Journal of the Nelson and Marlborough Historical Societies, Volume 2, Issue 6, 1995
Budge's Subdivision
Budge's Subdivision
Lewis and Ellen Horne established themselves in Blenheim in the loop of the Opawa River, where the surveyor William Budge had established a farm later called Riversdale. This area on the southern bank of the Opawa had been subdivided into 2 acre sections by Budge, and Lewis Horne bought one of these. Access to the property was by Dodson Street and by an appropriately named Horne Street! Lewis and Ellen had produced 2 children by this stage; Constance Fanny, born 1859 who had lived only a few weeks and George, born in 1860.
The Budge property was always in danger of flooding, as the origin of much of the Opawa River's flow was from the Wairau River at Conders Bend, near Renwick. It used to flow over and past the northern part of the loop and overflow directly to the Wairau River, near the sea at Dillons Point. The lessons of the flood threat to his first Wairau property stayed with Lewis Horne for the rest of his life and much of his career was to be expended in flood control and land conservation.
.jpg)
Budge's 1848 survey showing Lower Wairau. A. Dr Horne's 1862 2-acre purchase. B. Dr Horne's 1866 38.5-perch purchases (townhouse site) C. The 900 acres of freehold rural land held by Dr Horne by the end of 1875 X. Dr Horne's Dillons Point homestead.
During the period at the Budge property Lewis and Ellen produced 4 more children; Francis Edward 1862, Zoe 1863, Charles Randolf 1865 and Agnes Fanny 1866. The Hornes sold the property in 1866 to a Mr Humphrey.