Hurunui is a small village on the main north coach road, nine miles from Waikari, and sixty-two from Christchurch. The district, which is in the Waipara riding of the county of Ashley, is devoted chiefly to sheep farming. Mails are received and despatched thrice a week, and there is a public school at the village, which at the census of 1901 had a population of fifty-eight.

The Church Of The Epiphany (Anglican) was opened at Hurunui, in October, 1901. It is of wood and iron, stands on part of a section of one acre and a quarter, and has seats for about 100 adults. Services are held periodically by the vicar of Cheviot and Amuri.

Hurunui Bridge.

Forrester, Robert A., Farmer, Hurunui. Mr. Forrester was born at Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, Scotland, in 1841, and came to Lyttelton in the ship “Chrysolite,” in 1862. He engaged in shepherding for two years at Tekoa, and for fourteen years was head shepherd at Montrose station, Culverden. In 1873 he started for himself at Amuri on 800 acres of freehold, and in 1883 acquired 1300 acres at Black Hill. Mr. Forrester has since bought 1690 acres, and works the whole as a sheep farm. Since 1882, he has been breeding Corriedale sheep with much success. Mr Forrester is a member of the Waipara Road Board, and has been a member of the Amuri County Council since 1899. He has served also on the Hurunui school committee since 1890. In 1896 he took a six months pleasure trip to England and Scotland, and Ireland, where he visited members of his family. Mr. Forrester was married, in 1876. page 583 to a daughter of the late Mr. George Burrell, of Saltwater Creek, and has six sons and two daughters.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. R. A. Forrester.

Hitchen Hill Estate (Mr. A. Earshman, proprietor), Hurunui. The freehold portion of this property, comprising 2465 acres, was acquired by the present proprietor in 1884; in addition, there are 3337 acres of leasehold land, all situated on the south bank of the Hurunui river. The property has considerable carrying capacity, and the flocks are principally Merino and Border-Leicester crossbreds.

Mr. Archibald Earshman, Proprietor of Hitchen Hill Estate, was born, in 1841, in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up to shepherding. He came to Lyttelton, in 1863, in the ship “Epsom Downs,” and was engaged as head shepherd for thirteen years at St. Leonard's station, Culverden. In 1877 he leased the Educational Reserve of 4000 acres at Hurunui, and worked it as a sheep farm for fourteen years. He subsequently took up 3300 acres on deferred payments, and then bought 2400 acres. All his property is situated on the south side of the Hurunui river, and is used for pastoral purposes. Mr. Earshman was for three years a member of the Waipara Road Board, and has been chairman of the Hurunui school committee since 1895. In 1900 he took a pleasure trip, extending over nine months, to England. Mr. Earshman was married, in 1881, to a daughter of the late Mr. R. Waller, of Ireland, and has one son and four daughters.

Mr. A. Earshman.

McKay, Murdoch, Farmer, “Daviston,” Hurunui. Mr. McKay was born in Black Isle, near Inverness, and came to Lyttelton in the ship “Blue Jacket” in 1868. For nine years he was shepherd on St. Leonards station and afterwards, in 1876, leased the Pauhau Reserve of 4000 acres in conjunction with Messrs. Earshman and McRae, and, subsequently, the Pauhau Pastures of 6000 acres. In 1884 Mr. McKay purchased the first part of his property, which now consists of 5389 acres and carries 4500 sheep, and on which he has effected extensive and substantial improvements in the shape of a good dwelling-house, together with woolshed and outbuildings. He has served on the school committee, and has a large interest in the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association and in the Culverden Saleyards Company. Mr. McKay was married, in 1883, to Miss Waller, and has three sons and one daughter.