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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Farmers

Farmers.

McKie, William, Farmer, Burnside, Glenroy. Mr. McKie was born in Kirkoud brightshire, Scotland, in 1839. He followed farming in his early years, and came to the Colony in 1869, in the ship “Matoaka,” on her last trip. He worked on farms in the Southbridge district for five years, and then joined his brother in cropping land at Home Bush, and they obtained as much as 6s. per bushel for oats. Mr. McKie purchased his present property of 1200 acres in 1879. At first he stocked it with Merino ewes, but the flock now consists of almost purebred Border Leicesters. A large number of sheep and lambs are annually available for the export trade, after being finished off on rape and turnips. The appearance of Mr. McKie's homestead, stock, and paddocks testifies to the fact that the proprietor is a practical farmer. Mr. McKie was married to Miss Brown in 1880.

Mr. and Mrs W. McKie.

Mr. and Mrs W. McKie.

Orsbourn, Daniel J., Farmer, Glenroy. Mr. Orsbourn was born in suffolk, England, in 1848, and came to New Zealand with his parents, in the ship “Captain Cook,” in 1863. The family settled first at Rangiora, and then removed to the district now named Rolleston. Mr. Orsbourn went to the Westland goldfields, where he had to pay as much as a shilling for a pannikin of flour, but was not successful as a gold-seeker. He therefore walked back to Canterbury, and followed farm and station life in the Culverden district for five years. Subsequently he entered the racing field with a few good horses, which carried his colours trequently to the front. Mr. Orsbourn purchased his present farm of 401 acres in 1870, when the land was covered with flax and tussock. Since then it has all been brought under cultivation, and Mr Orsbourn fattens a robust flock of crossbred sheep on rape and turnips, for the growth of which the property is well adapted. Mr Orsbourn was married, in 1878, to Miss Napier and has two sons and five daughters.

Rockwood Estate, near Glenroy. The history of this estate dates back to the fifties, when it was taken up from the Government by Messrs Peacock and Cunningham, as a portion of the Rockwood run. Later on it was bought by Mr. Thomas Phillips, and, at his death, handed down to his family, by whom it was farmed for many years. It was afterwards held by Mr. Norman Cunningham, and again by Mr. Goodwin, and was bought by its present proprietor, Mr. C. O. B. Lamb, in 1902. The Rockwood estate has an area of about 2000 acres, consisting chiefly of rough country, and is devoted almost entirely to sheep. The standard flock consists chiefly of English and Border Leicesters, and a large number of fat lambs are sold annually, in addition to store sheep bought locally and fattened upon the property. Apart from its qualities as a sheep farm, the Rockwood estate possesses many points of interest. There are about 200 acres of well grown native bush on the property, and there some wild pigeons, almost the last of the large flocks which at one time frequented the neighbourhood, find a safe home. A river flowing eastward, divides about midway in its course through the estate, and encloses a small island upon which vegitation grows in great profusion. There are also several ponds on the estate well stocked with trout, and prettily surrounded with native bush and vegetation. The residence of the proprietor is situated in the south-eastern corner of the bush, and has a quaint, old-fashioned appearance, though the grounds in front are laid out in modern style. The outbuildings are substantial page 758 and convenient, and the chaffcutter and other machines are driven by water power.

Mr. Charles Osborn Burgoyne Lamb, Proprietor of Rockwood estate, is the eldest son of Mr. C. B. Lamb, of Inholms, Todcaster, West Yorkshire, England. He was born in 1879, at Bilton Hall, near Marston Moor, and educated primarily at the village of Aysgarth, in North Yorkshire, and afterwards at Repton, Derbyshire, where he studied engineering. Later on he worked for about twelve months at a foundry in Leeds, and then spent a short time with his parents. In 1899 he sailed for New Zealand, and shortly after landing in Lyttelton embarked again for the Chatham Islands. There he spent over two years on a large run. He returned to the main land in June, 1902, and bought Rockwood estate, a few months later. Mr. Lamb is a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association.