Milton is located on the Tokomairiro River, near the centre of the Tokomairiro Plain. The Dunedin-Invercargill highway and railway pass through the borough. By road Milton is 36 miles south-west of Dunedin and 17 miles north-east of Balclutha.

Milton is a trade and servicing centre for a fertile farming area where sheep raising, dairying, and mixed cropping are practised. There is a large woollen mill in the town and the manufacture of woollen goods is the main industry. Other industrial activities include bacon curing, cheese making, and the production of sawn and dressed timber. Limestone is quarried at Milburn, 3 miles north of Milton, and lignite pits are worked in the vicinity.

In 1856 James Elder Brown and his father settled on 105 acres in the vicinity of the present town. Adjoining land had been taken by Peter McGill for a flourmill, this being built in 1857 with the assistance of the Browns. In 1860 W. H. Mansford purchased half an acre of land from the Browns as a site for a general store, and McGill cut up 25 acres of his property for town lots. Milltown, so named because of the flourmill, thus came into being. The name was afterwards shortened to Milton and, in keeping, many of the streets were named after poets. Borough status was accorded in 1866.

POPULATION: 1951 census, 1,672; 1956 census, 1,904; 1961 census, 1,922.

by Brian Newton Davis, M.A., Vicar, St. Philips, Karori West, Wellington and Edward Stewart Dollimore, Research Officer, Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington.

(1875–1944).

Headmaster of Waitaki Boys' High School.

A new biography of Milner, Frank appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

Frank Milner was born on 7 November 1875 at Nile Street, Nelson, the son of William Milner, a draper, and Annie, née Swanston. He was educated at Nelson College and at Canterbury University College where he graduated M.A. in 1896 with first-class honours in languages and literature. He returned to Nelson as an assistant master and, in 1906 at the age of 31, was appointed Rector of Waitaki Boys' High School where he remained for 38 years. On the eve of his retirement on 2 December 1944, while speaking at the unveiling of the entrance gates to Milner Park, which old boys of the school had erected in his honour, Milner collapsed and died. The manner of his passing was characteristic of his life. Fully aware that every schoolmaster lives his life upon a stage, Milner used this gallery of public opinion to give inspirational power to all even remotely connected with his school, as well as to further the spread of his own ideas. He believed that facility in public speaking was essential for democratic citizenship and, in this, he taught by example as well as by precept, for his own eloquence placed him in the foremost rank of New Zealand orators.

To Milner every boy was a future citizen: education, which is the very basis of all human society, was the creative process that shapes human life and keeps the soul alive. His realistic and practical aim was to develop the boy – physically, by the natural agencies of exercise, fresh air, and sunlight – mentally, by stimulating intellectual abilities to their fullest power – and spiritually, by evoking the admiration of beauty in literature, music, art, and nature. Above all, he believed in the inspirational value of living contact with great men whose personalities and service to the nation could serve as models worthy of imitation. Milner's fervent nationalism and patriotism were infectious. He thought of British history as the central act of the slowly developing drama of human emancipation all over the world and was convinced of Britain's civilising mission. Holding such a sincere faith in this, he felt it was his duty to inspire the minds of others, young and old, with a like devotion. Though in private life he was a shy man, in public he loved the large canvas, the lavish gesture. Generous and energetic by nature, he had a strong personality, forcefulness of character, and tenacity of purpose – qualities which he skilfully used to awaken many lives to an acceptance of the finer issues of life. To Waitakians he was known as “the Man”, but the influence of Milner's creative ideas and example was just as significant in the Secondary School Teachers' Association (in which he served for a time as president), in Rotary (of which he was once district governor of the South Island), and in the development of the modern way of life in post-primary schools throughout New Zealand today. In the history of New Zealand education Milner holds a place similar to that held in England by such men as Arnold of Rugby and Sanderson of Oundle. His genius as a teacher and enlightened vision permanently impressed all who knew him. He was a pioneer in modifying the narrow, traditionally academic, high school curriculum so as to provide an all-round schooling capable of meeting the needs of universal secondary education. In recognition of his services Milner was awarded the C.M.G. in 1925.

On 3 January 1907, in Wellington, Milner married Florence Violet, daughter of William Henry Harrison George, of Kelburn, Wellington; they had three sons and one daughter.

by Herbert Alexander Horace Insull, M.A., DIP.SOC.SC., Principal, Marlborough College, Blenheim.

• A History of Waitaki Boys' High School, 1883–1958, McDonald, K. C. (1958)
• The Waitakian, Vol. 2 (1944); Vol. 3 (1945);Timaru Herald, 4 Dec 1944 (Obit).

(1847–1936).

Pioneer shipowner.

A new biography of Mills, James appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

James Mills was born in Wellington on 30 July 1847, the third son of William Mills, a Customs officer who had been stationed at Dunedin, Auckland and Christchurch. He was educated at Alexander Livingstone's School at Dunedin, the first Otago Provincial Government school. He began employment with James Macandrew and Co., but after a year joined the firm of the famous “Johnnie” Jones, merchant and shipowner. Mills made rapid progress in his service and in 1866 was put in charge of the Universal Bond, and eventually was made responsible for all Jones's confidential work. In 1861 Jones bought an interest in the Golden Age, a small paddle steamer carrying passengers and cargo between Dunedin and Port Chalmers; and he formed the Harbour Steam Co. which extended its operations to small steamers in the coastal trade. In 1868 James Mills became responsible for running these steamers and, when Jones died in 1869, was appointed manager of the Harbour Co. In 1875 the Harbour Steam Co. owned three small steamers – the Beautiful Star (176 tons), the Maori (174 tons), and the Bruce (338 tons).

In the early seventies James Mills planned to form the Union Steam Ship Co., and a prospectus was drawn up and issued, but sufficient capital could not be raised locally. Consequently in 1874 he made a trip to London and there succeeded in interesting a syndicate which put up the money for building two steamers in Scotland, the Hawea (721 tons) and the Taupo (720 tons). From this modest beginning grew the Union Steam Ship Co., with James Mills as managing director. The first chairman of directors, Sir Geo. McLean, resigned in 1906 and was succeeded by Sir James Mills who carried on the dual position of chairman and managing director till 1913, when he retired from the latter position. He remained chairman of the board until his death.

Mills represented Waikouaiti in the Provincial Council from 1873 until 1875; and he was a member of Parliament for Port Chalmers from 1887 till 1893 when he retired. It would appear that politics were only a secondary interest to him.

In 1907 Mills was appointed by the Government of New Zealand to represent the Dominion at the Colonial Merchant Shipping Conference and in that year he received a knighthood; in 1909 he was created K.C.M.G. He was also a Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

In 1871 Mills married Annabella, daughter of W. Langlands, of New Zealand, and, in 1888, Sarah Gertrude (Sadie), daughter of Francis George Fosbery, of Curraghbridge, County Limerick, Ireland. He had one son.

Sir James Mills died in England on 23 January 1936.

by George Ranald Macdonald, Retired Farmer, Kaiapoi R.D.

• Union Line – A Short History of the Union Steam Ship Co. of New Zealand Ltd., 1875–1951, Waters, S. D. (1952)
• Otago Daily Times, 24 Jan 1936 (Obit).

(1890– ).

Scientist.

A new biography of Miller, David appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

David Miller was born in Glasgow on 22 February 1890 and educated at Edinburgh, Dunedin, and Wellington. He entered the Government service as entomologist in 1916, becoming chief entomologist at the Cawthron Institute in 1928. In 1932 he was appointed assistant director and in 1956 director, a position he held until his retirement in 1959. During these years, as an authority on entomology, he was also lecturer in applied zoology at Victoria, then at Auckland University Colleges (1925–28), as Director of the Forestry Biological Research Station (1929–32), and Director of the Entomological Research Station (1937–56). He was president of the Royal Society of New Zealand from 1954 to 1956 and is the author of many technical papers and books, among which are Catalogue of the Diptera of the New Zealand Sub-region (1950), Native Insects (1955), and Bibliography of New Zealand Entomology (1956). He was made a C.B.E. in 1958, and holds degrees of M.Sc. and Ph.D.

(1855–1915).

Labour leader and politician.

A new biography of Millar, John Andrew appears in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography on this site.

J. A. Millar was born in Jullundur, India, in 1855, the son of a major-general in the Bengal Staff Corps. He was sent to New Zealand in 1870 to take up sheep farming but went to sea instead and rose to become a captain in the coastal trade. In 1887 he was appointed secretary of the Federated Seamen's Union. In 1889 Millar formed the powerful Maritime Council, combining seamen's, watersiders', miners', and railwaymen's unions. For a year he was the undisputed spokesman of New Zealand labour until the collapse of the council following the defeat of the maritime strike late in 1890.

Millar contested the Chalmers seat unsuccessfully in 1890. He entered Parliament in 1893 as a Liberal supporter, was appointed Chairman of Committees in 1903, and joined the Ward Cabinet in 1906 where he held the portfolios of Labour, Marine, Customs and, later, Railways. As Minister of Labour, Millar had to deal with the growing revolt against the Arbitration Act led by the “Red” Federation of Labour. He soon lost all trade union support and, from 1908 on, a Labour candidate opposed him at general elections. When Sir Joseph Ward resigned in March 1912, Millar had hopes of succeeding him as Premier, but was passed over by the Liberal caucus. In the no-confidence debate of July 1912, he crossed the floor of the House to vote for W. F. Massey who rewarded him with a seat in the Legislative Council. Millar died soon afterwards, in October 1915.

by Herbert Otto Roth, B.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Deputy Librarian, University of Auckland.

Auckland Star, 16 Oct 1915 (Obit).

Known as the “finest walk in the world”, the Milford Track starts at the head of Lake Te Anau and ends at the head of Milford Sound. The track lies wholly within the Fiordland National Park and affords the visitor excellent views of mountain scenery and the satisfaction that only a walk of this kind can give, together with the security and comfort of good accommodation. The key to the track is the Mackinnon Pass (3,400 ft) which was discovered on 17 October 1888 by the explorer McKinnon. About the same time as McKinnon's discovery, Sir Thomas Mackenzie and party were exploring the western side for the same purpose.

For reasons of organisation, the tourist parties walk the track from Te Anau to Milford, not from the opposite direction. Once at Milford, parties are accommodated at Hotel Milford or are returned to Te Anau by road. The trip commences at Te Anau where a regular launch service brings parties to Glade House at the head of the lake. After an overnight stop is made at Glade House, the walk proper commences and the wide and comfortably graded track follows up the western bank of the Clinton River. Walkers wear strong shoes or boots and carry only a minimum of personal equipment. Guides and pack horses are available. The track winds through stately beech forests with now and again a view along the wide reaches of the Clinton River showing mountain peaks framed in green beech forest. The first day's walk of some 10 miles ends at the Pompolona Huts and involves only a very gradual climb of 500 ft. During the day the visitor, if fortunate, may catch glimpses of wild life such as deer, the native wood hen or weka, and innumerable other native birds. In the evening, if conditions are suitable at Pompolona, parties may be taken out to see the native kiwi, of which there are a number in the vicinity. On the second day of the walk, parties travel from Pompolona to Quintin Huts via Mackinnon Pass. This involves a climb to 3,400 ft on a well-graded track, with dramatic views at every turn of mountains that were glaciated in the Ice Age, of waterfalls and lakes. A small but secure refuge hut on Mackinnon Pass allows a stop for lunch under any conditions of weather. The remainder of the track down to Quintin Huts in the head of Arthur Valley is also well graded; the total distance for the day is some 9¼ miles. There is also time during the afternoon of the second day to visit Sutherland Falls (1,904 ft) by way of a quarter-mile walk from Quintin Huts. Alternatively, the falls can be visited on the morning of the third day before leaving Quintin Huts. On the third day, parties walk down Arthur Valley to Lake Ada, are ferried across the lake and continue the walk down the west side of Arthur River to Sandfly Point on Milford Sound. From Sandfly Point parties are ferried across the short distance to the hotel. The third day's travelling is some 15 miles but not all of this is on foot. Parties are accommodated in Hotel Milford where they pick up luggage previously left at Te Anau.

by Bryce Leslie Wood, M.SC., New Zealand Geological Survey, Dunedin.

Milford Sound is the most northerly of the fiords indenting the south-western coastline of the South Island; it occupies the trunk portion of a formerly glaciated valley system cut deeply below the surrounding mountains. The mountains rise to heights of 6,000 ft above sea level, and the deepest point of the fiord, near Stirling Falls, is 1,280 ft below sea level. The Arthur and Cleddau Rivers occupy the Milford Valley and enter the head of the fiord; a delta built across the mouth of the Arthur Valley by the Cleddau River is slowly cutting off part of the Sound to form a freshwater lake. The Arthur Valley is occupied by Lake Ada, 3 miles long, which is dammed up partly by old glacial moraine and partly by landslides from the walls of Arthur Valley. From its head, the Sound follows an irregular course for 9 miles to the sea and is joined by Bowen, Sinbad, Harrison, and Stirling Rivers whose valleys were formerly occupied by tributary glaciers. Harrison Valley is still occupied at its head by a small glacier that terminates at an estimated height of 4,500 ft on the south-east slopes of Mt. Pembroke (6,710 ft). Stirling Falls (480 ft), and Bowen Falls (520 ft) spout from hanging valleys over near-vertical faces to the Sound. The inner reach of the Sound has very steep walls reaching heights of 5,560 ft at Mitre Peak and 4,150 ft at the Lion. Like many of the other fiords, Milford is deeper in the inner reaches than about the entrance, and about 1 mile seaward off Stirling Falls the deep basin rises abruptly to a sill at 360 fathoms. Beyond this the floor of the Sound forms a basin a little deeper than 360 ft, which extends out for 2 miles on to the shelf bordering the west coast; the western end of this basin is separated from the indented continental slope by a sill in 240 ft. The basin and sills were formed by glacial erosion which was a result of the confining by the steep fiord walls of the former valley glacier.

Milford Sound offers what is probably the most spectacular fiord scenery in the southern hemisphere, and the well-known and striking views of Mitre Peak from the head of the fiord form the subject of innumerable paintings, postcards, posters, and pictorial postage stamps. The area is well served with tourist amenities, and the luxurious Hotel Milford is situated at the head of the fiord. Visitors may travel to Milford either by car or bus on the Te Anau – Eglinton – Homer Tunnel road, or by plane from Queenstown, Te Anau, or further afield, or by walking the Milford Track from Te Anau. Tourist ships occasionally visit Milford but there has been no regular service by sea for many years. Apart from the amusements provided by the hotel, the attractions of Milford are confined to sightseeing, short walks about the head of the fiord, launch trips and sea fishing and, for the more energetic, tramping and mountaineering. But the sheer impressiveness of the scenery is sufficient to make a visit well worthwhile even if it is only to the head of the fiord.

The first settlers at Milford were Donald Sutherland, J. McKay, and J. Malcolm who, in 1877–80 built permanent huts both at the head of the fiord and at Anita Bay near the entrance. At first they were interested in deposits of asbestos and greenstone at Anita Bay, but in later years Sutherland married and settled down in the homestead at the head of the fiord.

by Bryce Leslie Wood, M.SC., New Zealand Geological Survey, Dunedin.

(Chironomus zealandicus).

The common New Zealand midge occurs throughout the country and is associated with most freshwater rivers and lakes. The adult is attracted to light and can be a serious nuisance at night time in houses which are close to water. Midges do not bite, nor do they act as vectors for any disease. They breed throughout the year but most prolifically in summer. The larval stage is the so-called “blood-worm” which is common in the mud at the bottom of most freshwater areas. Large-scale breeding, which will produce adults numerous enough to be a nuisance to humans, occurs in large shallow lakes. Thus, for example, Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury and the man-made shallow oxidation ponds associated with sewage purification works as in Auckland, are renowned sources of plagues of midges. The adult midge is about 5 mm in length and has a superficial resemblance to a mosquito. Adults fly at dusk on calm nights in mating swarms but during daylight hours they rest and hide in vegetation near their breeding sites.

by Roy Alexander Harrison, D.SC., Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Zoology, Lincoln Agricultural College.

The most abundant forms of life in the seas are organisms less than 1/1000 in. in their longest dimension – the minute protists, which include algae, flagellates, bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. Some of these are plant-like, relying on a photosynthetic source of energy for their life processes; others behave as particle-ingesting animals, while still others, such as the yeasts and bacteria, depend on the absorption of penetrable nutrients from their surroundings. The photosynthetic algae and flagellates live mostly in the illuminated-surface layers of the ocean; other protists are to be found in a greater variety of depths and as inhabitants of bottom sediments.

By taking their nutrients from sea water, microorganisms appear as the producers of organic matter, and hence initiate the marine food chains that support the world's commercial fisheries. These are also primarily responsible for breaking down the organic remains of dead plants and animals to elemental nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and sulphur, thereby balancing the economy of these important constituents of living matter.

The specialised techniques of microbiology commonly include the setting up of live, axenic (single species) cultures of marine micro-organisms that can be maintained indefinitely in the laboratory. These may then serve as a basis for experimental studies of life cycles and habits, physiological characteristics, temperature and salinity optima for growth, and so on. This type of information assists the interpretation of how each organism is sustained in its native environment, and in what manner it may influence other species. Investigation of the biochemical activities, communal relationships, and successional development of the differing marine microbial populations are so directed towards a broader understanding of factors controlling the fertility of the seas.

by Terence Martin Skerman, M.SC., Senior Scientific Officer, New Zealand Oceanographic Institute, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wellington.

The administrative centre of the church is in Christchurch. The connexional secretary administers the Church Superannuation Funds, related matters of property and insurance, and the business affairs of the church paper, the Methodist Times.

Methodism in New Zealand has become a middle-class church in the main, calling its members to personal and social righteousness. It seeks to win young men and women through their trades and professions to render Christian service to the community, both in New Zealand and overseas. It encourages all efforts towards a closer visible union of the denominations; and aims at combining scholarship and evangelistic zeal in the pulpit.

by William Thomas Blight, B.A., Methodist Minister, Christchurch.