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

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Watson, Henry , Sawmiller, Riverton. Mr. Watson was born in Sydney in 1857, and came to Riverton in his infancy with his father, Mr. John Rowan Watson, at one time ferryman on the Aparima and Pourakino rivers. Mr. Watson was educated by Mr. Ross, who conducted the subsidiary school across the Aparima river, before the present bridge was built. He was engaged in bush work and bridge building for about fourteen years, and in 1885 started a saw-mill at Pahia, which he worked until 1890, when the machinery was removed to its present site. The plant, which is driven by a twelve horse-power engine, is capable of sawing 3000 feet per diem. Trade is principally confined to timber for building purposes, railway sleepers, and “junks,” which are chiefly of rimu, totara, matai, miro, and kamai. Mr. Watson was married in 1889 to the fourth daughter of Mr. Robert Frew, of South Riverton.