Story Of Historic N.Z. Estate

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 36, 17 February 1939, Page 3

Story Of Historic N.Z. Estate

ONTINUING his interesting ' series of talks on histurie New Zealand estates, Douglas Cresswell will discuss next Monday from 2YA one of the most famous stations in New Zealand, ‘‘Mavrackakaho,’’ in Hawke’s Bay. This station, which was built up through the enterprise of Sir Donald McLean, one of the colony’s most successful Native Ministers, and developed by his. son, Sir Daiglas McLean, was typical of thy big New Zealand stations of several generations ago. lm-many respects it’ was an almost a_ self-contained, feudal State, supporting its own village, and even its own church. The hospitality of "Maraekakaho" was widely renowned, and to Qe

"swaggers" it was a haven and a sanctuary, as many as 20 at. atime being known to seek | shaiter there, Finally, sowever, as was the fate of almost all the famous old sta‘tions, "Maraekakaho" was subdivided, and the original Mclean family scattered far and wide. ° Douglas Cresswell himself comes: from a wevl-known old New Zealand family. Educated at Christ’s College, he saw service in the War and has farmed in Canterbury for many years. To farming matters, naturally, he brings a sound, practical knowledge, and he has carried out several notable broadcasts for the NBS, including a survey of the Nelson hop and fruit growing industries, and the two series which he is at present broadcasting, "Cradle of New Zealand": Historical Sidelights on the Bay of Islands district, and ‘Historic New Zealand Estates." Poet D’Arcy Cresswell, who will be remembered for his yadio readings from Ovid, and who is now in England, seeking further expérience ‘arid ifamb; ‘is a brotne:. ;