Moffat's mill, Lincoln, New Zealand 🌍

Lincoln (#nz1541)

Star, Issue 1224, 24 January 1872

Serious Accident. — On Monday a serious accident occurred at Moffatt's mill, Lincoln, to a young man named Freeston, who used to be employed as clerk at Wood's mill, Christchurch. He was engaged in placing a band on some of the machinery when, his trousers being caught between two cogs, one of his legs was drawn in and seriously smashed. He was at once removed to the Hospital at Christchurch, when it was found necessary to amputate the leg immediately below the knee. The operation was successfully performed, and the sufferer is now doing well.

Press, Volume XXXII, Issue 4337, 11 August 1879

TO MILLERS, CAPITALISTS, AND OTHERS.
TO LET BY TENDER, for a Term of Five (5) Years - The Lincoln Water-Power FLOUR MILL, driving three (3) pair French Burr Stones, Silk dressing Machine, and all necessary Machinery for carrying on a large trade. Also, One Five (5) Ton WEIGHBRIDGE. The outbuildings consist of one grain store, a seven-roomed dwelling-house, with washhouse, &c., two (2) four-roomed cottages, one lean-to, four-stalled stable with hayloft, stockyard, and cow-shed, Together with Twelve (12) ACRES first-class LAND. The Mill is within ten (10) chains of the Lincoln Railway Station and Akaroa Junction, and twelve (12) miles from Christchurch. Possession given early in September. Further particulars to be had at the Mill; or Mr H. Moffatt's Corn Store, Christchurch. Tenders to be sent in on or before Saturday, 23rd August, 1879.

Moffat went bankrupt in 1881, and both the Lincoln mill, and the new one at Wakanui were put up for auction: Lyttelton Times, Volume LV, Issue 6303, 11 May 1881

PRELIMINARY ADVERTISEMENT.
TO MILLERS, CAPITALISTS, AND OTHERS.
A RARE OPPORTUNITY.
DISTRICT IN THE HEART OF THIS PROVINCE.
THE MOST LUCRATIVE BUSINESS IN NEW ZEALAND.
Water-power up to any amount. Close to the LINCOLN RAILWAY STATION.
LINCOLN MILL. LINCOLN MILL. Known as MOFFAT'S MILL.
At present let for £350 per annum.
THE Undersigned have been instructed to submit this Valuable Property, Together with FOUR GOOD DWELLING HOUSES and 12 ACRES OF LAND, BY PUBLIC AUCTION, AT THEIR SALEROOMS IN CHRISTCHURCH. ON SATURDAY, the 28th DAY of MAY.
Also, After the sale of the above, Will be submitted the Farm known as LINCOLN FARM, Comprising 181 ACRES OF LAND, Situated in Lincoln, which for Quality of Soil cannot be surpassed.
Also, At the same time, Will be offered that Valuable Property Known as THE WAKANUI MILL.
Doing a capital business and the centre of the greatest agricultural districts of this Province, together with DWELLING HOUSE, STABLES, Etc.
Also - A FARM OF 98 ACRES, Adjoining, and known to be of the very best quality of soil.
J. T. FORD & CO., Auctioneers.

I looks as if Moffat returned to milling at the Lincoln mill many years later: Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8141, 7 April 1892

LINCOLN MILLS.
H. MOFFAT
BEGS to inform his old Friends and Patrons that the LINCOLN MILL IS NOW AT WORK,
And hopea by strict attention to the wants of his customers to merit a share of public support.

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22917, 13 January 1940

The Old Mill at Lincoln
In the early days the mill in the Lincoln district was built by a man named Early; he installed first a turbine, then a waterwheel.
An amusing story is told of this turbine. One day it stopped suddenly and a man was sent down to see what was wrong. There was a large eel weighing 20lb in weight found jammed in the turbine.
When the creek was dammed up, it formed an artificial lake over an area of about 1 1/2 acres. There was boating on this lake, while large fish were caught in it. Two children were drowned in it.
The water-wheel for the mill measured 20ft high and four feet wide; it worked the millstones, one of which is now at the English Church yard In Lincoln, It has the date on which the mill was assembled and the date on which it was pulled down, This is one of the only parts left of the old mill.
Mr Early sold it to Mr Moffatt, of whom very little is known. After he left, it came into the hands of Mr Maeber. He installed new machinery, but found that the waterwheel was not strong enough to drive all the machinery. He therefore obtained a small portable engine to drive the new machinery while he kept the water-wheel and the millstones for grinding barley for pigs. The flour was carted to Christchurch by waggons before the railway was built.

Associated people

• Henry Moffat