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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Old Colonists

Old Colonists.

Mr. A. McPhail, sometime of “Hartwood,” South Rakaia, was born at Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1817, and was brought up as a carpenter. He came to New Zealand in 1863, and for five years after his arrival he worked at his trade. In 1868 he settled in the Selwyn district, and purchased “Hartwood” in 1873, when the land was all in its native state. The estate now consists of 719 acres, and is devoted to the production of grain, mutton, and wool, for which the land is admirably adapted. The improvements are of a permanent and extensive nature, and the dwellinghouse has a pleasant north-western aspect. The outbuildings are excellent, and are well sheltered from the prevailing winds by a well grown plantation of forest and ornamental trees, with a beautiful avenue running from the house to the road, and the land is divided into sixteen paddocks. Mr. McPhail died in 1896, leaving a widow, two sons, and one daughter to mourn his death.

The late Mr. A. McPhail.

The late Mr. A. McPhail.

Mr. William Allan Pearce, sometime of Allandale Farm, Sherwood, Rakaia, was born at Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, and arrived in Canterbury by the “Strathallan” in 1859. Not being able to obtain employment at his trade as a bootmaker, he started on the first work then offering, and earned twenty-five shillings a day at stone breaking on the Port Hills. Shortly afterwards he got an engagement with Mr. Adams, bootmaker, High Street, Christchurch. Wages being high, he was enabled shortly afterwards
The late Mr. W. A. Pearce, Mrs Pearce and Family.

The late Mr. W. A. Pearce, Mrs Pearce and Family.

Rakaia Gorge.

Rakaia Gorge.

page 793 to start on his own account, in premises he built on Oxford Terrace, where he carried on a most successful business for several years. The extension of trade induced him to remove to Colombo Street, where he remained till he sold the premises to Messrs Hobday and Co. On his retirement from business, Mr. Pearce started farming at Doyleston, where he remained for about eighteen years, when he sold his property and removed to Sherwood, in 1884, and took up a block of 1200 acres of unimproved leasehold land, and 135 acres of freehold. The freehold of the whole block was afterwards acquired, and the land is now in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Pearce never took any part in public affairs. He died in 1900, and was survived by his wife, three sons and four daughters.