Title / Name
'Gorton Estate' Karapiro

Brief Description

• Sketch of the plan of the Gorton Homestead as it was in c1894.
• Typed copy of a letter written by Sir James Fergusson in Wellington to Samuel Seddon Esq at Gorton Cambridge 27 December 1894.

  'My dear Mr Seddon,
  I had to stay longer than I intended as the steamer sailings were made irregular by Christmas. I sail for Sydney on Sat. 7 but shall not leave Adelaide until 16 Jan. I believe that the title for Maungatautari will be got through speedily. We only have to satisfy the registrar on some points which Whitaker and Russell say they can do. I have asked Mr Dodds to refer to Mr Hunt and you to consider what should be sown on Maungatautari in general; and have authorised him at all events to have it fenced. In this I take it you will be able both to show the Maoris our rights and to give them employment. But anything further we must consult at home about seeing it involves capital outlay and that I have spent about all I can afford. You will know best what you can do. I sent Mr Dodds also a memo about gorse sowing on bad land. Mr Williams of the Bay of Islands says he has done great things with sheep fenced onto young gorse. If it could be tried on an acre or two, it might do no harm. The idea is to burn the manuka and sow gorse in the ashes. They say that when the shoots grow hard the sheep turn them in their mouths.
  I am sending Mrs Seddon the second part of the story I left her, which is rather sensational.
  I will always take a much warmer interest in your proceedings and reports since I have seen you at work. I am very sensible of your skill, care and prudence. I wish you had a better subject to work upon, for you have much to contend with, but I hope that with better times you may yet be able to satisfy yourself better. I shall always be happy to hear from you, if you have anything special to tell me. In the meantime pray accept my best thanks for Mrs Seddon and yourself for your pleasant hospitality and with best wishes for the New Year. Believe me, yours very faithfully
  James Fergusson'

• Karapiro Settlement brochure with regulations about Lease in Perpetuity, a map and 3 photos of the Karapiro settlement. This was opened for selection on Friday 21 October 1898.

Archive Number
A466

Period Covered
1890s

Access by Appointment
Phone or email

 

 

Back

 

 

Site Feedback
We value your feedback. If you have any suggestions on how this site can be improved, or if you have any technical issues with this site, please let us know.

Disclaimer:
While all due care has been taken to verify information contained on this site, the Cambridge Museum accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misrepresentation.

Copyright © 2003 - Cambridge Museum - All Rights Reserved.