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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Farmers

Farmers.

Bailey, Charles, Farmer, Le Bon's Bay.—Mr. Bailey is the son of Mr. Henry Bailey, who arrived in New Zealand in October, 1860. He himself was born at Le Bon's Bay, on the 24th of January, 1864, and was the first white child born in the place. Mr. Bailey has a freehold of 100 acres; he also leases the old homestead, and grazes about 1400 sheep and cattle. He has for many years been chairman of the Le Bon's Bay school committee, and clerk of the local road board. Mr. Bailey was married, on the 7th of September, 1883, to Miss Caroline Amelia Johnson.

Mr. C. Bailey.

Mr. C. Bailey.

Crotty, Charles James, Farmer, Le Bon's Bay. Mr. Crotty is the youngest son of the late Mr. George Stephenson Crotty, of Le Bon's Bay, where he was born in 1879, and educated at the local public school. he commenced farming at an early age, and, at his father's death, he took over the management of the family property. Mr. Crotty is a member of the local Rifle Club, and, also, of other sporting bodies. He was married, in 1903, to Miss Oldridge, of Le Bon's Bay.

Standish and Preece, photo.Mr. and Mrs C. J. Crotty.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. and Mrs C. J. Crotty.

Knight, R. J., Farmer, Seaview Farm, Le Bon's Bay.—Mr. Knight was born in Wellington, in 1843, and when thirteen months old he accompanied his parents to Akaroa, where his father died, when Mr. Knight was three years of age. His mother married again, and he went to Okain's Bay, and then to Laverick's, where he was brought up to bush and station work. He began to utilise the bush first by hand-saw, but he afterwards became partner in a sawmill, which he and his partner worked till the timber was exhausted, and the firm of Webb and Knight and Sons dissolved partnership. Mr. Knight then entered into the dairy industry at Akaroa, and continued in it for six years, when he turned his attention to commercial life. At the end of four years he had to dispose of his business owing to illness, and after travelling about for some time, chiefly in the North Island, he returned to Laverick's, where he stayed for a few years. Subsequently he settled at “Sea-view,” where he built a new house. Mr. Knight has acted as local postmaster, and been agent for the Charitable Aid Board. He was married, in 1898, to Miss Newbery.

Standish and Preece, photo.Mr. R. J. Knight.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. R. J. Knight.

Laverick's Bay Estate, Le Bon's Bay. This property belongs to Mr. J. T. Knight, but was originally taken up by Mr. William Webb, in 1858. Mr. Knight, Mr. Webb's stepson, carried out many of the improvements begun by his stepfather. The bush has been cleared, and the run covered with a good thick sward of grass, from which a large quantity of seed is annually saved. The property now comprises 2100 acres; it is divided into eighteen paddocks, and carries a large herd of Shorthorn cattle and a flock of English Leicester sheep, and Mr. Knight has lately been experimenting with sheep of the Wensleydale breed. The homestead is beautifully situated near the beach, and is surrounded by the largest elder trees in New Zealand.

Mr. J. T. Knight was born at Akaroa in 1849, and was educated at Okain's Bay. At the age of twelve years he began to deal in live stock, and by the time he was twenty he dealt in all kinds of animals, and is still dealing. He visited Westland in 1864, when there were no houses in that part of the Colony, and he obtained a fair share of gold at Hokitika and the Grey.

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Leonardo, Antonio Frank, Farmer, Le Bon's Bay. Mr Leonardo was born in Portugal, and took to a seafaring life. In 1862 he came to New Zealand in the American whaler “Olive Crocker,” Captain Cochrane, and made his way to Akaroa, where he did bush work. He, however, returned to the sea and sailed the coasts of New Zealand for several years, but finally settled in Le Bon's Bay, where he took up his first section of forty acres, and where he now has a freehold of 372 acres. At first Mr. Leonardo stocked his land with cattle, and milked as many as sixty-five cows; but he now devotes a great deal of his land to the cultivation of cocksfoot. Mr. Leonardo has served on the road board, school committee, and has acted as postmaster for the district. He married Miss Barnett, who made the first cheese in Le Bon's Bay, and has three sons and three daughters.

McCullough, Edward, Farmer, Le Bon's Bay. Mr. McCullough is the third son of the late Mr. William McCullough. He was born in Le Bon's Bay, in 1880, and educated at the local public school. Afterwards he assisted his father on the farm, a portion of which he now cultivates on his own account. Mr. McCullough has been a member of the local football and cricket clubs for three or four years. He was a member of the Sixth New Zealand Contingent, saw active service in the South African war, and returned to New Zealand in May, 1902.