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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Motutapu Island

Motutapu Island.

This arcadian island, which is situated in the Hauraki Gulf within a few miles of Auckland, is one of the most lovely of the many beautiful islands which dot the seascape, and add such attraction to the Auckland Harbour. Motutapu lies adjacent to the island of Rangitoto, from which it is separated at high water by a narrow channel, but at low water it adjoins that island. It comprises 3700 acres of the most fertile soil, and is indented with bays, accessible at all states of the tide. The best known of them is Home Bay, which possesses a fine jetty, at which steamers of large size can lie in perfect safety in all weathers. The island is beautifully diversified by hill and dale, and dotted with fine clumps of English trees and fringed on the sea border by the romantic pohutakawa or Christmas tree of New Zealand. Motutapu is a perfect paradise to the lovers of sport, as it abounds with fallow deer, wallabies, emus, buffaloes, land birds and water fowl, dear to the sportsman's heart. Rock oysters are plentiful on the shores of the island, and the sea teems with the most delicious fish. Sheltered from the prevailing cold south-west winds by the venerable Rangitoto, crowned with his crater cone, towering 900 feet above sea level, and seemingly placed as a sentinel to guard the Waitemata, Motutapu possesses an exquisite climate seldom disturbed by boisterous winds or other elemental roysterers. Motutapu is indeed happily named, for, in the Maori language, the word means the Sacred Island. There, too, the sacred rites of hospitality are observed by Mr. Reid, the owner of the island, with a liberality so distinguished that his name is held in the highest respect by every individual in Auckland, and by large numbers of world tourists, who, on their visit to Auckland, experience the unaffected graciousness with which Mr. Reid fulfils the duties of host and master in his island kingdom. An invitation to visit the island is easily obtained from Mr. Reid, who is good nature personified, and the invitation often carries permission to shoot deer and other game. Various societies in Auckland have long held their annual picnics at Home Bay, as permission to do this has always been courteously granted by Mr. Reid. The homestead, situated at Emu Bay, is an ideal home, sheltered in a charming nook; it is surrounded by tree-dotted hills, and is easily approached by a walk of two miles from Home Bay, where the jetty is situated. In addition to the large number of game it carries for its owner, Motutapu depastures between 4000 and 5000 sheep, 300 head of well bred cattle, and about fifty horses, and these are all eagerly sought after by buyers. Communication with Auckland is most convenient, as steamboats ply several times a week between the city and the island. Motutapu was originally purchased by the late Mr. Robert Graham, who, in 1869, disposed of his interest of several hundred acres to Messrs Reid Bros., and the remaining portion was purchased at the same time from the Messrs Maxwell Bros., who were part owners. The island was then in its native state, but the energy of Messrs Reid Bros. soon converted the ti-tree and scrub covered hills to a fertile pastoral paradise.

Mr. James Reid, Proprietor of Motutapu, the youngest and surviving brother of Messrs Reid Bros., and twin brother to the late Mr. John Reid, who died from the effects of blood poisoning on a trip to the South Sea Islands, was born at Hayston, Campsie, Stirlingshire, Scotland, in 1837. On the completion of his education, which took a comparatively short time, and after gaining some first prizes in the various branches of school work, he started farming with his brother, who gave him an excellent training. He then left Scotland, in 1865, for Melbourne. His first colonial experience was on the Murrumbidgee, where Mr. Reid determined to go in for sheep farming. He took a partner, who possessed nothing but a great knowledge of sheep, Mr. Reid supplying the other indispensable requisite—money. The partners purchased the Pine Plain station, on the Mallce Plains. It carried about 12,000 sheep, which were unfortunately scabby, but Mr. Reid cured them in a few months. He remained at Pine Plain for one year and a half, when he found that he had gained colonial experience to the tune of the loss of £3500. Then he disposed of his interest in the station, and joined his elder brother, the late Mr. William Reid, who had arrived in Australia two years after Mr. James Reid, on a journey of discovery to Queensland. The two brothers travelled on horseback for over 1000 miles, and suffered extreme hardships from both hunger and thirst. They saw no properties that pleased or suited them, and they then determined to visit New Zealand on a tour of inspection. Messrs William, John, and James Reid reached Auckland in 1869, and tried to buy Motutapu, but could not come to terms with the then owners. They then went to Nelson, but, seeing nothing there to suit them, returned to Melbourne. Very shortly after their arrival they received a letter from the owners of Motatapu, offering
Mr. J. Reid.

Mr. J. Reid.

page 535 terms which Messrs Reid Brothers accepted, and they then returned to Auckland. The brothers immediately set to work clearing and fencing, and their labours resulted in making Motutapu an island elysium. Messrs William and John Reid are both dead, and Mr. James Reid, the youngest and surviving brother, honourably sustains the reputation of the lairds of Motutapu for graceful and unstinted hospitality. Mr. Reid has never had the opportunity of taking part in the political and general affairs of the day, as most of his time is devoted to beautifying and improving his ideal island home. On the 22nd of April, 1901, in recognition of his continued extreme kindness to the Oddfellows, he was made an honorary life member of that body.
Mr. J. Reid and Mr. and Mrs. Craig And Family.

Mr. J. Reid and Mr. and Mrs. Craig And Family.

Mr. John Craig, Manager of Motutapu, has occupied the position for about ten years. He is a gentleman in whom Mr. Reid reposes the greatest confidence, and he looks after the general management of the property. Mrs Craig and Miss Craig, whose extreme kindness is known and appreciated by the numerous visitors to the island, ably help Mr. Reid in discharging his duties as a hospitable host.