ASHBURTON HISTORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24409, 21 September 1940, Page 4

ASHBURTON HISTORY

A CENTENNIAL RETROSPECT Ashburton, New Zealand: Its Pioneers and Its History, By John Brown Illustrated. (A. H. and A. W. Reed) 15s. Most of the run-holdings in Ashburton County were taken up in the years 1853-54, and it is from this period that the modern history of the district dates. From Mr Brown’s book, which is published as a part of the Canterbury Centennial scheme, with subsidies from ■Ashburton local bodies and the Wellington Centennial organisation, the reader can obtain a full account of the story, of Ashburton. It is no less romantic than that of other districts which have come under the survey of local historians in these past twelve months of the liveliest publishing season New Zealand has known. The plan of the book is conditioned by the fact that the material first appeared as a series of articles in a newspaper, with the result that it is not possible to follow the tale entirely in chronological order. Mr Brown commences his investigation with a series of sketches of the stud-breeders of the district, in which he deals with the development of such well-known estates as “ Longbeach,” “ Hackthorne,” “ Longfield,”- and those who own them. Next in order is a study of the. early history of some of the great estates, such a* the original Otipua run, of 10,000 acres, for which: an , inconspicuous . stranger, Thomas King, casually paid. £20.000 in cash, then as casually departed from New Zealand, sending a manager to administer his vast holding. George Grey Russell, who built the gracious home at Otipua. enters the pages of the chronicle at this period. Others who took up land in the earliest days of the county include the Campbells. Lambies. and Hills. From a chatty and comprehensive report on these and other, families, in the present and the past, Mr Brown proceeds to a description of the “ beauty spots ” of the county. Then follows a detailed history of the formation and operations of the Road Board, the first administrative body in the district, and of the county and borough councils. Within the scope of this considerable volume the author has undoubtedly provided a very full account of the making of the county and its growth. The form of the work, as has been suggested, does not simplify its perusal by those in search of a narrative history of Ashburton Dales are not always given where they might be desirable, and some of the contemporary studies are of limited interest to the general reader. Mr Brown writes agreeably he has obviously put a great deal of work into the volume and it should prove of particular interest to people in the district of its concern. / • , A. L. F: