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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 2, Issue 6, April 1973

Kahurangi Point

Kahurangi Point

Two ex-lighthouse keepers* have been most helpful in supplying information about their experience while manning lights.

Mr. Roland Partridge, St. Vincent Street, Nelson, was first stationed at Farewell Spit but in the summer of 1905–06 transferred to Kahurangi for four years. The supplies for the keepers and their families and for the station were delivered by the "Hinemoa" every six months or so. As well as a large supply of paraffin for the lights there was coal, horse feed and a great range of general requirements. Surf boats from the "Hinemoa" ianded all supplies on the natural wharf by Big River and he could not recall any difficulties.

Meat was rather a problem until the keepers felled an area of bush for running sheep, the Marine Department later supplying fencing wire for a large paddock for horses and a smaller one for sheep.

Once a month Mr. Partridge rode a horse to Paturau for mail along the beach as the country was still in bush. If his visit extended to Collingwood he used to stay at Tom Pearson's boardinghouse at Mangarakau. This was a bachelor's establishment and a traveller had no option but to accept conditions as they were, there being no township and most of the flaxmillers coming from Westport.

Mr. Percy White, Tukuka Street, Nelson, went to Kahurangi lighthouse in 1917 and remained in the lighthouse service for the rest of his working life. At Kahurangi were three keepers, goods and stores coming by the Government ships "Hinemoa" and "Tutanekai" and being landed in surf boats at the small inlet where the keeper's house is now situated, not at Big River. Mail was still fetched on horseback. He left in December 1921 for Stephens Island.