"Early Halcombe"
Today, most people are unaware that Halcombe village, in another era, was a bustling township - the hub of the
Early Halcombe District.
Early Halcombe District.
European Settlers Timeline
1871 Emigrant and Colonists Aid Corporation Manchester Block established
1875 A number of German and Danish families arrived
1876 First immigrants from England under the E & C Aid Corporation arrived
1876 Surveyor John Stewart laid out plan for township
1880 Bell’s General Store opened
1880s Halcombe township reached its peak
1894 Halcombe Branch of the Farmers’ Union established
1895 Town Board established
1897 Easter Floods caused havoc in the district
1902 Another major flood
1918 Wellington Meat export company built freezing works at Kakariki
1918 Influenza epidemic. Temporary hospital opened at Tokorangi Marae
1928 Last hogget sale held in Halcombe on the area between the Main Road and Hastings St. Held there from early 1900s
1938 Heavy earthquake, bringing down many chimneys in the area
1948 Ploughing matches restarted and were held at Kakariki
1950 First Young Farmers shearing competition held at Ratanui woolshed
1954 Chenille factory opened
1955 Halcombe Voluntary Fire Brigade established
1956 Outside toilets built for Memorial Hall
1967 Halcombe went onto automatic telephone
1972 Kitchen in Memorial Hall extended and opened
1968 Wahine storm, bridge over Rangitawa Stream at Tokorangi damaged
1974 October Halcombe Centennial celebrations held
1875 A number of German and Danish families arrived
1876 First immigrants from England under the E & C Aid Corporation arrived
1876 Surveyor John Stewart laid out plan for township
1880 Bell’s General Store opened
1880s Halcombe township reached its peak
1894 Halcombe Branch of the Farmers’ Union established
1895 Town Board established
1897 Easter Floods caused havoc in the district
1902 Another major flood
1918 Wellington Meat export company built freezing works at Kakariki
1918 Influenza epidemic. Temporary hospital opened at Tokorangi Marae
1928 Last hogget sale held in Halcombe on the area between the Main Road and Hastings St. Held there from early 1900s
1938 Heavy earthquake, bringing down many chimneys in the area
1948 Ploughing matches restarted and were held at Kakariki
1950 First Young Farmers shearing competition held at Ratanui woolshed
1954 Chenille factory opened
1955 Halcombe Voluntary Fire Brigade established
1956 Outside toilets built for Memorial Hall
1967 Halcombe went onto automatic telephone
1972 Kitchen in Memorial Hall extended and opened
1968 Wahine storm, bridge over Rangitawa Stream at Tokorangi damaged
1974 October Halcombe Centennial celebrations held
Halcombe (1913), Stanway Road
Photo Source: Feilding Heritage unknown
Early European Settlement
Halcombe was developed as part of the Manchester Block, a bush and scrub clad area of 40,000 hectares between the Rangitikei and Manawatu Rivers, selected by Lieutenant Colonel William Feilding for the Colonist and Emigrants Aid Corporation in the 1870s for a large-scale settlement scheme.
Halcombe was established in 1876 and was named after Arthur William Follett Halcombe who was Resident Agent for the Emigrants and Colonists Aid Corporation. Stanway was named after his wife, Edith Stanway Halcombe. Arthur, ably supported by Edith were charged with looking after the welfare of the settlers.
Halcombe was developed as part of the Manchester Block, a bush and scrub clad area of 40,000 hectares between the Rangitikei and Manawatu Rivers, selected by Lieutenant Colonel William Feilding for the Colonist and Emigrants Aid Corporation in the 1870s for a large-scale settlement scheme.
Halcombe was established in 1876 and was named after Arthur William Follett Halcombe who was Resident Agent for the Emigrants and Colonists Aid Corporation. Stanway was named after his wife, Edith Stanway Halcombe. Arthur, ably supported by Edith were charged with looking after the welfare of the settlers.
Arthur William Follett Halcombe unknown Feilding Heritage
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Edith Halcombe C1874 unknown Feilding Heritage
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Conditions of the Scheme
Families were provided with free passage, two nights’ accommodation on arrival and an acre of land, which had a small (3.5x7.3m) two roomed, rough slab hut, with a door, two windows and a fireplace. They paid 7s 6d per week for three years when the property became theirs. In 1875, a number of German and Danish families arrived in Halcombe, who proceeded to occupy some of these empty huts. On April 8th, 1876, the first English families arrived under the Corporation scheme to find some of their huts had already been occupied for a year. However, it was not long before the groups merged into one well-knit community. "I notice great activity in the neighbourhood of the rising township of Halcombe in buildings and roadmaking; and notwithstanding the large number of two-roomed cottages built there by the E. and C. Aid Corporation, there are a considerable number of working men living in tents." Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 25, 13 January 1877, Page 3 |
Title page: The Feilding Settlement, Manchester Block, Manawatu. N.Z., circa 1878, by Edith Halcombe. Acquisition history unknown. Te Papa (1992-0035-1874/1-12)
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District
In the early to mid 1800s the Rangitikei River provided the main access to the region. This was well used for movement of people, stock and goods. The first European trading vessel arrived at Port Rangitikei (Scotts Ferry) in April 1850.
There were large farm holdings both European and Māori, along the Rangitikei River. William Fox of Westoe, Premier of NZ, ‘bought’ 5,000 acres of the controversially acquired Rangitikei block in about 1849. This included land belonging to both Māori and Pakeha. Land being lost to those in power was a common story throughout New Zealand at this time.
In the early to mid 1800s the Rangitikei River provided the main access to the region. This was well used for movement of people, stock and goods. The first European trading vessel arrived at Port Rangitikei (Scotts Ferry) in April 1850.
There were large farm holdings both European and Māori, along the Rangitikei River. William Fox of Westoe, Premier of NZ, ‘bought’ 5,000 acres of the controversially acquired Rangitikei block in about 1849. This included land belonging to both Māori and Pakeha. Land being lost to those in power was a common story throughout New Zealand at this time.
Cottage at Halcombe
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Horseplough: unknown source
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Edith Stanway Halcombe
Artist, farmer, nurse, mother and community leader, Edith Stanway Halcombe was a woman who took pioneer life in her stride. Even with eight children she still found time to nurse those in need, as well as helping many newly-arrived women overcome their homesickness and the difficulties of a new life in a strange land. She was instrumental in setting up community institutions, and social and sporting events were held at their home. Edith was an accomplished painter and sketcher and used these talents to capture the environment she lived in.
Artist, farmer, nurse, mother and community leader, Edith Stanway Halcombe was a woman who took pioneer life in her stride. Even with eight children she still found time to nurse those in need, as well as helping many newly-arrived women overcome their homesickness and the difficulties of a new life in a strange land. She was instrumental in setting up community institutions, and social and sporting events were held at their home. Edith was an accomplished painter and sketcher and used these talents to capture the environment she lived in.
Town of Halcombe, 1878, by Mrs Edith Stanway Halcombe. Gift of Mrs W Turton, 1916. Te Papa (1916-0001-45)
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Halcombe, circa 1878, by Mrs Edith Stanway Halcombe. Bequest of Horace Fildes, 1937. Te Papa (1992-0035-1874/7-12)
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Halcombe from Stanway Street, circa 1878, by Mrs Edith Stanway Halcombe. Bequest of Horace Fildes, 1937. Te Papa (1992-0035-1874/8-12)
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Changing Landscape
The three lithographs (above document) the development of the area in the early 1880s and show the process of clearing the land, with settler huts dotted in the landscape. They capture the landscape in transition realistically and with clarity. They are a reminder of the changes brought about by settlers. As stark as these are, what cannot be captured is the impact colonisation and the settlers had on the tangata whenua, the people of the land. The change was dramatic, traumatic and intergenerational.
The three lithographs (above document) the development of the area in the early 1880s and show the process of clearing the land, with settler huts dotted in the landscape. They capture the landscape in transition realistically and with clarity. They are a reminder of the changes brought about by settlers. As stark as these are, what cannot be captured is the impact colonisation and the settlers had on the tangata whenua, the people of the land. The change was dramatic, traumatic and intergenerational.
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Clearing the Land
The area around Halcombe township was covered in dense scrubby native bush, predominately manuka, tawa and ferns, which created isolation for the new comers. There were also majestic stands of matai and rimu with totara groves in abundance. Pockets of these survive and are well managed, some with protected status. In this environment sawmills flourished in the district with a number dotted around the district. At one time four mills were operating up Te Rue Rue valley, processing kahikatea, prized for its qualities for packaging, such as butter boxes. Bullock teams were used to pull large drays that carried the milled timber. The children looked forward to when a bullock driver would use the wooden dray to take them to picnics. |
Timber Mill c1880: Managh Family Personal Collection
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Farming
As well as sheep and beef farmers, there were many dairy farms supplying the cream factory and running a few pigs to utilise the skim milk, and much grain was grown. House cows were common. Some sheep farms were converted to small dairy farms in response to the ‘war effort’ in WWI when the Government demanded diversity in food for the troops. The switch from selling cream to milk and the compulsory use of stainless steel equipment was a death knell for most of the small dairy farms.
The Halcombe cheese factory, at the time, was one of the largest on the west coast. As with many buildings it was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. Milk was brought to the creamery by farmers, where it was separated with the skim milk going home with the farmers and the cream being sent to Makino each day by train.
Many service industries operated in the district, providing employment and income.
Kakariki Freezing Works was built for the Wellington Meat Company and opened on April 24,1918, but only operated for one and a half seasons. At its peak it was putting through 2000 sheep and 100 cattle a day. Unfortunately the bottom fell out of the market. Other ventures utilising the building such as freezing chambers for meat and wool storage, were non-viable but expensive ventures. After sitting empty for many years in 1947 it was purchased and used for wool scouring for many years ('Feltex').
As well as sheep and beef farmers, there were many dairy farms supplying the cream factory and running a few pigs to utilise the skim milk, and much grain was grown. House cows were common. Some sheep farms were converted to small dairy farms in response to the ‘war effort’ in WWI when the Government demanded diversity in food for the troops. The switch from selling cream to milk and the compulsory use of stainless steel equipment was a death knell for most of the small dairy farms.
The Halcombe cheese factory, at the time, was one of the largest on the west coast. As with many buildings it was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt. Milk was brought to the creamery by farmers, where it was separated with the skim milk going home with the farmers and the cream being sent to Makino each day by train.
Many service industries operated in the district, providing employment and income.
Kakariki Freezing Works was built for the Wellington Meat Company and opened on April 24,1918, but only operated for one and a half seasons. At its peak it was putting through 2000 sheep and 100 cattle a day. Unfortunately the bottom fell out of the market. Other ventures utilising the building such as freezing chambers for meat and wool storage, were non-viable but expensive ventures. After sitting empty for many years in 1947 it was purchased and used for wool scouring for many years ('Feltex').
Rehab Farms
In 1915 the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, designed to settle returning soldiers on their own farms through a ballot system, gave the government the authority to purchase (acquire) land. This scheme had a focus on subdividing land into smaller, economic units. Land was redistributed from large landowners, European and Māori, to returning soldiers. Under this scheme, often called ‘Rehab farms’, the face of the farming district changed with more families being settled on the land. Another iteration of this scheme was introduced after World War II. Both schemes disadvantaged Māori in the district, with much of their land taken, but with the ballot system heavily weighted towards European, very few returning Māori soldiers were awarded farms.
The farming district has continued to flourish and evolve with the conditions and times.
In 1915 the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, designed to settle returning soldiers on their own farms through a ballot system, gave the government the authority to purchase (acquire) land. This scheme had a focus on subdividing land into smaller, economic units. Land was redistributed from large landowners, European and Māori, to returning soldiers. Under this scheme, often called ‘Rehab farms’, the face of the farming district changed with more families being settled on the land. Another iteration of this scheme was introduced after World War II. Both schemes disadvantaged Māori in the district, with much of their land taken, but with the ballot system heavily weighted towards European, very few returning Māori soldiers were awarded farms.
The farming district has continued to flourish and evolve with the conditions and times.
Postcard of Kakariki Bridge, Marton, NZ Rangitikei River. Source: Feilding Heritage.
Mr C Parsons Traction Engine
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Hazards
There were many hardships and drawbacks of early pioneering life, with the ever present risk of accidents – a number fatal. With the wholesale burn-offs on the land, fire was always a threat to the wooden buildings in the area. It has been estimated that at least 80 commercial buildings were destroyed by fire. Many of the early huts with their open fireplaces were also susceptible. The Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886 which destroyed the Pink and White Terraces, was heard as distant booming with flashes of flame, causing bewilderment to residents. 1897 Easter floods which caused all rivers in the district to rise, and destroying bridges. The Rangitikei River itself sustained major damage, changing its path and the bridge at Kakariki was swept away. Silt and other debris, including dead stock, was strewn over hundreds of acres of river flats. March 19, 1918 there was a major bush fire at Raetihi. Recounts describe a pink coloured haze, followed by ash and smoke laden air which reduced visibility for some hours. 1918 Influenza epidemic. A temporary hospital was opened at the Tokorangi Marae. Luckily deaths were minimal. 1902, 14 June another major flood – which continues to happen to this day. 1938 Heavy earthquake, bringing down many chimneys in the area. |
Plans for Halcombe and District
The layout of Halcombe was the work of surveyor John Stewart. The township was to be a mile square and had a large number of sections of up to one acre. These were surrounded by 5–20 acre sections, with finally farms of approximately 200 acres.
It was envisaged that people in town would work on the farms with the small landowners (lifestylers) supplementing income from their land by working part time on the farms. Most of the land was to be devoted to farming. Planners of the time believed Halcombe would become a major centre, possibly with a population of 2,500. However, an active riverbed on the Rangitikei River was seen to be a potential threat to the township through flooding, so further development was stopped.
The layout of Halcombe was the work of surveyor John Stewart. The township was to be a mile square and had a large number of sections of up to one acre. These were surrounded by 5–20 acre sections, with finally farms of approximately 200 acres.
It was envisaged that people in town would work on the farms with the small landowners (lifestylers) supplementing income from their land by working part time on the farms. Most of the land was to be devoted to farming. Planners of the time believed Halcombe would become a major centre, possibly with a population of 2,500. However, an active riverbed on the Rangitikei River was seen to be a potential threat to the township through flooding, so further development was stopped.
McCardell, H. (Harry), 1858-1915. Plan of the town of Halcombe, Manchester Block, Manawatu District / drawn by H. McCardell. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/37102619
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Growth of Halcombe Township
The first store to be opened in the late1870s was operated from a tent, before moving into a permanent building. As more settlers arrived, businesses and services also increased. The advent of the Main Trunk Railway through the township in 1877 led to rapid development. By the 1880’s Halcombe was a thriving town, with over 60 establishments providing for the population. These included general stores, hotel, restaurant, baker, news agency, as well as those catering for the farming sector - a blacksmith, wheelwright, farrier and coach builder. There were churches, schools and halls. There was also a bank, a brick kiln, a ‘boiling down’ works and a creamery. Halcombe also had its own midwife, undertaker, sale yards and Town Board. The railway station included a post office, bar and refreshment room. More on Halcombe's Rail History... |
A familiar sight in Halcombe was Mr James Keen, the Town Cryer, who would ring his bell until a crowd had gathered, when announcements regarding coming entertainments and other items of news would be made. |
Demise of Halcombe Township
By the 1880s roads in most areas had been formed and the timber trade was falling. With this resulting lack of job opportunities people had begun to move away, reducing the support for services. By 1917 when the Halcombe Town Board closed, the population had dwindled and only a few businesses remained. By 1937 (Diamond Jubilee) there were only two stores, a bakery, butcher, fruiterer, boot repairer and a hotel. Halcombe had lost its town status and was now a village
By the 1880s roads in most areas had been formed and the timber trade was falling. With this resulting lack of job opportunities people had begun to move away, reducing the support for services. By 1917 when the Halcombe Town Board closed, the population had dwindled and only a few businesses remained. By 1937 (Diamond Jubilee) there were only two stores, a bakery, butcher, fruiterer, boot repairer and a hotel. Halcombe had lost its town status and was now a village
Written by Maureen Lambert, Halcombe, New Zealand 2024
Information sourced from: Halcombe and Tokorangi School Jubilee Booklets, The Mary Bostock collection of Halcombe History, Manawatu Library, Feilding and District Heritage, National Library, Papers Past, The Coach House Museum, Te Papa, Wikipedia, Local people.
Information sourced from: Halcombe and Tokorangi School Jubilee Booklets, The Mary Bostock collection of Halcombe History, Manawatu Library, Feilding and District Heritage, National Library, Papers Past, The Coach House Museum, Te Papa, Wikipedia, Local people.
