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

Waianiwa

Waianiwa.

Waianiwa is an agricultural and pastoral district in the electorate of Awarua, and in the Wallacetown riding of the county of Southland. At the census of 1901 the village had a population of 52, its neighbourhood 106, while the village of Argyle, which is also included in the settlement, had a population of eighty persons. Waianiwa is on the Invercargill-Orepuki line of railway, and the flag-station, twelve miles from Invercargill, stands at an elevation of fifty-three feet above sea level. It is surrounded by the districts of Spar Bush, Wallacetown, Wright's Bush, and Oporo. At the local railway station there is a timber-yard, which is supplied from the Spar Bush mills, with which it is connected by a tramway four miles in length. There is a library at the local public hall, where services in connection with the Presbyterian church are held regularly. The local public school is about a mile down the road, towards Wallacetown. The post office and the telephone bureau are conducted at the Waianiwa store, and there are two blacksmiths' shops. Waianiwa is noted as a rich farming district, and the land is gently undulating.

The Waianiwa Post Office has been conducted at the Waianiwa store since 1888, and a telephone bureau was opened at the same place in 1890. Mails are received, and despatched, daily.

Mr. James Goymer Steans , Postmaster and Telephonist at Waianiwa, was born in 1863, in Manchester, England, where he was educated and brought up to a mercantile life. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Dunedin,” in 1880, and afterwards settled in Invercargill. Mr Steans commenced business on his own account as a storekeeper, in 1891. He was chairman of page 921 the Waianiwa school committee in 1903, is connected with the Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge of Oddfellows, and is treasurer of the Waianiwa Athletic Society. Mr Steans was married, in August, 1886, to a daughter of Mr Philip King, of Wainaiwa, and has six sons and two daughters.

The Waianiwa Public School is said to be the oldest school in Southland. The original building, which now forms part of the teacher's residence, was used in the sixties as a school and residence combined. A school building was afterwards erected at the corner of the crossroads, Lower Waianiwa, and subsequently this building was removed a mile nearer to the township of Waianiwa. The school residence stands at the cross roads, on a site of ten acres, and the new school building stands on an acre of land. The school is a wood and iron building, and contains two classrooms, with accommodation for 100 children. At the end of 1903, there were sixty-five names on the roll, and the average attendance was fifty seven. The teacher in charge is assisted by a mistress.

Mr. A. Y. Smith , Headmaster of Waianiwa Public School, was born at Whitsome, Berwickshire, Scotland, and educated at the Kelso Grammar School. He was also for some time under the well known army tutor, the Rev. George Frost, of Kensington Square, London, and while there had as fellow-pupil, and, indeed, as room-mate, Lord Kitchener. Mr Smith arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Star of Tasmania.” in 1867, and for four years followed country pursuits. He entered the service of the Otago Education Board as a teacher at Waihola Gorge (now Milburn) in 1871, was appointed second master of the Oamaru Grammar School in the following year; five years later he became assistant master at the Otago Boys' High School, Dunedin, and held that position for fourteen years. In 1891, Mr Smith gave up teaching, owing to ill health, but resumed his profession in 1896. Mr Smith served for some years as a
Gerstenkorn, photo.Mr. A. Y. Smith.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. A. Y. Smith.

volunteer in the Oamaru Rifles, in which he held the rank of lieutenant, and was well known as a marksman. As a footballer, he represented Otago in 1877, and was a member of the first Otago team which toured New Zealand. While in Oamaru he was captain of the football and cricket clubs, and in Dunedin was one of the earliest members of the Carlsbrook Club.

Mckay, John , Saddler, Waianiwa. Mr McKay was born in 1866, at Wick, Caithness-shire, Scotland, and was educated at Thurso, where he was apprenticed to the harness-making trade. When he came to New Zealand, in 1863, he engaged in general farm work for some time. He then entered into business as a horse dealer, and was engaged in that line for a few years in various parts of the South Island. Since returning to his trade, Mr McKay has travelled about with a van and two horses, visiting various stations and farms all over Southland.

Steans, James Goymer , General Storekeeper, Waianiwa. Mr Stean's premises consist of a wood and iron building, containing a shop, post office and residence. There are also convenient stables standing on a freehold section, of one acre. Mr Steans is further referred to as the local postmaster.

The Waianiwa Timber Yard (New Zealand Pine Company, proprietors), Waianiwa. This yard is connected by tramway with the Spar Bush sawmill, and a large stock of timber is maintained, the surplus being sent away by railway, with which the yard is connected by a siding.

Mr. Francis Boyd , Manager of the Waianiwa Timber Yard, was born at Hobart, Tasmania, in 1858. He arrived in Southland at the age of five, and was brought up in Invercargill. When twelve years of age, he began to learn the sawmilling trade under his father, Mr William Boyd, of the firm of Boyd and Edwards. This firm afterwards sold the business to the Pine Company, in whose service Mr Boyd has since been regularly employed, except for eighteen months, during which he was engaged in flaxmilling. He was appointed manager of the yards in 1899. As a volunteer, Mr Boyd served for several years in the Invercargill Rifles, and, as an Oddfellow, he is a member of Lodge Pioneer. Mr Boyd was married, in 1879, to a daughter of the late Mr Frederick Mitchell, of Riverton, and has two sons and six daughters.

Beaven, Alfred , Farmer, “Brooklyn,” Waianiwa. Mr Beaven was born in Herefordshire, England, in 1840, educated in Gloucester and Worcester, and was brought up to a country life. He arrived at the Bluff in February, 1863, by the ship “Sir George Pollock,” the first direct ship from London to that port. Within six months after his arrival, Mr Beaven settled in the Spar Bush district, where he leased 364 acres of land, of which he has since acquired the freehold. Five years later he purchased “Brooklyn,” a property of 216 acres of freehold, to which he has since added a further 520 acres. Mr Beaven owns a stud flock of Border Leicester sheep, from the best colonial and imported strains. In 1876, Mr Beaven visited the Old Country, and on his return brought out a bull and two heifers of the Shorthorn breed, with which he laid the foundation of a herd of Shorthorns, which have taken many prizes. For a number of years he was a director of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and was one of the early directors of the Southland Frozen Meat Company. Mr Beaven is interested in the temperance movement, and was a member of the Good page 922 Templar Lodge at Wallacetown — the second lodge established in New Zealand. Since his arrival in the colony, Mr Beaven has enjoyed good health, which he attributes to the fact of his
Gerstenkorn, photo.Mr. And Mrs A. Beaven, And Mr. J. Beaven.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. And Mrs A. Beaven, And Mr. J. Beaven.

having been a total abstainer and non-smoker. He was married, in 1862, to a daughter of the late Mr James Gregg, of Herefordshire, England, and has one son.

Fraser, Lachlan , Drummond Farm. Waianiwa. Mr Fraser was born in 1836, in Inverness-shire, Scotland, where he was brought up on his father's farm. He came to Victoria in 1853, and worked for six months on the Fiery Creek diggings. He was afterwards engaged in country pursuits and arrived at the Bluff in March, 1856, with a cargo of sheep from Australia. At that time there were no houses in Invercargill, and Mr Fraser helped to cut the survey lines of the borough. He shortly afterwards acquired fifty acres of land in the Waianiwa district, in which he was one of the first half-dozen settlers. Mr Fraser has since increased his holding to 350 acres, and he also owns 360 acres of freehold at Spar Bush. Mr Fraser was a member of the Southland County Council, as representative for Wallace-town riding, in the early days, and was a member of the Aparima Road Board. He was married, in 1853, to a daughter of the late Mr John McLean, of Ross-shire, Scotland, and has had four sons and six daughters. Two of the sons are dead, and Mrs Fraser died in April, 1898.

Grieve, Robert , Farmer, Branxholm Park, Oporo. Mr Grieve was born in 1833, near Melrose, Roxburghshire, Southland, and was brought up to country pursuits. He came to Port Chalmers, in 1851, by the ship “Cresswell.” and was one of the early settlers in the Oamaru district, where he was employed as a shepherd for six years. Mr Grieve was the first to take sheep over the Kakanui river, and he placed 1,500 lambs on the Totara country for his employer, Mr Suisted. At that time Mr Grieve was obliged to live for some time in a cave, near the totara tree, after which the district came to be named. He also lived for four years at All Day Bay, which was named by him. In 1857 Mr Grieve came to Southland as pioneer for his father's family, and selected a property, which he named Branxholm,
Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.Mr. R. Grieve.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Mr. R. Grieve.

after his native place. He was the first settler in the district, the only communication with which was by boat on the Oreti river, and a track had to be cut through the bush in order to get cattle to his land. Some of the journeys between his property and Invercargill occupied several days, and it was not until he had been two years in the district that surveyors came to mark out the boundaries of his property. Mr Grieve has been successful in breeding Border Leicester sheep. From the early days he has used imported stock and the best selected colonial strains, and has been a prize-taker at the Southland shows from the time of their inception. He has also been successful with Short-horn cattle. Mr Grieve has frequently acted as judge at the shows held at Christchurch, Dunedin, Oamaru, and Palmerston North. He has long been a director of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and has held the position of president. Mr Grieve owns 128 acres at Oporo, 314 at Branxholm, and 341 at Waianiwa. He was married, in 1858, to Miss Cully, of Northumberland, England, and has six daughters and four sons.
Howells, Humphrey , Farmer, “Eatham,” Waianiwa. Mr Howells was born in 1835, in Tasmania, where he was educated and brought up to farming. In 1852 he went to Ballarat,
Mr. H. Howells.

Mr. H. Howells.

Victoria, but shortly afterwards removed to the Western district, where he was engaged in pastoral management for some years. In 1863, he came to New Zealand by the ship “Daniel Watson,” landed at the New River, Invercargill, and settled at Switzers. Mr Howells was for six years manager of the Ardlussa station and afterwards removed to Riverton, where he leased Eastbourne Park, the property of the late Captain Howell, and other property in the same district. After residing in the Riverton district for nine years, Mr Howells leased a farm at Wainaiwa in 1880, and five years later bought his present property consisting of fifty acres of freehold. This property was originally owned by the late Mr James Wilson, commonly called the “Speaker,” from his connection with the old Provincial Council. Mr Howells has served on the Waianiwa school committee. He was married, in 1869, to a daughter of the page 923 late Mr J. O. Gage, of Old Beach. Tas-mania, and has two sons and two daughters.

Mcdermid, Duncan , Farmer, “Willow Bank,” Waianiwa. Mr McDermid was born on the 21st of October. 1841, in Campbelltown, Argyleshire, Scotland, where he was educated, and brought up as a wheelwright. He landed at the Bluff from the ship “Helenslea,” in October, 1863, and worked at his trade in Invercargill for over twelve years. About Christmas, 1875, he settled at Waianiwa, where he had three years previously purchased 120 acres of freehold land. Mr McDermid has since resided on the property, which he has brought into a good state of cultivation. As a volunteer, Mr McDermid served in the G Battery; and as an Oddfellow, he joined St. George's Lodge in the early days, has passed through all the chairs, and is a Past Deputy Grand Master of the Order. Mr McDermid was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1900, and has served on the Waianiwa school committee. He was married, in November, 1861, to a daughter of the late Mr Andrew Ronald, of Campbelltown, Argyleshire, and has two sons and eight daughters.

Mclean, Alexander , Farmer, Tulloch Farm, Spar Bush Block, Waianiwa. Mr McLean was born in 1854, in Ross-shire, Scotland, and was brought up to country pursuits near the residence of the late Sir Hector Macdonald, Mulbulie, with whom, as a lad, he used to play. Mr McLean landed at the Bluff, on the 27th of December, 1882, by the ship “Zealandia,” and after farming at Waimatuku with a partner, for seven years, removed to the Spar Bush Block, where he has since resided. His original holding consisted of 282 acres, but was increased to 479 acres in 1900, and is worked as a mixed farm. Before leaving Scotland, Mr McLean served in the Inverness-shire Volunteers. In 1897 he became a member of the Waianiwa school committee, and has been connected with the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral and Caledonian Societies. He is also a chieftain of the Highland Society. Mr McLean was married, in 1891, to a daughter of Mr James Young, of Waianiwa, and has three sons and three daughters.

Smith, James , Farmer, Waianiwa. Mr Smith was born in 1851, in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was educated and brought up to farming. He arrived at the Bluff by the ship “Timaru,” in 1875, and was emploved for four years by Mr A. Beaven, when he commenced farming on his own account. His property consists of 166 acres of freehold, which is worked as a mixed farm. Mr Smith was married, in 1875, to a daughter of Mr William Ferguson, of County Tyrone, Ireland, and has had nine daughters and six sons, of whom two sons have died.

Weir, William , Farmer, Spar Bush Block, Waianiwa. Mr Weir was born on the 1st of April, 1851, at Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland. He landed at the Bluff by the ship, “Sir William Eyre,” with his father, in 1863, and was brought up as a bootmaker in Invercargill. In 1888 he gave up his trade, which was injuring his health, and bought 282 acres of land at Waianiwa. The property was then in its natural state, but has since been brought almost entirely into cultivation. As an Oddfellow, Mr Weir is a member of the Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge. In the early days he was a member of the first brass band in Invercargill, and he has been a member of the Waianiwa school committee, of which he was chairman for three years. Mr Weir was married, in 1879, to a daughter of Mr Willian Cruiek-shanks, twine manufacturer, Invercargill, and has, surviving, two sons and six daughters.

Wilson, James Lindsay . Farmer, “Argyle,” Waianiwa. Mr Wilson was born in 1862, in the Waianiwa district, where he was educated. He was brought up to country pursuits, and commeneed farming on his own account in 1893. His property, which he inherited from his father, the late Mr
Gerstenkorn, photo.Mr. And Mrs. J. L. Wilson.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. And Mrs. J. L. Wilson.

John Wilson, consists of 100 acres at Waianiwa, ninety-two of which are freehold, and twenty-one acres of freehold at Lower Waianiwa. Mr Wilson was married, in 1893, to a daughter of the late Mr John Blue, of Waianiwa, and has four sons and one daughter.
Young, James , Farmer, “Green-lees,” Waianiwa. Mr Young was born on the 22nd of November, 1836, in Duly parish, Perthshire, Scotland, and educated in Forfarshire, where he was brought up to a country life. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Henrietta,” in 1860, and, after residing in Dunedin for two years, went to West Taieri, where he was employed. successively, by Mr J. Reid and Mr J. Borrie. Mr Young afterwards worked for a time at Gabriel's Gully; he was then employed in brickmaking
Mr. J. Young.

Mr. J. Young.

making for nine months, and subsequently was engaged in carting, between the Dunstan and Dunedin, with his brother. Having gone to Southland, Mr Young resided for some time at West Plains, but removed, in 1865. to Mabel Bush, where he was engaged in farming with his brothers till 1879. Mr Young then returned to West Plains, where he bought 200 acres of land, but sold out three years later and bought 460 acres of freehold in the Spar Bush Block, which he has redeemed from its natural condition. While at Mabel Bush, Mr Young was for some years a member of the Road Board and school committee. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Dachers, of Forfarshire, Scotland, but his wife died in August, 1891, leaving one son and two daughters.
Mr. John Blue , sometime of Waianiwa, was born in 1843, at West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was educated. He was apprenticed as a carpenter at Saltcoats, and in 1863 arrived at the Bluff by the ship “New Great Britain.” Mr Blue settled at Waianiwa, where he acquired sixty-five page 924 acres of land, which area he afterwards doubled. He carried on the trade of a builder, and erected a number
The Late Mr. J. Blue.

The Late Mr. J. Blue.

of buildings at Wallacetown and other places, including the Wallace-town Presbyterian church, of which
Mrs. J. Blue.

Mrs. J. Blue.

he was for many years precentor. He was married, in 1867, to a daughter of the late Mr James Strang, of Avondale, Lanarkshire, Scotland, and at his death, in January, 1902, left a surviving family of six sons and three daughters.

Mr. John Wilson , sometime of Waianiwa, was one of the earliest settlers in the district. He was born in 1825, in Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was brought up as a marine engineer. In 1854 he arrived in Australia, and two years later removed to Southland, landing at the Bluff. Mr Wilson settled in the Waianiwa district, where he bought a section of land and subsequently increased his holding to 800 acres. In the early days he was a member of the Aparima Road Board. Mr Wilson was married, in 1853, to a daughter of Mr James Lindsay, of Renfrewshire, Scotland, and at his death, in 1899, left three sons and four daughters.