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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Piraki Estate

Piraki Estate (Frederick-Arthur Anson, Proprietor), Piraki. This estate, which is the property of Mr. Frederick Arthur Anson, and comprises some 4000 acres of excellent grazing country, is also one of the most historically interesting places in the South Island. It was at Piraki Cove that, in 1835. Captain Hempleman, of the brig “Bee,” from Sydney, started the first shore whaling station, and for several years he carried on a thriving business, though in constant danger from the sanguinary conflict which was then raging along the coast between the Kapiti followers of Rauparaha from the North and the Southern Otago Natives under Tuhawaiki, or “Bloody Jack,” as he was called by the white pioneers. It was to this little settlement, too, that a man-of-war's boat was sent from H.M.S. “Britomart,” on the 14th of August, 1840, to formally proclaim the annexation of the island to the British Crown. On the same sheltered and shelving sands Bishop Selwyn landed in January, 1844, from his mission yacht, to preach the gospel to the Maoris of the Ngaitahu tribe. These events and many others, including the original purchase of Piraki Valley from the Native chief by Captain Hempleman, are recorded in that pioneer's “log”—an early manuscript which is an interesting appendage to this estate. Upon the foundation of the Canterbury settlement in 1850 (the claims of all original purchasers having been set aside) fifty acres, R.S. 253, which covered the site of the still existing whaling station, were purchased from the Association by Mr. John Watson, Resident Magistrate at Akaoa, and member of a well known Irish County Carlow family. On this land his cousin, a Mr. Carew, built a house, in which he and his grown-up family might live. He grazed cattle on the adjoining hills which he rented from the Government, and laid the foundation of a garden and orchard, which have earned for him the grateful thanks of his successors. In time Merino sheep took the place of cattle, but the property remained unimproved, and the rough hillside, with it rocky summits, afforded the only access to the homestead, which was then also the training stables of “Mousetrap” and “Creepmouse,” horses well known to the racing calendar of their time. In the latter sixties the Carew family moved to Christchurch, and “Piraki” became the property of Captain Hawtrey, R.N., who already owned the French Farm on the Wainui shore of Akaroa harbour, and was a son the well-known Master of Eton. Only a few years had clapsed, however, before his yacht, on which he invariably made the journey to and from “Piraki,' was lost with himself and all hands on board, when going round to Akaroa on a squally night. In 1875, the property was purchased by Messrs Snow and Anson, who had crossed the Tasman Sea in the “Omeo,” early in the same year, from Melbourne, where they had arrived in 1874, having sailed from England in the “Malabar,” one of Green's old Indian troopships. In a very few years, more than 1000 acres of bush had been cleared, 2000 acres of tussock land laid down in English grasses, miles of fencing erected, the buildings extended, bride tracks made, and everything done that could add to the productiveness of the increased freehold area or improve the surroundings of the home. In 1882, Merinos, for which the artificial grasses were found to be too rich, began to give place to Leicesters and Lincolns, and since 1890, when Mr. Snow retired from the partnership, the flock has consisted entirely of coarse-woolled, but profitable sheep, because good producers of mutton for the frozen meat trade.