Boag, J. S., Farmer, Dunsandel. Mr. Boag is the third son of Mr. William Boag, of Fendalton, and was born at “Burnside,” Fendalton. He learned farming under his father's tuition, and in 1887 started on his present farm, which formed part of his father's estate. The property consists of about 578 acres, on which Mr. Boag conducts general farming. His stud flock of Border Leicesters is from his father's celebrated strain, as are also his draught and Clydesdale horses. He is a member and one of the committee of the Canterbury and Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, and a frequent and successful exhibitor of Border Leicesters. He exhibited the champion ewe at Ellesmere in 1900. Mr. Boag is also a member of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. He has always taken a great interest in sport, and has been president of the Dunsandel Football Club. Mr. Boag married Miss J. L. Henderson, daughter of the late Mr. Henderson, of Lincoln road, and has a family of three children.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. J. S. Boag.

Brown, James, Farmer, “Ashgrove,” Dunsandel. Mr. Brown was born in 1844, at Dalry, Ayrshire. In his early years he assisted his father, who carried on a mercantile business. Mr. Brown came to New Zealand in 1863 by the ship “David G. Fleming,” and shortly afterwards commenced farming near Templeton. In 1873, he purchased 188 acres of his present estate and gradually added to it, and now he has 568 acres of freehold and 120 acres of leasehold land. Mr. Brown devotes his property chiefly to the production of wool and mutton, and the English Leicester is his favourite sheep for these purposes “Ashgrove” can carry from 1000 to 1200 sheep, in addition to cattle and horses, and a number of sheep are fattened every year for the export trade. Besides this, about 200 acres are put under grain every year. Mr. Brown has been for twelve years on the Rakaia Road Board, and over twenty years on the school committee. In 1880 he went to England by way of America, and returned in the s.s. “Garonne,” by way of the Cape of Good Hope. He again visited the Old Country in 1900, and the Paris Exhibition, going and returning by way of Suez. Mr. Brown's residence at “Ashgrove,” is a handsome building, with a northern aspect, and has a fine commanding outlook. It is sheltered from the prevailing winds by a well grown plantation. The outbuildings are substantial, and the fences of the property are kept in excellent order. Mr. Brown married Miss Lublin, in 1882, and has two sons.

Mr. J. Brown.

Dunsandel Estate (Jonathan Sowden, proprietor), Dunsandel. This estate was formerly a portion of a large run taken up in the early days by the Hon. R. Daley, of London, after whose native place, Dunsandel, in Ireland, it is said to have been named. It was bought from Mr Daley by its present owner in 1877, when it was the only remaining portion of the original run. “Dunsandel” contains 970 acres of good agricultural and pastoral land, and is highly improved. Sheep page 782 grazing is carried on extensively, and a large area is devoted annually to the growth of wheat, oats, and barley, all of which yield heavy crops. Turnips and rape are also grown largely, and some of the finest crops in the district have been produced upon “Dunsandel.”

Mr. Jonathan Sowden, Proprietor of the Dunsandel estate, was born in 1845 in the village of Sutton-on-the-Sea, Lincolnshire, England, and was educated at a local private school. He left school at an early age, and obained employment at farm work in the neighbourhood of his native village, where he continued until he sailed for New Zealand in 1864. For six months after his arrival in Lyttelton he worked as a farm hand at New Brighton, and in 1865 he went to work for Mr. Samuel Bailey, of Templeton, with whom he remained nine years. He then took up land at Ashburton, where he farmed on his own account till 1877, when he removed to Dunsandel. In addition to the Dunsandel estate Mr. Sowden possesses 1,100 acres in the western part of Dunsandel, and also the Raynham estate of 2,570 acres in the Aylesbury district. Mr. Sowden is a member of the local school committee, of the Dunsandel branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and of the Ellesmere and Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Associations. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Muirhead, a daughter of Mr. Peter Muirhead, of Templeton, and has three sons and three daughters.

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

Gilbert, John, Farmer, Helston Farm, Dunsandel. Mr. Gilbert was born near the Lizards, Cornwall, England, in 1842, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Accrington,” which landed at Lyttelton in 1863. He was first engaged as a ploughman, at Prebbleton, by Mr. Toswill, with whom he remained eight months. For some years afterwards he was engaged in contracting on the roads around Christchurch. He then settled in the Dunsandel district, where he bought an unimproved farm, which he worked for ten years and then sold. In 1877, he bought ninety acres to which he has since added 500 acres of freehold, and 100 acres of leasehold. The land was, when he bought it, in its uncultivated state, but he now has a splendid reproductive farm, on which he fattens large numbers of sheep and lambs. He also devotes much attention to dairying, and sends large supplies to the adjoining creamery. He has taken prizes for pigs and horses at the Ellesmere show. Mr. Gilbert has been for five years a member of the Ellesmere Road Board, and has been for years a member of the Dunsandel school committee. He is also a member of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association. Mr. Gilbert married Miss Bosustow, before he left England, and has a family of nine. Three sons and two daughters are married.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. J. Gilbert.

Heslerton Station (James Balfour, manager), Dunsandel. This station consists of about 12,000 acres, and is owned by the Bank of New South Wales. It is situated within twenty-five miles of Christchurch, six miles from Dunsandel on the main railway line, and within seven miles of the important town of Leeston. The property is of mixed quality, from light sheep country to rich agricultural land, which yields excellent green crops. There are numerous paddocks, which are surrounded by either wire or live fences. The estate carries about 12,000 sheep: 300 acres of turnips, 400 acres of rape, and 700 acres of green feed are annually grown for fattening purposes. Over 4000 fat lambs 3000 fat sheep and 150 fat cattle are annually sold from the estate. The fat lambs from “Heslerton” hold the record at the Addington saleyards, and numerous prizes have been taken at the various agricultural and pastoral shows of Canterbury with the station's halfbred sheep. Latterly he breeding of draught and hack horses has been taken in hand, and the station is already becoming famous for its stock in both classes. The system of management is now such that the output of fat sheep has doubled during the last five years. Amongst recent improvements, a handsome villa residence has been built to replace the old homestead, and well laid out grounds surround it. Fine stockyards, concrete sheep-dips, woolshed, and numerous other necessary buildings, including the men's quarters, adjoin the homestead. About ten men are constantly employed, and in getting in the green crops, which is done by contract, seven contract teams are employed. “Heslerton” was originally owned by the late Mr. Kynvett and has for some time been the property of the Bank of New South Wales.

Mr. James Balfour, the Manager of Heslerton Estate, was born in Victoria, and came as a youth with his parents to Now Zealand. Mr. Balfour has had years of experience in the management of important stations near Timaru, and in North Canterbury, and was appointed to his present position in 1897. The management of “Heslerton” since he entered upon it, has been one of progress and success. Mr. Balfour is a member of the Canterbury and Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, and is a frequent prize-taker with sheep and lambs at the shows of both, and at the Dunedin show. He is a Freemason of many years' standing, and a member of St. John's Lodge, Timaru. Mr. Balfour married Miss Fowler, of Wellington, and has one daughter.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr.J. Balfour.

Henry, John, Farmer, “Glenavy,” Dunsandel. Mr. Henry was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1842, and brought up to a mercantile life in Belfast. He came to New Zealand by the ship “Himalaya,” in 1866, and opened a shop in Cashel Street, Christchurch, on account of Messrs Grant page 783 and McLean, and remained in charge six months. Mr. Henry afterwards opened a business for Messrs Watt and Co., storekeepers and provision dealers, and owing to its extension, after five years, took over the firm's Ellesmere branch, with head quarters at Dunsandel, and successfully carried on the business for fifteen years. He disposed of his business in 1886 and purchased his present farm, to which he has since devoted his attention. This farm now consists of about 100 acres; another and much larger block has been disposed of by him, owing to its distance from the homestead. Mr. Henry was for a number of years a member of the Dunsandel school committee, of which he was chairman for seven years. He has been a member of the Dunsandel Domain Board since its formation. He is also a member of the Farmers Union, and delegate for the Dunsandel district. For a time he was chairman and managing director of the Central Dairy Company. In his time Mr. Henry has done much for the mental culture of the community. Very early in the seventies the Provincial Government of Canterbury passed a Libraries Ordinance, under which it offered to contribute £ for £ of local subscriptions, to enable the settlers in country districts to start local libraries. Dunsandel at that time—1872–1873—was beginning as a township, and the residents decided to take advantage of the Government's offer. To that end a committee was set up, and Mr. Henry was a member, and for a long time chairman and treasurer. The committee succeeded in raising sufficient money to build a neat little hall, which has since been several times enlarged, and it has proved a most useful building for the district. With the aid of a grant of books from the Government, a library was formed, and has been added to year by year. For his special success in the matter Mr. Henry was presented with a marble clock bearing the following inscription: “Presented to Mr. John Henry, by the inhabitants of Dunsandel and surrounding districts, as a token of respect, and for his valuable services to the library, and other matters of local interest. June, 1878.” This was accompanied by a silver tea set for Mrs Henry. Mr. Henry married Miss Watt, and they have one son.

Irvine, John William, Farmer, Dunsandel, is a son of the late Mr. William Irvine, and was born at Tai Tapu, in 1865. On his father's death, he succeeded to the estate. He is a successful breeder of draught horses and fat lambs; is a member of the Canterbury and Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, and has taken prizes with sheep and cattle at both shows. Mr. Irvine married Miss Dawson, daughter of the late Mr. Richard Dawson, of West Eyreton, and has one son.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. J. W. Irvine.

Johnston, James, Farmer, Dunsandel. Mr. Johnston was born near Belfast, County Down, Ireland, on the 3rd of December, 1841, was educated in his native town, and came to the Colony in 1863, by the ship “Tiptree,” and landed at Lyttelton. He went over to the West Coast, and was at the diggings there for nearly three years, when he returned to Canterbury. For four years he was storekeeping at Waddington, and then he went farming at Lauriston, whence he removed to his present property. Mr. Johnston was elected a member of the Ashburton County Council in 1892. He was chairman of the Lauriston school committee, and was for some years a member of the Mount Hutt Road Board, but resigned when he went to England in 1892. Mr. Johnston was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1893. He was married on the 19th of October, 1863, in the Old Country, to Miss Lamont, of Londonderry, and has a family of nine.

Mr. J. Johnston.

Lill, George Sheepfarmer, “The Grange,” Dunsandel. Mr. Lill was born in 1838, at Huttoft, Lincolnshire, England, and landed at Lyttelton by the ship “Glenmark,” in 1865. For a few weeks after his arrival he was engaged in harvesting, and for a year afterwards was employed at Yaldhurst. He was then for two years manager for Mr. W. B. Tosswill. Mr. Lill first began farming on fifty acres of unimproved land, at Templeton, and in 1877 purchased his present farm, which at first consisted of 237 acres, but now comprises 1000 acres of freehold, and 277 acres of leasehold land. On this estate Mr. Lill keeps about 1000 sheep, and has a well-known stud flock of English Leicesters bred from Threlkeld ewes, and Ernest Grey rams. He has also a fine herd of Shorthorn cattle of distinguished pedigree. Mr. Lill was a member of the Selwyn school committee for several years, and is now (1902) chairman of the Dunsandel Domain Board, and a member of the Cemetery Board, and also of the North Rakaia Road Board. He is also a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and has taken numerous first prizes with cattle. Mr. Lill married Miss Muirhead, of Templeton, and has a family [gap — reason: illegible]ight. Two sons and two daughters are married.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. G. Lill.

McMillan, John, Farmer, “Ardgowan,” Dunsandel. Mr. McMillan was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1837, and arrived in New Zealand in 1883. Soon after his arrival he began farming at Dunsandel, where he remained for about five years. In 1888 he took over his present farm, of 600 acres, on which he conducts mixed farming. Mr. McMillan is a breeder of a fine class of sheep, and yearly fattens about 600 lambs for freezing. He is also a breeder of good draught horses. Mr. McMillan has taken an active part in the local affairs of his district, and is a member of the Dunsandel Domain Board. He is an elder of the Brookside Presbyterian church, and was elder of the church at his native page 784 place for years before coming to New Zealand. Mr. McMillan is a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and also of the New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Association and the Farmers' Union. He married Miss Murray in Scotland, and has a family of two sons and one daughter.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. J. McMillan.

Stevens, Peter, Farmer, Dunsandel. Mr. Stevens was born in the village of Lizard, Cornwall, England. Shortly after landing in New Zealand he obtained employment at Dunsandel, and worked subsequently at Rakaia and Selwyn. In 1887 he took up land at Selwyn and farmed there on his own account for eleven years, but removed in 1898 to Dunsandel, where he has since held on lease the property of Mr. George Burgess, who now lives in retirement in Chirstchurch. This farm is highly improved, and is devoted to sheep grazing and grain growing.

Mr. P. Stevens.

Walker, James, Bangor Farm, Dunsandel. Mr. Walker is the eldest son of the late Mr. William Walker. He was born in Scotland, in 1863, and when eight months old, he arrived in New Zealand with his parents. After attending school at Dunsandel he assisted his father at his trade of blacksmithing and on the farm. At the death of his father, in 1896, Mr. James Walker took, as his share of the estate, 246 acres, lying on the east side of the railway line, and known now as Bangor Farm. This property, however, has been increased by an area of 220 acres, in two sections, one of 170 acres, situated in the Ellesmere district, and the other of fifty acres, lying close to the Dunsandel railway station. It is all rich agricultural land, and is devoted to grain growing and sheep grazing. Mr. Walker is interested in religious work, and is a member of the Dunsandel Presbyterian church. He was married, in 1894, to Miss Givens, formerly of Ireland, and has three daughters.

Messrs Walker Brothers (William Walker and John Walker), Farmers, Dunsandel. This partnership was formed in 1896, when the two brothers took over a portion of the farm formerly conducted by their father. The property consists of 370 acres of rich agricultural land, and is situated close to the township of Dunsandel. It is fenced, subdivided into convenient paddocks, and generally in a high state of improvement, as the property was systematically worked for nearly thirty years by the late Mr. W. Walker. Sheep grazing, crop growing, and the rearing of Berkshire pigs are carried on to a considerable extent. About 150 acres are annually under cultivation, and heavy crops of wheat and oats are produced.

Mr. William Walker, of Messrs Walker Bros., Dunsandel, is the second son of the late Mr. William Walker. He was born in Christchurch in 1869, and at the age of three years removed with his parents, to live at Dunsandel. After being educated at the local public school he was trained to farming on his father's land, which he helped to work until 1896, when he entered into partnership with his brother, and took over a portion of the property. Mr. Walker is an office-bearer in the local Presbyterian church, and is also a member of various public bodies, including the Dunsandel branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, the public hall committee, and the local Court of Foresters. He married Miss Wickliffe, of Southbridge, in 1899, and has one son.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. W. Walker.

Mr. John Walker, of Messrs Walker Bros., Dunsandel, was born at Dunsandel in 1876, and is the third son of the late Mr. William Walker, He was educated at the local public school, and afterwards assisted in the management of his father's farm. In 1896 he entered into partnership with his brother. to take over their present property. Mr. Walker is a member of the local Presbyterian church, and also of the Dunsandel branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. He was married, in 1900, to Miss Gertrude Jane Wickliffe, of Southbridge, and has one daughter.

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

Wright, John Talbot, Farmer, “Ashfield,” Dunsandel. Mr. Wright was born at Culmstock, Devonshire, in 1843, and was brought up to farming. He came to Lyttelton in 1863, by the ship “Accrington,” and gained his early colonial experience in driving a waggon between Rangiora and Oxford, and in contracting and fencing. He first page 785 started farming at Springston, but, not satisfied with his prospects in that place, he removed to Dunsandel, where he bought 100 acres, the nucleus of his present fine estate of 1733 acres of freehold. Mr. Wright has a handsome homestead, surrounded by well laid out grounds, and equipped with all the necessary buildings of a large and prosperous farm. The land, when first bought was in its natural state, but now has been brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Wright was for several years a member of the Rakaia Road Board, and for a long period a member of the Selwyn school committee, of which he has been for several years chairman. He is a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and also of the Dunsandel Cemetery Board. In 1894 he took a trip Home with Mrs Wright, remaining about six months, and revisiting the scenes of his youth. Mr. Wright married Miss Dalton, daughter of Mr. G. Dalton, of Springston, and has a family of ten children. Three of the daughters are married.

Mr. J. T. Wright.