Buick, William Butler, Farmer, Burnside, Opaki, Masterton. A son of the late Mr. W. Buick, who came to Wellington per ship “Arab,” the subject of this sketch was born in 1842 in the Empire City, and after many years experience in farming at Petone, he settled in the Wairarapa. In 1881 Mr. Buick purchased the property—2000 acres—which he now farms. This fine estate is all fenced, and will keep three sheep to the acre. Mr. Buick is a believer in Romney Marsh sheep, of which his flock mostly consists. He takes an interest in horse-racing, being a member of the local jockey club, and is interested in sports generally, and is a supporter of the Caledonian Society. Mr. Buick, who is a Mason and an Oddfellow, was married in 1865 to a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Collett, of the Hutt, and has four sons and two daughters.

Campbell, Hugh, Sheepfarmer, “Ngaratanui,” Upper Opaki, Masterton. The subject of this sketch is a well-known figure in the Wairarapa. Sportsmen will remember him as the breeder of such well-known racing stock as “Ngaratanui,” “Shamrock,” and page 986 “Minette,” horses which have carried their owner's colours to the front on many occasions. As a sheepfarmer, he possesses in “Ngaratanui” a compact and handy estate, comprising 2500 acres of freehold, which carries some 2000 Romney Marsh sheep (a really first-class flock), and about seventy head of well-bred cattle. The homestead—a one-story wooden building of ten rooms—is prettily situated, and commands an extensive view of the surrounding country. Close at hand are the usual complement of stables, loose-boxes, woolshed, and other farm buildings. In public affairs Mr. Campbell is prominent, having for the past ten years acted on the Opaki School Committee. He was one of the founders of the Masterton Order of Foresters, and has several times been requested to allow himself to be nominated for the Road Board. A member of the Opaki Jockey Club, he was for some time also a member of the committee. On the showgrounds Mr. Campbell's stock has always been successful, he having frequently taken prizes for horses. He is quite an old settler in the Wairarapa, having arrived in 1868, previously to which he lived with his parents on their farm at Karori. Born at Antrim in 1840, he came to New Zealand in 1841 per ship “Lady Nugent,” his parents being among the early colonists. Mr. Campbell is married to a daughter of Mr. Tankersley, also one of New Zealand's early colonists, and has two sons and three daughters.

Photo by D. Wilton, Masterton.
Mr. H. Campbell.

Herbert, Jesse, Sheepfarmer, Hawkhurst, Opaki, Masterton. This old settler, who was born in Southampton in 1842, came to Wellington per ship “London” with his parents in the following year. For a quarter of a century Mr. Herbert was engaged in sheepfarming at Cape Turnagain, Hawkes Bay, where, in conjunction with a brother, he owns 2800 acres of land, which carries about 4000 sheep. In 1884 Mr. Herbert came to the Wairarapa, purchasing the estate of 670 acres on which he now lives. This property, which is mostly under native and European grasses, supports a flock of 1000 sheep. As a Mason, he is attached to the Bideford Lodge, I.C. In 1878 Mr. Herbert was married to a daughter of the late Captain Thoms, of Wellington, and has two daughters.

Kummer, William Urban Rudolph, Settler, Longlea, Opaki, Masterton. Born in Prussia in 1841, Mr. Kumme came to Wellington in 1867 per ship “Commodore” with his wife and child. After four years in the Wanganui district, he settled in the Wairarapa, purchasing in 1880 the farm of ninety acres on which he now lives. Mr. Kummer was a member of the Masterton Licensing Committee for a year, but has not otherwise taken office. His family numbers seven—two sons and five daughters.

Stuckey, James, Farmer and Stock Breeder, To Rangitumau, Opaki. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Mr. Stuckey is a native of Somersetshire, and reached New Zealand in 1870. He was for about seven years sheep-farming in Canterbury. page 987 About 1877 Mr. Stuckey decided to settle in the Wairarapa because he considered the inducements more suited for sheep and cattle farming. He purchased the present station of 3600 acres—then in its natural condition. By energy and enterprise he has succeeded in grassing about 3000 acres, which are now under English grasses, while an additional 100 are used for cropping. The balance of 500 are covered with native bush, which is useful for supplying fencing, and is excellent shelter for stock. Mr. Stuckey's farm has long been noted for the grand cattle of which he has been so successful a breeder. His specialty is the Hereford breed, of which he has about 300 females on the farm. Several of the animals are imported, and all the others are from stock imported by the Auckland Stud Company, Colonel Whitmore, or the owner. Mr. Stuckey is a regular importer of Herefords. A large number of these celebrated cattle have been sold in the Colony, and about fifty head have been exported to Australia, where they are deservedly popular. They are very hardy and will thrive in rough upland country with no other shelter than the bush. They fatten well, weighing about 900lbs, at three years, when they are suitable for the butcher. The whole of the champion prizes taken by Herefords lately have been won by cattle of Mr. Stuckey's breeding. In choice sheep Mr. Stuckey is a noted breeder. His flock of Lincolns number 500, all from imported stock. He is able to market 200 rams of this strain annually. Mr. Stuckey has 200 fine southdowns, among which are three imported sheep. He has been a successful settler, and though so busily engaged, he finds time for local politics. Mr. Stuckey is a popular member of the Wairarapa North County Council and the Masterton Road Board, and is in every way a worthy colonist.