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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Taueru

Taueru.

Brancepeth Station, the property of Messrs. Williams and Beetham, contains something like 50,000 acres. The late Mr. William Beethan, of the Hutt father of Messrs. H. H. and W. H. Beetham, two of the partners in the firm, purchased the first
Brancepeth Estate.

Brancepeth Estate.

portion of this estate, 21,000 acres, in 1856. Mr. T. C. Williams, the senior partner, having a large holding adjoining, joined forces, thus founding the well-known firm of Williams and Beetham. Operations were begun in earnest, as many as 500 men being employed in bushfelling, fencing, building, etc., for several years. Until 1870, the firm stocked the station with merino sheep. Finding, however, that the country would carry longwools, they bought a large number of Lincolns from leading colonial breeders for the purpose of crossing. Three years later they imported some of the best English strains, to which they have subsequently added other importations, besides purchasing large numbers of the best-selected New Zealand flocks; hence the splendid flock of Lincolns for which Brancepeth has long been famous. In addition to this strain, Messrs. Williams and Beetham have a fine flock of South Downs, which has been in existence for nine years, and, like the Lincolns, was formed from imported sheep together with purchases from well-known colonial breeders. Their flocks of Shropshire Downs and Romney Marsh sheep are descended from animals gathered from British and New Zealand flocks with the greatest care, and regardless of cost. Small wonder, then, that the firm has been noted for prize-winning animals. At the Masterton and Carterton shows in 1896, the Brancepeth flocks and herds gained six gold medals and one silver medal, besides thirty-six first and twenty-nine second prizes; at Wellington, the winners numbered one champion prize, eight first, nine second prises, and one third prize.

Mr. Hugh Horsley Beetham, J.P., one of the partners in the Brancepeth Station, was born in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “William and Jane” in 1855. For a number of years he served in the Militia as captain. In agricultural and pastoral matters Mr. Beetham has long been prominent, and he has held office as president of the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Association. In 1879 Mr. Beetham was married to the fourth daughter of the late Mr. C. R. Bidwill, of Pihautea, Wairarapa, and has two sons and two daughters. He lives in a beautifully-situated homestead on the banks of the Wainuioru river, the house being surrounded by a well-grown plantation of useful and ornamental trees. Of Mr. Beetham's partners, Mr. T. C. Williams is referred to on page 773, and Mr. W. H. Beetham, as a member of the Wairarapa North County Council, on page 943.

Garratt, George, Settler, Taueru. A native of Newbury, Berkshire, England, where he was born in 1850, Mr. Garratt was brought up to farming pursuits, and came to Wellington in 1872 per ship “Jessie Redman.” Settling in Taueru, he had charge of a road north of the township, and afterwards managed Mr. O'Malley's farm at Te Ore Ore. Subsequently he was engaged in various occupations till 1880, when he became a contractor for fencing on the Brancepeth Estate, being appointed overseer in 1891. Since his promotion Mr. Garratt has had the supervision of large bodies of men, in some instances as many as 170 being employed on the station. Always ready to advance the district, he has acted as a member of the local school commmittee. His farm of 150 acres is pleasantly situated in the district. In 1869 Mr. Garratt was married to Miss Highed, of Buckinghamshire, England, and has four sons and three daughters.

page 1513
Mr. G. Garratt.

Mr. G. Garratt.