Waipounamu is a farming district in the Mataura riding of the county of Southland, and in the electoral district of Wakatipu. It lies on the north side of the Mataura river, and is connected with Riversdale with a road which crosses the bridge over the Mataura river about four miles from Riversdale, and eight miles from Waikaia. Waipounamu has a public school with an average attendance of twenty-three. The land is level, and is occupied by small farmers. The severity of the winter of 1903 caused the destruction of many of the gum and pine groves which formerly beautified the landscape.

The Waipounamu Public School , which is situated about five miles from Riversdale, across the Mataura river, is a wood and iron building, containing one classroom. The school stands on three acres of land, and there is a residence attached.

Miss Kate Florence Haydon was born in Dunedin and educated at the Normal School, which she left with a D4 certificate in 1897, when she was appointed mistress of the Romareka school in the Catlins river district. She remained in that position for about eighteen months, and then went to the Nenthorn school, where she remained for four months. Miss Haydon received her present appointment in 1899, and now (1905) holds a D3 certificate.

Cross, George Victor , Farmer, “Northleigh,” Waipounamu. “Northleigh” consists of 304 acres of freehold, and is worked as a mixed farm. Mr Cross was born in June, 1878, in Oxfordshire, England. At the age of five years he landed with his parents at Port Chalmers by the steamship “Florida.” He attended school at Northleigh and Otama, and was brought up to country life in the colony. Mr Cross was married, in 1902, to a daughter of Mr George Horrell, of Mandeville, and has one daughter.

“Northleigh“: Residence Of Mr. G. V. Cross.

Pollock, James , Riversdale Farm, Waipounamu. Mr Pollock owns three farms in the district—“Riversdale,” of 264 acres, “Aitkendale,” of 554 acres, and another farm of 267 acres. He was born in 1838, at Both-well bridge, Scotland, educated at the parish school, and apprenticed to the joinery trade. In 1861, he came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Ladybird,” and spent some time at the Tuapeka diggings. Mr Pollock then built the accommodation house at Popotunoa Gorge (Clinton), and conducted it for four years before removing to Mataura, where he resided for many years. He built the well-known Bridge Hotel there, but sold it about 1872, to engage in storekeeping, in the store now occupied by Mr MacGibbon. In 1872, Mr Pollock took up 800 acres of land in the Mataura district, which he held until 1893, when he took up land at Waipounamu. He was for many years a member of the Tuturau Road Board, and chairman for two years, and he was also chairman of the Mataura Road Board. He has served as a member of various school committees at different times, and in 1904 was one of the two Commissioners of the Waipounamu school district. Mr Pollock was married, in 1873, to a daughter of the late Mr Edward Lawrie, of Toorak, Victoria, and has two sons and six daughters.

Mr. And Mrs J. Pollock And Daughter.

Mr. Henry Clark , sometime of Waipounamu, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1843, and was brought up to country life in his native county. In 1878, he settled in Southland, and removed to the Riversdale district in 1881. Seven years later Mr Clark bought his farm of 319 acres at Waipounamu. The land was then in tussocks, but he lived to see it in full working order as a mixed farm. For about three or four years, Mr Clark was a member of the Waipounamu school committee. He was married, in 1881, to a daughter of the late Mr John Vallance, of Sefton, Canterbury, and at his death, in 1903, left three sons and two daughters. Mrs Clark survives her husband, and the eldest page 1044 son is working the farm on behalf of the family.

The Late Mr. H. Clark And Mrs Clark.