Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 2, Issue 5, November 1971

Richardson Street

Richardson Street

The foot of Richardson Street marks the beginning of the only route into Nelson in early days. The settlers had to toil up Stafford Walk—as steep then as now—over the hill and down into Washington Valley, across a muddy swamp and on to Church Hill. The famous Heaphy print shows the large tent which served as the New Zealand Company's Depot near what was the landing place for some time. The property on the northern corner, at the foot of Richardson Street, was later to become the site of the leading beacons for vessels entering the port through the "Old Entrance".

Mention of Stafford Walk prompts the recollection that Edward William Stafford landed in Nelson in 1843 to take up farming. In 1846 he married the only daughter of Colonel William Wakefield, Chief Agent of the New Zealand Company. Stafford became interested in the politics of the day and became Superintendent of the Province of Nelson in 1853. He represented Nelson in the General Assembly in 1855 and became Premier in 1856. The link between Stafford Walk and Wakefield Quay is, therefore, more real than nominal.