Established 1873 by Alfred Saunders as a water driven mill, and functioning through to 2007. Heavily damaged and later demolished after a fire in Feb 2011.
Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2458, 4 July 1890
HAMPSTEAD WATER SUPPLY. Mr James Brown reported that he and Mr Walker had interviewed Mr Rollitt, proprietor of the Canterbury Mills on the subject of obtaining a sufficient supply of water for the Town District of Hampstead. Mr Rollitt was willing to grant any reasonable facilities, but pointed out that there was no surplus of water available. The matter, therefore, now greatly depended on what resolution the Council arrives at in regard to the proposals for a permanent auxiliary channel from the South Branch. In the event of such a channel being undertaken the Committee recommend that final agreements be come to with the Borough and the mill proprietor as to cost of auxiliary channel, maintenance, and proportional supply of water to each party interested.
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5469, 11 September 1901
WE ARE CASH BUYERS OF PRIME MILLING WHEAT
TUESDAYS & SATURDAYS - Samples received at Stores, West Street. Other days - Samples received at the Mill.
CORNSAOKS SUPPLIED GRISTING DONE ON FARMERS ACCOUNT.
CANTERBURY ROLLER FLOUR MILLS COMPANY (ROLLITT AND CO.,)
D. WOOD, Manager
From An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand published 1966:
By the 1870s grain production had become increasingly important and flour was milled in the district. Towards the end of 1872 Alfred Saunders built a water-driven flourmill at Ashburton and commenced to grind wheat in the following year. This mill, subsequently modernised, is still in production.[info] [news] [news] [news] [news] [photo] [photo] [photo]
| Last updated 13/02/2026 | Text and images © Mark Berry, 1997-2026 - |
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