Telford History Mr William Telford, an early pioneer in South Otago came from Cumberland in England to Australia, and then on to New Zealand, landing at Bluff in 1867. He purchased land on the southern bank of the Clutha between the Waitepeka and Puerua Streams. Slowly he acquired several thousand acres which included native grasslands, bush and swamp. Under Mr Telford's direction, tussocklands were ploughed and grassed, swamplands were developed, and his steading became a centre in the district. The magnificent homestead was built in 1869 with a local stone quarried and expertly shaped, along with Oamaru limestone brought down the coast and ferried up the Puerua Stream. A large woolshed and eight-horse stable was built at the same time from bricks fired on the property. Mr Thomas Telford, son of the pioneer, continued the development work. He constructed stopbanks down the Puerua and installed flood-gates to assist in the drainage of what has become the rich dairy farming area of Paretai. Over the years the Telford family have been renowned for their Hereford cattle and they have maintained a strong affection for the Kent Romney Marsh sheep. It was Mr William Telford of the third generation who left 1,600 acres of farmlands for the betterment of these two breeds, and the Institute in its farming programme will always give them pride of place. With the sanction of Miss Jane Telford and Mrs William Telford the trustees in 1964 made the property available for the establishment of this Institute.

The Property The farm has a total area of 1,610 acres and can be divided into three classes of country. Wide-topped ridges run back behind the buildings to make an area of easy Practical work in the shearing sheds for Chris Albert, the first Maori student sponsored by the Maori and Island Affairs Department rolling country well suited for sheep and mixed cropping. Around the buildings the land is flatter and is particularly suited to cropping, prime lamb farming and dairying. About 150 acres of swamp land has been developed for dairying and beef cattle rearing. Such a property four miles from Balclutha and half a mile from a freezing works is ideally located and suited for the diversified farming necessary for the instruction of students.

Stock A large part of the property is devoted to sheep, and 4,000 Romney breeding ewes and a supporting flock of hoggets are carried. This number of sheep provides very adequately for the training of students in