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

Wylie's Crossing

Wylie's Crossing.

The School At Wylie's Crossing was erected in the early nineties for the children living in the district, who formerly had to attend the North Taieri district school. The school building is of wood, and contains two class rooms. The schoolhouse, master's residence and playground cover about three acres of land. There is an average attendance of thirty-four scholars.

Mr. Lionel Edwin Ellisson , Master in charge of Wylie's Crossing school. Taieri, Otago, was born in 1886 in London, and educated at St. Philip's school, Islington. He came to New Zealand with his parents' in 1874 by the ship “Star of China,” and for a time attended school at Clinton, where he was afterwards a pupil teacher. He subsequently studied at the Teachers' Training College, Dunedin, and while there acted as relieving teacher at the Kensington, Albany, Union. High Street, and Normal schools, and was also at the Waitapeka and Wailmla schools in a similar capacity. Mr. Ellisson was then appointed assistant master at the Oamaru Middle District school, leaving there to become headmaster of the Tuapeka West school, where he remained for six years, before receiving his present appointment in 1898. Mr. Ellisson was married in January, 1901, to a daughter of Mr. John Smith, of Tuapeka West, and has one son.

Muir Brothers (Robert Muir and William Muir), Farmers. Ardgowan Farm, Wylie's Crossing, Taieri. Ardgowan Farm contains 365 acres of leasehold property, mostly flat land. About 400 Border Leicester crossbred sheep are depastured on the property. About 100 acres are sown in wheat and oats, the wheat averaging thirty-five, and the oats forty-five bushels to the acre. Thirty acres are sown with green crops for the grazing of stock.

Mr. Robert Muir , Of Ardgowan Farm, was born in 1869, in the Taieri district, and educated at the North Taieri district school. He is a member of the Farmers' Union, and of the committee of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society; and has been a member of the Wylie's Crossing school committee. Since 1893 Mr. Muir has been a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge at Mosgiel.

Mr. Willium Muir , Of Ardgowan Farm, was born in 1872, and educated at the North Taieri district school. Like his brother. Mr. Muir has been a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge at Mosgiel since 1893.

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Mckeagg, Richard , Farmer, Wylie's Crossing. Taieri. Mr. McKeagg was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1856, and came out to New Zealand when he was in his teens. He arrived at Wellington on the 8th of September, 1873, by the “Douglas,” on the first trip that vessel made to the colony. Napier was Mr. McKeagg's destination, whither he proceeded in the “Luna.” After reaching Hawke's Bay he found employment at the Takapuna Hotel, and while there he met his future wife. After his marriage he was for two years engaged on Mr. G. D. Hamilton's station, and for one year on Mr. Sluden's station, near Napier. In 1876 Mr. McKeagg and his wife came down to Otago to visit some friends, and, liking the climate, and being offered employment on a farm, he remained in the south for six months. On account of the heavy flood which destroyed the crops early in 1877, and devastated the district, Mr. McKeagg decided to return to Ireland, and with his wife and child sailed in the ship “Dunedin, which, on its next voyage to the Old Country, was lost with all on board. After six months at Home, Mr. and Mrs McKeagg began to wish themselves back in New Zealand, and they soon set sail again for Otago, where they arrived in 1878. by the ship “Oamaru.” After a while spent in Mr. James Shand's service. Mr. McKeagg, in partnership with Mr. David Shand, bought a steam threshing plant. At the end of ten years Mr. McKeagg bought his partner out,
Mr. R. Mckeagg, The Late Mrs McKeagg And Family.

Mr. R. Mckeagg, The Late Mrs McKeagg And Family.

Four Twin Children Of Mr. And Mrs R. McKeagg.

Four Twin Children Of Mr. And Mrs R. McKeagg.

and worked the plant on his own account. Subsequently he leased a 400-acre farm from Mr. David Shand, but he relinquished it at the end of three years. On account of the state of his health, Mr. McKeagg decided to take another sea voyage, revisit Ireland, and at the same time bring back with him his wife's father. But on reaching Honolulu, he became so ill that he deemed it expedient to return with all haste to New Zealand. Shortly after his arrival he bought his present farm, and has since devoted himself chiefly to dairy farming. Mr. McKeagg's wife died on the 25th of September, 1901. She had always been more than a helper to him, from their marriage on the 30th of November, 1873, and had borne him four sons and seven daughters; twins at each, of the last two births.

Smith, Alexander Gordon , “Woodlands,” Wylie's Crossing, Taieri. Mr. Smith was born in Victoria, Australia, and arrived in New Zealand with his parents in 1863, by the steamer “Alhambra.” The family resided at Caversham and he attended the Otago Boys' High School. Afterwards the family removed to Outram, where Mr. Smith, senior, started a general storckecping business. Later, Mr. Smith, in conjunction with his father, leased some land in North Taieri, and named the place Gladfield Farm. There he was occupied in agriculture for twenty-five years. Subsequently he bought the Langlea Farm, from Mr. David Shand, and worked it for three years. Then he bought “Woodlands,” where he has since resided. Mr. Smith's health is too poor to allow him to take part in public affairs, but as a well-read man he is able in many ways to be of service to his fellow colonists. His farm is leased to a tenant, and also another farm of 400 acres, at Mataura.

Mr. John Smith was born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1819, and came out to Victoria, Australia, in the early days. For many years he was manager of a large sheep station, and afterwards was engaged in carrying goods to the goldfields. When the Dunstan rush occurred in Otago. Mr. Smith came over to New Zealand, and brought with him a number of horses, which he disposed of at satisfactory prices. He was one of the first carriers on the roads in Otago. As a settler he took his share in road board work, and was for three years a member of the Taieri County Council. He was also a noted exhibitor of horses and cattle at the various agricultural shows held in Otago. and secured many medals and prizes. Mr. Smith died at “Langlea,” Taieri, in June, 1891.

Williamson Brothers (James Andrew Williamson and George Alexander Williamson), Farmers, “Bentaskin,” Wylie's Crossing, Taieri. “Bentaskin” is a property of 640 acres of freehold; about 300 acres are ploughable, and the rest is hilly. About fifty acres are sown in wheat, fifty acres in oats, and twenty-five acres in green crop; the wheat averaging forty bushels, and the oats sixty bushels to the acre. About 500 Border Leicester, Southdown, and Shropshire page 641 crossbreds are depastured, and a number of cattle are fattened for the market. The homestead, a two storey house, is built in the shelter of the hills, and is surrounded
Family Of The Late Mr. J. Mackie Williamson.

Family Of The Late Mr. J. Mackie Williamson.

by cleanly-kept outbuildings. The farm is approached through a long drive, with an avenue of trees on each side, and the hills in the background add to the picturesqueness of the scenery.

Mr. James Andrew Williamsons was born in 1872 and educated at the North Taieri district school. He is a sergeant in the Otago Hussars, and also a member of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

Mr. George Alexander Williamson was born in 1876, and educated at the North Taieri district school. After leaving school he entered the business of Messrs A. R. Falconer and Co., Mosgiel, as bookkeeper, but subsequently took his place with his brothers on the home farm. Mr. Williamson is a member of the Wylie's Crossing Cricket Club.

Mr. John Mackie Williamson , sometime of Bentaskin Farm, Wylie's Crossing, Otago, was born in 1837, in Falkirke, Scotland. He was one of the early settlers, and arrived in the colony, in 1848, by the ship “Philip Laing,” accompanied by his father and brothers. His first residence was at Halfway Bush, whence he attended the first school opened in Dunedin, Subsequently he removed to the Taieri with his father, and was engaged in farming up to the time of his death. Mr. Williamson took an active interest in local affairs, and exerted himself in promoting the welfare of the district. He was a member of the Taieri Road Board, the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and of the committee of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Mr. Williamson married a daughter of Mr. Andrew Waters, of North Taieri. He died in November, 1894, leaving a family of three sons and three daughters.

The Late Mr. J. M. Williamson. [41]

The Late Mr. J. M. Williamson. [41]

The Late Mrs J. M. Williamson

The Late Mrs J. M. Williamson