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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]

Argyle

Argyle.

Argyle is a prosperous settlement, situated about seven miles from Waipawa, and lies partly on the Tikokino Plain. It was formerly a portion of the Milbourne estate, a property of 30,000 acres, which was acquired by the Government in 1903 for closer settlement. The soil is rich, and capable of yielding large crops of oats on the flat land, of which there are several thousand acres, while the undulating country depastures two sheep to the acre. There is a school and post office in the township, and a daily mail service.

The Argyle East Public School was established on the 17th of July, 1905. It is a wooden building, with accommodation for about seventy-five children, and is well lighted and ventilated throughout. The classes range from the infants to the fifth standard, and the annual examination is held in July. There are twenty-three scholars on the roll, and the average attendance is 21.28. Mr. G. Norman is head-master.

Mr. Gordon Norman was appointed head-master of the Argyle East Public School in March, 1906. He was born in Newcastle, Australia, in the year 1882, and was educated at Newcastle College, where he subsequently became a teacher. Mr. Norman came to New Zealand in 1904, and was appointed master of the Rakauroa school, near Gisborne, where he remained for one year, before taking up his present duties. In Australia Mr. Norman distinguished himself in cricket and other athletic pastimes.

Baird, James, Farmer, Argyle. Tikokino. Mr. Baird operates a property of 800 acres, all flat land, a portion of the Milbourne estate, which he acquired by ballot, and holds a lease in perpetuity. He also holds a leasehold property of 200 acres at Tikokino. About 880 Romney Marsh crossbred sheep and a number of cattle are depastured, and from 300 ewes the lambing average is ninety per cent. Cropping is carried on to a large extent on the flat land, and some splendid crops of oats have been threshed. Mr. Baird was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on the first of April, 1860, and was brought up to an agricultural and pastoral life. He went to Queensland, Australia, in the year 1886, and spent seventeen years in Brisbane and Charters Towers, in the baking business. In 1903 he came to New Zealand, chiefly on account of his health. Mr. Baird married a daughter of Mr. Robert Halliday, of Dumfries-shire, Scotland, in 1905.

The Brow Poultry Farm (H. Beyers. proprietor), Argyle, Hawke's Bay. Postal address, Waipawa; Telegraphic address, “Brow,” Waipawa. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. The Brow Poultry Farm is situated about seven miles from Waipawa, on the main road between that town and the village of Hampden, and is 600 feet above sea level. As suggested by its name it has a commanding view of the surrounding country. The position of the farm is particularly well adapted for poultry raising, as the ground is intersected by numerous steep gullies, which afford excellent shelter against heavy storms of wind and rain. The soil is a dark loam, over a limestone sub-soil, which gives the birds a massive frame with plenty of strong bone. This land also contains fossilised shells, and here and there the ground is literally covered with the best poultry grit. In suitable places trees have been planted in order to provide shade and shelter. Many of the pens are provided with an unfailing supply of fresh spring water, and others are supplied with a water trough, specially made for the farm. These facts, in conjunction with the high elevation and pure air, make the Brow Poultry Farm an ideal spot for breeding strong, healthy, vigorous birds. The birds, with the exception of a few in special pens, are run on the colony system, each house standing in about six acres of land. This gives the birds ample room, and allows them to pick up the insects and seeds. The buildings in which the stock are housed are all on sledges, and can be moved on to fresh ground when necessary. The sides of the houses are made of the best timber, cut from the bush on the farm, the flooring and doors are tongued and grooved, and the roof is of corrugated iron over wood sarking. Each house is fitted with a window, perches, and nesting boxes, and thirty cubic feet are allowed to each bird; altogether there are about forty colony houses on the farm. It is the aim of the proprietor to supply two kinds of stock; one for utility, and the other for show purposes. There are at present four varieties of birds on the farm, viz., Black Orpingtons, Buff Orpingtons, Silver-Laced Wyandottes, and White Leghorns. Taking them in the order named, the special or best show pen is headed by a magnificent cockerel, imported from Mr. Frank Bloomer, the premier English, breeder. This bird took first prize at the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Autumn show in 1905. The utility Black Orpingtons are specially selected as layers, the sire of the pullets being a prize winner at Gisborne, Wellington, and Palmerston North. The pen of White Leghorns was imported from Mr. van Dresser, the noted American breeder. Four kinds of incubators are used on the farm, namely: the “Des Moines,” “Prairie State,” “Cypher,” and “Victory,” the whole being enclosed in a house specially built for that purpose. At present (1906) there are about 600 laying hens of various breeds on the farm, and about the same number of cockerels; and, in the season, sittings of eggs are in great demand from all over the Colony. Catalogues, post free, are sent on application, which contain descriptive articles, views of the farm, and a chapter of useful hints to poultry breeders.

The Brow Sheep Farm (H. Beyers, proprietor). This property consists of 1,000 acres, held on a lease in perpetuity. It is the homestead portion of the original Milbourne estate, page 507 and was acquired by the present proprietor in 1903. The winter stock comprises 2,000 pure-bred Romney Marsh sheep, and about 5,000 are depastured during the summer season. There is a Romney Marsh stud flock, and two imported rams. A ram hogget from the Brow Sheep Farm, exhibited at the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society's show, at Hastings, in 1905, was awarded first prize, out of seventeen entries. Lambing has averaged from 110 to 115 per cent. Fattening lambs for freezing is carried on to a great extent, for which purpose about eighty-five acres of kale, and sixty acres of rape are sown annually, producing fine crops and splendid feed. Among the stock are a herd of 150 head of pure-bred short-horn cattle, and about twenty horses, including six thorough-bred mares. The “Brow” horses have won several races at local race meetings, whilst a pair of ponies secured first prize at the Agricultural and Pastoral show. The homestead is a large modern dwelling house, contains fourteen rooms, and is surrounded by carefully laid out gardens, and a fine orchard. The wool-shed is stocked with four stands of Moffat and Virtue sheep-shearing machines, driven by a four horse-power Mason and Struthers steam engine. There are seveal other outbuildings of a substantial character.

Mr. Harry Beyers, proprietor of the Brow Sheep Farm, was born near Cape Town, South Africa, and after receiving his education was for three and a half years a member of the 1st Life Guards in England. He subsequently commanded a troop in the Matabele Campaign, in 1894 went to India and Australia, and returned to the Cape in the year 1898. Mr. Beyers served throughout the South African war as Permit Officer in the Western Province. He arrived in New Zealand in March, 1903. Mr. Beyers is a steward of the Waipawa Racing Club, a member of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, chairman of the Argyle East School Committee, vice-president of several athletic clubs, and a member of the Hastings and Waipawa social clubs. In 1899, in the Orange Free State, South Africa, he married a daughter of Dr. Kidd, of Armagh, Ireland, and has three daughters.

Douglas, Ralph, Farmer, Argyle, Tikokino. Mr. Douglas was born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, in the year 1849, and was brought up to an agricultural and pastoral life. He came to New Zealand in 1873, in the ship “Old England,” and landed in Wellington. His first engagement was with the Hon. H. R. Russell. at Waipukurau, who employed him as a shepherd for ten years, after which he spent eighteen months on Mr. Johnston's property in the same district. Mr. Douglas then went to “Gwavas,” where he remained for twenty-three years, during which time he took up 634 acres of land at Wakarara. This he farms in conjunction with his property at Tikokino, the latter being a 100 acre section, held on a lease in perpetuity. The stock aggregates 1,100 Romney-Lincoln cross-breds, of which 600 are breeding ewes; and the lambing averages about eighty-five per cent. There are also a number of cattle on the Wakarara property. Mr. Douglas married, in Wellington, in 1873, Miss Catherine Garson, who came from England with him as a shipmate in the same vessel, and there are five sons and two daughters.

Mr. R. Douglas' Residence.

Mr. R. Douglas' Residence.

McKay, Lachlan, Sheep-farmer, “Allansdale,” Argyle, Tikokino. Mr. McKay has a fine property of 840 acres of flat land, which was formerly a portion of the Milbourne estate. It was acquired by ballot in 1903, since when numerous improvements have been carried out. The winter stock comprises 2,000 Romney Marsh-Lincoln cross-bred sheep, of which 600 are breeding ewes, and the lambing averages ninety-five per cent. About 200 acres are cropped annually with Algerian oats—which have yielded sixty-six and three-quarter bushels to the acre—and about 160 acres are annually laid down in turnips. A fine house of ten rooms has been erected, lit throughout with acetylene gas, and provided with a high-pressure water supply, and a good drainage system. There is also a large combined woolshed, granary, and implement shed. The wool-shed is stocked with four stands of Wolseley sheep-shearing machines, and the granary will hold 1,500 bags of oats. Upwards of six miles of fencing have been erected. A leasehold property, carrying 1,000 sheep, is worked in conjunction with “Allansdale.” Mr. McKay was born in the north of Ireland in the year 1855, and was brought up to a sheep-farming life. He came to New Zealand in 1878, in the ship “Mataura,” and landed in Napier. For twenty years he was employed on the Mount Vernon station, Waipukurau, now known as the Lindsay settlement. Mr. McKay is a member of the Waipawa County Council, is chairman of the Tikokino branch of the Farmers' Union, and a member of the Hawke's
Mr. L. McKay.

Mr. L. McKay.

page 508 Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the Waipawa Racing Club, and the Hawke's Bay Hunt Club. During his residence at Onga Onga he was connected with the local road board and school committee, and was responsible for the building of the public hall, and the establishing of the Onga Onga Library. As a Freemason Mr. McKay is a Past Master of Lodge Abercorn (Waipawa), No. 30, N.Z.C., and an honorary life member of the Grand Masonic Lodge of New Zealand. He married a daughter of Mr. D. McIntyre, of Argyllshire, Scotland, in 1877, and has two sons and five daughters.

Oliver, George Yates, Farmer, Argyle, Mr. Oliver's property consists of 390 acres of undulating land, held on a lease in perpetuity, and was acquired by ballot in 1903. It is stocked with Lincoln-Leicester crossbred sheep, and upwards of sixty head of short-horn cattle. A little cropping is carried on, chiefly in rape, turnips, and root crops. Mr. Oliver has planted an orchard, and devotes much attention to fruit growing. He was born in Napier in the year 1855, and was the second white child born in Hawke's Bay, his parents having arrived in Napier in 1854. He attended Marshall's Grammar School in Napier, and subsequently engaged in station work. Mr. Oliver has acted as manager of several of the large Hawke's Bay stations, and has also held other important positions in the district. He is a member of the Hawke's Bay. Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and the Argyle School Committee. Mr. Oliver married a daughter of Mr. Keys, of Napier, in 1880, and has four sons and seven daughters.

Bunting, photo.Mr. G. Y. Oliver.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. G. Y. Oliver.

Bunting, photo.Mrs. Oliver.

Bunting, photo.
Mrs. Oliver.

Roach, Ernest O., Farmer, Argyle, Tikokino. Mr. Roach farms a property of 132 acres, held on a lease in perpetuity. He depastures 300 Romney Marsh-Lincoln cross-bred ewes, and twenty head of cattle. Oats have yielded forty bushels to the acre. Mr. Roach is elsewhere referred to as proprietor of the Post Office Store, Tikokino.

Spring Brothers (R. W. and H. Spring), Farmers, Argyle. Messrs Spring Brothers cultivate two adjoining properties, aggregating 918 acres, acquired on a lease in perpetuity from the Government. One property of 640 acres was taken up in 1903, and the other section, of 278 acres, was acquired from Mr. Ernest Nelson, in January, 1906. The land is flat, and very suitable for cropping purposes. In the season of 1905 about 250 acres were sown with oats, and yielded ninety-five bushels to the acre. Wheat, in the same season, averaged fifty-two bushels. The stock comprises 1,500 Romney Marsh cross-bred sheep. Three four-horse teams are kept constantly employed, engaged in breaking up land for cropping and fattening purposes. About one hundred acres of artificial feed is grown annually.

Te Reinga” and “Sebastopol,” Argyle, the properties of Mr. Eustace Lane, consist of 1,243 acres, and are a portion of the original Milbourne and Te Reinga estates, which were cut up for closer settlement in 1903. These properties are held on a lease in perpetuity, are undulating country, and contain some remarkable limestone caves, which are objects of great interest to people visiting the district. All the land is ploughed, and sown with English grass seed, turnips, and kale, and carries upwards of 2,000 sheep. The flock consists of Corriedales, and the lambing average is eighty per cent. There are also upwards of 150 head of chiefly polled Angus cattle on the property. A homstead and several outbuildings have been erected, and many other improvements effected since the property was acquired in January, 1904.

Mr. Eustace Lane is the eighth son of the late Mr. John Lane, a well-known Warwickshire farmer, of Broom Court, Warwickshire, England, his mother being a daughter of Mr. Samuel Walker, copper founder, of Birmingham, He was born in Warwickshire, educated at King's School, in his native shire, and afterwards spent three years in the London office of a large Birmingham mercantile firm. He went to Australia in 1890, and proceeded to the head of the Murchison river, in Western Australia, where he was engaged as a cadet for five years on a sheep station. This place at that time was the scene of a big gold “rush.” Subsequently he joined Mr. Lee-Steere and
The Late Mr. J. Lane.

The Late Mr. J. Lane.

page 509 helped to establish the firm of Messrs Lee-Steere and Company, wholesale merchants, in the centre of the Murchison gold-fields. During the South African Boer war Mr. Lane acted as war correspondent for the Melbourne “Herald,” and the “Perth Morning Herald,” accompanied Lord Roberts on his ride to Pretoria, and was awarded a correspondent's medal for his services. On returning to Australia he rejoined Messrs Lee-Steere and Company as managing partner, but in 1904 sold out his interest, and came to New Zealand. Mr. Lane is a member of the Farmers' Union, the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and the Hawke's Bay Hunt Club. He married a daughter of Mr. Lockier Clere Burges, of Fethardt, Tipperary, Ireland, and of Oakbella station, West Australia; her mother being a daughter of the late Colonel Finnerty, sometime Commandant of the West Australian Forces. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have a family of three sons and one daughter.