Harry Hopwood

  General Notes:

Harry started school in New Zealand at Tinwald, Ashburton on November 19th, 1883. His first job was driving horses for Mr Grahain of Tinwald.The horses walked in a circle and provided the power to drive a chaff cutter.

1888 found Harry working on "Longbeach" Station with his father. A year later he was driving a spring cart at Longbeach.The brothers Williain and Charlie Jane drove this for some years before. In 1893 he left Longbeach and spent the next three years in the North Island, working on sheep stations.

Harry arrived in Dunedin in 1898, working mainly in the building trade for the next eight years. He married Mary Ann Margaret ("Ada") Cole in 1900 and they had five children. About 1906 Harry, his wife Ada and three children headed north and settled at Eiffelton, Ashburton. Eiffeiton was a part of Longbeach earlier, and this time Harry worked for Mr E Grigg.

Next move was to Ashburton about 1907 where Harry worked for J Smith & Son, Builders and Timber Merchants. He stayed until late 1914 when he shifted to Rakaia as Manager for W H Collins & Co, also Timber Merchants.

Early 1920 he started his own building business. About 1925, assisted by his sons Charlie and Les, Harry turned to the transport industry. Rakaia Transport Services Co Ltd operated until 1939 when it amalgamated with other companies to form Mid Canterbury Transport Ltd. Harry then operated a school bus and rental car business until he retired in 1945.

During research I discovered a note book, belonging to Harry, in which he wrote in note from his recollections of his younger days working on "Longbeach" Station.

Jack Fletcher was a butcher on Longbeach who used to kill about 40 sheep per week, also 2 or 3 bullocks, a porker or two and lambs in season. Included in my job was parcels for Mr John Grigg's house off the Longbeach coach, arriving daily at 7.00 pm from Ashburton. I steered the traction engine at Pies Corner when it first pulled the ploughs. A man followed each plough and each plough was pulled by independent chains from the engine. My horse I used in the spring cart was stabled in with Alex Davidson's six horses, adjoining the flour mill. I recall five 6 horse teams feeding in yard under terrace, behind kitchen, and 30 hacks used by the shepherds.

The station had 5 blacksmiths, 5 wheel wrights, a saddler and Tarp mender, (Jim Gluyas) Mr Jones, was coachman, Mr Brown was Ashburton coach driver, after Charlie Wise who went farming.

Every Sunday my job was to arrange candles for Church lighting hung from the roof on cross battens. Brass ones on table and organ and take up the collection and also act as treasurer. Mr John Grigg conducted services in the absence of clergy. I was also church warden and rang the bell. Also warden for Waterton church which is 4 miles from Longbeach, during afternoon services.

Walking both ways I just had time to have tea, then light up Longbeach Church.

Harry married "Ada" Mary Ann Margaret Cole in 1900 in Dunedin. ("Ada" Mary Ann Margaret Cole was born in 1875 and died in 1914.)

Harry next married Caroline Miller on 27 Dec 1915 in St Marks, Rakaia.