Ohoka is a settlement on the Kaiapoi-Bennett's branch line of railway. It is a flag railway station nineteen miles distant from Christchurch, and stands at an elevation of seventy feet above the level of the sea. The village has a hotel, store, bakery, and smithy, and the local post-office is conducted at the baker's shop. There are several churches, and the educational wants of the district are provided for by the Flaxton main school, which adjoins the Wetheral railway station, a mile nearer to Kaiapoi. The district is devoted to agriculture, and sheep and dairy farming. Ohoka is the head-quarters of the Mandeville and Rangiora River Board, and of the Eyreton and West Eyreton Road Boards. The district lies in the Eyreton riding of the county of Ashley, and has a population of 426.

The Post And Telegraph Office, Ohoka, is conducted on Mr. Thomas Newnham's premises, which are situated centrally in the township. There has been a post office in the district since about 1880, and daily mails are received and despatched. The office also does a money order and savings bank business.

Mr. Thomas Newnham, Postmaster of Ohoka, was born in Kaiapoi in 1865. He was educated in his native place, and at Christchurch, and was brought up to business as a baker. Mr. Newnham began business on his own account in Ohoka in 1898. There is a fine baker's oven on the premises, and bread is delivered by cart over a wide area. Mr. Newnham is a member of the local school committee. He was married, at Christchurch, to a daughter of the late Mr. T. Fogarty, and has four sons and four daughters.

Tolputt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. T. Newnham.

St. Albans Church, Ohoka, was consecrated on the 31st of May, 1882. It stands on a section of half an acre in extent, and the adjoining vicarage has a glebe of two acres and a half. The church is of wood, and shingled; the vicarage, of wood, with an iron roof. The church has accommodation for 130 worshippers, and there is service every Sunday. There is also a small Sunday school.

The Rev. William Cruden, M.A., Assistant Curate of Rangiora, resides at the Ohoka vicarage. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on the 6th of December, 1832; educated at All Saints' and St. Marylebone Grammar School in connection with King's College, London, England; graduated B.A. at Trinity College, Toronto, in 1855, and M.A. in 1887; was ordained deacon in 1857, and priest in 1858, by the Bishop of Fredericton. Mr. Cruden was appointed missionary of Nelson and Blackville in the diocese of Fredericton, from 1857 to 1861; rector of Derby. Nelson, Blackville, in the same diocese, from 1861 to 1877; rector of Picton, in Nova Scotia, from 1877 to 1878; and incumbent of St. Paul's, Lanark, Ontario, from 1878 to 1881. He came to New Zealand in 1881, and became Assistant Curate for Banks' Peninsula, from 1881 to 1882, curate of the Peninsula near Dunedin, from 1882 to 1883, curate at Hampden, North Otago, from 1883 to 1890; vicar at Flaxton, Ohoka, with Eyreton, 1890 to 1901; and assistant curate at Rangiora, 1901. Mr. Cruden was married, in 1872, to the eldest daughter of Mr. D. McBeath, of Black River, New Brunswick, and has four daughters and one son surviving.

The Wesleyan Church at Ohoka is situated in the main street. It has accommodation for 120 worshippers, and is erected on a section of half an acre of land. There is a Sunday school, with thiry-two scholars, and three teachers.

Inglewood Flour Mill. Wetheral Station, Ohoka This mill was established in 1890, by Mr. P. C. Threlkeld. It is an iron building, of four stories, the motive power being a seventeen horse-power water wheel, driven by the Ohoka stream, and a twelve horse-power stationary engine. The roller-milling plant produces two sacks and a half per hour. Mr. W. H. Martyn is the owner of the mill, which is leased to Mr. Richard Evans, of Kaiapoi.

Moss, Reginald, General Storekeeper, Ohoka Store, Ohoka. This business, which was established many years ago, was conducted by Mr. G. Grant for about seven years prior to 1902, when it was acquired by the present proprietor. The premises consist of a store and dwelling, with stabling and sheds, and business is done over a wide area. Mr. Moss acts as agent for the United Insurance Company. He was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, where he was educated, and brought up to mercantile life, and came to the colony by the s.s. “Kaikoura.” He is an experienced wool-classer, and was for several years engaged as such in New Zealand and Australia. Mr. Moss was married, on the 22nd of February, 1902, to a daughter of Mr. S. Wright, of Richmond.