HISTORIC DATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1939, Page 3

HISTORIC DATES

MILESTONES IN WAIRARAPA’S PROGRESS

Early Explorers and Founders of Settlement VISIT BY ROBERT STOKES IN 1841 FORMATION OF SMALL FARMS ASSOCIATIONS A list of dates is given below, compiled by the Centennial Council, relating to dates of historical significance in the ex- • ploration and settlement of the Wairarapa district. It is possible that some readers may be able to make suggestions lor additions to the list. 1841November 27: Robert Stokes and party entered Wairarapa after traverse of Rimnlaka Range. 1842May 5: Charles 11. Kettle and party leave KareNare oii the banks of the Manawatn River in exploration trip through the Manawatn Gorge to M airarapa. May 1!): Kettle and Wills cross the Rnamahanga; 25th, the Waingawa ; 26th, the Waiohme; 28th, the rlauherenikau and June 3, summit of Rimutakas. 1843December: Samuel C. Brees cut a track from the head of the Pakuratahi Stream to the Wairarapa. 1844January: IT. S, Tiffen, after an exploration of the Wairarapa, recommends road via Waiorongomai. May 9: F. Weld, 11. Petre, Vavasour, W. Swanson and Charles R. Bidwill arrive at mouth of Rnamahanga, with lhe first sheep driven round the coast from the Ilntt. October 9: Thomas and Harrison leave Wellington for Hawke’s Bay via Lake Wairarapa and across country to the coast north of the Haurangis. 1847*“ February 27: Bell and Clark leave for the Wairarapa on the first attempt at purchase negotiations with Maoris. 1849January 8: Official negotiations with Maoris as a result of efforts of Kemp and Bell commence. 1853March 18: Meeting to form Working Man’s Land Association (later Small Farms Association.) August 18: George Grey sails for Palliser Bay en route for Hawke’s Bay to create favourable attitude for purchase. September 1-19: Wairarapa land purchases take place. 1854March 14: Foundation of Masterion and Greytown. Small Farms Associations formed at each place, at which members selected town acres in each of the two place,s t 1855January 29: Earthquakes destroy Te Kopi anchorage. Foundation of Featherston. 1856Rimutaka Road opened for vehicular I raffle. 1857Foundation of Carterton. 1873March 4: First Scandinavian settlers in the FortyMile Bush arrive in Wellington to found Ekctahuna. 1876— June 10: Featherston constituted a town district. 1877— July 10: Masterton proclaimed a borough. 1878— October 16: Kaitoke-Featherston railway opened for traffic. December 1: Grevtown proclaimed a borough. 1880— Railway communication established between. Wellington and Masterton. c 1883— ’ January 2: First dairy factory in the Wairarapa opens at Grevtown. 1887— .July .1: Carterton constituted a borough. i