Tutton, Albert Poole, Auctioneer and Grain Merchant, Victoria Street, Rangiora. Mr. Tutton founded his well-known business in 1888. The offices and grain stores are situated in Victoria Street, and periodical sales of produce, live stock and horses are held in all parts of North Canterbury. Mr. Tutton was born at Biddisham, near Weston-super-Mare, Somersetshire, England, in 1854. He was educated at Cross Middle Class School, near Axbridge. His father was an English farmer, but Mr. Tutton was brought up to mercantile life, which he followed till coming to Lyttelton by the ship “Border Chief” in 1876. For the first two years of his colonial life Mr. Tutton was salesman in the mercantile department of Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co., Christchurch, but he then settled in Rangiora and established his present business. As a Freemason he has filled the Master's chair, but is now unattached. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Northern and Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, and served for some time on the committee of the Northern Association. Mr. Tutton was married, in 1878, to a daughter of Mr. F. Busch, Rangiora, and has two sons and seven daughters.

To'putt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. A. P. Tutton.

Clarke, Frederick Henry John, Photographer, Rangiora. Mr. Clarke was for some years employed as a traveller for the D.I.C. He afterwards entered into partnership with Mr. T. S. Tolputt, and when the page 466 partnership was dissolved, he continued to carry on the business of photography on his own account.

Tolputt, T. S., Photographer, North Canterbury Studio, Rangiora. This studio was established in 1895, and has been carried on up to the present time. The premises are built of wood, and have a large showroom in front with workrooms behind, and the studio and waiting-rooms upstairs. Mr. Tolputt undertakes every description of photographic work, including enlargements, and all up-to-date styles of portraiture. He served an apprenticeship in England, with the firm of Lambert Weston and Son (photographers to the Queen), Kent. In 1883 he came to New Zealand, and was in Christchurch for ten years, four of which were spent in the employment of the late Mr. P. Schourup.

Hughes, Richard, Baker and Confectioner, High Street, Rangiora. This well-known business was established by Mr. Hughes in 1889. The premises are centrally situated in High Street, and the shop and residence, built of wood, contain a comfortable refreshment room. The bakehouse, which is of brick, is large and well appointed, and bread is delivered over a wide area. Mr. Hughes was born in 1857 in Wiltshire, England, where he was apprenticed to his trade, which he followed there until coming to Lyttelton by the s.s. “Atrato.” On settling in Christchurch he found employment, and was for a year in business on his own account in High Street. Afterwards he worked at his trade at Timaru, Ashburton, and other parts of Canterbury. He settled in Rangiora in 1886, and founded his present business three years later. As a volunteer, Mr. Hughes joined the historic expedition to Parihaka, where he served under the Hon. John Bryce. He is a member of the North Canterbury Jockey Club. As a Druid he is a Past Arch, and is attached to Band of Hope Lodge, 108, Rangiora. Mr. Hughes was married, in 1891, to a daughter of Mr. J. Luxton, of Rangiora, and has two daughters surviving.

Young, James, Aerated Water and Cordial Water Manufacturer, Rangiora Aerated Water and Cordial Factory, Victoria Street, Rangiora. This factory was acquired by Mr. Young on the 9th of December, 1901, and has since then been worked by him. It contains a complete modern plant. Mr. Young was born at Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1866, and accompanied his parents to Port Chalmers in the ship “Cartsburn” in 1870. He was educated in Timaru, where he was brought up to the calling of an engineer. Subsequently Mr. Young was engaged in storekeeping, and, later on, he had a hotel in Marlborough. He was married, in 1897, to a daughter of Mr. James Thompson, of Kaiapoi, and has two daughters and one son.

Bell, Charles William, Tailor, High Street, Rangiora. This business was established in 1894 in small premises higher up the street than its present site; but owing to the rapid increase of trade, Mr. Bell has twice removed into larger premises. The building now occupied is a double-fronted shop, with a cutting room behind, and work room upstairs. When Mr. Bell began business he had a small boy as his assistant; now he finds employment for ten hands.

Good, Edward Richard, General Draper, High Street, Rangiora. This well-known business was founded in 1857 by the late Mr. Edward A. Good, father of the present proprietor. The premises at first occupied were situated on the Woodend Road. After a few years the business was removed to a more central position in High Street, on the site now occupied by the Junction Hotel. Six years later the central section now occupied was purchased; and a wooden store erected. These premises did duty for thirty-three years, when they were taken down and replaced by a handsome brick building of one storey, and with three handsome show windows in the front. The departments include general drapery, millinery, mantles, and clothing. Mr. Good is referred to in another article as a member of the Rangiora Borough Council.

Reynolds, Joseph, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, High Street, Rangiora. Mr. Reynolds was born in Cornwall, England, in 1846, became a miner, and was engaged as such till emigrating to Queensland in 1872. He landed in that country under a three years' contract as a miner, but owing to the ill-health of his wife, he removed at the end of eighteen months to South Australia, where he was engaged in mining for three years and a half. In 1877 he came to New Zealand, and settled in Canterbury. Mr. Reynolds learned his trade as a hairdresser in Christchurch with a brother, and has been in business on his own account in Rangiora since 1884. He has been a member of the Order of Oddfellows for some years. Mr. Reynolds was married, in 1872, to a daughter of the late Mr. M. Hocking, of Cornwall, and has two sons and three daughters.

Tolputt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. J. Reynolds.

Burt William Alfred, Refreshment Room Proprietor, Rangiora. Mr. Burt was born in 1843, in Hastings, Sussex, England. As a lad he went to sea, and in 1859 accompanied his parents to Lyttelton by the ship “Mystery.” On his arrival, he was employed in connection with the unloading of the vessel, whose cargo was delivered by lighters at Heathcote Ferry. After serving at Cheviot station for three years, Mr. Burt joined his father, who had settled at Rangiora, and assisted on the farm. He afterwards farmed in the Amberley district on his own account. His experiences as a wheat grower in the early days were somewhat hard—the owner received only 2s 6d a bushel for his crop, out of which he had to pay 1s for carriage and 8d for threshing. On returning to Rangiora he purchased a team of horses, and commenced carting to Kaiapoi, and subsequently extended his trips to Christchurch. Owing to the development of the trade, he soon afterwards established coaches for the carrying of passengers and parcels, and for a time became mail contractor on the road. After the railway was extended to Rangiora he gave up coaching, and continued another branch of business which he had already established, as a coal merchant, until 1896. Mr. Burt was extensively engaged in the grain trade for some years. For a time he held an estate at Rangiora, known as “Ricton,” and worked it for a number of years, but ultimately sold it. One of the large grain stores near the Rangiora railway station was built by Mr Burt, who also erected the Rangiora weigh-bridge. He was one of the first members of the Rangiora Borough Council, and headed the first poll when there were about sixteen candidates. At the present time he is contractor for the refreshment stall at the Rangiora railway station. Mr. Burt was married, in 1868, to a daughter of Mr. W. E. Ivory, and has four daughters and three sons surviving.

Tolputt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. and Mrs W. A. Burt.

Johnston, John, Engineer and General Ironmonger, Rangiora. Mr. Johnston was born in Aberdeenshire in 1840, and at the age of nineteen came to New Zealand with his father in the ship “Mystery.” Heobtained permanent employment at Anderson's foundry, Christchurch. At the end of 1863 he removed to Rangiora and opened business on his own account in a small shop opposite the one he now occupies. He at first gave his attention chiefly to repairing agricultural implements, which, being in those days less substantial than the modern machinery, necessitated the employment of a larger number of hands. At present the working staff consists of four men and two boys. The plant is in perfect order. It comprises fourteen machines of various kinds, driven by steam power, and is a particularly good one for doing general engineering work. The industry having increased, the workshop was removed from its former prominent position to make room for the ironmongery business, and the present handsome structure known as Johnston's Buildings was erected. Mr. Johnston's has built other business places on the same section; these are occupied by various tenants, and there is also a large smithy used in the business. He carries on a considerable trade in hardware, of which he has been a direct importer for nearly thirty years, and also holds many agencies, including that for Duncan's agricultural implements, Deering's binders and mowers, Envoy bicycles. Little's sheep dip. Vacuum Oil Company, and Alliance Assurance Company. Mr. Johnston is assisted in his business by his son, and Mr. Foster, son-in-law. He was elected second mayor of Rangiora in 1880, and filled that office for three years, but owing to pressure of business he afterwards retired from the council. For the same reason he declined office in the Masonic fraternity, of which he is a member. He is an adherent of the Presbyterian church, and a total abstainer without being dogmatic. Mr. Johnston was married, in 1864, to Miss McIntyre, and has three children.

Mr. J. Johnston.

Interior of Mr. J. Johnston's Foundry.

Bridget, William, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer and Importer, Corner of High and Victoria Streets, Rangiora; Branch at Kaiapoi. This large business was established by the proprietor in 1876, and in 1894 a branch of the business was established in Kaiapoi. The commodious premises now occupied by Mr. Bridget were purchased from the liquidator of the Colonial Bank, in 1896, and were immediately altered so as to include a spacious and convenient retail establishment, with a handsome showroom adjoining, a private residence behind and above, and a separate department at the rear of the main building, which is used as a factory, and is equipped with ample machinery for the work. Mr. Bridget was born in 1849, in Torquay, England, where he was educated. He served an apprenticeship to his trade in Cornwall, and came out to Lyttelton in 1875 by the ship “Carisbrook Castle,” having been for three years in business prior to sailing. Mr. Bridget at once settled in Rangiora, where he has from the first been prominent as a business man. As a Druid, he is one of the founders of the local lodge, as well as of three others in North Canterbury; and he ranks as a District President of the Order. Mr. Bridget married a daughter of Mr. J. Luke, of Gunnis Lake, Cornwall; but was left a widower in 1901, with six daughters and one son.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. W. Bridget.

Mutual Boot Stores (William Meech, manager), High Street, Rangiora. This business, which is conducted in a single storey brick building, was established in 1898. A special feature is made of the stocking of locally made goods.

Mr. William Meech, the Manager, was born in 1844, in Hobart, Tasmania. His parents arrived in Nelson, New Zealand, in 1840, but on account of the massacre of Captain Wakefield and his party at Wairan in June, 1843, they left New Zealand and settled at Hobart. In 1863 Mr. Meech came from Tasmania to New Zealand. He settled temporarily at Rangiora in 1866, but left in 1868 for Akaroa, where he resided for fourteen years and took his share of the work of local government. He was at one time a member of the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board, chairman of the borough school committee, a member of the borough council, and a member of page 468 the vestry, a Sunday school teacher, and one of the finest shots in the rifle company. After leaving Akaroa he was for three years in Christchurch, but ever since then he has been in business in Rangiora, where he has been a vestryman and churchwarden, and is now parochial nominator and superintendent of St. John's Sunday school. Mr. Meech has been engaged in Sunday school work for twenty-five years. He was married, in 1867, to a daughter of the late Mr R. Billens, of Christchurch, and has one daughter.

Mr. W. Meech.

Bevington, George, Butcher, High Street, Rangiora. This business was established in 1899. Mr. Bevington occupies a leasehold shop and residence, with stabling and small goods room, all situated in a prominent position in the main street of Rangiora. His slaughterhouse and stock paddock are in Rangiora Swamp. Mr. Bevington was born in 1874, at Flaxton, and was educated in the district. He learned his trade as a butcher with the late Mr. G. Cone, and continued in that gentleman's employment for eight years after serving his apprenticeship. Mr. Bevington was married, in 1899, to a daughter of the late Mr. J. Hancock, of Rangiora, and has one daughter.

Rangiora Nursery (William Emms Ivory, Proprietor), Rangiora. Trees have been sent from this well-known nursery not only to the local settlers, but to all parts of New Zealand. It contains thousands of young trees, very large numbers of which are fruit trees, bearing, in season, splendid specimens of fruit. Mr. Ivory was born in Norfolk, England, in 1823. He was brought up as a nurseryman at Breacondale, a horticultural establishment in Norwich, where he served for seven years, and was subsequently gardener at Tring Park, Herts. On arriving in Lyttelton in October, 1855, by the ship “Cash-mere,” Mr. Ivory experienced some of the difficulties of early colonial life, and had to carry some of his goods over the Lyttelton hills. The first of his swags consisted of a seventy-pound feather bed, which he carried over the hills and down to Ferrymead on his back one morning before breakfast. This historic relic of the early days is still used in the family. In the year of his arrival Mr. Ivory settled in Rangiora, and planted an orchard for one of the earliest settlers who then resided at Rangiora. His object in life was to succeed in raising fruit and ornamental trees, and generally in nursery work, and it was not long before he began to lay the foundations of the now well-known Rangiora Nursery. Many of the original stocks were imported from Great Britain, and through careful attention and plenty of hard work, a considerable area of land is now covered over with nursery stock, or bearing orchard. Mr. Ivory was married about 1843, and had the misfortune to lose his wife shortly after settling in Rangiora; in fact, Mrs Ivory was the second European adult to die in the place. She left two sons and three daughters.

Mr. W. E. Ivory.

Mr. John Ivory is the eldest son of Mr. W. E. Ivory, the proprietor of the Rangiora Nursery. He was born at Norwich, England, in 1844, and accompanied his parents to Lyttelton by the ship “Cashmere” in 1855. The family settled at once in Rangiora, and Mr. Ivory was employed for three years by Mr. Hamilton Ward, brother of the late Mr. Crosbie Ward, chiefly amongst cattle; also by the late Mr. George John Leech, of Rangiora, for three years, and by Mrs Carter, of Seadown estate, Amberley, for three years, in farming work generally. With the growth and development of the Rangioa Nursery, his services became necessary to his father, and Mr. Ivory has for about thirty-five years been actively engaged in nursery work, principally in superintending the propagating and the packing departments.

Wrigglesworthand Binns, photo.
Mr. J. Ivory.

Rangiora Brick Kiln.

Brick And Tile Works (A. W. Hills, manager), Oxford Road, Rangiora. This valuable industry was first initiated by Mr. Thomas Hills when Rangiora was barely a mere hamlet, with only a few seattered settlers contending with the struggles of early settlement in virgin country. The first kiln was erected on a section in the present King Street South, which is now the centre of the flourishing town of Rangiora. But the clay in that locality proving of inferior quality, Mr. Hills was compelled to relinquish his enterprise and engaged in contract work for some years. He also went to the Otago goldfields, and worked on the diggings for about four years. Returning to Rangiora in 1862, he again took up his old idea of brick and drain-pipe manufacture, and selected a site on the page 469 Fernside road, about a mile and a half from the township, where he built an open kiln and opened up a bed of very superior clay, hardly equalled in the Colony for making red bricks. At that time the market price of bricks was £8 10s. per thousand, or nearly four times the present values, and drainpipes were worth from £4 to £25 per thousand according to size. With the growing demand for these manufactures, the industry developed largely, and increased facilities had to be provided to keep up with the trade. Accordingly Mr. Hills found it necessary to dispense with the open kiln, which had a capacity of only 15,000 bricks per burn. In 1877, he erected a larger and more commodious kiln on the Hoffman plan, which is continuous in its action. This kiln may be described as a circular chamber with vaulted roof, about three chains in circumference and subdivided into six different compartments. Through the roof are a set of pipes through which coal is thrown upon the dry bricks in the kiln and the burning embers fall through open spaces in the bricks to the floor of the chamber. The new kiln had a capacity of 100,000 bricks per month, with a daily consumption of one ton and a half of coal, and was then fully adequate to satisfy the demands of the market. The business steadily increased and Mr. Hills, senior, took his sons into partnership under the style of T. Hills and Sons. At the present time (1899) the firm's output is fully ten times what it was when the business was first established, and the “Th” brand of bricks is widely and favourably known throughout Canterbury for their excellent make, durability and substantial qualities. (The works are now—1903—owned by Messrs Wigram Bros.)

Wilson Bros. (John Jepson Wilson and William Thomas Wilson), General Printers, Victoria Street, Rangiora. The firm possesses a full jobbing plant, and undertakes mercantile and general printing of every description. The junior partner is referred to in another article as a member of the Rangiora Borough Council.

Leech, Charles, Flour and Flax Miller, Woodend Road, Rangiora. The Cam Roller Flour Mill, which is situated about a mile from Rangiora, was established in 1859 by the late Mr. E. Steggall, and was owned successively by other well-known millers until 1898, when—till then a stone mill—it underwent a complete overhaul, and a roller plant was substituted by the present owners. The building, which is of wood and iron, is four stories in height, and the machinery is driven by water power. The Cam Flax Mill is situated about half a mile lower down the same stream, and was established in 1870. The weekly output averages from three to four tons of dressed fibre, and the industry yields employment to a number of men and boys. Mr. Leech is a native of Rangiora, and holds many prominent positions as a public man. He is a member of the Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board, a director of the North Canterbury Co-operative Stores Company, Clerk of the Scales for the Rangiora Jockey Club, a vice-president of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and has served for a number of years in the Rangiora Rifles.

Tolputt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. C. Leech.

North Canterbury Co-Operative Stores Company, Limited, High Street, Rangiora. Directors: Messrs J. Carmichael (chairman), A. Crearer, J. W. Foster, C. King, M. H. Stokes, W. Chapman, R. Dalziel, C. Leech, J. J. A. Ruddenklau and J. Waiting. The storekeeping part of this business was established by Messrs W. J. Crothers and Co., and was purchased by the company in 1890. The retail departments and office are conducted in a two-storey brick building, with substantial verandah, and the trade is divided into several departments, which are under capable managers. Early in 1902 the company acquired the large auctioneering business of Mr. W. Buss, and weekly sales are held every Tuesday. The cattle, sheep, and auction yards are extensive, and present a busy scene to the onlooker on sale days. Mr. E. W. Relph has for some years been the company's manager.

Sansom, John, Storekeeper, Rangiora. Mr. Sansom was born in London in 1854. When three years of age his parents emigrated to Canterbury. Mr. Sansom has been a resident in the Rangoira district for more than forty years. He was educated in Rangiora, and his first connection with business was in that thriving town. For a number of years he has been in business as a general storekeeper. He was a member of the borough council for an unbroken period of fourteen years, and was mayor for four or five years. Mr. Sansom is a director of the Rangiora Permanent Building Society. He is one of the strongest chessplayers in the district, and has for several years been captain of the rifle club, which has had a unique record of victories. It was mainly by his efforts that the Rangiora Chess Club was formed. He was married, in 1894, to a daughter of Mr. Henry Blackett, and has three children.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. J. Sansom.

Ingram, John, Livery Stablekeeper, Rink Stables, High Street, Rangiora. These well-known central stables were established in 1894 by Mr. Coward, and were acquired by Mr. Ingram in 1901. The accommodation consists of thirty-four stalls and five loose boxes, and there is dry standing room for fully forty vehicles. Mr. Ingram was born in Dorsetshire, England, in 1850, learned the business of a brewer, and lived for four years near Kings Lynn. In 1876 he came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Wave King,” and was afterwards employed as clerk for fourteen years in Christchurch, by Mr. F. Rickman, auctioneer. Subsequently Mr. Ingram was in the employment of Mr. Starkey, Brackenfield Station, North Canterbury, and came to Rangiora to take over his present business. He is a member of the local volunteer fire brigade. Mr. Ingram was married, in 1878, to a daughter of Mr. G. Orchard, of Waikuku, and has five sons and six daughters.

Railway Livery And Bait Stables (Peter Loudon Donald, proprietor), Ashley Street, Rangiora. This large establishment was founded in the seventies. The buildings consist of wood, brick, and iron, and contain thirty stalls and seven loose boxes. There is standing room under cover for thirty or forty vehicles.

Ranby, John, Livery Stable and Boardinghouse Keeper, Victoria Street, Rangiora. Mr. Ranby was born at Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England, in 1835. He is a blacksmith by trade, and came, in 1858, to Lyttelton by the ship “Zealandia.” On settling at Woodend he began farming, and also had a store and a smithy, the later of which he used for his own requirements. Mr. Ranby resided at Woodend till 1899, when he removed to Rangiora, where he established a boardinghouse adjoining the saleyards. The premises consist of a two-storey nine-roomed wood and iron building, with extensive stabling accommodation behind. There is accommodation for four or five permanent boarders, and the large dining room, which is also used as a restaurant, will seat thirty persons. This establishment is very popular on sale days; sixty horses can be comfortably quartered in the stables, and there is plenty of room for traps. Mr. Ranby was married, in 1858, to a daughter of the late Mr. J. Hessy, of Worksop, and has six daughters and six sons surviving, with forty-seven grandchildren.

Telputt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. and Mrs J. Ranby.

Boyd And Keir (Hugh Boyd and Thomas Keir), Timber Merchants and Saw-millers, Rangiora. This firm has erected a large number of private and public buildings in the district, probably more than any other north of the Waimakariri.

Mr Hugh Boyd, the Senior Partner, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1843. He was brought up as a carpenter and joiner, and worked at his trade until he came to Lyttelton by the ship “Mermaid” in 1864. Having relatives in Rangiora he settled in that district, and in the following year commenced business as a contractor. Shortly afterwards he was joined by Mr Thomas Keir, with whom he has since been in partnership, under the style of Boyd and Keir. Mr. Boyd was a member of the first borough council of Rangiora at the institution of municipal government, and was mayor of the town for two years in succession. He was for a good many years chairman of the Rangiora school committee, on which he still holds a seat; he is also a member of the High School Board, and has for many years been prominently connected with the New Year's Day sports. Mr. Boyd was one of the founders of the local library and literary institute, and for a time performed the duties of honorary librarian. In political contests he takes a warm interest, and has frequently been chairman of election committees on the Liberal side. Mr. Boyd is still connected with bush sawmills, at Alford Forest and Kaikoura. He was married, in 1870, to a daughter of the late Mr. J. Anderson, of County Carlow, Ireland, and has five sons and four daughters.

Tolputt and Clarke, photo.
Mr. H. Boyd.