Upper Moutere is twentyone miles from Nelson and thirteen from Richmond, which is connected with Nelson by rail and with Upper Moutere by coach. There is a post and telegraph office in the township, and the district is noted for its fine climate, and for its orchards, hop-gardens, and farms. There are sawmills near the township, and these employ a large number of men. A new hotel has recently been built, and affords superior accommodation to the tourist or traveller. Early in 1905 a German church was erected, and the residents are mostly German, or of German descent. Most of the dwelling houses in the district are larger and more pretentious than those usually found in country districts.

Ingram, Gordon, Blacksmith, Upper Moutere. Mr. Ingram was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1858. He was apprenticed to Messrs A. Laing and Ramsay, blacksmiths and engineers, of Aberdeenshire, and served with them for five years. In 1881 he came to New Zealand to join his brother, who had already settled in Otago, but went to take charge of the smithy at Merino Downs, where he remained for a year. He was then a warder for three years at Seacliff Asylum, whence he removed to Nelson, and started business at Spring Grove, but sold out in 1893, and settled in Richmond. In 1895 he sold his Richmond business and took the Moutere Hotel, in connection with which he built a smithy. Mr. Ingram endeavours to meet the wants of his customers, and succeeds, as he is a genial, obliging man of the stamp which makes the very best colonists.

Mr. G. Ingram.

Bensemann, Frederick, Sawmiller, Upper Moutere. Mr. Bensemann is the fourth son of the late Mr. Charles Henry Bensemann, and was born in Nelson in 1849. After receiving page 236 an education in the Government school he worked with his father, who was a carpenter, and so learnt the use of tools. Mr. Bensemann has a natural talent for carpentry, and constructs all his own timber waggons, wheels, etc. The sawmill, which is situated in the Rising Sun Valley, two miles from the Moutere, is driven by a ten-horse power portable engine, and the machinery consists of a breaking-down saw, breast bench, and planing mill. Mr. Bensemann has a reputation for supplying the best and finest timber and for turning out mouldings and architraves, etc. He is a contractor and bridge builder as well as a sawmiller, and he also farms 1000 acres of land. Mr. Bensemann is a member of the local school committee, of the Moutere Road Board, and of the committee of the Nelson Hopgrowers' Association. In 1873 he mrrried Miss Korte, and has a family of six. Three of his sons are engaged with him in the sawmilling industry. Mr. Bensemann is highly respected and esteemed by all sections of the community.

Mr. F. Bensamann.

Flaxmore Estate (Diederich Wilkens, junior, manager), Upper Moutere. This estate is the property of Mr. Moore, partner in the well-known firm of Pitt and Moore, barristers and solicitors, of Nelson. The farm comprises 1600 acres of mixed land, and carries about 500 sheep, besides about seventy head of cattle. Crops of wheat, oats and other produce are grown yearly, and under its present able management the property ranks as one of the best in the district.

Mr. Diederich Wilkens , Manager, is a native of Upper Moutere, and is very well known, and respected throughout the district. He accepted his present position in 1895.

Mr. D. Wilkens.