Chertsey is a small township on the main south line, between Rakaia and Ashburton, five miles from Rakaia and twelve from Ashburton. It has one hotel, and two general stores, a post, telegraph and money order office, an Anglican church, and a public school. The surrounding district contains some very fine cropping land—in fact some of the finest in the Rakaia district—but towards the sea the soil is of lighter quality, and is devoted chiefly to sheepfarming. There is a thriving special village settlement close to Chertsey, and the main south road, which passes through the township, is very good for cycling. Chertsey has a population of 100 persons.

Chertsey Railway Station. This station is on the main south line of railway, at a distance of forty-one miles from Christchurch, and twelve from Ashburton. As it is in the centre of a rich agricultural district, a large amount of grain is despatched from it every year. Mr. J. H. White is the present stationmaster.

Mr. John Harold White, Stationmaster at Chertsey, was born at Milton, Otago, in 1874, and educated at the Tokomairiro High School. He is the second son of Mr. Henry White, storekeeper, Milton. In May, 1890, he entered the railway department, at Christchurch, as a cadet, and has steadily gained promotion year by year. In 1892 he was transferred to Lyttelton, whence he was removed in 1893 to Oamaru, and, having completed his apprenticeship in 1896, he was appointed booking clerk. He is a member of the Order of Foresters, and is attached to the Court Star of Canterbury. During his residence in Oamaru, Mr. White was closely connected with the various organisations of the Wesleyan church. He held office as secretary of the Sunday school, and acted as a local preacher and as vice-president of the Christian Endeavour Society, and up till 1897 he acted as secretary of the North Otago Christian Endeavour Union. Mr. White was appointed chief clerk at the Milton railway station in January, 1899, and has since then been promoted to his present position at Chertsey.