Mr. William. B. McAlister , who was at one time a member of the Borough Council of Tapanui, is the eldest son of an old and respected resident, and was born and educated at Tapanui, where he also learned the trade of a carpenter. He afterwards worked as a blacksmith for several years, but he subsequently joined Mr. D. Murray, and carried on business as general farriers at Tapanui. Mr. McAlister is now (1904) a commercial traveller, and resides in Dunedin.

Mr. W. B. McAlister.

The Tapanui Post And Telegraph Office is picturequely situated upon one of the most elevated situations in the town, and can be classed as one of the neatest country offices in Otago. Internally, it is a model of convenience and consideration for the needs of the public. The office was erected in 1895 at a cost of £500. During the Queen's Diamond Jubilee a very handsome clock was presented by the residents of Tapanui and placed in the centre of the building, where it is a decided ornament. Mr. Joshua King is Postmaster and Telegraphist.

Presbyterian Church , Tapanui. This church was built in the year 1873, and is a plain wooden structure with seat room for about 280 worshippers. The first minister of the parish was the Rev. James Urie (1864–1871), followed by the Rev. Andrew Bett (1872–1885), the Rev. William Scorgie (1886–1894), and the present minister, the Rev. A. Begg, who took charge in 1894. The church at Waikoikoi belongs to the same parish, and was built in 1889; it is a fine-looking building with a steeple and two wings, and has accommodation for about 180 persons. Services are held in Tapanui every Sunday morning and evening, and in the afternoon at Waikoikoi. The church has about 200 members.

The Rev. Adam Begg , M. A., Minister of the Presbyterian Church at Tapanui, was born at Anderson's Bay, Dunedin, in 1868. From the Anderson's Bay school he proceeded to the Otago Boys' High school, of which he became dux in 1884. He graduated B. A. at the University of Otago in 1888, and M. A. in 1889, with honours in Latin and English. After passing through the curriculum of the Theological Hall of the Presbyterian Church at Dunedin, he was licensed as a preacher in 1892. Mr. Begg then visited Scotland, Egypt, Palestine, and the continent of Europe, and the session of 1893–4 was spent at New College, Edinburgh. On his return to New Zealand, Mr. Begg received a call to Tapanui, and was ordained and inducted in August 1894.

Rev. A. Begg.