Tokirima History
A small part of the Craig family history in Tokirima
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Tokirima History A small part of the Craig family history in Tokirima |
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The Craig FamilyIn March 1892 William Craig, with the Waste Lands Board, (Est. by the Government in 1877 to look at isolated blocks of land for future settlement) took a ship from Wanganui and sailed around Cape Egmont and up the Tongaparutu River and walked to it's source, and then over to the Ohura River and down to its junction with the Wanganui River at Maraekowhai. The journey was made to inspect the Opatu Block and to find some answers for the problem of opening up the interior. William had a close rapport with the Maori people, and being a tall man with physical stamina and appearance he was detained by the Maori Tribes for some weeks, eventually returning to Wanganui via that river – reputedly being one of the earlier Europeans to do so. According to his daughter, Norah (Gibbons), he was away for three months. It was on the Ohura River that William negotiated with the Maori for land that his eldest son, Rob, was to farm a few years later. Robert Craig arrived at Aorangi, Taumarunui about 1904 to start farming on land that his father William had seen at the time of his journey with the Waste Lands Board in 1892. The land in the Ohura Block was situated about four miles over the hill from the Aukopae Landing on the Wanganui River and consisted of 1530 acres in total. Rob purchased 1150 acres from the Natives (where the present homestead is) and leased another 380 acres beside the Ohura River (the Aorangi block,) from the Maori owners. In 1915 another block consisting of 380 acres was purchased from Mr. Nicholson (the land stretching from the Bush Reserve to the old road tunnel.) In 1919 800 acres was sold to Guy Homersham. The homestead where Rob and Bessie lived was built by them in 1912, and was situated on the hill in the now (2008) Homersham property. Thomas Craig (brother of Robert) arrived at Koiro about 1910 with Norman Gibbons. The Hope Gibbons family had purchased a large tract of land that consisted of seven blocks and Tom had an interest in either Block 6 or 7, on which he built a house that was known as Craig's Cottage for many years, (all that is left now (2008) are the trees that were planted by Tom). Alf Gibbons acted as guarantor for Tom on this land, and when Tom left in 1915 Hope Gibbons purchased the block, and soon after it was farmed by Bob Gower, a nephew of the Gibbons. As at 2008 their descendant - Murray Craig - still farms the same property. Recorded by Bruce Craig - July 2007 |
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