David Wyllie

David Wyllie (b. 1867) the eldest surviving son of the four children of James and Mary Wyllie, was born at Wyllie's Crossing on the Taieri.  David married Margaret Graham Grant in 1898 and they had three children, William James (Jim) Grant, Ellen (Ella) Mary, and David "Graham". 

Obituary. (Unknown source)

He was born at Wyllie's Crossing in 1867 on Broad Acres estate which his father the late Mr James Wyllie managed for the late Mr Shand. After a residence of three years in Mosgiel the family acquired the lease of Broad Acres and returned to the farm and the firm of Craig and Wyllie farmed the property for 14 years. The family then removed to "Roseberry" Outram. 

The subject of our sketch was educated at North Taieri School and Otago Boys High School. After working on his father's farm for several years he represented the Mutual Agency Co. in Palmerston and Central Otago and later represented the Otago Farmer's Co-op Assn. in the Middlemarch and Taieri districts. 

Mr Wyllie took an active part in many of the public bodies of the district.  He was a member of the Otago Hussars under Capt. Robin, a member of the Taieri Agricultural Society and was the second oldest member of the Loyal Outram Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. He was Secretary of the Outram School Committee for 17 years and a member of the Outram Town Board, also a staunch Presbyterian. Sport was not neglected and as a young man  he played football and cricket for the Taieri and West Taieri Clubs.  He passed away at Ashburton on 23rd March (1949).

Memories of Mosgiel area written in his old age by David Wyllie.

In compiling these few pages I wish to be distinctly understood that I lay no claim to be one of the old identities or even one of the new but the same might be said of Mosgiel – however I remember the town when it was a hamlet and spent some years of my childhood near where the mill now stands, I am relying on my memory mostly for events and figures contained in this article and no doubt some of the scenes described have been through boyish spectacles. The town is as well known was named after the farm on which Robert Burns resided for some time. The name Mosgiel was also appropriate as Dr Thomas Burns who was the first minister of the settlement and a nephew of Robert Burns was born there and was the father of Mr A. Burns who founded the mill and played such an important part in developing Mosgiel. No one who now sees the town with its well kept streets, its water supply, its drainage, its halls and numerous churches, its well stocked shops, its cosy homes and well kept gardens and last but not least the mill, can quite realise the transformation that has taken place and whether the visitor enters the town by rail or road the view is one of beauty and interest. During the Exhibition when so many visitors passed through it was pleasant to hear their expressions of delight as they viewed the scene below as they came over Saddle Hill. 

But I am writing of old Mosgiel. As a suitable site for a town Mosgiel was both seen to have appealed to those who were responsible for the selecting of suitable areas to lay out townships or future towns. And when we consider this it is not surprising. The Silverstream as well as several other smaller creeks meandered over the plain in go as you please fashion. However as to where the future capital of the Taieri was to be built was more or less drained. Private enterprise stepped in and suitable areas for building purposes could be secured. The Silverstream as well as minor streams were got under control enabling the main road across the plain to be formed. During the fifties practically all the land in the district had been taken up and between 1856 and 1866 the progress made by the settlement was simply marvellous. During that period many substantial homesteads had been erected and most of the land had been cultivated. Many of the homes erected then are still doing a good service as a matter of fact at no time were there many wattle and dab structure in Mosgiel. 

The main road from Dunedin to Taieri was via Half way Bush across the Silverstream at Black Bridge thence along the present road to the Taieri bridge which was opened in 1863. Previous to that the river had to be forded. The traffic to Gabriel's Gully and part of Central Otago went this route. There was also a boat service. The notorious bush ranger Garret crossed by this service. In the first issue of the Otago Daily Times November 13th, 1867  the following notice appears - Coach will leave Commercial Hotel for the Taieri calling at Thomsons Public house on the way. This hotel was known as the Black House and was near where Mr A. Gibson's house now is. Yet another notice in the same issue - Ketch will leave Dunedin for Waihola taking cargo. With the opening of the Main S Road and the one across the plain the traffic was diverted from the routes mentioned in the advertisement above and a great part of it came through Mosgiel. The Dunedin Jockey Club grounds was where Mr Kirk's farm now is and on the occasion of the Duke of Edinburgh's visit in 1870 special efforts were made to have Dukes Road completed for the royal parties visit to the races who came by way of Mosgiel. Hence the name of Dukes Road.  Riccarton can lay claim to being the district's first township. Here the Road Board used to meet and settlers would get goods and do business. Mr John Allan had a store. The Allan family landed in Nelson in 1842 and arrived here in 1848 after a rather adventurous voyage in an open boat. Like a great many more of the Taieri early settlers they hailed from Ayrshire and gave the township the name of Riccarton, the name of their native place. A patch of beautiful native bush about 500 acres grew on the banks of the Silverstream. Many of the farmers had made arcs(?) from which they got their supplies of posts and firewood. A number of houses were built on the edge of the bush and also a number of shacks, the occupants of which we children had a wholesome dread. I might here mention that in the mid 70's about 50 Chinamen who were engaged in cleaning out the Silverstream camped in the bush. The camp was visited by a number of the residents whom the Chinamen entertained by letting off crackers and other fireworks. Bush Road called on account of its proximity to the bush. The first church to be built was at East Taieri about 1854. 1866 saw C/mth(?) Taieri erected, Mosgiel 1877. Needless to say all three were Presbyterian. The Roman Catholic was opened in 1887 and was opposite Dunnery's  and when the present church was built in Mosgiel it was removed to Allanton where it still does services. Both E. Taieri and C/nth(?) Taieri had schools early in the settlement. The first bank on the Taieri was the Bank of Otago which opened for business in Outram in the late 60's and in 1873 the bank was taken over by the National Bank but we must get back to Mosgiel. In 1863 Taylor Bros opened what was known as the Ballarat Store. This was on the site where the Mosgiel Hotel now is. Later on it was added to and was licensed. It was burnt down in the early 80's. About this time Mosgiel was often referred to as Ballarat. This was the nucleus of Mosgiel's business life. Later on another store was opened by Mr Webb- this was later on to enlarge and also get a licence. Another building was Smeaton's Smithy which was probably the first building to be moved by traction and was shifted from Muir's corner by Thos Kirk's traction engine. I might mention that this engine was controlled by a man sitting in front - Mr Drennan who was for many years well known as the driver of the Outram train - he is still hale and hearty. The thrashing mill this pioneer engine operated was shown at the Dunedin Exhibition in 1863. It is rather striking how much it resembles the present day machines.  Mr Brown had an engineer's shop and ? and Rankin carriers went into the Smithy. 

The first school in Mosgiel was where Mr Hendry's shop now is. Mr Lees was I believe the first Master. As the roll grew a larger school was built near the mill entrance and on this school proving too small the present school was erected. In 1863 Mr Burns erected a flour mill near where the mill now stands - it was driven by water power. I think it was dismantled when the woollen mill buildings were erected in 1870. Mr A.J. Burns whom we have already referred to went to the Home Country and secured suitable machinery and engaged number of expert operators mostly from Hawick. The mill had a decided Scotch atmosphere. About the middle of May 1871 operations were commenced. Mosgiel had the honour of launching the first woollen mill in New Zealand. After a few years the business expanded and the present company was formed. Mr(Sir) John Roberts was associated with the company from the beginning and to him much of the success is due. The old saying - the mill made Mosgiel has surely a great deal of truth in it. (Unfortunately the next section is not readable). 

The opening of the railway proved a real boon to the district notwithstanding the fact that the road traffic was diminished. The contractors for the railway Brodgen and Sons, brought their navies with them from England. Their chief amusement was fighting and they caused considerable trouble. These men were known as Brodgenites. Some settled down and proved good citizens.  The Outram railway was completed about 3 years later. A smash occurred   at Wyllie's Crossing when a ballast engine left the rail. One man was killed and several were severely injured. For many years Mosgiel was without a police officer and an occasional visit from the Outram trooper sufficed to keep law and order. Mosgiel was declared a borough in 1885 and the first mayor was Mr Peter Dey. With the advent of the Borough Council municipal matters progressed rapidly. In the 70's Mosgiel boasted two sale yards, one where the Bank of New Zealand stands and the other where Mr Brown's shed. The Taieri Advocate commenced publication with Mr Walter Cameron it's first proprietor and the first office was where the Masonic Hall is now. 

In 1862 Dr Inglis settled in Mosgiel – he purchased and sub divided what is still known as Inglis township. The Dr was a well known figure, highly respected. He had a very large district and had many long journeys. He dispensed his own medicine until Mr Leary opened a chemist shop where Dr Shaw resides. It was fitting that his son Hugh should be one of Mosgiel's most popular mayors. Taieri's first Member of Parliament was Mr D. Reid who was first elected in 1866 and continued as a member for over 10 years. Mr Reid introduced the Deferred Payment Act. This was taken advantage of by many settlers and was probably one of the most useful land acts passed by Parliament. Early in it's history Mosgiel boasted of a Caledonian Society. The sports were held in a paddock in Bush Road. For many years the meetings were well supported. 

The East Taieri Rifles who drilled in the old volunteer hall were a very live corps and had several crack shots. Mr A. Burns was the first captain and later Mr John Andrew.  During the early 80's football and cricket flourished in Mosgiel. The games have not kept pace with the growth of the town. For some years all the cricket matches were played in a paddock adjoining Mr A. Burns house (now Holy Cross College). This ground was found unsuitable and the present Recreation Ground was secured. The late Mr John Reid was the moving spirit in processing and putting into place the present ground. It is a splendid monument to his memory of one who devoted so much time and energy to a worthy cause. If my memory serves me rightly Otago v NS Wales was about the first match played and later Otago v an English team. The Taieri Football club were represented on several occasions in inter-provincial matches and was a team to be reckoned with. 

Wedding notice.

WYLLIE-GRANT.-On the 6th July, at West Taieri Church, by the Rev. James Kirkland, David, eldest son of James Wyllie, Roseberry, West. Taieri, to Margaret Graham, only daughter of William Grant, Clairinch, North Taieri. (1898).

MRS DAVID WYLLIE

The death occurred at her home, Balmoral, Outram, on Saturday, of Mrs. David Wyllie, who had been a resident of the district for many years. Mrs Wyllie, who was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs William Grant, was born at Southbridge, near Milton, 63 years ago, and received her education at the Southbridge and Outram Schools. Both of Mrs Wyllie's parents were among the early settlers, her mother's parents, Mr and Mrs Thomas Buchanan, having arrived by the Philip Laing in 1848. From 1898, when she was married, the whole of Mrs Wyllie's life was spent at Outram. She took a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the district. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and joined in all its activities. In school matters she was keenly interested, and was secretary for the school jubilee celebrations held last year. She also took a lively interest in the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, and was president of the local branch of Dr Barnardo's Homes. She is survived by her husband and by two sons, Mr James Wyllie (Wellington) and Mr Graham Wyllie (Dunedin), and one daughter, Miss E. Wyllie, of Berwick.

ODT 9th August 1929.

Death notice.

WYLLIE-On March 23. 1949, at Ashburton, David, beloved husband of the late Margaret Graham Wyllie, late of Outram; in his eighty-second year.--The Funeral will leave the residence of his son. D. G. Wyllie, Gladstone road, Mosgiel, on Friday, March 25, 1949. at 2.30 p.m. (service at 2.15 p.m.), for the West Taieri Cemetery.

THE FROZEN-MEAT OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 6876, 29 February 1884.

THE FROZEN-MEAT TRADE. The s.s. Fonstanton, which sails to-day for London direct, takes with her a large cargo of sheep for the Home trade, frozen at the New Zealand Refrigerating Works, Burnside. The following are the shippers :-John Borton, Oamaru, 139; Cargill and Anderson, Wyndham, 140; Wm. Patrick, Dunedin, 74; S. G. Smith, Dunedin, 68; M. Studholme, Waimate, 390; Thomas, Finnie, Saddle Hill, 101; Craig and Wyllie, Taieri, 40; N.Z. and A. Land Company, Pareora, 243; Peter M'Laren, Otakia, 98; James Allan, Taieri, 297; William Shand, Taieri, 65; Hon. Mathew Holmes, Southland, 405; J. Smith and Sons, Molyneux, 683 ; R. H. Rhodes, Timaru, 323; W. H, Teschemaker, Oamaru, 197; James Gow, Taieri, 52; S. Adam, jun., Hampden, 96; M. C. Orbell, Waikouaiti , 289; G. McDonald, Maheno, 50; Murray, Roberts, and Co.. Strath.Taieri. 451, J. R. Elder, Maheno, 279; J. Gibson, Waiwera, 190; Begg Bros., Molyneux, 255.