Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Farmers

Farmers.

Bruscoe Lodge, Irwell. This is the property of the trustees of the late Mr. John Coe. It contains 1640 acres, on which the wheat crops average about forty bushels and barley fifty bushels to the acre, and turnips and rape grow to perfection. A large number of sheep are fattened for the export trade and sometimes over 1600 lambs are available in one season, exclusive of sheep. Shropshire rams and crossbred ewes are used for breeding purposes. Large quantities of cowgrass and white clover seed are annually saved on the property. The greater part of the land was bought from the Crown in 1866, when it was covered with rank vegetation peculiar to heavy, swampy soil. The first crops were raised in 1868, but they were unfortunately swept away by the ruinous floods of that year. A stud flock of Lincolns was early established at Bruscoe Lodge by the direct importation of sheep from the flocks of Vesey, Dudding, Kirkham and Lysart, but at the dissolution of the partnership between Messrs Bruce and Coe, this valuable flock was dispersed, though most of its members were purchased by Mr. H. Overton. Bruscoe Lodge is a two-storey building of wood and iron, and contains sixteen rooms. The other buildings are all of iron, and the homestead is sheltered from the prevailing winds by a well-grown plantation.

Mr. John Coe was born in Essex, England, in 1832, and came to New Zealand in the ship Caroline Agnes.” He settled in Lyttelton and carried out large contracts under the Provincial Government. It was he who drove the first coach from Christchurch to Lyttelton. Mr. Coe died in 1893.

Mr. E. F. Coe, Trustee and Manager, was born in 1858 at Lyttelton, and educated at Christ's College, Christchurch. He was brought up to farming. Mr Coe has been a member of the Irwell school committee, and has served on the managing committee of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association. For many years he took an page 694 active interest in football and cricket. Mr. Coe was married, in 1890, to Miss Roberts, and has one son.

Davies, Henry Edward, Farmer, Threshing Machine, Traction Engine, and General Mill Driver, “Ridgway,” Irwell. Mr. Davies was born on the Caed-Crwn farm, in the parish of Blatherston, Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1838, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Amoor,” in 1864. He was employed for two years in gardening at Christchurch, and was farming for the same period at Harewood Road, and at Ellesmere. In 1870 he purchased his present farm of fifty acres, which, after years of work, has been converted into rich cropping land, on which he conducts general farming. He also has two threshing machines, two traction engines, a clover threshing machine and dresser, and a combined chaffcutter and circular saw—the latter for cutting firewood. Mr. Davies has been a member of the Irwell school committee for twenty-three years, and has been an active member of the Wesleyan church since his residence in the district. He has for two years running been a prize-taker for dogs at the Ellesmere show. Mrs Davies died in 1890, leaving a family of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are married.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.Mr. H. E. Davies.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. H. E. Davies.

Meadowbank Estate, Irwell.—This estate is the property of Mr. G. E. Rhodes, and consists of 1000 acres, purchased in 1890. The proprietor at once began to make extensive, substantial and permanent improvements, which include a large and commodious mansion of two stories, situated on rising ground commanding a noble view of the Southern Alps and the intervening plains. The house is connected with the telephone exchange in Christchurch. There is a neat cottage for the manager, and the men's quarters are second to none in New Zealand for comfort neatness and cleanliness. The stables, with the numerous loose boxes, and the cow-houses all have concrete or brick floors, and accommodate a number of well-bred, well-kept animals. “Meadowbank” is noted for its splendid herd of Berkshire pigs, with their neat stys, and the concrete walk in front equal to any city footpath. There are over twenty imported animals in the herd, and some of them have names which denote their breeders and birthplaces, such as “Frogmore.” In 1897 some of these Berkshires were exhibited, and won thirty first, twenty second, and three special prizes. The farm plant embraces all the most modern implements for the tillage of the soil, and the most modern machines for harvesting, securing and marketing crops. When not in use, all the machinery is carefully kept under cover, with a place for everything and everything in its place. “Meadowbank” is chiefly devoted to fattening stock, and for this purpose the estate is divided into twenty-three paddocks, which have plantations to protect the stock from cold and heat. The land is laid down in the most nutritious grasses, and “Meadowbank” is noted for the large number of fat lambs which it has annually available for the export trade. There are some excellent Shorthorn and Hereford cattle in the homestead paddocks.

Mr. G. E. Rhodes, the Proprietor, is a son of the late Mr. R. H. Rhodes, and was born in Christchurch in 1866. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and at Brasenose College, Oxford. Mr. Rhodes is a vice-president of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a patron of the Ellesmere Association. He was married, in 1890, to Miss Perry, of Timaru.

McMillan, William, Farmer, “Sudeley,” Irwell. Mr. McMillan was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and was brought up to farming. He came to New Zealand, in 1865, by the ship “Mermaid,” and landed at Lyttelton. When he arrived in Canterbury he had ample supplies of the best of all capital —namely, good health, vigorous strength and a manly determination to succeed. Thus equipped, he took whatever employment offered—ploughing, cropping or any other similar work. Later on he entered the service of Mr. J. C. Wason—who afterwards left New Zealand and became member for the Orkneys, in the House of Commons— and was manager on that gentleman's estate for years. In 1875 Mr. McMillan bought land in the Methven district, and worked his farm in conjunction with the management of Mr. Wason's estate. Enterprise and hard work brought success. In 1890 Mr McMillan leased his Methven property, and bought his Irwell estate of about 760 acres, on which he conducts a system of high class mixed farming. Mr. McMillan has always taken an active part in all matters connected with the progress of his district. He has been a member of the Ellesmere Road Board for nine years, for five of which he has been chairman. Previous to his arrival in the Ellesmere district he was a member of the Methven Road Board for twelve years, and chairman for several years, and of the Malvern Road Board for several years. Mr. McMillan was also a member of the Ashburton County Council for several years, and of the Barr Hill school committee. He has for some time been chairman of the Irwell school committee; is a prominent member of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and a member and large shareholder of the New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Association. Mr. McMillan is an active member of the Brookside Presbyterian church and of its committee of management, and a member of the Farmers' Union, and chairman of its Ellesmere branch.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.Mr. W. McMillan.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. W. McMillan.

Mitchell, James Fergusson, Farmer, Kenmuir Farm, Irwell. Mr. Mitchell is the third son of Mr. John Mitchell, one of the founders of the well known firm of Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell, stationers, Dunedin, page 695 and was born in Dunedin in 1867. He was educated at the Dunedin public schools, and High School, and studied for two years at Lincoln Agricultural College. After a few years on a sheep run at Oamaru, he took up a block of bush land at Pahiatua, where he devoted three years to the improvement of his property which he then sold, and was for three years afterwards farming in the Oamaru district. In 1901 he purchased his present property of about 331 acres of land, with a fine dwelling house, shearing shed, granary, and every convenience for the working of a large farm—a farm which is known as one of the choice properties of the district. Mr. Mitchell pursues an intelligent system of general farming, and generally rears a large number of fat lambs. He has for some time been a member of the Irwell school committee, and is also a member of the Farmers' Union. Mr. Mitchell was in his younger days a runner and cricketer, and is at present a member of the Irwell Cricket Club.

Stephens, T. A., Farmer, Waipuna Estate, Irwell. Mr. Stephens is the eldest son of Mr. George Stephens, and was born at Brookside in 1867. He was educated there, and brought up to farming by his father. At an early age Mr. Stephens started farming on his own account in the Irwell district, and carried on a prosperous system of farming for seven years until the expiration of his lease. He then travelled through the North Island with the object of taking up a farm, but he saw nothing suitable and returned to Canterbury in 1901. Mr. Stephens then took the lease of Mr. R. Wright's well known Waipuna estate at Irwell. He is a member of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, takes a great interest in the welfare of the Anglican church, and has been for some years lay reader in the Leeston parochial district.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.Mr. T. A. Stephens.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. T. A. Stephens.

Waipuna Estate, Irwell. This estate is the property of Mr. Richard Wright, who bought it in 1892. It contains 627 acres, all in a highly improved state. There is a good dwellinghouse at the homestead, which has a pleasant northern aspect, and commands a fine view of the Southern Alps. The house is surrounded by a plantation to shelter it from the prevailing winds, and there is a fine tennis court in front. There are large well-kept sheds for wool and grain. In order to secure a good supply of water Mr. Wright has driven a two-inch pipe to a depth of 402 feet, and has struck water which rises over five feet above the surface. “Waipuna,” like other properties in the district, is devoted to mixed farming, and a large number of sheep and lambs are annually available for the export trade. In 1896 Mr. Wright established a small stud flock by the purchase of forty English Leicester ewes from Mr. Threlkeld, and these he mated with a ram bred by Mr. John Little. This ram was a son of “Little Wonder,”’ who won first honours at the Metropolitan show.

Mr. Richard Wright was born at Nethercliff, Tiverton, Devonshire, and passed his early years on his father's farm. He came to New Zealand in 1866, in the ship “Victory,” and followed farming. His father gave him his first start with 100 acres of land, and after adding to this he sold it and bought his present property. He was married, in 1883, to Miss Buxton, of Christchurch, and has two sons and two daughters.

Mr. R. Wright's Residence.

Mr. R. Wright's Residence.

Young, William, Farmer, “Woodlands,” Irwell. Mr. Young was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1863, and is the second son of the late Mr. David Young, an extensive farmer at Waitohi Flat, near Temuka, who died in 1892. He accompanied his parents to New Zealand by the ship “British Empire,” in 1864, and obtained a thorough practical knowledge of farming under the supervision of his father. Later on he started farming on his own account at Waitohi, and for six years afterwards he farmed successfully at Wakanui, near Ashburton. The splendid quality of the land in the Ellesmere district attracted him to Irwell, where he purchased his present property from Mr. Gardiner. Mr. Young has built a handsome homestead, and carries on mixed farming with most successful results. He is a frequent exhibitor of grain and other produce. Mr. Young is a member of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the Farmers' Union, and is a large shareholder in the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association. He married Miss Wright, daughter of Mr J. T. Wright, of Dunsandel, and has one son.

Mr. and Mrs W. Young and Child.

Mr. and Mrs W. Young and Child.