The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Ophir
Ophir
Ophir is an old mining township on the south bank of the Manuherikia river in the county of Vincent, 122 miles north-west from Dunedin; and here a fine suspension bridge spans the river. A daily coach service connects Alexandra with Ophir. The old township has a post and telegraph office, a branch bank, churches, a public school, stores, and two hotels, Ophir was formerly known as Blacks, and probably it will again take this name, as a new township of Ophir has been surveyed on the north bank of the Manuherikia. This is on the line of the Otago Central railway, which, having been constructed up to this point in August, 1904, was opened for traffic. Three hotel licenses have been granted for the new township, and stores are (1904) in course of erection.
Mr. David Mitchell , Inspector of Works under the Public Works Department in connection with the Otago Central Railway extension, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was brought up as a stonemason, but had some experience on the Scottish North-Eastern Railway. In 1873 he came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Jessie Readman,” and had a general colonial experience, besides working at his trade, for a time. He joined the railway construction works as assistant overseer at Hyde in 1893, and was promoted to his present position in January, 1896. When the Deborah Bay tunnel at Port Chalmers was completed Mr. Mitchell was foreman of works for McKenzie. Brothers. He was married in 1872, to a daughter of the late Mr. K. McKenzie, formerly of Ross-shire, and latterly of Morayshire, Scotland, and has one son and one daughter.
Mr. D. Mitchell,
Mcconnochie, William , General Merchant, Draper and Importer, St. Bathans, and Ophir; Mr. G. A. Francis is manager of the Ophir branch of this business, which is further noticed under St. Bathans.
Mr. George Albert Francts was born in December, 1875, at Naseby, where he commenced to learn his trade as a baker and confectioner. He completed his apprenticeship in Dunedin and worked as a journeyman at Waitahuna and Naseby till he established a business at St. Bathans in 1895. He was afterwards in business at Clyde, but disposed of his interest to enter on the management of Mr. McConnochie's Ophir branch. Mr. Francis was married in March, 1898, to a daughter of Mr. A. Haig, of Shepherd's Flat.
Mr. And Mrs W. Leask