We have to notice the erection, in the neighbourhood of Christchurch, of a windmill, the framework and machinery of which was lately imported by Mr. W. D. Wood, in the "Westminster." It forms a conspicuous object upon the Plains, and indicates how the beauty of Christchurch would be improved by the erection of lofty buildings, whether churches with spires, factories with chimneys, or mills that go by wind. This is the second and much improved attempt in this Province to use the power of our regular breezes for grinding purposes.The first attempt referred to would have been Mountfort's windmill, Heathcote, built 3 years previous.
This was followed up by more notes in Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 402, 10 September 1856, Page 6
The new windmill, near Christchurch, which we mentioned only a few weeks ago as being in course of building, has now arrived so near completion as to have begun working. The driving machinery is well adapted to these Plains, as the sails are so constructed as to take in cloth when the wind rises. The internal machinery also, we understand, is calculated to turn out the finest description of work. This advantage will, no doubt, tend to raise the value of Canterbury flour in the markets of the neighbouring colonies.
Severe Gale. - For a considerable time past, the wind has been blowing from the N.W., with few intervals and more than usual violence; causing floods in all the rivers which are affected by the melting snow. Friday morning last was calm and sultry, but in the afternoon the wind rose from the same quarter, and in the evening increased to such a degree of violence as we have not experienced for years. The storm lasted during the night and the greater part of the next day, recurring in violent squalls during the whole period, until Saturday afternoon. The instances of damage done, of which we have accounts, are numerous, but we are happy to say that in no instance has any very great loss occurred. The schooner Flirt was capsized in Lyttelton harbour by a sudden shift of wind when, the storm was at its height. She was completely turned over, but was righted again the next morning, with little loss, having no cargo on board. Several thatched roofs have been partially stripped, and a few haystacks partially, or wholly dispersed. We are informed, also, that the new windmill, near Christchurch, has received some slight damage, though nothing but what is susceptible of easy repair.Within a short time there was no need to refer to the mill as the "new windmill" - there was clearly only one windmill in Christchurch that was worth of the name: Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 466, 22 April 1857, Page 6
We understood that a new brewery is about to be established near Christchurch, by Mr. May, brewer, of Wellington. The site will be, we are told, in the neighbourhood of the windmill. Such an undertaking must encourage the growth of barley on the plains. Times are bad among the farmers, if we may judge from one circumstance. We hear that, at a meeting of the inhabitants of the Lincoln Road, it was agreed not to subscribe towards the building of a church nor towards a clergyman's stipend. The reason is alleged to be the hardness of the times from the low price of grain.
Markets.3 years later, the price of flour from this mill was much higher: Lyttelton Times, Volume XIII, Issue 755, 1 February 1860
Very little or nothing having been of late done in the grain market, we have had no quotations of prices to report. A few sales having taken place within the last few daye, we are enabled to quote new wheat at 4s. per bushel and old at 4s. 6d. The price of flour has fallen comparatively with the reduction in wheat. Average quality is now placed at £15 per ton. At the windmill, first flour is quoted at £16, and second at £14.
On Friday last, the first flour of the season was brought into market from Mr W. D. Wood's Windmill, at £26 per ton. The wheat was grown on the farm of Mr. R. Wright, near Riccarton.
TO be sold in one or more lots, twenty five acres of land, fronting the Town Belt and the Windmill Road. The property has a most substantially built house upon it, and is conveniently divided into three paddocks, two of which are surrounded with a high gorse fence.
For terms, apply to MR. HARMAN, Christchurch.
The list of militiamen for 1860-61 listed a number of millers "residing within 15 miles of the Land Office at Christchurch", including Wood, being the only resident so listed of Windmill road: A-E E-L L-S L-S or as a consolidated PDF.
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Edward Ashby, Lower Lincoln Road, miller
Arthur Cole, Avon Mill, miller
James Kerr, Avon Mill, writing clerk
Daniel Inwood, Cashel street, Christchurch, miller
George Thomas Inwood, Cashel street, Christchurch, miller
James Inwood, Cashel street, Christchurch, miller
William Inwood, Cashel street, Christchurch, miller
William Saunders, Durham street, Christchurch, miller
Daniel Slater, Tuam street, Christchurch, millwright
Edward Steggall, Kaiapoi, miller
William Tuckerman Stephens, Avon mill, miller
Sydney Burrows Stiffe, Avon mill, commission agent
Willian Derisley Wood, Windmill road, Christchurch, miller
Richard Woodfrod, Kaiapoi, miller
The road to the windmill clearly became unpassable in the winter of 1861, so the road was closed for months for repair:
Lyttelton Times, Volume XV, Issue 899, 22 June 1861
PUBLIC NOTICE.The same notice was repeated many times, with its last publication being in Lyttelton Times, Volume XVI, Issue 920, 4 September 1861.
WINDMILL ROAD. THE Public are hereby informed that the road from Wood's Mill Gateway, as far as the Town Belt, is stopped for dray traffic, and will be re-opened as soon as sufficient metal has been laid to render it passable.
THOS. WM. MAUDE, Provincial Secretary. Provincial Secretary's Office, June 19, 1861.
TO DITCHERS AND EXCAVATORS.
TENDERS are invited for the cutting of a Mill Race at Riccarton, near Hagley Park. Further information may be obtained by applying to me at the Windmill, where Plans and Specifications of the work may be seen. Tenders to be sent in, on or before the 6th December next.
The lowest or any other tender will not necessarily be accepted.
W. D. WOOD.
Windmill, Christchurch, Nov. 27.
FOR SALE,A sale was not immediate - the same ad appeared through at least March the following year.
THAT compact freehold valuable property, situate at Christchurch, and known as THE WINDMILL, comprising about two Acres of Land, Dwellinghouse, Granary, Stables, Cart-shed, &c. &c.
THE MILL is fitted with patent self-adjusting sails and shifting windlass, drives two pair four-feet French-burr mill stones, dressing machinery, hoisting-tackle, &c. The building and machinery are nearly new; were made by one of the best English makers, and are in good order and preservation; in full work, and doing a good trade; is situate in a good business part of the town, and within a short distance of the proposed railway station.
The mill can be removed and newly erected in time for next harvest, if required, and, if preferred, will be sold separately; it is therefore well worthy of the attention of parties at Timaru, Oamaru, Saltwater Creek, &c. The machinery, can be easily applied to water or steam auxiliary power.
For further particulars, apply to W. D. WOOD, Miller, Christchurch;
H. J. LeCREN, Timaru;
DALGETY, RATTRAY & Co., Dunedin and Oamaru.
Changes were also happening in his private life, with the birth of a daughter Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 960, 22 January 1862
BIRTH.
WOOD — Jan. 18, at the Windmill, Christchurch, the wife of Mr. W. D. Wood, of a daughter.
TOWNSHIP OF LEITHFIELD, ON THE KOWAIIt appears that the purchase price was £1000 Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVIII, Issue 1640, 23 October 1862
The Windmill now on the Windmill road, Christchurch, has been purchased by the proprietor, and arrangements are being made for its immediate erection on a capital site; and already there are a butcher, blacksmith, shoemaker, and post-office, beside Mr. Leith's well known comfortable accommodation house, established within the township, and the line of railway to the north runs within a short distance of it.
CANTERBURY. - October 9The windmill was removed some time before March 1863, when property ads were using copy referring to "where the windmill formerly stood" Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1077, 7 March 1863
Mr H E Alport reports sales at Christchurch market as follows — 1 black gelding £45, 1 bay mare, £35, 1 pack bullock, £22, 1 milch cow, £11, 1 ditto and calf £16, small pigs, 16s to 21s each, fowls. 4s 6d to 6s a couple, flour, £12 per ton.
Messrs Aikman and Wilson, among recent sales, report the following, viz — Windmill for £1000, 251 cattle (mixed) at £7 per head, 1 acre town reserves for £200. remaining sections of Christchurch East at £37 10s per quarter acre — Canterbury Standard.
ANTIGUA STREET SOUTH, OR WINDMILL ROAD - A Section of nearly one acre to be sold, situated just opposite where the windmill formerly stood. No. 68I'm guessing that whilst the smock of the mill was moved, any brick base was left on site, and that this auction containing bricks and superior flour may both relate to the old mill site Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1087, 11 April 1863
PRELIMINARY NOTICE.Once a sale date was fixed, the later notice makes it even clearer that these bricks are on the windmill site Lyttelton Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1089, 18 April 1863
MESSRS. W. and N. JOYNT beg to announce that, having succeeded in procuring accommodation for carrying on their business in CHRISTCHURCH as AUCTIONEERS, they will on an early date submit to public competition A LARGE AND VARIED ASSORTMENT OF GOODS,
Consisting of:— About thirty tons of very superior flour.
A quantity of sugar
10 qr-casks of sherry
3 hhds ditto
1 spring cart, will carry from 12 to 15 cwt of goods
400 gallons kerosine
8,000 bricks, more or less, to be seen on the Windmill Road, adjoining Mr. Wood's residence. (Unreserved.)
An assortment of drapery, boots and shoes, and a quantity of useful stores, particulars of which will appear in future advertisements.
The Sale will take place at the rear of their new office, COLOMBO STREET, Adjoining Thompkin's Railway Chop House.
CHRISTCHURCH.
SATURDAY, APRIL 25.
Sale of Baker's Flour, Groceries, Oilmen's Stores, Sherry, a variety of Fancy Goods, Spring Cart, &c., &c., &c.
MESSRS. W. & N. JOYNT will Sell by Public Auction, on Saturday, April 25, at the rear of their new offices, in Colombo street, Christchurch, adjoining Thompkins' Chop House, —
30 tons superior flour, in lots to suit purchasers
1 ton Mauritius sugar
10 qr.-casks sherry
3 hlids. sherry
200 galls, kerosene oil
20 cases geneva
A variety of fancy goods, work boxes, writing desks, clocks, vases
Toys of various descriptions, carpeting
1 superior spring cart, strongly built
8,000 bricks (more or less), to be seen on the site of the windmill, next to Mr. Wood's residence
And a quantity of useful stores, too numerous to particularise.
Sale at 11 o'clock. Terms at Sale.
Luncheon provided.
Christchurch Paradoxes. — A city and bishop without a cathedral. A town clock without a face. A clock tower lying about (in bits). A clock face without a clock. A market-place without a market. A windmill road without a windmill. A custom-house staff without a port. Two squares each oblong. A public park reserved for private use. A Government domain unused by Government. Volunteer soldiers paid by the State. A gold escort without gold.The list went on, presumably making political points, having originally been published in the Canterbury Standard.
Perhaps people were feeling the loss of the windmill - one ad amalgamated the old and new road names Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 1738, 12 July 1866
WOODBURN NURSERY, ANTIGUA STREET SOUTH, (Windmill Road), CHRISTCHURCH.but clearly others definitely considered the two roads as separate: Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2025, 18 June 1867
Letters were read from the following persons : From Messrs Dalwood and Thompson, calling attention to the state of the road between the Windmill road and Antigua street. This matter was referred to the surveyor.More mixing: Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2302, 9 May 1868
FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY. ABOUT 1 ACRE of FREEHOLD LAND, part of Town Reserves Lot No. 48, having 2 chains frontage upon Antigua street (known as the Windmill road), Christchurch. For particulars apply to WILSON & ALPORT.but also more separation: Press, Volume XVII, Issue 2300, 6 September 1870
Letter from Mr J Rowley, complaining of the unhealthy state of the Windmill road, near Antigua street, through defective drain. It was resolved that the work be completed as soon as the weather would permit.
JUBILEE EXHIBITION.
The Exhibits
... Passing on, the visitor is brought face to face with a bay that cannot fail to awaken interest, inasmuch as it is, in itself an, object-lesson in the history of flour-milling, as well as of that of Canterbury. But first let the dresser of the bay be complimented on his pretty and loyal decorations of red, white and blue that top the whole, and cover gracefully a wreath made of wheat taken from the sheaf, garlanded with red poppies. Prominent in the bay is that portion of it which makes it historical, and emphatically marks off in the industry of milling the old and the new, and the time when Canterbury was content with flour milled by primitive methods, from to-day, when nothing but the most advanced methods will suffice. Here is the photograph of an ancient windmill, one of the first in Canterbury, which in 1856 began to grind-wheat for the pilgrims. Beside it is one of the stones used in the process, and athwart its rugged face is laid an old hacker (the steel adze that was used to roughen that face and give it a surface that would be effective in the work of pulverisation). The old tool has had a new handle, and is gala-dressed in a way it never was during the days it served the turn of the dusty miller. On the other side of the bay there are three of the rollers that have taken the place of the millstone, and their corrugated surfaces show at a glance how the work is done, the wheat passing under first a roller with coarse corrugations, thence under one of medium roughness, and on to the next, which reduces the wheat to fine flour. Of course, further degrees of fineness are procured, and dressings are given by sieves of fine silk, but for the purposes of comparison the millstone and the rollers are sufficient to give point to the legend streaming overhead in golden letters, "The old order changeth, giving place to new." Then there are samples of wheat shown - Hunter’s White, Duluth, Pearl and Tuscan - samples, also, of pollard, sharps, flour, bran, coarse semolina, fine semolina, porridge meal, and rolled meal.
Simon Wood will be greatly missed. He was a longstanding friend and supporter of the Society. His interest in Ferrymead began with his passion for building a replica working windmill as a landmark and key feature at Ferrymead. This windmill was to be a recreation of the windmill originally constructed in Antigua Street by his great-grandfather, a flour miller. In those days, Antigua Street was known as Windmill Road. This windmill was later dismanded and taken to Leithfield where it was erected on the high ridge behind the town to help it to capture every breeze. Sadly, Simon's dream of a working windmill at Ferrymead remains unrealised. The signal tower on Wood Hill (named after Simon) was placed there at his instigation to provide a framework on which to build this windmill.[photo] [photo] [details] [details] [photo] [info] [info] [photo] [info] [photo]
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