Return to top
This block of land was 8000 acres and was purchased by L.D.C. Acland in 1905. He stocked the area with 5065 sheep but later he subdivided the 8000 acres into three separate blocks named 'Lanercost', 'Leadervale' and 'Riverdale', which he sold off in 1907 and probably made a good profit.
In 1907 the block called Leadervale was 2942 acres and stocked with 3110 sheep. Alex Murray farmed Leadervale 1911 to 1927 when, owing to financial difficulties, he was forced to walk off the property. Edward Mulcock's Estate repossessed Leadervale, and his grandson, Edward (Skip) RELPH, was engaged to manage the land.
Skip Relph and his wife, Rete, experienced a very hard time during the 1930s as the property was only carrying 2340 sheep and, to make matters worse, a fire destroyed the stables and the implement shed.
Schooling was another problem the Relphs had to contend with; converting a room in the Shearer's quarters into a schoolroom, and having a teacher to live with the family found a solution.
The Mulcock Estate sold Leadervale in 1944, as Skip Relph was not enjoying good health. He was diagnosed as having Bright's Disease from which he died in 1950.
Leadervale is not far from Mount Parnassus, between the rivers of Leader and Waiau. Sheep in New Zealand in 1904 sold, on average, for NZ$1.46 per head.
Reference: From the Waiau to Conway 1851 to 2001.
ISBN 0-473-09707-9, July 2003. Author, Aubrey Cropp.
I found a copy of this book on the shelves of our bed and breakfast, The Old Convent, Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand, where Helen & I stayed in 2004. They also had three Morris Minor cars parked outside – all needed a lot of t.l.c. and had not run for many years – sad to say.
Chris Relf, #029.