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Rowland and Mary
Jefferis
 Rowland Jefferis (b: 1854 to parents John Jefferis and Ann nee Hall, at Keynsham, a district spanning the boundaries of Gloucestershire and Somerset; d: 8 May 1929 in Oamaru aged 75Y; bur: Kurow) Src: Victoria University: Rowland Jefferis was b: in Somerset, England in 1851, and came to New Zealand with his parents, by the ship “Nourmahal” in 1858. After his education was completed at the North Taieri school and Dunedin High School, he remained with his parents at Silverstream, Taieri, for a time, and was afterwards apprenticed to Mr. W. A. Young, flourmiller, Palmerston. In 1870, Mr. Jeffries bought his present property, “Knoll Farm,” of 290 acres, and stocked it with crossbred merino and Leicester sheep. He was engaged chiefly in dairy farming, milking forty cows, and conveying the milk to the creamery of which he is manager. Mr. Jefferis also does a considerable amount of cropping, and wheat and oats on his farm average about forty bushels to the acre. Mr. Jefferis has been a member of the Hawksbury Road Board, the Waikouaiti County Council, and of the Flag Swamp school committee, of which he became in 1904, chairman. Rowland Jefferis Esq. of Knoll Farm, Hawksbury mar: on the 30th Sept 1880 at Cherry Farm, Waikouaiti, by the Rev. John Christie, to Mary, second daughter of John Duncan, Esq.,and mother Mary nee Beattie, of Cherry Farm. (Mary was b: 30 Sep 1860, and she d: 1939 in Oamaru; bur: at Kurow. Her father immigrated to NZ on the "Mooltan" in 1849) 
Otago Witness,
I5 Oct 1878 - WAIKOUAITI AND BLUESKIN ENTIRE HORSE COMPANY. The
4th annual meeting of the proprietors in the company was held at the
Golden Fleece Hotel, Waikouaiti, on the 27th Sept. Mr John Duncan was
voted to the chair, and reported to the meeting that £335 9s was to the
credit of the company in the Standard Investment Society, and that moneys
expected for services would, in all probability, meet expenses to date.
The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks to retiring directors was
passed. It was then moved and carried unanimously that all the old
office-bearers be re-elected, namely, Messrs John Duncan and John Reid,
trustees ; Messrs John Reid, M. Bannatyne, H. B. Ferguson, R. Bhand, and
John Muir, directors ; and Messrs Wm. Cowan and Rowland Jefferis,
auditors. After some discussion the shareholders suggested to the
nowly-appointed directors to be cautious in travelling Sir George Grey ;
to see that he did not make long journeys, and if they deemed it
advisable, at the end of the season, and a good price was offered, to
dispose of him and be on the look-out for another good horse,to purchase.
27
September 1879 - Rowland Jefferis, farmer. Flag Swamp, lived on the
farm that had belonged to his father who died in 1875, with his
mother.
Otago
Witness, 9 October 1880,
On the 30th September, at Cherry Farm, Waikouaiti, by the Rev. John Christie, Rowland Jefferis Esq., Knoll Farm, Hawksbury, to Mary, second daughter of John Duncan, Esq., Cherry Farm. Tuapeka Times,
25 August 1883,
DUNEDIN MARKETS-STOCK, &Co. Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. report for the week ending Aug 22nd: Mr Rowland Jefferis (farm called Knoll Farm at Flag Swamp ), 20 head bullocks at £7 17s 6d, and cows at up to £7; for Mr B. J. Jefferis (Te Houka), 51 crossbred sheep (prime, medium size) at 15s 9d ; 1884 Otago
Witness, 6 Dec 1884, Waikouaiti County Council.
The adjourned annual statutory meeting of the Council was held on Friday, there being present: Ore J. Duncan, J. Mawaon, D. Mculloch, J. Crickmore, R. Jefferis, J. Green; Cr Green in the" chair. 1881 Otago
Witness,, 7 May 1881: Waikouaiti Native School Examination. Another
successful examination and distribution of prizes at the Native School,
Waikouaiti, took place on Tuesday. The occasion was rendered more
interesting as it was the last gathering under the able supervision of Mr
Maloney, the teacher. He has been at the Kaik for five or six years, and
has now been promoted to the Hokianga Native School. Mr Duncan, of Cherry
Farm, and Mr and Mrs Jefferis, of Flag Swamp, were the only strangers
present, besides a great number of parents and friends of the children.
The proceedings commenced about 1 pm, with a hymn (which Mrs Jefferis
played on the school harmonium) the children singing heartily and well,
after which Mr Duncan and Mr Jefferis examined the children in reading,
writing, dictation, and arithmetic, and found that Mr Maloney deserves
very great credit for the remarkable progress which his pupils have made.
Immediately after, great preparations were made for dinner, which the
Natives had supplied among themselves. The younger members present set out
the tables quite in European fashion and waited on the visitors very
actively.
After partaking of the
good things the tables were cleared and Mr Duncan spoke of the loss the
Natives would sustain in the removal of their kind teacher, Mr Maloney. Mr
L. Pratt acted as Maori interpreter to Mr Duncan and then spoke in-words
of welcome and praise of Mr Duncan who had taken such a lively interest
for four ¦years in the school's progress. Mr Hape, Maori minister, then
addressed the gathering (Mr Pratt interpreting into English) and welcomed
all visitors present also regretting Mr Maloney's
departure. 1882 Mr R
Jefferis - School committee Flag swamp
Otago
Witness, 29 March 1884 PROVINCIAL. Mr Rowland Jefferis has
been elected to the Waikouaiti County Council for Hawksbury riding.
1885 appointed
to be a judge at the Waikouiti Race club meeting
Otago
Witness, 29 April 1887,
A fire occurred at the farm of Mr Rowland Jefferis, Flag Swamp, on Sunday afternoon, whereby the stable, barn, cowshed, stockyard, together with the contents, harness &c., also some 200 to 300 bags of grain were completely destroyed. The fire is supposed to have happened through some children playing with matches, whereby two stacks of straw (valued at £50) at the back of the buildings were ignited. The fire soon spread to the buildings, which were all burned to the ground. It has not been ascertained whether there was any insurance on the destroyed property . June 1889
VALUABLE FREEHOLD FARM, FLAG SWAMP,To be sold under power of sale
conferred by Deed of Mortgage registered at Dunedin as No. 27,328. THE
PERPETUAL TRUSTEES.ESTATEAND AGENCY COMPANY OF NEW ZEALAND (LIMITED) is
instructed by the Mortgagees to sell by public auction, at 2
o'clock— Section 10 and part of 11, block IV Hawksbury District,
containing 121 acres, more or less, of good agricultural land, fenced and
improved, am having thereon good dwelling house and other buildings. This
farm is within easy distance of the railway, and has been for some years
occupied by Mr R. J. Jefferis. For further particulars apply to J. A.
HISLOP, Solicitor, Dunedin;
Otago Witness
, 13 June 1889: The Perpetual Trustees, Estate, and Agency Company of New
Zealand report the sale by auction of sections 10 and 11, block XI,
Hawksbury district, containing 122 acres 3r l0p, to Mr R. Jefferis for
£820. (Goodwood) He did road contracting work for council and
was Manager of the Goodwood Creamery,
The Goodwood Creamery (Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company, Limited, proprietors). This creamery was built in 1899, and, during the first year of its existence, put through an average of 300 gallons of milk a day, which his since been increased to 1800 gallons a, day during the summer months. Alpha, de Laval machinery of the latest pattern, is installed, and the engines and boiler were built by Messrs Huston, Proctor, and Co., of Lincoln. England. The building is of wood, with a concrete floor, and there is a thorough system of cleanliness. Otago Witness
, 26 March 1902: Mr R. Jefferis, Flag Swamp, called the council's
attention to the state of the road called Jefferis's road, that it might
be gravelled before winter set in. Mr Jefferis informed the
contractor has notice to proceed with the work.
The Flag Swamp School is a wooden building with two classrooms situated on the main north road, about half-way between Waikouaiti and Palmerston. The average attendance for 1903 was forty-five, and there were fifty names on the roll. Mr. James Nelson is the head master, and Miss Mcdonald is mistress. The school is under the c0ntrol of the Otago Education Board, and established about thirty-seven years ago.  The photo has lines indicating
Jefferis boys - on back is written J Jefferis, Box 6,
Manurewa
Otago Witness,
6 June 1906: A very large gathering assembled at Flag Swamp on
Friday evening to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Rowland Jefferis and family,
who are leaving the district and settling at Hakataramea. The first part
of the programme consisted in a concert. Then followed a presentation, and
a supper and dance. Mr Duncan MacGregor occupied the chair, and in a brief
and able speech gave a sketch of the important part played in the
district's history by Mr Jefferis, of his many neighbourly and good
qualities, and management of the creamery. The member for the district (Mr
Thos. Mackenzie), on behalf of the residents, presented Mr Jefferis with a
well-filled purse of sovereigns and a case of pipes, and Mrs Jefferis with
a beautiful silver teapot. In doing so be referred to the high respect in
which the recipients were held, and wished them and their family health,
happiness, and sweet content in their new home. A number of old residents
also testified to their appreciation of Mr and Mrs Jefferis. The
presentations were suitably acknowledged by Mr Jefferis.
1906 May moved
to Otiake - New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Electorate: 1911:Waitaki Rowland Jefferis Residence: Otiake; Occ:
farmer
1913:
AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS. Evening Post, 26 July 1913:So much confidence
is felt in the proposals of the success of fruitgrowing in the Upper
Waitaki Valley that several landowners about Otiake who have already
planted extensive areas of fruit trees are adding to their orchards. Mr.
Harris is planting another 40 acres, and Messrs. Jefferis and Hill, both
of whom had already made a bold start, are each covering a further 20
acre. The trees that were planted last year look particularly healthy, and
have made good growth, and despite the fact that last year was wetter than
the ideal fruit season, the orchardists are perfectly satisfied with the
promise of their venture.
Oamaru
Mail, 19 July 1915: A demonstration of the modern methods of fruit
tree pruning, and spraying will be given in Mr R. Jefferis orchard at
Otiake on Thursday, July 22 April, commencing at 2
o'clock.
Otago Daily
Times, 18 Feb 1916: In spite of the dry season, the fruit crops of
-the district are very satisfactory. Three orchards are singled out for
special mention, those of Messrs C. Harris (planted four years ago), R.
Hill, and R. Jefferis, showing remarkable growth, and yielding apricots,
peaches, and plums of excellent size, flavour. The district shows evident
signs of adaptability for fruit growing.
1916 - THE OTIAKE ORCHARDS. REMARKABLE
PROGRESS. CONDITIONS IDEAL
Oamaru Mail,
20 April 1918:The fruit from the orchard of Mr R. Jefferis, of Otiakc,
promises to rival in size and color with that of the much-talked-of
Central Otago fruit. Samples of the Otiake apples are now on view in town,
Cleopatras weighing 10 ounces each, with a clear yellow skin; Delicious,
10 ounces each, dark red (the brightest colored of that variety we have
seen): Jonathan, 9 ounces each, bright red of uniform color throughout;
and Sturmers, 8 ounces each, large apples, but the russeting is paler than
what we usually see. Mr Jefferis' apples are clean and well grown - the
result of careful management.
Oamaru
Mail, 4 Jan 1919 Mr R. Jefferis, Otiake, notifies, that he is now
booking orders for apricots, peaches and plums. He has also a limited
supply of nectarines and advises buyers to apply promptly. Advt: NOW
BOOKING ORDERS APRICOTS PEACHES PLUMS APPLES available from end of March.
R, JEFFERIS, 471 Riverside Orchard,
Otiake.
The
CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION is formed - R Jefferis on
committee
Otago Daily Times, 10 May 1929:
MR ROWLAND JJEFFERIS. Mr Rowland Jefferis, who died at Oamaru on.
Wednesday at the age -of 78 was well known in many parts of Otago, and was
held in the highest respect by everyone who was acquainted with him. He
was born in Somerset, England, in 1851, and came to New Zealand with his
parents in the ship Nourmahal in 1858. After the completion of his
education at the North Taieri School and the Otago Boys’ High School lie
remained with' his parents at Silverstrcam, Taieri, for a time, and was
afterwards apprenticed to Mr W. A. Young, a flourmiller, at Palmerston. In
1870 Mr Jefferis took up a farm of 220 acres at Flag Swamp, and stocked it
with merino and Leicester sheep. Subsequently he engaged in dairy
farming,’and was also manager of the Goodwood Creamery. After residing at
Flag Swamp for ma'.y yars he removed to Otiake, where ’he was well known'
as an orchardist. While he was at Flag Swamp Mr Jefferis took a keen
interest in local body affairs, and at times he was a member of the
Hawksbury Road Board, the Waikouaiti County Council, and the Flag Swamp
School Committee. In 1880 he married a daughter of the late Mr John Duncan (a
well-known resident of the Waikouaiti and Merton districts), and had a family of seven sons and three daughters.
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