The "Opawa"

Opawa Account of Voyage | Passengers for Timaru

The voyage from Plymouth to Lyttelton was not without excitement. There was the usual sea sickness, births, contagious diseases, a man overboard, rough weather and seas.  The Opawa was to have berthed at Timaru but was unable to get in to the port due to gale force winds. She dropped anchor in Diamond Harbour at 10 am on 7 December 1878.
Passengers for Lyttelton

Passenger List Transcription Source: CH4/168 National Archives Wellington
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Press 17 July 1925 Page 13
MR JOHN ALLAN. The death occurred on July 10th at the age of 81 years of Mr. John Allan, of 237 Leinster road, formerly of Waikari, and a well-known farmer in North Canterbury. Mr Allan was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotlaftd, and with his wife arrived in New Zealand by the ship Opawa in 1878. For the first twelve months he was overseer at Mr Davis's property at Longbeach and then he started forming on his own account at Geraldine, where he lived for 17 years. He then took up a property at Waikari which he farmed for 20 years. He was a very successful farmer and his stock often topped the market at Addington. In Scotland he gained a reputation as a ploughman, and this he upheld in his farming work and on several occasions he judged at ploughing matches in Canterbury. He was a member of the Canterbury Land Board for about 15 years, and was a director of the Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ltd., for a number of years. He served on the Waikari County Council and was an active member of the Hawarden Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he was a past-president. He took a live interest in the affairs of the Caledonian Society. He was also a J.P. In recent years Mr Allan's health had been failing, and this became more pronounced as the result of injuries which he received in a fall from a tram-car about four years, ago. He is survived by a widow and family of seven— Mrs J. Wallis (Papanui), Mrs D. Darroch (Waipara), Mrs L. Johns (Feilding), Messrs Alex. (Waikari), Thomas (Walton, Waikato), James (Dunsandel), and William Allan (late of Cheviot). Two sons (John and Robert) were killed in the Great War. The funeral took place at Waikari on the 12th instant and was largely attended.

Press 17 June 1941 Page 2 Mrs Jane ALLAN
A pioneer of Canterbury, Mrs John Allan. Papanui road, died recently. She was married in Scotland in 1876 and came to New Zealand in 1878, living at Waterton, Ashburton, for two years. In 1880 Mr Allan started farming on his own account at Geraldine, where he lived till he sold the farm in 1897. He then moved to North Canterbury and took up the property now known as Parkview, which he farmed successfully till his retirement to Christchurch. Mr Allan died 16 years ago. Mrs Allan lived in Papanui road for the last 23 years, and was loved by all who knew her for her goodness of Mart and happy nature. She leaves four sons, three daughters, and 16 grandchildren. The sons are Mr T. Allan (Auckland), Mr A. Allan (Waikari), Mr J. Allan (Dunsandel), Mr W. Allan (Taiko, Timaru) and the daughters are Mrs J. Wallis (Papanui), Mrs D. Darroch (Waipara), and Mrs L. Johns (Feilding). Two sons lost their lives in the Great War. The funeral took place at Waikari.

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