The establishment of the pastoral industry in the Wairau District, 1846 - 1854

Abstract

The establishment of the pastoral industry in Marlborough is a study of very considerable interest, and is essential as a basis for understanding the full story of the progress of the province along the path to prosperity. Several writers on a broader canvas have, with some success, attempted to depict the story of the province as a whole, but, owing to limitations of space, such accounts must necessarily be unable to give a detailed picture of the nature and extent of any one characteristic development; one such development is that of the industry which in the years that followed, provided for Marlborough her greatest source of wealth. Essentially such a study must commence with the acquisition of the land itself, and brief reference is made to the early abortive attempts to secure this region from the Maoris; and to the policy of the New Zealand Company through its association with those efforts. The final purchase by Sir George Grey gave, during his first negotiations, the incentive to the first pastoralists to gather their herds, and with a span of oxen drawing their great-wheeled wagons, fare forth, after a long waiting, to face the future, high in hope, and steadfast in courage and determination. The story of their personal endeavour, of problems faced, of difficulties borne and overcome, of bitter controversy and enthusiastic co-operation gives a picture of trial and tribulation giving way to the first early glimmering of success. From the first outlay in expenditure, frequently of all, or nearly all, their individual capital, anxious moments were not few, and the receipt of the first payment for their produce must have indeed provided an occasion for rejoicing beyond on comprehension today. But from small beginnings the tide was rapidly to become a flood, until apart from large sales of sheep to Canterbury, the first load of wool was shipped by steam vessel in 1854 direct for London - the first steam shipment of its kind from New Zealand.