TOWNSHIP OF STAVELEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18292, 8 January 1923, Page 6

TOWNSHIP OF STAVELEY.

| ORIGIN OF. THE NAME. I • What is the origin of the place-name Staveley (Mount Somers) is a question that has often been asked by residents in the Ashburton County. A very old residents explains that the settlement was named after; "Bob", Staveley, who farmed in that part for.many years prior to disappearing mysteriously. In the year 1865 "Bob" acted as bullock driver'lor the late Captain McLean, owner of Buccleueh Station, states Mr. John Hood, of Mount Somers. He -was reported to be a good scholar, and was of massive build and merry, disposition. He purchased from the Crown the section occupied by the late Mr. Peter Joli, and built a small house on it. Later Staveley leased a small run on the south-east slope of Mount Somers. The country was almost completely covered with scrubby bush. „ After having sold the -run and stayed on for a time as manager, .Staveley disappeared suddenly. Dame Rumour had it that he left because he started a fire on the run, and he thought some damage would result. As a matter'of fact, the fire improved the country. The run was afterwards leased to tenants. The late Mr. T. E. Mcßae worked it for many years and, thinks Mr. Hood, that gentleman used to call it Staveley. It is stated that Mr. B. Ede, of Hampstead, Ashburton, saw the exit of Robert Staveley from the county. Mr. Ede was at Rakaia one day waiting to cross the river with his load, and watched Staveley swim the river and disappear.