Cattle Droving in the ’Forties

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 249, 17 July 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

Cattle Droving in the ’Forties

When Europeans first settled in the Wanganui and Taranaki districts they experienced difficulties in procuring cattle to stock their farms. Vessels called occasionally, but the service was so irregular that sending stock by Itheni was rather a risk since there was no certainty as io the time of reaching their destination. .Most of the cattle wore driven overland from Wellington. The route lay along the sea beach, and there were many difficulties in crossing the mouths of the rivers. One can realise what an undertaking it must have been to get the beasts across the numerous streams and rivers on the west coast. Sudden Hoods caused many losses and long waits. The Wlianganui, Manawatu, and Itangitikei Rivers alone were formidable obstacles to cattle-droving, and some of the smaller fast-flowing rivers were apt to cause much trouble. The first record that we have of long stock-driving was that of Mr. W. G. Bell, who drove six bullocks, yoked together, and one cow from Wellington to Whanganui in May, 1841. In 1813 Mr. Cooke, of New Plymouth, came to Wellington buy cattle and sheep. lie purchased 70 head and a large flock of sheep, which he drove overland to New Plymouth. On this occasion Mr. Richaixl (Dicky) B.arrett returned with the stockmen who accompanied the cattle. In 1817 a Mr. Devenish came from New Plymouth to ■Wellington and bought 22 head of cattle which he drove to New Plymouth in 21 days. lie employed one drover to help in the work. Bullocks wore rather costly in those days, and sold from £26/10/- to £3O/10/- a pair. ■Heifers cost from £lO/10/- to £l7/10/a head— “ll. Maynard’’ (Wellington).