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

Otokaia

Otokaia.

Otokaia is situated nineteen miles south-west from Dunedin, and is in the county of Taieri. The Taieri river runs through the township, and in the summer time is a source of great pleasure to the residents and visitors. Otokaia is so situated that it has the shelter of the hills on one side, while on the other, the plains spread away for miles in the distance. Cyclists wheeling on the main south road pass through the township, and although there is no licensed house, light refreshments and accommodation can be obtained at moderate prices. Otokaia has a post and telegraph office, railway siding, and a public school. page 655 Wild ducks and pukaki (swamp hens) are numerous, and trout are plentiful in the river.

Blair, Thomas Kennedy , Farmer, “Cairnhill,” Otokaia, Otago, Mr. Blair was born in October, 1849, at Straiton Manse, Ayrshire, Scotland, where his father was parish minister. He came out to New Zealand in 1869, by the ship “William Davie,” and for four years after his arrival served as a cadet with his uncle, Mr. James B. Blair, at Brighton, Otago. In July, 1873, Mr. Blair bought his present property, where he has since resided. The estate comprises 1500 acres, all hilly land, and about 400 Border Leicester crossbred sheep are grazed. Twenty cows are also kept for dairying purposes, while about forty acres of land are laid down in crop. Mr. Blair was chairman of the Otokaia school committee for many years, and was a director and secretary of the Henley Dairy Factory. He was married in January, 1874, to a daughter of Mr. John Davey, of Brighton, Otago, and has a family of three sons and seven daughters. Mr. Blair's great-uncle. Dr. James McCosh, L.L.D., was at one time President of Princeton College, United States of America.

Mr. James Buchanan Blair , sometime of Brighton, Otago, was born at Colmonell manse, Ayrshire, Scotland, where his father was parish minister, and came to New Zealand in 1849, by the ship “Cornwall.” Mr. Blair first started farming at Green Island, but afterwards sold out, and took up land at Otokaia, where he went in for cattle raising. Mr. Blair subsequently bought a large property at Brighton, where he resided up to the time of his death, in November, 1873. He left a widow, one son, and two daughters. Mr. Blair at all times took his share in public affairs, and was for a number of years a member of the Seaside Road Board.

The Late Mr. J. B. Blair.

The Late Mr. J. B. Blair.

Fleming, Alexander , Farmer, Otokaia. Mr. Fleming was born in the parish of Alyth, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1826, and came to New Zealand in 1864, by the ship “Lady Milton.” He landed at the Bluff, but moved immediately to the Taieri Plain, where he took up a section of land at Shandfield, on
Wrigglesworth and Binns, photoMr. A. Fleming.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photoMr. A. Fleming.

a portion of the Shand estate. The land was practically a swamp, and after twenty years spent in its improvement Mr. Fleming gave up his lease and bought a property near Henley. Owing to floods he was not so successful at Henley as he had hoped to be, and he sold out his interest. In 1894 he leased his present farm, which contains 135 acres of rich grazing land, on which he carries on dairying and general farming. Mr. Fleming has taken a great interest in the prosperity of the district, especially with respect to drainage, and has always advocated the amalgamation of the various drainage and river boards of the Taieri, as a means to lessen expense and secure more satisfactory results. He was one of the initiators of the Henley River Board, which has been of great service to the district; was one of its members for years, and, after some years in retirement, was again elected in 1904. Mr. Fleming was also a member of the old Henley Road Board until its affairs were taken over and administered by the Taieri County Council. He has been a member of both the Otokaia and Henley school committees since his arrival in the district, and is an elder of the South Taieri Presbyterian church. Mrs Fleming, who accompanied him with a family of two to New Zealand, died in 1903, leaving eight children, of whom four sons and two daughters are married.

Robinson, Robert , Junior, Farmer, Leecreek Farm, Otokaia. Mr. Robinson is the eldest son of Mr. Robert Robinson, an old resident of Berwick. He was born at Forbury, Caversham, Dunedin, and educated first by a private tutor and subsequently at a public school. After leaving school he was engaged in farming with his father, but afterwards carried on a successful butchery business at Berwick. From this business he retired after two years of success, and was then contracting for over six years in the neighbourhood of Berwick. In 1892 he resumed farming, and now farms about 300 acres of the rich fertile flat land at Leecreek, Otokaia, and has, also, a sheep run of 3000 acres on the adjoining hills. Mr. Robinson has always taken an active interest in the local affairs of the district, and is chairman of the Henley River Board, and the Berwick Drainage and Domain Board. He is also president of the Berwick Caledonian Society, and was formerly a member of the Taieri County Council. Mr. Robinson was for fourteen years a member of the Berwick school committee, and for some years a volunteer in the Taieri Rifles. He married Miss Beattie, an old resident of Maungatua, who died in 1902, at the age of eighty-six years.