Dunoon early 1900s
Norman Donald McIntosh
The earliest information I have on Norman is
from postcards from 1900 to 1910, which the family has retained. The
1891 census shows that he trained as an Iron Moulder. He also
trained as a Coach Painter and at one time worked at the Argyll
Motor Works in Alexandria. His speciality was painting the
decorative scroll work on the motor bodies. Once in NZ he was in
demand to paint the intricate patterns that decorate trotting
sulkies. Methven is still a strong centre for trotting.
Norman's birth notice is shown below.
On 7th January 1876, 6. 30 p. m. at 1 Kay's
Court, East Crosscauseway, Edinburgh
Norman Donald MacKintosh was born: son of John MacKintosh
(Agent for Prudential Life Assurance Company) & Catherine
MacKintosh m/s' Ryan Parents' marriage: 1870 November 7th,
Stirling
Informant: John MacKintosh (Father) Present
Norman and Susan met in Scotland. When he came to NZ at the end of 1906 they still corresponded and eventually Susan followed Norman down to the ends of the earth. Below is their marriage details. Notice that Dunk was best man.
I remember Norman when I was little and Susan lived to be over 100. Their neat cottage and shop on Alford Forest Rd, Methven, are now run down and dilapidated but they survived two World Wars and a Depression there and brought up four children.
In 1979 a book "Unto the Hills" was published to commemmorate the centenary of the town of Methven and the surrounding district. The book records the local buildings of note.
Shops, Alford Forest Rd.
Small shop.
Norman McIntosh, a coachpainter, painter and paperhanger by trade worked from here and at one time was the Methven agent for James Donn and Sons Ltd of Ashburton. Mrs Johns operated a sweet shop here, and R D Rule, a plumber, also used the premises, which were later used by the Methven Branch of Russels (Electricians and Plumbers).
During World War II this was the collection centre for fat for the process of rendering down to make soap.
1997
1997There are two photos which show the family meeting with Dad, Jim McIntosh, at Burnham Camp, before he departed for Egypt in WWII.
On June 5th 1912, at the Catholic Church,
Methven, New Zealand.
Norman Donald McIntosh (coach painter - batchelor) aged 33
of Methven: son of John McIntosh (soldier) and Catherine McIntosh
m/s Ryan: born Edinburgh,
married to
Susan Wallace (Domestic duties - spinster) aged 32 of
Methven: daughter of Robert Wallace (draper) and
Isabella Wallace m/s Collins: born Edinburgh.
Priest: S J O'Donnell
Witness: D McIntosh (Butcher, Fairfield) Hannah Curry (domestic
duties)
(Ref: 1912m/New Zealand/Folio No 4407/12)
Methven links tend to reflect
the tourist industry, which is the mainstay of the town now.
Methven
Mid-Canterbury Map
District
John
McIntosh
New Zealand
Email: jrdksmci@xtra.co.nz