ROUND ABOUT RANGIORA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 43, 28 October 1893, Page 341

ROUND ABOUT RANGIORA.

BANGIORA is a flourishing borough in North Canterbury, twenty one miles due north of Christchurch

on the Great Northern road. It has an area of 1,040 acres, and the population is 1,783. The dwellings figure 365. and the borough assessment is £152 575. Rangiora was created a borough in 1877, and is unique in freedom from municipal debt. Yet all the main streets are well

A tdersley, photo.

macadamised and footpaths asphalted. There are several fine buildings, notably, the Bank of New Zealand, Colonial and Union Banks, and the Junction Hotel in High-street is an ornament to the town. Rangiora has always possessed considerable value as a market for live stock and farm produce, sales having been held regularly every week dating the first thirty years. Rangiora is, moreover, the birthplace of our Agent general, Wesley Brook Perceval, his parents having been among the first settlers there. Perceval (senior), as a member of the Provincial Council, exerted himself greatly in the interests of Rangiora, especially in getting the railway, and it is a singular fact that he died at the moment the first train entered the township in 1872.

Among the earliest settlers the names of George John Leach, John McFarlane, and many others, principally from Cumberland, are prominent. Most of them have gone to their long rest, but Mr Leach still enjoys health and prosperity.

The business portion of the town is confined to High-st reet, where are situated various banks, post and telegraph offices, stores, hotels, etc. The borough extends a mile and aquarter east and west, and a mile and a half north and south. It abounds in natural springs, and water is easily obtainable anywhere by driving pipes a short distance, as an under current from the river Ashley flowes strongly at a depth of thirty feet. All the various religious bodies are represented. Among these the Roman Catholic Church, Victoria street, is a prominent feature. Till 1878 no such building existed, but when Mr Perceval (senior) subdivided his fifty acre block occupying the centre of the township, he gave four acres for Catholic Church and school. Rev. J. N. Bins field, then clergyman of the district, very promptly raised funds and erected the one now used for a school. He subsequently added the Presbytery. Ten years ago a larger building was required, and the present church was erected and the old one used as a school. Rangiora Catholic Presbytery is now the headquarters for North Canterbury, and has a resident staff of clergy and Marist Brothers.

Rangiora is important also as a railway junction. The Cam Flour Mill shown in another picture is situated half a mile outside the borough, and was the first of its kind in the district, being erected in 1860 by Mr Marshall. It is now owned and worked by J. VV. Bing, who has introduced all the latest improvements.