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W. H. SCOTTER Ashburton A History of Town and County

ASHBURTON

ASHBURTON has, by New Zealand standards, long been one of the most productive agricultural districts in the country. Yet at first the area of heavy bog, dry plains and rugged mountains appeared unattractive and for several years after the settlement of Canterbury remained empty of all but passers-by. Not until the railway crossed the Rakaia River in 1873 did any number of people settle there. Then within ten years Ashburton became widely known for its extensive wheat farms. An Ashburton history must at least describe the stages by which this and subsequent developments took place. Dr Scotter has done something more—he has given an entertaining and comprehensive account of social life during each of four periods. In particular he has found among runholders, farmers, business and professional men, leaders whose ability, and strong, sometimes eccentric character gave the life of the region a decided flavour. The more prominent of these men are already well known, but often as influential were those businessmen and farmers who stood up in various local bodies for justice as they saw it. The portraits on the book jacket point to the emphasis given in this book to the character and achievements of some of the more prominent members of the community. A full section of records of Ashburton and county institutions will prove of great local interest. This detailed information could well form the basis of future studies (continued on back flap)