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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

[Little River]

Little River is in the county of Akaroa and near Lake Forsyth. There is a considerable area of level country in the valley, through which a small river, overhung with foliage, slowly meanders to the lake. The township is the centre of a large sheepfarming, cattle raising and dairying district, with some large estates. There is a butter factory in the neighbourhood, and dairying is carried on privately at some of the homesteads. Little River has a sawmill and seedcleaning establishment, and cocksfoot grass is grown extensively for the purpose of seed production. The district is connected with Christchurch, thirty-six miles distant, by rail, and with Akaroa, eighteen miles off, by coach. The railway station and post office are combined, and have telegraph and money order departments, and other branches of the public service. There are two public schools in the district, and several places of worship, including a Maori church, as there are still a number of Maoris in the neighbourhood. The township has a hotel, an accommodation house, and several stores.

Little River.

Little River.

The Main School, Little River , is a wooden building, with two roomy apartments. It is surrounded by an extensive playground, and is situated some distance up the valley, on the main road to Akaroa. The average attendance is about seventy-six. There are two teachers, the headmaster, and an assistant mistress. During the past twelve years the number on the roll has fallen from about 150 to less than 100.

Mr. George Gilling, Headmaster of the Little River Main School, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, and arrived at Lyttelton when he was a child. He was educated in Christchurch, where he served an apprenticeship as a pupil-teacher, became an assistant master in the East Christchurch public school, and, in 1885, was appointed to his present position.