The district of Spring Creek is virtually an island, as it is surrounded by the waters of the Wairau and Opawa rivers, which, diverging from the same course near Renwicktown, are widely separated in the middle of the plain, then begin to converge, and ultimately join to form one stream shortly before reaching the Boulder Bank. It is named from a small stream that flows through the district, which is fed from springs a few miles from the township. The country was first surveyed in 1844 or 1845, and is all level agricultural land of the very best quality. The first settlers were Dr. Vickerman and Messrs Gifford, Dodson, and Redwood, all of whom have passed away, and all, with the exception of Dr. Vickerman, are represented by direct descendants, most of whom still work the farms taken up by their fathers in the forties and early fifties. At one time the settlers suffered severely through periodical floods, but of late the valuable conservations works carried out by the local River Board has greatly diminished the risk. Spring Creek is one of the largest and wealthiest agricultural and sheepfarming areas in the province, and is closely settled, and systematically worked. Messrs Redwood Brothers have established a flourmill, and there is also a butter factory about a mile from the township. At one time a large amount of flaxmilling was carried on. The township was laid out by Mr. Henry Redwood, who first named it Marlboroughtown, because it was then thought that it would be the chief town in the province. It is situated in about the centre of the district, four miles by rail west from Blenheim, and has two hotels, a public hall, a public school, two churches, several business places, and a few farm residences. The business of the post and telegraph office is conducted at the local store. There is another small township in the district, namely, Upper Spring Creek, but it consists only of a public school and a church. Another village—Grovetown—is situated on the railway line two miles north of Blenheim, and within the Spring Creek road district. It is composed of a church, a public school, an hotel, a blacksmith's shop, the railway station, and a number of farm houses and other residences. There is a post office in the village, which is connected by a daily mail service with Blenheim. The main road through the Spring Creek district is well metalled and kept in good repair, and the district is provided with a daily mail service by rail with both Bleincheim and Picton.

Marlboroughtown School . This school is situated about five miles from Blenheim, on the main Blenheim-Picton Road, in the Spring Greek district, and only a few yards from the railway station. The building is a small one and accommodates only forty-five scholars.

Miss Rosalie G. Williams, formerly mistress of the Marlborough-town School, was born at Mount Pleasant. Picton, and after passing the standards, she studied for her pupil teacher's examinations under the tuition of Mr. Howard, and successfully passed one each year until she acquired the D D certificate in 1897. Miss Williams takes an interest in musical matters, and gained the certificate for theory, under the London College of Music, in 1897. (After this article was written Miss Williams married, and now (1905) lives in Wellington.)

The Spring Creek Orchestra was formed by Mr. Harry L. Robinson, in the year 1902, and has rendered valuable assistance at various public functions and entertainments, and at church services. It has a membership of sixteen, and possesses fifteen musical instruments, including the violin, cornet, clarionet, basso, piano, trombone, flutes, and the horn. Practices are held weekly. Mr. H. L. Robinson is conductor.

Mr. Harry Leng Robinson , Promoter and Conductor of the Spring Creek Orchestra, is a grandson of the late Mr. William Robinson, who took up land at Spring Creek early in the fifties, and a son of Mr. James Robinson who still (1905) resides at the old homestead. He was born on the 23rd of December, 1877, at Spring Creek, where he was educated, and was brought up to farm life. At an early age, Mr. Robinson showed musical ability, and devoted all his leisure to the cultivation of music. He is now a proficient musician, and he plays four instruments. Mr. Robinson owns an area of one hundred acres of rich agricultural land, which he works to the best advantage.

Macey, photo.
Mr. H. L. Robinson.

Aberhart, John Henry, Farmer, Grovetown. Mr. Aberhart's freehold farm, of ninety-seven acres is well cultivated, chiefly for the purpose of raising root crops, but about one-third is used for grazing. The family residence is a comfortable house with eleven well-furnished rooms. Mr. Aberhart was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1839, and came to Nelson with his parents in 1842. In 1861 he removed to the Wairau where he has since resided. Mr. Aberhart takes an active part in local affairs; has for about forty years been connected with page 374 the Oddfellows, and holds the chair of the Past Provincial Grand Master. He is married, and has a large family.

Mr. J. H. Aberhart.

Burnlea Farm , Spring Creek. This farm was first taken up about the year 1860 by Mr. Humphries, and after passing through several hands was bought by Mr. Neal, the present proprietor, who also works in conjunction with it the Awarua Farm, an adjoining section of 150 acres, owned by the widow of the late Mr. F. T. Dodson. “Burnlea,” is situated about two and a-half miles southwest of the township, and consists of sixty-four acres of rich cropping land. The farm is bounded on the north by Spring Creek, and is intersected by a small stream or burn, from which it derives its name. It is sub-divided into seven paddocks, is highly improved, and is devoted almost entirely to agriculture. The crops grown are invariably of a heavy and profitable nature. There is also a comfortable homestead.

Dodson, George Lewis, Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Dodson was born on the 16th of February, 1851, and is the eldest surviving son of the late Mr. George Dodson. He came to Marlborough with his parents in the year 1854, was educated at Upper Spring Creek, and afterwards learned farming. In 1877, Mr. Dodson removed to his present farm, which his father had previously bought. This property consists of 176 acres of rich agricultural land, and is situated on the main road, about a quarter of a mile from the township. The homestead is pleasantly situated, and possesses a fine flower garden. Mr. Dodson has been a member of the Spring-Creek River Board, and of the local school committee, and is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He married a daughter of Sergeant-Major Alborough, of Nelson, in the year 1877, and has one son and two daughters.

Macey, photo.
Mr. G. L. Dodson.

Dodson, Joseph Henry, Stump-creek Farm, Spring Creek. Mr. Dodson is the son of the late Mr. Joseph Henry Dodson, and was born at Spring Creek on the 5th of September, 1883. He was educated at the local public school, was brought up to farming, and subsequently took over his father's land. The farm is an excellent property suitable for agriculture, and the greater part of it is placed annually under cultivation.

Gifford, William, Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Glifford is the eldest son of the late Mr. Isaac Gifford, and was born at Appleby, Nelson, on the 10th of March, 1848. He was educated partly in Richmond, and partly at Spring Creek, having arrived in Marlborough with his parents in the year 1858. Mr. Glifford afterwards learned farming under his father, and at twenty-six years of age, in conjunction with his brother Thomas, bought a farm of 300 acres. Later on, however, he bought his brother out, and has since worked the farm on his own account. The property is situated in the centre of the district, close to the public school, is first class agricultural land, and is devoted to mixed farming. Mr. Gilford has been a member of the local school committee for nearly thirty years; he is a member of the road and river boards, of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of the Farmers' Union, and is a shareholder in the Christchurch Meat Company. In the year 1874, he married Miss Reeves, and has seven sons and one daughter.

Gregory, Thomas, Farmer, Anspull House Farm, Spring Creek. Mr Gregory was born at Anspull, in Lancashire, England, in May, 1845, and is the fourth son of the late Mr. Richard Gregory. He was educated at private schools, and afterwards learned farming. In the year 1870, Mr. Gregory came to New Zealand, sailed as far as Australia in the ship “Great Britain,” and thence to Nelson in the steamer “Gotenburg.” Shortly afterwards, he went to the Wairau, and for ten years managed the Hawkesbury station for the late Mr. C. Goulter, before taking up his present farm, which he named “Anspull House,” after the country seat of Major Gerrard, formerly master of the Lancashire hounds. The farm consists of 150 acres of rich agricultural land, and is well and systematically worked. It has a fine homestead, and good crops are grown. Mr. Gregory was for several years master of the Blenheim Hunt Club, and when the club was disbanded he bought the pack, which he subsequently sold to Mr. Rutherford, of Rangitikoi. He has been a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and of several local bodies. Mr. Gregory is married, and has two sons and four daughters.

O'Dwyer, Cornelius, Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. O'Dwyer was born in the County of Limerick, Ireland, in the year 1834, and came to New Zealand in the “Prince of Wales,” in 1842. He was educated at St. Mary's School, Nelson, under the Rev. Father Garin. In 1855 he removed to the Wairau, where he purchased his present farm, which comprises 200 acres of first-class land, fully half of which is under crop. During Mr. O'Dwyer's residence in Marlborough, he has always been more or less actively associated with road boards, river boards and other local bodies. Mr. O'Dwyer has a grown-up family of eight sons and two daughters.

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Mr. C. O'Dwyer.

Redwood, Joseph Henry, Spring Creek. Mr. Redwood is the eldest son of Mr. Henry Redwood, who is well known in connection with racing matters throughout New Zealand as the Father of the Turf. He was born on the 27th of February, 1847, was educated at the Nelson public school, and at ten years of age became a jockey. His riding weight was then only four stone four pounds, and he was the lightest weight that appeared on colonial race courses for many years. Mr. Redwood continued to ride for his father for about seven years. He then went to the Wairau, and assisted his father for a few years in farm work, and in the flour mill; and in 1870 he and his brother entered into partnership and took over the whole property, which they have since conducted under the style of Messrs Redwood Brothers. The farm consists of about 1200 acres of rich level land, situated near the township, and is one of the most valuable properties in the province. It is devoted to sheep grazing and agriculture, and the homestead, which is prettily situated on the right bank of Spring Creek, is modern and complete. The flour mill, which adopted the roller system in the year 1885, is driven by water power, and is one of the most efficiently equipped mills in Marlborough. Many of the methods employed were originated by the proprietors, Mr. Fred Redwood, the junior partner, being a mechanical engineer of ability, and they have since been adopted by flour mill owners all over the colony. The buildings are of wood and iron, lighted throughout by electricity, and possess a five sack plant. The whole of the grain used is grown on the farm, and the Hungarian roller flour manufactured by Messrs Redwood Brothers is favourably known all over New Zealand. Redwood Brothers have recently (1905) erected an up-to-date mill in Blenheim. It is a four-storied building, fitted up with the most modern machinery, driven by a fifty horse-power Tangye page 377 engine, and is said to be one of the best mills in New Zealand. Mr. Redwood has been chairman of the Spring Creek Road Board for twelve years, and of the Spring Creek River Board continuously for twenty-five years. He was a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council, and of the Marlborough Education Board for several years, of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for a term, and has also been a member of various minor bodies. Mr. Redwood is the Government nominee of the Marlborough Land Board, and of the Marlborough Land Purchase Board, of which he has been a member since its inception.

Ross, J. C., Farmer, Grovetown. Mr. Ross's farm consists of 130 acres of good agricultural land, of which he annually cultivates 100 acres, chiefly for wheat and barley. The farm implements are all of the latest designs, and include one of Booth and Macdonald's digger ploughs. Mr. Ross was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and articled to one of the leading solicitors of the city. After passing his various examinations, he came to New Zealand, and determined to follow the calling of a farmer. He landed at Nelson, whence he went to Blenheim, where he purchased his present farm. Mr. Ross is a member of the Acclimatisation Society, and takes an interest in sport generally.

Soper, Wheaton, Farmer, Spring Creek. Mr. Soper was born in April, 1847, at Dartmouth, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “Cornwall,” in the early fifties. Shortly afterwards, the family settled at Spring Creek, where Mr. Soper has resided almost continuously ever since. He now (1905) farms 150 acres of first class agricultural land. Mr. Soper married Miss Squire, of Nelson, in April, 1873, and has two sons and two daughters.

Macey, photo.
Mr. W. Soper.

Watson, John, Waterlea Farm, Spring Creek. Mr. Watson was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1813, and came to the Australian Colonies in 1861 He was for six years in page 378 Queensland, where he followed the rough and ready life of a station hand. In 1867 he came to New Zealand, and worked on and managed

Mr. J. Watson.

stations in the Marlborough district. He was for twenty-one years manager of the Dumgree station, the property of the late Hon. Dr. Renwick. In 1894, Mr. Watson purchased his present farm. He cultivates extensively, and as his land borders the Wairau river, he ships produce direct to the Wellington markets.

“The Willows,” Upper Spring Creek, was taken up by the late Mr. George Dodson in the early fifties, and was one of the first homesteads in the district. Many of the latest improvements in machinery and implements were first introduced into the district by the proprietor. “The Willows” is situated on the main road through Upper Spring Creek, and consists of 150 acres of excellent agricultural land. About 300 sheep are depastured, and a considerable area is laid down in crop from time to time.

Mr. Thomas Reid Dodson , the Proprietor of “The Willows,” is the second surviving son of the late Mr. George Dodson. He was born at Upper Spring Creek, on the 6th of November, 1859, was educated at the local public school, and learned farming under his father. Mr. Dodson is a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Farmers' Union, the Chamber of Commerce; and for about six years he was a member of the Spring Creek Road Board. He married Miss Cameron, and has one daughter.

Mr. Frederick Tucker Dodson , sometime of Spring Creek, was a son of Mr. George Dodson, senior, and a native of the Marlborough district. He had 150 acres of freehold, and 150 of leasehold land, and had about 200 acres under cultivation, chiefly with wheat barley, and oats. Mr. Dudson's farm had a complete equipment of machinery and other working plant. He died on the 20th of April, 1103; aged forty-two years.

Mr. John March , who was for sixteen years proprietor of the Junction Hotel at Spring Creek, was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, in England. When he was ten years of age, he accompanied his father to South Australia, where he and his father were farming for sixteen years. They went to the Ballarat goldfields, and thence back to the South Australian farm. In 1863, Mr. March came to New Zealand, and after enduring many hardships, he started the Junction. Hotel. Mr. March died on the 23rd of February, 1901; aged sixty-four years.

The late Mr. J. March.

Mr. Edward Reeves , formerly of Upper Spring Creek, was one of the early pioneers. He was born at Cambridge, England, where he was educated, and was afterwards brought up to farming. Mr. Reeves came to New Zealand in his early manhood, and landed in Nelson, where he was employed for about a year. He then removed to Marlborough, and settled at Spring Creek, where he soon acquired a valuable farm of 150 acres. Mr. Reeves was accidentally drowned in the Wairau river in the early seventies, at forty seven years of age, and left a widow, four sons, and two daughters.