Kimberley lies on the south bank of the Waimakariri river, about thirty miles north-west from Christchurch, and is bounded by the districts of Courtenay, Darfield, and Waddington. It is a fertile agricultural and pastoral area, and was originally part of the Racecourse Hill run. The district is named after Lord Kimberley, who was Secretary of State for the Colonies in two of Mr Gladstone's Ministries. Its earliest settlers included Messrs Henry Roberts, William Pitt, John Brown, James Manson, Bell Reveley, James Dysart, William Cook, R. McBeath, George Hay, and Hugh McClelland. The greater portion of the land has been under cultivation, and a general average of the crops gives a return of thirty-five bushels of oats, and twenty-five of wheat to the acre. Captain Halkett, who owned land in the district, gave the site on which the public school stands. There is a public domain and a small Wesleyan church, and Presbyterian services are held in the public school. Kimberley also possesses a post office, with a daily mail service; but the nearest telegraph office is at Darfield, three miles and a-half distant.

The Public School at Kimberley is centrally situated in the district and stands on land which was given by Captain Halkett, who at one time owned property in the neighbourhood. It was opened in 1874, with twenty scholars on the roll, and with Mr. Henry Warnock as its headmaster. The building is of wood, on concrete foundations, and is divided into two lofty, well lighted and ventilated apartments. In addition to the usual school requisites there is a museum case, with many curious of value; and the collection is often added to. The scholars now on the roll number thirty-six, and the average attendance is thirty-two. There is a large playground, sheltered by a belt of trees, and the master's residence and garden adjoin the school ground. Presbyterian church services are held in the school, and an organ and harmonium are used on those occasions.

Mr. James Stewart, Headmaster of the Kimberley school, received his present appointment in July, 1902, He is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and was educated at Gordon College. In 1870 he arrived in Dunedin, by the ship “E. P. Bouverie,” and was engaged in contracting and other pursuits for some years. Mr. Stewart accepted an appointment under the South Canterbury Board of Education, as master of the Pareora school. In 1878, and six years later was transferred to a similar position at Gebbie's Valley. Subsequently he bacame master of the school at Kirwee. For many years Mr. Stewart filled the position of lay reader in the Anglican churches at Gebbie's. Valley and Kirwee. he is married to a lady from Cambridge, England, and has a family of five sons and eight daughters.

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