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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Allanton

Allanton.

Allanton is situated on the Taieri river fourteen miles south-west from Dunedin, and the main south line to Invercargill runs through the township, which is in the Taieri electoral district. The town was at first named Greytown, after Sir George Grey, but was afterwards altered to Allanton, in honour of the late Mr. James Allan, of Hopehill, who was one of the first settlers in the district. Allanton is governed by a town board. The land in the district is of first-class quality, and is farmed by many prosperous settlers. Allanton has a post and telegraph office and railway station, a public school, a Catholic chapel, Anglican and Presbyterian churches, a well-stocked library, and several private boarding houses and a first-class hotel. A fine view is obtained from the top of the hills on the road leading to Brighton and Saddle Hill.

The Allanton Railway Station And Post Office combined is situated fifteen miles south of Dunedin, on the main south line, and about twelve trains pass daily, all, with the exception of the north and south expresses, making the station a stopping place. The present building was erected early in 1894, the old station having been destroyed by fire in the previous year. There is a spacious booking office, which is well lighted, ventilated, and heated; a ladies' waiting room and a large covered vestibule. There is also a large goods shed, capable of storing quantities of merchandise and other goods.

Mr. Gerald Morgan , Stationmaster and Postmaster at Allanton, was born in Tasmania in 1874, and came over to New Zealand with his parents, at an early age He received his education at the Green Island school and entered the railway service at Dunedin, in 1891. Three years later he was appointed clerk at Hyde, and after filling a similar position at Outram, he returned to Dunedin for a further term of three years. Subsequently Mr. Morgan filled the positions of clerk and acting stationmaster at Pelichet Bay, and was then relieving officer at the head office before being appointed to his present position in May, 1904. He was married in May, 1904, to a daughter of Mr. G. Rutherford, of Outram.

Mr. G. Morgan.

Mr. G. Morgan.

The Allanton Public School , which was established about the year 1870, is a wooden building containing two lofty and well ventilated classrooms. There are fifty-seven scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of fifty. The schoolhouse, playground, and master's residence cover four acres of land. Mr. Frederick Scott Aldred is master, and Miss Elizabeth McKay, mistress.

Mr. Frederick Scott Aldred . Headmaster of the Allanton Public School, was born in London, in 1855, and two years later accompanied his parents to Tasmania.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo. Mr. F. S. Aldred.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. F. S. Aldred.

He was educated at the Hobart High School, and after taking his degree, taught for two years in private schools. Mr. Aldred came over to New Zealand in 1875, in the ship “Chanticleer,” which was lost on its return voyage. His first engagement was at the Collegiate Institute at Dunedin, where he remained for ten months, and was then appointed master at the Inch Valley school. After sixteen months spent in that position he resigned, and engaged in insurance business for a year. Mr. Aldred was then appointed master of the Macraes school, and was subsequently headmaster of the Alexandra school for over fifteen years before receiving his present appointment in 1894. As a Forester he has been a member of page 650 Court Pride of Alexandra since 1879, and acted as secretary for his Court for about thirteen years. Mr. Aldred married a daughter of Mr. Philip Newbury, of Dunedin, and sister of Mr. Philip Newbury, the noted tenor, and has one son and three daughters.

Roxburgh, Allan , Storekeeper, Allanton. Mr. Roxburgh was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1846, and before coming out to New Zealand served an apprenticeship of four years to the brass finishing trade. He arrived in New Zealand on the 3rd of January, 1665, and for a short time found employment with Messrs A. and T. Burt, Dunedin. Afterwards he was with Mr. William Shand, of Taieri, for a few months, and then journeyed to Waitaki, to learn sheep shearing. Later, Mr. Roxburgh found employment on the Maerewhenua station, North Otago, and on several farms in the Taieri; and subsequently he bought some land and farmed on his own account, for fourteen years. Wishing to take life a little easier in his declining years, Mr. Roxburgh bought his present business at Allanton, and has for many years conducted it successfully. He has been a member of the Allanton school committee. Mr. Roxburgh was married, in 1830, to a daughter of Mr. George Kemp, of London, and has a family of three sons.

Mr. And Mrs A. Roxburgh And Family.

Mr. And Mrs A. Roxburgh And Family.

Allan, Joseph , Farmer, “Hopehill,” Allanton. Mr. Allan is a son of the late Mr. James Allan, one of the early pioneers of the province, and was born on his present estate. He received his education at the Union Street school, the Otago Boys' High School, and the University of Otago. To qualify himself as a surveyor, Mr. Allan joined the Government survey camp, under Mr. John Strauchon, and after five years of service went up for his examination, which he passed on the 14th of May, 1879. He was then appointed by the Government to take charge of a survey part at Roxburgh, and held the position with credit to himself and his employers. Subsequently Mr. Allan returned to “Hopehill,” and took charge of the estate, which he conducted successfully for a number of years. However, a few years ago, he found it absolutely necessary, on account of ill-health, to take a much needed rest, so he leased the property to a tenant, and relieved himself of the care and worry of management. Mr. Allan is an honorary life member of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and also a member of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Association. In the past he has been a most successful exhibitor of sheep; indeed, at one time there were hardly any sheep in the Taieri that could compare with the Hopehill flocks. He was for ten years a member of the Otago Hussars, which he joined as a trooper, and resigned as a lieutenant. Mr. Allan has been twice married; first, in 1893, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Maitland, of the Isle of Man, Liverpool, who was owner and editor of the “Liverpool Mercury.” In 1898 he married a daughter of Dr. Salmond, Professor of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Otago. He has one son by his first wife, and two sons and one daughter by the second marriage.

Mr. James Allan , sometime of “Hopehill,” Allanton, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1824. He accompanied his family to Nelson, in 1842, by the ship “New Zealand,” and first arrived in Otago, in 1846, with a survey party, who were engaged in surveying around the Clutha. In the following year he and bakehouse on the corner of Rattray and Princes Streets, Dunedin, where they carried on business until 1853. In May of that year, he removed with his family to “Hopehill,” Taieri, which he had previously stocked with sheep, and where he resided until his death in 1891, at the age of sixty-seven years. He left a family of seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Allan took a prominent part in the local affairs of the district. He was a member of the Provincial Council until the
The Late Mr. James Allan.

The Late Mr. James Allan.

Professor Salmond (Father of Mrs Joseph Allan).

Professor Salmond (Father of Mrs Joseph Allan).

abolition of the provinces; a Commissioner of the Waste Lands Board, a member of the Education and River Boards; captain of the first East Taieri Rifle; and a leading spirit in everything pertaining to the welfare of Otago. Mrs Allan, who survives her husband, arrived in New Zealand by the “Ajax,” in 1849, and still (1904) resides at Mosgiel.

Christie, Thomas , Farmer, Allanton. Mr. Christie was born in North Berwick, Scotland, in 1853, and accompanied his parents to New Zealand when he was three years of age. He was educated at the East Taieri school, and the Otago Boys' High School, and afterwards started farming with his father on his present property at Allanton. Mr. Christie represents the Otokaia riding on the Taieri County Council; is chairman of the Allanton Town Board; a member of the Taieri Licensing Committee, and has been chairman of the Allanton school committee, and a member of the Athenæum committee. He is a prominent member of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and has taken many prizes at the annual shows, with horses, bred on his farm. Mr. Christie was married, in 1877, to a daughter of Mr. William McMeikan, of Halfway Bush, and has a family of five sons and two daughters. The farm covers an area of about 530 acres; much of the land is hilly, and suitable only for sheep, of which a large number are depastured. page 651 Cropping, however, is carried out on the flat with most satisfactory results.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo, Mr. T. Christie.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo, Mr. T. Christie.

Lawrence, William , Farmer, Lilly Farm, Allanton. Mr. Lawrence was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1859, and came to New Zealand in 1878, in the sailing ship “Oamaru.” During his first year in the
Mr, And Mrs W. Lawrence.

Mr, And Mrs W. Lawrence.

colony he was engaged at the Clydevale station, owned by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, and was subsequently with Mr. James Allan, of East Taieri, with whom he remained for eight years. In 1887 Mr. Lawrence bought his present property, and started farming on his own account. His farm has an area of fifty acres, and dairying is the principal industry, for which he keeps cows of Ayrshire and Shorthorn breed. About thirty acres are laid down in green crop, and a number of young cattle are raised and fattened. ‘Mr. Lawrence has been a member of the Allanton school committee, and he is a member of the East Taieri Orange Lodge. He has been twice married; his first wife, who had been Miss Johnston, of East Taieri, died in 1894, leaving a family of one son and four daughters. Mr. Lawrence married, secondly, a daughter of Mr. Robert Mills, of Milton, and of this union three sons and two daughters have been born.
Nichol, George , Farmer, “Taurima.” Allanton, Mr. Nichol was born in 1842, in Caithness-shire Scotland, and came out to New Zealand with his parents in 1856, by the ship “Strathmore.” He was first employed by the late Mr. James Macandrew, for six months, and was then shepherding for the late Mr. Edward Lee, at West Taieri, and also occupied a similar position on Mr. Healey's estate at Deep Stream. When the gold rush set in, Mr. Nichol abandoned shepherding, and proceeded to Gabriel's Gully, Tuapeka, and the Dunstan, but after spending three years on the goldfields he went to Outram and started a butchering business, which he carried on successfully for five years. Then he bought a farm at Tokomairiro, but three years later returned to Qutram and engaged in his old business. In 1872 Mr. Nichol took up a sheep farm at Lee Stream, and remained there for twenty-five years, before buying his present property of 481 acres, where he has since resided. About 1000 sheep, mostly Romney cross breeding ewes, are grazed, seventeen Shorthorn cows are kept for dairying purposes, and several head of cattle are fattened for the
Mr. G. Nichol's Residence.

Mr. G. Nichol's Residence.

market. Grass and green crops are of a particularly rich quality, and a considerable amount of cropping is carried on. Mr. Nichol has taken several prizes for Shropshire Down
Mr. G. Nichol.

Mr. G. Nichol.

sheep at the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society's shows, and is a member of the society. He is also a member of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and was at one time chairman of the Lee Stream school committee, and represented the Deep Stream riding on the Taieri County Council. He was one of the promoters of the Outram Court of Foresters. Mr. Nichol page 652 was married, in 1880, to a daughter of Mr. James Bruce, of Milton, and has three sons and two daughters.

Ochtertyre Farm (Robert Webster and John Callander, proprietors), Allanton. This property consists of 201 acres of freehold—some of the best land in the Taieri. About 120 head of cattle are fattened for the Dunedin market, and turnips grow in such large quantities as to be able to feed ninety head of cattle per acre. Several pedigree brood mares are kept for breeding purposes, and cropping is carried on for the feeding of stock, wheat having averaged seventy bushels and oats up to one hundred bushels to the acre. Messrs Webster and Callander have been most successful in their exhibits at the Otago and Taieri agricultural shows. In 1902 at the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's show, they gained three first prizes for turnips, against all Otago, winning Messrs Nimmo and Blair's fifteen guinea trophy, Messrs Wright and Stevenson's fifteen guinea trophy, and Fison's Cup. and they now hold the latter permanently, having won it twice. At the same Society's show, in 1903, they won the second prize for dry mare, second prize for mare in foal, and third prize for yearling filly. At the Taieri show, in 1903, they took first prize for mare in foal, second prize for pair of mares, and third for yearling filly.

Messrs Webster And Callendder, With Their Plough Teams.

Messrs Webster And Callendder, With Their Plough Teams.

Mr. Robert Webster , the Senior Partner was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland, in 1858, and brought up to farming. He came to New Zealand, in 1878, by the ship “Oamaru,” and for four years was employed by Mr. David Grant, of West Taieri. For the next ten years Mr. Webster, in partnership with Mr. Callander, was engaged in contracting, and they owned three ploughing teams. In 1888, the partners having decided to take a trip to the Old Country, shipped their horses to Sydney, where they were sold at a good figure. After a year they returned to New Zealand and bought their present property. Mr. Webster has been a member of the Allanton school committee since 1899. He is a member of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and is on the committee of the Taieri Agriculutral and Pastoral Society, of which he was president in 1902. He is also a member of the Falkirk St. John's Lodge of Freemasons, No. 16, Scottish Constitution. Mr. Webster was married, in 1893, to a daughter of the late Mr.
Mr. And Mrs R. Webster.

Mr. And Mrs R. Webster.

John Nimmo, of East Taieri, and has one son and one daughter.
Mr. John Callander , the Junior Partner, was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland, in 1857, and was brought up to farming. He
Mr. And Mrs J. Callander.

Mr. And Mrs J. Callander.

came to New Zealand in 1878 by the ship “Oamaru” and for a while was with Mr. David Grant at West Taieri. Subsequently, in partnership with Mr. Webster, he engaged in contracting, chiefly ploughing, and operated successfully for ten years, when, with his partner, he took a trip to the Old Country. In 1889 the partners bought their present farm, which they have since worked most successfully. Mr. Callander is chairman of the Allanton school committee, vice-president of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a member of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association. As a Freemason he belongs to St. John's Lodge, Falkirk, Scotland, No. 16, Scottish Constitution. Mr. Callander was married, in 1896, to a daughter of the late Mr. Malcolm Carmichael, of West Taieri, and has one son and one daughter.
Young, Samuel , Farmer, “Bushy Park,” Allanton. Mr. Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1839, and before leaving the Old Country was farming in the
Mr. And Mrs S. Young And Family.

Mr. And Mrs S. Young And Family.

Lowlands near Paisley. He arrived in Victoria, Australia, in 1862, by the ship “Dawn of Hope,” bringing out with him three Clydesdale stallions, “Champion,” “Rob Roy,” and “Controller.” The first named was subsequently bought for £325 by two Otago gentlemen, Messrs Imrie and Blair. Mr. Young came to Port Chalmers in [unclear: 1863] by the ship “William Jackson,” and after two years with Mr. James Cullen, of Owhiro, he bought the stallion “Tannahill,” and also some land where the Mosgiel Woollen Factory now stands. There he farmed on his own account for nearly thirty years, and in 1892 acquired his present property—a freehold of 207 acres—where he carries on mixed farming. In 1899 Mr. Young and Messrs Patrick, Blackie, and Irving visited England and bought a mare and five stallions, which they brought back with them to New Zealand, selling two stallions on arrival. Mr. Young's stables contain some of the finest and most valuable horses in the district, many of which have page 653 taken champion and first prizes at the various shows in Otago. Mr. Young is a member of the committee of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and also of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He served for many years on the Mosgiel Town Board, and is now a member of the West Taieri River Board. Mr. Young was married, in 1883, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Nimmo, of East Taieri, and has three sons.