Some Reminiscences of Rangiora’s Earliest Days.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 20 (Supplement)

Some Reminiscences of Rangiora’s Earliest Days.

VERY FINE COLONISTS HELPED TO MAKE THE SETTLEMENT PROSPEROUS

Amongst the earliest settlers- in Rangiora, and one who by industry made his name known in almost all parts of the colony, was Mr William Emms Ivory. Born in a suburb of Norwich in 1823, after leaving school he was apprenticed for seven years at a large horticultural establishment in Norwich, and subsequently became gardener at Tring Park, Herts, an estate that in later years was the home of Lord Beaconsfield. In 1855 Mr Ivory determined to try his fortune in New

Zealand. Although warned by the timorous that the new land Was inhabited by bloodthirsty cannibals, he took passage with his wife and five children in the ship Cashmere, which arrived at Lyttelton in October, 1855. He selected Rangiora for the future home of the family, and acquired a holding on which, without loss of time, he erected a three-roomed cottage of the lean-to style. In this humble dwelling the family lived for many years, and half a century after its erection the writer photographed it with the pioneer builder standing in front hale and hearty, though verging on his ninetieth year, and hanging on the wall one of his blue jumpers preserved as a relic of the “blue jumper” days. It was not long before Mr Ivory had some of his land under cultivation, and had set about rearing fruit trees, for which he found a ready sale among the settlers who were then arriving in fair number. His chief difficulty was to procure suitable seed to rear trees for budding and grafting, but by perseverance, and aided by the fertility of the virgin soil, he very soon laid the foundation of a nursery that eventually proved one of the main industries of the place. Mr Ivory’s trees became famous, and every year orders were filled in greater number for quantities to go to many distant parts of the colony. Apart from the fame that his nur-

sery brought him, in another connection, that of pastor or leader of the Baptist chapel congregation, Mr Ivory made a name as an eloquent preacher. The Ivory family of which there were several branches in the settlement, all arrivals by 1858, sprang from a Baptist family, the head of which was the pastor of a Baptist church at Costney, near Norwich, found a little congregation, to which others were attracted, and in 1862 they built a little chapel affectionately known amongst them as “ the Little Bethel.” Here Mr Ivory conducted the worship for thirteen years, preaching sermons that usually ran a course of an hour and a half. At times there was extra measure, which so sadly interfered with the claims of dinner that the deacons, after due consultation with their pastor, procured a clock with a bold face which they hung on the wall in full view to ensure a reasonable time limit to the preacher’s eloquence. Amongst those who exercised a very definite influence for good in the civic affairs of the borough, and did much valuable service for the progress of the place was Mr Hugh Boyd. He was an Ayrshire man and came to Canterbury in the ship Mermaid in 1864. Having relatives in Rangiora he there made his home and established himself in business as a building contractor. A year afterwards he was joined in partnership by Mr T. Keir, and thus was established a firm that existed for many rears and was responsible f6r the erection of a large number of buildings in the town and widely scattered over North Canterbury. While in his business connection Mr Boyd won the confidence of the community, it was as a public spirited citizen he left his mark. From the time of his arrival in the place he closely identi&ed himself with any.

movement for its advancement. Mr Boyd took a specially keen interest in educational affairs, giving many years of service on the school committee, Board of Education, and the Rangiora High School Board. Athletics had his hearty support, he himself having been a sprinter of no mean order in the early part of his colonial life, as trophies held by his family testify. He also took a deep and intelligent interest in the politics of the county, and was also found in the forefront in the election contests, battling for the cause of Liberalism. Ilis passing occurred on December 21, 1924.

There is perhaps no better illustration of the business progress of the town than that afforded by the transformation of what has been known as Johnston’s Corner since Mr John Johnston first occupied it in 1865. Coming from Aberdeenshire, where he was born in 1840, Mr Johnston landed in Lyttelton from the ship Mystery in 1859, and at once found permanent employment at John Anderson’s engineering works. At the end of 1863 he removed to Rangiora and commenced business on his own account. Two years afterwards he moved from his first location to the corner which was ever after to bear his name. There he built his smithy and implement repair workshops on a small scale, with his dwelling-house next door. He was the second Mayor of the borough, and during three years of office helped very materially with the solid foundation work of the municipality, his business training and ability to bring a logical mind to bear on matters under consideration being of great value.

After his retirement from the Mayoralty Mr Johnston did not again take office oil the council, but this was not

to say that his interest in the welfare of the borough waned. He was for a great number of years chairman of the Investment and Building Society, being one of its founders, and he also gave material help in establishing the Rangiora High School, and served on the Board of Governors for a lengthy period. He also took a leading part in the formation of the Fire Brigade and was the first superintendent of that body. He was, too, one of a few who. helped to materialise the project to erect a Presbyterian church in 1572, and was one of the office-bearers up to the time of his death, which took place on June 28. 1915. One of the successful business men of the early days and a familiar figure in the town for nearly half a century was Mr John Lilly, for v/hcm everyone had a kindly regard. Brought up to , the butchering trade irt the Homeland, he was employed by three different firms, and was in business on his own account for a short time before leaving for New Zealand. lie arrived at Lyttelton in the ship Roehampton, and settled at Rangiora in the latter part of 1859. Just after his arrival in the place a New Year's Day sports gathering was held at Mr C. O. Torlesse’s place, and Mr Lilly was wont to relate that it was on that occasion he sang in the colony for the first time his one and only song, a ditty called “Jack Rag.” Ever after that no convivial gathering perforce was complete without Mr Lilly’s rollicking song, which never grew old. After working at his trade for a year, he commenced business in partnership with Mr C. Deal,

but eventually carried on the business on his own account, adding to it that of cattle, dealings He did a' very lucrative trade, and at the end of sixteen years was in a position to retire. He acquired sections in the centre of the town on which he erected business premises and thus helped to advance the piece.