Weeders at work on Mr W. Roberts' chicory farm, Spreydon
Weeders at work on Mr W. Roberts' chicory farm, Spreydon
[1905]
William Roberts was born in 1855 and in 1864 came to Canterbury with his parents on the ship Indian Empire. His father was a farmer and took up land in Innes Road, St Albans. William helped his father for many years. He later bought a large block of land in Edinburgh Street, part of the 200 acres known as the Lyttelton estate owned by the absentee landlord, the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton (1818-1889). Here Roberts was one of the first farmers to experiment in the growing of tobacco, linseed, liquorice, basket willow and chicory. He became well-known especially as a chicory grower and established a business in Lincoln Road called the Canterbury Chicory Works Ltd. He died in 1933, his son taking over the business.
The Port Hills can be seen in the background of the photograph
File Reference CCL-KPCD10-0037
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