It was only recently that I discovered the the Dunedin City Council's series of 1947 aerial photos was available as one large image and accessible on my phone. Even better, it could be made to go split-screen, with one half the latest photo. My first find on this image was in the grounds of the St Clair Golf Course. The pro was more than happy to give me directions to the storage shed they still call "Kenmore."
THE PRIZE COMPETITION.
In the competition for the Book Prize of the value of £2, to the writer of the best article suitable for the "Ladies' Column," nine contributions have been received. Of these that of Grace McLaren, Kenmore, Caversham, has been decided, upon as being the best; and the second Book Prize, value £1, has been awarded to Mrs L O Chappell, Alexandra. The first Prize article, which is entitled "Daily Life," will appear in our next. -Otago Witness, 19/1/1878.
RURAL RAMBLES (excerpt)
Passing onwards, the next farm of any note is that of Mr Peter McLaren, one of the original settlers of Otago, and who has, by steady honest toil, brought his land into a high state of cultivation, and secured a competent portion of this world's gear for his latter years. It is not often I pass the door of my old frien' without speerin' for him, but this morning, although his lums are reeking briskly, I must defer a call. -Otago Witness, 26/8/1882.
MARRIAGES.
On the 26th October, at the residence of the bride's parents, Constitution street, by the Rev. Dr Stuart, Peter, eldest son of Peter McLaren, farmer, Kenmore, Caversham, to Isabeella, second daughter of Alexander Wood. -Otago Witness, 26/11/1886.
OLD IDENTIANA.
MR PETER McLAREN.
There are in the experiences of most of the early settlers of Otago incidents and episodes which if collated would form a volume equal in interest to any romance published. These were not confined to men alone, but were often shared in by the female portion of the community, who were not constitutionally so fitted to pass through them. Very few of our present residents would undertake the risks which had to be undergone, and in fact they can scarcely form a correct idea of their serious character. The subject of this notice, as well as his better half, experienced a fair share of adventures in the early days.
Mr McLaren was born in 1824 in the parish of Kenmore, Perthshire, very near the spot where the celebrated Black Watch, or the 42nd Highlanders, was first formed. In early life he was accustomed to farm work, and was afterwards engaged in railway construction; but as his prospects of improving his position in life were not of the brightest he made up his mind to emigrate to Otago, induced thereto by the conditions on which the settlement was formed and a firm resolution to make the best of the chance. Prudently considering that in the prosecution of his design he would be materially assisted by a helpmeet for the position, before sailing he wedded Janet, daughter of Corporal James McGregor, of the 75th Highlanders, a Waterloo veteran who was seriously wounded in that famous battle. The young couple sailed in the Mariner from London, along with a considerable number of other emigrants, a small number of whom are still to the fore and in good positions, and arrived on 5th June 1849. Not being a moneyed man, he first applied for work under the company on the roads at 3s a day wages, but was not fortunate enough to be employed. He had not long to wait, however, as the late Mr Lloyd, of Green Island, engaged him at 3s 6d a day and find himself. It was rather hard lines to keep himself and his wife in town on such small allowance, but a few days afterwards he was sent for from Dunedin, as Mr Lee, of the Taieri, wanted a man and his wife for the station. Arrangements completed, he had to make the journey to his new home on foot, and bring a pack horse back to Scroggs' creek to meet his wife, who had to be taken round by sea in an open boat along with Mr Lee's friend Mr Buchanan. Favoured by the weather, the party was landed safely at the Taieri Mouth, but were grievously disappointed to find that the boat to convey them up the river had not reached that place. Wending their way along the bank they came on a camp of four stalwart Maoris, with rather fiercelooking dogs who were engaged pig hunting. This was not at all a pleasant position for a young wife to find herself in, particularly as tales the reverse of favourable to the natives had been previously current. However, the party proved themselves to be hospitably inclined, and offered the strangers a share of their food of potatoes and pork baked in the ashes, which were very acceptable, as the only food they had with them was a 6mall loaf. As night closed in the Maoris crept into their whare and the travellers formed a couch of fern leaves on which Mrs McLaren lay down, but not to sleep. At length morning broke, and after partaking of the same fare as supper, washed down with a mouthful of clear water from the river, the lonely wayfarers were gladdened by the sight of the canoe which was to convey them onwards, and after giving the Maoris the small loaf in exchange for their meals, they were soon on board gliding swiftly up the stream. They arrived safely the same evening at their destination, where 13 weeks were passed, the great want being flour, and for days together no other food was partaken of but potatoes and wild pork, with a dish of tea.
On leaving Mr Lee the next experience our friends had was with Mr Valpy, first at Dunedin and latterly at the Forbury. A friend of this gentleman's, Mr Forbes, having become home sick determined on returning to his native land, and his baggage had to come round from the Horse-shoe Beach station by boat, which was unfortunately detained at the Taieri Mouth by adverse winds.
McLaren was despatched with a horse to bring in as many of the young gentleman's belongings as he possibly could, and which after considerable difficulty he succeeded in doing, reaching Dunedin on a Sunday, much to the indignation and surprise of the inhabitants in daring to commit such a breach of the sixth commandment.
About this time there was a complete dearth of salt in the settlement, so the tedious operation of boiling sea water to produce this indispensable requisite had to be undertaken, and this may therefore be counted one of our first industries.
Finding his employment at Mr Valpy's scarcely to his mind, Mr McLaren accepted an engagement from Mr E. McGlashan, and did the first ploughing in the Upper Kaikorai, and afterwards wrought for Mr Anderson, at Bellview, and Messrs Ross and Kilgour. The regulation passed by the Provincial Council reducing the price of land to 10s an acre, enabled him to secure about 60 acres in the Ocean Beach district, which he took possession of at the end of 1856, and he has continuously resided there from that date up to the present time, the only alteration being the purchase, several years ago, of some 10 additional acres, which cost him close on £20 an acre. The fact of his becoming a freeholder did not, however, bring lighter work. On the contrary, it increased the daily toil seven fold, as the farm is about the highest level on the whole Green Island range, and was very difficult of access. These struggles are, however, comparatively forgotten now, as by dint of steady persevering industry he has made a comfortable home for himself and family. Kindly sympathy and generous assistance were characteristics of farmers in the olden times, and from many of them he received a helping hand. The late Messrs David Howden and William Barr were among his staunchest friends, and gave a hand in breaking up and sledging fencing until Mr McLaren could obtain bullocks of his own to do the work. The products of the farm have been confined altogether to hay, root crops, and butter, the locality not being suitable for grain growing, although sufficient was always raised for keeping the house, stable, and poultry. As a butter-maker, Mrs McLaren has always occupied a high position, as may be judged from the fact that for over 20 years Mr and Mrs Murphy, of the Shamrock and City Hotels, have had the supplies uninterruptedly from her dairy, and the connection still continues with their successor.
Mr McLaren works his farm systematically and neatly, a regular rotation being observed, and the live fences kept closely trimmed. Nor has the garden been overlooked, and in spite of the windy situation, vegetables, fruit, and flowers are grown in profusion. The worthy couple have had a family of 11 children — eight sons and three daughters — and all are alive except one son, a number of them being married. Although the site of the house is a very exposed one, still, being built of stone and now pretty well surrounded with trees, it is as snug and cosy within as could be desired. So attached to it has the gude wife become that she assured us that she would not change for the best spot in Dunedin. In spite of early hardships and unremitting toil, husband and wife are still strong, active, and industrious — fine specimens of an old race not often met with nowadays, and the wish that long life and prosperity may be their Jot is a unanimous one from a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
I. M. I. -Otago Witness, 13/7/1888.
Deaths.
McLaren. — On the 26th September, at his residence, Kenmore, Caversham, Peter, the beloved husband of Jessie McLaren; aged 65 years. Deeply regretted. His end was peace. -Evening Star, 27/9/1889.
OBITUARY.
The large majority of the male residents of the locality, together with a considerable number of friends and acquaintances from Dunedin and the surrounding districts, who attended the funeral of Mr Peter McLaren yesterday, abundantly testified to the esteem in which he was held by the community. Green Island Cemetery holds the dust of many of the original occupiers and cultivators of the district (Howden, Dempster, Kirkland, and others), who in their day and generation did the slavish part of the work in subduing the wild, uncultivated waste into a prosperous and profitable food-producing locality.
Mr McLaren, who arrived with his young wife in the province by the ship Mariner on 5th June, 1849, was a native of Kenmore, in Perthshire, near the spot where the renowned 42nd Regiment, or “Black Watch,” was first organised. In his own person he was a fitting representative of what one may suppose to have been the characteristics of that famed body of troops. Of middle stature, an erect bearing, intelligent countenance, broad shoulders and thick chest, supported on nether limbs of rigid tension, his tread on the ground indicated the intent “Forward, my brave men, forward,” and his career in the province showed not only that he possessed strength and determination of purpose, but also that he exercised these grand qualifications. Landing at Dunedin, he had nothing to rely on but what he could earn with his hands. Accordingly, not to lose any time, he engaged at 3s 6d a day with Mr Lloyd, at Green Island, his wife remaining in town, both to be supported from this small income, with provisions and rent twice the cost they now are. Where there is a will there is a way; so, by prudential management, both ends were made to meet, aye, and overlap a bit. Then a better position offered itself with Mr Lee at West Taieri, in whose employ husband and wife would be together. This was one comfort; it was attained, however, after privation and difficulty as to reaching the West Taieri. Mrs McLaren had to take passage in an open whaleboat from Dunedin round to the mouth of the Taieri, where her husband had arranged to meet her and convey her by canoe and pack-saddle to their destination. Arriving safely at the Taieri, with Mr Buchanan, a friend of Mr Lee’s, the party were greatly mortified to find that the promised canoe had not reached the spot; so nothing remained but to camp in the open for the night. It was not long before a party of four stalwart half-clad Maoris, who were pig hunting, came on their halting place, and although the stories of man-eating propensities had been freely attributed to the Natives among the residents of Dunedin, a little experience showed they were hospitably inclined, inviting the lone wanderers to join in their repast of wild pork and potatoes roasted in the ashes. A quiet undisturbed night’s repose among the ferns found the party refreshed and ready for a start, this time no delay occurring, as the canoe, with the husband on board, arrived as the fast of the morning was being broken. After a few months’ residence at West Taieri, revelling on unchangeable meals of wild pork, nothing else being obtainable, and potatoes or damper, with sometimes tea without sugar or milk, the resolution was formed to return to Dunedin, where, after periods of service with Messrs Valpy, E. McGlashan, A. Anderson, Ross and Kilgour, and others, the purse contained sufficient money to warrant Mr McLaren in buying land for himself, which he did in the upper lands of the Ocean Beach district at 10s an acre, which was the price in 1856, sixty acres being the size of the farm. It was at that time an out-of-the-way place — no roads, at a high elevation, ill to get at, and not first-class land by any means. However, contentment was a dominant principle, and after hard work, patient endurance, and many disappointments the industrious, careful couple made their way in the world, rearing a family of eleven children, keeping clear of debt, and commanding the esteem and respect of all who knew them.
On only one occasion did Mr McLaren become encumbered, and it was in this wise: A small stripe of nine acres of unsurveyed land, which could not on that account be purchased with his original sixty acres, lay between his land and the ocean cliffs, of no use to anyone else. It was some years later surveyed, declared open for sale, purchased by some land-grabbers as a speculation at L1 an acre, and our friend was compelled to pay L20 an acre for it, for which he had to borrow.
Mr McLaren never aspired to be a public man, as the phrase is generally accepted. To very many of the Dunedin residents for the past thirty years Mr McLaren was well known and invariably held in the highest esteem. The dairy and farm produce were for years successively delivered to the same customers with every approbation; and seldom was there cause for a change, unless occasioned by the retirement of a principal.
His death has not been a sudden one, as for five months past he has lain on a bed of suffering and languishing, borne with a fortitude that showed there was the true spirit of a man at his heart. Whilst anticipating his own dissolution he tried to cheer the devoted wife at his bedside with the hope that he would yet recover; still the hope, deferred daily, became less with a lessening and departing strength, and on Thursday night last he resigned his spirit to the God who gave it. It is hard to part — to sever friendships whose roots spread a long way back around one’s memory. Still the severance must take place, and when it does occur may those left behind be able to join in saying —
Still o’er these scenes my memory wakes,
And loudly broods with miser care;
Time but the impression deeper makes,
As streams their channels deeper wear.
J. M‘I. -Evening Star, 13/9/1889.
A well-attended meeting of ratepayers of Kaikorai riding was held at noon on Wednesday, at Kenmore, the residence of Mrs Peter McLaren, to consider the matter of closing a road line leading through application 13, block XIII, Dunedin and East Taieri district. Mr Thomson (member for the riding) acted as chairman. The following resolution was unanimously carried: — "That the road line as stated above be not closed." The closing of this road was some time ago suggested to the Taieri County Council, on the ground of its being of no use to the district. The council did not, however, view the matter in this light, and, to give those interested an opportunity of expressing their opinion on the matter, resolved to advertise the closing of the road line in the legal way. The meeting was most emphatic in its protest against the road being closed, chiefly as it was the only road leading to the sea beach in the neighbourhood. -Otago Daily Times, 20/2/1891.
IN MEMORIAM.
McLaren. — In loving remembrance of my dear departed husband, Peter McLaren, who died at his residence, Kenmore, Caversham, on September 27th, 1889.
When all around his soul gave way,
His Saviour dear was all his stay.
— Inserted by his sorrowing widow. -Otago Witness, 1/10/1891.
RIFLE CONTEST.
A shooting contest between six members of the Caversham Rifles and six of the McLaren family of “Kenmore” took place at the Caversham Rifles’ range on Thursday evening. The conditions were seven shots and a sighter at 500 yds and 200 yds. The wind was somewhat uncertain, at times blowing strong, and at others dying away to a calm. After an interesting match victory rested with the members of the Rifles by 13 points. Following are the scores:
Caversham rifles.
500 200 yds. Totall.
Sergeant Bremner 24 24 48
Corporal Waugh 21 25 46
Lieutenant Hume 15 22 37
Sergeant Searle 12 24 36
Private Leith 12 22 34
Corporal Coxon 7 23 30
Total ... 231
Mclaren family.
Peter McLarcn 22 23 43
George McLaren 20 25
Duncan McLaren 12 25 37
James McLaren 17 18
Alexander McLaren 12 17 29
Donald McLaren 0 27 27
Total ...218 -Evening Star, 19/1/1901.
On Saturday the V.M.C.A. Harriers were the guests of Mrs McLaren, Kenmore, St. Clair. Owing to the hills being covered with snow, hares were dispensed with, and those present, under the leadership of T. R. Gordon, set out towards Green Island Beach, coming back close to the sea. After the run the club were generously entertained by the hostess and Mr G. McLaren (a vice-president of the club). -ES, 17/6/1907.
DEATHS
McLAREN. - On 15th June, at her late residence, Kenmore, Caversham, Janet, relict of Peter McLaren, farmer; aged 82 years. Deeply mourned. -Evening Star, 15/6/1909.
The Friends of the late JANET McLAREN (and Family) are respectfully invited to attend her Funeral, which will leave her late Residence, "Kenmore," Caversham, TO-MORROW (THURSDAY), the 17th inst., at 1 p.m., for the Green Island Cemetery
CHARLES J. THORN, Undertaker, David and Marion streets. -Otago Daily Times, 16/6/1909.
Below: The walls of Kenmore's barn survive. I went to the St Clair Golf Club and talked to the pro who was happy for me to take a walk and find what is left of the place. House long gone, barn roof replaced, the barn walls made from local stone are all that remain - above ground, at least.
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