Hyde lies at the northern end of the Strath Taieri plain, where the boundary ranges converge. The modern Hyde, which came into existence with the opening up of the Otago Central railway, is sixty-four miles north-west from Dunedin, and has a railway station—with a post and telegraph office—a hotel, store, and public hall. A refreshment room has been established, and both up and down trains stop twenty minutes for passengers to have luncheon. The old Hyde township is a mile further on, where there is a flag station, at which all trains stop. This township, which is named after the late Mr. John Hyde Harris, at one time Superintendent of Otago, was the scene of much mining activity in the early days. It has an old-established hotel, a public school, two stores, and a blacksmith's shop. A handsome Catholic church has also been erected, and services of other denominations are held in the schoolhouse. Hyde township is 1103 feet above the sea, and so possesses an invigorating and bracing climate; hares and rabbits abound on the surrounding hills. The district is devoted chiefly to pastoral purposes, but some small areas have been brought under cultivation.

Rockvale Estate (Patrick Kinney, J.P., proprietor), Hyde. This property comprises about 7,000 acres, a portion of which, on the undulating ridges and valleys, consists of good arable land, where root crops give abundant returns. The greater part of the estate, however, is used as a grazing run, extending to the summit of the Rock and Pillar Range; and a large flock of crossbred sheep is depastured. The homestead, where Mr. Kinney resides, stands on the lower portion of the property, near the main road.

Mr. Patrick Kinney , J.P., the Proprietor, is further referred to as a member of the Maniototo County Council.

Mr. P. Kinney.

Mr. Phillip Augustus Connolly , Old Colonist, was formerly Assistant Clerk of Court and Bailiff at Naseby. He was born in West Street, Drogheda, Ireland, on the 15th of October, 1829; went to sea at the age of twelve years, served for twelve years, and rose to the position of chief officer on the ship “Rover's Bride.” In 1853, he left the sea at Sydney and had some years of experience in goldmining in California, New South Wales and Victoria, whence he came to Otago in November, 1861. On his arrival in New Zealand, he went to Waitahuna, where he was engaged in cutting the first water-race on the Otago goldfields. In February, 1863, Mr. Connolly was appointed inspector of licenses and bailiff for the Mount Benger (now the Teviot) goldfields. Two years later he became bailiff of the court at Tuapeka, whence he was transferred to Hamilton. In 1866, he was transferred to Naseby, and at the time of his retirement on the 3rd of May, 1899, he was one of the oldest officers in the service, of which he had been a member for thirty-six years three months and fifteen days. Mr. Connolly was married on the 3rd of January, 1860, to a daughter of Mr. J. Bedmond, now of Hyde, and has three sons and two daughters, besides three grandchildren. He now resides at Hyde, where he owns a good deal of property.

Mr. P. A. Connolly.