Enfield is a settlement which lies between the Waiareka and Windsor junctions on the Oamaru - Tokarahi branch line of railway. The original name of the district was Teaneraki, after Mr. W. Meek's property, but it was changed in the early eighties to Enfield, so as to avoid confusion through its similarity to Taranaki. Enfield is in the Waiareka riding of the Waitaki county and in the Oamaru electorate, and the population of the district, including that of the small settlement of Teaneraki, is 289. The flag railway station at Enfield is but eight miles from Oamaru and five from Windsor junction, and is 142 feet above sea level. Enfield has a public school and a public hall, and a cremery, which was formerly a butter factory, and is worked by water-power. The business premises comprise two stores, two butcheries and two smiths' shops. Fermerly the district had a hotel, but it is now (1904) without a license. The business of the postal and telegraph department is conducted at one of the local stores. The surrounding country is of rich dairying and grain-growing quality, and is well watered by the Waiareka creek. The main road between Oamaru and Ngapara passes through the settlement.

The Enfield Public School was opened in 1875. The building, which stands on two acres of land, is of wood and iron, and contains two class rooms, with a porch and shed under the main roof. There is accommodation for 100 pupils; the roll number is eighty-five and the average attendance seventy. A good playground surrounds the school, and there in also a shelter shed. The teacher's residence contains seven rooms and is built on a terrace overlooking the school. The headmaster is assisted by an infant mistress.

Mr. Francis Golding , Headmaster of the Enfild Public School, was, born at Oakington, Cambridge, England, in 1815. He attended the village school for a time, and in 1852 was brought to Adelaide, South Australia, by his father, who died in April, 1903, in his ninety-second year. Mr. Francis Golding went to school in Adelaide and on coming to Otago, studied at the Tokomairiro Grammar School and at the Otago University for two sessions; indeed, he had the honour of being one of the first students of the last-named institution at its inception. His first appointment as a teacher was at Merton, Otago, in 1873. He was in charge at Merton for five years; and after taking a session at the Training College, Duuedin, he was subsequently for five years headmaster of the public school at Clinton, before receiving his present appointment at Enfield in 1883. Mr. Golding served as a volunteer in the Bruce Rifles, for two years, and as a Freemason he is attached to Lodge Waitaki, New Zealand Constitution, He, is also a member of the Enfield Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, of which he was secretary for about three years. Mr. page 479 Golding was married, in 1868, to a daughter of the late Mr. William White, of Tapanui, and has three daughters.

Mahan, photo.
Mr. F. Golding.

Cox, George Henry , Butcher, Wellington Street, Enfleld. This business was established in 1878, and has been conducted on the premises now occupied since 1881. Mr. Cox was born in Berkshire, England, in 1855, and attended school in his native place, Subsequently he served a part apprenticeship as a butcher in London, and came to Port Chalmers by the barque “Lutterworth,” in 1869. He entered the employment of Mr. H. T. Muscott, of Hampden, where he remained for nine years, when he removed to the Enfield district. Mr. Cox owns ten acres and a quarter of freehold, and leases fifty-five acres of educational reserve. He served for many years on the Enfiled school committee, of which he was secretary, and as a volunteer was six years in the Hampden Rifles and two years in the Oamaru corps. He is also a member of the Waiareka Lodge of Oddfellows. Mr. Cox was married, in March, 1883, to a daughter of the late Mr. Lawrence Robertson, of Caversham, Dunedin, and has a surviving family of four sons and seven daughters.

James, Edmond Peter , Butcher, Wellington Street, Enfield, This business was founded in 1830, and the premises consist of shop and residence, with an acre of freehold land attached. The proprietor also owns three-quarters of an acre of freehold on the opposite side of the road. The slaughterhouse is erected on part of a freehold of thirteen acres and a half in another part of the township. Mr. James was born at Barnett, Harts, England, in 1843, and was educated in his native county, where he served part of an apprenticeship. In 1862 he came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Cala,” and had experience on the Otago diggings, at Silverstream, Dunstan, and Cromwll. Three years later he visited the West Coast diggings, and was afterwards engaged in outdoor work at Cheviot Hills for some time Mr. James was engaged as slaughterman at the meat preserving works at Washdyke, near Timaru, for three years. before finally settling at Enfield in 1877. He commenced work there with Mr. Russell, butcher, and subsequently started his present business. For many years Mr. James served on the Enfield school committee and on the local library and hall committee; and was chairman of the library committee for about five years. He was married, in October, 1881, to the widow of the late Mr. Walter Worley, of Enfield, and has had two sons and one daughter, but one of the sons is dead. Mrs James had two sons and two dauehters by her first marriage.

Mahan, photo.
Mr. E. P. James.

Heenan, William , Farrier and General Blacksmith, Enfield, with a branch at Windsor. This business was established in 1877 by Mr. William Henderson, now of North East Valley, Dunedin, and was bought by Mr. Heenan in 1901. The premises consist of a shop and dwelling house, standing on eleven acres of leasehold land. The Windsor branch of the business was opened by the proprietor in 1902. Mr. Heenan was born at Taieri, Otago, in 1878, learned his trade at Riversdale, Southland, and afterwards found employment as a journeyman at Mataura and Invercargill. He served as a volunteer in the Riverton Rifles for about four years. and is attached to the Enfield Lodge of Oddfellows. Mr. Heenan was married, in 1902, to a daughter of Mr. William Shanks, of Mataara.

Anderson, James Stewart . Farmer, “Emleigh,” Enfield, “Emleigh” consists of 324 acres of freehold land, and is worked as a mixed farm. The proprietor was born in Stromness, Orkney Islands, in 1855, and was brought up to outdoor work on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen he went to America and spent six years there, at sea in summer, and working ashore in winter. He also had two years' experience as a sailmaker. In 1876 Mr. Anderson landed at the Bluff by the ship “Marlborough, on her second trip to the colony, For some time he worked at various contracts on Edendale station, and subsequently carried his swag to Gore when that settlement consisted of not more than eight houses. He was employed for some time at Gore, and afterwards worked on the formation of the Clinton-to-Clutha railway. Shortly afterwards Mr. Anderson settled in the Oamaru district, and was employed in dressing stone at the Totara quarry. Later, he bought into the reserve with partners, and started quarrying at Weston. Five years afterwards he sold his interest, and began in the same locality on his own account, and continued in that way for about four years. In 1886 Mr. Anderson commenced carrying on the roads, and still conducts that business. From 1894 to 1993 he had his stables at Weston on part of a leased farm of seventy-eight acres. While he was in the Weston district, Mr. Anderson was a member of the local school committee and of the Public Hall committee. He was married, in 1880, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Gargeeg, of Christchurch, and has four sons and four daughters.

Cowan, William , Farmer, “Haydowns,” Enfield. Mr. Cowan was born in 1833, in the parish of Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland, not far from the cottage of Robert Burns. He was brought up on a farm, and subsequently had experience for three years and a half in a writer's (lawyer's) office. In 1855 he arrived in Victoria, where he had a short experience on the diggings, and afterwards acquired an interest in a carrying business, in which he remained till 1862. He was then attracted to Otago and commenced carrying between Dunedin and the Dunstan. Afterwards he and a mate bought land in Shag Valley, where he farmed for a good many years till his partner married. Mr. Cowan then sold his interests, and settled at Waikouniti, where he leased land from Mr. John Jones—the well known pioneer colonist—und lived there for about twenty-one years. He was then for a short time in Palmerston, but removed in 1895, to Enfield, where he had leased a property of 360 acres. known as “Haydowns,” which he bought outright early in the year 1904. Mr. Cowan is well known throughout the colonies as a successful breeder of Ayrshire cattle, from an imported stud and the best colonial stock. For many years he has taken numerous prizes at Otago shows with these fine cattle, and has also been successful an an exhibitor of horses and sheep. Mrs Cowan was also a keen exhibitor of dairy produce and poultry at local shows. Mr. Cowan was page 480 for three years clerk and collector for the Blue Mountain Road Board in Shag Valley; he was also secretary to the Waikouaiti and Shag Valley—afterwards the Waihemo County —Agricultural and Pastoral Association and to the Palmerston Jockey Club. He likewise took a lead as secretary of local ploughing matches and athletic competitions. As Mr. Cowan is an accomplished violinist, his servicea were always in request at any marriage, ball, or party that took place in the Shag Valley district. Mr. Cowan was married, in 1877, to a, daughter of the late Mr. Charles McHardy, of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Mrs Cowan died on the 14th of July, 1901, leaving two sons and one daughter.

Mahan and Muir, photo.
Mr. W. Cowan.

Freeman, Frederick , Farmer, “Friston,” Enfield. Mr. Freeman was born at Halifax, Yorkshire, England, in 1847, and came to Port Chalmers with his parents by the ship “Nourmahal,” in 1856. His father was for four years in Dunedin and Kaikorai before buying land at Abbotsford, where he farmed for many years. It was in that distriet that Mr. Frederick Freeman gained his early experience of country life, and in turn he also followed the life of a settler there till 1891, when he sold his interest to take up up present property. Friston Farm consists of 518 acres of freehold, which is devoted to mixed farming. Mr. Freeman was married in 1880, to a daughter of the late Mr. John Dempster, who arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Stately,” in 1852, and was well known as a farmer at Green Island Bush. There is a family of four sons and one daughter.

Jackson, Peter , Farmer, Elderslie, near Enfield. Mr. Jackson is a native of Dumfries-shire, Scotland, He received his education and was brought up to pastoral pursuits in his native place, and came to Port Chalmers, in the ship “City of Dunedin” in 1867, under engagement to the late Hon. Robert Campbell, of Otekaike, when he remained for five years. Ho afterwards removed to Omarama, where he parsed ten years. He was then appointed to manage Lake Ohau Station, where he continued till 1891, when he became manager of Te Akaterawa Station, on the north bank of the Waitaki, for the National Mortage and Agency Company of New Zealand, Limited, When he left that position, he took up farming at Elderslie, Mr. Jackson married, in 1879, Miss Turnbull, of Oamaru, and has one son and two daughters.

Mr. P. Jackson.

Meek, William , Farmer, Teaneraki Farm, Enfield. Mr. Meek was born in Linlithgow, Scotland, and arrivod at Port Chalmers, by the ship “Electric,” on the 4th ol June, 1863. He at once went to the Oamaru district, where he purchased 2100 acres of virgin land, which he soon brought under cultivation. Excellent crops of wheat were grown, and in good seasons the yield gave as high an average as fifty bushels to the acre. Mr. Meek has carried on mixed farming, and finds the crossbred ewe with the Shropshire ram the most profitable for raising fat lambs for export. He is also a breeder of Ayrshire stock. Mr. Meek has always identified himself with everything that tends to advance the district; he was a member of the road board for over twenty years till it was merged into the County Council, and is still an active member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, school committee, etc. Mr. Meek was married, in 1863, to Miss Scott, and has two sons and six daughters.

Mr. W. Meek.

Rainforth, John , Settler, Enfield. Mr. Rainforth is the only son of the late Mr. Thomas Rainforth, of Enfield, and was born at Rye Farm in 1873, and was brought up to country life by his father. For a time he acted as manager of the Enfield butter factory, and was in charge when the property was sold to the North Otago Dairy Company. Mr. Rainforth has had experience in connection with dairy factories in the North Island, and was for a time with the Cheltenham dairy factory in the Wellington district. Since 1901 he has had charge of Messrs Nathan's butter factory at Utiku.

Mr. Thomas Rainforth , sometime of Enfield, was born in Yorkshire, England, and arrived in Victoria in the early sixties. Soon afterwards he came to Otago where he was a carrier on the goldfields for a number of years. He then became proprietor of Rye Farm near Elderslie, and afterwards bought a farm at Enfield, working both estates for a number of years. Mr. Rain-forth entered into partnership with Mr. George Bruce, and the firm worked the Enfield flour mill for some time. Mr. Rain-forth subsequently purchased his partner's interest, and worked the mill on his own account, and in 1891 established a butter factory, which he carried on at Enfield till his death in October, 1897. He was an enterprising settler, and at various times served as a member of the Waiareka Road Board. Mr. Rainforth was married, in 1867, to Miss Beckingsale, of Dunedin. His wife died on the 15th of September, 1875, leaving one son and three daughters.

Elderslie Estate , near Enfield. This estate is the property of Mr. John Reid, J.P., and is situated about ten miles from Oamaru, and within two miles of Enfield. The first part was purchased from the Crown by Mr. Reid as early as 1865, when the land was in its native state. However, Mr. Reid at once began to bring it under cultivation, and in some years 3000 acres were sown in grain and grass. All the land is now in grass, and what was not ploughed was surface sown. At first, Mr. Reid stocked his land with Merino sheep, but as the area under artificial grass increased he turned his attention to the heavier breeds, and kept only a small flock of Vermont Merinos, with a pedigree dating back to 1822. The members of this flock have been so carefully bred that their blood is as pure as that of the Tudors or Plantagenets. In 1879, Mr. Reid began to exhibit longwoolled sheep, and since then has exhibited at fifty-two shows, at which he has won seventy-two championship awards 315 first, 256 second, and seventy-one third prizes for sheep alone. “Elderslie” is also famous for its Clydosdale and thoroughbred horses, and shorthorn cattle. “Elderslie” House is a two-storey building of Oamaru stone; it is situated on rising ground and commands a noble view of the surrounding country. A fine avenue leads up to the house. The grounds are admirably laid out and their beauty is much enhanced by means of charming artificial lakes. As a sylvan landscape the neighbourhood of Mr. Reid's home is unsurpassed in New Zealand.

Mr. John Reid was born near Stirling, Scotland, in 1835. On leaving school he entered commercial life in Glasgow and came out to Australia in 1853. Ten years later he crossed the Tasman Sea and entered into business in Dunedin. He purchased the first part of “Elderslie” in 1865, and gradually increased his area till it amounted to 17,000 acres. In 1879 Mr. Reid bought the adjoining estate of “Balruddery” from Dr. Webster's trustees. It also consisted of 17,000 acres, and its purchase brought Mr. Reid's total area up to 34,000 acres. A considerable portion of the land has since been sold for settlement in agricultural farms. Mr. Reid has always taken an active part in public affairs. In 1868 he was made a Justice of the Peace, and was a member of the Otago Waste Lands Board from 1868 to 1872. He was one of the Railway Commissioners in 1880; has served on the local road board, the Oamaru Harbour Board, and has been twice president of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association. In his efforts to promote the frozen meat industry, he was instrumental in having the s.s. “Elderslie” built, and loaded the vessel himself on three successive trips. Mr. Reid was married, in 1855, to Miss Humphries, youngest daughter of the late Mr. James Humphries, of Paisley, and his family consists of seven sons and five daughters.

Mr. John Reid.