Bowker, Thomas, Farmer, Merrybrook, Makikihi. Mr. Bowker is a son of Mr. C. Bowker, of Timaru, and was born in 1882 in that place. He gained experience of country life in the Makikihi district, where he now farms 150 acres of leasehold land.

Geddes, William, Highway Farm, Makikihi. Mr. Geddes was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1842. He came out to New Zealand in 1866 in the ship “William Davie,” and landed at Port Chalmers. His mother, brother, and sister also came out at the same time. Mr. Geddes and his brother worked in Shag Valley for twelve years, during which he took a trip to the Old Country, via America, and returned by direct ship. In 1879 he left Shag Valley and went to Makikihi, and after working there for two years he entered into partnership with Mr. Forrest and bought a farm near Bluecliffs. This proved to be too small for their requirements, and it was sold, and the present farm bought. This farm comprises 1100 acres of good land, on which wheat yields forty bushels to the acre, and oats over sixty bushels. On the death of Mr. Forrest, in 1895, Mr. Geddes took over the whole estate. In April, 1899, he married Miss Selina Forrest, a daughter of his former partner. Mr. Geddes has been a member of the Hook school committee.

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Mr. W. Geddes.

Mercer, Thomas, Farmer, Makikihi. Mr. Mercer was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1838. He was brought up as an engineer, and worked as such in the Old Country for many years. In 1865 he came out to New Zealand in the ship “Victory.” For a short period Mr. Mercer was a warder in the Lyttelton Gaol, after which he went to Bluecliffs for about twelve months. A similar period was spent at the Cave. He then went to Timaru, and worked for a time on the surf boats. He was then engaged by Mr. Teschemacher on the Otaio estate, where he worked for two years, when he bought 35 acres from Mr. Teschemacher and started farming for himself. This land he subsequently sold, and purchased 133 acres on the north side of the Makikihi river, and 278 acres, where his homestead now stands. His wheat crops average about thirty bushels per acre, and oats about sixty bushels. Mr. Mercer has been a member of the Timaru Foresters' Court, and was a member of the Hunter school committee for seven years. In 1865 he married Miss Margaret Lush, of Larne, near Belfast, and they have seven sons and five daughters.

Mr. T. Mercher.

Rodgers, John Thomas, Flaxmiller, Threshing-mill Proprietor, and Farmer, Makikihi. Mr. Rodgers was born at Elephant Hill station, on the 20th of September, 1861. He was brought up to country life in South Canterbury, and commenced as a contractor and horse dealer in 1886. In 1899 he settled in Makikihi, where he works seventy acres of land, in addition to his flaxmill and threshing mill. He puts through about six tons of green flax daily. Mr. Rodgers was married, in 1889, to a daughter of Mr. John Gibson, farmer, Claremont, and has four sons and two daughters.

Shaw, John William, Farmer. “Cardale,” Makikihi. Mr. Shaw is the eldest son of Mr. David Shaw, of Geraldine, and was born in 1863, at Lake Tekapo. He gained his experience of country life on his father's farm at Geraldine, and in 1892 began to farm on his own account at Woodbury. Two years later he removed, to Rangitata Plains, where he worked land till 1900. In that year he settled at Makikihi, where he holds 420 acres of freehold, and 218 acres of leasehold land. Mr. Shaw served two years in the Geraldine Mounted Rifles. Since settling in the Makikihi district he has been a member of the Hunter library and school committees. Mr. Shaw devotes himself chiefly to sheep-farming, and uses the Smoko sheep-shearing machine, the first in the district, which is driven by a two-and-a-half horse-power oil engine.

Burford, photo.
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Shaw.