Waihao Downs is the name of the well-known station, from which the district derives its name. It is in the North Waihao riding of the Waimate county, and in the electorate of Waitaki. The local railway station is the terminal point of the Studholme-Waimate-Waihao Downs branch, and is forty-one miles by rail from Oamaru, thirty-eight from Timaru, and nine from Waimate. The railway was completed to Waihao Downs about 1886, and the flag station stands at an elevation of 339 feet above sea level. The post office is conducted at the railway station, and has been in existence since 1897. There is a public school in the district, and also a church, which is the property of the owner of the Waihao Downs estate. Part of the estate was subdivided and disposed of for closer settlement about 1899. The district consists of rich agricultural and pastoral country, and may be described generally as rolling downs, which are noted for their fattening properties. Roads lead beyond the terminus of the railway to Waihaorunga, Elephant Hill, and Redcliff. At the census of 1901 the population was 297.

The Waihao Downs post office was established in 1897, and is conducted at the Waihao Downs station. Mails are received and despatched daily, and the proprietor of the station runs a mail coach to and from Waimate under contract with the department Mr. John Fleming Douglas asts as postmaster.

The Waihao Downs Public School dates from November, 1901. It stands on part of a section of four acres of land, which was given to the Education Department by Mr. John Douglas, of Waihao Downs station, and is pleasantly situated on a hill overlooking the railway station, near the junction of three main roads. The building, which is of wood and iron, contains a class room and a porch, and was opened about March, 1902. It can accommodate forty-five pupils; there are forty-three names on the roll and the average attendance is thirty-five.

Mr. George John Park, Teacher in charge of Waihao Downs school, was born at Waitaki in 1880. He was educated at the Waimate District High School, served his pupil-teachership at the public school, and was appointed to Waihao Downs at the time of its opening.

Mewburn, William, Engineer and General Smith, Waihao Downs. This business was established by Mr. Douglas, and was acquired by the present owner in 1899. The premises consist of a large iron shop; the proprietor's residence is not far away, and occupies an elevated position on part of a freehold of twenty acres of land. Mr. Mewburn was born in Dunedin, in 1885, and learned his trade at Ngapara and Georgetown, near Oamaru. In 1893 he started business at Port Chalmers, where he remained until removing to Waihao Downs. He was for some time a member of the Port Chalmers Naval Volunteers, and was also actively connected with the fire brigade and local band. As a Forester Mr. Mewburn is attached to Court Pride of Waimate. He was married, on the 7th of March, 1894, to a daughter of the late Mr. W. Barnes, of Dunedin, and has three daughters and one son.

Manchester Brothers And Goldsmith, General Merchants, (Head office, page 1084 Waimate), Waihao Downs. The Waihao Downs branch of this firm was opened on the 1st of August, 1902. There is a large wood and iron building, with four shops devoted, respectively, to the butchery, grocery, drapery, and seed departments. There are also timber sheds and a large coalyard.

Mr. Dudley Sheppard, Manager, was born at Newport, in the Isle of Wight, in 1879. He was educated in his native place and at Undercliff College, and learned the trade of an ironmonger. Mr. Sheppard came to New Zealand in 1895, and was for some time on his uncle's farm at Waimate. He was then employed by Messrs Wilkins and Field, of Wellington, where he continued until November, 1900, when he entered the service of Messrs Manchester Brothers and Goldsmith. He was associated with Mr. Nelson in opening the Morven branch, and in 1902 was entrusted with the opening of the branch at Waihao Downs. Mr. Sheppard belongs to the order of Foresters, and is attached to Court Foresters' Pride, Waimate.

Cox, photo.
Mr. D. Sheppard.