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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 10 (January 1, 1938.)

Jackson's Bay Settlement

Jackson's Bay Settlement.

In January, 1871, a select committee was appointed to report on blocks of land suitable for settlement; and after having carefully considered the matter, and having taken evidence from the chief surveyor, the harbourmaster and others who knew the coast well, the committee concluded that the site for such a settlement should be a block of land comprising 50,000 acres, extending from the Haast River to a point two miles south of the Arawata River.

The principal reasons which led the committee to choose this block of land,
(Aerial photo, by Capt. J. C. Merocer).Jackson's Bay, South Westland, New Zealand.

(Aerial photo, by Capt. J. C. Merocer).Jackson's Bay, South Westland, New Zealand.

page 26 were that it contained a large quantity of good agricultural land, lightly timbered, and an abundant supply of excellent timber; also, within its boundary were four navigable rivers—the Haast, Arawata, Waiatoto and Okuru. Other advantages of the site were the possession of the only harbour on the coast where large vessels could lie, and its proximity to the lowest known pass over the Southern Alps, the Haast Pass.

Arrangements in connection with the settlement were not made in a hurry. Not till July, 1874, were details of the scheme completed and made known. Throughout the district the proposal was so well received that it became difficult to make a selection from the large number of persons who wished to settle in Jackson's Bay.

In November of the same year, Mr. Bonar (Superintendent of Westland) went down to the proposed site in order to send a report on it to the Minister of Immigration. Accompanying him was the chief surveyor (Mr. Mueller) and one of the oldest surveyors with a full staff of experienced men. In his report, Mr. Bonar emphasised the point that one of the main features in connection with the settlement would be the exportation of timber; and as the best timber land commenced about four miles from the port, it was of the utmost importance that communication should be opened right through the settlement so that timber might be brought to the port at a moderate charge for carriage. He took pains to make it absolutely clear that the success of the Jackson's Bay settlement would depend largely on a wise choice of settlers; on the construction of an iron rail tramway; and on the making at the port of a jetty running out into deep water.

Subsequent events proved the soundness of Mr. Bonar's judgment.

It was planned to place on the settlement 250 families, equal to, approximately 1,000 adults; the first fifty to be selected from families already residing on the West Coast; the remaining 200 to be sent from Home or selected from immigrants arriving in different parts of the colony.

Mr. Duncan Macfarlane—a man of wide experience—was appointed Resident Agent to control the affairs at Jackson's Bay.

Active interest in South Westland was being shown also by Otago. In 1874 the Provincial Government engaged Mr. D. Hutcheson to superintend the cutting of a track “by which stock could be driven from the head of Lake Wanaka to Jackson's Bay, via Haast's Pass.” In spite of an insufficient number of men at the beginning and bad weather later on, in about twelve months Hutcheson succeeded in making the track from the Makarora to the pass, on the east bank of Hish River and down the Haast Gorge.

In the meantime matters were moving ahead at Jackson's Bay, and on January 18th, 1875, the first 20 settlers left Hokitika for the new settlement. They had been chosen from a large number of applicants, and were all good men wishing to settle permanently on the land. With them was sent timber, already framed, sufficient to erect at once a store and eight cottages, so that the provisions and tools could be housed, and the men provided with temporary accommodation within a few days after landing. So did a vision of a Jackson's Bay settlement begin to materialise.