Mr. John Graham, sometime of Brookside, was one of the pioneers of the district. He was born in the North of Ireland, came to New Zealand in the sixties, and died at Brookside in 1875, when he left a widow, one son, and one daughter.

Mr. Isaac Mawson, sometime of Brookside, was one of the pioneers who arrived by the first four ships. At first he was farming near Cashmere, and was one of the first to discover the wonderful fertility of land in the Brookside district, where he settled when his nearest neighbour was Mr. Washbourne. The district was then little better than a swamp, but Mr. Mawson, as a practical farmer, foresaw what could be done by good drainage. He therefore set to work, and gradually got his 400 acre farm under cultivation. As his property became improved, he started breeding Shorthorns, and was a most successful exhibitor at the various agricultural and pastoral shows. Mr. Mawson died in 1883, leaving a family of five sons and six daughters.

Mr. David Scott, sometime of “Coldwells,” Brookside, was born in File, Scotland, in December, 1837. He was brought up to farming, and arrived in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1859, but remained there only a short time, for in the same year he came to Canterbury, via Wellington. At first he worked at a threshing machine for Mr. Bridge, at Ferry Road, and was afterwards for two years at Lincoln Road with Mr. Harris Browne. He then entered the employment of the late Mr. James Gammack, who then resided at Lincoln Road, and was with him also after he removed to Springston. Mr. Scott then bought 100 acres of land at Brookside, and succeeded so well as a farmer that he became the owner of over 500 acres of fertile, well cultivated land, with a handsome villa residence, and large offices. Mr. Scott had been a member of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association since its foundation, and was a breeder of good draught horses. He owned an excellent herd of pure bred Shorthorn cattle, and took some prizes at Leeston shows. Mr. Scott was chairman of the Brookside school committee for four years, and was a trustee of the Presbyterian church; and he took an active part in founding the Central Dairying Company. He married Miss Armit, and had a family of four sons and five daughters, of whom the eldest son and daughter are married. Mr. Scott died suddenly on the 2nd of December, 1902.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
The late Mr. D. Scott.

Mr. William Watson, sometime of Brookside, was born in the parish of Hesketh, Cumberland, England, in 1821, and, accompanied by his wife, two sons, and one daughter, arrived in New Zealand in 1859, by the ship “Mystery.” He first went to work for Mr. J. T. Fisher, of Sydenham, but shortly afterwards he started farming on his own account on the land on which Waltham now stands. There he prospered for three years, and then removed to Brookside, where he had bought a farm of about sixty-five acres. As years went on, he increased his area by judicious purchases, until his estate was one of the most important in the district. Mr. Watson took very great interest in all matters affecting the progress of Brookside, and was a member of the Ellesmere Road Board for many years. He was a recognised judge of cattle, and acted as such at the various agricultural and pastoral shows. As a successful breeder of Shorthorns he was noted throughout New Zealand. Mr. Watson was for many years chairman of the Brookside school committee, and was a liberal supporter of the Methodist church. About the year 1898 Mr. Watson retired from the active management of his farm. He died in 1901 at the advanced age of eighty, and left a widow, six sons, and two daughters, and thirty-seven grandchildren.

The late Mr. W. Watson and Mrs Watson