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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Farmers

Farmers.

Black, James, Farmer, “Rockdale.” Annat. Mr. Black is the second son of Mr. Lyttle Black, a leading farmer at Carvanaghan, near Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born, and was brought up to farming on his father's farm. In 1883 Mr. Black came to New Zealand by the “Tongariro,” on her first trip. After spending about three years in various occupations in Canterbury, he took a lease of about 100 acres of the Canterbury College reserve, at Dunsandel, and afterwards bought the freehold of seventy acres adjoining. On this property he farmed successfully till 1900, when he sold out and bought his present estate of 200 acres at Annat. The land was originally selected by the late Mr. John Moore. It is undulating, and yields good crops of grain. A never failing stream of pure water flows through the property. The residence is a handsome villa on a high natural terrace, well sheltered with trees and shrubberies, and the homestead has all the necessary outbuilding, sheds and graneries. Mr. Black, as the owner of a fine herd of dairy cows, is a large milk supplier to the Annat creamery. He married Miss Hamilton, of Canterbury, and of a family of nine, eight are alive.

Carter, George, Farmer and Butcher, Annat. Mr. Carter was born in Essex, England, and came to New Zealand in 1877, by the ship “Otaki,” which landed at Lyttelton. Shortly after his arrival he went to the page 768 Geraldine district, and drove the coach between Geraldine and Orari; a year later, he was engaged in a similar service between the Cave and Opawa. On returning to Geraldine, he, in partnership with Mr. Kennedy, conducted and owned, for nine years, the coach service between that town and Orari; and also carried on extensive livery and bait stables. On the dissolution of the partnership the business was sold, and Mr. Carter started farming at Annat, on a farm he had previously bought. It now consists of 130 acres of freehold. On this property he carries on a system of general farming, in conjunction with a prosperous butchering business. Mr. Carter is a Freemason of old standing. He married Miss Bell, a cousin of the late Mr. Bell, a well known farmer at Geraldine, and there is, alive, a family of two.

McNae, Archibald, Farmer, Annat. Mr. McNae, who is a son of the late Mr. A. McNae, of Courtenay, was born in London, in 1849. He was educated in the metropolis, and in 1864 accompanied his parents to New Zealand in the ship “Ivanhoe.” He learned the trade of a blacksmith at Courtenay, under his father, with whom he remained for twelve years. On removing to Christchurch, he started on his own account, and in the following year went to Sheffield, where he carried on a blacksmith's business in partnership with Mr. Lilly for five years. Upon the dissolution of this partnership Mr. McNae took over the Cass Hotel, on the Cass river, and also carired on a store and a blacksmith's shop in conjunction. Two years later he took over the Little River Hotel, which he carried on until the expiration of the lease. he then went to Russell's Flat, and bought a farm, but shortly afterwards he took over the Annat Hotel, which had been built by Mr. William Tresidder. However, the prohibition movement of 1893, carried reduction, and resulted in the loss of this license. Since then the building has been converted into a general store. In addition to keeping the store, and farming a small property, Mr. McNae is engaged as a commission agent, and is the local representative for Messrs Morrow, Bassett and Co., the Victoria Fire Insurance Company, Limited, and other companies. He has served on various school committees, and been a member of the Upper Waimakariri Road Board. As a volunteer, he is a farrier-sergeant in the Malvern Mounted Rifles. Mr McNae married a daughter of Mr. Charles Lyford, of Nelson, and has a family of four sons and one daughter.

Standish and Preece, photo.Mr. A. McNae.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. A. McNae.

Mountain View Farm, Annat. This property, which is one of the earliest settled farms in the district, was originally taken up by Mr. J. T. Fisher. Subsequently it was held by Mr. J. P. Barr for about twenty years. It comprises 600 acres of good agricultural land, well fenced and watered, and subdivided into large paddocks, and yields, on an average, about forty-five bushels of oats, and thirty of wheat, to the acre. From 1000 to 1200 crossbred sheep are usually depastured, besides large numbers of store sheep, which are annually fattened. Behind the homestead there are numerous outbuildings, and in the shearing shed there is a portable engine, which drives the shearing machines. The proprietor possesses a complete threshing plant and two chaffcutters, which are worked among the surrounding farms.

Mr. George Frederick Wright, Proprietor of “Mountain View,” is the eldest son of the late Mr. Frederick Wright, of Dunsandel. He was born at Springston, in 1869, where he received his earlier education, and completed his studies at the Boys' High School, Christchurch. He was trained to agriculture on his father's farm, and took a trip round Australia before settling down on his own account. In 1893 he bought his present property, which he has since very successfully carried on. Mr. Wright is a member of the East Malvern Road Board, of which he was for four years chairman, and he has served on the Annat school committee. He is also a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. Wright married a daughter of Mr. George Hill, of Dunsandel, and has a family of two sons.

Searle, Joseph, Farmer, Annat. Mr. Searle was born at Launceston, Cornwall, England, in 1838, and arrived in New Zealand by the ship “Blue Jacket,” in 1866. For some years after his arrival he was employed at F. and S. Neave's station, Rakaia Gorge. King's station, Selwyn, and at Homebush and at Bangor. In 1868, in partnership with his brother, he started farming at Russell's Flat, but gave it up after two years, and was contracting and roadmaking on the West Coast road. After some years at that employment, he again started farming, in 1871, at Annat, on a farm of about fifty acres, but still carried on contracting in conjunction with his farm. Many a time he had to carry a two gallon jar of water for his tea. Mr. Searle has been successful in his farming operations, and his properties rank among the best in the district. He was for two years a member of the Malvern Road Board, was a member of the Coleridge Licensing Committee, and is now a member of the Farmers' Union, and a shareholder of the Sheffield Saleyards Company and of the New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Association.

Standish and Preece, photo.Mr. J. Searle.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. J. Searle.