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Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies, Volume 1, Issue 2, November 1982

Joseph Ward – Surveyor June 1847

Joseph Ward – Surveyor June 1847

[The surveyor, Joseph Ward was the son-in-law of Henry Redwood Sen, and set out in June 1847 to join Budge who was in charge of the survey of the Wairau. Sir George Grey had completed the purchase of the Wairau Plains and land-hungry Nelsonians waited anxiously to claim rural land bought before they left England. Ward kept a diary of his time there and to it he confided his various frustrations.]

June 21 1847. Set out to McRaes.

23rd. At Morse's sheep station – some rain.

25th. Wet day, miserable walk. We are ahead of the tents – running short of food. [Fortunately the party with tents and food appeared.]

page 53

26th. Al small stream a mile or so from the Waiopa River (Waihopi) – too deep and strong to cross, encamped on bank.

27th. Report during night that stream rising – moved to higher spot. Dark and raining – miserable. Very short of food.

28th. Same place. Had some sow thistle at this place and wild greens – very poor diet. Could not cross Waiopa. Sent one of the men on horseback to get food.

Tuesday 29th. All started again. Crossed on black horse one at a time. Had rope on horse's head to bring him back – six crossed, others staid longer to give horse a rest. We got to Opawa. Crossed and reached station at Wood after wading through swamps which seemed endless. Dreadful!

30th. At station at Wood. Eating etc. to recruit [recuperate?]

July 1st. Making place to keep provisions from rats.

2nd. Doing little or nothing. Some men after pigs. Caught 3.

3rd. Cutting traverse lines down river towards pah.

4th. At station, at work. Young fellow named Coleman went to Cloudy Bay to see if vessel had arrived. If he brings word that she is in Budge gives him 5 pounds. If not nothing. Must bring word by tomorrow night.

5th. Coleman returned, brought back word of vessel's arrival.

11th. At principal station on Opawa – afterwards called Budge-Budge.

16th. Went to Parkinson's old station on little Opawa to form a station. Looking round – found every spot liable to flood. Bad!

18th. At station No. 2 Manuka (Beaver Station) on little Opawa. Saying prayers. Writing etc. Dinner – "doughboys" and pork. Rough!

19th. Thatching Warre [Whare].

21st. Began road line. Commenced nearly opposite our station (Beaver Station).

August 1st. Sunday. Very wet and windy day. Dreadful! From southwest. Arose and made fire. River rising. Water all around – before we could bail water floor of warre was covered – it soon put fire out. Said my prayers. Water kept rising, all day the same. Dreadful! Uncertain when 'twould stop. Edwards made a breakwater of some section pegs. Night came – dreary night. Storm still raging. Water rising. Miserable night. Edwards saying he feared we should not see the morning – self uncertain. Wrote in pencil a short letter to my dear Martha [wife] Said my prayers. Edwards watched. I slept for half an hour or so. Then I watched and he lay down. Wind turned to south west. Water sunk suddenly 1½ inches at 4 or 5 o'clock. Storm abated. Flood gradually lowering. Slowly. Great relief. Thanks. Thanks from my heart! Had a sleep! – Ward's Diary. Nelson Provincial Museum.

[Undoubtedly it was this happening which is reputed to give the name of Beaver to the area later known as Blenheim. Lindsay Buick in Old Marlborough says: "The legend about the origin of the term 'Beaver'…is that while the land was being surveyed one of the periodical south east floods occurred and a survey camp on the banks of the Omaka and the whole plain was inundated. Surveyors were compelled to roost up in their bunks. Mr Joseph Ward later declared: 'they sat there like a lot of Beavers in a dam'."

Despite efforts to change the name or at least make it Beaverton it remained "the Beaver" until Marlborough became a separate province in 1859 – and in common parlance much longer. Now it is affectionately revived in Blenheim's Beavertown.]