capacity, 10,000 tons. The vessel has three insulated holds, which will contain about 100,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. She is fitted with twin screws; has accommodation for fifty first saloon passengers and fifty second saloon passengers, and 180 steerage; and her crew, including officers, numbers 108.
has had command of the s.s. “Turakina” since the year 1902. He was born in 1858, at King's Bridge, Devon, England, where he was educated, and afterwards served his indentures under his father, the late Captain J. Forbes, who was the owner of sailing vessels. For four years Captain Forbes was a junior officer of the Union Castle Line, and joined the New Zealand Shipping Company in 1884 as third officer on the s.s. “Ruapehu,” on which he remained until he became a commander, in the year 1892. Captain Forbes was appointed chief officer for a year on the s.s. “Ruahine,” and was then placed in command of the s.s. “Otarama,” for one voyage. He was then in charge of the old “Kaikoura,” on which he remained until she was sold. Subsequently Captain Forbes took temporary charge of the s.s. “Tekoa,” and was afterwards in charge of the s.s. “Papanui,” before he received his present appointment.
, Chief Officer of the s.s. “Turakina,” is further referred to on page 779 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia, as an officer on the s.s. “Tongariro.'
the property of the New Zealand Shipping Company, was built in the year 1901, by Messrs Denny Brothers, at Dumbarton, Scotland. Her length is 457 feet, her breadth fifty-eight feet, and her depth thirty-one feet. Her gross registered tonnage is 7765 tons, and her weight, when loaded, is 15,820 tons. The vessel's insulated chambers are capable of containing 120,000 average New Zealand sheep, or 150,000 lambs. The freezing machinery is of the Linde-Ammonia type, and is capable of producing twenty-five tons of ice per day. The permanent coal bunkers will hold 1680 tons of New Zealand coal, of which seventy-three tons is the average daily consumption. The “Rimutaka” has accommodation for ninety first and second class passengers, and for one hundred in the steerage. The total number of the crew—including captain, five officers, eight engineers, and the surgeon—is ninety.
who commands the s.s. “Rimutaka,” has been well known in connection with the New Zealand Shipping Company's fleet for many years. He was in charge of the old “Rimutaka,” from the year 1888, and has had charge of the present fine vessel since her first voyage. He is further referred to on page 777 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
was appointed Second Officer of the s.s. “Rimutaka” in April, 1904. He was born in the year 1879, in London, England, where he attended school. Mr. Squires afterwards served an apprenticeship of four years in a Liverpool sailing ship, and became third officer about ten months before the expiration of his time. He continued on that vessel for another year, and rose to the position of second officer. For a year and six months Mr. Squires was a second officer in the Mediterranean trade, and on his return to England he obtained his mate's certificate in March, 1901. He subsequently joined the New Zealand Shipping Company's service as fourth officer on the s.s. “Rakaia.” After serving one year and six months, he became third officer on the s.s. “Waikato,” and subsequently served in the same capacity on the s.s. “Ruapehu,” prior to his present appointment.
was appointed Third Officer of the s.s. “Rimutaka” in 1905. He was born in 1879 in Worcestershire, England, and was educated at Wellesbourne College. Mr. Milner served an apprenticeship of three years and six months under Messrs G. M. Steevis and Company, Liverpool, and subsequently joined the Peninsular and Oriental Company as fifth officer, served for four years, and rose to the position of third officer. He joined the “Rimutaka” in 1902, as fourth officer, find after one year's service, was promoted to his present position.
was appointed Chief Steward in charge of the s.s. “Rimutaka” in the year 1903. He was born in London, England, in 1866, and was educated in Hertfordshire. For about seven years Mr. Harris was a commercial traveller in London, and went to sea in 1890, as a waiter on the British-Indian Line. After two years of service, he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as a waiter on the old “Ruahine,” and afterwards acted as steward. Mr. Harris then became chief
of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, started on her first voyage in February, 1901. The vessel was built at Hepburn-on-Tyne by Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie, and Company. Her length is 472 feet, her breadth fifty-eight feet, her moulded depth thirty-four feet, and her draught, when loaded, twenty-seven feet two inches. Her gross registered tonnage is 7,600, her net, 4917, and her total carrying capacity, at out 11,000 tons. The ship's permanent coal bunkers will contain 1,800 tons, but on commencing a voyage she has usually 3000 tons on board. Her engines indicate 5000 horse-power, and her boilers consume eighty-five tons of Welsh, or 100 tons of New Zealand coal per day, travelling loaded at a speed of thirteen knots and a-half; the speed attained at her trial trip was 14.7, knots. She has three insulated holds, which have accommodation for about 91,300 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. The vessel is fitted with twin screws, and her engines are triple expansion with Marshall patent valve gear. She has five multitubular boilers, each sixteen by eleven, which are worked at a pressure of 180 pounds to the square inch. The “Tongariro” has accommodation for fifty saloon passengers, fifty-six second saloon, and 100 steerage. The total number of the crew, including officers, is 103. Captain Sutcliffe is now (1906) her commander.
was appointed Second Engineer of the s.s. “Tongariro,” in the year 1902. He was born at Arbroath, Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1876, was educated in London, and served an apprenticeship of five years with Messrs A. W. Robertson and Company. He subsequently went to sea as fourth engineer in a line of vessels trading to Japan. After two years Mr. Grant joined the service of the New Zealand Shipping Company on the s.s. “Waikato,” as third engineer. He afterwards served in the s.s. “Paparoa” in the same capacity, and was then transferred to the s.s. “Tongariro,” on which, after one trip, he was promoted to his present position.
was appointed Chief Refrigerating Engineer on the s.s. “Tongariro” in the year 1902. He was born in 1877, in Sunderland, England, where he went to school. Mr. Nicholson was afterwards apprenticed for five years at Dickinson's Marine Engineering Works. Subsequently he went to sea in the Nelson-Duncan Line of boats, engaged in the Eastern trade, and during three years served respectively as fourth, third, and second engineer. Later, for one year and six months, he found employment on shore in the North Eastern Engineering Works on the Tyne, and finally joined the service of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, as second refrigerating engineer on the s.s. “Tongariro.”
of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, was built at Mr. John Brown's Clyde-bank yards, Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1903. Her length is 460 feet, and her beam fifty-eight feet; her gross tonnage is 7391, and her net, 4741 tons. The vessel's engines indicate 4500 horse-power; and on her trial trip she steamed fourteen and a-half knots. She consumes about seventy tons of Welsh coal per day; and her coal bunkers will contain 2000 tons. Her insulated chambers measure 280,000 cubic feet, and she carries about 120,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. The “Kaipara” has twin screws. Her passenger accommodation provides for twenty-four in the saloon; and the total number of her crew, including officers, is seventy-five. Captain Arthur Wilson McKellar is now (1906) in command.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Kaipara” in the year 1904. He was born on the 25th of July, 1877, in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England, where he was educated at various schools. At fifteen years of age Mr. Ryley went to sea in a sailing vessel under Messrs H. Johanning and Company, of London, for four years, and became third officer. In November, 1896, he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company, as fourth officer on the s.s. “Tekoa,” and afterwards served in the same capacity on the old “Rimutaka” and “Kaikoura.” Mr. Ryley was then transferred to the “Otarama,” served as third officer, and was afterwards promoted to the position of second officer. He subsequently served as second officer on the “Paparoa,” and became chief officer on the s.s. “Rakanoa” for three voyages before being transferred to the “Kaipara.” Mr. Ryley obtained his master's certificate in 1901.
was appointed Fourth Officer of the s.s. “Kaipara” in May, 1905. He was born in the year 1876, in Essex, England, was educated in Manchester, and afterwards served on the training ship “Conway,” for two years. Mr. Norris was apprenticed on a sailing vessel (the “Invercargill”) of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Line for three years; served subsequently, for a year as third mate, and afterwards held the same position on the ship “Irby” for a year. Later, he served for five years and six months as third and second officer, successively, on steamships on the coast of China. Mr. Norris then joined the Federal Company as fourth officer. He was afterwards appointed fifth officer
the property of the New Zealand Shipping Company, was built at Brown's Yards on the Clyde, Scotland, in the year 1903. Her length is 460 feet, her breadth fifty-three feet two inches, and her depth thirty feet nine inches; her draught when loaded is twenty-seven feet. The “Kaikoura's” net registered tonnage is 4477 tons, and her gross registered, 6998; and the dead weight carried, including stores and fresh water, is 9970 tons. The engines indicate 5,200 horse-power, but she usually works at 3,500 horse-power, averaging a speed of twelve knots. Her boiler pressure is 180 pounds to the square inch. The capacity of the vessel's permanent coal bunkers is equal to 2,000 tons, besides which 150 tons can be carried on deck, and her total consumption per day is sixty tons. The insulated chambers of this fine vessel measure 281,462 cubic feet, equal to the carriage of 95,000 60-pound average New Zealand sheep; and for general cargo, her hold measures 203,001 cubic feet. She carries twenty-four saloon passengers.
is in charge of the s.s. “Kaikoura.” He is further referred to in the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia at page 778.
of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, was built in the year 1899, by Messrs Denny Brothers, of Dumbarton, Scotland. The vessel's measurements are 430 feet between perpendiculars, fifty four feet beam, and thirty-three moulded depth, and her draught, when loaded, is twenty-seven feet. Her net registered tonnage is 4265 tons, her gross registered tonnage 6,768 tons, and her total carrying capacity, 8400. She has three insulated holds, of 226,490 feet space, with accommodation for 80,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. In No. 2 hold the between decks are divided into A B and C compartments, which are specially adapted for carrying cheese. In her uninsulated space the “Paparoa” has 184,420 cubic feet, capable of holding about 10,000 bales of wool. The vessel has passenger accommodation for thirty-eight in her first saloon, forty in the second saloon, and 170 third-class passengers. The total number of crew, including officers, is 102. The engines indicate 4,000 horse-power, and she consumes fifty-two tons of Welsh coal while travelling at the rate of twelve knots on the outward voyage. With all holds full, and auxiliary engines going, she consumes sixty-three tons of Blackball coal on the homeward journey.
has been commander of the steamship “Paparoa” since she was launched, with the exception of the first two voyages. He was born in August in 1860, in Warwickshire, England, and was educated at Lemington College, Captain Jaggard joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as an apprentice in 1874, and, with the exception of five years in the Pacific Line, has been continuously in the Company's service. After rising to the position of chief officer in the service of the Pacific Company, he returned to the New Zealand Shipping Company in 1884, as fourth officer, and rose through the various grades until he was placed in command of the steamship “Otarama” in February, 1896. Captain Jaggard supervised the building of the steamship “Waimate,” of which he took command, and after three and a-half voyages took home the steamship “Ruahine.” For some time he was engaged in supervising the building of the steamship “Wakanui,” of which he had command for three voyages, before receiving his present appointment.
was appointed Chief Refrigerating Engineer of the steamship “Paporoa” in September, 1903. He was born in the year 1874, in London. England, where he was educated, and served an apprenticeship of five years with the Thames Iron Works and Shipbuilding Company, and afterwards worked for six months at Maxim's yards. Mr. White served as fourth and third engineer in the Glen Line, trading to China and Japan, and during that time obtained his certificate as chief engineer. In 1900 he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company, as second refrigerating engineer on the “Wakanui,” whence he was promoted to the “Paparoa.”
a vessel of the New Zealand Shipping Company, was built by Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie and Company, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, in the year 1898. Her registered tonnage is 5680 tons, and her weight when loaded is 10,066 tons. She measures 420 feet in length, fifty-four feet in breadth, and thirty-two feet in dupth of hold. The vessel is 600 horse-power, and the capacity of her coal bunkers is 745 tons. The first three holds are insulated, and capable of carrying 90,000 sheep of the average weight of sixty pounds each. The holds for general cargo contain 138,800 cubic feet of space, and are capable of holding 3,470 tons of merchandise. The “Wakanui” makes about two and a-half trips annually between New Zealand and England, and carries only a limited number of second-class passengers.
is in command of the s.s. “Wakanui.” He was well known for many years as an officer of the old “Rimutaka,” and afterwards as chief officer of the new “Rimutaka,” before he was promoted to his present position. Captain White-Parsons is further referred to at page 779 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Wakanui” in the year 1904. He was born in Norwich, England, in 1876, and educated in London. Mr. Whitehead went to sea in 1891, in the Beazley British Empire Line of sailing ships, and served for four years. He then joined the s.s. “Aorangi,” of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line, as fifth officer, in 1895. Later on, Mr. Whitehead was transferred to the s.s. “Mataura,” and served subsequently in the old s.s. “Rimutaka,” the s.s. “Tekoa,” the s.s. “Whakatane,” in which he made seven voyages, and the s.s. “Ruapehu.” Mr. Whitehead gained his master's certificate in March, 1903.
was appointed Third Engineer on board the s.s. “Wakanui” in the year 1904. He was born in 1874 in Holland, and was educated in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mr. Gray was afterwards apprenticed in the works of Messrs Ramage and Ferguson, at Leith, where he remained for five years and eight months. He then went to sea in the service of the London and Edinburgh Shipping Company as third engineer, served for seven years, and rose to the position of chief engineer. In February, 1904, Mr. Gray joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as fourth engineer, and was promoted to third engineer in November of the same year.
was appointed Chief Steward of the s.s. “Wakanui” in the year 1903. He was born in 1870, at Birkenhead, Liverpool, where he went to school. Mr. Woodward went to sea as a cabin boy, on the s.s. “Adriatic,” of the White Star Line, served for seven years, and rose to the position of second saloon waiter. He subsequently sailed under the Netherlands Steamship Company, carrying the Dutch mail, and was second steward for six years. Mr. Woodward then joined the Orient Company as chief bedroom steward, became second steward of the “Ormuz,” and later on, was transferred to the “Austral.” He afterwards joined the New Zealand Shipping Company, served on the s.s. “Papanui” as second steward, and was subsequently promoted to chief steward on the “Wakanui.” Mr. Woodward married a daughter of Mr. J. Ralph, of Broughton, Kent, England, in the year 1903, and has one son.
was built in the year 1896 at Hepburn-on-Tyne by Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie and Company, for the New Zealand Shipping Company. Her length is 420 feet, breadth fifty-four feet, and depth of hold thirty-two feet. Her net registered tonnage is 3629, her gross registered tonnage 5610, and her total carrying capacity 8,200 tons. Her engines indicate 3000 horse-power, but she usually works at 2,700, running eleven knots. The capacity of her permanent coal bunkers is 1200 tons, and her consumption of coal is 48 tons per day of New Zealand coal, or forty-three of Welsh. The vessel has insulated chambers capable of carrying 75,000 average New Zealand sheep. The “Waimate's” crew numbers sixty, including captain, officers, and engineers. The vessel has accommodation for twelve saloon passengers.
was appointed to the command of the s.s. “Waimate” in July, 1903. He was born in the year 1856 at Manningtree, Essex, England, where he attended school. Captain Forsdick went to sea at the age of sixteen years, and served his time on a vessel under his father, Captain I. Forsdick. He afterwards joined the New Zealand Shipping Company's service, in 1878, as third mate on a sailing vessel. After being fourteen years in command of sailing ships, Captain Forsdick was transferred to steamers. He became captain of the s.s. “Otarama” in 1901, and, on the sale of that vessel, became chief officer of the s.s. “Turakina,” for two voyages prior to his present appointment. As a Freemason, Captain Forsdick is a member of Lodge Mistley, 2339, English Constitution, Essex, England.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Waimate” in the year 1903. He was born in October, 1869, at Brighton, Sussex, England, where he was educated. After two years' training on H.M.s. “Worcester,” Mr. Davis served an apprenticeship of three years
was appointed Chief Engineer on the s.s. “Waimate” in the year 1905. He was born in October, 1855, at Redruth, Cornwall, England, and was educated at Swansea, South Wales. Mr. Wales served an apprenticeship of five years at Swansea as an engineer, and subsequently worked as a journeyman for some years. He afterwards went to sea as fifth engineer, under the Pacific and Oriental Company, and was promoted successively to the positions of fourth and third engineer. Mr. Wales then obtained his chief engineer's certificate, and was second engineer in the same service for nine years. In December, 1893, he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as fourth, engineer on the s.s. “Paparoa,” which he joined in April, 1898, and was promoted to the position of chief engineer in 1904. After some time on shore, on account of sickness, he went to sea again on the s.s. “Waimate.”
was appointed Third Engineer of the s.s. “Waimate” in the year 1904. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1870, and was educated in Manchester and in Yorkshire. Mr. Roe was apprenticed for five years under the firm of Nasymth, Wilson and Company, of Patricroft, North Wales. He then worked as a journeyman, and went to sea in 1896 in the Blue Funnel boats belonging to Mr. Alfred Holt. In 1899, Mr. Roe joined the New Zealand Shipping Company's service as sixth engineer on the s.s. “Ruapehu.” After four voyages, he was transferred to the s.s. “Kaikoura,” and was, successively, fourth and third engineer. Mr. Roe subsequently became fourth engineer on the s.s. “Whakatane,” and was afterwards in the same capacity in the s.s. “Turakina.” Prior to his present appointment he was third engineer on the s.s. “Kaikoura.” Mr. Roe obtained his chief engineer's certificate in March, 1904.
of the White Star Line, is under charter to the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company. This vessel was built by Messrs Harland, Wolff and Company, of Belfast, Ireland, and sailed on her first voyage in January, 1903. Her length is 520 feet, breadth sixty-three feet, and depth of hold forty-one feet three inches; her net registered tonnage is 7826, her gross registered tonnage, 12,232, and her total carrying capacity, 15,700 tons. The total insulated space of her compartments is 290,837 cubic feet, capable of containing 100,000 sixty-pound sheep; and her cargo space, in addition, is 330,148 cubic feet. The vessel draws, when loaded, thirty-two feet three inches, and her total displacement is 22,330 tons of loading draught. The capacity of her permanent coal bunkers is 1936 tons, and the quantity of coal used her day is about eighty-two tons of Welsh coal, or about ninety-three of Westport. The capacity of her permanent passenger accommodation is sixty-six in the first saloon, eighty-one in the second, and 194 in the third; but additional space can be fitted up to afford accommodation for a total of 400 passengers in the third class. The vessel's engines indicate 8,000 horse power, but she usually works at 5,000, running from twelve and a-half to thirteen knots. The crew numbers 134, including captain, officers, and engineers.
was appointed to the command of the s.s. “Ionic” in 1905. He was born in 1862 at Derby, England, and was educated in Oxfordshire and Leicestershire. At sixteen years of ago, he was apprenticed to Messrs Bagehot and Hicks, and served for four years. He then, for fourteen years, became an officer on sailing ships, rose to the position of captain, and had command of two ships, during a portion of that period, in 1891, he joined the White Star Line as fourth officer, and in the same year took his extra master's certificate. Captain Carter became captain of the s.s. “Cufic” in January, 1901. After one voyage he was transferred to the s.s. “Afric,” which he commanded for over four years, before taking charge of the “Ionic.”
was appointed Purser of the s.s. “Ionic” in 1904. He was born in 1869 in Liverpool, England, and was educated in Liverpool and in Ireland. Mr. Cummins joined the Pacific and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, served for ten years, and was promoted to the rank of purser. Subsequently, he was purser for one year and six months in the Pacific and Oriental Line, and after two years and a-half on shore, he joined the White Star Line in the Atlantic service. Mr. Cummins served for one year as purser, and was then transferred to the “Ionic.”
was appointed Second Steward in the first saloon of the s.s. “Ionic” in 1905. He was born in the year 1870 in London, England, where he went to school. Mr. Brown went to sea in the Allan Line from Liverpool, and, after three years, entered the service of the Pacific and Oriental Company; during his five years under that flag, he rose to the position of head waiter. He then joined the Union Castle Line as saloon steward, and rose to the position of bedroom steward. Mr. Brown afterwards joined the “Minneapolis” as storekeeper. He subsequently became saloon steward on the s.s. “Celtic,”
” was built in the year 1901 at the yards of Messrs Harland and Wolff, of Belfast, Ireland. She is jointly owned by the White Star Line and by the Shaw Savill and Albion Company. Her length between perpendiculars is 500 feet, breadth, sixty-three feet, and her depth of hold is forty-nine feet. The gross tonnage of the vessel is 12,234, her net tonnage 7,833, and her gross carrying capacity 15,827 tons, of which 7,452 is insulated space capable of carrying 98,782 carcases of sheep, each of sixty pounds weight. The space for ordinary cargo is equal to 8,375 tons, of which, however, a capacity of 2,340 tons is reserved as a coal bunker. The permanent coal bunkers, in addition to the reserved space, will contain 1936 tons, and the daily consumption is eighty tons of Welsh or ninety-two tons of Westport coal. The draught of the vessel, loaded, is thirty-two feet three inches. The “Athenic” carries ninety-three saloon passengers, ninety-four second saloon, and 218 fore-cabin passengers. The total number of the crew, including the captain and officers, is 158. Her engines will develop 4,800 horse-power, and her speed is thirteen knots.
Royal Naval Reserve, Commander of the twin screw steamer “Athentic” was formerly in command of the s.s. “Ionic,” in connection with which he is referred to on pages 783–4 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
, Engineer in the Royal Naval Reserve, is second engineer of the twin screw steamer “Athenic.” He joined the vessel as third engineer in the year 1902, and was appointed to his present position in 1903. Mr. Browne was born in Ditton, Lancashire, England, in 1873. He was educated in a private school near Liverpool and at Victoria (afterwards Liverpool) University. During his college course, he took a first-class engineering certificate. Then he served three years and a-half of his apprenticeship at a mill in Liverpool, and finished his term of five years at the works of the White Star Line. He then went to sea as sixth engineer in the “Teutonic,” and subsequently held a similar position on the “Adriatic.” He was then transferred to the “Teutonic” as fifth engineer, and subsequently rose to the position of assistant fourth engineer on the same vessel. Mr. Browne afterwards served as fourth and third engineer on the “Cymric,” and, at a later period, was second refrigerating engineer on the s.s. “Gothic.” He went through a course of three months' training at Portsmouth, attached to H.M.S. “Duke of Wellington,” became assistant engineer in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1900, and was promoted to the rank of engineer in 1904. After a trip in the “Civic,” as third engineer, he was transferred to the “Athenic.” Mr. Browne holds a first-class Board of Trade certificate, and is a member of the Institute of Marino Engineers, of London, and of the Liverpool Engineering Society. During his apprenticeship, he was for some time in the drawing office of the White Star Line.
of the White Star Line is under charter to the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, and was built in the year 1896 by Messrs Harland and Wolff, Belfast, Ireland. The vessel, which has twin screws, measures 475 feet between perpendiculars; she has fifty-five feet three inches beam, thirty-nine feet six inches depth of hold, and her mean draught, when loaded, is twenty-nine feet eight inches. Her net registered tonnage is 5,402 tons, and her gross registered tonnage, 8,273 tons. She has three insulated holds, which will contain 95,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. Her engines indicate 2,650 horse power, and she travels from eleven to twelve knots per hour. Her permanent coal bunkers contain 2,300 tons, and her daily consumption on the outward voyage is fifty-three tons, and on the homeward journey sixty-one tons. The “Delphic” has accommodation for eight saloon passengers, and for 350 in the steerage. The total number of the crew, including officers, is sixty-two.
has been in command of the “Delphic” for about three years. He is further referred to on page 785 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Delphic” in the year 1903. He was born in December, 1869, in Cork, Ireland, and is a son of Captain James Symons, of the s.s. “Glengariff,” Mr. Symons was educated in Cork, and went to sea under his father. In 1895 he took his mate's certificate, and served as second mate on board the barque “Charles E. Lefurgey.” Mr. Symons was afterwards appointed second mate on board the ship “Hahnemann.” Subsequently, he became chief officer, and served on several Nova Scotian ships. For a time he gained experience in steamships, but went back to sailing ships for further experience, before taking his master's certificate in 1897. Mr. Symons joined the White Star Line in 1897, and served on the s.s. “Doric” in the Pacific trade, for four years, during which he was promoted from fourth to first officer. He was then appointed second officer of the s.s. “Celtic,” as a new vessel, and was subsequently transferred as first officer to the s.s. “Corinthic” as a new ship, about five months before he received his present appointment. Mr. Symons married the daughter of Mr. Fenwick, hardware merchant, of Auckland, New Zealand, in January, 1904, and has one daughter.
was appointed Chief Engineer of the s.s. “Delphic” in the year 1903. He was born in 1868, in Cumberland, on the borders between England and Scotland, and was educated in Cumberland and in Lancashire. Mr. Sharp served an apprenticeship of five years and a-half at the White Star Works in Liverpool. On the old “Ionic” he served for eleven voyages, as fifth and fourth engineer, and afterwards for one year and six months, as third engineer on the s.s. “Cufic.” Mr. Sharp was then transferred to the “Georgic,” as third engineer, and also served successively on the s.s. “Adriatic” and “Delphic,” as third engineer. He was subsequently promoted to the position of second engineer, and served on one vessel for five years. Mr. Sharp was then appointed to the “Arabic,” a new vessel of 600 feet long, and after three voyages was transferred to the “Delphic,” as chief engineer. He married a daughter of Mr. E. P. Cowles, of Richmond, Nelson, on the
will be remembered by New Zealanders as the vessel which carried the Second New Zealand Contingent to South Africa. She is owned by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Limited, and was built in February, 1898, at the yards of Messrs Denny Brothers, in Dumbarton. The “Waiwera's” registered tonnage is 4025, and her gross register is about 7000 tons. In her refrigerating chambers she will carry 81,000 carcases of mution, “which is equivalent to 9000 bales of wool, and as she is essentially a cargo boat, she does not carry passengers. Her length is 425 feet, her breadth fifty-four feet, and depth of hold thirty-three feet. The “Waiwera” can steam easily at 3,200 horse-power, and her bunkers will contain 1800 tons of coal. In addition to this, 200 tons can be stowed on deck, and her daily consumption of coal is sixty tons. The crew numbers sixty-four all told, including the captain, four officers, seven engineers, and the boilermarker.
who has acted as Master of the s.s. “Waiwera” since April, 1904, was born in 1857, in Nova Scotia, where he was educated. As a lad, he went to sea, and after two years became second officer in deep-water ships. In two years he became chief officer of a sailing vessel, and was afterwards, for some time, employed under Messrs John Allan and Son. He joined the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company in 1887, and has since continued in that service. For four voyages he was fourth officer, and for two voyages second officer, and was subsequently chief officer for a number of years. In May, 1900, he became captain of the s.s. “Aotea,” but had for some years previously been a master of vessels. In March, 1891, he married a daughter of the late Mr. James McNeil, of London, and previously of Scotland.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Waiwera” in the year 1904. He was born in November, 1869, at Rothesay, Buteshire, Scotland, where he was educated, and afterwards went to sea as a youth, in Glasgow sailing ships, for four years. Mr. MacFie then became second officer of a vessel, and served altogether six years and six months, including the term of his apprenticeship. He subsequently joined a vessel owned by Messrs Hunting and Son, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and two months later was appointed chief officer. Mr. MacFie occupied this position for fourteen months, and took his master's certificate in the year 1894. He joined the service of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company in 1894, as second officer on the s.s. “Tokomaru,” and held the position for two years. Mr. MacFie was then promoted to the position of chief officer on the same vessel, and after eight years' service in that capacity, was transferred to the s.s. “Waiwera,” in 1904.
was appointed Second Officer of the s.s. “Waiwera” in the year 1904. He was born in 1875, in Canada, and was educated in England. At the age of sixteen, Mr. Gimson went to sea as an apprentice on the ship “Margaret Galbraith,” owned by the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, and after four years' service became third officer on the barque “Himalaya,” where he continued for fourteen months. He then joined Messrs Lamport and Holt's s.s. “Horace,” as fourth officer, and after four months' service became sixth mate on the ship “Glenard” on a voyage to San Francisco, via Cape Horn. Mr. Gimson was for fifteen months on this vessel, and afterwards joined the Union Castle Line on the s.s. “Saxon,” as able seaman, and continued in that capacity for six months. He again entered the service of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company as fourth officer of the s.s. “Rangatira,” rose subsequently to the position of third officer, and served on that steamer for four years. Mr. Gimson was appointed to the s.s. “Waiwera” in 1904.
was appointed fourth officer of the s.s. “Waiwera” in August, 1904. He was born, in 1884, in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he was educated; afterwards he went to sea as an apprentice in the Aberdeen Line, and served four years. Mr. Watson then became third mate, of the barque “Strathdon,” in which he continued for a year and eight months. He passed his examination as second mate in the year 1904, and after six weeks' drill on the Royal Naval
was appointed Third Engineer on the s.s. “Waiwera” in the year 1904. He was born in 1875 in Maryport, Cumberland, England, where he went to school. Mr. Devlin served an apprenticeship of five years under Messrs Victor Coates and Co., of Belfast, Ireland, and afterwards worked in the same town under Messrs Workman, Clark and Co. For nine months he was, successively, fourth and third engineer on the s.s. “Suram,” of Newcastle, and joined the “Waiwera” at Christmas, 1903, as fourth engineer. Six months later, Mr. Devlin was promoted to be third engineer.
, Second Refrigerating Engineer on the s.s. “Waiwera,” joined the vessel as third engineer in the year 1903; was afterwards promoted to the position of second engineer, and became second refrigerating engineer in 1964. He was born in 1857, in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he went to school, and afterwards served an apprenticeship of five years to the engineering firm of Hawthorne and Co., Leith, Scotland. Mr. Stewart was also employed for about twelve months at the West Cumberland Iron and Steel Works; he subsequently went to sea in a vessel of Messrs Dempster and Co.'s West African Mail Company, for two years, and later, for five years, held various engineering positions under the Cunard Company, of New York. Mr. Stewart then joined the firm of Messrs D. and C. Melvor, was engaged for seven years in the Bombay trade, and for eight years afterwards was in the Atlantic Transport Line, between London and America. He joined the s.s. “Waiwera” in the year 1903. Mr. Stewart married a daughter of the late Mr. John Anderson, of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the year 1887, and has three sons and five daughters.
was appointed Chief Steward on the s.s. “Waiwera” in the year 1904. He was born in Jersey, and educated in London, England. Mr. Palm went to sea at the age of twelve years in a whaling vessel, and after nine months, served as an ordinary seaman for two years. Subsequently he became, successively, assistant cook, second cook, and chief cook, and was appointed chief steward at the age of eighteen, on the ship “Tennyson,” belonging to the Shakespeare Line of steamers, London. After eighteen months' service, Mr. Palm joined the s.s. “Grangewood” as chief steward, and served for two years. He was then for eight months chief steward on the s.s. “Karamea,” and was appointed to the s.s. “Waiwera” in 1904.
of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Line was built in Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1904, by Messrs Workman, Clark, and Company. Her length is 448 feet, her breadth fifty-six feet two inches, and her depth of hold thirty-four feet six inches. Her net registered tonnage is 4178 tons, and her gross registered tonnage 6488 tons. The vessel's insulated chambers are capable of carrying 90,000 average New Zealand sheep, and she has also room in the remaining holds for 10,500 bales of wool. Her indicated horse-power is 3,500, and her engines are of the triple expansion variety, with four feet stroke, the cylinders being, respectively, twenty two inches, thirty seven inches, and sixty-three inches. She has two single-ended, and two double-ended boilers, measuring, respectively, fifteen feet nine inches diameter by eighteen feet nine inches. These boilers are worked at a pressure of 205 pounds to the square inch, and are fitted with all the latest improvements, including Weir's pumps and feed heaters. The vessel is installed throughout with electric light, fitted by Messrs Allen and Company. She has saloon accommodation for twelve passengers. Her crew, including officers, numbers sixty-eight.
was appointed to the command of the s.s. “Matatua” in the year 1905, and was previously for eleven years in command of the s.s. “Tokomaru.” He is further referred to on page 784, of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Matatua” in the year 1905. He was born in 1872 in Maidenhead, England, where he was educated, and afterwards served an apprenticeship of four years in a sailing ship, belonging to the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company. Mr. Charman was subsequently for four years on the Company's sailing
was appointed Second Officer of the s.s. “Matatua” in the year 1904. He was born in Cardiff, England, in 1879, and was educated in various schools. Mr. Allen afterwards served an apprenticeship for four years on the sailing vessels “Wellington” and “Invercargill,” of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company. He subsequently became fourth officer on the s.s. “Waiwera,” and served in that capacity for two voyages, when he was promoted to third officer. Mr. Allen served for five trips before he received his present appointment.
was appointed Fourth Officer on the s.s. “Matatua” in the year 1904. He was born in 1884 in Bedford, England, educated at the Bedford Modern School, and underwent two years training on the “Conway.” Mr. Kidman then joined the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company as an apprentice, and served for four years on the ships “Auckland” and “Westland,” before he received his present appointment.
was appointed Chief Engineer of the s.s. “Matatua” in the year 1905. He was born in 1873, at Gravesend, England, where he was educated and served an apprenticeship of five years in the workshops. Mr. Geach went to sea under the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, as fourth engineer in the s.s. “Rangatira.” During the six weeks he served in that vessel, he rose to the position of third engineer. For a year afterwards, Mr. Geach was third engineer on the s.s “Pakeha,” and was afterwards, successively, second and chief engineer on the s.s. “Waiwera,” for three years prior to his present appointment. He married a daughter of Mr. T. Roberts, of Lambeth, England, in the year 1899.
was appointed Chief Steward of the s.s.
is the property of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company. The vessel was built in 1893 by Messrs Swan and Hunter, of the Tyne-Wallsend Shipbuilding Company. She makes about two voyages a year between New Zealand and Great Britain. Her gross register is 6,250 tons, and her weight, when loaded, 11,850 ton. The refrigerating capacity of this steamer is equal to 94,431 carcases of mutton, which is equivalent to the space required for 7,750 bales of wool. The “Tokomaru's” length is 425 feet, her depth thirty four feet, and breadth fifty-three feet. She has room for 1,470 tons of coal, and her daily average consumption is thirty-five tons. Her speed is 11.2 knots an hour. The total number of the ship's company, including the captain and officers, is sixty-one.
Royal Naval Reserve, was appointed to the command of the “Tokomaru” in 1905. He was born in 1866, at Ferozepore in the East Indies, and was educated at Harrow. He was apprenticed under the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, and was appointed master of the s.s. “Mataura” in 1895. Captain Holmes occupied this position till the vessel was sold in 1903. For two voyages subsequently he had charge of the s.s. “Pakeha,” prior to his appointment to the “Tokomaru.” Captain Holmes received his commission as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1890, and as lieutenant in 1897. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Roach, of Leicester, England, in 1893, and has, surviving, one son and one daughter.
, Chief Officer of the s.s. “Tokomaru,” was born in the year 1876, at Kincardineon-Forth, Scotland, where he went to school. He was apprenticed under Messrs George Smith and Sons, of the City Line of vessels, trading from Glasgow. During his ten years of service under that company, Mr. McDonald rose to the rank of mate. He joined the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's service as second officer of the s.s. “Aotea,” and after four years and a-half of service was promoted to the position of chief officer of that vessel in New Zealand. His master's certificate is dated the 5th of May, 1900. He continued on the “Aotea” till the 13th of May, 1902, and served under Captain Evans, now Marine Superintendent of the Company at Wellington. Mr. McDonald was promoted to the position of chief officer on the 5th of April, 1904, and was appointed to the “Tokomaru” on the arrival of the “Aotea” in London. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Charles King, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland, in May, 1902, and has one daughter.
, Second Officer of the s.s. “Tokomaru,” was born at sea on the ship “Gryfe,” in November, 1878. He was educated in Scotland and England, and served an apprenticeship of four years under Messrs J. P. Corrie and Co., of London. During the last year of his apprenticeship, he became third mate on board the “Star of Russia.” He was subsequently appointed second officer on the same ship, and afterwards held a similar position on the four-masted ship “Mayfield,” in which he was wrecked in February, 1895, in Banks, Straits, after serving two years as second officer and nine months as mate. In May, 1902, Mr. Roberts passed his examination as master, and was appointed fourth officer of the s.s. “Waiwera,” of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's fleet. A year later, he joined the “Tokomaru,” as third officer, and was promoted to the position of second officer, in June, 1904. Mr. Roberts is a son of Captain Thomas Roberts, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
, Chief Engineer of the s.s. “Tokomaru,” is referred to on pages 787–788 of the Wellington volume of this Cyclopedia, and his photograph appears there in connection with his biographical sketch.
was appointed Second Engineer of the s.s. “Tokomaru,” in July, 1902. He was born in 1866, in Aberdeen, Scotland, and was educated in his native place, and London. Mr. Roberts served for four years and a-half at engineering at Aberdeen, under Messrs Dalgety Brothers. In 1887, he went to sea in the Shaw, Savill and Albion line of steamers as sixth engineer on the s.s. “Arawa,” and during his eight years of service on that vessel, he rose to the position of third engineer. In 1895, Mr. Roberts joined the s.s. “Mataura,” as second engineer, and, after four years, became second engineer and chief freezer on board the s.s. “Mamari,” on which he was nearly three years, before joining the “Tokomaru.” Mr. Roberts is the second son of the late Captain A. F. Roberts, who lost his life in 1890 in the ship “Dunedin,” which sailed out of the port of Oamaru, and was never afterwards heard of. Mr. Roberts married a daughter of Mr. Alexander
was appointed Third Engineer of the s.s. “Tokomaru,” in June, 1904. He was born in 1873, at Secunderabad, India, and was educated in Inverness, Scotland. His father, a refrigerating engineer, was ice manufacturer at Secunderabad for the Nyzam of Hyderabad. Mr. Macpherson studied as an engineer at Newcastle-on-Tyne, under Messrs Hawthorne, Leslie and Company, and served for five years. He then went to sea in the s.s. “Port Adelaide,” owned by Messrs William Melbourne and Son. After eighteen months, Mr. Macpherson joined the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, as fourth engineer of the s.s. “Karamea.” A year later, he became third engineer on the s.s. “Pakeha,” whence he was transferred to his present position on the s.s. “Tokomaru.”
, who has been Second Refrigerating Engineer of the s.s. “Tokomaru” since 1902, was born in 1877, in London, England, where he went to school. He served an apprenticeship of five years and a-half as an engineer under the North London Railway, at Bow. On completing his term he went to sea in the Phoenix Line, owned by the British Shipowners' Association, trading between Antwerp and New York, and served as fourth engineer for two years. He then entered the service of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, as fourth engineer on the s.s. “Pakeha,” and was promoted, successively, to the position of third engineer and second refrigerating engineer within three years and a-half; and was then transferred to the s.s. “Tokomaru.” Mr. Spurgeon was married, in 1902, to a daughter of Mr. W. Gibson, of London.
of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's Line, was built at the yards of Messrs Swan and Hunter, Newcastle-on-Tyne, in 1893. Her total length, between perpen liculars, is 402 feet; she is forty-eight feet beam, has twenty-nine feet depth of hold, and her loaded draught is twenty six feet. The gross tonnage of the “Maori” is 5,317 tons, and her net tonnage, 4,155. Her indicated horse-power is 2,100, and she travels at eleven and a-half knots, loaded. Three of her holds are insulated, and will contain 68,000 average New Zealand carcases. Her crew, including captain and officers, numbers fifty-four.
was appointed to the command of the s.s. “Maori” in 1905. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1856, attended school in his native place, and served an apprenticeship of four years in one of the ships of Messrs G. Smith and Sons, of Glasgow. Captain Nicol joined the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's service in 1885, when he had been about six years in possession of his master's certificate. For four years he served as second and first mate of the ship “Westland,” and then became master of the “Glen Lora” for two years. He was then transferred to steamers, and served for two years as chief officer of the s.s. “Pakeha.” When the “Maori” was a new vessel, Captain Nicol became chief officer of her, and was afterwards captain of the “Pakeha” for a year. He was then transferred to the s.s. “Aotea” as chief officer; four years later, he became captain of the “Rangitira,” and after commanding that vessel for six years, was transferred to the “Maori.”
, Chief Officer of the s.s. “Maori,” was born in Cornwall, England, in the year 1871. He received his education at Moseley College, Warwickshire, and after serving for two years on H.M. training ship “Worcester,” was apprenticed under the firm of Trinder, Anderson, and Company, of London. He made three voyages to West Australia in a barque, and then entered the Glen Line of steamers, as fourth officer, and rose to the position of third during the first year. Mr. Clark made three trips to China and Japan, and afterwards joined the Peninsular and Oriental Line for a short time. He then joined Messrs Bullard and King's Line, as third officer, and served for eighteen months, running from the Cape of Good Hope to Calcutta. Having taken his certificate as mate, Mr. Clark became navigating officer of a tramp steamer trading in the East, China and Japan. After one voyage, he joined the Chesapeake and Ohio Line, trading to Virginia, as second officer, and after four years of service, took his master's certificate. In December, 1899, Captain Clark entered the service of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, as third officer on the R.M.s. “Tainui.” He then joined the s.s. “Rangatira,” on which he served during two trips as third officer, for four years and a-half as second officer, and for a year as mate, before he was transferred to the s.s. “Maori.”
was appointed Second Officer of the s.s. “Maori” in the year 1903. He was born in 1876, at Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, England, where he went to school. Mr. Lambert joined the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company as an apprentice on a sailing vessel, and served for four years. He then entered the service of the British-India Company as fourth officer, and during his eleven months' service was promoted to the position of third officer. Mr. Lambert afterwards joined the s.s. “Tainui,” as fourth officer, when she was trading from Liverpool to Montreal. On the sale of the vessel right months later, he was transferred to the s.s. “Rangaitira,” as fourth officer, was subsequently promoted to the position of third officer, and served for three years prior to his present appointment.
was appointed Second Engineer of the s.s. “Maori”
“Westland,” barque; owners, Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company; captain, James Samuel. The “Westland” was built in Dumbarton, Scotland, in the year 1878, and is 224 feet in length, and has a beam of thirty-three feet. When she is loaded, she draws nineteen feet three inches, and carries a crew of twenty-six persons, including seven apprentices. The “Westland” makes a yearly trip to New Zealand, and her average time is ninety-five days. She was originally built for the passenger trade, and holds the sailing record from Portland, Oregon, United States of America, to London, England.
of the barque “Westland,” was born in Peterhead, Scotland, in the year 1843, and has followed a seafaring life from an early age. After eight years spent in whaling in the Arctic Ocean, he returned to Aberdeen, where he gained his master's certificate, and was subsequently placed in command of a small vessel trading from Leith to Peterhead. Later on, Mr. Samuel accepted the position of mate on the “Brierley Hill,” one of the Hudson Bay Company's vessels, whose headquarters were at Vancouver Island, British Columbia. After several years spent in command of other vessels he was appointed master of the “Westland,” in the year 1899. Captain Samuel married Miss I. McMillan, of Peterhead, Scotland, in 1868, and has a grown-up family of three sons and two daughters.
is owned by Messrs James P. Corry, of Belfast, and is under charter to the Tyser Line. She was built in the year 1899 at the yards of Messrs Workman and Clark, Belfast. Her length is 440 feet, her breadth fifty-five feet six inches, her depth of hold twenty-nine feet nine inches, and her draught, when loaded, twenty-six feet eleven inches. The vessel's gross registered tonnage is 6,825, her net registered tonnage, 4,415 tons, and her gross carrying capacity, about 11,000 tons. She has three insulated holds, with a carrying capacity of 87,500 carcases of average New Zealand sheep; and has accommodation for eight saloon passengers. The total number of the crew, including captain and officers, is fifty-six.
was appointed to the command of the s.s. “star of Australia” in the year 1903. He was born in the year 1859, in Doncaster, England, and was educated at Wakefield. Captain Ulyatt served his apprenticeship under Messrs J. P. Corry and Company, and was on sailing vessels till 1893. He gained his master's certificate in 1889, and was in command of sailing ships for several years. In 1898 he became commander of the s.s. “Star of England,” and five years later he received his present appointment.
is chartered by Tyser and Company, Limited, and is one of the well known Star Line of vessels belonging to James P. Corry and Company, Belfast, Ireland. She was completed in the year 1904 at the yards of Messrs Workman and Clark, Belfast, and commenced her first voyage to New Zealand on the 8th of October of that year. Her length is 450 feet, her breadth fifty-five feet three inches, her depth of hold forty feet; and her draught, when loaded, is twenty-seven feet two inches. The vessel's gross registered tonnage is 6,230 tons, and her net registered tonnage 4001 tons, though at times she has carried as much as 11,750 tons. She has three insulated holds measuring 238,792 feet, which are capable of carrying 87,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. For ordinary cargo her hold measurements are 224,324 cubic feet. On the vessel's trip from London, terminating in August, 1905, she ran at an average of 3250 horse-power, doing twelve knots an hour. Her permanent coal bunkers will contain 2,216 tons, and a reserve coal bunker is capable of holding 170 tons. Her consumption of coal is forty-four tons and a-half of Welsh coal per day, which drives her at a speed of twelve knots; or from forty-nine to fifty tons of Australian coal, with speed at eleven knots and a-half. The total number of the crew, includ-in captain and officers, is fifty-nine, and there is accommodation for eight saloon passengers.
has been Commander of the s.s. “Star of Scotland” since she left the yards in 1904. He is senior captain of the Star fleet, and was born in the year 1863 at Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Ireland, where he was educated. At fourteen years of age, he was apprenticed on the ship “Star of Erin,” of the James P. Corry Line. After serving four years he became third officer, rose, successively, to the position of second and first officer, and served on the same vessel in the latter capacity for two years. Captain Hart was for eight years an officer on the vessel on
of the J. P. Corry branch of the Tyser Line, was built in the yea 1895, at the yards of Messrs Workman and Clark, Belfast, Ireland. The vessel's measurements are: 404 feet over all, forty-seven feet beam, twenty-eight feet six inches depth of hold, and twenty six feet eight inches mean loaded draught. Her net registered tonnage is 2813 tons, her gross registered tonnage 4814 tons, and her total carrying capacity, 3500 tons. She has two insulated holds with accommodation for 65,000 carcases of average New Zealand sheep. Her engines indicate 3,000 horse-power, and her speed is an average of twelve knots per hour The vessel's permanent coal bunkers will contain 1,500 tons, and her consumption is thirty-four tons of Welsh coal per day. There is saloon accommodation for seven passengers, and the total number of the crew, including officers, is fifty-six.
was appointed Commander of the s.s. “Star of New Zealand” in February, 1904. He was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, in 1872, and was educated at St. George's College, Wimbleton. Captain Beck served for two years on H.M.s. “Worcester,” and subsequently served an apprenticeship of three years in the Star Line. He then became fourth officer on the s.s. “Star of England,” served during one voyage; and was, in a similar capacity, for three years on the s.s. “Star of Victoria.” Subsequently, he was promoted to the position of chief officer, and held the position for one year and six months. Captain Beck was afterwards appointed first officer on the s.s. “Star of New Zealand,” on which he served for two years. He was then promoted to the command of the s.s. “Victoria,” of which he had charge for a year, during which he was engaged in the River Plate trade, whence he was transferred to the command of the s.s. “Star of New Zealand.” Captain Beck gained his master's certificate in 1889.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Star of New Zealand,” in June, 1904. He was born at Maryport, Cumberland, England, in the year 1857, and is a son of Captain J. Auld, of Belfast. Mr. Auld was educated in Belfast, and afterwards went to sea in the Star Line, in which he served an apprenticeship of four years. For a year subsequently he was fourth officer of the s.s. “Star of Victoria,” and was ap-appointed to the “Star of Australia,” when he was promoted to the position of third officer. Mr. Auld served for one year and six months, and was afterwards transferred to the s.s. “Star of England,” as second mate. A year later, he returned to the s.s. “Star of Victoria” as chief officer, for six months, and then received his present appointment.
was appointed Chief Engineer of the s.s. “Star of New Zealand” in the year 1902. He was born in May, in 1854, at Falmouth, Cornwall, England, where he was educated, and served an apprenticeship of five years as an engineer. Mr. Howell went to sea in the service of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, of Southampton, trading to Brazil, in 1876, and served successively as sixth, fifth, fourth and third engineer. He continued in the firm's employment till 1883, and was then for two years afterwards fourth engineer in the service of the Union Company, of Southampton. After six months on shore, he was for two voyages in a vessel of the Monarch Line, trading to New York. Subsequently, for nearly three years, Mr. Howell was on the Shire Liner “Monmouthshire,” trading to China and Japan, as second engineer. After being employed for about four years on shore, he became second engineer on the s.s. “Southern Cross,” of the Houlder Line, in which he served from 1895 to 1897. In April, 1898, he joined the Star Line as second engineer of the s.s. “Star of Victoria,” on which he became chief refrigerating engineer, and afterwards chief engineer, before he received
was appointed Second Engineer of the s.s. “Star of New Zealand,” in March, 1904. He was born at Port Rush, in the North of Ireland in 1866, and was educated in Dublin. Mr. Moonan was apprenticed for three years to Messrs Muir and Houston's Harbour Engine Works at Kinning Park, Glasgow, but afterwards removed to Hull, and entered the service of Messrs Bailey and Leatham as third engineer in a steamer engaged in the Baltic and Mediterranean trade. He served for ten years, rose from the position of third to that of chief engineer, and served four years and a half in the latter capacity. Mr. Moonan then entered the service of the Star Line, as second engineer on the s.s. “Star of Victoria,” and served for two years before receiving his present appointment.
, was appointed Chief Refrigerating Engineer on the s.s. “Star of New Zealand,” in November, 1904. He was born in the year 1879 at Arbroath, Scotland, where he was educated, and served an apprenticeship of five years under Mr. George Anderson. For one year afterwards he was employed by the firm of Vicar, Sons and Maxim, gun manufacturers, at Erith, Kent, and then entered the service of the Star Line, as fifth engineer on the s.s. “Star of Australia,” on which he subsequently became second refrigerating engineer. After serving for three years he became chief engineer on the “Star of England,” and served for three months before receiving his present appointment.
a vessel of the Tyser Line, trading between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, was built in the year 1901, by Messrs William Dobson and Son, in Sunderland, England. She measures 385 feet in length, and twenty-five feet five inches in depth of hold. Her registered tonnage is 4583 tons, and she carries, when loaded, about 8,000 tons. The vessel's coalbunkers will contain 1480 tons. Her daily consumption is thirty-five tons, working at 160lb pressure engines, 2800 indicated horse-power; and she travels at the rate of eleven knots. The total number of the crew, including captain and officers, is fifty-four.
has been in command of the s.s. “Hawke's Bay” since the year 1903. He was born in 1852 at Teynham, Kent, England. After leaving school he was apprenticed to Messrs Killick, Martin, and Company, of London, and served for four years. He then served for seven months as an able seaman; later on, he was appointed third officer, and subsequently rose to the position of first officer on sailing ships. Captain Kemp then became second officer on a steamer, and after three years was promoted to chief officer. He gained his master's certificate in September, 1882. Some years ago Captain Kemp became master of the s.s. “Hawke's Bay,” was afterwards for a time first officer of the s.s. “Marere,” and in 1903 he was again appointed master of the s.s. “Hawke's Bay.”
was appointed Chief Refrigerating Engineer on the s.s. “Hawke's Bay” in January, 1903. He was born in 1869 in London, where he was educated, and served an apprenticeship of seven years to Messrs Maudsley, Son, and Field, a very old firm, and one of the first to construct steam engines. At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Lardeur went to sea as an engineer in the Canadian Line, and subsequently became chief engineer. During the South African Boer war, he was engaged as chief engineer on troopships, and afterwards joined the Tyser Line of vessels. Mr. Lardeur married a daughter of the late Mr. Richard Elen, of London, in the year 1890, and has one daughter.
was appointed Chief Steward of the s.s. “Hawke's Bay” on the 10th of February, 1905. He was born in March, 1875, in London, where he went to school. In June, 1897, he went to sea as messroom steward on the s.s. “Rosse,” and was afterwards second steward on the s.s. “Cuvier.” He then became messroom steward on the s.s. “Canning” for six months, and, later, joined the s.s. “Wordsworth,” for two voyages from New York to Brazil, and rose from pantryman to third steward. Mr. Hosford was afterwards storekeeper on the troopship “Winkfield.” In February, 1904, he joined the Tyser Line, as second steward on the s.s. “Marere,” and was subsequently promoted to the “Hawke's Bay.”
is owned by Messrs James P. Corry and Company, of Belfast and London, and is under charter to the Tyser Line, Limited. The vessel was built in 1889 by Messrs Workman, Clark, and Company, of Belfast. Her length is 371.8 feet, breadth 44.2 feet, and depth of hold 27.2 feet; and her mean draught, when loaded, is twenty-five feet. Her net registered tonnage is 2,270, her gross registered tonnage, 3584, and her total carrying capacity, 5,200 tons. Two of her holds are insulated, and they will carry 45,000 average New Zealand sheep. Her engines indicate 1,650 horse power, and she runs at ten and a-half knots. Her daily consumption is twenty-seven tons of Welsh coal. The vessel's permanent bunkers will contain 800 tons, but she generally takes in from fourteen to fifteen hundred tons on her homeward voyage. The crew numbers forty, including captain, officers and engineers. There is accommodation for four saloon passengers.
was appointed to the command of the s.s. “Star of England,” in the year 1903. He was born in 1875, in Sydney, New South Wales, and was educated in Sydney and in Hobart, Tasmania. In 1889 he went to sea in the colonial barque “Woolahra,” in which he served an apprenticeship of four years. After obtaining his second mate's certificate, he went to sea in that capacity on the sailing ship “Blairgowrie,” on which he was wrecked, nine months later. In 1894 he joined the s.s. “Star of England,” as fourth officer, rose to the position of master, and has served continuously on that vessel, except for a single voyage as mate on the s.s. “Star of Ireland.” Captain Hilder obtained his master's certificate in 1901.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Star of England” in the year 1904. He was born in 1879, at Croydon, Surrey, England, where he went to school. Mr. West afterwards had two years' training on H.M.s. “Worcester,” and was apprenticed under Messrs James P. Corry and Company, of Belfast. He served for two and a-half years on a sailing vessel, and after a short time on the s.s. “Star of Australia,” finished his apprenticeship on the s.s. “Star of England” in 1898, when he took his second mate's certificate. Mr. West then became able seaman, and was promoted, successively, to fourth, third, and second mate. He was afterwards transferred to the “Star of Australia,” and after nine years and six months' service on that vessel returned to the “Star of England,” as chief officer. Mr. West obtained his master's certificate in 1903. He married a daughter of Mr. W. L. Rees, of Gisborne, in August, 1904.
was appointed Chief Engineer of the s.s. “Star of England” in 1904. He was born in 1874 in Stirlingshire, Scotland, where he was educated, and after five years' apprenticeship in the workshops of Messrs James P. Corry and Company, went to sea in February, 1896, as refrigerating engineer on the s.s. “Star of England.” A year later, Mr. Gillespie became fourth engineer, and, after one year and six months, third engineer. In the year 1898 he was appointed second engineer on the “Star of Victoria,” and was then transferred to the same position on the “Star of New Zealand.” Two years later, Mr. Gillespie returned to the “Star of England,” as chief engineer.” He obtained his chief engineer's certificate in April, 1900.
was appointed Second Engineer of the s.s. “Star of England,” in 1905. He was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1879, was educated in Aberdeen, and afterwards apprenticed to Messrs Hall, Russell and Company, Limited, ship builders and engineers in Aberdeen, for five years. Mr. Brown went to sea as third engineer in a steamer of Messrs Pyman, of London, and after six months was appointed third engineer on a vessel belonging to Messrs Cairns, Young and Noble, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Fifteen months later, he obtained his second engineer's certificate, joined the Shire Line of vessels as third engineer, and served for one year and nine months. In December, 1904, Mr. Brown gained his chief engineer's certificate, and joined Messrs James P. Corry and Company's line of vessels in April, 1905, as second engineer of the s.s. “Star of England.”
was appointed Chief Refrigerating Engineer on the s.s. “Star of England” in the beginning of the year 1904. He was born in 1870 at Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, and was educated at Wakefield and in London. Mr. Cordock served an apprenticeship of five years in the Albert Docks Engineering Works, London, and entered the service of the Ducal Line, as fourth engineer; he was afterwards promoted to be second refrigerating engineer, and subsequently became chief refrigerating engineer for seven years. When the Ducal Line of vessels was sold, Mr. Cordock was appointed chief refrigerating engineer on the s.s. “Star of England.” He married a daughter of Mr. F. Hunt, of Eastham, London, in December, 1902.
which belongs to the Shire Line, of London, was built in October, 1903, at the yards of Messrs Hawthorne and Leslie, at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Her gross register is 8,000 tons, and her loaded weight 11,300 tons; length 480 feet, beam fifty-nine feet, and depth of hold thirty-five feet. The “Ayrshire” is a twin-screw vessel of 5,500 horse-power, and her maximum speed is 14.2 knots an hour. Her usual rate of speed, however, is twelve knots, and to attain that she works at about 4,500 indicated horse-power, and consumes from seventy-two to seventy-five tons of coal per day. Her permanent bunkers will hold 2,000 tons, but she can carry about 800 tons in excess of that quantity. Her insulating chambers are capable of containing 130,000 average New Zealand sheep carcases, and space is reserved for about 500 tons of chilled meat. There are also four chambers for cheese. Her refrigerating plant combines the Linde-Ammonia system, together with brine and cold air. The “Ayrshire” carries about thirty saloon passengers, and 150 in the steerage, and has a crew of eighty-six members, including the captain, four officers, and eight engineers.
has been in command of the s.s. “Ayrshire” since October, 1903, when she started upon her first voyage. Captain Coull was born in 1855, at Lossiemouth, in the north of Scotland, where he was educated. He served an apprenticeship of four years at sea, and
was appointed Second Officer of the s.s. “Ayrshire,” in August, 1904. He was born at Lowestoft, in England, where he went to school. Mr. Nursey was afterwards apprenticed in the Cambus Line of sailing vessels, on the “Lord Elgin,” from Glasgow, in which he served four years. In June, 1902, he took his second mate's certificate, and joined the Shire Line as fourth officer of the s.s. “Fifeshire.” Mr. Nursey was afterwards promoted to the position of third officer on the same ship, and, later, became third officer on the s.s. “Waikato,” of the New Zealand Shipping Company's Line. He subsequently obtained his certificate as first officer, and was appointed to the “Ayrshire.”
has been Chief Engineer of the s.s. “Ayrshire” since she went to sea, in October, 1903. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and educated at Edinburgh, and at Dollar. Mr. Howarth was apprenticed in Glasgow to the London and Glasgow Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, and served for five years. He subsequently went to sea in the Dale Line for two years, and became chief engineer. In 1888, Mr. Howarth joined the Shire Line. He became chief engineer on the s.s. “Fifeshire” in 1899, and was afterwards transferred to the “Ayrshire.”
has been Chief Steward on the s.s. “Ayrshire” since her first voyage. Mr. Henderson was born in the year 1863 in Glasgow, Scotland, and went to school in his native city. He went to sea as a youth in a line of vessels trading from Glasgow to the West Indies, but afterwards removed to the State Line of vessels, and later to the Patrick Henderson Line. When the s.s. “Perthshire” was a new vessel, Mr. Henderson joined her, in 1893, as chief steward. Five years later, he was transferred to the s.s. “Nairnshire,” in the same capacity, and continued on that vessel until he joined the “Ayrshire.”
a vessel of the Shire Line, of London, is running in conjunction with the Federal and Houlder Lines on the trade of the New Zealand-African and West Coast ports of England. She was built in the year 1899, at Thomson's Clyde Bank Yards, Glasgow, Scotland. Her length is 420 feet, beam fifty-four feet seven inches, and depth of hold twenty-eight feet eight inches. Her net tonnage is 3289, and her weight, when loaded, about 9,000 tons. The vessel's indicated horse-power is 3000 and, when fully loaded, she runs at about 2,800 horse-power. The space of her insulated chambers is 280,000 cubic feet, or equal to the carriage of 95,000 sheep, of the average weight of sixty pounds each. The total number of the crew, including captain, officers, and engineers, is sixty-four. There is accommodation for fifty steerage and twelve saloon passengers.
has been in command of the s.s. “Nairnshire” since the year 1901. He was born in 1855 in Denmark, where he was educated, and he served an apprenticeship of five years on a vessel from the north of England. In 1876, he joined the Shire Line, as second officer; in 1881, he obtained his master's certificate, and has been captain of Shire Line boats since 1883. Captain Olsen married a daughter of Mr. T. Suttie, of North Shields, in the year 1883, and has two daughters and one son.
, Royal Naval Reserve, was appointed Chief Engineer on the s.s. “Nairnshire” in the year 1899. He was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, in 1857; started to work at the age of ten years, and subsequently served an apprenticeship of six years and six months at Forth Bank Works (R. and W. Hawthorne), at Newcastle-on-Tyne. When he went to sea it was as third engineer in the vessels of Messrs Elliot, Lowry and Dumford, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Mr. Fawdon was then promoted to the position of second engineer, and afterwards be-became chief engineer. He subsequently entered the Chilian Government's service, on a torpedo catcher, as chief engineer, and, a year later, filled a similar position on the “Monte Bello,” of the Italian navy. Mr. Fawdon then joined the Spanish service, as engineer-instructor for two years. In August, 1889, he joined the Shire Line as chief engineer of the old “Nairnshire,” and afterwards brought out the “Perthshire,” a new vessel, on which he serv-as chief engineer for five years and six months. He was then transferred to the “Nairnshire.” Mr. Fawdon joined the Royal Naval Reserve in 1892, and received his commission as senior engineer in January, 1899. He married a daughter of Mr. J. Kelly, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in May, 1887, and has, surviving, two daughters.
of the Houlder branch of the Federal-Houlder-Shire Combine, was built at the yards of Messrs Workman and Clark, Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1900. Her measurements are: 350 feet between perpendiculars, fifty-four feet eleven and a-half inches beam, thirty-three feet six inches depth of hold, and her draught, when loaded, is twenty-seven feet four inches and a-quarter. The vessel's net registered tonnage is 4,295 tons, her gross registered tonnage, 6663 tons, and her total carrying capacity about 10,000. She carries a water ballast of 1570 tons, and her permanent coal bunkers will contain
was appointed Commander of the s.s. “Drayton Grange,” in September, 1904. He was born in 1862, in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he was educated, and was apprenticed to Messrs Trinder, Anderson and Co., of London. Captain Murrison then served on vessels of the Mercantile Steam Shipping Company, of London, and during the ten years of his service rose to the position of chief officer. He joined the Houlder Line as chief officer of the s.s. “Ovenden Grange,” in 1890, and was subsequently master of the s.s. “Hornby Grange” for four years, and of the s.s. “Roysten Grange” for eight years. He gained his master's certificate in the year 1888.
was appointed Chief Officer of the s.s. “Drayton Grange” in the year 1902. He was born in 1870, in Galway, Ireland, where he was educated, and was training for two years on H.M.s. “Worcester,” where he gained the Queen's gold medal. Subsequently, he served three years on the Australian clipper ship “Sabroan” (which is now a training ship in Sydney Harbour), of Messrs Davitt and Moore, of London. Mr. Bluett then had four years' experience as second officer on a northern tramp. He afterwards entered the service of the New Zealand Shipping Company, on the old s.s. “Kaikoura,” as third officer, and, later, was appointed second officer on the old “Rimutaka.” After one year on the s.s. “Waimate,” Mr. Bluett joined the Houlder Line as second officer on the s.s. “Hornby Grange,” whence he was promoted to his present appointment. He gained his master's certificate in the year 1890.
office at the Port, Nelson, is situated close to the wharves and shipping. The building is of wood and contains a public office and manager's room. A considerable amount of business passes through the branch, more especially in connection with the Customs. Mr. A. C. Walker is the officer in charge. A full and authentic history of the Union Steamship Company appears in the Otago volume of this work; pages 400–403.
who has held office as Wharfinger under the Union Steamship Company at Westport since March, 1890, was born in 1848, in Warwickshire, England, and was educated in his native land. As a youth, he went to sea, followed a seafaring life for many years, and became a captain in 1876. Captain Price landed in Dunedin by the s.s. “Coptic,” and soon afterwards settled in Westport. He married in 1875, and has one daughter.
formerly of the s.s. “Hesketh,” belonging to the Blackball Company, was born at Belfast, Ireland, in 1851, and was brought up to the sea on the Arrow Line, trading between Glasgow and Canada. Captain Black now (1905) has his home at Broadway Terrace, Wellington.
died at Christchurch on the 28th of October, 1905, in his eighty-sixth year.
is no longer Lady Principal of the Nelson Girls' College, as she has resigned, and been succeeded by Miss Margaret Lorimer.
formerly Chief Postmaster and Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages at Westport, entered the Public Service under the Canterbury Provincial Government at Christchurch in 1865, and in the same year opened the Post Office at Kaiapoi. He was afterwards in charge of the Blenheim and Nelson offices for a time, and then was removed to Balclutha. He was subsequently stationed at Featherston, and in 1868 was appointed Postmaster at Tauranga. Mr. Sheath was promoted to be Chief Postmaster at Westport in 1892; was afterwards for some time at Hokitika; and is now (1906) Chief Postmaster at Napier.
is a daily morning paper. It was founded about the year 1873 by Mr. Charles Wright, and issued as a tri-weekly, demy-folio in size. In April, 1889, the paper was bought by the late Mr. Robert Reid, who enlarged it to double-demy, and issued it as a morning daily. Mr. Reid successfully conducted the paper till his death in March, 1897, when it was bought by the late Mr. J. H. Boundy, who traded under the style of Boundy and Co. for twelve months. Then he, in turn, disposed of the paper on the 4th of April, 1898, to Mr. Walter Atkin, who in two years procured machinery and an engine, enlarged the size of the paper to double-royal, and was the first in Westport to reduce the price of the daily paper to one penny. There is a servicable news and jobbing plant in the office.
, the Proprietor of the “Westport News,” was born in the County of Cork, Ireland, in the year 1848 At a very early age he arrived in Melbourne, Victoria with his parents, and served an apprenticeship in Abbott and Co.'s job printing office. He afterwards came to New Zealand, and was in the office of the “West Coast Times” for three or four years. Later on, he and three partners conducted a paper known as the “Grey Valley Times.” He served under Mr. Mirfin in the “Inangahua Herald” office for eleven years. After conducting the “Lyell Times” successfully for thirteen years, Mr. Atkin bought the “Westport News.”
. Mr. Gregory did not sell the pack of the disbanded Blenheim Hunt Club to Mr. Rutherford, of Rangitikei. He had bought the pack from the Club, but made a gift of it to Mr. Rutherford.
. The whole of the grain used at the mill of Messrs Redwood Brothers is grown on their farm and in the district; and the machinery is driven by a fifty horse-power Tangye producer gas engine. Mr. J. H. Redwood has been chairman of the Spring Creek Road Board for twenty-five years continuously, and of the Spring Creek River Board for twelve years.
has been a member of the Greymouth Borough Council since the year 1903. He is the eldest son of the late Hon. James Kerr, M.L.C., and was born in Greymouth in 1875. Mr. Kerr was educated in Greymouth, and afterwards entered the employment of the “Grey River Argus.” He has worked right through the various departments, was manager of the journal for five years, and has acted as sub-editor since 1904. He married a daughter of the late Mr. Robert Stevenson, of Stafford, in 1903, and has one son. Mr. Kerr is a member of the Grey Education Board, and of the Greymouth Charitable Aid Board.
(Hon. Arthur Robert Guinness and Henry William Kitchingham), Barristers and Solicitors, Hospital Street, Greymouth. This well-known firm acts as solicitors for the Bank of New Zealand, Union Bank of Australia, and National Bank of New Zealand, at Greymouth, the Blackball Coal Company, Grey Education Board, Dispatch Foundry Company, and other businesses. Mr. Kitchingham is solicitor to the Greymouth Harbour Board, and Mr. Guinness is a Notary Public. The practice was founded, in 1867, by the senior partner, who is further referred to in this volume as member for Grey, and Speaker of the House of Representatives. The firm was constituted in 1884, by the admission of the junior partner
, Junior Partner in the firm of Guinness and Kitchingham, was born in London, England, in 1862, arrived in New Zealand in 1870, with his parents, and was educated in Greymouth. He studied law under Mr. Guinness; was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand
(Henry Holmes and Ernest Middleton Holmes) Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers, corner of Tainui and Mackay Streets, Greymouth. This business was founded, in the year 1890, by Mr. Charles Edward Holmes. It was subsequently acquired by the Hon. J. Holmes, M.L.C., who conducted it for about nine years, when the present firm was constituted. The building is a corner shop of one-and-two stories in height, and contains an extensive stock of paperhangings and oilmen's stores.
, of the firm of Holmes Brothers, was born in Hokitika on the 12th of October, 1867, and was educated in Hokitika, and at the Boys' High School, Christchurch. He gained his first experience of his trade in Hokitika, and afterwards served for three years in Dunedin. He then returned to the West Coast, and managed his father's business in Hokitika for fifteen years. Mr. Holmes was a trustee of the Oddfellows' Lodge, Manchester Unity, at Hokitika, for about nine years; as a footballer he played for Hokitika against Greymouth in 1885, and has also been a member of the Hokitika and Grey volunteer corps and bands. Mr. Holmes married a daughter of Mr. William Hannam, of Hokitika, in June, 1892, and has, surviving, one son and one daughter.
, Junior Partner in the firm of Holmes Brothers, was born in February, 1869, at Hokitika, where he was educated. He learned his trade in Christchurch and in Greymouth, and for some time managed the Greymouth branch of his father's business, before joining his brother in partnership. Mr. Holmes has taken an interest in football, volunteering, and brass bands, in Greymouth and Hokitika; and as a Freemason, he was Senior Warden of Lodge Greymouth in 1905. He married a daughter of Mr. G. F. Orams, of Greymouth, in October, 1897, and has, surviving, two sons and one daughter.
General Engineer, Boundary Street, Greymouth. This business was established in 1904, and is carried on in an iron building, which contains an engineer's shop and a moulding shop. The plant, which is driven by a four horse-power Crossley gas engine, consists of the latest high-speed lathes, punching, shearing and drilling machines; emery buffs, and a one-and-a-half horse-power fan. All kinds of engineering work is undertaken, and six persons are employed. The proprietor was born in 1870 at Southampton, England, where he attended school, but completed his education in Auckland, whither he accompanied his parents in 1881, by the ship “Rakaia.” Mr. Cox learned his trade at Messrs McCoskrie and Son's Chapel Street
Page 40. In the twenty-second line from the bottom of the first column, the word “respectfully” should read “respectively.”
Page 47. In the tenth line of the middle column from the top, “Shephard” has been spelt “Shepherd.”
Page 85. In the twenty-first line from the top of the middle column, “had” should read “has.”
Page 124. In the sixteenth line from the bottom of the first column, the word “lead” should read “head.”
Page 138. In the sixth line of the first column, the letter “t” has dropped out of the word “property.”
Page 142. In the twenty-third line from the bottom of the third column, “Mr. William Edwin Field” should read “Mr. George Edwin Field.”
Page 244. In the sixth line from the bottom of the third column, the word “Alexander” should read “Alexandra.”
Page 245. In the sixteenth line from the bottom of the third column, “Coppleston” should read “Capleston.”
Page 304. The word “Onamalutu” has been misspelt under the block entitled “Onamalutu Diggings.”
Page 361. In the fourteenth line from the bottom of the first column, the word “whire” should read “white.”
Page 362. In the thirty-first line from the top of the middle column, the word “Amerfoot” should read “Amersfoot.”
Page 380. In the twentieth line from the bottom of the middle column, the word “Waitoki” should read “Waitohi.”
Page 412. In the first column, “Mavelock” should read “Havelock.”
Page 516. In the thirtieth line from the top of the first column, “New Zealand” should read “New York.”
Page 524. In the fourth line from the top of the middle column, the name “Learmont” should read “Learmonth.”
Page 558. In the fifteenth line from the bottom of the middle column, “capstains” should be “capstan.”