RENWICKTOWN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1246, 30 September 1911, Page 16

RENWICKTOWN.

Renwicktown, on the east bank of the Wairau River, seven miles from Blenheim, is named after the lion. Thomas Eenwick, its founder. The town is situated on a portion of the Delta run, which was originally taken up by Mr. E. Green. Tho property was held only n short timo by tho first settler, and when Mr. Kcnwick purchased it in 1855 ho at oneo laid off the present township. During the old days it was a very convenient resting-place for the bullock teams which used to cart stores and wool to and from tho stations higher up the valley. In addition to its handy situation it was free from the deadly tutu, which abounded in tho Wairau at that time and caused such heavy losses amongst cattle. Tho first accommodation house at Eenwicktown was kept by John Godfrey. Timber was a scarce and expensive commodity in those days, and the ingenious John Godfrey, as a matter of economy, built his house chiefly of sheep skins, and it became well known to settlers throughout the province as the Sheepskin TaveTfi. Romo timo afterwards a more pretentious accommodation houso was built by Lakeman Bros., and for some years a lucrative business was dono at the "Woolpack," as their shanty was named. Eenwicktown is now a thriving township with a population of about four hundred. It is a favourite district for sportsmen, tho game obtainable including quail, hares, and nativo birds of various kinds.