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

Wyndham

Wyndham.

Wyndham is a post town near the Mataura river, twenty-seven miles from Invercargill, on the Edendale-Glenham railway, and lies at an altitude of eighty-five feet above the level of the sea. There are coal mines in operation in the vicinity, and a dairy factory is established in the township. Wyndham is a clean, well-conducted town, and has a large cultivated reserve of 200 acres for recreation purposes. At one time alluvial mining was extensively carried on near the present township, and is still followed to some extent as an occupation in the district. Noble views of hill and sea are obtainable from many points around Wyndham, and excursions can be made by coach or otherwise through magnificent country. Wyndham is an ideal spot for anglers, at the Mimihau stream, bounding the township, affords fine trout fishing, and the Wyndham and Mataura rivers are stocked with fish. Wyndham was named by the late Sir John Richardson, after one of England's Indian heroes. The surrounding country is undulating, with numerous well wooded hills and fertile valleys. Wyndham township
Photo by Mr. W. R. F. Fraser. Balaclava Street, Wyndham: 1898.

Photo by Mr. W. R. F. Fraser.
Balaclava Street, Wyndham: 1898.

Wyndham Presbyterian Church.

Wyndham Presbyterian Church.

shin is managed by a Town Board; it forms part of the electoral district of Mataura, and is within the boundaries of the Toetoes riding of the county of Southland. At the census of 1901, the population of the district was 417; while at Wyndham East there were twenty-eight, at Wyndham South twenty-one, at Wyndham station and vicinity thirteen, at Wyndham suburbs seventy-two, and at Wyndham Valley, forty. The township lies between the Mimihau and Mokoreta rivers, which are both tributaries of the Mataura, and take their rise in the Slopedown ranges. The Mataura is crossed by a railway and road traffic bridge, at Menzies Ferry, about midway between Wyndham and Edendale, on a good road. Wyndham has two newspapers. The town is four miles to the eastward of Edendale, on the Edendale-Glenham branch line of railway, and is six miles from Glenham, and ten miles, by a good road, to Mataura. A coach runs regularly from Wyndham to Glenham, Pine Bush, Waimahaka and Fortrose.

The Wyndham Town Board has jurisdiction over an area of 450 acres, constituted a town district in 1882. The main road from Edendale to Glenham, Pine Push, Waimahaka, and Fortrose, runs through the town, but is still under the jurisdiction of the Southland County Council, and the page 1075 Board has to maintain only ihe other Streets in the district. The total annual rateable value of the district is £2,750. on which a rate of Is in the £ is levied The only debt which the Board has is the sum of £403, taken over from the old Wyndham Road Board, through the Southland County Council. The town is lighted by twelve kerosene lamps, and is drained into the Mataura river. In 1904, there were 417 rateable properties, owned by 123 ratepayers, and the number of dwellings was 125. The Board acts also as a Domain Board, and has control over the public reserve, which contains a very picturesque lagoon. Meetings of the Board are held on the first Monday in each month. The members in 1904 were: Mr W. J. Currie (chairman), and Messrs B. Sutherland, G. Hunter, J. Millar. J. McLauchlan, R. Paull and D. Gordon. Mr W. J. Marsh is clerk.

Mr. Donald Gordon , who is a member of the Wyndham Town and Domain Boards, is the senior partner in the butchery business of Gordon Brothers, Balaclava Street, Wyndham. Mr Gordon was born in 1878, at Milton
Gerstenkorn, photo. Mr. D. Gordon.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. D. Gordon.

where his father was an old settler, and educated at Edendale. He followed general work until starting in a butchery at Edendale, where he remained for two years. After a year spent at Winton, Mr Gordon removed to Wyndham. and worked with Messrs Craig Brothers for five years, before taking over their business in 1902. He is a member of the Mokoreta Lodge of Freemasons, and is Past Chief Ranger in Court Royal Oak, Ancient Order of Foresters. Mr Gordon was married in September, 1904, to a daughter of the late Mr Philip Jones, of Melbourne.

Mr. George Hunter , who has held a seat on the Wyndham Town Board since 1902, is well known as auctioneer and manager of the live stock department of the firm of I. W. Raymond and Co., in which he is a partner. Mr Hunter was born in 1870 at South Wyndham, where he was educated and brought up to country life, which he followed for ten years, during which he was for some time in charge of his father's property. In 1898, he entered the employment of Messrs Raymond and Co., and became a member of the firm in 1903. Mr Hunter has served on the South Wyndham school committee, was president for the year 1901–2 of the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Society, is a Past Grand of Alma Lodge, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, and a member of the Mokoreta Lodge of Freemasons. He was married, in 1900, to a daughter of Mr F. Gillanders, of Pourakanui, near Waitati, and has one son.

The Rev. James B. Smellie , formerly minister at the Presbyterian church at Wyndham, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and educated at the University of that city, and at the New College, Edinburgh. He was licensed bg the Presbytery of Stirling, Scotland, in 1883, and in the following year was inducted as the first minister of the Townhill Free Church by the Presbytery of Dunfermline. Subsequently, Mr Smellie was commissioned by the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland to the New Zealand Presbyterian church, and, in 1887, was inducted to the charge of the Jhon Knox Presbyterian church at Rangiora. In 1901, he received a unanimous call to Wyndham, and is now (1905) stationed at Reef ton on the West Coast. Mr Smellie was married, in 1886, to Miss Robertson, of Stirling, and has three children.

The Wyndham Farmer,” which circulates from Mataura to Woodlands, and from Edendale to Fortrose and Waikawa, is a bi-weekly newspaper, published on Tuesdays and Fridays, amd contains four pages of seven columns each, about half of which is reading matter. The plant consists of a Wharfdale printing machine, driven by a two and a-half horsepower oil engine, and large fonts of new English and American type. The paper, which is Liberal in politics, and a supporter of the present Government, was founded in 1895, by the late Mr Alfred Dolamore, of Gore, and was taken over by the present proprietor, Mr E. G. Macpherson, on the 1st of January, 1898.

Mr. Ewen Greville Macpherson , Proprietor and Editor of the “Wyndham Farmer,” was born in 1863, at Lyttelton, and educated at the Otago Boys' High School. He was in the office of the “Clutha Leader” for five years, and then visited Sydney, where he joined the staff of the “Globe” (now known as the “Australian Star”), and rose to the position pf sub-editor. On returning to New Zealand, in 1887, Mr Macpherson became editor on the “Southern Standard,” at Gore, and was afterwards appointed manager of the “Wyndham Farmer,” which he acquired in 1898. He was instrumental in forming the Murihiku Rifle Volunteers, of which he is still a member, and he is secretary of the Wyndham Horticultural Society, one of the oldest and most successful societies of its kind in the provincial district. Mr Macpherson is also conductor of the Wyndham Choral Union, and organist and choirmaster of the local Presbyterian church. He has been for years handicapper of the Edendale Athletic Sports Society, and is a member of the local Athenaeum and school committees. Mr Macpherson was married, in 1888, to a daughter of the late Mr John Barr, one of the pioneer settlers of the Clutha district.

Evans, John Ledyard , Registered Chemist and Druggist, Medical Hall, Balaclava Street, Wyndham. Private residence, Alma Street. Mr Evans was born in 1833, at Shaw House, Melksham, Wiltshire, England, where page 1076 he was educated, and commenced the study of chemistry at Weston-Super-Mare. He came to Port Chalmers in 1862, by the ship “Alhambra,” and after carrying on sheepfarming for about eight years, started business as a chemist and druggist at Queenstown in 1872, and twelve years later removed to Wyndham. Mr Evans served as clerk to the Wyndham Town Board for sixteen years, and is a lay reader in the Anglican church.

Pope, Edgar , Baker and Confectioner, Balaclava Street, Wyndham. This business was established at Edendale in 1898, and was removed to Wyndham early in 1903. It is conducted in a one-storey brick building, containing a shop, a commodious re-refreshment room, and a residence; and the premises also contain a bakehouse and stabling. Mr Pope was born in 1862 in Birmingham, England, where he was educated and found employment at his trade until coming to Port Chalmers by the s.s. “Arawa” in 1884. After five years' experience at Invercargill, Mr Pope went to Sydney, but returned to Southland in 1898. He has served as a member of the Edendale school committee, and in 1904 was vice-president of the Wyndham Racing Club. Mr Pope is attached to the Mokoreta Lodge of Freemasons, and also belongs to Alma Lodge, Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows. He was married, in 1888, to a daughter of the late Mr William Sycamore, of Christchurch and Invercargill, amd has, surviving, one son and two daughters.

Gerstenkorn, photo. Mr. E. Pope.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. E. Pope.

Finlayson, Thomas and Co. (Thomas Finlayson and Hugh McKerrow), Builders and Wheelwrights, etc., Wyndham. Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. This business was established in 1881 by Messrs T. and C. Finlayson, the latter of whom retired in 1888, and Mr McKerrow became a partner. The firm is well known throughout the Wyndham and Fortrose districts for the quality of its workmanship, as well as for the large amount of builders' requisites and furniture kept in stock at its emporium in Wyndham. Amongst the many buildings erected by Messrs Finlayson and Co. may bo mentioned the Wyndham dairy factory which forms a conspicuous landmark.

Mr. Thomas Finlayson , Senior Partner in the firm, who is the third son of the late Mr Robert Finlayson, was born near Dunblane, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1846. Educated at Greenloaning school, he was alterwards put to the carpenter's trade in Blackford, and worked as a journeyman in Glasgow and Edinburgh for ten
Wyndham Bakery.

Wyndham Bakery.

years before emigrating to Otago, by the ship “Canterbury,” in 1877. On arrival in New Zealand, he settled at Wyndham, where he worked at his trade, and, in 1881, established the present business in conjunction with his brother. In 1884, Mr Finlayson married May, daughter of the late Mr Hugh McKerrow, of the Survey Department.

Mr. Hugh Mckerrow , Junior Partner in the firm of Finlayson and Co., is the third son of the late Mr Hugh McKerrow, and was born in Glasgow in 1864. He was educated in that city, and also in Dunedin, where he learned the trade of a painter, etc. In 1897, he was married to Nellie, daughter of Mr John McLellan, farmer, Charlton, Southland.

Traynor Brothers , (Andrew Joseph Traynor, and Edward John Traynor), Builders and Contractors, Redan Street, Wyndham. This business was founded in 1876, by Mr Patrick Traynor, and was taken over by his sons in April, 1903. The buildings are of wood and iron, stand upon a freehold section of a quarter-acre, and consist of a wheelwright's shop, an ironmongery store, a show room, and page 1077 two coach-painting and finishing shops. Several of the public schools in the surrounding districts have been erected by the firm. The Messrs Traynor build houses and vehicles of all descriptions, and also act as undertakers.

Mr. Andrew Joseph Traynor , the Senior Partner, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1874, and two years later was brought by his father to the Bluff in the ship “Timaiu,” He was educated at Wyndham, where he was brought up to his father's business, which he and his brother took over in 1903. Mr Traynor is a' member of Lodge Alma, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity. He was married, in November, 1903, to a daughter of Mr S. Higgins, of Dunedin.

Gerstenkon, photo. Mr. A. J. Traynor And Mr. E. J. Traynor.

Gerstenkon, photo.
Mr. A. J. Traynor And Mr. E. J. Traynor.

Mr. Edward John Traynor , the Junior Partner, was born in 1880, at Wyndham, where he was educated and worked under his father until joining his brother in taking over the business in 1903., Mr Traynor is a member of Lodge Alma, Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity.

Wyndham Dairy Factory , Wyndham (Mr James McLauchlan, secretary). This factory was established in 1885, and was one of the first co-operative factories started in Southland, if not in New Zealand. The directors obtained the services of Mr S. M. Robbins, from America, as their principal manufacturer of cheese, and he subsequenty joined the service of the New Zealand Government as dairy expert. Mr James Sawers, by the excellence of his manufacture, brought the company's product to the forefront in the world's markets, and this reputation has been kept up by his nephew, Mr A. Cunningham. Prior to the introduction of a butter plant, the output of cheese ranged from 150 to 160 tons, and since then the yield has been 220 tons of cheese and 30 tons of butter annually. The butter is sold in the Dunedin and Invercargill markets, but some of the cheese is exported, and the balance finds a ready local sale. The Wyndham factory has won several gold and silver medals, and, for the third time, gained the Challenge Shield for butter at the Dunedin winter show of 1903. The shield is, therefore, now the absolute property of the company.

Mr. James Mclauchlan , Secretary to the Wyndham Dairy Factory Company and other companies, owning seven factories, was born in Scotland, and joined the Magnetic Telegraph Company as a cadet in 1869. When the British Government took over the telegraph lines throughout Great Britain, in 1870, he was appointed telegraphist at Thornhill, Dumfries-shire, and subsequently took charge of the Glasgow office of the Glasgow and Southwestern Railway Company, in 1879. At the close of that year, he emigrated to Port Chalmers by the ship “Timaru,” Mr McLauchlan settled in Wyndham in 1881, and became identified with the dairying industry of the district. Mr McLauchlan is a prominent Freemason and Oddfellow, besides an enthusiastic cricketer. He was initiated into Freemasonry at the foundation of Lodge Mokoreta, No 63, in 1888. and elected its Worshipful Master in 1904; he is, also, as an Oddfellow, secretary of Lodge Alma, No. 34, and was one of the founders of Mark Lodge, No. 1, of Mark Masons, of which he became master, and again took office in 1903–4, as Mark Master. In 1888, lie was elected a member of the Town Board, and chosen its chairman in 1890.

Mr. Andrew Cunningham , Working Manager of the Wyndham Co-operative Dairy Factory, who is the eldest son of Mr Peter Cunningham, farmer, was born in 1872, at Leswalt, near Stranraer, Wigtonshire, Scotland. He received his education at the National School in his native town, and at Stranraer Academy. In 1892, he sailed for New Zealand by the s.s. “Coptic,” and arrived in Wellington, whenee he went on to Otago, ami learned the trade of cheese-making at the Stirling factory. Subsequently Mr Cunningham became manager of the following dairies; namely, Victoria, Ashhurst (North Island), Wainui, Akaroa, and Cheviot, and in 1896 was appointed to his present position. Mr Cunningham's record as a cheesemaker is a very good one, his motto being “Excelsior,” He is a member of the Wyndham Rifle Club, and of Lodge Mokoreta, No 63, New Zealand Constitution, of Free and Accepted Masons.

Wood, Andrew , Merchant Tailor, Balaclava Street, Wyndham. This business was established by Mr J. Wood, father of the present proprietor. It is carried on in a commodious shop, where five persons are employed, and the cutting is done by the proprietor himself. Mr Wood was born in 1877, at Waikouaiti, and received his education at Port Chalmers. He learned the tailoring trade with his father, at Wyndham, and subsequently took over the business on his own account. Mr Wood is conductor of the Wyndham Brass Band, and a member of Court Royal Oak, Ancient Order of Foresteis. He holds a gold medal tor fishing, and the local rifle club's silver medal for shooting. Mr Wood was married, in 1898, to a daughter of the late Mr John Mitchell, farmer, “Sunnyside,” and has one son.

Farmers' Club Hotel (Mrs Jane Linton, proprietress), Balaclava Street, Wyndham. This old-established hotel is a two-storey brick building, containing ten bed rooms, on the ground floor, and twelve on the next page 1078
Farmers' Club Hotel.

Farmers' Club Hotel.

floor, besides two sitting-rooms and two dining-rooms.

Mrs Jane Linton , the Proprietress, was, born at Prestwick, Aylshire, Scotland, and attended school there and at Kilmarnock. She came to New Zealand by the ship “James Nicol Fleming,” in 1876, and after a year spent with an aunt at Clinton. She married the late Mr James Linton, cheesemaker, of Waimatuku, Mataura, and Dalefield dairy factories. Mr Linton died in April, 1899, at Oaklands, Mataura, leaving a family of three sons and seven daughters. Mr Linton was farming at Oaklands, and afterwards at Tuturau, before acquiring the Farmers' Club Hotel in 1904.

The Railway Private Hotel (James Walker, proprietor), comer of Balaclava and Redan Streets, Wyndham. This hotel is a two-storey brick building, containing fourteen bedrooms, two dning-rooms, which will seat twenty guests, and four sitting-rooms. There are nine rooms on the ground floor, and thirteen rooms and the bath-room, are on the next.

Mr. James Walker , who has been Proprietor of the Railway Hotel since June, 1903, was born in 1849, in Linlithgowshire. Scotland, and came with his parents to Port Chalmers by the ship “Alpine,” in 1859. The family settled in the Tokomairiro district, when he was brought up to country life, and was afterwards farming with his father at Balelutha. In 1871, Mr Walker, in conjunction with a partner, acquired two threshing mills, which he worked for about two years, and subsequently carried on fanning until he took over the Railway Hotel at Wyndhamham, in 1903. Mr Walter has been a member of the Town Board, has been on the committee of the local school, and is chairman of the recreation re-reserve, and one of the directors of the Wyndham dairy factory. He was married, in 1876, to a daughter of Mr James Milne, J. P., Wyndham, and has, surviving, five sons and three daughters.

Wilson, Andrew Anderson , Boot and Shoemaker, Redan Street, Wyndham. Mr Wilson was born in 1806, in Dunedin, where he was educated, and worked at his trade for about fifteen years. He established his present business at Wyndham in 1900, and his premises, which occupy part of a wood and iron building, consist of a shop and work-room. Mr Wilson was a member of the old Waikare Rifles for about seven years, and is a Past Chief Ranger of Court Pride of Dunedin, Ancient Order of Foresters, of which his father, Mr John Wilson, was secretary for thirty-three years. In 1893, Mr Wilson was married to a daughter of Mr Daniel Evans, ot North East Valley, Dunedin, and has three sons and one daughter.

Gerstenkorm, photo. Mr. A. A. Wilson.

Gerstenkorm, photo.
Mr. A. A. Wilson.

Winter, William John , Saddler and Harnessmaker, Balaclava Street, Wyndham. This business is carried on in freehold premises, and four persons are employed by the proprietor, who supervises the business himself. He also owns a farm of 150 acres at Menzies Ferry, and another of 361 acres, eighteen miles farther out in the country. On both farms mixed farming is carried on, and Mr Winter exhibits cattle, horses, pigs, and sometimes poultry at the public shows. He was born in 1851, at Lurgan West, County Antrim, Ireland, where he was brought up on his father's farm. He was apprenticed to the saddlery trade, and after working for some time as a journeyman, came to New Zealand in 1873, and started work in Dunedin. Mr Winter was subsequently at Milton for a short time before acquiring his present business at Wyndham. He was a member of the Wyndham Town Board for many years, and also of the Oteramika Road Board. Mr Winter, who is one of the directors of the Wyndham Dairy Factory Company, is a Master Mason in Lodge Southern Cross, and a member of Lodge Alma, Independent Order of Oddfellows, American Constitution. He was married, in 1878, to a daughter of Mr John Templeton, farmer, Waimatuku, and has seven sons and three daughters. (After this article was monolined, Mr Winter sold his business, and went on a visit to England.)

The Wyndham Branch Of The National Mortgage And Agency Company Of New Zealand, Limited , is situated in Balaclava Street, and a full stock of farm rs' requisites is kept.

Mr. Andrew Crosbie , Manager of the Wyndham branch of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, was born in 1884, at Forest Hill, in the Winton district, and was educated there, and at Wyndham. For some time he was employed as a traveller for Mr James Macalister, importer of agricultural Implements and machinery page 1079 Invercargill, and received his present appointment in 1903. Mr Crosbie was a member of the Wyndham band
Gerstenkorn, photo. Mr. A. Crosbie.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. A. Crosbie.

for a time, and is a member of the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

The Field-Gibson Flax Milling Company , Wyndham. This company's mill was established in 1903. The machinery includes a stripper and water scutcher, which are driven by a seven horse-power steam engine, and a dry scutcher, worked by an eight horse-power oil engine. About twenty men are employed at the mill, and the output has frequently been as high as twenty tons of dressed flax per month.

Mr. Oliver Moffat , Engine-driver at the Field-Gibson Company's mill, was born at Wakanui, Canterbury, on the 21st May, 1879, and was educated at Otautau. He was brought up as an engineer, and was afterwards engaged as engine-driver at Merrivale sawmill, where he was employed for two years. He then took up farming for some time, and afterwards became a partner in the Scott's Gap flaxmill, now the Field-Gibson Company's mill. Mr Moffat has had charge of the machinery since the establishment of the mill, which was recently removed from Scott's Gap to Wyndham.

Mr. O. Moffat.

Mr. O. Moffat.

The Redan Flaxmill is situated in the Wyndham Valley, about four miles from Wyndham. The mill is well equipped with two portable engines and a complete plant.

Mr. William Henry Crighton , Engineer at the Redan Flaxmili, holds a second-class competency certificate for driving stationary engines. He
Gerstenkorn, photo. Mr. W. H. Crighton.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. W. H. Crighton.

was born in 1881, at Wyndham. where he was educated, and engaged in general work until starting engine-driving with his present employer in August, 1902. Mr Crighton is a member of the local Lodge of Foresters, and he has taken part in cycling contests at Wyndham and Gore.
Beange, Alexander , Farmer, “Oware Bank,” Mimihau, Wyndham. Mr Beange was born in 1836, at Aberdeen, Scotland, and was brought up on his father's farm. He came to Port Chalmers, in 1860, and after gaining experience at general work for a short time, he took up a small farm on the Taieri, and started carrying to the diggings. Mr Beange came to the Wyndham district in 1867, and took his present property, consisting of 500 acres, on which he runs about 1,400 Border Leicester sheep, and he also
Gerstenkorn, photo, Mr. And Mrs. A. Beange.

Gerstenkorn, photo,
Mr. And Mrs. A. Beange.

owns another sheep farm of 1,030 acres at Mokoreta. Mr Beange has been secretary and treasurer of the Mimihau school committee for twenty-eight years; he has been a member of the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Society since its inception, was president for one term, and is now a member of the committee. He was married, in 1860, to a daughter of the late Mr Burnett, of Strichan, Aberdeen, Scotland, and has a family of eight sons and five daughters.
Greenlees, John , Farmer, Redan, Wyndham. Mr Greenlees was born at Campbelltown, Argyleshire, Scotland, on a farm which had been four generations in his family. He was brought up to farming, and managed a farm for five years before coming to Otago in 1878. In 1879, Mr Grrenlees settled in the Wyndham district, where he engaged in general work. In 1884, he took up 232 acres of his present holding, but he has since increased it to 420 acres of freehold, and 123 acres of leasehold, on which page 1080 he conducts sheepfarming and dairying. Mr Greenlees is a member of the
Mr. And Mrs J. Greenlees.

Mr. And Mrs J. Greenlees.

Redan school committee. He married a daughter of Mr Alexander Beange, of “Oware Bank,” and has three sons.
Laidlaw, John , Farmer, “Law-field,” Wyndham. Mr Laidlaw was born at the farm of Loguhariot in the
Mr. J. Laidlaw.

Mr. J. Laidlaw.

parish of Borthwick, Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1845, educated at Dalkeith and Edinburgh, and worked as an engineer for five years before coming to New Zealand, in 1869, by the ship “Agnes Muir.” He spent two years in an, engineering establishment in Dunedin, and about 1874 took a threshing plant from Dunedin to Oamaru, and later to the Timaru district. Mr Laidlaw afterwards held a farm in the Dunedin district for a year or two before removing to Wyndam, where he and his brother, Mr Adam Laidlaw, own 613 acres of land, which is devoted to mixed farming, and sheep, pigs, and other stock are exhibited at the Wyndham show. Mr Laidlaw was a member of the Wyndham Road Board from its inception to within a short period of its amalgamation with the County Council, and he is a member of the Redan school committee, and of the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Society. He married a daughter of the late Mr Graham, of Wyndham Valley, and has one son and one daughter.
Milne, James , J. P., Farmer, “Thistledown,” Wyndham. Mr Milne was born in 1838, in Kincardineshire, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up to country life. He came
Mr. J. Milne.

Mr. J. Milne.

to Port Chalmers in 1860 by the ship “Pladda,” engaged in farming work in the Taieri district, and was afterwards at Gabriel's Gully, where he was subsequently employed in a store. Mr Milne then moved to Lovell's Flat, where he farmed for two years, and started a threshing mill, which he worked in the districts between Lovell's Flat and Wyndham for a number of years. About 1866, he bought the nucleus of his present property, which he has since increased to 350 acres. When taken up, the land was in its natural state, but it has now all been cultivated, and is used for dairying and mixed farming. Mr Milne was the first chairman of the Wyndham Road Board; was afterwards for many years a member of the local school committee; was president of the Wyndham Agricultural and Pastoral Association on three different occasions; and was for twenty years a director of the Wyndham dairy factory, of which he was chairman for four years. He was also a member of the Southland County Council for a term, a member of the Wyndham Cemetery and Recreation Reserve Trusts; a member of the Wyndham branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and vice-president for the Southland provincial district; and since 1896, he has been president of the National Dairy Association for the South Island. Mr Milne was married, in 1858, to a daughter of the late Mr Robert Farquhar, of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and has had eight sons and seven daughters, of whom one daughter has died.

Williamson, George , Farmer, Redan Wyndham. Mr Williamson was born in 1848, near St. Andrews, Fifeshire, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up on his father's farm. He came to Port Chalmers in 1875 by the ship “Wild Deer,” and worked at a sawmill in Dunedin for about five years. He afterwards managed “Springbank,” for Judge Ward for a year, and Monte Christo for Messrs John Reid and Sons for five years, and was also manager at Morton Mains, and at Blackstone, in the Mossburn district. Mr Williamson worked a farm of 1,000 acres at Mossburn for about nine years, and was engaged in dairyfarming at Titiroa for four years before buying his present farm in 1903. The property consists of 550 acres, and a fine homestead and farm buildings have been erected. Mr Williamson was married, in 1878, to a daughter of Mr James Smith, warehouseman, Dunedin, and has three sons and three daughters.

Mr. Peter Heron Blackley , sometime proprietor of the Railway Hotel, Wyndham, was a very old and much respected colonist. He was born in Kirkeudbright, Scotland, in 1828. At the age of twenty-five years, he emigrated to Victoria, and remained in that colony for nearly eleven years, chiefly engaged in mining pursuits. He then came to New Zealand, and was shortly after joined by his brother Walter, with whom he entered into business, and the partnership was dissolved only by the death of his brother. Messrs Blackley Brothers were page 1081 contractors to the boroughs of Dunedin and Oamaru for supplying asphalt for the construction of footpaths. They were also engaged in mining speculations at Pomahaka, McRae's Flat and the West Coast. They next bought an hotel at Palmerston South, which they carried on until the death of Mr Walter Blackley. Mr P. H. Blackley then removed to Balclutha, where he became the owner of the Criterion Hotel. About 1894, Mr Blackley leased the Railway Hotel, Wyndham, which he conducted until his death, on the 20th of December, 1896. He was a keen and skilful bowler, and was formerly a leading member of the Balclutha Bowling Club. He was also a prominent Freemason, and an office-bearer of Clutha Lodge. Mr Blackley was twice married; his first wife died, leaving one son, who pre-deceased him by some years; by his second wife he had several children, but only one son and one daughter survive him, the others dying in infancy. Mr Blackley was buried at Balclutha, and the funeral was attended by a large number of settlers and members of Lodge Mokoreta, Wyndham, who observed the customary Masonic rites.

The Late Mr. P. H. Blackley.

The Late Mr. P. H. Blackley.

Mr. James F. Collins , An early pioneer Victorian settler of the fifties, and the eldest son of the Very Rev. James Collins, D.D., Dean of Killala, County Mayo, Ireland, was born in 1833, in Cavan, County Cavan, Ireland, and was educated for the Army at the Royal School, Cavan. Mr Collins, however, joined the service of the Provincial Bank of Ireland at Monaghan, in 1852, but left Ireland for Melbourne in 1853, and joined the post office at Bendigo in 1854. Subsequently, he engaged in mining at “Jim Crow,” Castlemaine, until 1858, when he re-visited his native land. He was married, in 1859, and sailed for New Zealand, arriving in Canterbury in December of the same year. In 1860, he settled in Southland, and was engaged in farming operations in the New River district untill March, 1888. Mr Collins took an active interest in the political, social and pastoral affairs of the district, and was elected a member of the first Provincial Council, and also was a member of the road board. He was one of the promoters of the Southland Frozen Meat Company, an industry which has conferred such vast benefits on Southland, and he was also a subscribing member of the Southland Acclimatisation Society. His son, Mr E. E. Collins, is noticed in connection with the dredging industry, under Waikaia.