The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]
Old Colonists
Old Colonists.
Mr. William Collins, sometime of Springston, was one of the early pioneers of New Zealand, and in conjunction with the late Mr. Woon, he started the first newspaper in New Plymouth. Mr. Collins left Taranaki in the early sixties, and was for years manager of the mechanical department of the Christchurch “Press.” He afterwards retired to his farm at Springston, where he remained till his death in 1895, when he left a family of two sons and three daughters.
Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
The Late Mr. J. Gammack.
Mr. James Rowell, of “Spring Bank,” Springston, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1833, and was in London for five years prior to coming to New Zealand in the year 1859, by the ship “Clontarf.” His first work was a contract to cut a drain from the river Avon through Mr Fuche's land, to the English cemetery in Christchurch. He afterwards helped to make the Bridle Path from the Ferry to the Ginger Beer Shop—a name well known in the early days. After that he helped to make the Avon cutting towards New Brighton. He also helped to form Kilmore Street, Windmil. Road, and Lincoln Road. Mr. Rowell then took up his first land on the Springs track in 1861, and settled on it during the following year; but he afterwards sold out, and bought his present well kept farm of ninety acres, on Day's Road, where he farmed for a number of years until he let it to his sons. Mr. Rowell afterwards bought the Springston Hotel and kept it for nine years. He then retired and went to live on the Riccarton Road, and he and Mrs Rowell and their daughter subsequently took a trip to England. Mr. Rowell owns property in the Riccarton, Templeton, and Springs districts. He married a daughter of Mr. Philip Martin, who kept the Black Horse Hotel on Lincoln Road for many years. Mrs Rowell was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1836. She came out in the same ship as Mr. Rowell, and they were married during the year of their arrival. Mr. and Mrs Rowell have four sons and seven daughters.
Mr. and Mrs J. Rowell.