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

Wairio

Wairio.

Wairio is a portion of the Wairio riding of the county of Southland. At the census of 1901, the riding had a total population of 1,443. At the same time the population of the village and neighbourhood was 271, to which should be added forty-four near Woodlaw railway station, and forty-seven at Opio. The railway from Otautau to Nightcaps passes through the district, and the flag station is forty-three miles distant from Invercargill, and 420 feet above the level of the sea. There is also a second station, about one mile nearer Otautau, known as Woodlaw. The main road from Otautau to Nightcaps passes through the district, which is watered by the Opio, Waicola, and Wairio streams, all tributaries of the Aparima river. A large property in the vicinity of Wairio, long known as Waicola estate, has been cut up for closer settlement. The local school stands at the corner of the Otautau, Nightcaps, and Scott's Gap roads, and had an average attendance of forty-five children in 1904. The township of Wairio adjoins the railway station, and may be said to occupy a central position, between the settlements of Scott's Gap and Wrey's Bush; and the southern boundary is the line of hundred which separates the district from Aparima. The township of Nightcaps was originally included in the Wairio district. Wairio has a Presbyterian church, a hall, an hotel, and a store, at which the business of the post office and telegraph departments is conducted. The settlement is twelve miles from Otautau, five miles from Aparima, six miles from Scott's Gap, and five miles from Wrey's Bush.

Bates, Nathaniel , Farrier and General Blacksmith, Wairio. This business was established in 1881, and the shop stands on a section of half an acre of land, close to the main road. Mr Bates' residence is in Stanley Street, where he owns six acres of land. Mr Bates was born on the 1st of September, 1856, at Riverton, where he was educated and learned his trade. He worked for some years at Riverton and Otautau before establishing his present business. As a Freemason, he is attached to Lodge Wallace, Otautau; he served as a volunteer in the Riverton Rifles for five years. Mr Bates was married, in November, 1896, to a daughter of Mr John Kelly, of Makarewa, and has one son and three daughters.

Liggett, James , Farmer, “Greenmont,” Wairio. Mr Liggett was born in 1856, in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was educated and brought up to farming. He came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Napier”—formerly known as the “James Nicol Fleming”—and worked in the Clutha district for about a year. Shortly afterwards, he bought a farm at Wairio, where he has erected a comfortable homestead, and has converted the land from its original tussocks to a good state of cultivation. The condition of the property when purchased by Mr Liggett can be imagined, when it is stated that he was so benighted one evening that he tired himself out in attempting to find his way to his hut, and ultimately had to sleep in the tussocks. Mr Liggett has been a member of the Aparima school committee, and is one of the trustees of the Aparima Methodist church. He was married, on the 29th of June, 1893, to a daughter of the late Mr James Holmes, of County Tyrone, Ireland. This lady died on the 18th of April, 1897, leaving two sons and two daughters. Mr Liggett was married a second time, on the 29th of September, 1900, to a daughter of Mr Joseph Peart, of Dunedin, and has one son by this marriage.

Mr. J. Liggett.

Mr. J. Liggett.