Woodbury is a fertile farming valley, which extends from Geraldine back to the high mountain ranges, a distance of about ten miles. It has a public school, store, post office, and blacksmith's shop. The district is noted for its fine crops of oats and wheat. It is supplied with an effective system of water-races, and the river Waihi also flows through the district. Towards the mountains, at the head of the valley, the country is occupied by large stations, such as Four Peaks and the Orari Gorge. Good roads of easy grade run through the district in all directions.

The Woodbury Public School is situated near the general store at Woodbury, and on an area of two acres. The school consists of two class rooms, and Mr. J. McLeod, the headmaster, is assisted by Miss Riordan. There are seventy-two on the roll, and the average attendance is sixty-three. A gymnasium is fitted up in the school ground, and there are two play-grounds, one for girls and one for boys. The headmaster's house adjoins the school.

Mr. John McLeod, the Headmaster, is the third son of Mr. William McLeod, an old settler of Opihi, Pleasant Point. He was born in the Island of Skye, in 1866, and was educated partly at Home, but principally in New Zealand at Lakeside school, Leeston, and at Opihi. At first he worked on his father's farm, but at the same time he pursued his school studies privately. In 1893 he was appointed to teach at Burke's Pass, where he was for four years, and in 1897 he was transferred to Woodbury. Mr. McLeod married a daughter of Mr. W. Anniss, an old settler of Burke's Pass.

Mr. J. McLeod.

Fifield, John, Blacksmith, Woodbury. Mr. Fifield was born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1868, and came to New Zealand with his parents when a boy. He was educated at Geraldine at the public school, and served his apprenticeship to the blacksmithing trade with Mr. W. Heney, of Geraldine. He was with Mr. Heney for nine years, and afterwards worked with Mr. Kingston for one year. In 1894 he purchased the business at Woodbury. He was elected a member of the school committee in 1896, and in 1897 was elected chairman. He is a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge at Geraldine, and has been through all the chairs. Mr. Fifield married a daughter of Mr. George Hammond.

Mr. and Mrs J. Fifield.