The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Farmers, Old Settlers, Etc
Farmers, Old Settlers, Etc.
Cobb, Robert, Sheep Breeder and Importer, Raukawa, Palmerston North. Born at Ivychurch, Romney Marsh, England, and educated at Hailebury College, Hertfordshire, Mr. Cobb studied farming with his father, Mr. Thomas Cobb, stud breeder, of Romney Marsh. Coming to Wellington in the ship “Wairoa” in 1878, Mr. Cobb purchased land at Moutoa, now known as the Okaua Estate, and immediately commenced importing from his father and other breeders, pure-bred Romney Marsh sheep. In 1889 he sold his Moutoa property to Messrs. Oliver Bros., and purchased the Raukawa Estate, to which his flock was removed. For fifteen years he has exhibited at New Zealand and Australian shows, and has secured a large number of prizes, including the champion prizes for rams and ewes at the New South Wales shows, in which colony a number of his sheep have been purchased, and are highly spoken of. The advantages claimed for this breed are that they are strong-constitutioned sheep, adapting themselves to all kinds of country, are less liable to foot-rot, more prolific, and require less feed. Although slightly, if anything, inferior in weight of fleece, they are more profitable to keep for the reasons stated, the wool being liner than Lincoln, and commanding a higher price. Mr. Cobb's property at Raukawa is six miles from Palmerston and two miles from Ashurst. One of the several outbuildings is a large woolshed, which is fitted with sheep-shearing machines worked by an oil engine. Mr. Cobb owns a herd of shorthorns of first-class pedigree, bred from stock procured from Mr. Larkworthy's Carnarvon Estate, and from the Oroua Downs Estate and has fifty cows on the estate, the milk being supplied to the Stoney Creek Creamery.
Mr. R. Cobb.
Eyton, Thomas, Settler, Palmerston North. A native of Black heath, Kent, where he was born in 1843, Mr. Eyton is a son of the late Captain Thomas Eyton, of the Royal Navy, who retired on half pay, and was known for some years as superintendent of the training ship “Iphigenia and Venus,” Mr. Eyton was educated at the Royal Naval School, Newcross, near London, and subsequently attended the Felsted Grammar School, He was successful in pa sing an examination entitling him to a clerkship in the Trinity House, where he remained for two years, and then, becoming tired of office life, decided to try his fortune in the Colony, and arrived in Otago in 1862 in the ship “Bombay.” After working for eighteen months on a large sheep and cattle station at Ida Valley, near Dunstan, Mr. Eyton was promised a commission in the Waikato Militia, but on arrival in the Auckland district in 1864 he found a large number of applicants. He therefore decided to join the Otahuhu Volunteer page 1198 Cavalry, and served in the corps until it was disbanded. In 1864 he returned to the South Island, and meeting some friends at the Whakamarina gold diggings in 1866, he was persuaded by them to take up his residence in the Taranaki district, where he joined the No. 2 Company of Bushrangers, under Captain H. A. Atkinson, and served in several engagements until paid off. Returning south to Otago he was again at Ida Valley station and afterwards at Lake Tekapo, MacKenzie Country. He then took up land at Patea, and was making a home, when the Maori war of 1868 broke out compelling settlers to abandon property. He served in the Volunteer Cavalry as quartermaster-sergeant until 1870, when he joined the Armed Constabulary, serving four years, and resigning (when 1st class sergeant) to take a clerkship in the Treasury, which he filled until 1880, when he returned to Patea to go into private business. During his six years' residence at Patea he was Town Clerk, and secretary to the Harbour Board. In 1887 he left for England, and returned to New Zealand in 1888. He afterwards spent nearly three years travelling in England and Australia, and was a co-promoter and manager of the famous Native Football Team. In 1891 he settled at Palmerston North, and has been located there ever since. While a resident of Wellington Mr. Eyton was a very active member of the Star Boating Club, and has taken part in several winning races.
Hirst, William Lockwood, Setter, “Fairholme,” Broad Street, Palmerston North. Mr. Hirst was born in 1821 at Digley Mills, Huddersfield. Educated at the city schools, he was apprenticed for five years to the cloth-finishing trade, after which he joined his father and brothers, John Hirst and Sons, woollen manufacturers. Mr. Hirst arrived in Wellington in April, 1857, and established a fellmongery, tannery and currying trade at Kaiwarra. He sold out the business in 1876 to Hirst and Co., and took a trip to the Old Country. After two years he returned to the Colony and lived in Wellington for five years. Mr. Hirst subsequently removed to Palmerston North to enable him to look after some land he had purchased in the district. He has a comfortable home close to The Square, with gardens and grounds laid out to the extent of seven acres. The beautiful well-kept gardens and surroundings present a very pleasing appearance.
Mr. W. L. Hirst in 1877.
Hodder, Thomas Rayner, Farmer, Karere, near Palmerston North. Born in Nelson, after two years experience in his father's office in Canterbury, Mr. Hodder took up land in the Waimea district, Nelson, where he remained five years. Coming to Longburn, he was fortunate in securing 500 acres of fertile land in the Manawatu, 300 of which is at Kairanga and the remainder at Karere. Mr. Hodder's flock, which numbers over 2000, is chiefly of the Lincoln variety, which thrive well and fatten readily. Besides fattening sheep, Mr. Hodder runs about twenty head of cattle and six horses on the homestead, which is sheltered by native trees and surrounded by the Mangaone stream, which runs through the greater part of the property.
Lancaster, Stephen Robert, Farmer, Riverlea Farm, seven miles from Palmerston North, Mr. Lancaster owns 207 acres, which eleven years ago was covered with dense bush, but is now cleared, fenced, well subdivided, and partly stumped and cropped, with excellent results. The carrying capacity of the land is five sheep to the acre. Mr. Lancaster is an enthusiastic breeder of stud stock, and at the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show in 1895 he gained twenty-one first, fourteen second, and nine third prizes. A few weeks later, at page 1199 Wellington, he gained five first and five second prizes; and at Woodville, in the same season, he took seven first, and four second prizes, and one third prize. In felling his bush Mr. Lancaster reserved a small patch in all his paddocks for shelter. Born at Karori, Wellington, in 1862, and educated at the same place, he received his early training on his father's farm, and removed to the Manawatu district in 1883. Mr. Lancaster has always taken an active part on the committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and on the school committee. In 1885 Mr. Lancaster married Miss Hanna, daughter of Mr. James Hanna, of Carterton, and has six boys and one girl.
Lancaster, Thomas, Farmer, six miles from Palmerston North. Mr. Lancaster's farm consists of 219 acres, on which he raises sheep, cattle, and horses. The property was acquired by the present proprietor about eleven years ago, and was at that time dense bush, but is now cleared, fenced, subdivided, and cropped, with excellent results. Born at Karori, Wellington, Mr. Lancaster was educated at the public school, and at the Wellington College. In his early years he worked on his father's farm at Karori, during which time he was a member of the Makara Rifle Volunteers, and won Mr. Charles Johnston's Cup. Mr. Lancaster married. Miss Bowen, of Makara, and has three sons and one daughter.
Photo by Attwood & Co.
Mr. T. Lancaster.
Munro, John, Settler, Glencurse, Palmerston North. Born in Rosshire, Scotland, Mr. Munro passed his early years in that county. Coming to Melbourne in the good ship “Twilight,” he remained there for some time, and subsequently crossed the page 1200 Tasman Sea to join the Otago diggings. After working on the diggings for a few years he removed to the Manawatu in 1865. At that time the country was covered with dense bush, and Mr. Munro was the first to build a house in Palmerston. He acquired a section of land at Jackeytown, but soon disposed of it, and bought his present property. Having cleared the bush he fenced and subdivided the land, and erected substantial buildings. When Mr. Munro settled in the Munawatu there were no roads nor railways, and he had to bear his share of the hardships that fell to the lot of the early settlers.
Photo by Attwood and Co.
Mr. W. Nicholson.
Seale, George Thomas, Settler, Palmerston North. Born in Dartmouth, Devon, in 1847, Mr. Seale, after a course of private tuition, came to the Colony in 1864 per ship “Devonshire.” Landing at Lyttelton, he was for five years in charge of the station at Rakaia Forks, owned by Mr. N. Neave, and then went to Hawkes Bay, where he took charge of the Risington Estate, at that time the largest in the North Island, and owned by Messrs. Robert and Co. When, eleven years afterwards, this valuable property was cut up, Mr. Seale, in conjunction with others, bought a large section. After twelve months he returned to New Zealand, and took up his abode in Palmerston North in February, 1886. Since then Mr. Seale has entered into various businesses.
Still, Charles John Gundry, Settler, Palmerston North. Mr. Still is a native of Bridport, Dorsetshire, and a son of Captain James Charles Still, late of the 3rd Dragoon Guards. He was educated at a private school after which he went to Caius College, Cambridge. In 1894 he decided to settle in the Colony, and with that object in view he left England in the “Valetta.” On arrival at Sydney he completed the remainder of the voyage in the “Mararoa.” Since taking up his residence in Palmerston North, Mr. Still has purchased a fine property in Ferguson Street, where he has erected a very handsome residence. The grounds are well laid out, as the adjoining engraving will show, and are quite an attraction in themselves. In the Old Country Mr. Still took a keen interest in sport, and he displays the same spirit in the town in which he now resides. He is one of the directors of the Manawatu Sports Association, which has been responsible for the completion of one of the finest athletic grounds in the Colony, and he takes a warm interest in cricket and all sports.
Mr. C. J. G. Still.
Waldegrave, Harry Edward, Farmer, Awapuni, near Palmerston North. Born in Sydney in 1854, Mr. Waldegrave is a son of the late Mr. John James Waldegrave, one of the pioneers of the Manawatu, who settled there in 1872. Mr. Waldegrave, senior, arrived in the Colony in 1855, and was residing in Wellington when the sensational earthquakes occurred. Mr. Harry Waldegrave was educated partly at Wellington and partly at Pahautanui, and was also engaged at the latter place in farming pursuits. He came to Palmerston North when it was dense bush, but, possessing the true spirit of the settler, he took up land at Awapuni, and in a few years had the satisfaction of knowing that he owned one of the finest properties in the Manawatu. The farm includes some of the best grazing land obtainable, the soil being exceedingly fertile and eminently suited for sheep and cattle. The homestead is situated about half-a-mile from the Awapuni Railway Station, and is connected with Palmerston by a good metalled road.
Waldegrave, John James. One of the earliest settlers of Palmerston North, Mr. Waldegrave was the son of Mr. Burton Waldegrave, of Bay Hall, Bennington, near Boston, Lincolnshire, where he was born. In 1855 he arrived in Wellington, where he carried on business as an importer for a few years, and then took up farming pursuits at Porirua, and afterwards at Pahautanui. In 1872 he moved on to the new settlement of Palmerston North, where he resided until his death in 1891, at the comparatively early age of fifty-seven, having left considerable property. Mr. Waldegrave took no active part in local or general politics, though he followed the course of public events with, keen interest. He left three sons— Mr. H. E. Waldegrave, of Awapuni, who is referred to elsewhere in this volume, Mr. C. E. Waldegrave, J.P., who lived for some years at Fitzherbert, but removed to Palmerston North at his father's death to take charge of the business, and Mr. F. G. B. Waldegrave, Under-Secretary of Justice, Wellington. The late Mr. Waldegrave had one daughter, who married Mr. F. S. McRae, of Blairichburn, and died in 1894.