Auntsfield farm , Doctor's Flat, Blenheim. This farm is a compact and valuable property of 300 acres of good agricultural and pastoral land. It was originally part of Meadowbank station, and was bought by the late Mr. David Herd from Mr. A. P. Seymour. For about fourteen years, Mr. Herd conducted the farm himself, and in the year 1895, he let it to his son-in-law, Mr. J. W. Paynter, the present lessee, “Auntsfield” possesses a fine homestead and is well managed. A permanent flock of about 200 breeding ewes is depastured, and 120 acres are annually placed under cultivation. There is also a large orchard, and a valuable vineyard. A large amount of grape wine is manufactured, for the making of which there is every facility; and the output is favourably known all over the province.

Brooklands Farm , Blenheim. This farm comprises 308 acres of good agricultural land, and is one of the most valuable properties of its size in the district. It was first taken up in the early fifties by Messrs Tytler and Shepherd, and a few years later was bought by the late Mr. F. Williams. Since his death the farm has been equally divided into two sections, and these are worked separately by Mr. P. G. Williams and Mr. R. G. Williams respectively. Sheep grazing and the cultivation of crops, chiefly barley, oats, and clover are carried on, and the excellent condition of the sheep, and the crops produced, attest to its adaptability for both purposes.

Ching, William Henry, Farmer, Fairhall Valiey, Blenheim. Mr. Ching's allotment is known as section 10, block I, and consists of 454 acres of agricultural and pastoral land. A permanent flock is depastured, and an average area of 120 acres is annually placed under crop. Mr. Ching is the youngest son of Mr. William Ching, of Blenheim, and was born on the 5th of May, 1872, at Nelson. Two years later, he arrived in Blenheim with his parents and was educated at the Blenheim Borough School. Mr. Ching was brought up to farming with his father, whom he assisted till the year 1896, when he successfully balloted for a section of the Hawkesbury estate, then being subdivided for closer settlement. Mr. Ching is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of the local branch of the Farmers' Union, of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and of the Renwick Rifle Club.

Macey, photo.
Mr. W. H. Ching.

The Delta Station (William Pollard, proprietor), is situated in the Waihopai district. It has an acreage of about 7000 acres of undulating and arable land, and carries 6500 sheep. Root crops are grown annually to fatten sheep, and carry them through the winter months, and though this is costly, it is found a highly remunerative process. At the homestead, old and obsolete outbuildings are being replaced with others of more modern type. A fine woolshed, which is quite ample for present requirements, stands on the flat near to the homestead, and the family residence has been renovated by Mr. Pollard, and is now a fine commodious villa, with a frontage to the main road.

Mr. William Pollard is a native of Cornwall, England, and was educated in his native place. He came to New Zealand in 1874. For some years he was settled in the Hawke's Bay district, and gained considerable knowledge of station life, chiefly on the Rissington station When Mr. Pollard came to Marlborough the management of the Birch Hill station was given to him, and he afterwards also managed “Dumgree.” He was for five years manager of “Delta,” of which he is now owner. Mr. Pollard, besides being a large employer of labour, does his best in other ways also to promote the interests of the district.

Fowler, Thomas, Farmer, North Bank, Wairau Valley. Mr. Fowler was born in Gloucester, England, in 1852, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Chieftain,” He went to Marlborogh in 1878 to manage a large sheep station, on which he remained for many years. After that, he bought a station of his own, but disposed of it a few years later to run a line of coaches from Blenheim to Molesworth. This he did successfully until 1894, when he purchased the Club livery and bait stables, which he left to settle at Wairau Valley. Mr. Fowler has been a Freemason for over twenty years. He is married, and has three sons.

Harding, Thomas, Swansdowne Farm, Omaka district, near Blenheim. Mr. Harding was born in June, 1833, at Hfracombe, Devonshire, England, where he was educated, and learned farming. He came to New Zealand in the year 1859, and landed at Nelson. For a time he was employed, successively, in the Nelson and Marlborough provinces, was afterwards employed for three years by Mr. Charles Redwood, in the Wairau, and in 1867 he took up the first section of his present farm. “Swansdowne” now (1905) consists of nearly 500 acres of freehold, and over 900 acres of leasehold, land, and is devoted chiefly to sheep and cattle farming; a little cropping is also carried on. A small herd of pure Devon cattle, some of which were imported from England, is depastured. In the year 1879, Mr. Harding took a trip to the Old Country, in order to re-visit his birth-place. He is married, and has one son and two daughter.

Jones, William, formerly of New Renwick Road, Blenheim. Mr. Jones was born at Grovetown. Marlborough, in July, 1876. He is the son of Mr. William Jones, a respected settler in the district. Mr. Jones has a farm of 154 acres of the finest land in the New Renwick Road district. He married a daughter of Mr. Baldick, of Port Underwood. Mr. Jones removed from New Renwick Road to the Sounds.

Mccallum, John, “Oakfield,” Blenheim. Mr. McCallum is the second son of the late Mr. Donald McCallum, and was born in November, 1831, in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was educated and learned farming. Mr. McCallum went to Geelong, Victoria, Australia, in the year 1854, and came to New Zealand in May of the following year. For a few months he worked in Nelson, and then went to Blenheim, where he was employed at sawing and bush-felling, and subsequently, in conjunction with his brother, was engaged in farming. Later on, however the partnership was dissolved and Mr. McCallum has since farmed on his own account. “Oakfield” is situated on the northern boundary of Blenheim page 357 and consists of seventy-five acres of rich agricultural land. Mr. McCallum is married, and has three sons and two daughters.

Meadowbank Estate (George Turner Seymour, lessee), Blenheim. Since 1896, Mr. Seymour has leased 19,000 acres of the Meadowbank estate. He grazes 7000 Merino sheep, the original stock of which was imported by his father from Mr. Rutherford's Leslie Hills station, Canterbury, and the clip has averaged as high as eight and three-quarter pounds persheep. Upon taking up the lease, Mr. Seymour personally superintended the laying of poisoned pollard, for the extermination of rabbits, and his leasehold is now practically free from the pest. So well and carefully was the poison placed that not a single sheep was lost. Mr. Seymour employs two horse teams, and has gone in largely for turnip growing; some years he crops about 200 acres.

Murdoch, Alexander Grant, Farmer, Omaka Estate, near Blenheim. Mr. Murdoch owns 300 acres, half of which consists of downs, and the balance is flat land. He farms about eighty acres, and also depastures sheep of the Lincoln and Merino cross. Mr. Murdoch acquired his property at the time the Hawkesbury estate was cut up in 1896, and since then he has made valuable improvements, which include a comfortable residence. Mr. Murdoch was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1854, and came to Otago by the ship “E. P. Bouverie,” in 1870. Subsequently, he was contract ploughing on the Levels station in Canterbury. He removed to Marlborough in 1880, and worked for Mr. Charles Goulter till he bought his present property. Mr. Murdoch is a forester, and a member of the Hawkesbury school committee.

O'Donoghue, Jeremiah, Farmer, Blenheim, Mr. O'Donoghue, who resides on Dillon's Point Road, Blenheim, is the proprietor of “Green Hill,” an extensive farm of nearly 1500 acres in the Blind River settlement. This property was acquired by its present owner in the year 1899, and consists of undulating country, suitable for both agriculture and pasturage, and is one of the tinest holdings in the district. It carries at present (1905) about 1350 sheep, and grows about 300 acres of crops. Mr. O'Donoghue has also seventy-five acres of freehold land on Dillon's Point Road. Mr. O'Donoghue was born in August, 1841, at Mallagh, Ireland, and was brought up to farming on his father's property. At eighteen years of age, he went to America, farmed for a few years, and then returned to England, where he learned the plastering trade. Later on, Mr. O'Donoghue returned to America, and was engaged in farming, and in the year 1877 came to New Zealand, and landed in Wellington. He then went to Blenheim, and farmed in various parts of the Wairau Plains before taking up his present property. Mr. O'Donoghue is married, and has three sons and seven daughters.

Messrs Onion Brothers (Gregory Onion, Edwin Joseph Onion, and Henry Onion), Farmers, Blenheim. Messrs Onion Brothers took up their present property in the year 1900. The farm is situated on the eastern border of the borough and consists of 150 acres of first-class agricultural land. It is highly improved, and is devoted almost entirely to grain crops.

Opawa Farm , Dillon's Point Road, near Blenheim, is a compact, and fertile property of 225 acres, intersected by the Opawa river. It was first taken up by the late Mr. Charles Lucas in the early days, and was farmed by him for many years. Later on, it was acquired by his son, Mr. J. S. Lucas, who has since conducted the property on his own account. The tarm consists of rich agricultural land, and is devoted to the cultivation of root crops and cereals.

The Riverlands Run is conducted in conjunction with “Benopai” and several other extensive sheep runs situated in various parts of the province, by Messrs A. and R. J. Bell. It consists of 5,600 acres, situated about two miles to the south-east of Blenheim, and bounded on the north by the Opawa river, and on the south by the Ugbrooke station; the Marlborough racecourse is situated within the property, and was formerly part of the estate. “Riverlands” includes both hilly sheep grazing country and rich agricultural flats. A permanent flock of over 4000 sheep is depastured, and about 650 acres are annually placed under cultivation. The main south road runs close by the homestead.

Mr. Robert John Bell , Managing Partner of the firm of Messrs W. Bell and Sons, is the fourth son of the late Mr. William Bell, and was born at sea in the ship “Champion of the Seas,” in which his parents emigrated, in August, 1860. He was educated in Nelson, brought up to sheepfarming, and worked in conjuction with his father until the latter's death in 1895, when, in partnership with his brother Adam, he took over the estate. Mr. Bell is chairman of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, vice-president of the Marlborough branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union, a member of the committee of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, of which he was president in 1901 and 1902, and a member of the Omaka Road Board. He married Miss Wastney, of Nelson, in the year 1896, and has three sons and one daughter.

“The Springs,” Old Renwick Road, near Blenheim. This farm was originally part of a large holding owned by Mr. Thomas Redwood, and was taken up by its present proprietor in the year 1887. For three years it was held on lease, but in 1890 Mr. Nicoll acquired the freehold. The property consists of forty acres of good agricultural land, and two springs close to the boundary furnish it with an unfailing supply of excellent water. The whole area is annually placed under crop, and the yield of chaff, which is almost the sole product of the farm, is about four tons per acre.

Mr. Charles Nicoll , Proprietor of “The Springs,” was born in Nelson on the 9th of April, 1843, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. Charles Nicoll, a millwright, who arrived in Nelson by the “Fifeshire.” He was educated at various schools in Nelson, afterwards learned carpentry, and was for many years a building contractor in Christchurch, Wellington, Picton, and Blenheim. In 1887, Mr. Nicoll turned his attention to farming, which he has since successfully followed. He is married, and has six sons and three daughters. Two of his sons are in partnership in the produce trade, one residing in Wellington, and the other near Blenheim one is a building contractor, and another a journeyman carpenter, in Blenheim; a fifth is farming on his own account and the youngest is assisting his father at “The Springs.” Of the three daughters, one is the mistress of the Spring Creek public school, another is in business on her own account in Wellington, and the third is at home.

Ugbrooke Station . This property consists of 13,000 acres, and is situated in the Awatere district, about seven miles from Blenheim. Ugbrooke overlooks the sea, and faces the Dashwood Pass Road for six or seven miles. Ugbrooke and Vernon were originally taken up by the late Mr. Henry Redwood (father of the present Mr. H. Redwood), who lived at Vernon, and who was well-known to the early pioneers of Marlborough and Nelson. In 1880 the property was acquired by the Hon. William Clifford, from whose family the present owner, Mr. H. D. Vavasour, purchased the freehold, comprising 8000 acres of low-lying hills and 5000 acres of first-class agricultural land. The whole of the estate is fenced, wire-netted and subdivided into convenient paddocks. Of the agricultural area, 600 acres are cropped annually-300 acres in white crops, and 300 acres in rape and turnips; and wheat yields from 30 to 40 bushels, barley from 30 to 70 bushels, and oats 50 to 80 bushels an acre-all of excellent quality. Cocksfoot, red clover, and other grass-seeds are cultivated, and after three or four crops are taken from the soil, it is laid down in grass. The practice of breaking up 350 acres of new ground every year is observed. At present, about 11,000 sheep are depastured on the station; the breed is a half-bred Lincoln-Merino cross, into which a Shropshire strain for freezing purposes has page 360 been introduced of late years. The clip averages £10/1/2 lbs. per fleece, and the Ugbrooke lambs are noted as being second to none in quality for freezing purposes. Considerable improvements have of late been made on the station, including the erection of outbuildings, fencing, etc. From eight to ten men find constant employment on the estate. The homestead is admirably situated, the view being second to none in New Zealand. Tapuaenuka is visible also the Kaikoura ranges, anu on clear days Pencarrow Heads can be seen. Altogether, Ugbrooke is a valuable, well-managed, ond beautiful estate.

The Vernon Run is situated about eight miles to the south-east of Blenheim, in the south-eastern corner of the Wairau Plain, and is bounded on one side by the sea. It is one of the oldest sheep runs in Marlborough, and was first taken up in the forties by the late Mr. Redwood, and acquired by Mr. John Greenfield, the present proprietor in the year 1900. “Vernon” consists of 5,240 acres, and carries about 2,500 sheep. The homestead was originally built by the late Mr. Redwood, and commands a splendid view of Cloudy Bay.

Mr. John Greenfield , Proprietor of the Vernon run, was born in Wellington, in September, 1875, and is the only son of the late Mr. Robert Mackay Greenfield, of the firm of Messrs Greenfield and Stewari, timber merchants, and sash and door manufacturers. He was educated at the Wellington College, was afterwards employed on various sheep stations in various parts of New Zealand and Australia, and subsequently acquired “Vernon” in 1900. Mr. Greenfield is vice-president of the Acclimatisation Society, is a member of the Racing Club committee, a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, a director of the Marlborough Brewery and Aerated Water Company, and of the Marlborough Dairy Company.

Woodlands Farm , Old Renwick Road, near Blenheim. This farm was originally part of Mr. Thomas Redwood's well known property, and was acquired by the present owner in five sections of various sizes. Its total area is 165, acres, and the greater part of this is rich, agricultural land. Paul's Island, an area of 128 acres, situated between the old bed and the new course of the Opawa river, is embraced in the farm; a small portion of which is light and stony. “Woodlands” is devoted almost entirely to the cultivation of wheat and oats, and some excellent crops are grown.

Langridge Station comprises 7500 acres of freehold, all downs, and 28,400 acres of leasehold land. It is situated on the Awatere river, sixty-four miles from Blenheim, and twelve miles from Molesworth. The property is bounded on the east by the Awatere river, on the west by “Hillersden,” on the south by “Upcot,” and on the south by “Molesworth.” “Langridge” is over 2000 feet above the sea level, and was taken up by Mr. Thomas Ward in 1851, held for a short time, and bought by Mr. W. H. Eyes, who sold it to Monro Brothers in 1853, and for many years it remained in the hands of the Monro family. Early in 1899, it was acquired by the present owners, Messrs Walker and Thompson. From 8000 to 9000 Merino sheep are depastured page 361 and the flock is considered one of the best in the Awatere. The average clip is eight pounds and a half per fleece. “Langridge” is all ringfenced and convemently subdivided; thirty-five miles of fencing and seven miles of wire-netting have been erected. There is ample water supply, and creeks in every paddock. Two thousand acres are fit for the plough, and grass-seed for the high country and crops for station use are grown. The locality is very healthy, and there is an absence of foot-rot and other sheep diseases. The Molesworth mail coach passes the estate.

Mr. Rudolph Walker , of “Langridge,” was born in Forfarshire, Scotland. After receiving his education at the Dundee High School, he was articled to land engineering, which he followed for seven years. Mr. Walker came to New Zealand in 1898, and resided a short time at “Avondale” before taking up “Langridge.”

Mr. R. Walker.