Christchurch Directory - Business News

Dunsandel is the name of a family residence in Ireland of the the Hon R Daly who owned the “run” on which most of the township was built. Haldon Station was the other “run” upon which some of the township was built.

In the late 1860’s and early 1870’s a settlement was begun. Land transfers are recorded from 1867 onwards. The railway had reached the Northern bank and Selwyn River by this date. The Selwyn Rakaia section of the Railway was opened in 1873. In that year a new railway Station was opened at Dunsandel part of which had been relocated from Selwyn.

The big flood of 1868 which wrecked the Selwyn Bridge requiring a replacement also had the effect of promoting the township of Dunsandel which was on higher ground far enough from the river for residents to feel confident. This brought about the decline of Selwyn with most of it business being transferred to Dunsandel.

The new township became the junction for important roads, North, South, East and West. It became a place where travellers could be refreshed or rest and a thriving service centre for the surrounding farmlands.

Dunsandel is still a good place to rest and refresh oneself. It is still the centre of a thriving agriculture area and has many recreational facilities. It has approx 300 households. A surprising number of residents work elsewhere but choose to live in Dunsandel for the genuine country lifestyle and sense of community.

We recommend you call at the Dunsandel Tavern for a Beer and a Pie. The Beer is Yummy and so is the Pie!

Dunsandel is the home of Ellesmere Transport Ltd which was formed in 1934 by a group of men who were involved in the transport business at that time. The Cole Brothers, Walter Simpson and Bill Baylis were some of the men involved in the early merger.

Ellesmere Transport is currently owned by Murray and Judy Righton and their two sons Mark and Paul. Murray started driving for the company in 1962 when it was owned by Baylis and Simpson. There were 30 trucks in the fleet in those days which were Ford V8’s and Bedfords. Cartage consisted mainly of hay, grain, coal, bag fertiliser and shingle. Today cattle cartage is now 55% of their livestock business with Sheep, Pigs, and Deer making up the rest. They currently cart approx 1500 pigs a week to the Timaru Abattoirs. Their courier van travels to Christchurch twice a day.

They also provide a ready mix concrete service and have their own batching plant. at Leeston where they have three concrete trucks on the road.

In 2006 the company purchased Banks Peninsular Transport Ltd making them one of the biggest transport operators in Canterbury.

Murray Righton, with his sons Mark and Paul all work in the business together. With 3000 clients on the books 50 trucks and 65 staff it’s a pretty big family business so if you want good service then call them on 03 325 4039

Early Dunsandel Pioneer

John Gardner is a retired farmer and at just 83 years of age is one the oldest Dunsandel born residents that is still living in the township. He is seen here standing outside the original Dunsandel Store.

John informed me that Dunsandel once had 4 stores, a butcher shop, bakery, bootmaker, blacksmith, 2 garages with petrol pumps and 2 stores also had petrol pumps. Today there are no petrol pumps in Dunsandel The Railway Station was the hub of the town with a post office, telephone exchange, 3 churches and 2 schools. One of the schools was burnt down in 1936. There was a fire station and a town hall which held dances, movies, boxing. Others sports were Golf, Croquet, Rugby, Netball, Billiards, Hockey and a swimming pool. Today businesses consist of just 2 cafes, a motor bike shop, 2 vet clinics, a clothing store, a gift shop, a tavern and a transport company.

One of the old stores owned by Gentleman Frankie Owers. It is now a house in real need of some love and tender care.