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

Weston

page 473

Weston.

Weston is only four miles from Oamaru. The main road, which passes through the village, branches off to the Ardgowan settlement on the right, and to Enfield, Elderslie, Windsor Park, and Ngapara on the left. There are two railway stations—Weston and Cormack's, respectively four miles and five miles from Oamaru, and 261 and 280 feet above the level of the sea. The surrounding country is used for dairy and agricultural farming, and a creamcry is in full operation. Another important industry consists in the local stone quarry, from whiich large blceks of beautiful white stone are sawn. Weston is in the Waiareka riding of the Waitaki county, and its population was 237 at the census of 1901. There is a public school and a church, besides stores and hotels.

The Weston Post And Telegraph Office is conducted at the residence of Mr. William Forrester. There has been a postal service in the district since the early seventies, and telephone connection was added about the end of the eighties. Two mails are received and despatched daily.

Mr. William Forrester , Postmaster in charge, has held office since September, 1892. He was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, on the 16th of January, 1831, and spent his early days mostly as a miner. Subsequently, he became a ploughman, and followed that calling for sixteen years. He transhipped from the ship “Oamaru,” at Port Chalmers, on the 10th of January, 1879, and went straight to North Otago, where he has ever since been a settler. Mr. Forrester found employment at Totara for a time, and was afterwards for two years at Weston, and, later, on the Ardgowan station, where he worked for seven years. He then settled at Weston, where he acquired a house and sections, when he was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Forrester was married, on the 17th of October, 1853, to a daughter of Mr. James Wilkie, of Fifeshire, Scotland, and has three sons and three daughters.

The Weston Public School dates from the seventies, and serves the Weston, Ardgowan, and Cave Valley settlements. It occupies an elevated section of five acres of land in the township of Weston, and has accommodation for 130 pupils. In September, 1903, there were 112 names on the roll, and the average attendance was ninety-four. The teacher's residence, of seven rooms, adjoins the school. Mr. William Edgar Bastings is headmaster.

The Weston - Totara - Ardgowan Parish of the Presbyterian Church was constituted in 1901, before which it had been included in the parishes of Columba and Enfield. Services are held every Sunday in the Public Hall, Weston, and in the churches at Totara and Ardgowan. The manse, a seven-roomed building, is erected near the railway station at Weston, on a section of eight and a half acres of land.

The Rev. John Gordon Mcleod , Minister in Charge of the Weston-Totara-Ardgowan parish, was born in 1867, at Milton, Otago. He was educated at the Arthur and Albany Street schools, Dunedin, and commenced to study for the ministry in 1892. He took terms at the University of Otago and at the Theological Hall, Dunedin, and was ordained in January, 1901, at Pukerau. In August, 1903, Mr McLeod was inducted into his present charge. He was married, in January, 1903, to a daughter of Mr. Walter Logie, of Dunedin, and granddaughter of the late Mr. Charles Hook Gordon Logie, of Dunedin.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Rev. J. G. McLeod.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Rev. J. G. McLeod.

McDowell, John , Storekeeper, Weston. This business was established in 1896, by its present proprietor. The premises consist of a double-fronted shop and residence, erected in stone, with stabling behind, and the land, which is freehold, is an acre and a quarter in extent. Mr. McDowell was born in county Antrim, Ireland, in 1837. He attended school in his native place, and was brought up chiefly to country life. In 1859 he went out to America, where he engaged in farming and speculating for seventeen years. After a short visit to Ireland, he came to Port Chalmers in 1876 by the ship “Oamaru,” and settled in North Otago. He was engaged in the agency business for a number of years in Oamaru, and was a member of the Borough Council for two terms, before establishing his business in Weston. Mr. McDowell is a Justice of the Peace, and has been a member of the Weston school committee. He was married, in 1864, in America, to a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Moison, of Scott, Courtland county, State of New York, and has two sons. Mr. McDowell visited the World's Fair at Chicago in 1892.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. and Mrs J. McDowell.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. and Mrs J. McDowell.

Allan, Robert , Farmer, “Fernieside,” Weston. Mr. Allan was born in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, on the 17th of September, 1835. His forefathers having been farmers, he was brought up to country pursuits, but afterwards served an apprenticeship for five years as a carpenter. In 1858 he arrived in Port Chalmers by the ship “Strathfieldsaye,” from the Clyde, and after a short time in Dunedin and Waikouaiti respectively, he went to Otepopo, under engagement to build a woolshed. On the last day of 1858, he arrived in Oamaru, and commenced working at his trade. Subsequently, he was employed page 474 at Papakaio, and at Otekaike station. Mr. Allan built the first house in the district, in the year 1859, for Dr. King. In 1861 he bought part of his land at Weston, and three years later built the first portion of his homestead, where he has since resided. He is a director of the Waiareka Dairy Factory. “Fernieside” is a valuable property, and consists of 160 acres of freehold. Mr. Allan was married, in 1864, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Gray, of Linlithgowshire, and has had three sons and three daughters, of whom one son and two daughters are dead. Mrs Allan was a passenger to Port Chalmers by the ship “Mataura” in 1863.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. and Mrs R. Allan and Son.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. and Mrs R. Allan and Son.

Allan, Robert , Junior, Farmer, “Bonniefield,” Weston. “Bonniefield” was originally part of the Totara estate, and comprises 151 acres of freehold land. Mr Allan, who is a son of Mr R. Allan, an old settler at White Rocks, near Oamaru, was born in the Oamaru district in 1865, and brought up to farming. He was cropping near Weston for three years, and in 1897, in partnership with his brother Peter, purchased “Bonniefield,” on which they have erected a comfortable homestead, and a good deal of fencing. Mr. Allan was a member of the North Otago Mounted Rifles for two years, of the Weston Hall Committee for three years, of the Waiareka Public Library for two years, and is at present (1904) a manager of the Weston Church Committee. He was married in 1900, to a daughter of Mr D. Chalmers, blacksmith, of Weston, and has two daughters and one son.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. R. Allan, Junr.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. R. Allan, Junr.

Crothers, William , Farmer and Stock Dealer, “Ataahua,” Weston. This settler was born in Tasmania, in 1885, and was educated in that colony and in New Zealand. He was brought up to country life, and settled on the Ardgowan estate in 1896, when he drew a section of forty acres, under a lease in perpetuity. Mr. Crothers' property is close to the main road, and his homestead is both convenient and attractive. Mr. Crothers is a member of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and, as a stock dealer, he does a considerable business in North Otago. As a Forester, he is attached to Court Pride of Oamaru.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. W. Crothers' Residence.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. W. Crothers' Residence.

Dick Brothers (John Dick and Robert Dick), Farmers, “Netherlea,” Weston. “Netherlea consists of 320 acres, of which 280 acres are freehold, and forty leasehold. It is worked as a dairy and agricultural farm, and is noted for its excellent root crops. The yield in wheat for the year 1903 was fifty-six bushels to the acre.

Mr. John Dick , the Senior Partner, was born in 1873, at Burnside, Waiareka Valley, and was educated at Ngapara. He was brought up to country life, and with his brother commenced farming in 1897. Mr. Dick is a member of the Weston Library Committee, and is also one of the managers of the local Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Robert Dick , the Junior Partner, was born at Clifton, in 1875, and educated at Ngapara. After gaining experience at farming, he went to Oamaru, and followed mercantile puruits for three years, before taking up “Netherlea” with his brother in 1897. Mr. Dick was at one time a member of the Oamaru High School Cadets.

Harvey, George , Farmer, “Summerhill,” Weston. Mr. Harvey was born at Inchclutha, in 1867, and is the only son of the late Mr. William Harvey. He was educated in his native place, and worked with his father till the latter's death in 1901, when he acquired “Summerhill.” This property consists of 500 acres of rich land, which is worked as a mixed farm. Mr. Harvey was married in June, 1895, to a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Mitchell, of “Parkside,” Weston, and has one son and one daughter.

Mahan and Muir, photo. See page 474 Mr. G. Harvey.

Mahan and Muir, photo. See page 474
Mr. G. Harvey.

Jenkin, Thomas , Farmer, Pine Farm, Weston. Mr Jenkin's property consists of thirty-eight acres, held under lease in perpetuity, and was a portion of the Ardgowan estate, bought by the Government for closer settlement. The proprietor was born in 1854, in Cornwall, England, where he was educated. For some time he was engaged as an enginedriver, page 475 and in 1875 he arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Wennington,” and almost immediately settled in North Otago. For about twenty years he found employment an engine-driver in the district, and commenced farming at Ardgowan in 1896. As a Forester Mr. Jenkin was for some time a member of Court Pride of Oamaru. He was married, in 1873, to a daughter of the late Mr. Joshua Sincock, of Cornwall.

Lindsay, James , Farmer, Weston. Mr. Lindsay was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 4th of April, 1834. He was brought up to country pursuits, and came to Port Chalmers by the second trip of the ship “Wellington.” in February, 1879. Mr. Lindsay settled in North Otago, and was farming on his own account at Totara for about twenty years. Having sold his estate, he bought land at Ardgowan, but he resold it within a twelvemonth. In May, 1902, he purchased four acres of land at Weston, on part of which his residence stands. Mr. Lindsay has served as a member of the Totara school committee for about six years. He was married, in 1858, to a daughter of the late Mr. James Ferguson, of Lanarkshire, Scotland, and has had three sons and six daughters; of the daughters, two are dead. In the year 1903, Mr. Lindsay had twenty-nine grandchildren.

McGregor, Daniel , Farmer, George Farm, Weston, Mr McGregor was born in 1838 in West Stirlingshire, Scotland, near romantic Loch Lomond, where he was educated at the parish school, and in his early years followed farming. He came to the Colony in 1863 in the ship “Arimea,” worked as a farmer to the south of Dunedin for six years, removed to the Oamaru district in 1870, and in 1891 settled at Weston. Mr. McGregor is an enthusiastic stock-breeder and a very successful exhibitor of Clydesdale horses and Ayrshire cattle. He gained, in one day, in 1879, three gold medals for Ayrshires, won the cup as the largest prize-taker in 1892, besides winning the first prize and a championship with his horse “Glengyle,” and also gained the gold medal for the best entire colt. Mr. McGregor is a director of the Waiarcka Dairy Factory, and a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, school committee, etc. His residence is a substantial two-storey stone building, with stables and out-houses of the same material.

Milmine, James , Farmer, “Lancefield,” Weston. Mr. Milmine was born in 1840, at Galloway, Wigtonshire, Scotland, and served an apprenticeship of five years as a joiner, and two and a half years to marine engineering, at Lancefield. In September, 1863, he arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Mataura.” After working a year as a joiner in Dunedin, Mr. Milmine was employed as joiner and millwright for ten years by Mr. James Allan, of Hope Hill, Taieri. He then became a mill owner, and worked his plant for a year at the Taieri. In 1875 he removed to Elderslie, and was subsequently farming for a good many years at Otiake, besides working his plant throughout North Otago. Mr. Milmine bought “Lancefield,” which consists of 116 acres of freehold, in 1902, and his son owns 205 acres adjoining. While in Scotland, Mr. Milmine served for five years as a volunteer in the 4th Lanarkshire Rifles, and was present, in 1860, at a review by the late Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. After his arrival in New Zealand, he was for some time a member of the East Taieri Rifles. Mr. Milmine was chairman of the Brighton Road Board, in the Taieri district, for some years, and while at Otiake he served on the school committee for a number of years, and was chairman during part of the time. Mr. Milmine was married, in 1862, to a daughter of the late Mr. Allan Roxburgh, of Taieri, and has four sons and seven daughters.

Mr. and Mrs J. Milmine.

Mr. and Mrs J. Milmine.

Mitchell Brothers (Joseph and James Mitchell), Farmers, “Parkside,” Weston. “Parkside” consists of 1100 acres of freehold, and is devoted to mixed farming. The stock includes Clydesdale horses, from colonial strains and the entire “Heather Laddie,” a Shorthorn herd of twenty cows, and a small flock of Border Leicesters. The firm's machinery comprises a portable engine, and threshing, chaff cutting, and sawing mills. With the latter, timber grown on the estate is prepared for use in the erection of outbuildings.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Messrs J. and J. Mitchell.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Messrs J. and J. Mitchell.

Mr. Joseph Mitchell , Of the firm of Mitchell Brothers, was born in 1873, in Dunedin, where he first attended school, and subsequently completed his course at Weston. He was brought up to country life at “Parkaide,” page 476 and has worked the property with his brother since the death of their father, Mr Henry Mitchell, in April, 1891. Mr. Mitchell has been a member of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association since 1896. As a Freemason, he is attached to Lodge Waitaki. He was married, in 1896, to a daughter of the late Mr. George Brown, of Weston, and has three daughters and one son.

Turfis, James , Farmer, “Hazel Park,” Weston. Mr. Turfis was born in the Orkney Islands in 1858, and arrived in Port Chalmers in 1877, by the ship “Timaru.” He settled in the Oamaru district, worked for a time at Enfield, and was afterwards cropping in the district for fourteen years, and for three years on Mr. Gilchrist's property. In 1897 Mr. Turfis leased “Hazel Park,” which comprises 218 acres of land. Before coming to New Zealand, he served as a volunteer in the Orkney Artillery for six years; as a Freemason, he is attached to Lodge Oamaru Kilwinning. Mr. Turfis has also been a member of the Weston school committee. He was married, in 1897, to a daughter of Mr. John Taylor, of Oamaru.

Mahan and Muir, photo. Mr. J. Turfis.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. J. Turfis.

Mr. William Harvey , some time of “Summerhill,” Weston, was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in 1844. He was brought up to country pursuits, and came to Port Chalmers by the ship “City of Dunedin” in 1864. He settled in the Inchclutha district, where he farmed until removing to Ngapara in 1879. Ten years later, Mr. Harvey acquired “Summerhill,” at Weston. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Lindsay, of Edinburgh, and at his death, in September, 1901, left one son and one daughter