Paul and Linda
28th July 2005, 10:36 PM
Feilding was named after Colonel William Feilding, a Director of the Emigrants and Colonists Aid Corporation Ltd.
The Corporation was formed in Britain in the 1860's with the aim of reducing the numbers of workless people in Great Britain by transplanting them in a new part of the Empire; to give those presently futureless people an opportunity to create a new life and estate by their own industriousness and thrift; to harness the productivity of a new Colony for Britain's own good; and lastly, if possible, to make a profit from the venture.
Colonel Feilding had previous experience in colonisation in Queensland and was given a Power of Attorney on behalf of the Corporation to purchase land.
He first looked in Australia but was not satisfied and travelled on to New Zealand, arriving in Wellington on December 12, 1871. Within two weeks, Col Feilding travelled from Wellington to inspect the land and returned to Wellington to negotiate the purchase. Much of the travel in the Manawatu area was by horseback through thick forest.
A Deed of Agreement between Queen Victoria and the Corporation was signed on 26 December, 1871 to purchase 100,000 acres from the Wellington Provincial Government.
The first 23 European immigrants arrived from Great Britain on the 22 January 1874.
Many streets in Feilding and outlying settlements in the Manawatu are named after the Directors of the Corporation. Manchester Street and Square are named after the Chairman, the Duke of Manchester, while Kimbolton Road is named after his estate. The Earl of Denbigh is remembered by another square, while Henry Ashhurst gave his name to an outlying township, as did Arthur Halcombe.
Quite amusing that it's called after someone who was in charge of immigrating people and he didn't think much of Oz! :laugh
The Corporation was formed in Britain in the 1860's with the aim of reducing the numbers of workless people in Great Britain by transplanting them in a new part of the Empire; to give those presently futureless people an opportunity to create a new life and estate by their own industriousness and thrift; to harness the productivity of a new Colony for Britain's own good; and lastly, if possible, to make a profit from the venture.
Colonel Feilding had previous experience in colonisation in Queensland and was given a Power of Attorney on behalf of the Corporation to purchase land.
He first looked in Australia but was not satisfied and travelled on to New Zealand, arriving in Wellington on December 12, 1871. Within two weeks, Col Feilding travelled from Wellington to inspect the land and returned to Wellington to negotiate the purchase. Much of the travel in the Manawatu area was by horseback through thick forest.
A Deed of Agreement between Queen Victoria and the Corporation was signed on 26 December, 1871 to purchase 100,000 acres from the Wellington Provincial Government.
The first 23 European immigrants arrived from Great Britain on the 22 January 1874.
Many streets in Feilding and outlying settlements in the Manawatu are named after the Directors of the Corporation. Manchester Street and Square are named after the Chairman, the Duke of Manchester, while Kimbolton Road is named after his estate. The Earl of Denbigh is remembered by another square, while Henry Ashhurst gave his name to an outlying township, as did Arthur Halcombe.
Quite amusing that it's called after someone who was in charge of immigrating people and he didn't think much of Oz! :laugh