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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Maerewhenua Diggings

Maerewhenua Diggings.

Maerewhenua Diggings , as a district, occupies a number of spurs and terraces on the west bank of the Maerewhenua river, opposite to Livingstone, with which it is connected by a traffic bridge, which was opened in 1902. As a goldmining district Mare-whenua dates from 1872. Since then alluvial mining by sluicing has been continuously carried on, though the water supply is largely dependent on the rainfall. In May, 1903, the Mountain Hut water-race was successfully completed, and was expected to lead to an important increase in the output of gold. The settlement is in the Otekaike riding of the Waitaki county, and in the electorate of Mount Ida, and had a population of 169 at the census of 1901. There is a public school and a large hall, in both of which religious services are periodically held, and there is a post office and telephone bureau in the settlement. Mining is not the only local industry, as sheep and cattle are kept, and crops are raised, throughout the district.

Adams, George , Farmer and Miner, Mount Pleasant, Maerewhenua Diggings. Mr. Adams was born in Devonshire, England. in 1846 and was brought up to an outdoor life. He landed in Melbourne, Victoria, in January, 1863, and soon afterwards came to Otago, where he was at the Dunstan, Black's, the Woolshed, and other diggings, for about three years. He was engaged in lightering at Port Chalmers for about seven years and then removed to he Kakanui district, where he was in business as a storekeeper, butcher and farmer till 1883. In that year Mr. Adams removed to the Maere-whenuaa district, to take up a farm, and finding water going to waste, he also turned his attention to mining. He owns 630 acres of freehold, and 550 acres of leasehold land, on which he depastures about 800 sheep, besides cattle and horses. Mr. Adams served for a number of years on the local school committee, and has taken an interest in public matters, as a trustee of the Maere-whenua mining reserve, a member of the Miners' Association, and other local bodies. He was married, in 1872, to Miss Cant, of Essex, England, and has six daughters and four sons.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. and Mrs G. Adams.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. and Mrs G. Adams.

page 491

Adams, John Stonman . Miner and Farmer, Maerewhenua Diggings. Mr. Adams was born in 1843. in Devonshire. England. and was brought up partly as a farmer and partly as a carpenter. He arrived at Ballarat, Victorin, in 1862, came to Otago in February, 1863, was on the Molyneaux at the Fourteen Mile Beach for two years, and then removed to Blackstone Hill, and was afterwards for three years in the Greymouth district. On returning to Otago Mr. Adams settled at Kakanui, and resides there for ten years, engaging in various occupations. In 1889 he removed to Maerewhenua. where he has followed mining and carried on farming. His claim, which is five acres in extent, is still being worked with satisfaction. and he farms 222 acres, ninety-four of which are held under an occupation lease. and 123 under a lease from Messrs Campbell and Co., of Otekaike station. Mr. Adams has served as a member of the Maerewhenua school committee, of which he has been secretary and treasurer for thirteen years. he is also secretary of the Maerewhenua Miners' Association, Since 1990 he has been a Justice of the Peace, and also acts aa officer-in-charge of the local Telephone Bureau. Mr. Adams was married, in 1871, to a daughter of Mr. James Muldrew, farmer, of Maheno, and hus had ten daughters and four sons, of whom one sou has died.

Bailey. William , Farmer and Miner, Pleasant Valley Farm, Maerewhenua, Diggings. Mr. Bailey was born in the county of Durham, England, in 1848, and accompanied his father to Victoria in 1860. Two years later the family removed to Otago. Mr. Bailey was at Gabriel's Gully, and afterwards at Blue Spur. Duntan, and Switzer's, and bad many exciting experiences in the rough times of the early diggings. He removed to Maerewhenua in 1872. and has since been engaged in mining and farming. Mr. Bailey owns a freehold of 174 acres, and a small grazing run of 357 acres. He took a prominent part in connection with the establishment of the school, and has served on the committee. He has erected a large public hall, which ia used for public functions. As a Freemason Mr. Bailey is attached to Lodge Ngapara. New Zealand Constitution. He was married, in 1869, to a daughter of Mr. Edward Beckett, of Maerewhenua. Mrs Bailey died in 1894, leaving three sons and two daughters.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. W. Bailey.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. W. Bailey.

Bloomfield, William , Miner. Maerewhenua Diggings. Mr. Bloomfield was born in Colchester. Essex, Ingland, in 1837, and “went to sea at the age of thirteen. About nine years later he landed in Victoria, and was for several years tit Sandridge. before coming to Otago in 1862. Mr. Bloomfield has always engaged in goldmining, and had experience at Hamilton's, Wakamarina, Hyde, Naseby. Macraes, Shag River, and Kyeburn, before setting at Maerewhenua in May. 1875. His homestead stands on an acre of ground, and he also holds six acres adjoining, under a goldfields title. Mr. Bloomfield has served as a member of the local school committee. He was married on the. 6th of May. 1874, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Luke May, sometime Armoury Sergeant in the Second Battalion of the. Coldstream Guards, and has had two sons and five daughters, hut one son him died. Mrs Bloomfield is a member of the Salvation Army.

Mr. And Mrs W. Bloomfield And Family.

Mr. And Mrs W. Bloomfield And Family.

Mr. Robert Simpson . sometime of Maerewhenua Diggings, was born at West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1814. He farmed Upper Ascog Farm. in the Isle of Bute, for twenty-five years, and during that time gained a silver medal for the best managed green crop on the island. Mr. simpson was also a competitor at ploughing matches, and in 1845 gained a silver medal from the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. He served as a volunteer in the Scottish Yeomanry Cavalry. and was one of the Marquis of Waterford's retainers at the Eglinton tournament; the Earl of Eglinton's modern reproduction of the great jousting gala of the days of medieval chivalry. Mr. Simpson came to Port Chalmers by the ship “William Davie,” in 1864, and settled in the Oamaru district, where he engaged in general work for five years. He was afterwards cropping on the Elderslie estate, and in 1880 took up 160 acres at Maerewhenua, which he farmed, with 300 acres of leasehold, until his death in 1899. Mr. Simpson was married, in 1858, to a daughter of the late Mr. Daniel McIntyre, of the Isle of Bute. His wife and two sons survive him.

Mrs R. Simpson.

Mrs R. Simpson.

page 492

Ngapara , A rich pastoral and agricultural district, is reputed to be one of the best wheat growing places in New Zealand. It is the terminal station of the Oamaru-Ngapara branch line of railway, is seventeen miles from Oamaru, and stands 430 feet above the sea. The settlement of Ngapara is in the Waiareka riding of the Waitaki county and in the Oamaru electorate, while that portion of the district known as the Tables is in the Awamoko riding of the same county. In March, 1901, the population of the township and Tables was 232. One mile nearer Oamaru there is a flag station named Queen's Flat, which has a population of twenty-five. The business of the postal and telegraph department is conducted at the local railway station. In addition to the industries of agriculture and stock raising, Ngapara has a fine modern flour mill, a coalmine from which very good lignite is delivered, and a creamery. It also has two hotels, a general store and bakery, and other places of business. There is a Presbyterian church and schoolroom, Athenaeum hall and library, and Masonic and Oddfellows' Lodges. Volunteering is represented by the Ngapara Defence Rifle Club. There is a police station in the village, and cattle yards, at which there are monthly sales. The climate of Ngapara. is known for its dry and bracing qualities.

The Ngapara Railway Station And Post Office Combined , which was established in 1879. is conducted in wood and iron building containing public lobby, ladies' waiting room. and the station-master's office. There is a large goods shed attached. The post office has twelve private letter boxes, and a telephone bureau, and two mails are received and despatched on four days of the week.

Mr. John Nicol , Stationmaster and Postmaster at Ngapara. is a son of the late Captain John Nicol. and was born in 1849. at Greenock, Scotland, where he was educated. He arrived in Port Chalmers with his father by the ship “Three Bells” in 1859, and attended school in Dunedin. Mr. Nicol had a few years' experience in bush farming on the Peninsula, before joining the Railway Department at Dunedin in 1876. Two. years later he was promoted to the position of stationmaster at Maheno. where he continued till 1887, when he was transferred to his present position at Ngapara. He is attached to the Ngapara Lodge of Freemasons. No. 68, New Zealand Contitution. Mr. Nicol was married, in 1874. to a daughter of the late Mr. John Tinnock, of the Peninsula. His wife died in 1896, leaving three sons and three daughters.

The Ngapara Public School dates from 1877. The school building is of wood and iron and contains two class rooms and an entrance lobby. There is accommodation for 100 pupils; and the number of names on the roll is 103, with an average attendance of eighty-eight. Four acres of land are attached to the school, and there is a convenient playground with shelter shed, and a paddock, and a six-roomed residence for the teacher. The headmaster is assisted by an infant mistress.

Mr. John Robertson”, B.A. , Headmaster of the Ngapara Public School, was born in 1870, at Outram, Otago. He was educated at Kaitangata and Stirling, and served a four years' pupil-teachership at the former school. After a year at the Normal Training College, Dunedin, Mr. Robertson studied for two years at the Otago University, graduated B.A., and was appointed to his present position in 1894. He is a member of the Ngapara Defence Rifle Club, of which he is secretary. Mr. Robertson was married, in 1897, to a daughter of Mr. Donald Borrie, of Papakaio.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. J. Robertson.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. J. Robertson.

The Ngapara Presbyterian Church occupies a fine site in the township is built of Oamaru stone, and was opened in June. 1896. It has seats for 200 worshippers, and services and held, alternately, every Sunday morning and evening, The Sunday school is well attended. The Rev. J. Standring, who resides at Enfield, is in charge of the district.

Milligan And Bond (Robert Miligan and Owen Bond), General Merchants and Flour Millers, Ngapara. This firm was established at Oamaru in 1891 by Mr. J. C. Milligan and Mr. Owen Bond. who were joined a year later by Mr. Robert Milligan. Early in 1902 the senior partner retired from the firm. The Ngapara branch of the business was opened by Mr. Bond in 1892, and the mill, which is a three-storey building of Oamaru stone, was erected in 1897. When opened its capacity was a sack and a half per hour, and this has been increased to its present output of five sacks per hour. Every year new machinery has been added, and there is now one of the most modern roller milling plants in the colony. The firm page 493 has a freehold of an acre and a half, in addition to some leasehold land, and the store is a fine double-fronted shop with office and bakery.

Ngapara Flour Mills.

Ngapara Flour Mills.

Mr. Owen Bond , one of the founders of the firm of Milligan and Bond, was born in 1863 in Buckinghamshire, England. He was brought up to mercantile life, and in 1885 came to New Zealand by the s.s. “Ruapehu,” and settled in the Oamaru district. Five years later he joined Mr. James Milligan in founding the firm with which he has been closely identified ever since. Mr. Bond is a member of the Ngapara Defence Rifle Club. and is a chartered member of the Oamaru branch of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society. He has held office as a member of the local school committee, and acts as superintendent of the Sunday school in connection with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bond was married, in May. 1888, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Milligan, of Oamaru, and has three daughters and one son.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. O. Bond.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. O. Bond.

Mr. Edward William Foster , Manager of the Ngapara Flour Mills, was born at Timaru. in 1866, and is the son of Mr. Philip Foster, an old Deal boatman. He learned the business of a miller at the Atlas Mills, where he was employed by the proprietors, Messrs Evans and Co., for thirteen years. During this period Mr. Foster rose to the position of second miller, and was entrusted with the task of preparing flour for the last Brisbane Exhibition, and also for the Dunedin Exhibition of 1890. and he was successful in securing a gold medal in each case. He was appointed to his present position in January, 1900. Mr. Foster has made a study of the latest methods of testing flour, in which he uses the most modern scientific instruments, and the flour passing through the mill under his care is daily submitted to a chemical test. Mr. Foster is a member of the Ngapara Defence Rifle Club. He was married, in 1896, to a daughter of the late Mr. Richard Peters, of Timaru.

Mr. David Murdie Anderson , Chief Engineer at the Ngapara Flour Mills, was born in 1879, at Hokitika. He was educated in his native place and at Caversham. Dunedin. and learned engineering at the Mosgiel Woollen Factory. Mr. Anderson subsequently had experience in driving traction engines in various parts of Otago, and gained a second class driver's certificate. He was appointed to his present position at the Ngapara Flour Mills in 1898. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Ngapara Defence Rifle Club. He was married in August, 1896, to a daughter of Mr. George Joiner, a railway surfaceman, of the Oamaru district.

Watt, John . Millowner, Ngapara. Mr. Watt was born in 1860. in Banffshire. Scotland. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Oamaru,” in 1878. Afterwards he settled in the Oamaru district, where he has remained ever since, and been engaged, more or less, in driving threshing machines. Mr. Watt was married, in 1889, to a daughter of the late Mr. John McKenzie, of Invernessshire. Scotland, and has one son and five daughters.

Mr. J. Watt.

Mr. J. Watt.

Kydd, John , Farrier, and General Black-smith, Ngapara. Mr. Kydd was born at New-castle-on-Tyne, England, on the 9th of September, 1860, and served part of his apprenticeship as a blacksmith in the Old Country. He came to Port Chalmers in 1879, by the ship “Dunedin,” and two years later removed to Maheno, where he resided for five years before establishing his business at Ngapara in 1886. The premises include a smithy and carpenter's shop, with a residence adjoining, and there is an acre and a half of freehold land attached. Mr. Kydd has also sixty acres of the Windsor Park estate, which he holds under a lease in perpetuity. He has been a member of the Ngapara school committee for a number of years, and was one of the founders of the Protestant Alliance Society at Ngapara, and at one time secretary. As a Freemason Mr. Kydd is attached to Lodge Ngapara, New Zealand Constitution, in which he has filled the Junior Warden's chair. He has served for two years as a volunteer in the North Otago Mounted Rifles. Mr. Kydd was married on the 1st of June, 1887, to a daughter of Mr. John Rankin, of Maheno, and has four sons and three daughters.

page 494

Richardson, Thomas Adam , Sadler and Harness Maker, Sail and Tarpaulin Manufacturer, Ngapara. Mr. Richardson was born in 1870. at Oamaru, where he was educated, and served a six years' apprenticeship. After that he had experience in many of the principal establishments in the colony before founding his business at Ngapara in 1895. The premises consist of a double-fronted shop with workrooms behind, and a well assorted Stock of saddlery and harness is maintained. Mr. Richardson has patented a horse-cover, said to be the first made without a tail strap. It is much used by owners of thoroughbreds. and the demand for it is so great that, in the first few months of 1903, over 300 covers were made and sent out to various parts of the colonuy Mr. Richardson served for a number of years as a volunteer in the Oamaru Navals, and he is a member of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society at Oamaru. He was married, in 1893, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Anderson, decorator and painter, of Oamaru, and has four daughters and one son.

The Railway Hotel (George Sidney James. proprietor). Ngapara. Though this hotel is an old established one. the present building was only erected in 1895. It is of stone, two stories in height, and contains twenty-two rooms. including ten bedrooms, five “sitting-rooms, and a large and convenient dining-room. There is a stable at the back of the hotel, with five stalls and loose boxes.

Mr. James , the Proprietor, was born at Addington. near Christchurch, and was apprenticed to the trade of a coppersmith, serving five years at the Addington workshops. He afterwards became manager of the Palmerston South Refreshment Rooms, and took over the Railway Hotel, at Ngapara, on the 13th of August. 1902. Mr. James is a member of the Order of Oddfellows, in Oamaru. He was married, in 1897, to a daughter of Mr. J. Hardy, of Christchurch, and has two daughters and one son.

Beck, James , Farmer, Ngapara. Mr. Beck was born in 1868, at Tokomairiro, Otago, where he attended school and also gained his early experiences of country life. He was for some time subsequently in the North Island, and in May, 1902. he secured 230 acres of the Windsor Park estate. He holds his property under a lease in perpetuity. During his residence in the North Island Mr. Beck was a member of the Otaki Lodge of Druids. He was married in June, 1896, to a daughter of Mr. Thomas Lockerbie, of Winton, and has two daughters and one son.

Gleniffer Estate , Ngapara. It was in 1889 that Mr. William Aitkin purchased this property, which contained 2700 acres and carried over 4500 sheep. A large portion of the land was devoted to grain growing, and in good seasons the average yield of wheat had been as high as forty-two bushels per acre. A large quantity of clover seed was annually harvested, and Mr. Aitkin was the first in the district to initiate this branch of farming. Leicester sheep and their crosses were grazed. and the lambs fattened were sold for the London market and found to be very remunerative. Mr. Robert Aitkin, who managed the estate, purchased a portion of Mr. John Borton's stud flock of Shropshire Downs, which eclipsed previous years' clips with an average of eight pounds and a quarter of wool per sheep. He was so satisfied with this return that he depastured 1000 purebred ewes, of which 150 were kept for stud purposes.

Mr. William Aitkin , formerly Proprietor of Gleniffer Estate, was a native of Paisley, Scotland, and came out in 1852 to Melbourne, where he engaged in commercial pursuits. He disposed of his business daring the land boom of 1889 and purchased the Gleniffer property. Subsquently he re-entered his old line of business in Sydney, in 1895, and left the management of the estate to his son, Mr. Robert Aitkin, J.P. Mr. W. Aitken died in 1902.

Mr. William Aitkin was born in Melbourne, where he was educated and passed his early years in his father's business. He arrived in New Zealand in 1889 to manage “Gleniffer,” and made himself very popular. Mr. Aitkin was president of the Ngapara Rifle Club. a member of the Ngapara Jockey Club, and an active member of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association. After the death of Mr. W. Aitkin, in 1902, “Gleniffer” was sold, and Mr. R. Aitkin went to reside in Sydney, New South Wales.

Mr. R. Aitken.

Mr. R. Aitken.

Hall, Alexander , Farmer. “Gleniffer,” Ngapara. Mr. Hall was born on the 10th of May. 1852, in Roxburghshire, Scotland, and came with his parents to Port Chalmers in the ship “Pladda” in 1881. He was brought up to country life at Papakaio, and in 1873 started crapping at Maerewhenua station, under Messrs Borton and McMaster. Afterwards, with a brother, he leased 500 acres and then a larger area of 1500 acres in the neighbourhood of Georgetown. This property was worked for about twenty-three years, and after a rest of three years, Mr. Hall purchased Gleniffer estate in May, 1902. The property consists of 992 acres of splendid land, and besides working this Mr. Hall is a millowner, having worked threshing and chaff cutting machinery for a quarter of a century. He has won prizes in ploughing matches held at Tokarahi. Maerewhenua. Papakaio, Hampden, and Geraldine; and after five years' competition, extending from the 7th of October. 1886, to the 11th of September, 1890, he gained a silver cup. Mr. Hall has also been an importer of Clydesdale stud horses. He was married, in 1886, to a daughter of Mr. James Robbie, Pukeuri, near Oamaru, and has three sons and four daughters.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. And Mrs A. Hall.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. And Mrs A. Hall.

Little Brothers , “Rocklea,” Ngapara. Messrs Little Bros., the well-known Border Leicester breeders, established their flock in 1877, by the purchase of two rams and six ewe lambs from the flock of Messrs Gillies and Street, for whom their father was manager at the time. This small flock of young and well-selected sheep became, in careful and experienced hands, the foundation of wel-deserved success. When exhibiting at different shows, in 1896, Messrs Little won, in good company, six championships, sixteen first, seven second, and four third prizes.

Mr. Thomas Little , J.P., the Senior Partner, has always taken an active part in local affairs. He has been a member of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association for many years, and was for one term its president. Mr. Little has been a member of the school committee for eighteen years, and several times its chairman. He has also taken an active part in athletic sports, at page 495 which he has won several cups. Mr. Little was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, accompanied his parents to the Colony in 1867, and gained a good early training under his father in the management and breeding of stock. He was married, in 1880, to Miss Oliver, and has five sons and two daughters.

Mansfield Park , the property of Mr. Alexander Balfour, situated on the south bank of the Awamoko river, contains 635 acres, and was purchased in 1875 in its unimproved state. The homestead is situated on a terrace overlooking the Awamoko valley, and is surrounded by a plantation of useful and ornamental trees. The land is devoted to grain-growing, and the rearing and fattening of stock, for which it is admirably adapted.

Mr. Alexander Balfour , the proprietor of Mansfield Park, was born in 1838, at Doune, South Perthshire, Scotland, where he was educated, and passed his early years on his father's farm. He emigrated to the Colony, in 1862, in the ship “Robert Henderson,” and engaged for a short time in farming pursuits, He then tried the diggings for a few months, but returned to the plough, taking up contracts successfully in company with his brother. Mr. Balfour is an enthusiasticbreeder of Clydesdale horses, among which may be mentioned “Lord Haddo,” winner of many championships, and “Bonnie Jean,” winner of three championships. Mr. Balfour has also gained a great number of first, second, and third prizes. He was married in 1876 to Margaret, relict of the late Mr. William Crawford. and daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Stuart, farmer, ballieward, Strathspey, Scotland.

Mr. A. Balfour's Homestead.

Mr. A. Balfour's Homestead.

Milligan, James Coates , farmer Ngapara. Mr. Milligan was born in 1863, at the Taieri Beach Otago, and was brought by his parents to the Oamaru district, when he was six months old. He attended school at Oamaru, and was brought up to mercantile life. With Mr. Owen Bond he subsequently founded the well known milling and mercantile firm of Milligan and Bond in which he continued as senior partner till May, 1902, when he retired to take up farming. Mr. Milligan served as a member of the Ngapara school committee, for three years. has been treasurer of the Ngapara Hall Committee, and served as a member of the committee of the North Otago Acclimatisation Society, for ten years. He has also been a member of the Ngapara Defence Rifle Club since its foundation Mr. Milligan finds recreation in dear-stalking and fishing, and he is interested in amateur photography, and has taken many interesting views in the district. He was married, in 1897, to a daughter of Mr. Robert Jackson, of Rockvale, Weston.

Miller, Richard , Farmer, Ngapara. Mr. Miller was born at Wick, Scotland, in 1855, and came to Dunedin by by the s.s. “Arawa” in 1886. He settled in the Oamaru district, and, in partnership with his brother James, was cropping on Mr. Gilchrist's property for about ten years. In 1902 Mr. Miller purchased 218 acres in the Ngapara district. He holds his land under lease in perpetuity, and works it as a mixed farm.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. R. Miller.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. R. Miller.

McCulloch, John , Farmer, “Fern Cliff,” Ngapara. Mr. McCulloch was born in 1857, in Wigtownshire, Scotland, and arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “William Davie,” in 1889. He found employment for three years at Shag Valley before settling in the Oamaru district in 1875. In 1880 he commenced cropping and contracting, and ten years later leased “Fern Cliff,” a property of 453 acres, which he purchased after seven years, and now carries on mixed farming. The part of the residence used as a kitchen was at one time a shepherd's hut, and is said to have been the first house built in the Ngapara district. Mr. McCulloch has served on the Ngapara school committee, of which he has been chairman for seven years; and as a Freemason he is attached to Lodge Ngapara. No. 68, New Zealand Constitution. He was married, in 1887, to a daughter of Mr. page 496 Daniel Grant, Papakaio, and has four sons and four daughters.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. and Mrs J. McCullough.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. and Mrs J. McCullough.

Paterson Brothers (Thomas Paterson and Andrew Paterson). Farmers, Eskdale Farm, Ngapara. Eskdale Farm consists of 996 acres of freehold land, which is worked as a mixed farm.

Mr. Thomas Paterson , J.P., the Senior Partner, was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1852, and was brought to Port Chalmers by his parents in the ship “Alpine” in 1859. He attended school in the Inch-clutha district, where he gained his first experience of country life. and for fourteen years was farming with his brother at Wangaloa, near Kaitangata. The partners, however, sold out their interest in 1878, and purchased their present estate at Ngapara. Mr. Paterson served on the Ngapara school committee for about twenty years. and for five years was a member of the Waiareka Road Board. As a Freemason he is a Past Master of Lodge Ngapara, No. 63, New Zealand Constitution.
Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. T. Paterson.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. T. Paterson.

Mr. Andrew Patterson , the Junior Partner, was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1854, and has had experiences similar to those of his brother.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. A. Paterson.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. A. Paterson.

J. C. Milligan, photo. Ngapara, From The Coast.

J. C. Milligan, photo.
Ngapara, From The Coast.

Quaife, Frederick William , Farmer, “Te Rangi Pai,” Queen's Flat, Ngapara. This estate consists of 400 acres of freehold land, and is worked as a mixed farm under the management of the owner's eldest son.

Mr. Frederick William Quaife, Junior , Manager of “Te Rangi Pai,” was born in Christchurch in 1880, and attended
Standish and Preece, photo. Mr. F. W. Quaife, Junior.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Mr. F. W. Quaife, Junior.

page 497 school at Halswell, where his father is a well known bacon-curer. He was brought up to farming in Canterbury, and became manager of “Te Rangi Pai” on the 1st of May, 1901. Mr. Quaife served as a volunteer in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles for five years.

Watson, Henry . Farmer. Queen's Flat Homestead, Ngapara. Mr. Watson is a son of the late Mr. W. M. Watson, of Upper Riccarton, where he was born in 1863. In 1890 he commenced farming at Prebbleton with his brother Frederick, and two years later took up his father's farm at Riccarton, which he worked for about ten years. In 1900 Mr. Watson bought “Queen's Flat,” consisting of 337 acres of freehold land, which he devotes to agriculture and sheep-farming. He crops about 120 acres annually. and in the season of 1903 obtained sixty and eighty bushels, respectively, of wheat and oats to the acre. While at Riccarton. Mr. Watson served on the local school committee; he has also been a member of the Ngapara school committee, and is a member of the Ngapara Defence Rifle Club. He was married, in 1888, to a daughter of Mr. J. J. Herrick, of Tai Tapu, Canterbury, and has four sons and two daughters.

Webber, Henry , Farmer and Butcher, Ngapara. Mr. Webber was born on the 21st of June, 1851, in Devonshire, England, and was educated at the Silverton Grammar School. His father was a farmer and threshing and sawmill owner, so that Mr. Webber gained experience of that kind of work at an early age. He arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Calypso,” in 1879, and soon afterwards settled in the Ngapara district, where he bought an interest in a threshing mill. He subsequently sold out, and bought forty-six acres of freehold adjoining the township; on this property his residence and shop have been erected. Mr. Webber works his land as a dairy farm and milks about twenty-four cows, and since 1899 he has also carried on business as a butcher. He has served for a number of years on the local school committee, is a Past Master of the Ngapara Lodge of Freemasons, No. 68, New Zealand Constitution, and has occupied the chief chair in the Order of Oddfellows at Ngapara. Mr. Webber's volunteer experience commenced in the Old Country in the First Royal Devonshire Yeomanry, under Captain Buller. a brother of the general whose name is so well known in connection with the South African war. Mr. Webber was married in 1887, to a daughter of the late Mr. James Lindsay, of Weston, and has three sons and four daughters.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. H. Webber.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. H. Webber.

Westlake, Thomas , Farmer. Nottingham Farm, Ngapara. Mr. Westlake was born in the parish of Beerferris, Devonshire, England, in 1841. He was brought up to country life by his father, who was a farmer, and came out to Port Chalmers by the ship “Black Swan” in 1862. He had about two years' experience in goldmining at the Dunstan and Shotover, and he was afterwards for a time in the Teieri and settled in the Oamaru district in 1887. Shortly afterwards he purchased land from the Government on the Papakaio Plain, where he farmed for thirteen years; and about 1880 acquired Nottingham Farm, which consists of 533 acres of freehold land, pleasantly situated in the Awamoko valley, where his comfortable homestead nestles among the trees. In the early days Mr. Westlake served as a member of the Weymouth Road Board, and was afterwards a member of the subdivision of the Waitaki Road Board. He was married in 1866, to Miss Cleary, of Dunedin. Mrs Westlake died in 1893, leaving one son and two daughters.

Mahan, photo. Mr. T. Westlake.

Mahan, photo.
Mr. T. Westlake.

Captain John Nicol , who was well known in the early days of the colony as the master of coastal vessels, was a Scotchman by birth, and went to sea at an early age. He sailed to China in the s.s. “Sobraon,” the first steamer to visit that part of the world. Captain Nicol brought out the s.s. “Ladybird,” the first steamer which came to the colonies, and also the brig “Gil Blas,' in which he afterwards came over to prospect the coast of New Zealand. The “Gil Blas” was chartered by the Government as a mail boat between Australia and New Zealand; and, on the opening of the first Parliament in Auckland, was employed to collect the members from the various ports of the colony. Captain Nicol died in 1877, at Caversham, Dunedin, at the age of seventy-two.