Muir Clark

Born at Farewell Spit, in 1905 while his parents were lighthouse keepers there.He later lived at Portobello for a number of years and attended primary school at Hoopers inlet and Portobello. In 1917 his parents moved to Christchurch and bought a farm on Lake Terrace Road at Burwood. He went to Christchurch Boys High School until his Matriculation (school leaving exam).He worked as a herd tester for the Dept of Agriculture and the Fernleaf Dairy Company for a number of years, where he first met his future wife, Betty Williams. During 1930's depression, after working his way around the South Island, he bought a bush farm in the remote Catlins area of Sth Otago, and set about clearing and developing the land into a productive farm. In February 1936 he was married to Betty Williams from Kaiapoi, and together they raised a family of seven children. He and Betty became born again believers in 1944,and were baptized and joined the Open Brethren fellowship in Owaka. His 4 sons helped him develop the farm as they grew up, while the 3 girls did nursing training before getting married themselves. Muir's eldest son Hugh eventually took over the farm, as well as a neighbouring farm he had bought. His son Cameron took over from him and now runs the whole extended farm. Muir lost his wife Betty in 1965, but he lived on to see his 90th birthday and died at Owaka Hospital on 2nd January, 1996. He is survived by his seven children, 24 grandchildren, and about 40 great grandchildren.