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

Duntroon

Duntroon.

Duntroon is the name of a picturesque township on the south side of the Waitaki Valley. The main road between Oamaru and Kurow runs through the settlement, as also the Oamaru-Duntroon-Hakataramea branch line of railway. Duntroon is in the Otekaike riding of the Waitaki county and in the Mount Ida electorate. The population of the settlement and vicinity at the census of 1901 was 231; this is altogether apart from the Maerewhenua settlement, which occupies the flat and hills just over the railway traffic bridge spanning the Maerewhenua river. This settlement is in the Awamoko riding of the Waitaki county, and at the same census had a population of 119. There is a railway station and post office combined at Duntroon, which is twenty-eight miles from Oamaru, and 446 feet above sea level. The buildings in the township occupy a terrace overlooking the Waitaki river flats, which extend for a full mile towards that river. Duntroon possesses Anglican and Presbyterian churches, and a Defence Hall, which is the largest building in the township. This hall was erected in 1902 by local subscriptions, money obtained by a bazaar, and a pound for pound subsidy from the Government. It is under the control of the volunteer authorities, the local corps being named the Duntroon Rifles; and the hall is used for drill purposes as well as for public meetings and entertainments. A portion of the hall is occupied as a public library, which was first established in 1887, and was originally kept at the local school. Duntroon has two publichouses, two stores, besides bootmakers' and tailors' shops, and a bakery and butchery. There are two blacksmiths in the district, and a creamery, which adjoins the Maerewhenua flag station on the opposite side of the river from the township. Fortnightly sales of stock are held in the local saleyards. There is an agency of the National Bank, which is attended by that bank's Kurow manager, every Friday. Duntroon is the centre of a rich agricultural and pastoral district, and is remarkable for its dry and bracing climate. The water of the Maerewhenua river is discoloured by the mining operations carried on at Livingstone, and the Maerewhenua diggings.

The Duntroon Railway Station And Post Office combined is built of wood and iron, and contains a public lobby, ladies' waiting-room, and general offices. There are also a goods shed and cattle loading yards. Two trains pass through the station daily, by each of which mails are received and despatched. Mr. William McLeod is stationmaster and postmaster.

Duntroon Public School , which occuples a fine site overlooking the township and the Waitaki Valley, was established in 1879. The building has since been enlarged, and contains two classrooms, with a division lobby. There is accommodation for 120 pupils; there are eighty names on the roll, and the average attendance is seventy. About three acres of land are attached to the school page 568 premises, and a considerable portion is laid out as a playground. The schoolhouse, which is of seven rooms, is pleasantly situated, and the whole property is substantially fenced. An infant mistress assists the teacher in charge.

Mr. David Stewart , Headmaster of the Duntroon Public School, was educated at the Union Street school, Dunedin. He served for four years as a pupil teacher at the Macandrew Road school, and was for two years at the Normal Training College, Dunedin, after which he became a relieving teacher under the Board. In August, 1895, he was appointed headmaster of the Lowburn school, which he left in April, 1901, and was for two years first assistant at Oamaru South school. He was appointed to Duntroon in April, 1903. Mr. Stewart is a member of the North Otago branch of the Educational Institute. He was married, on the 22nd of December, 1897, to a daughter of Mr. W. Jenkins, of Dunedin, and has one son and three daughters.

Mr. and Mrs D. Stewart.

Mr. and Mrs D. Stewart.

St. Martin's Anglican Church , Duntroon, was opened in August, 1901. It is built of Oamaru stone, has a tower and belfry, and seating accommodation for a hundred worshippers. Services are held every Sunday, and the vicar of the Waitaki mission district is in charge.

The Duntroon Parish of the Presbyterian Church embraces Livingstone, Tokarahi and the Maerewhenua estate, in addition to the township of Duntroon. It was constituted in 1880, and the manse, which stands on part of a section of ten acres, was erected in 1882. The present church occupies a fine position on the terrace overlooking the township, and was opened in December, 1897. Originally Duntroon parish included Kurow, which was cut off from the district in 1898. Weekly services are held at Duntroon, and periodical services in the school-rooms at Livingstone, Tokarahi and the Maerewhenua estate.

The Rev. Peter Scott Hay , M.A., Minister in charge at Duntroon, was born in Banffshire, Scotland, in 1844. He graduated at Aberdeen University in 1867, and has been in charge of Duntroon since 1881. Mr. Hay was married, in 1878, to a daughter of the late Mr. Alexander Ross, of Kincardineshire, Scotland, and has one daughter.

Wood, Thomas , Tailor, Duntroon. This business was established in February, 1903, by Mr. John Wood, and was taken over by the present owner in May, 1903. The shop and workroom are contained in a substantial stone building. Mr. Wood, the proprietor, was born in 1879, at Waikouaiti. He was educated at Wyndham, where he learned his trade. Mr. Wood was for seven years a member of the Order of Foreters at Wyndham.

Duntroon Hotel (James Pringle, proprietor). This comfortable and popular hostelry contains seventeen rooms, of which nine are well-furnished bedrooms, four are comfortable parlours, and there is a large, airy dining-room capable of seating twenty-four persons. The hotel is situated twenty-eight miles from Oamaru on the road to Kurow; it is contiguous to the Duntroon railway station, and has stabling and paddocks which are very convenient for travellers and stock-drivers.

Mr. Pringle , the landlord, is a New Zealander, and son of one of the earliest settlers in the district. He was married, in 1894, to Miss Salmon, and has two daughters.

Mr. and Mrs J. Pringle.

Mr. and Mrs J. Pringle.

Rayne, William , General Storekeeper, Duntroon. This business was established by Mr. Robert McGillivray and was purchased by the present proprietor on the 20th of January, 1902. The premises consist of a wood and iron building, containing a shop and office with store behind, and the stock consists of grocery, drapery, hardware, produce, and other goods. Delivery carts visit all parts of the district within a radius of about twelve miles. Mr. Rayne's private residence is on the site of the original Duntroon Hotel, and has an acre of freehold land attached. A large stone stable and loft on the premises were often used in the early days for church services before any other buildings were erected in the district.

Mr. Rayne was born in 1869, at Willington, in the County of Durham, England. He arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Timaru” in 1878. About 1880 he commenced work as a cowboy in the Waitaki Valley, and has had experience of fleece-picking, and rabbiting, and afterwards did a little dealing in sheepskins, rabbitskins and wool. In 1897 Mr. Rayne started a general store at Omarama, which he conducted for two years, and was proprietor of the Lindis Hotel for two years and a half before purchasing the store at Duntroon. As a Freemason he is attached to Lodge Ngapara, No. 63, New Zealand Constitution.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. W. Rayne.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. W. Rayne.

Brasell, John , Farmer, Maerewhenua Settlement, Duntroon. Mr. Brasell was born on the 11th of September, 1846, in Buckinghamshire, England, and came out to Timaru in 1882 by the ship “Lancashire Witch.” He was brought up to country life in the Timaru district, and found employment in fencing, shearing and other country work until settling in North Otago in 1876. He was employed on the Maerewhenua estate for some time, and on the opening of the page 569 settlement acquired under a lease in perpetuity a section of twenty-two acres, on which he erected his cottage. Mr. Brasell has lately been employed by Mr. James Helley, of Awaiti Farm. He was married, in 1874, to a daughter of Mr. John Smith, of Manawatu. Mrs Brasell died in 1887, leaving three sons.

Dalcety, James Scott , Farmer, Pitlivie Farm, Macrewhenua Settlement, Duntroon. Mr. Dalgety was born in the parish of St. Vigeons, Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1847, and was brought up to country life. He came out to Victoria in 1870, and had about eight years' experience on the goldfields of South Gippsland, and was in West Queensland for a few months. In 1878 Mr. Dalgety came to New Zealand, and settled in the Ashburton district, where he farmed for a good many years. In 1895 he was successful in drawing a section of 262 acres of the Maerewhenua Settlement. He has erected a substantial homestead with outbuildings, and altogether has made a large number of improvements on his property, which he holds under a lease in perpetuity, and works as a mixed farm. During his residence in Victoria Mr. Dalgety was for sometime a member of a rifle corps on the diggings. He was married, in 1899, to a daughter of Mr. William Doak, of Oamaru, and has one son and one daughter.

Mahan, photo. Mr. and Mrs J. S. Dalgety.

Mahan, photo.
Mr. and Mrs J. S. Dalgety.

Hedley, James , Farmer, “Awaiti,” Maerewhenua Settlement, Duntroon. Mr. Hedley was born at Oamaru in 1870, and was brought up to a country life in the Timaru district. Its commenced farming on his own account in North Otago, and became an original selector on the opening of the Maerewhenua Settlement in 1895. His property consists of 633 acres of land which he holds under a lease in perpetuity, and works as a mixed farm. Mr. Hedley has spent a considerable sum in improving his property, and a large homestead and outbuildings have been erected.

Holmes, Robert , Farmer, Waikura Farm, Duntroon. Mr. Holmes was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, in 1855, and was brought up to country life. He came to Port Chalmers in 1883, by the ship “British King,” and settled in Southland with Mr. James Holmes, of Fortrose. Two years later he removed to the Oamaru district, where he was cropping and contracting for a good many years. In 1893 he purchased his present property, which consits of 354 acres of freehold, and thirteen acres of leasehold. It was all in tussocks a few years ago, but has now been brought into a capital state of cultivation, and a comfortable homestead has been erected. The estate is devoted to sheep and cattle grazing and cropping. Mr. holmes married a daughter of Mr. William Davies, of Dunedin, and has had one son and one daughter; but the son is dead.

Mciver, Malcolm , Farmer, Duntroon. Mr. McIver was born in the Island of Lewis, Ross-shire. Scotland, in 1836. He was brought up to sheepfarming by his father, and followed that calling for about twenty, five years on his own account, before coming to Port Chalmers, in 1862, by the ship “Mystery.” Mr. McIver entered the service of Mr. T. W. Hall (brother of Sir John Hall) as shepherd at Rakaia, Canterbury, and after a time removed to the Mackenzie country. Six months later he was at the Dunstan, and at the Arrow diggings, but meeting with no success, returned to a farming life, and found employment as a shearer at Lake Wanaka. Subsequently Mr. McIver made another attempt at goldmining, this time at the Nevis, and was then for three years shepherd at Moa Flat station. On coming to the Oamaru district, he was employed by Messrs Lees and Moore, and eventually became manager of Clarkesfield station, on the north bank of the Waitaki river. He afterwards entered the employment of Messrs Robert Campbell and Sons, and was stationed at Waihao Downs; and when the property was purchased by Mr. John Douglas, he continued in that gentleman's service for three years. After a rest of three months in Oamaru, Mr. McIver was appointed manager of the Waihaorunga station in South Canterbury, where he remained for three years. For six months afterwards he resided at his home in Oamaru, and then took the management of Clarkesfield station a second time, before settling in 1893 at Duntroon, where he built a large house on the terrace overlooking the township. Mr McIver has served as a member of the local school committee; and since 1898 he has been a trustee of the Maerewhenua (Waitaki Islands) Committee, which has charge of certain unoccupied lands of the Crown. Mr. McIver was married, in 1868, to a daughter of the late Mr. David Watt, of Oamaru, and has two sons and four daughters.

Stevenson, James , Farmer, “Takiroa,” Duntroon. Mr. Stevenson was born in 1843, in the parish of Kilmaurs, Ayrshire, Scotland, and emigrated to Queensland by the ship “Ariadne” in 1859. After seven years of bush life in that colony, he was attracted to New Zealand by the West Coast diggings, and about a year later removed to Otago. He was engaged in farm work at the Taieri for a short time, before removing to the Waitaki district, where he has been employed largely in connection with the Otekaike station since 1872. Of late years Mr. Stevenson has adopted the calling of a wool classer, in which he has found employment not only at prominent stations in Otago and Canterbury, but also in New South Wales. He acquired “Takiroa” in 1894. The property, which has a good homestead, consists of 600 acres of leasehold land, on which 500 sheep are depastured. Mr. Stevenson served for a number of years on the Duntroon school committee, and has been an elder in the local Presbyterian church since 1897. He was married, in June, 1878, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Buchanan, of Dunedin, and has two sons and two daughters.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. J. Stevenson.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. J. Stevenson.

Tallentire, James Everest , Farmer. “Aigburth,” Maerewhenua. Settlement, Duntroon. Mr. Tallentire was born in July, 1865, on the ship “Egeria,” on her voyage from Calcutta to Liverpool, and was brought up in the latter city. He served his time as a sailor in the firm of Henry Whittle, and was at sea for eight years, before leaving his vessel at Lyttelton about Christmas, 1885. The following year he settled in the Ellesmere district, and found employment there until 1895, when he drew a section of eighty-nine acres in the Maerewhenua Settlement. Mr. Tallentire has erected a comfortable homestead, and made many improvements on his property, which he holds under a lease in perpetuity. He page 570 has been connected with the Duntroon Rifles since 1901, and has held office as colour-sergeant, and in the Order of Druids he is attached to Lodge Ethelbert, Springston, Canterbury, Mr. Tallentire was married, in 1897, to a daughter of Mr. Henry Edward Davies, of Irwell, Canterbury, and has three sons.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. and Mrs J. E. Tallentire and Family.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. and Mrs J. E. Tallentire and Family.

Wise, George Edwards , Farmer, Blarney Cottage, Maerewhenua Settlement, Duntroon. Mr. Wise was born in County Cork. Ireland, in 1850, and was brought up to country life. In 1879 he emigrated to Queensland, and was for over twenty years overseer on the Listoweth Downs station, Barcoo river, near Blackall. He saw the worst of the terrible drought which ruined all the squatters, and left the country in 1900. On coming to New Zealand Mr. Wise settled in the Duntroon district, where he purchased the goodwill of 900 acres of land, under a lease in perpetuity. On this property he runs 800 crossbred sheep, and he has built a comfortable residence, stables, and made other improvements While in Queensland Mr. Wise was a member of the Barcoo Racing Club, and since settling in the Oamaru district he has been a member of the Oamaru Jockey Club. He also served for eighteen months as lieutenant in the Duntroon Rifles. Mr. Wise is a member of the Anglican church, with which he was connected in Queensland, and is now churchwarden at Duntroon.

Brown, Israel Settler, Duntroon. Mr. Brown was born in 1855, in the Island of St. Vincent, West Indies, where he attended school. In 1871 he went to London, and became a ship's steward. He travelled in his vessel to different parts of the world, and arrived in Dunedin in 1888 by the ship “Waimate.” For sometime Mr. Brown was a hotel cook in the city, but subsequently engaged in outdoor pursuits, such as navvying and bushfelling. He afterwards joined the Survey Department, and was engaged for nearly a year at Catlins river. Four years afterwards he found employment in rabbiting, and then became camp cook in connection with threshing mills. Since 1894 Mr. Brown has followed this employment in the Duntroon district.

Wilds, William , Settler, Duntroon. Mr. Wilds was born in Timaru in 1863, and was brought up to country life in Canterbury and Otago. He commenced working on his own account at the Opawa station, Albury, in 1860, and was employed there for two years. For six years subsequently he found work in the same distrist, and in 1888 commenced business as a carrier between Albury and the Mackenzie country. Five years later Mr. Wilds removed to the north bank of the Waikato river, where he remained for two years. He was afterwards for five years in various parts of the North Island, and settled at Tokarahi in 1900. He is an expert waggoner and is able to drive any number of horses. During his residence in Timaru Mr. Wilds was a member of the Order of Foresters.

Mr. William Stringer was born in 1853, in County Wicklow, Ireland, and from an early age he was brought up to work on the land. In 1876 he arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Mauleden” as the pioneer of his father's family. He soon found employment in the Ngapara district, where he was afterwards for some time engaged in cropping and contracting. In the end he decided to settle in the Duntroon district, where he became proprietor of Shelton Farm, named after the manor house of the Earl of Wicklow, under whom he had lived in Ireland. The property consists of 600 acres of freehold and 400 acres of leasehold land, and occupies an elevated position on the hills. Mr. Stringer was an ardent volunteer, and took an active part in the North Otago Mounted Rifles, in which he held the rank of sergeant-major at the time of his death in July, 1896. He was for sometime a member of the Duntroon school committee, and held office as chairman. Mr. Stringer was a Justice of the Peace for about ten years, and was at one time a member of the local Licensing Bench. As a Freemason he was attached to Lodge Oamaru Kilwinning. He was a member of the Waitaki County Council for about eight years. Mr. Stringer was married, in 1882, to Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, of Inchclutha, and left four sons and three daughters. Mrs Stringer was born in Inchclutha, and was educated at Kaitangata and Balclutha. She and her family live at Shelton Farm.

C. J. Milligan, photo. Threshing at Ngapara.

C. J. Milligan, photo.
Threshing at Ngapara.