Change of Heart

Lewis and Ellen Horne had three more children, Lillian Mary in 1873, Leonard in 1874 and Herbert Stacey in 1877. The family lived at Dillons Point where the pressure of work was great. Dr Horne farmed the 900 acres and leased another 750. He had 600 sheep, 33 head of cattle, 9 heavy horses and had established a "men's house", two large stables, chaff house, granary and milking yards. A garden and an orchard were also established and all the agricultural machinery needed to run a large farm was acquired. At least 100 acres were subdivided, with improved English grasses and adequate fencing.

In 1879 a disastrous fire destroyed the old part of Blenheim and burnt down the building where Drs Horne and Cleghorn had their surgery. However, due to the help of a number of men, their records were saved. Dr Horne moved his practice to a temporary dispensary next to Fell Bros., adjoining the Omaka Bridge. Tiring of all his medical, local authority and farming activities, he decided to put the farm properties on sale. An advertisement in the Marlborough Express listed all land, stock, plant and machinery. A postscript said "Owner wishing to leave Province". Unfortunately, the Chief Inspector of Sheep found scab infected sheep in Dr Horne's flock, along with those of Charles Eyles and S. Phillips, other Dillons Point settlers. By mid 1879 the property at Dillons Point had not sold and was offered for lease. The acreage advertised was 1650 acres, including leasehold. Mr Francis Terrill was the successful tenderer and he took on the lease with the possibility of ultimately purchasing it.

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Upwards of 90 to 100 persons attended the farm clearing sale at the homestead, bringing good prices. The stock, plant and machinery were all sold. The vessel Napier did a return trip to Blenheim to transport the sale clients.

Francis Terrill carried on with apparent success, although he had trouble keeping trespassers and shooters off the property, as much of it was in native flax and swamp.

Dr Horne decided to dissolve his partnership mutually with Dr Cleghorn and to carry on in an individual practice. He had to assess Eliza Fitzgerald on soundness of mind for the Resident Magistrate's Court and also gave sworn evidence in an assault case – Conway versus Ritson.

The common pioneer accidents, like being trampled by a horse, were treated by Dr Horne and when Mr Bartlett of Waihopai went under a horse still hanging onto the reins, he received appropriate treatment.