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The Millton Family at Birch Hill    1874 - To Date...

 

By Gerard S. Morris, M.A. (Dist.)

Birch Hill Station has been owned by the Millton Family, since 1874. In 1879, Edward Bowler Millton, the third son of Captain William Newton Millton took over the management of the station, as well as their Okuku Hill property, and farmed them until his death in 1942.

 

Left: Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bowler Millton, V.D., NZTSM, NZLESM, CAD, circa 1912.

 

Edward had no children and on his death his estate was left to the Sunlight League of New Zealand Incorporated, an organisation established by Miss Cora Wilding as a health camp for Canterbury children. The mission of the Sunlight League was “for the health, education and welfare of Canterbury Children”. This is still strictly adhered to today with the EB Millton Charitable Trust recognising, needs, education and excellence in children in the form of donations and scholarships.

 

Edward loved horses and was particularly fond of his horse Kakahu. He rode Kakahu regularly during the 1910s, and they are remembered especially for their attendance at the 8th South Canterbury Regiment regimental training camps, which he commanded. Today, the Oxford Pony Club regularly uses part of the Birch Hill property for an annual event. Edward would be happy to know that horses and children are still benefitting from his legacy.

Left: The plaque reads “In memory of the Horses of the 8th Regiment N.Z.M.R. that Died in the Great War 1914 – 1918” The emblem of the 8th Regiment is also depicted. Today, the plaque also honours the 10,000 horses that served overseas in the Great War.

 

Edward attended Christ's College and developed into a very good rugby player. He played as a forward. In 1884, he was selected to represent New Zealand, along with his oldest brother William (who was the captain) in the first rugby team to tour overseas. The team played eight games in New South Wales and won them all. Edward scored a try (2 points) on the tour. William was top points scorer with 38 points: 4 tries and 10 conversions. This was the first time a fern, later coloured silver, was used by a New Zealand team. The 100 percent win record of the 1884 team inspired every other sporting code in New Zealand to adopt the fern for their international uniforms.

Right: Lt. Col. Ted Millton and Kakahu at Knottingly Park, Waimate in 1915. Kakahu is buried by the main entrance to Birch Hill Station.

 

To honour the memory of his men and their horses who served in the Great War, Edward commissioned the construction of an impressive stone wall and two special plaques. They are located in the Birch Hill Cemetery. The second plaque was gifted to Timaru. He established the cemetery in 1937, with the support of Reginald John Ford, and John Davies McCracken. They were the first trustees. It was Edward’s desire that such a cemetery be established for the Millton and Ford families, and other people who had strong links to Birch Hill. It is now vested in the Waimakariri District Council.

Right: William Varnham Millton, Barrister and Solicitor, (1858-1887). His efforts helped to establish New Zealand’s excellent international rugby reputation. He died of typhoid at the age of twenty-nine.

 

Edward’s other older brother James was also proactive with many issues during the Great War. One of his legacies lies in his role as a leading advocate in the movement that resulted to the establishment of the Returned Soldiers Association. In mid-December 1915, he publicly announced, in The Press, the foundation of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers Association, and “stated that a Returned Soldiers Association had been formed to look after the interests of the men coming back and it would grow to very important dimensions.”[1] A week later a formal meeting was convened; a committee was elected and the objects of the organisation were officially recorded. This was the first local RSA in New Zealand. The NZRSA was established in 1916.[2] James was also actively involved in fund raising that could be used for expenditure in connection with the war in Europe, to maintain a standard of living for the soldiers dependants at the level of the departed bread winner provided before enlistment, and to provide for the comfort of returned soldiers.

Left: James Dothie Millton, MBE (1858-1924)

 

In 1916, The Press reported that he “generously presented a cottage and one acre of land, at Rangiora, which he suggested, should be disposed of in the form of a raffle for the benefit of the Soldiers’ Queen.”[3] The property was valued at £400, which in today’s money equates to a rather substantial gift. The property was one of many prizes in an art union.[4] The naming of Millton Avenue, in Rangiora, is thought to be linked to this gift.

 

The Millton family’s involvement with the management of the E.B. Millton Charitable Trust spans three generations. Firstly Derrick’s grandparents Eric and Marona, then his father Garry, and today’s committee includes Derrick and members of his family.

 

The Birch Hill homestead was sold in 1990 and is privately owned, restored and well maintained. Okuku Hill was sold in 2003. The farm and forestry is owned by the E.B. Millton Charitable Trust and the farm is leased by the Millton Family, Derrick being the great-great-nephew of Lt. Col. E.B. Millton.

 

 

 

[1] The Press (18 Dec. 1915), p. 12, for the James Millton quote.

[2] Ibid., (23 Dec. 1915), p. 8, for the Canterbury RSA’s meeting details that note the formal establishment of first RSA in NZ, 

     and it objects and committee, who all held a military rank.

[3] Ibid., (15 Jan. 1916), p. 8, for quote.

[4] Ibid., (18 Jan. 1916), p. 3, for details.

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