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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Old Colonists

Old Colonists.

Mr. William Irvine, sometime of Dunsandel, was born in 1818, in the Shetland Islands, and landed at Lyttelton in 1863, by the ship “Brother's Pride.” After working for some time in various places throughout Canterbury, he took a farm at Tai Tapu, from the late Mr. R. H. Rhodes, and remained there six years. In 1870 he bought about 200 acres at Dunsandel, and by subsequent purchases increased the area of his farm to 600 acres. During his residence at Dunsandel Mr. Irvine took a great interest in the Selwyn school committee, and in the presbyterian church, and the first Presbyterian service in the district was held in his house. His second son, Mr. Robert Francis Irvine, M.A., had a distinguished career at Canterbury College, and taught for several years at Christ's College. He went to New South Wales in 1890, where he received the appointment of Principal of Moore College, and complied a series of text-books which are in general use in the public schools of that colony. The Public Service Board gave Mr. Irvine the appointment of secretary to the Board of Examiners. Mr. William Irvine died in 1901, leaving a family of four sons and two daughters. Mrs Irvine died eighteen years before her husband.

The late Mr. W. Irvine.

The late Mr. W. Irvine.

Mr. William Walker, who for many years carried on blacksmithing conjointly with farming, at Dunsandel, was a native of Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was educated at private schools, and trained to be a blacksmith. In 1863 Mr. Walker sailed for New Zealand, and shortly after landing obtained employment at Mr. John Anderson's foundry, in Christchurch, where he continued to work for some years. He left Christchurch in 1872, and established himself in business in Dunsandel, where he also took up property and carried on farming in conjunction with his trade, until his death, in 1893. During his residence in Dunsandel Mr. Walker took an active part in religious work. He was an office-bearer in the local Presbyterian church and superintendent of the Sunday school; also a member of other local bodies. At his death he left three sons and one daughter.

The late Mr. W. Walker and Mrs Walker.

The late Mr. W. Walker and Mrs Walker.

Mr. Frederick Wright, sometime of Dunsandel, was well known as a sheep-farmer in that district.