Mr. George Graham , sometime a farmer at Fairhall, Blenheim, was born at High Trees, Hutton Roof, Cumberland, England, on the 23rd of September, 1826; the summer of which was called the “Droughty Summer,” owing to the excessive drought which came over the land. He was educated at a private academy, and early in life followed farming, the avocation of his ancestors. While a young man he went to the United States, and was for several years there and in Canada, but returned to England, on account of his health, which had suffered in those countries. He afterwards decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and came to Lyttelton in the ship “British Empire,” in 1863; but he soon removed to the Marlborough district, where he remained ever after. When he first went to Marlborough, the site upon which Blenheim now stands was nothing but a raupo and flax swamp, so that the district gave plenty of scope to a man of Mr. Graham's energetic disposition. In five years after his arrival he took up 180 acres of flat land, where he farmed so successfully that he latterly had 1200 acres of freehold property, acquired by dint of energy and perseverance, and frugal habits. Mrs Graham, who also came out in the early days with him, had been a willing helpmate, and enjoyed with her husband the fruits of their joint labours. Mr. Graham died on the 4th of April, 1903.