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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Farmers

Farmers.

Armstrong, William, Farmer, Broadfields. Mr. Armstrong was born at Newtonards, County Down, Ireland, in 1852, and arrived at Port Chalmers in 1869 in the ship “Robert Henderson.” He was engaged from the vessel, and for nine months was employed at Tokomairiro; for eighteen months afterwards he worked at the formation of the Caversham Tunnel, and in 1873 he went to the West Coast, and was engaged in roadmaking between Inangahua and the Lyell for about eighteen months, and for a similar period at the Picton-Blenheim railway. Mr. Armstrong was afterwards with Mr H. Redwood at Springereek, and on that gentleman leasing the Canterbury racecourse, he came to Canterbury, where he looked after the course and an adjoining farm. He was for sixteen years manager of Mr. G. G. Stead's farm at Curringa, Yaldhurst. In 1893 he bought his present farm of 151 acres, on which he conducts mixed farming. Mr. Armstrong is a well known breeder of draught horses and cross bred sheep. He has been a member of the Broadfields school committee for five years, and is now chairman. For over twenty years he has been connected with the Oddfellows, and he is a member of the Farmers' Union. Mr. Armstrong married Miss Burrows, and has had a family of thirteen, of whom six sons and five daughters are still alive

Boyd, Robert, Farmer and Orchardist, Broadfields. Mr. Boyd was born at Portaferry, near Dundee, Scotland, in 1824, and came to New Zealand in 1859. He was brought up as a gardener, and for five years after coming to New Zealand was employed in that capacity by Mrs Deans, of Riccarton. In 1864 he bought his present property, of which two acres are devoted to the cultivation of fruit—principally apples, peaches, and plums. Mr. Boyd now leads a quiet retired life. He is married, and his only daughter, Mrs Bennie, resides at Rolleston.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.Mr. R. Boyd.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. R. Boyd.

Ryan, Michael, Farmer, Broadfields. Mr. Ryan was born in the County of Tipperary, Ireland. He passed his early years on his father's farm, and arrived in New Zealand on the 13th of December, 1863. At the end of 1864 he took up the first part of his present property, which now comprises 1160 acres. The land was originally over-run with spear-grass, broom, and tussock, but it is now covered with well-cultivated fields, which carry a large number of sheep, all in the pink of condition. The majority of Mr. Ryan's sheep are the progeny of Down rams. He began with dairy cows, but when the price of dairy produce fell, he changed to sheep. Mr. Ryan has served on the Broadfields school committee. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Hagan, and has nine sons and five daughters.

Mr. M. Ryan.

Mr. M. Ryan.