Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Port Levy

Port Levy.

Port Levy is in the county of Akaroa, and near the Lyttelton Heads. The district, which is within ten miles of Pigeon Bay, is devoted to the pasturage of sheep and cattle, and to the cultivation of cocksfoot for grass seed. There are from 15,000 to 20,000 sheep in the district, and all the shearing is done by machinery. A steam launch plies between Lyttelton and Port Levy four times a week. Port Levy has a telephone bureau, which connects the residents with subscribers on the Christchurch exchange. A good road connects the district with Little River, about nine miles away. The population is small, and the public buildings consist of a church, a school, a library, a post office and store, a road board office and a blacksmith's shop. Many persons visit Port Levy for the sake of its scenery, which is exceptionally fine.

Farmers.

Field, H., Farmer, “Glenalbert,” Port Levy. Mr. Field was born at Port Levy in 1863. He entered the Railway Department at Lyttelton in 1878, and continued in the service for eleven years. In 1889, he began to deal in coal, but disposed of his business in 1894, and went to Port Levy, where he established a general store, and did a successful trade with the settlers, contractors, etc. Mr. Field is postmaster for the district. He has identified himself with educational affairs for a number of years, and is chairman of the school committee and clerk of the road board. Mr. Field served for thirteen years in the Lyttelton Naval Artillery, and as a marksman he gained many honours; for instance, the Jubilee medal, given by the Mayor, and competed for on the 24th of May, 1890, and the Governor's and the district medals in 1891. Mr. Field has a farm of seventy acres, chiefly devoted to dairying. In 1885 he was married to Miss Porteous, and has two sons. At the end of February, 1903, Mr. Field was appointed clerk to the newly-created Mount Herbert County Council.

Vale Royal, Port Levy.

Vale Royal, Port Levy.

Hall, R. E., Farmer, “Chelston, “Port Levy Mr. Hall was born in 1865, in Devonshire, England, and was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar school. He came to New Zealand in 1881 in the ship “Waimate,” and was settled at Opawa for three years. In 1889 he page 625 went to “Chelston” as a cadet, and was appointed manager in 1893. In June, 1896, he left New Zealand in the s.s. “Kaikoura, on a visit to England and returned to the Colony in December of the same year. He purchased the property in 1897. It is about 1000 acres in extent. A considerable portion of the land is devoted to growing cocksfoot seed, and about 2000 sacks were reaped in 1898. At the same time the land carries over 500 ewes with their lambs, and one hundred head of cattle. The sheep in favour at “Chelston” are the Lincoln-Leicester cross, and the cattle, Polled Angus and Shorthorn. There is a small stud of light horses on the property. The homestead is built at an altitude of 800 feet, and overlooks Port Levy and the east coast, the snowy mountains away beyond Kaikoura being visible in the far distance. “Chelston” is in the hilly country to the south-west of Mount Herbert, and rises in some places to a height of nearly 3000 feet. Mr. Hall was elected a member of the road board in 1893, and was chairman from 1894 to 1898.

Mr. R. E. Hall.

Mr. R. E. Hall.

Teed, W., Farmer, “Wild Cattle Hill,” Port Levy.—Mr. Teed was born at Wisbech, Cambridge, England, in 1832, and emigrated to Australia in 1847, in the ship “Duddroke.” In 1868 he came to New Zealand and entered the service of Mr George Holmes, of Holmes Bay, as shepherd. He took up the first portion of his present property in 1876, settled on it in the following year, and he now has 140 acres of freehold. At first he stocked his farm with dairy cattle, and sledged the produce to Holmes Bay, where it was shipped for the larger markets. Mr. Teed has now disposed of most of his herd, and grows grass seed. His first dwellinghouse was put up with hand-sawn timber. The homestead commands a good view of Port Levy, of the Canterbury Plains as far north as the Double Corner, and of the Southern Alps. Mr. Teed has served on the Port Levy Road Board. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Fitzgerald, and has one son and two daughters.

Mr. W. Teed.

Mr. W. Teed.