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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Cottesbrook Estate
Cottesbrook Estate (R. H. Hunter-Weston J.P., proprietor), Middlemareh. This estate was originally taken up by Messrs Gellibrand and Smith, and in the early days it extended from the upper portion of the Strath-Taieri Plain down to the outskirts of Dunedin. It now lies about a mile and a half from Middlemarch, on the east side of the Taieri river, and comprises about 8,000 acres. The freehold portion of the estate consists of 700 acres of first class agricultural land, with a river frontage, and the remainder of the property is a grazing run extending from the Strath-Taieri Plain up the sunny slopes of the Taieri Ridge, upon which about 3,500 crossbred sheep are depastured. The arable land, which is devoted to mixed farming, has been subdivided, fenced, and considerably improved, and yields large crops of oats, wheat, and turnips. The proprietor devotes much attention to dairying, and has about 140 head of dairy cattle. He has recently installed some Lawrence-Kennedy milking machines, and a cream separator plant. Pig raising is also carried on at Cottesbrook, and specially constructed styes have been erected with floors and feeding troughs of concrete, while warm shelter houses and efficient drainage are also provided. The woolshed, stables, and other farm outbuildings, and the men's quarters are modern buildings, mostly of stone. The large residence is surrounded by shelter trees and ornamental gardens.