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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Wood, George Newman

Wood, George Newman, Sheep-Farmer and Grazier, Otauru Station, Shannon. Mr. Wood, who ranks as one of the old settlers-of the Manawatu district, was born about four miles from Stowhouse, in Buckinghamshire, England He came out to New Zealand, per ship “Surge,” in 1834, with his parents, when very young, and received his education entirely in the Colony. At the time when the Venerable Archdeacon (afterwards Bishop) Hadfield was in charge of the Church of England Mission School, in Otaki, Mr. Wood was one of his scholars. He owes much to the care and attention-that was bestowed by the good Bishop and his coadjutors in those early days in imparting useful knowledge. After an educational course of five years at this establishment, Mr. Wood was appointed to the charge of the Mission Station farm. In performing his duties in this position, he displayed such diligence and assiduity that he retained the appointment for a period of five years. It was while occupying this position that Mr. Wood gained the knowledge of cattle and sheep which has been of such service to him. After leaving the Mission Station at Otaki, the subject of this notice settled at Moutoa River, Foxton, and took a farm of 400 acres, which he worked successfully during many years. In 1882 he removed from Moutoa to Shannon, and purchased the fine land which now constitutes the Otauru station. The area of the farm on which Mr. Wood resides is 900 acres, which, when selected, was all virgin forest. The task of reducing this bush land to a smiling homestead was no easy one; plenty of hard labour was called for, in addition to large experience. Mr. Wood bent all his energies to the task, and has been enabled personally to clear a considerable portion of the 800 acres, which has been brought into cultivation during his occupancy of the land. Otauru station is now in a high state of cultivation, and like a good deal of the land lying between Otaki and Longburn is excellent alike for agricultural and pastoral purposes. Mr. Wood has been a breeder of Lincoln sheep for the past seven years. Among his flock are some really excellent sheep, which are a credit to their enterprising owner, as well as to the district in which they have been reared. Of cattle, Mr. Wood has a flock numbering 200, which includes forty pure bred Shorthorns for stud purposes. He has also a few good horses in addition to those kept for use on the station. Mr. Wood, whose portrait is given herein, has proved himself a successful colonist. He was the first to take up land and settle in the district, and may fairly be regarded as the founder of the town of Shannon.