WAIKOIKOI.
(from our own correspondent.) January 4th
Agricultural. — ln the beginning of the season the cry of farmers and contract ploughmen was "rain, rain." Now it is quite reversed, for we have had an abundance of rain. Farmers are, as a rule, hard to please in the matter of weather. The crops are looking excellent all round this district both in quantity and quality, so with good weather and fair prices, things will be very brisk for some time to come.
Picnic. — The Sunday School picnic was held on the 29th ult., in Mr James Crawford's paddock, which was kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee for the use of the children. Early in the forenoon children and adults could be seen flocking in from all quarters quite lively and gay — in itself a hearty sign. As usual, refreshments were provided in abundance. After doing full justice to the good things, jumping and running was gone in for with great spirit. Towards evening the meeting dispersed, fully satisfied with the day's enjoyment, to prepare for the dance in the evening. The dance was held in the schoolhouse, and was well attended by both lads and lasses gay. Mr D. Hay performed on the violin, and also acted as M. C. -Otago Witness, 13/1/1883.
WAIKOIKOI.
(From our own Correspondent)
The annual school picnic was celebrated on Thursday, 28tb, in the school glebe. The morning gave promise of a wet day, and a few cold showers fell which interfered seriously with the day's sport. Nevertheless, by about 10 o'clock, there was a large gathering on the ground, visitors coming from Tapanui, Kelso, Pukerau, Gore, etc.; and all sorts of games were indulged in during the day. Swinging, racing, footballing, wrestling, and dancing to the strains of Robert Calder's bagpipes, which were a great attraction throughout the day, many of the Scotchmen indulging in a Heilan' fling. There is one serious objection which is likely to prove fatal to our picnic at the 'Koi, that is the want of punctuality. Our sports were advertised to start at 10 o'clock, and, strange to say, it was after 12 o'clock before our head men put in an appearance: in fact the whole thing seemed to be in confusion for the want of a leading man. I trust our rulers will take the hint, as punctuality and the arrangement of all details goes a long way towards the success of all social gatherings. However, after all preliminaries were arranged and all officers were appointed, everything went on without a hitch. The proceedings started with a substantial lunch, which was provided by the ladies of the district in their usual liberal manner — sandwiches and cakes being in abundance. Messrs John Spittle and James Crawford had charge of the tea department, and acquitted themselves with credit. The Ceylon tea was most undoubtedly in good hands, as their brew was unanimously pronounced to be perfect, and up to time. -Mataura Ensign, 2/2/1892.
WAIKOIKOI.
January 22. — Friday, the 19th inst., was a redletter day for the young folks of Waikoikoi. It was the day of their annual picnic, and lovelier picnic weather we could not have had, even had it been made to order. You may be sure the young folks were all early astir, and gave their mothers and bigger sisters no peace till they dressed them in their best. Quite a prettily dressed crowd put in an appearance at the schoolhouse at 10 o'clock, forming a gay scene as they marched through the township in charge of their head teacher, Mr A. M. Nicol, displaying their flags and giving prolonged cheers for the success of the 'Koi township and district. They evidently enjoyed the march immensely. Mr James Crawford responded to the cheers, calling in return for three cheers for the master and the children, and this was heartily taken up. After the march, the children, with their parents and friends, assembled in the school glebe, where they partook of a hearty lunch, Messrs Fergusson and Crawford's "brew" being exceptionally good, and the cakes provided by the ladies all that could be wished. In the afternoon numerous races, &c, were arranged for by a large committee, and in the evening the Good Templars gave a concert and dance, bringing a delightful day's outing to a most enjoyable finish. It was pleasing to see so many visitors favour us with their presence. -Otago Witness, 25/1/1894.
WAIKOIKOI.
August 12.— Our weather still continues cold and wet. The frost is out of the ground, but as there is so much water after the snows and thaw the ground will soon be worked into a thin porridge.
Arbor Day. — This festival was kept on August 7, and as that day fell out fine the proceedings passed off with great eclat. Two hundred and twenty-five trees were planted in the cemetery grounds. The planters — Messers James Crawford (superintendent), R. Simons (sen.), W. J. Stark, William Bremner (sen.), A. M. Simmers, John Bremner, Stephen Barr, John Brown (Mr Watson Sherman's gardener), and A. M. Nicol — worked most harmoniously, and it is to be hoped that a large percentage of the trees may survive, so as to repay those gentlemen for their labour of love. Of course there was not wanting the customary round of merry banter, and each one knew better than another how a tree should be planted. Mr Simmers sent up a nice lunch, which all the planters knew how to plant, and no doubt after lunch a few buttons were lost. When planting was over in the cemetery grounds an adjournment was made to the schoolhouse, where it was found the ladies an excellent brew ready, also hampers of first-rate sandwiches and dishes groaning with superior cakes. A goodly number of the schoolchildren had assembled at the school, and had been kept amused by Miss Broome. They had also been well looked after in the way of eatables, and after the planters had had Dame Hunger well appeased all assembled in the headmaster's room, where songs were sung and addresses by Mt Simmers and Mr Nicol delivered. The proceedings terminated by the singing of "Auld lang syne." The young people finished up the day by having a "hop" in the I.O.G.T. Hall.
Who loves a tree loves others too, As sure as luck's in horse's shoe.
Then yearly seek to plant a few — For brothers are as brothers do. -Otago Witness, 15/8/1895.
WEDDING AT WATKOIKOI
Dear Enmeline — On Wednesday, 1st inst., was celebrated a very pretty wedding at Waikoikoi, when Miss Christina Crawford, second eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs James Crawford, was married to Mr Donald McBeath, blacksmith. The bride wore a dainty dress of blue silk voile, trimmed with lace and ribbons. Her veil, which was of silk embroidered tulle, was arranged over a spray of orange blossoms. She also carried a pretty white shower bouquet. The bridesmaid was Miss Mary Crawford, sister of the bride, who wore a pretty dark blue dress richly trimmed with white lace, and carried a shower bouquet. The bridegroom was attended by his step-brother, Mr E. Robertson, as best man. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Adam Begg, M.A., and the church, which was well filled with friends and well-wishers of the bride and bridegroom, was prettily decorated for the occasion. Miss N. Lavender, who presided at the organ, played an appropriate selection of music as well as the Wedding March as the happy pair were leaving the church. On their way to their buggy, which was waiting them at the church gate, they were assailed with showers of rice. A largely attended reception was held after the ceremony, at the residence of the bride's parents, and a very large number of guests sat down to the excellent breakfast provided. When all had fared sumptuously, the following toasts were proposed and duly honoured: — "The Bride and Bridegroom," Mr James Crawford; "The Bridesmaid and Best Man," Mr Malcolm Robertson; "The Bride's Parents," Mr Robert Simmers; "The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests," Mr George W. Cunningham; "Education," Mr John Beattie; "The Host and Hostess," Rev. Adam Begg. In the evening, a reception was given to a large number who had not been present at the ceremony, and a most enjoyable dance was also held. Before the wind-up of the dance, the health of the bride and bridegroom was again toasted, and Mr John Harvey proposed a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Crawford for the excellent way in which they had catered for the guests. The presents received were numerous and of a handsome and useful nature, and testify in a very substantial way to the esteem in which the happy couple are held by the residents of the district and by friends far away. -OW, 8/3/1905.
DEATHS.
CRAWFORD. — At Waikoikoi on Saturday, June 23, 1917, Mary, beloved wife of James Crawford; aged 69 years. -Mataura Ensign, 25/6/1917.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The Friends of Mr JAMES CRAWFORD (and Family) are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late WIFE to the Waikoikoi Cemetery TO-DAY (TUESDAY), 26th June. The cortege will leave his residence at 2 p.m.
J. L. WYLIE, Undertaker. -Otago Daily Times, 26/6/1917.
FOR THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.
DEATHS.
CRAWFORD. — On June 7, killed while in action, David (17th Reinforcements), beloved second son of James Crawford, Waikoikoi; aged 32 years. He did his duty. -Otago Daily Times, 30/6/1917.
PRIVATE CRAWFORD.
Private David Crawford (reported killed in action on June 7) was the second son of Mr James Crawford, Waikoikoi. He was 32 years of age, and was born at Waikoikoi, where he received his education. After leaving school he was engaged on his father's farm, which he cultivated successfully. He took an active part in church work, and was a member of the Bible class and choir. He was a keen cricketer and a good all-round sport. He was a member of the Tapanui Rifle Club, winning the prize for the best shot last year. He left New Zealand in the Seventeenth Reinforcements. His brother Adam, who was severely wounded in the same engagement, and was admitted to Brockenhurst Hospital, was a member of the same draft of reinforcements. -Otago Daily Times, 13/7/1917.
An old resident of Waikoikoi, Mr James Crawford, celebrated his 92nd birthday by a dinner with the members of his family. The birthday cake was made by a daughter, Mrs M. Robertson, and among the good things enjoyed by the guests was a real Scotch haggis. Mr John McCall proposed the health of Mr Crawford, who made a humorous and fitting reply. -Southland Times, 7/1934.
OBITUARY
MR JAMES CRAWFORD
The death has occurred at Waikoikoi of Mr James Crawford, at the age of 95 years. Mr Crawford, who first took up land at Waikoikoi in 1877, was very well known throughout Eastern Southland. From his youth Mr Crawford devoted his time exclusively to farming, giving the management of his property deep thought with a view to its development on sound, progressive lines. He was one of the first of the settlers to obtain sheep, and he was the first to send a batch of fat lambs, about 50 in number, to Dunedin, where they brought the satisfactory sum of 17/9 a head. From the day of that consignment Mr Crawford concentrated his energies on sheep, and he greatly improved his flock. Mr Crawford arrived in New Zealand in September 1863, in the City of Dunedin. After a year or two at Dunedin, where he followed various occupations, he removed to the Oamaru district. In 1877 he went to Bluff by ship. He then proceeded to the Tapanui district, satisfied himself about the value of the land and returned north. Soon after he set out in a dray from Herbert, following the recognized southward route as far as Waipahi with difficulty, but coming over the Landslip his troubles began. Mrs Crawford came by sea to Dunedin and on by coach to Waipahi to meet her husband, whose horsedrawn vehicle was loaded with household goods, implements, and so on. In due course they arrived at the new farm and set about establishing a home.
Tapanui was flourishing as the result of a gold boom, the timber trade and the railway construction work. The first crop sown by Mr Crawford was threshed and carted over what is known as Tweedie’s Hill down to Captain McKenzie’s farm and over Conical Hill to Waipahi. The grain realized 1/- a bushel at Dunedin. It needed nothing else to convince Mr Crawford that there was no profit in cropping, so he concentrated on sheep and as the years passed his flock became one of the best in the province. The original holding has since been increased from 200 acres to 600 acres. Mr Crawford did his share in local body work. He was a member of the first school committee at Waikoikoi and held office for many years. He was also a trustee of the local cemetery, and a member of the management committee of the Waikoikoi Presbyterian Church, -Southland Times, 1/3/1939.
I made my acquaintance with Mr Crawford through finding and buying this book - a history published in 1898 to mark 50 years of Scottish Settlement in Otago.
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