Southland Farmers Co-Op Association Ltd.
This building is situated on the corners of Main & Alderly Sts, Ōtautau (currently Farmlands). Recently I was priviledged to do some research on this site and building for a reunion. Below is a vastly abridged version of this:
In 1878 the blocks of land the Co-op was built on in 1907, were given in a Govt. Crown Grant, to Frederick Augustus Price, on 28 June 1873, for the price of £6/10 & £5/5: Frederick was a son of Thomas & Julianna Price who built and owned the original Ōtautau Hotel, next door. This was not long after the initial survey of the town in 1872.
BELOW: 2007.2.3.30 – from Museum Collection. New Farmer’s Co-op store, dated to 1912 – 1913, based on other businesses seen in photo.
In 1984, a Southland Times article stated "Company Spends $100,000 on renovations” and lists dates, names and other information. This is interspersed here with other recorded fact:
- The Ōtautau branch, opened in 13 Sept 1907. The first store manager was Mr George.
- Delivering groceries was Mr J Kirk, Mr Hay and Andrew Willis, in the grocery side were Messrs Hardy, Gillard, Yates, Shaw and Kirk. Miss Reay Campbell worked in the drapery.
- Between 1905-24, SFCAL Ōtautau store was agency for Alfa Laval separators & equipment.
- By 1908, the year after opening, major extensions were considered for the Ōtautau store.
- In 1910 struggling finances led the Association in a failed attempt to close Ōtautau branch.
- An adjoining bakery bought by the Co-op during 1920’s was incorporated into the store.
- In 1924 the store sold to Mathesons Ltd, groceries were now delivered by motor vehicle.
- Prior to this, the store deliveries had been made by horse and cart all over the district!
- Manager at this time was Mr Duncan McCrostie (later owner of “The Dugout” menswear).
- Miss Jean Morgan worked in the office, in 1927 she was joined by Miss Margaret McBride.
- Mr Hay then moved to the grocery department, working with Mr Shaw & Jack McGregor.
- Miss Campbell still worked in the drapery department, but had been joined by Lucy McNaughton and later also Miss Belle Seatter, Miss Violet Bird and Miss Renee O’Brien.
- In 1946, Mr Mills & Mr Walker sold the store again, back to Southland Farmers Co-Op.
- Mr Walker retained store manager position, & Mr Jack France was appointed as an agent.
- Mr Bill Irwin joined the store as a drafter in 1938 and served in this position for 25 years.
- In 1940’s the store changed hands again, Matheson’s sold it to Jack Mills & Robert Walker.
- The staff at this time consisted of both Mr Mills & Mr Walker, along with Miss Belle Seatter, Miss Minnie Mills, Annie McGregor, Miss Loretta Lamond and Mr Raymond Kirk.
- Mr Reg Foley took over manager’s position from Mr Walker in 1966, was still here in 1984.
- In 1984 the inside was drastically altered for the Co-Op to be a modern, progressive store.
- These alterations which are only inside, were held up due to the January floods of 1984.
Compiled by Suzie Best - Researcher/Historian, ph: 027-211-4675 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The content within this blog is Copyright: Photos - to Ōtautau Museum and Heritage Trust (contact on: otautau.museum@gmail.com) unless stipulated otherwise; Research/text - to the author, unless stipulated otherwise (contact on: riverstream@xtra.co.nz)
In 1878 the blocks of land the Co-op was built on in 1907, were given in a Govt. Crown Grant, to Frederick Augustus Price, on 28 June 1873, for the price of £6/10 & £5/5: Frederick was a son of Thomas & Julianna Price who built and owned the original Ōtautau Hotel, next door. This was not long after the initial survey of the town in 1872.
BELOW: 2007.2.3.30 – from Museum Collection. New Farmer’s Co-op store, dated to 1912 – 1913, based on other businesses seen in photo.
- The Ōtautau branch, opened in 13 Sept 1907. The first store manager was Mr George.
- Delivering groceries was Mr J Kirk, Mr Hay and Andrew Willis, in the grocery side were Messrs Hardy, Gillard, Yates, Shaw and Kirk. Miss Reay Campbell worked in the drapery.
- Between 1905-24, SFCAL Ōtautau store was agency for Alfa Laval separators & equipment.
- By 1908, the year after opening, major extensions were considered for the Ōtautau store.
- In 1910 struggling finances led the Association in a failed attempt to close Ōtautau branch.
- An adjoining bakery bought by the Co-op during 1920’s was incorporated into the store.
- In 1924 the store sold to Mathesons Ltd, groceries were now delivered by motor vehicle.
- Prior to this, the store deliveries had been made by horse and cart all over the district!
- Manager at this time was Mr Duncan McCrostie (later owner of “The Dugout” menswear).
- Miss Jean Morgan worked in the office, in 1927 she was joined by Miss Margaret McBride.
- Mr Hay then moved to the grocery department, working with Mr Shaw & Jack McGregor.
- Miss Campbell still worked in the drapery department, but had been joined by Lucy McNaughton and later also Miss Belle Seatter, Miss Violet Bird and Miss Renee O’Brien.
- In 1946, Mr Mills & Mr Walker sold the store again, back to Southland Farmers Co-Op.
- Mr Walker retained store manager position, & Mr Jack France was appointed as an agent.
- Mr Bill Irwin joined the store as a drafter in 1938 and served in this position for 25 years.
- In 1940’s the store changed hands again, Matheson’s sold it to Jack Mills & Robert Walker.
- The staff at this time consisted of both Mr Mills & Mr Walker, along with Miss Belle Seatter, Miss Minnie Mills, Annie McGregor, Miss Loretta Lamond and Mr Raymond Kirk.
- Mr Reg Foley took over manager’s position from Mr Walker in 1966, was still here in 1984.
- In 1984 the inside was drastically altered for the Co-Op to be a modern, progressive store.
- These alterations which are only inside, were held up due to the January floods of 1984.
Compiled by Suzie Best - Researcher/Historian, ph: 027-211-4675 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The content within this blog is Copyright: Photos - to Ōtautau Museum and Heritage Trust (contact on: otautau.museum@gmail.com) unless stipulated otherwise; Research/text - to the author, unless stipulated otherwise (contact on: riverstream@xtra.co.nz)
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