Ernest Gilbert

Ernest moved first to a dairy farm at Halcombe, then on to Taihape in 1897. He drew a bush section of 400 acres. He cut the bush cleared the land then built a house. Cut sleepers for the construction of the Main Trunk Railway and their logs were floated down the Moawhango and Rangitikei rivers to Manganoho. Ernest farmed at Hiwera until 1916 when they moved to Pukeokahu to be near a school. Maria was born into a large family at Paraekaretu (Hunterville) where her father worked as a contractor. They later moved to Tariki in Taranaki where they had a dairy farm. Maria was an active member of the womens division of federated farmers and assisted in other community organisations. They retired to Ohope bech and the farm was carried on by their son Ted.