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

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Leith Maitland , Coachbuilder and General Blacksmith, Woodlands. Mr Leith's business, which is the only one of its kind in the district, was established in the seventies. The smithy contains two forges, and there is also a coachbuilding department, which is leased by Mr A. Heads. These buildings, together with Mr Leith's private residence, stand on a site of one acre of freehold land, but the proprietor has eighteen acres altogether in four sections, which are all separate. Mr Leith was born in 1863, in Perthshire, Scotland, and came to New Zealand with his parents, in 1874, by the ship “Maria Bhan.” He learned the blacksmithing trade under Mr John Henderson, of Maerewhenua; near Oamaru, and was afterwards in business for a time at Ngapara. Mr Leith afterwards settled in Woodlands, where he entered into partnership with Mr Duncan McKenzie, and acquired the present business under the style of McKenzie and Leith. Six years later Mr Leith bought his partner's interest. Mr Leith has served for some years as chairman of the Woodlands school committee, and as director and treasurer of the Woodlands Saleyards Company. He was married, in 1888, to a daughter of Mr John Pringle, of Livingstone, North Otago, and has four sons and one daughter.