Hello, My great grandfather John Johnston married Agnes Valentine in Mataura reg. office in 31-5-1882 John & his father Thomas applied for and got the first hotel licence at Otaraia in 1887 this being on the old coach road Mataura - Clinton. In 1895 John & Agnes Johnston bought the centre hill hotel, known as The Miners Arms. John died on 26-11-1902 and Agnes married a shepherd from the area Alexander Christie on 1-12-1903. Agnes lived with her son George & Ellen Johnston at Bluff before her death on 16-11-1927. My father also George was born in the room next door the day before on 15-11-1927 and we just celebrated his 92 birthday last week. It would be great to make contact and share family history.
Geoff Johnston
