We have a recent submission from Cathie Johnson telling of a little trip
down memory lane and asking if anyone can help fill in the blanks.

 On Sunday 13th March we had a gathering at Murchison starting
off with a lunch at The Riverside Cafe where we had a good catch up on family news. Those attending were Jeff & Barbara Hunter,
Florence & Alan Hunter, Joan Menzies, Betty Kearney and myself.

Following the lunch we took two cars and visited the old Hinehaka (Laughing Lady) School site where a lot of Hunters went to school in the early 1930's - 1950's. (All that is left now is the plaque to show the site). Jeff & Alan kept up a running commentary in each car
telling lots of stories about our (great) grandparents and their time with them as children. I took great pleasure in recording these stories to add in with out family tree.
Looking over the paddocks from Hinehaka we could see Fern Flat where John Hunter's homestead was and further on towards Toi Flat where William Hunter had his mill.

William Hunter felled the trees for the school and for 'Forrest Home' (my Thomson family homestead), then carted them to the river, barged them across to Toi Flat and milled them at his mill. He then returned them by barge and built the house and school. Forrest Home was moved from the original site due to flooding and is now up on the main road leading to Maruia.

We travelled on over the bridge and up to Fern Flat - going through John's old farm and over the hill to Toi Flat. We could see all the improvements the present owner had done in clearing the scrub and making it better. The roads were how I remembered them as a child, - narrow, muddy and bumpy.
We stopped at the site of the old Fern Flat School (also built by William) then on to Toi Flat where William and Magdalene had their homestead.
All that is left now is a Lawsonania tree a seedling off the original tree planted by my great grandmother Magdalene Hunter. Toi Flat is where she raised her 11 children and it was often used by travellers as an accommodation house.
To the left of the homestead was the mill, pig sty, stables & blacksmith shed. It is hard to imagine the hardships they must have faced in those early years. ( I am so pleased I have so many stories of William and Magdalene as it makes them feel 'alive' when I read about them.)

We continued on down the track towards the Matiri and then turned around and went back to Murchison.
We had some afternoon tea then a meal at Jeff & Barbs before leaving for home.

Does any Clan Member have any information further back from the original Robert Hunter who came to New Zealand with his three children in 1842? They were from St Ninian's in Stirling and I have come up against a brick wall trying to find anything further.
I would appreciate any help.

Cathie Johnson

( any info please get in contact with Hugh.)