Mount John farm

9/4/2019.

- Last week, I published the photos I took from a difficult climb up one side of the Taieri Gorge near Hindon to an abandoned farmhouse I'd found through aerial photos on my phone during evening ad breaks.  The isolation of the house piqued the interest of many people and I decided to see what I could find through my usual online sources.  Research took an interesting direction a few days ago when I was seeking permission to access the rail yard of the Ocean Beach Railway, a restoration group.  The man I approached for access permission knew my name and had seen my photos.  He also knew the farm - it was his grandparents' place.  He gave me a name for it and was able to tell me that there was a local history published and that the farm I'd visited was abandoned in 1963.

For anyone who hasn't seen the farm, the album is here.

Here are the relevant "Papers Past" stories I have found for the area:

Deaths

GRAHAM.—On the 24th December, at her residence, Hindon (after a long and painful illness), Marion Matheson, the beloved wife of Murdoch Graham, aged 37 years. Deeply regretted.  -Otago Daily Times, 26/12/1899.

Taieri County Council - inspectors' reports

"There are some works that ought to be put in hand soon:—To determine what is to be done with the £100 Government grant for Berwick-Waipori road; to put on the allocated gravel from Miller's to Graham's (a good part of this allocation will be required to maintain the present gravelled portion of the said road); to finish the culverts on the Barewood road, graded last summer; to make some improvements on Mr Higgin's road, near Christmas Creek; to reduce the height of a bridge over Mill Creek, on the Gladfield road, as it is at least one-sixth too high. Three trucks of metal are wanted to complete the work near the bridge and saleyards. I have also to report that timber is ordered for Otokia bridge, and for the Lee Stream and Stone Hut bridges, and sheep fences; also, 14 planks for Boat Harbour bridge.  -Otago Daily Times, 8/9/1900.

Taieri CC

Correspondence: A letter was received from the Land Board enclosing an application on behalf of Murdoch Graham and others, at Hindon, asking that a road be set aside through section 8, block V and sections 37 and 31, block IV, Mt Hyde, to connect with the Hindon road and North Taieri road, Mt. Allan. — Consideration deferred till next month.  -Otago Daily Times, 3/11/1900.

Taieri CC

County Engineer's Report

He had made a careful examination of the country between the Taieri River at Mount Allan and Hindon township, with a view to determining the best route for connecting the boat crossing with the Main road, and if there was to be a road at all he had no hesitation in recommending the route proposed by Murdoch Graham as the best obtainable. The road would certainly be a great convenience to Mr Graham for getting his sheep out, the present entrance to parts of his ground being inconvenient. On this ground the question of setting aside a road merited the council's consideration, but he did not consider a road necessary for any other purposes.  -Otago Daily Times, 2/3/1901.

Marriages

GRAHAM— ROLLINSON. -On the 3rd July, 1901, at the residence of the bride's parents, Whare Flat, by the Rev. T. Paulin, Murdoch Graham, Hindon, to Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr S. Rollinson.  -Otago Witness, 21/7/1901.

Casualties

George Graham, aged one year and nine months, the son of Murdoch Graham, of Hindon, died last night from scalds received through falling into a tub of boiling water left in the kitchen. An inquest will be held to-morrow before the coroner (Mr Graham. S.M.).  -Evening Star, 10/1/1906.

Local and General

The Waikouaiti County Council was waited on at its meeting of February 27 by an interesting old settler with a request of an unusual nature. The old man, whose name is W. Symons, is a native of Guernsey. He informed the council that he had cut a good four-foot track through the scrub for a distance of four miles up the Silver Peaks for his own benefit and for the benefit of the public. The work had occupied him for 12 months, and surely the council would give an old man a few shillings for so useful a piece of work. He was 76 years of age, he said, and assured the council that he had very nearly killed a horse, and himself into the bargain, while working at the job. The chairman explained to him that he had made a mistake in not consulting the council before commencing the work, but the energy and enterprise displayed by the applicant made irresistible appeal to the councillors, and they willingly agreed to grant him £2 for his trouble. Symons expressed himself as well satisfied, and set off gamely to tackle the first stage of the long tramp to his lonely little home over 30 miles away back by Christmas Creek.  -Otago Witness, 6/3/1912.

Taieri CC

McKinlay Bros.: There is a considerable amount of work required on the track from Mount Allen to Christmas Creek, and it is not a suitable place to send the men to camp in the winter months. I therefore recommend that the work stand over till the spring, or failing this, that a casual from Mullochy Gully be employed to effect repairs. Jopp Bros. request that a track be formed from the new stock bridge (at Hindon) to connect with the road from Christmas Creek leading to Lamb Hill. There is half a mile of track to form 10 feet in width. The cost will be £2 per chain. There is a further request that the wing fence leading to the stock bridge be extended two chains up the hill, to give more control when crossing sheep. This will cost £4.   -Otago Witness, 29/5/1912.

Births, Marriages and Deaths

DEATHS

GRAHAM. - On September 30, at his parents' residence, Mount John, Hindon. Murdoch Samuel, the beloved son of M. and E. Graham; aged 2 1/2 years. Deeply regretted.   -Otago Daily Times, 7/10/1912.

Taieri County Council

TENDERS will be received till 5 pm. on MONDAY, January 12, for the following WORKS:

- No. 72.—Formation of Sledge Track to Mount John, Hindon; 

- No. 73.—Delivery 380 Tons Metal, Centre road, Strath-Taieri. 

Specification for No. 72 at Hindon Refreshment Room; for No. 73 at Strath-Taieri Hotel; and for both Contracts with 

B. B. COUSTON, County Engineer, Mosgiel  -Otago Daily Times, 6/1/1914.

Taieri County Council

Tenders were called during the month for the formation of sledge track to Mount John, Hindon, and for delivery of 380 tons metal at Centre road, Strath-Taieri. The latter contract had been let to J. H. Thomson, at 2s per ton, and the work was now in progress. The lowest tender for the Mount John track was £100, but as this exceeded the estimate it was not let. Mr Graham had offered to form the track for the sum of £85, and a reply had been sent to him stating that the engineer would recommend the council to accept his offer if he reduced the amount to £70.   -Otago Daily Times, 26/1/1914.

Taieri County Council

As there was not sufficient work to keep all hands employed, three men were sent to Hindon to remove a slip, and to form the Mount John track. This week I have transferred other two men to the Kaikorai Riding. The works carried out by day labour include the construction of groins to protect the read at Whare Flat, formation of Wilson’s road, Otokia Riding, removal of slip and formation of Mount John track, Hindon, cutting ditch and road formation at Pugh’s, Strath-Taieri, and repairs to Deep Stream ford on the Rock and Pillar road.   -Otago Witness, 4/3/1914.

OTAGO WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

The Lawrence Women's Patriotic Committee has forwarded a large case of equipment for the Otago men who are joining the reinforcements. It contains three dozen complete sets of everything required for the kits. Needless to say, the donation is very highly appreciated by the Dunedin Committee. A very acceptable gift of socks (six pairs) was sent in by Miss Graham, of Mount John Station, Hindon. The wool was grown, spun, dyed, and made into socks on the estate. Moss from stones in the vicinity was used for the colouring, which is of a good khaki brown. There will be wool at the hall to-day for those who would like to work it up. In this connection there are workers in the hall on Thursdays and Fridays who would be glad to teach any willing knitters how to make socks.   -Otago Daily Times, 8/4/1915.

THE WINTER SHOW.

SUCCESSFULLY OPENED YESTERDAY 

LARGE ATTENDANCE AND COMPREHENSIVE DISPLAYS 

QUALITY OF EXHIBITS EXCELLENT 

WORK OF THE DUNEDIN WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION 

INTERESTING GOVERNMENT SECTION

(excerpt)

There are also on exhibition two pairs of socks that were made from wool grown on Mount John Station, Hindon, the wool being woven, dyed, and knitted by Miss Graham. A box for receiving contributions for the purchase of wool to be made into socks for the men at the front is set up at this stall.  -Otago Daily Times, 2/6/1915.

AN OLD MAN’S DEATH

The acting-coroner has decided that an inquest is not necessary in the ease of William Henry Symons, an old age pensioner, 80 years old, who was found dead in his whare at Christmas Creek, near Hindon, on Sunday. Deceased had been 30 years in the district, and lived by himself in his lonely whare about six miles from Lamb’s Hill Station, at Hindon. He had a mining claim on the creek, and occasionally did a little gold-digging. On July 20 he was at Lamb's Hill Station, stopping there overnight, and leaving next morning after breakfast in apparently good health. On Sunday Mr John Graham, sheep farmer, on taking some food up to the old man, found him lying dead on his bunk in the whare. He had apparently been seized with a fatal illness while undressing, and had been dead some days. Yesterday Constables Southgate (Outram), Findlay (Mosgiel). and Robb (Dunedin went to Christmas Creek and brought the body to Dunedin. They had to pack it on a horse and bring it down a narrow bridle track. Deceased had no relatives in tho Dominion.  -Evening Star, 3/8/1915.

Received from Begg and Co.'s tuning and repairing staff their weekly (46th) contribution of 10s in aid of the Belgian relief fund.

Previously acknowledged ... £171,381 12s 11d 

Employees 'Evening Star,' April contribution 3 16 0 

Anderson Bay district collection, supplemental ... 8 6 6 

"No. 25," May contribution ... 7 0 0 

Collected from farmers of Hindon— 

Boyd Bros., Hindon  25 0 0 

Jopp Bros., Mount Allan 21 0 0 

M. J. Lister  10 0 0

M. Graham, Mount John 5 0 0

Jopp Bros., Lamb Hill 5 0 0

J. Harrison 2 2 0 

J. MacDonald 2 2 0

L. D. Lister 5 0 0   -Evening Star, 6/5/1916.

Show Exhibits

On this stand is exhibited by Miss K. Graham, Mount John, Hindon, wool dyed with moss from rocks. She spun the wool, and has knitted sox, which will be given to our Soldiers.   -Evening Star, 1/6/1916.

DEATHS.

GRAHAM. — On May 14th, at the residence of her brother, Murdock Graham (Mount John Hindon), Effie, beloved fourth daughter of the late Alexander and Flora Graham, of Glenuig, Skye. Scotland: aged 60 years. Private interment. — Hope and Kinaston, undertakers.   -Evening Star, 15/5/1918.

PRESENTATION AT HINDON RAILWAY SCHOOL.

Brilliant sunshine, blue sky, and enthusiastic crowds of people ensured the success of a delightful little function held at Hindon yesterday in connection with the presentation to the school children of the Victory souvenir supplied by the Taieri County Council. The Hindon Railway School children had the day off to commemorate the signing of the armistice. By the 9.20 train most of the children from Mount Allan and Mount John arrived with their parents and friends, and were met at the station by the teacher and residents of Hindon, and the party proceeded to a pleasant spot on the banks of the Taieri River. After the tea was finished games were indulged in and races were run. For the winners of the latter suitable prizes were provided by the committee. The married ladies' race was run with great enthusiasm, and great credit is due to the ladies for so ably assisting in the entertainment of the children. After the observance of the two minute silence at 11 o'clock, Mr A. Girvan (secretary of the committee), in the unavoidable absence of the chairman, briefly outlined the record of events contained in the booklet and explained to the children the meaning of the day, and especially what it meant to the British Empire. He concluded by pointing out the seriousness of war, but hoped that if another war did occur that all the boys gathered at the picnic would lose no time in getting into the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. 

A very enjoyable day's outing was brought to a close with afternoon tea, served on the beach. During the afternoon Miss Gorman thanked all present for their hearty co-operation in the entertainment of th children.  -Otago Daily Times, 12/11/1919.

Taieri CC

Deep Stream. — Repair of washouts on the Allanton to Rock and Pillar and Clark’s to County Boundary roads, removal of slips from Lee Hill, repair of Mount John and Hindon Railway roads.   -Otago Daily Times, 30/6/1923.

MOTOR GOES OVER BANK.

TWO OCCUPANTS KILLED. 

PINNED BENEATH THE CAR. 

THIRD MAN THROWN CLEAR. 

PARTY RETURNING FROM SHOW. [BY TELEGRAPH. 

—OWN CORRESPONDENT, DUNEDIN, Sunday. A serious motor accident, in which two men were killed, occurred last night about 16 miles from Outram. A party consisting of Michael Black, a surfaceman in the employ of the Taieri County Council, James Harrison and Murdoch Graham, sheepfarmers, of Hindon, was returning home in a car from the Outram Show. Heavy rain during the day had made the roads dangerously slippery, and when negotiating a steep descent the car ran over a bank and capsized. Harrison was thrown clear, but Black and Graham were pinned beneath the car. Harrison was unable to lift the car, and had to go a mile for aid. When the bodies were extricated both men were dead. Black, who was 36 years of age, was married and had a young family. Graham was an elderly man with a grown-up family. The car was owned and driven by Black.  -NZ Herald, 22/11/1926.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

The Friends of the late MURDOCH GRAHAM (and Family) are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave the Hindon Railway Station, on TUESDAY, the 23rd inst., at 10.30 a.m., for the Hindon Cemetery.  -Otago Daily Times, 22/11/1926.

THE OUTRAM FATALITY.

INQUEST CONCLUDED. The inquest concerning the deaths of Michael Thomas Black and Murdoch Graham, who were killed in a motor accident while returning home from the Outram Show on November 20, was concluded in the courthouse yesterday morning. 

James Harrison, a sheep farmer at Hindon, said that he attended the Outram Show with the two deceased. They went in Black’s car, which was driven by Black. Witness was not in Blacks company throughout the day, but had dinner with him on the showground, and saw him on one or two occasions during the afternoon. They all met again in the vicinity of the railway station about 5.50 p.m., and, after having tea at Mr Dougherty's, they left for Hindon about 7 o’clock. It was a Ford car, and Graham sat in front with Black, witness occupying the back seat. Black was, in witness’s opinion, quite sober, and capable of undertaking the journey to Hindon. He showed no signs of having had liquor. When they reached Lee Stream - eight or 10 miles away - they went into the hotel and had three drinks each. Witness and Graham each took a bottle of beer with them when they continued their journey about 10 minutes to eight. Every thing went well until they reached Fortification Creek, where there was a steep hill leading down to the bridge. The car was driven down the hill at a moderate speed and under perfect control. When the car reached the flat it took the right side of the road, the wheels going over two drains which had been cut to let the water off the road. It straightened up on the road again for about a car length, then suddenly served to the left and overturned. Witness jumped clear, but Graham and Black were pinned beneath the car, which was upside down. Witness got a post from a fence and levered the car up about 15in, and, finding he could do no more, went for assistance to Boyd's station, about a mile away. The police and doctors were telephoned for from the station, and a party returned to the scene of the accident and extricated the deceased.

In answer to Senior Sergeant Quartermain, witness said he had only one drink in Outram. That was about half-past 10 in the morning. The car was driven down the hill at a moderate speed, and he could not account for the car going off the road. Something might have happened to the steering gear.

Constable Southgate, of Outram, said that at 10.40pm on the night of November 20, he received a telephone message from Boyd's station to the effect that two men had been killed.  He got a car, and drove to the scene of the accident, 16 miles away.  The marks of the car driven by Black were plainly visible on the road for about four miles, and these showed that the car was being capably driven prior to the accident. At the foot of the hill the car had swerved to the right, and after crossing over a small water channel ran along with the right wheels on top of a little bank 2ft off the road. There were two small ditches - l8 inches wide and 1ft deep - and it bumped over  these. It then regained the road and continued for about 12 yards before swerving suddenly to the left and going over a sloping bank. Marks on the road showed that the brakes had been applied as the car swerved to the left. The road at the foot of the hill took a slight bend to the left and was bumpy, but it was smooth at the spot where the car swerved to the left. Witness examined the car, and found the steering gear very worn and loose. The steering rod was bent probably as a result of the car bumping over the drains.

In answer to the Senior Sergeant, witness said it was a clear night and the accident occurred just about dusk. In his opinion, the loose steering gear and the fact that the car came off the hill too quickly were responsible for the accident. With the bend in the road to the left just at the foot of the hill, a car coming off the hill with any pace on would naturally swerve to the right. 

In returning his verdict the Coroner (Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) said that the evidence of the passenger threw little light on the cause of the accident, but it showed that the car had been driven in a careful and capable manner. This was borne out by the evidence of Constable Southgate, who, as an experienced motorist, gave a feasible explanation of the accident - the speed at which the car came off the hill, coupled with the tact that the steering gear was loose caused it to run to the right of the road. There was no particular fault on the driver's part, except that he might have been taking a risk in driving a car with loose steering gear. The verdict would be that the deaths of the deceased were due to injuries caused by the accidental overturning of a motor car.  -Otago Daily Times, 2/12/1926.

Taieri CC

Deep Stream Riding. — The following roads have been surfaced: — Young’s, School, Outram to Hindon, Hindon to Lee, Mount John and Lamb Hill. The main highway has been surfaced and graded from Lee Stream to Sutton.  -Otago Daily Times, 30/4/1927.

Taieri CC

Mr R. C. Robinson (Hindon) wrote asking for attention to the roads and tracks on Lambhill Run. — It was agreed to attend to the matter at a later date. Mr John Graham (Hindon) wrote asking for attention to the ford at Christmas Creek. — The work was left over in the meantime.  -Otago Daily Times, 31/8/1935.

Taieri CC

Mr R. C. Robinson (Lambhill) applied for a traffic bridge over the Taieri River at Hindon, and for the Christmas Creek to Lambhill road to be gravelled. — Left to the chairman and the inspector to report on. Mr J. Graham (Hindon) applied for monetary assistance in order to clean out the weeds and cut the trees in Hindon cemetery. — Left in the hands of the chairman and the inspector.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/2/1937.

Taieri CC

I. Graham (Hindon) wrote asking the council if it would agree to erect a light stock bridge over the ford at the Christmas Creek railway line. — It was decided to repair the ford in the meantime. -Otago Daily Times, 28/9/1940.

HOME IS DANGEROUS

THREE ACCIDENTS YESTERDAY 

ONLY MINOR CONSEQUENCES 

Statisticians have long claimed that, in the matter of accidents, the home is the most dangerous place for anyone to be. A rather striking instance of this is provided by the fact that the only three accidents reported locally for yesterday afternoon were all sustained in the homes of the persons concerned. There were no very serious consequences in any instance. William Allen, an elderly married man, fractured his arm when he fell at his home at 68 Nelson street. He was taken to hospital at 4 p.m. Margaret Butterfield injured her wrist in the same manner. She is a middle-aged woman who lives at 9 Braeview Crescent, and she was admitted to hospital at 11.45 p.m. Charlotte Teller was admitted at 5.30. She suffered an injury to her hip when she fell at her home at Mount John, Hindon.  -Evening Star, 29/10/1940.

OTAGO AIRMAN’S DEATH 

COLLAPSE AFTER SWIMMING

(P.A.) WHANGAREI. Dec. 21. Flight Mechanic Kenneth Gregor Williamson Aitken, a single man, collapsed and died at an air station yesterday. He would have been 24 tomorrow. His next-of-kin is Mrs G. Graham, Mount John, Hindon, Otago. Flight Mechanic Aitken had been swimming with friends at Parua Bay shortly after lunch, and when he came out of the water he said he felt ill. He was taken by car to Onerahi. where he received treatment, but he died before reaching hospital. The inquest was opened to-day and was adjourned sine die. Flight Mechanic Aitken was considered one of the fittest men on the station.  -Otago Daily Times, 22/12/1942.

BIRTHS

GRAHAM. — On May 13, at "La Rochelle," to Mr and Mrs G. Graham, Mount John, Hindon — a son.  -Evening Star, 14/5/1943. 

Taieri CC

Mr D. Robinson, Hindon, requested that repairs be made to the road from Christmas Creek to Lambhill. — Referred to the engineer.   -Otago Daily Times, 29/4/1944.

Taieri CC

Mr J. Graham (Hindon) wrote regarding the condition of the road to his property. It was decided to attend to the matter. A letter was received from Mr G. Graham (Mount John), asking that attention be given to the road leading to his property. — It was decided to accede to the request.  -Otago Daily Times, 26/8/1944.

Taieri CC

Concreting operations on the Christmas Creek Ford had been completed and the building up of the approaches was in hand.   -Otago Daily Times, 30/5/1950.


"Papers Past" ends its available content at 1950 for copyright reasons.  The local history "Up The Hill" gives the date for arrival of electricity from outside the area as the late 1950s.  Mount John farm was abandoned in 1963, so the effort of wiring the house and bringing in the power lines (and perhaps telephone) would have paid off for only a few years.  Following the last inhabitants leaving, the windows of the house were removed for use in the next farmhouse over, leaving Mount John open to the elements.