Flaxton extends from the flag station of its name on the northern railway to the Wetheral station on the Eyreton-Bennett's branch, a distance of probably five or six miles. The flag station is sixteen miles from Christchurch, and four miles from Rangiora, and is only twelve feet above sea level. Wetheral station is eighteen miles from Christchurch, and thirty-nine feet above sea level. Flaxton is a rich agricultural district in the centre of what was once known as the Rangiora swamp. Plans for the drainage of this swamp, of 4000 acres, were prepared by Mr. E. Bray, C.E., and the first two miles of main drain were cut about 1860. Two years later another two and a half miles were added, and also several branch drains. These drains have had the effect of drying the land, and lowering the level of the ground in places by as much as eight feet. The first settlers were Mr. James Sealey and Messrs N. and H. Ellis, who were followed, in 1862, by Mr. P. C. Threlkeld. Shortly before these settlers appeared on the scene, Messrs P. Pawsey, James Clark, Samuel Burrell, R. Duffel, and George Clist were settled on the higher bank of the Ohoka creek; and Mr. James Wylde, C.E., lived in the centre of the Ohoka bush. In 1865 a church was erected, principally through the exertions of Canon Dudley. The Flaxton school district has now two schools attended by 120 scholars. There are also two churches, and a public library which is said to be second to no country library in Canterbury. Flaxton has a daily mail service, and there is a flour mill at Wetheral station. In the earlier years of the settlement the settlers were actual prisoners during the winter months; now the district is served by two lines of railway and five railway stations.