Ranfurly , A small township in the Eweburn district, came into existence with the advent of the Otago Central railway. For some time it was the terminus of that line, and the railway station is eighty-five miles north-west from Dunedin. Ranfurly, which is named after a former Governor of the colony, is the centre of a large pastoral and agricultural district, on the Maniototo Plains, and is connected by a coach service with Naseby, the county town. The Government have established a state nursery at Ranfurly for raising trees for plantations. A large Roman Catholic church is the only ecclesiastical building, but Presbyterian services are held in the Eweburn school. Ranfurly has a hotel, a public hall, and stores.

The Ranfurly Railway Station was opened on the 1st of December, 1898, when it became (for the time being) the terminus of the Otago Central line. It consists of a wooden building which includes stationmaster's room, and ticket office, public lobby and ladies' waiting room. There are also sheds for goods, coal and engine, as well as a water tank. The railway platform and turn-table are shingled and made convenient or the travelling public. Mr. J. G. Morgan s stationmaster.

Beatty, John , General Storekeeper and Timber Merchant, Ranfurly. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales, Naseby and Dunedin. Head office, Newton, Hyde. Mr. Beatty was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1852, and came to Auckland, per ship “Queen of Nations,” in 1874. After working two years at his trade as a millwright, Mr. Beatty went to Leeston, where he was employed in a timber-yard for twelve months. For a short time he was on the West Coast, but he again returned to Leeston, and went into business as a builder and contractor. Mr. Beatty settled at Waitahuna, in 1879, and worked at his trade page 605 until he established himself as a storekeeper at Nenthorn, in 1890. Subsequently, he erected business premises at Hyde, where he still resides. The promises occupied by the branch establishment at Ranfurly, are erected on a quarter acre section of freehold property, opposite the railway station. The building is a large wood and iron store, with office and storeroom. The storeman's residence is situated at the rear of the building. Mr. Beatty was married, in 1872, to a daughter of Mr. W. Kerr, of County Down, Ireland, but she died in 1876, leaving one son. In 1885, Mr. Beatty contracted a second marriage with a daughter of Mr. R. Crozier, of Waitahuna, and there are four daughters and one son by this marriage.

Brown, James , General Storekeeper, Ranfurly. Head office, Naseby. This branch was established in September, 1898, and the premises consist of a wooden building, which is erected on freehold land.

Mr. George Coghill , formerly Manager of Mr. Brown's Ranfurly branch, was born in 1870, at Balelutha, where he was educated and brought up to the fellmongery business. Subsequently he was employed at Messrs Gregg and Co.'s chicory works in Dunedin, and afterwards gained some experience at flaxmilling. For six years and a half Mr. Coghill was employed by Messrs M. Ryrie and Co., of Balclutha, and, again, for a short time, by Mr. R. Sheppard, of Matakanui. In July, 1898, he entered the service of Mr. Brown, and was appointed to open the Ranfurly branch three months later.

Mr. G. Coghill.

Bleach, Patrick , J.P., Farmer, “Station View Farm,” Ranfurly. Mr. Bleach's property consists of 800 acres, 320 of which are freehold, and the balance is held under a lease in perpetuity. Mr. Bleach was born at Scarriff, County Clare, Ireland, on the 2nd of February, 1862, accompanied his parents, as a lad, to Otago, and settled in the Naseby district, in 1865. In 1880, he took up land under the deferred payment system, in the Ranfurly district, and in 1890 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Bleach was married, in 1889, to a daughter of Mr. H. McErlane, of Derry, Ireland, and has five sons and two daughters.

Mr. P. Bleach.