Spar Bush is a farming district to the north of the Waianiwa and Oporo railway stations, between the Makarewa and Thornbury Junctions. It extends back several miles, and there is still a considerable extent of bush remaining, although a large sawmill has been working for many years. A portion of the district known as New River Plains is on the western bank of the Oreti and New River. The land in that district is specially noted for its rich quality as agricultural and pastoral land. Spar Bush is in the Wallacetown riding of the county of Southland, and in the electorate of Awarua. At the census of 1901 it had a population of 291, to which should be added 188 in the New River district. There is a public hall with a library in the district, and religious services are held there periodically. Spar Bush has had a school since 1884, and in 1904 there was an attendance of thirty-four. The settlers are chiefly freeholders, and some of the farms are 1,000 acres in extent.

The Spar Bush Sawmill (New Zealand Pine Company, proprietors), Spar Bush. This mill has been worked since 1880, but it is expected that the bush will shortly be exhausted, when the plant will probably be removed to some other bush. The machinery consists of a twenty-five horse-power steam engine with necessary boilers, a breaking-down saw, two breast-benches and two planing and two cross-cutting machines. About twenty-five men find regular employment, and 7,000 feet of rough and dressed timber is turned out daily.

Cole, Albert , Farmer, “Rosevale,” Spar Bush. Mr Cole was born in 1856, at Launceston, Devonshire, England, where he was educated, and brought up to a country life. He arrived at the Bluff by the ship “Western Monarch,” in 1879, and soon afterwards bought 200 acres of freehold a Spar Bush. The entire property was in its native state of tussock, rushes, scrub and flax swamp, but it has now been brought to a good state of cultivation. Mr Cole was married, in 1884, to a daughter of Mr H. Stroud, of London, and has six sons and four daughters.

Drain, James , Farmer, “Cloverly,” New River Valley, Spar Bush. Mr Drain was born in Campbelltown, Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1853, was brought up by his father at Crossie-beg Farm, and came to Port Chalmers by the ship “Marlborough.” He was overseer at Benmore Farm, Fernhills, Southland, for eleven years before purchasing his property at Spar Bush in July, 1891. “Cloverly” consists of 732 acres of freehold, and forty acres of leasehold, land, and is worked as a mixed farm. Mr Drain has effected many improvements on his property, and has been successful as a breeder of Clydesdale horses, having taken many prizes at exhibitions held in Southland, and also at Dunedin. Mrs Drain holds her own as a butter maker against all competitors, even the factories, and has taken one hundred prizes, including silver plate, at local shows. Mr Drain was married, in 1879, to a daughter of the late Mr Donald MacMurchy, who was the oldest family tenant of the Duke of Argyll.

Souter, James , Farmer, Spar Bush. Mr Souter was born in the parish of Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1833, and was brought up to farming by his father. He arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Pladda,” in October, 1861, and for eighteen months worked at Waikouaiti, where he purchased a house and section. Afterwards he bought a team of horses, and was engaged in the Palmerston district in carting coal from Shag Point. In 1882, Mr Souter removed to Springbank, where he resided for six years, before purchasing 200 acres of freehold land at Spar Bush. The land was then in its rough state, without drains and fences, but it has now been brought under cultivation. Mr Souter married a daughter of the late Mr George Deans, of Aberdeenshire, and has one son and one daughter, and ten grandchildren.

Souter, James, Junior , Farmer, Spar Bush. Mr Souter, who is the only son of Mr James Souter, of Spar Bush, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and was an infant when his parents arrived at Port Chalmers by the ship “Pladda.” He gained his experience of country life in New Zealand, and since 1890 has worked on his father's property at Spar Bush. Mr Souter was married, in 1892, to a daughter of Mr Alexander Kelly, of the North of Ireland, but his wife died in March, 1896, leaving one son and one daughter.