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

Pukeuri

page 560

Pukeuri.

Pukeuri is about five miles from Oamaru, on the main road, at the point where it branches towards the Waitaki valley. At the railway station, which is an important junction, and six miles north of Oamaru, the branch line to Kurow and Hakataramea leaves the main line. The railway station is also the post and telephone office. There is a creamery close to the station, and otherwise the township consists of a hotel, and a blacksmith's shop. The district has a considerable area of flat land, which extends to the base of the hills, which rise up towards Papakaio and Ardgowan, Pukeuri is in the Papakaio riding of the Waitaki county, and had a population of 269 at the census of 1901.

The Pukeuri Junction Railway Station And Post Office Combined was established about the end of 1880. on the opening of the line. The north express stops to set down passengers for the Kurow branch, and four ordinary trains pass through the station daily.

Mr. James Shennan Kirkpatrick , Stationmaster and Postmaster at Pukeuri Junction, was appointed to the position in 1901, bavin previously been stationmaster at Granity, Westland, for two years. He was also at Seddonville for some time. Mr. Kirkpatrick was born at Dunedin, and received his education at the Dunedin Collegiate and Normal schools, He joined the railway department in 1884, as a cadet. In 1893 he was transferred to Burnside, Otago, where for four years he was assistant stationmaster. In 1897 he was promoted to be traffic-clerk at Westport, and he was thence further promoted to Seddonville. He was married, in 1898, to a daughter of Mr. W. A. Fastier, of the Railway Department, Dunedin, and has two daughters.

The Pukeuri Public School , was built in 1871, mainly through the efforts of Messrs Duncan, Gray, Easton, Cuthbertson, and Goodall. The first building cost over £250, but, owing to the Increase of scholars, it was found too small, and a more commodious building was erected. It is beautifully situated on the side of a hill, commanding a good view of land and sea, and is surrounded by a playground, an acre in extent. Two large play sheds are attached to the school; and there is a fine new school hall (50 × 20). The average attendance for the year is about seventy.

Mr. James Moir , the Headmaster of the Pukeuri Public School, was born near Balclutha, in 1865. He was educated at Hillend and at the Tokomairio High School; was two years in the Normal Training College, Dunedin, and one year at the University, having gained a scholarship at the Dunedin Training College, tenable for two years. Mr. Moir's first school was Circle Hill, where he remained for sixteen months. He then removed to Mount Cargill, where he taught for six years, and was appointed to Pukeuri in 1893. Mr. Moir, who holds a D1 certificate, was married in 1893 to Miss Moir, of Balelutha.

Mr. J. Moir.

Mr. J. Moir.

Easton, William , Farmer, “Whit-burgh,” Pukeuri. Mr. Easton was born in 1832 in Midlothian, Scotland, where he was educated and brought up to farming. He landed at Port Chalmers in 1858 from the ship “Jura,” and worked for three years at Messrs Pyke Brothers' station at Waikakahi. Afterwards he bought 120 acres near Totara, which was farmed by him until the year 1873, when he disposed of it, and formed his present substantial home at Pukeuri. “Whitburgh” consists of 500 acres; and in addition to this area, Mr Easton leased and farmed 1500 acres at Waimate for some years. Mr. Easton can depend on raising fair crops in the driest season, as his land draws moisture from the sea. For a number of years Mr. Easton was a member of the now defunct Papapaio Road Board, and was chairman of the library committee and a
Mr. W. Easton.

Mr. W. Easton.

page 561 member of the Pukeuri school committee. Mr. Easton was married, in 1857, to Miss Macandrew, of Aberdeen, and has two sons and three daughters.

Gray, William Lockhart , Farmer, “Frankfield,” Pukeuri, Mr. Gray was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1826, was educated in his native place and worked on his father's farm. In 1862 he emigrated to New Zealand, and went to Oamaru, when he worked for Mr. John Allan for twelve months. He then bought a team of three horses, paying £92 per head for two and £55 for the third, and commenced carrying to the diggings, as high as £110 per ton being paid at that time for freight from Oamaru to Albertown. This rate was soon reduced to £60, though the price of oats was fifteen shillings per bushel. Mr. Gray bought seventy-four acres of land from the Government at thirty shillings per acre. It was in its native state, and he put it down in wheat. In the first year he threshed at the rate of twenty-five bushels per acre, and realised ten shillings per bushel. Since his original purchase, Mr. Gray has bought other land, paying as high as £21 5s per acre for it, and he now owns 550 acres in all. He was a member of the first road board formed in the district, and also a member of local school and church committees. Mr. Gray was married, in 1861, to Miss Waddell, of Lanarkshire, and has six sons and seven daughters.

Mr. W. L. Gray.

Mr. W. L. Gray.