John Olson

http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d4-...

OLSON, JOHN, Farmer, Waikari. Mr. Olson was born in 1831, in Caithness-shire, Scotland, where he was educated, and after a few years on his father's farm, was apprenticed to the milling trade, which he followed for fourteen years. In 1863 he came to New Zealand. He engaged in farming for eight years, and was appointed working overseer for the Waipara Road Board in 1871. Mr. Olson bought two town sections, and one of the houses he built was subsequently used as the first post and telegraph office in Waikari. He purchased land in 1864 at Westerfield, and, subsequently, at the Cust. Both of these properties he disposed of to advantage, and afterwards acquired land at Amberley and Waikari. Mr. Olson has always taken an active interest in church and school matters.