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

Becks

page 624

Becks.

Becks , which is also known as the White Horse, is a fine agricultural district on the Lauder Flat in Maniototo county, eleven miles from St. Bathans, and 125 miles from Dunedin. A triweekly coach service connects with Rough Ridge with the trains on the Otago Central railway. The greater portion of the settlement, which is remarkable for good crops, has been brought under cultivation, and returns of fifty bushels of wheat to the acre are not uncommon. The public school is known as the Lauder school; Becks has also a post office and a hotel.

White Horse Hotel (William Fisher, proprietor), Becks. This well-known hostelry, which was established in 1864, contains ten bedrooms and two sitting-rooms, in addition to a commodious dining-room, where sixteen guests can be seated. The buildings are of stone, wood and iron, and include a stable with eight stalls and four loose boxes.

Mr. William Fisher , Proprietor, who has conducted the hotel since 1885, was born in Norfolk, England, in 1827. He was brought up to a country life and emigrated to Victoria in 1853. Alter two years of goldfields' experience, he went into business as a waggoner on his own account, and continued the work for eight years. In 1863 he came to Otago, and after mining for twelve months, he again invested in teams, which he carried on till 1891. Mr. Fisher was married in 1885 to the widow of the late Mr. R. McMorran. Mrs. Fisher, who was born in Shropshire, England, had previously married the late Mr. John Beck, after whom the district is named.

Mr. And Mrs W. Fisher.

Mr. And Mrs W. Fisher.

Mee, Thomas , Farmer, Forest Farm, Becks. This old settler was born at Irishmore, County Cavan, Ireland, in 1845, and was brought up to agricultural pursuits from his earliest days. Mr. Mee emigrated to Moreton Bay, Queensland, in 1864, and after eighteen months of Australian experience, he came to Otago, where he followed mining for about four years and settled at Ophir in 1869 as a dairy farmer. In 1872, Mr. Mee took up Forest Farm as an agricultural lease, but subsequently secured the freehold, which covers 930 acres. The homestead is a substantial brick building, with a verandah. Mr. Mee was married, in 1879, to a daugnter of the late Mr. James Sinclair, engineer, of Stirling, Scotland, and has two sons and four daughters.

Mr. And Mrs T. Mee.

Mr. And Mrs T. Mee.