Timaru played a significant role in New Zealand's milling industry, with mills like the Timaru Milling Company, Atlas Roller Milling Company, and Belford Mills producing well-known flour brands. South Canterbury's fertile plains and proximity to the port helped transform the region into one of New Zealand’s leading grain-producing areas, earning it the moniker “the food bowl” of the nation. The evolution of wheat farming and milling in Timaru not only shaped the local economy but also helped establish New Zealand’s reputation as a significant player in the global food trade.

The History of the Grain Industry in South Canterbury and the Role of the Port

Early Grain Production & Milling Beginnings

• The fertile plains of South Canterbury provided ideal conditions for growing wheat, barley, and oats.
• Initially, flour was imported from Australia, but as grain production increased, local milling became essential.
• Early mills were powered by water and wind before transitioning to steam and electricity.

The Parr Brothers – Early Pioneers in Milling

• The Parr Brothers were among the first to recognize the potential for flour milling in South Canterbury.
• They built a successful watermill at Pleasant Point, utilizing the historic Parr waterwheel, which still stands today on Mill Road.
• In 1872, they attempted to construct a windmill on Theodocia Street in Timaru, but it failed due to unreliable wind conditions.
• Despite setbacks, the Parrs contributed significantly to the local milling industry.

The Devastation of 1868

• The Great Flood of 1868 caused widespread destruction in South Canterbury:
  • Robert Salter’s home in Pleasant Point was swept away, killing his wife and two children.
  • The ship Despatch wrecked on Timaru’s beach, resulting in the captain’s death.
  • Timaru’s main street was submerged under 61 cm of water.
• The Great Fire of 1868 destroyed three-quarters of Timaru’s CBD, including many businesses critical to the region’s economy.

The Rise of Flour Milling & Key Mills

• By the late 19th century, Timaru had become a major milling hub.
• Key mills built in Timaru included:
  • Milford Flour Mill (1860s) – One of the earliest water-powered mills in the region.
  • Pleasant Point Mill (Parr Brothers, 1860s) – Provided flour for local farmers.
  • Timaru Milling Company (1882) – Became one of New Zealand’s most significant flour producers.
  • Royal Flouring Mills (1891) – Later merged into Timaru Milling Company.
  • Atlas Flour Mill (early 20th century) – A major contributor to South Canterbury’s flour trade.

Merchants & Early Trading in Timaru

• A few years before Richard Turnbull arrived, Henry Le Cren and Captain Cain (1858) established Timaru’s first store and shipping service.
• Le Cren was the third businessman in Timaru and had been encouraged to come by the Rhodes brothers.
• Le Cren was involved in:
  • Exporting the first bales of wool from Timaru through H. J. Le Cren and Co.
  • Lending money to farmers.
• When a bank collapsed in England, Le Cren had to sell his assets:
  • His landing service was sold to the Canterbury Provincial Council (Government).
  • His merchant business was sold to Miles & Co Ltd (1867), a major English banking and trading company.
• Richard Turnbull, along with others, built the bluestone landing services building on George Street, later selling the business to Captain Cain.

Miles & Co Ltd – A Major Merchant House

• Fulbert Archer was the Miles & Co manager, overseeing one of New Zealand’s leading wool and stock businesses.
• The company:
  • Sold seeds and grain to farmers.
  • Helped farmers sell livestock and produce to buyers.
  • Stored goods and hosted auctions.
  • Managed cargo logistics for the growing grain and wool trade.
• In 1881, Miles, Archer & Co. constructed a tunnel under The Terrace to connect their new grain store with their warehouses via tramway.
• In 1895, Miles & Co Ltd was liquidated, and John Mee took over the business.

The First Grain Export from Timaru

• Since the 1860s, wool was Timaru’s primary export.
• The first shipment of grain from Timaru was recorded in 1867, demonstrating the region’s agricultural potential.
  https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD18690828.2.5.2
  https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD18690407.2.5

The First Shipment of Timaru Flour to the UK

• Richard Turnbull and David Clarkson, major millers, facilitated the first shipment in 1867 of Timaru-milled flour to the United Kingdom.
• This marked an important milestone in establishing South Canterbury as a global flour exporter.

The Role of Timaru’s Port in Grain Exports

• Before the port was built, grain was transported to Lyttelton or Dunedin for export.
• The construction of Timaru’s breakwater and port expansion in the late 19th century allowed direct shipping from Timaru.
• By the 1880s, South Canterbury was one of New Zealand’s leading grain-producing regions.
• Large grain silos and flour mills near the port still stand today as evidence of this success.

Grain Boom & Agricultural Statistics

• Between 1870 and 1913, Canterbury had over half of New Zealand’s total wheat-growing land.
• In 1912, at the height of the grain boom:
  • 101,000 acres of wheat were cultivated in South Canterbury.
  • 250,000 acres of turnips, rape, and potatoes were grown.
  • South Canterbury became known as “the food bowl” of New Zealand.
• 1885 – The establishment of Timaru Freezing Works strengthened the agricultural economy, particularly in the frozen meat trade.

Blocked Streets with Grain – 1879

• Strathallan Street was completely blocked by sacks of grain in 1879, piled there by P. Cunningham & Co.
• They removed most of the fence around the Customs House and even took down the front gate.
• The business community struggled to access the Customs House and appealed to the mayor to clear the street.

Legacy of the Grain Industry

• Timaru Milling Company (1882) remained one of New Zealand’s largest flour producers for over a century.
• The flour mills near the Timaru port once had direct rail access to the wharf for exports.
• Some mills were among the first industrial buildings in Timaru to use electricity.
• The Royal Flouring Mills was recognized for producing high-quality flour sought after in both New Zealand and overseas.
• Milling technology evolved, but South Canterbury remains an important grain and flour processing center today.

Here is a list of ships that were wrecked around Timaru's shores, carrying cargo that included wheat, as noted in the descriptions:

1. Collingwood (1869) - 1,225 sacks of wheat.
2. Wanderer (1873) - 20 sacks of wheat.
3. Isabella Ridley (1877) - 2,000 sacks of grain, including wheat.
4. Princess Alice (1875) - 800 sacks of wheat.
5. Duke of Sutherland (1882) - Wheat found in excellent condition after the ship sank.

The History of the Grain Industry in South Canterbury and the Role of the Port

[Flour and Saw Mills, Timaru], New Zealand, by Burton Brothers. Te Papa (C.014395)

Timaru, 1875, Dunedin, by Burton Brothers, Alfred Burton. Te Papa (C.014373)

Brothers William and James Parr built a windmill on this site in 1872. It became a landmark in Timaru but was demolished in 1887 after proving unreliable due to inconsistent winds. In addition to the windmill, the Parr brothers operated a water-powered mill at Pleasant Point.

The brothers faced significant challenges in the region, including the Great Flood of 1868, which devastated the area. In Pleasant Point, Robert Salter’s home was swept away, tragically resulting in the drowning of his wife and two children. The flood also caused extensive damage in Timaru, with water levels rising 61 cm in the main street. Furthermore, the ship Despatch was wrecked on Timaru beach, and its captain perished in the disaster.

In 1886, the Parrs’ water-powered mill at Pleasant Point was struck by a tragic explosion, leading to the death of a worker. Despite these hardships, the Parr brothers made lasting contributions to the local economy and infrastructure by introducing milling technologies that served the region’s growth.