Mr. Thomas Berghan, Proprietor of the Settler's Hotel, was born in Mongonui in 1859, and spent his early life at farming. Subsequently, he took up 240 acres of land on Cooper's beach, two miles from the township, which he continues to farm. The land is flat, ploughable, good for cropping, and carries a small flock of Lincoln sheep. There is also a fine little homestead. Mr. Eer-ghan has many friends and acquaintances throughout the district, and is the right man in the right place as host of the Settler's Hotel. He is married to a daughter of Mr. Joseph Evans, of Waipapakauri, and has a family of two sons and three daughters.