James Aitken Young 1882-1922

Jim and Lizzie
Tom Young, Annie Erskine

On 30 January 1890, he started school at Orepuki, going with sister Jessie Rose, and brother William. However the distance must have been too great for a little boy, because he left after just three weeks. It was nearly six months later, that he tried again and this time he lasted for 2 months. Poor roads, distance and inclement weather were not conducive to regular attendance and his schooling was very spasmodic until the Koromiko School opened in 1894. Here he finished his schooling, leaving in early October 1897 to work on his father's farm, where he stayed until he began training as a builder, with Jacob Carlson.

He bought his first farm at Papatotara from the state, early in the century. Because it was covered in heavy bush he opened a small sawmill as an initial step towards clearing the land. This mill was driven by a traction engine, which was later used for clearing the farm of stumps. Further land, on the back Papatotara road, was bought from Matthew Fleming who incidentally, was from Tipperary, Ireland and was later the first person to be buried in the Tuatapere Cemetery.

The last block of land to be added was bought from John Davanney about 1917, and was situated between the road and the Waiau River. The deal was reputedly struck while both men were travelling in the train between Invercargill and Tuatapere.

When Peter Hamilton started a second sawmill in the area about 1919, he had to obtain permission from some of the local farmers to lay a tram line across their properties. This he managed to do, but in the case of Jim Young the arrangement was somewhat different. Because Jim had his own small sawmill and an eye for business, he agreed to the laying of the tram through his farm, providing that Hamilton's boy took all his timber into Tuatapere as well. With little room to manoeuvre, Hamilton accepted this.

James married Elizabeth Erskine, the eldest daughter of Hugh Erskine, the original landowner at Papatotara, in February 1912 at the Erskine home. This was the first wedding to take place in Papatotara. The Reverend Robert McEwan officiated. Affectionately known as Lizzie, she was the first white child bom west of the Waiau river. Later that year tiny twins named Agnes and Jessie arrived and eight years later a son, Ian was born.

The home James and Lizzie established and lived in all their married life was the social centre of the district and guests from near and far were welcomed and entertained in a lavish manner. James Young was a capable and meticulous farmer and he always had a really good team of Clydesdale horses.

He gave much time to community affairs - including the Farmers Union of which he was elected a life member. He was the first secretary of the newly established Tuatapere Presbyterian Church, and was later ordained an elder, along with his older brother William. He was also an early member of the Tuatapere Masonic Lodge.

A talented violinist, he entertained at many district functions.

Jim and Lizzie had 3 children - Jessie Harriet and Agnes May were twins born on 30 August 1912 (where ?), and James Ian was born on 9 June 1920 (where ?)

His early death at the age of 61 years, was a sad blow to his wife and family. Lizzie later had a home built for herself in Sneyd Street, Tuatapere, where she lived for another 20 years. She died in Invercargill in 1976 aged 89 years.

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