Henderson, William, “Creekside,” Halswell. Mr. Henderson is fourth son of the late Mr. William Henderson, of Spreydon, and was born at Syydenham, Christchurch, in 1876. He was educated in the city, brought up to farming, and carries on dairy farming at “Creekside,” Halswell. Mr. Henderson has always shown a keen interest in the general affairs of his district, and was elected to the Halswell Road Board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Mr. Garforth. He is also a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mr. Henderson was married, in 1895, to Miss Boag, daughter of Mr. William Boag, of Fendalton, and has two children.

“Lansdowne,” Halswell. This property was bought by the late Mr. William Birdling, in 1896, and was managed for him by his son, Mr. Arthur Birdling.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. W. Henderson, Junr,

Mr. Arthur Birdling, fifth son of the late Mr. William Birdling, founder of Birdling's Flat estate, was born at Birdling's Flat in 1863. He was educated at Akaroa, afterwards spent three years at the Agricultural College at Lincoln, and helped to manage the estate on Birdling's Flat until he settled at “Lansdowne” in 1896. Like his late father, he is a well-known and successful breeder of stock. He married Miss E. Callaghan, of Akaroa, and two sons and one daughter have been born of the union.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. A. Birdling.

Sheehan, John, Farmer, Halswell. Mr. Sheehan is a son of the late Mr. Martin Sheehan of Shand's Track, who died in 1899. He was born at Nenagh, Tipperary, Ireland, in 1850, accompanied his parents to Victoria in 1852 and returned with them to Ireland after a three years' stay in Australia. In 1860 he accompanied his parents to New Zealand, in the ship “Clontarf,” which landed at Lyttelton. After attending school in Christchurch, he started at an early age to make his own living. At first he drove a team of horses for the late Mr. Peter Clinton, and afterwards worked at a threshing machine for seven years. Mr. Sheehan then began farming on his own account, and for twenty-seven years carried on successfully at Tai Tapu. In 1899 he took his present farm, which consists of 160 acres of rich fertile land, on which he conducts a system of mixed farming and dairying. Mr. Sheehan is a member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and is well known as a breeder and prize-taker at the shows in connection with carriage, blood and draught horses. He has been twice married; firstly, to Miss Doyle, by whom there was a family of five children, and, secondly, to Miss Flynn, who has borne him two sons and five daughters.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. J. Sheehan.

Spreydon Lodge (T. H. Candy, proprietor), near Halswell. The history of this property dates back to the early days of settlement. It was originally taken up by the late William Sefton Moorhouse, second Superintendent of Canterbury, who resided on the estate for several years. Afterwards it was held by Mr. William Pine, and, later on, by Mr. Garforth, and was entered by Mr. Candy, as lessee, in the early part of 1902. “Spreydon Lodge” contains 230 acres of rich agricultural land, and is highly improved. Dairying is carried on extensively, and about eighty-five cows are milked constantly upon the property. A fine residence, the oldest part of which was built by Mr. Moorhouse, stands close to the main road, between Christchurch and Halswell, and the surrounding grounds are laid out in excellent taste.

Mr. Thomas Herbert Candy, Proprietor of “Spreydon Lodge,” is the fourth son of Mr. C. B. Candy. He was born in 1866, at Halswell, educated at the local public school, and afterwards trained to dairy farming under his father, with whom he continued to work till 1895. In that year he took over the property formerly held by his father, and continued cheese making until 1902, when he removed to “Spreydon Lodge.” Mr. Candy was married in 1895 to Miss E. C. Thomas, of Christchurch, and has three children.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. T. H. Candy.

Smith, John, Farmer, Halswell. Mr. Smith was born at Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim Ireland, in 1837. He left home in 1863, and landed at Lyttelton in January, 1864, by the ship “Tiptree.” After harvesting for a short time at Rangiora, he was employed for one year with Mr. Armstrong, immigration agent, who then resided at Riccarton. For three years later he was employed by the late Mr. Michael John Burke, who then owned what was known as the Halswell station, which was afterwards leased to Mr. Bell, with whom Mr. Smith remained for six years. In 1875 Mr. Smith purchased about fifty acres of his present farm, which now consists of one hundred acres of some of the finest land in the district, and has a handsome villa residence, and a fine set of farm buildings. During his long residence in the district Mr. Smith has refrained from entering public life, but has devoted his energies to the improvement of his property. He was married previous to his departure from Ireland, but has no children.

The Late Mr. W. Birdling.