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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Herbert

page 462

Herbert.

Herbert , A township in the county of Waitaki, is on the main line of railway, and lies thirteen miles south-west from Oamaru. It has a population of 400, and its only hotel was closed some years ago under the local option vote. The district is devoted to farming, and has a dairy factory and creamery; also a post and telegraph office, a public school, and a handsome Presbyterian church and manse. The main roads are good for cycling, and the sea coast is six miles distant. There is a temperance hotel, and private boarding is obtainable. To sportsmen the district yields wild-pig hunting and hare shooting.

The Herbert Railway Station , which is also the local Post and Telegraph office, is a wooden building, with a ladies' waiting-room, public lobby, ticket office and stationmaster's room, and a public vestibule for postal purposes. There is a large asphalt passenger platform, and also a convenient goods-shed. The stationmaster, Mr. A. Beekman, is assisted by a cadet.

The Otepopo Public School stands on a fine site in a central position. It is the oldest school in the district and originally served Maheno and Kakanui, which now have their own schools and committees. Nine acres of land are attached to the Otepopo school, which is a stone building containing two rooms, with accommodation for nearly 200 children. There is an average attendance of about 100. Ladders and bars have been erected in the play-ground for gymnastic exercises. The headmaster's residence adjoins the school, and the staff consists of a master, mistress, and a pupil teacher. Mr. James Fleming is headmaster.

The Otepopo Presbyterian Church is a white stone building with a spire, which is a prominent landmark for many miles around. The Presbyterian Church first held services in the district in 1863; and the first portion of the church was erected in 1869. The building was enlarged ten years later. As it was designed to serve a wide district, accommodation was provided for 500 worshippers, but of late years churches have been erected at Maheno and at Kakanui, and divine service is held at each branch every Sabbath. The land attached to the Otepopo church is about one acre and a half in extent, and there are ten acres connected with the manse, which is a picturesque eight-roomed building partly in Oamaru stone and partly in wood. The Rev. D. McIvor is minister in charge.

The Otepopo Athenaeum was established in 1869, and has a library of about 1009 volumes. It is domiciled in a wooden building, which is used also as a public hall, and is centrally situated in the township of Herbert.

Thomas, David , Teacher of the Violin Piano, and Singing, Herbert. Mr. Thomas was born in South Wales, in 1853, and was educated in his native place and in London. He commenced his musical studies in Wales by taking lessons from Messrs Bowen and Caradog, and continued in the metropolis under Dr. Joseph Parry and Mr. Proudman. Till he left for the Colony in 1885, by the s.s. “Tongariro,” Mr. Thomas was engaged in commercial life, but after arriving at Port Chalmers, he settled in Balclutha, where he commenced to teach music. Two years later he removed to Tapanui, where he remained also for two years. In these places he conducted large musical classes, and performed several works at public functions. In 1889 he settled in the Otepopo district, and as a private teacher, has established a considerable connection, which extends as far as Duntroon and the Waitaki river. Since settling in Herbert, Mr. Thomas has held appointments as precentor at the Otepopo and Kakanui Presbyterian Churches. He was married in London in 1883 to the second daughter of Mr G. Hughes, of Beaumaris, and has two daughters.

Mr. D. Thomas.

Mr. D. Thomas.

Douglass, John , General blacksmith and Wheelwright, next Railway Station, Herbert. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. Head establishment at Hampden. This branch was opened in 1893, and the large wooden building is erected on a half-acre section Mr. Douglass, the owner of the business, is further referred to in connection with his head establishment at Hampden.

Anderson, Adam , Dairy and Sheep-farmer, “Maryhill,” Herbert. This old settler, who holds 700 acres of land, has been connected with the Otepopo district since November, 1855. He was born, in 1839, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and accompanied his parents to Port Chalmers, by the ship “Blundell,” in 1848. His father, the late Mr. Alexander Anderson, settled for seven years at North-east Valley, Dunedin. Mr. Anderson acquired the first part of his estate in January, 1857, and since then he has been prominently connected with the district. He has been on the local school committee for many years, and he has ever been ready to assist in all movements for the advancement of his fellow settlers. Mr. Anderson was married on the 3rd of May, 1875, to a daughter of Mr. page 463 L. Robertson, of Shetland, and has six daughters and four sons.

Ross, Angus , Farmer, “Rosebery,” Herbert. Mr. Ross was brought up as a farmer in Ross-shire, Scotland, where he was borr in 1833. He arrived at Port Chalmers, by the ship “Gloucester, at Christmas, 1858. After being seven years in the Taieri district he settled at Otepopo and purchased a portion of his property, which he has since increased to 600 acres of freehold. He has, for a quarter of a century, been a member of the local school committee; also elder of the Otepope Presbyterian Church during many years, and a member of the Synod. Mr. Ross was married, in 1867, to a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Mec, of County Cavan, Ireland, and has three sons and three daughters.

Mr. A. Ross.

Mr. A. Ross.

Sim, Alexander , Sheepfarmer, “Tullymett,” Herbert. Mr. Sim's estate is situated on elevated ground overlooking the Otepopo district, and consists of over 1100 acres of freehold land. The proprietor was born in the parish of Caputh, Perthshire, Scotland, on the 20th of November, 1825, and landed at Port Chalmers from the “Jura” in September, 1858. Mr. Sim, who has been connected with Otepopo since January, 1860, spent the first twenty-five years of his life in New Zealand in station work. He acquired his present property in 1884. Mr. Sim was married on the 22nd of April, 1852, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Campbell, of Tullymett, parish of Logieran, Perthshire, Scotland. Mrs. Sim died on the 5th of November, 1897, and there are two sons and one daughter.

Mr. A. Sim.

Mr. A. Sim.