The Hinds township and district take their name from the river Hinds which flows, only when in flood, through the northern part of the settlement, towards the sea. The Hinds railway station, and post and telegraph offices, which are on the main south line, sixty-four miles from Christchurch, and eleven from Ashburton, are in the centre of a large agricultural and pastoral district. Mails by coach leave thrice weekly for Lowcliffe, and also for Lismore and Maronan. Hinds presents an instructive object lesson in its saleyards, which belong to the Hinds Saleyards Company Limited. The company, however, has built not only the usual cattle and sheep pens, but a fine shearing shed and an up-to-date sheep dip, both of which are well supported by the farmers throughout the district. There are several business places in the township, which has an accommodation house, a Wesleyan church, and a public school. In 1887 the neighbouring land, which was formerly held under Crown lease by Mr. John Studholme, was opened up by the Government for selection in blocks of fifty acres each, and the settlers received financial assistance to the extent of £20 each for building purposes. However, the land proved to be suitable only for sheep, and the small selectors either threw up their leases or sold out, and now the smaller farms in the district range from 200 to 500 acres in area.

Mitchell, photo.
Mr. J. C. Sheldon.

The Hinds Public School stands in a plantation of fir trees near the railway station. It has a class room which has accommodation for seventy-five scholars, and there is an attendance of fifty. Mr. J. C. Sheldon is headmaster, and has one female assistant teacher.

Mr. J. C. Sheldon, Headmaster of the Hinds Public School, was born in South Australia, and educated at the Church of England grammar school, Melbourne. He came to New Zealand in 1885, and shortly afterwards was appointed master of the Bloomfield school, near Amberley, whence he was transferred to Charing Cross, where he was headmaster for eight years. In 1895 Mr. Sheldon was appointed to his present position. He is married, and resides near the school.