Amberley is a pleasant town district in the county of Ashley, within a mile or two of the sea. It is about fifteen miles north from Rangiora, and thirty-four miles from Christchurch. The situation of the town is exceptionally salubrious, and the surroundings have much scenic charm. Agriculture and sheep farming are carried on prosperously in the district, and Weka Pass, Mount Grey, and other neighbouring localities are noted for their scenery. Fine views of the sea are obtainable from most parts of the town. The railway station is 135 feet above the level of the sea. One mile nearer Christchurch there is a flag station known as Grey's Road, and three miles northwards there is another named Greeney's Road, so that the district is well off for railway stations. There are two hotels in the township, and several stores, besides blacksmiths' and engineers' shops, and other business premises. Amberley has a branch of the Bank of New South Wales, the most northern bank in Canterbury. The railway and postal departments are combined at the railway station. Fortnightly sales of stock are held in the township, which is under the control of a town board. At the census of April, 1901, the town district had a population of 417, and 219 persons were returned as residing in the neighbourhood, outside the boundaries of the town district.

The Amberley Town District was constituted on the 12th of May, 1885. The area of the town is 540 acres, apart from roads. The main north road runs through the district, and the boundaries extend about half a mile on the west, and half a mile on the east side of that thoroughfare. There are ninetv-six dwellings in the township owned by eighty-nine ratepayers, and the total number of properties is 130. The capital value of the district in 1902 was £28,018, on which a rate of and in the £ was levied. The revenue of the Board includes rates and license fees, and with a subsidy is about £200 per annum. There are no loans, and the finances of the Board generally show a credit balance. Members for 1902: Messrs J. M. Brodie (chairman), T. McNaught, J. E. Chamberlain, R. S. Turner, J. G. Harris, and J. McLean, junior. Mr. A. Greig, who acts as clerk to the Board, is an old settler in Canterbury.

Mr. James McKenzie Brodie, who has been chairman of the Amberley Town Board since 1897, was born in Perth, Tasmania, in 1837. At the age of one he accompanied his father to Melbourne, but was sent when eleven to Scotland to be educated. On returning to Australia, in 1862, he had two years' experience on a run in the Riverina district, and came to New Zealand in April, 1869. He settled in the Ellesmere district, where he farmed for about three years in partnership with Mr. John Hurst. In 1876 Mr. Brodie took a trip to London, and on his return in the following year settled in the Amberley district. He took up Berriedale Farm, near Mount Grey, which he worked till 1894. Since then he has resided in Amberley. Mr. Brodie was a member of the Kowai Road Board, and for a time chairman, and has been for some time chairman of the Amberley Library Committee. He married a daughter of Mr. C. A. Badham, late of the Irrigation Works. India, and has two sons and three daughters.

Tolputt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. J. M. Brodie.

Railway Station And Post And Telegraph Office, Amberley. The railway station was opened at Amberley about 1875. A post and telegraph office is attached, and the private box lobby contains thirty boxes. The post office at Broomfield is under the control of the Amberley postmaster. Four passengers and goods trains pass daily through the station. The stationmaster is assisted by a telegraph linesman, cadet, and porter; and mails are received and despatched daily.

Mr. Harry Daniel, Stationmaster and Postmaster at Amberley, was born in 1868, at Falmouth, England, and arrived at Wellington with his parents by the ship “Euterpe.” The family settled in Palmerston North, where Mr. Daniel entered the public service in 1892. He was afterwards stationed at Wanganui, Stratford, Halcombe, Woodlands, and Kingston, and has been in charge at Amberley since 1900. Mr. Daniel was married, in 1892, to a daughter of Mr Aliss, of Rewa, Hunterville, and has two sons and two daughters.

The Amberley Public School was established in the year 1872. It stands on a portion of a section of three acres, adjoining the Anglican church property, is of wood, and has three class-rooms, two porches, and a connecting lobby. There is accommodation for 180 pupils. In the middle quarter of 1902 the roll number was 122, and the average attendance 103. A convenient playground surrounds the school, and there is a twostoried, eight-roomed residence. The headmaster is assisted by an infant mistress and a pupil-teacher.

Mr. Frederick Alley, Headmaster of the Amberley Public School, was born in 1866, at Papanui. After serving his pupil teacher-ship he had a year's training at the Normal College, and was subsequently in charge at Charteris Bay, Irwell, and Springfield, before being appointed to his present position in February, 1898. Mr. Alley was married, in 1892, to a daughter of Mr. Buckingham, of Norwich, and has three sons and one daughter.

The Amberley Parish Of The Anglican Church dates from 1892. Prior to that time it was a part of the Leith-fleld parish. The district, as first constituted, included Waikari, which was separated from it in 1900. Amberley parish and district have an area of about 500 square miles, and services are held periodically at Tipapa, twentytwo miles distant; Mont Serrat, nineteen miles away; and at Waipara, Broomfield, and Esk Valley. The parish church at Amberley was originally erected in 1877, but the building, with the exception of the tower, was destroyed by a hurricane in 1889. The church was reconstructed, almost entirely on the original lines, at a cost of about £700, and has room for 140 worshippers. A school-room, which occupies a portion of the church property, page 536 was burnt down on the 16th of June, 1902. The vicarage, which adjoins the church, was erected at a cost of £550. There are about eighty children in attendance at the Sunday school, which is in charge of five teachers.

The Rev. Cecil Alexander Tobin, Vicar of Amberley, was born in Exmouth, Devcnshire, England, in 1856, and arrived at Lyttelton by the s.s. “Norfolk.” Having studied at St. John's College, Auckland, and at the New Zealand University, he was ordained deacon and priest in 1889. After being five years at Paparoa Mr. Tobin was appointed to the church at Amberley in 1892. He was married, in 1890, to a daughter of Mr. J. K. Brown, Limerick, Ireland, and has two sons and two daughters.

The Wesleyan Church at Amberley stands at the corner of Douglas and Church Streets. It was built in 1882, is of wood and iron, and has accommodation for 120 persons. A Sunday school, with four teachers and forty scholars, meets in the church. The district, of which Amberley is the centre, was started as a Home Mission station in 1880. For several years, however, it was connected with the Kaiapoi circuit, and a minister resided at Amberley. This, however, has since been changed, and Amberley is now worked as a Home Mission station. Services are held in the church every Sunday morning and evenmg, and the Home Missionary in charge officiates periodically at Broomfield, Omihi, Greta Valley, and Waipara.

Mr. William George Fitzgerald, Home Missionary in charge of the Amberley district, was born in Tasmania in 1876. He commenced preaching in 1899, became a Home Missionary at Jeparit, Victoria, in 1901, and was transferred to his position at Amberely in 1902.

The Magistrate's Court, Amberley, stands in Douglas Road. It was originally the post office building at Leithfield, but has been used as a courthouse since about 1870. There are monthly sittings in civil jurisdiction, and the local constable, Mr. M. Roach, acts as clerk of the court.

The Amberley Police District includes the settlements of Amberley, Sefton, Balcairn, Leithfield, Waipara, Tipapa, Scargill, Waikari, and Omihi. The station is in Markham Street, Amberely.

Mr. Maurice Roach, Constable in charge of the Amberley Police District, was born in 1842, in Limerick, Ireland. He served in the Limerick Mounted Rifles, and afterwards went to America, where he served in the cavalry, in the Federal Army, and fought to the end of the civil war. He was afterwards in the United States infantry; and for seven years subsequently was a member of the New Orleans metropolitan police. Mr. Roach arrived in Lyttelton by the ship “Countess of Kintore,” and joined the Armed Constabulary at the time of the Parihaka disturbance. He was afterwards transferred to the police force, and has been in charge at Amberley since 1893. Mr. Roach was married, in 1880, to Miss O'Brien, of Limerick, and has seven daughters and three sons.

Cook, Percival Robert, M.B.; Ch. B., Physician and Surgeon, Amberley. Dr Cook was born in Wellington in 1867. He studied at the Otago University, where he graduated in 1889. After practising four years at Roxburgh, Otago, he removed to Rangiora, and, three years later, to Amberley. Dr Cook was married, in 1900, to a daughter of Mr. J. C. Wilkin, of Christchurch, and has one son.

Morris, Matthew, M.R.C.S. (England), General Practitioner, Main Road, Amberley. Mr. Morris was born in Sussex, England, and arrived at Lyttelton by the ship “Rose of Sharon” in 1857. In 1862 he settled at Leithfield, and, when the railway was opened, removed to Amberley. He has been in practice for about forty years.

The Bank Of New South Wales, Amberley, was established there in 1890. The building, which is of two stories, and constructed of wood and iron, stands in a central position in Markham Street. It includes the banking chamber, and manager's room and residence. The land attached to the banking premises is two aores in extent. This is the most northerly bank in Canterbury.

Mr. Edward Kempthorne, Manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Amberley, was born in Auckland in 1845, and was educated at the Parnell Grammar School. He entered the service of the bank in 1869, at the Thames, where he remained for eight years. Mr. Kempthorne was afterwards stationed in Auckland and at Patea; he was manager at Ashburton for five years and a half, and was transferred to Amberley in 1896. He was married, in 1878, to a daughter of Mr P. Cald-well, of Queensland, and has two sons and one daughter.

Crown Hotel (William Stuart Mitchell, proprietor), corner of North Road and Main Street, Amberley. This hotel was established in 1876. The building, which is of wood and iron, and two stories in height, contains twenty-five rooms available for the public. There are twenty bedrcoms, and four sitting rooms, a billiard room with an Alcock table, and there is a large dining room, capable of seating eighty guests. A capital stable containing sixteen stalls and six loose boxes, a large buggy-shed, and a paddock of six acres are attached to the hotel.

Mr. William Stuart Mitchell, Proprietor of the Crown Hotel, was born in Geraldine, in 1869. He was brought up to the drapery trade in his father's firm, Messrs Mitchell and Turner, of Ashburton, but subsequently took the Southbridge Hotel, which he conducted for four years. Having sold his interest at Southbridge, he purchased the Crown Hotel, Amberley, of which he took possession on the 20th of March, 1962. As a volunteer Mr. Mitchell served for four years in the old Scottish Rifles in Christchurch, and he was captain of the Ashburton Cycling and Atbletic Club for about four years, and one of the founders of the swimming club in that town. He takes a keen interest in cricket and football, and during his stay in Southbridge was one of the promoters of the local bowling club. Special attention is given to the accommodation of cyclists at the Crown Hotel, where bot and cold baths are always at their service. Mr. Mitchell was married, in 1896, to a daughter of the late Mr. J. Henry, of the Commercial Hotel, Ashburton.

Clarle, photo.
Mr. W. S. Mitchell.

Railway Hotel (George Garrett Fitzgerald, proprietor), near the railway station, Amberley. The Railway Hotel is a twostorey wood and iron building, which affords good accommodation to the public. There are twelve bedrooms and three sitting rooms, and a commodious dining room, with accommodation for fifty guests. There is a stable with eight stalls, and two lcose boxes; and a conventient padbock adjoins the hotel.

Midgley, W., and Co. (William Midgley). General Storekeeper, Markham Street. Amberley. This business was established about 1880, and was conducted by Mr. F. A. Cook, of Christchurch, for about four years prior to the 20th of April, 1901, when Mr. Midgley entered into possession. The premises comprise a double-fronted shop and store behind, with departments for grocery, ironmongery, glassware, boots and shoes. Goods are delivered to customers within a radius of fifteen miles.

Mr. William Midgley was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, in 1862, and when four years of age he arrived with his parents at Lyttelton by the ship “Eastern Empire.” He was brought up to the drapery trade in Christchurch with the firm of Messrs Ballantyne and Co., to whom he was apprenticed for five years. Removing to Ashburton he was employed by Messrs Friedlander Bros, for eighteen months, and subsequently entered the employment of Messrs C. Hardy and Co., Rakaia, with whom he continued for seventeen years, and had the practical management of the business for a portion of that time. During his residence in Rakaia, Mr. Midgley was for some time a member of the local school committee. page 537 of which he was chairman for eighteen months. As a Freemason he is a Past Master, and is attached to Lodge Rakaia, No. 31, New Zealand Constitution, and is also a Past Grand of the Rakaia Lodge of Oddfellows. Mr. Midgley was married, in 1885, to a daughter of Mr. W. Sowman, of Nelson, and has four sons and three daughters.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. W. Midgley.

Rhodes, William Henry, General Storekeeper and Grain Merchant, Markham Street, Amberley. Mr. Rhodes established his business in 1896, and conducts extensive operations in general farm produce. He was born in 1854, at Lyttelton, and accompanied his father, the late Mr. Alfred Rhodes, in 1867 to Leithfield, where he was brought up to country life. In 1886 he joined Messrs Benn and Co., in Amberley, and when the firm relinquished business in 1890 Mr. Rhodes took over the produce branch, which he has since conducted. Mr. Rhodes takes a general interest in matters affecting the welfare of his district, and is a member of the Amberley Steeplechase Club, and of the North Canterhury Caledonian Society.

Smith, Henry, General Storekeeper, Hairdresser, and Tobacconist, Markham Stroet, Amberley. Mr. Smith established his business in 1897, and has a convenient shop, with a hairdressing saloon behind. He was born in Amberley on the 19th of August, 1870, and learned his trade in Greymouth, where he practised it for some yeas. On returning to Amberley he began business on his own account; and subsequently added the business of general storekeeper. Mr. Smith is agent at Amberley for the “Lyttelton Times,” and for the Alliance Insurance Company. As a Druid he is attached to Hope of Amberley Lodge, No. 8, and he is also a member of the bicycle, cricket, and steeplechase clubs. Mr. Smith was married on the 20th of April, 1896, to a daughter of Mr. J. W. Moore, of Amberley, and has one daughter.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. H. Smith.

Mason, C. B., Coal and Timber Merchant, Amberley. Mr. Mason established his business in 1879, and does an extensive trade throughout the district. He was born in 1853 in Lyttelton, where he received his education, and removed with his parents to Leithfield in 1868, soon afterwards joining the firm of Messrs. Benn and Co., at Amberley. In 1879 he purchased his present business, which he has greatly increased. Mr. Mason is the local agent for the south British Insurance Company, and for the Christchurch “Press” Company. He always takes an active part in anything tending to advance the town or district, is a member of the licensing bench, and for eight years was a member of the town board. Mr. Mason has been captain of the local cricket club for many years, is vice-president and treasurer of the Caledonian Society, vice-president and treasurer of the football club, and vice-president of the bicycle club. He is a past-master of the Masonic fraternity, and a past-noble grand of the Oddfellows' order, and is also a vestryman of the Anglican church. Mr. Mason was married in 1879 to Miss Barcley, of Sefton, and has three sons and one daughter.

Mr. C. B. Mason.