Claremont Station (George Heaton Rhodes, proprietor), Claremont. This property consists of about 4000 acres of freehold land, 1000 acres of which are let to tenants with the option of purchase. The land, which is hilly, carries about 4000 sheep all the year round, in addition to cattle and horses, required in connection with the station. All the ploughing is done by contract, and about 200 acres are sown in turnips every year.

Mr. Murdo Matheson, who has been manager of the Claremont estate since April, 1896, was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in January, 1862. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Margaret Galbraith,” in December, 1886, and was for three years a shepherd at the Benmore station, Waitaki. For a few months afterwards Mr. Matheson was shepherd at Tarndale station, Hanmer Plains, and then took a position at Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw's station, “The Brothers,” near Pleasant Point where he remained for about two years, and became manager towards the end of the time. He was then sheepdriving in the Temuka district for four years, until he became manager of the Claremont estate in 1896. Mr. Matheson was married, in 1890, to a daughter of the late Mr. Alexander McDonald, of Ross-shire, Scotland, and has two daughters.

Fowler, James, Farmer, “The Whalebones,” Claremont. Mr. Fowler was born in November, 1843, at West Halton, Lincolnshire, England, and was brought up to country life. He came out to Lyttelton by the ship “Waitangi,” in 1876, and worked as a farm labourer for a few years at Claremont Hill. Since that time he has been farming in the district. In 1895 he removed to the “Whalebones,” where he owns 168 acres, and in addition, farms fifty acres further up the road. Mr. Fowler has served as a member of the local school committee for many years. He was married, in 1868, to a daughter of the late Mr. James Martin, of Yorkshire, England. His wife died in 1871, leaving two sons. In 1875, Mr. Fowler was married to a daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Pashley, of Eashington, Yorkshire, but he was again left a widower in 1880, when his wife died, leaving one son and one daughter.

Ferrier, photo.
Mr. J. Fowler.

Hadlow Estate, the property of the late Mr. Timaru Rhodes, is situated about five miles from Timaru, at Claremont. It contains 3000 acres, and Hadlow House is a very handsome building, standing within spacious grounds. The kennels of the South Canterbury Harriers were located on the property for some years, during three of which the late Mr. T. Rhodes acted as Master of the page 1032 Hounds. He enjoyed great popularity, and was identified with the principal public bodies of the district and with all movements tending to advance the interests of the community.

Mr. James Calvert Park, Manager of the Hadlow Estate, was born at Ecclefechan, (Carlyle's birthplace), Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Arriving in New Zealand in 1874 by the ship “Margaret Galbraith,” Mr. Park entered into farming pursuits, principally cropping maiden land, and afterwards became a station manager. He was farm manager for Mr. T. Rhodes for seven years prior to that gentleman's death in 1894, and has continued in the management of the estate. Mr Park is steward of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, and also a member of the Hunt Club and Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Society. He was married in Christchurch to the second daughter of the late Mr. Alfred Cardale and has one daughter.

Mr. J. C. Park and Child.

Robinson, Joseph, Farmer, “Glengummel,” Claremont. Mr. Robinson was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1857, and was brought up to country life. He arrived at Lyttelton, in the ship “Hurunui,” on the 6th of September, 1879, found employment at farm work in the Southbridge district, and afterwards was manager of a farm for Messrs Miles and Co., for eight years. He was employed at Mr. Page's farm at Gleniti, South Canterbury, for six years, and rose to the position of manager towards the end of that term. At Christmas, 1895, Mr. Robinson purchased his property at “Glengummel,” where he farms sixty-two acres of freehold, and also takes land for cropping by the season. He served as a member of the Claremont school committee for about two years, and is a member of the Yorkshire Society in Timaru. Mr. Robinson was married, in 1886, to a Miss Sinclair, of County Tyrone, Ireland, and has three sons and four daughters.

Selbie, George, Farmer, “Grange Farm,” Claremont. Mr. Selbie was born in Berwickshire, Scotland, and was brought up to farming. He came to Lyttelton in 1862 by the ship “Queen of the Mersey,” and was engaged by the late Sir Cracroft Wilson as a shepherd on his Rangitata station, where he remained for fourteen months. After visiting the Wakamarina diggings, in Marlborough, Mr. Selbie crossed the ranges and travelled to Kaiapoi, where he found employment at road making. He was afterwards engaged by Mr. William Gosling, senr., of Triple Stream, “Trevenna.” Later on, he commenced farming on Mr. John Hayhurst's estate, and subsequently bought 201 acres at Claremont, which he has farmed since. Mr. Selbie has been chairman of the Claremont School Committee for many years, and a member of committee since the school was opened on the 16th of July, 1877. He was married in the Colony, and has seven sons and two daughters.

Mr. G. Selbie.