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Tales of Banks Peninsula

Mr. James Wright

page 270

Mr. James Wright.

Mr. and Mrs. James Wright left England in the Martha Ridgway, and landed in Wellington in 1840. In 1842 they came down to the Peninsula, where Mr. Wright whaled for Paddy Woods at Oashore. Mr. Wright left Paddy Woods in 1844 and came to Akaroa. He then bought out Mr. George Rhodes's whale fishery at Island Bay, and carried on whaling as long as there were any whales about the coast. Mr. Wright had bought the land forming the estate called Wakamoa, and as whaling declined turned his attention to farming. He carried on dairying on a large scale in the early days, and as mentioned in a later article in this work, written by Mr. H. C. Jacobson from information obtained by Mr. James Wright himself, it was marvellous how the cheese was carried down those rugged hillsides. It is said that at one time Mr. Wright had one of the finest herds of milking Shorthorn cattle in Canterbury. Later, he replaced the cattle with sheep. Mr Luke Wright, one of his sons, now lives in the old homestead. Mr. James Wright died at the age of 78 after a strenuous and successful life, leaving nine sons and three daughters. Mr. Wright, was an ex-member of the Life Guards, and had many stories to tell of hig regiment. He was commonly styled the "Baron of Wakamoa," and was very proud of having such tall sons. He boasted that he and his nine sons stretched along the ground measured out a chain—and they certainly were all very tall. Mrs Wright still lives (December, 1913) having attained the age of 94. She is hale and in complete comraand of all her faculties. The Wright family has increased in numbers, and there are five generations over at Wainui.