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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

Totara Flat

Totara Flat.

Totara Flat —so called from the Totara timber once obtained there—is situated on the southeast bank of the Grey river, twenty miles distant from Reefton, and twenty-seven miles from Greymouth, on the Grey-Reefton section of New Zealand railways. It is in the Waipuna riding of the county of Grey, in the electorate of Grey, and in the provincial district of Nelson. To the north and north-east of the settlement are the Paparoa ranges, with numerous peaks, one of which, Mount Pecksniff, is 4,250 feet high. Totara Flat is the centre of the farming industry in the Grey county, and as an agricultural district is second to none on the West Coast. The land consists of from 10,000 to 15,000 acres of rich pasturage, most of which is perfectly flat. The Grey river runs through the valley, and alluvial mining is extensively carried on, but principally at Half Ounce, Noble's, Duffer's Creek and Granville. There are two hotels. The butter factory, which was commenced a few years ago, has been of considerable benefit to the district. There is an excellent State school, with an attendance of forty children. Potatoes and oats are the chief articles of cultivation, and stock are fattened for local use. A post office and telephone are attached to the railway station, and there are also refreshment rooms. Totara Flat has two churches— Roman Catholic and Presbyterian— and there is also a miniature public hall. The settlement has also two stores, a butchery and a bakery. About two miles away, at Granville, there is a small public school. Good fishing and shooting can be obtained in the neighbourhood. At the census of 1901, Totara Flat had a population of sixtyeight.

The Totara Flat School is a wood and iron building of one classroom, with a porch and verandah, and stands on a section of about five acres of land; there is also a teacher's residence of five rooms. The school has accommodation for about fifty scholars, and there is an average attendance of thirty-five.

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Miss Joanna Marie Crowley, teacher in elarge of the Totara Flat school, is the holder of a D4 cerficate. She was born at Blue Spur, near Hokitika, educated in the primary school there, and served a course of twelve months as a monitor. After Miss Crowley had finished her education at the Hokitika High School she was appointed to Poerua, where she was in charge for four years. She afterwards took charge of the Westbrook school, near Kumara, for two years, and was appointed to the Totara Flat school in July, 1904.

Totara Flat Presbyterian Church was erected about sixteen years ago. The building is of wood, and is capable of seating over one hundred persons. There is also an excellent organ in the church. The building stands on two acres of land, which was a gift to the church, and there is a comfortable manse within the grounds. At regular intervals the church is used by the Church of England.

The Totara Flat Dairy Factory is the property of the Greymouth Fresh Food and Ice Company, and the plant and buildings are of the latest and most up-to-date description. The pasteurising plant is capable of treating 450 gallons per hour, and there is a splendid six feet Topliss butter worker, and cooling machinery. Power is derived from a ten horse-power boiler, with a six horse-power engine. The manager, Mr. Macpherson, has one assistant. The company has creameries at Ikamatua, Maitai, and Poerun, and it is probable that after the year 1905, butter making will be carried on in Greymouth.

Mr. George Macpherson , Manager of the Totara Flat Dairy Factory, was born in the year 1883 at Pukeuri, near Oamaru, where he was educated. He was brought up on a farm until the age of sixteen years when he entered the service of the North Otago Dairy Factory Company at Pukeuri. Mr. Macpherson was shortly afterwards transferred to the A wamoko factory, and later on to the central factory in Oamaru. On the 13th of October, 1904, he was appointed assistant manager of the Totara Flat Factory, and in March, 1905, took full charge. While he resided in Oamaru, Mr. Macpherson competed in cycle racing events with a very fair measure of success, and is a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, in Oamaru.

Mr. T. C. Brash , formerly manager of the Totara Flat Butter Factory, is a native of Taieri Otago, where he received his education. He was for six years employed at Messrs J. and R. Cuddie's butter factory, and afterwards went to Wyndham, where he studied the art of cheese-making, and only left to take up the managership of the Totara Flat factory, where he grained for himself a name as a maker of first class butter. Mr. Brash was afterwards for some time in the service of the Government, as a dairyproduce grader.

Midland Railway Hotel (Henry Emil Erickson, proprietor), Totara Flat. This hotel is situated within a short distance of the Totara Flat railway station, and was built in the year 1890 by the Midland Railway Company. It is a handsome building of two stories, and contains twelve bedrooms, a billiard-room, five parlours, and a large dining-room. Good liquors are kept in stock, the tariff is moderate, and the table and accommodation are good. A fine public hall, situated a short distance from the hotel, is the property of the proprietor, and he also owns a blacksmith's shop in the township.

Mr. Henry Emil Erickson , the proprietor of the Midland Railway Hotel, was born in Norway in the year 1850, and arrived in 1863 in Ballarat, Australia, where he learned bootmaking. In 1869, he was attracted to New Zealand by the Napoleon rush on the West Coast, and followed his trade there for some time. Later on, Mr. Erickson bought into the Napoleon Hill Claim for £800, and worked in it for about twenty-two years, very successfully. In the year 1899 he took the lease of the Midland Railway Hotel, and bought the establishment in 1902. The refreshment rooms at the Totara Flat railway station are owned by Mr. Erickson, who also holds a small farm of about twenty acres. Mr. Erickson was a member of the Hall Creek school committee for about seven years. He is married, and has four daughters and one son.

Totara Flat Hotel (William Young, proprietor), Totara Flat. This old-established place of accommodation was opened about 1870, and is within half a mile of the Totara Flat railway station. There are eight rooms for public use, and the liquors and accommodation are of the best, whilst the tariff is moderate.

Mr. William Young , the Pro prietor, is also a farmer on the Flat, and his farm of 204 acres of good agricultural land is one of the best managed in the district. Mr. Young, who employs ten persons in connection with his various businesses, was born in Carnock, Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1845, and was brought up to the bakery trade, in which he has since been engaged, with slight intermissions. In 1862, he landed in Dunedin, where he worked for some time. Later on, he went to the Dunstan, and was afterwards in business at the Nevis. Mr. Young then removed to the West Coast, where he has resided since 1866. After a while, he bought land at Totara Flat, and gradually built up his present business. Mr. Young took a prominent part in establishing the Totara Flat Dairy Factory Company, of which he was one of the first directors. He was for some time a member of the local school committee. As a Freemason, he is a member of Lodge 1233, Greymouth, English Constitution. Mr. Young is married, and has one son. He is further referred to in connection with other business.

Mr. James William Young , son of Mr. William Young, takes an active part in the management of his father's business affairs. He was born in Greymouth, in 1873, and educated in Nelson, and at St. Patrick's Colleye, in Wellington. He learned his business as an ironmonger in Greymouth, and served for four years in Melbourne. Mr. Young went to South Africa as a member of the First Imperial Bushmen, became the regiment's quartermaster-sergeant, and was granted a commission on his return. During his father's absence on a trip to the. Old Country, Mr. Young took charge for him. As a runner, he has competed, with considerable success, in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

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Baybutt, Daniel, General Storekeeper, Totara Flat and Granville. The Totara branch of this business is conducted on the Grey-Reefton road. The premises consist of a shop and private residence; a full stock of general groceries, boots, and drapery is kept, and goods are delivered to all parts of the district. At the Granville branch a manager is employed. Mr. Baybutt acts as agent for the Standard Fire Insurance Company, the Canterbury Times, the Otago Witness, and the Grey River Argus, and is also gold buyer for the Greymouth branch of the Bank of New Zealand.

Ring, photo. Mr. D. Baybutt.

Ring, photo.
Mr. D. Baybutt.

Mr. Daniel Baybutt was born in Lancashire, England, in the year 1863, and educated at the Tarleton Grammar School. He arrived in New Zealand in 1874, and landed at Wellington. Mr. Baybutt then went to Greymouth, where he was engaged in mining until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He afterwards went to West Australia, and after some time, returned to New Zealand, and entered into business in the Totara Flat district. Mr. Baybutt then removed to Canterbury, and two years later returned to the West Coast. He settled at Granville, went into partnership with Mr. W. Young, and afterwards bought out Mr. Young's interest at Granville, and, later, Mr. Cohen's business at Totara Flat. Mr. Baybutt is on the committee of the Presbyterian church, and is chairman, secretary, and treasurer of the Totara Flat and Granville school committees.

He was appointed to the Commission of the Peace in the year 1895.

Totara Flat Stoke And Bakery (William Young, proprietor), Totara Flat. This store was opened over thirty years ago, and the bakery four years later. The owner keeps a good stock of general merchandise, including drapery and boots. Goods are delivered over the whole of the district, between Ahaura and Mawheraiti.

Totara Flat Livery Stables (William Young, proprietor), Totara Flat. Horses and vehicles can be hired at these stables at any time.