TitleMason's Dahlia Nurseries, LeestonDescriptionFrom c.1944 to c.1952 V. G. Mason ran Mason's Dahlia Nurseries at his home 'Awapiko', in Selwyn Street, Leeston. He grew a wide variety of blooms, from the giant cactus variety to small dahlia pom-poms. He advertised bulbs regularly in the Ellesmere Guardian, and gave talks on dahlia cultivation to local community groups.
Okains Bay-born Valmond Mason was also an accountant who worked for the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board (in its various iterations) for 43 years from 1925. At the time of his retirement in 1969 he had a collection of one thousand orchids.