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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Mr. Henry Tisch

Mr. Henry Tisch, of Papanui Road, was born in Germany in 1847, and accompanied his parents to New Zealand by the ship “Midlothian,' which arrived at Lyttelton in 1851. He was educated at Christchurch, and afterwards worked with his father until 1865 at the Tisch Corner farm. In that year he was seized with the gold fever, and went to Hokitika with his eldest brother, Mr. William Tisch. Not succeeding at Hokitika, the brothers moved to Maori Gully near Greymouth, but with equally unsatisfactory results, and after about thirteen months of unsuccessful prospecting, they gave up gold digging. During his stay at Maori Gully Mr. Tisch narrowly escaped meeting the same fate as poor Dobson, who was murdered by the Levy, Burgess, and Kelly gang. On that day Mr. Tisch was returning from Greymouth to Maori Gully. Near the camp of the gang the track was very bad, and Mr. Tisch overtook a traveller, who recommended him to take another route along the river. He took this advice, and by doing so, no doubt escaped the fate which befel Mr. Dobson. After leaving the diggings, and returning to Christchurch. Mr. Tisch bought ninety-two acres of land at Chaney's Corner from his father, and started farming on his own account. At first his success was about equal to that of his search for gold, but he was encouraged by a wife who has been a worthy helpmate, and, cheered by her sympathy, he carried on farming against great odds; but with perseverance and thrift he succeeded, and after nine years he sold his farm at a handsome figure. Mr. Tisch then speculated in buying and selling various properties, but always with great advantage to himself. Finally, he purchased his present beautiful place in Papanui Road. While he was dealing in properties Mr. Tisch bought and sold the Haselden Estate, consisting of 1235 acres, in Wairere Valley, Glen-tunnel. Mr. Tisch has long been well known as a judge of cattle, and, indeed, he considers that his success has been largely due to his knowledge of stock, which he has dealt in for over thirty years. In 1892 Mr. Tisch paid a prolonged visit to the Old World. He travelled through Australia, and visited Naples, Rome, Switzerland, and his own birthplace, Bohingheim in Prussia. He visited the large centres of Great Britain, and returned by way of America, Honolulu and Samoa. During a second trip to Europe, he visited the Paris Exhibition, and witnessed the Royal Agricultural Show at Stirling, Scotland. He also visited the Trossachs and other Scottish scenes, made famous by Sir Walter Scott. Ireland was visited during the same tour, and Mr. Tisch returned by the “Ophir,” through the Red Sea, and landed in New Zealand on the 2nd of November, 1901. Mr. Tisch married Miss Mary Schmitt, in 1866. and to her help and devotion he attributes the greater part of his material success. Of a family of ten children, two sons and four daughters are married.

Mr. H. Tisch.

Mr. H. Tisch.

Mr. H. Tisch.

Mr. H. Tisch.