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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Bayley Bros

page 1055

Bayley Bros. (W. H. and G. O. Bayley), Sheepfarmers, “Kohinui,” Ngaturi. Messrs. Bayley Bros. represent a class of settlers of which New Zealand possesses all too few. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and educated at Cirencester College, they came to this Colony via Australia about ten years ago, bringing with them the capital so much needed for the breaking in of new country. Though entire strangers to the hard, rough work of pioneering, they two years later purchased 4500 acres of bush country — at that time beyond almost every sign of civilisation, — and have now about half the area under grass. The accompanying picture of their homestead shows that a great change has been effected. On the flat surrounding the house the ploughman has found employment. This is almost the only level portion of the estate, being the old bed of the river, which here makes such a sweep round as almost to convert the flat into an island. It will soon be in a high state of cultivation, and the soil, being a rich alluvial deposit, is admirably adapted for either root or cereal crops. Though much of the run is decidedly hilly, it is by no means unsuitable for pasture lands. Upwards of 6000 sheep are maintained during the summer season, but the number is reduced to 5000 in the winter. They are of the Lincoln and Border-Leicester breeds. Though avoiding dairying, the Messrs. Bayley have a number of cattle, mostly of the shorthorn variety. These are kept for home use, and for meat markets. As far as their own neighbourhood is concerned, Messrs. Bayley Bros, are pioneers indeed, for they were the first to cross the Tiraumea River, and their country was as wild as any in the Colony. Their example has been followed already, and it is not unreasonable to expect that their success will tempt others of their class to these shores, and in that way give much-needed encouragement to the right kind of immigration. What the Messrs. Bayley Bros, have done may still be done by thousands, and that without in any way curtailing the profits of those already similarly engaged.

“Kohinui”—Property of Messrs. Bayley Bros.

Kohinui”—Property of Messrs. Bayley Bros.