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The Early Canterbury Runs: Containing the First, Second and Third (new) Series

Charles George Tripp — (1826-1897)

Charles George Tripp
(1826-1897)

Charles Tripp deserves special notice as the first man to think of putting stock on the high country of Canterbury. Until he and his partner, John Barton Acland, tried it, anything higher than the downs was believed to be valueless for sheep. The idea that the higher hills were worth stocking entered Tripp's fertile brain while he was river-bound during a journey to Burke's run at Raincliff in 1855.

Tripp was a curious mixture of simplicity and shrewdness, and these qualities showed themselves very clearly in his face, as did his other chief characteristic— his benevolence. He was so full of energy that page 153he could hardly sit through his meals, and often said grace as he ran from the door to the dining table. He had a quick, excitable way of speaking. More stories were told of him in shearers' huts and mustering camps than of any other runholder in Canterbury. When Orari Gorge was an open shed it was worth riding twenty miles to see the shearers and shed hands being drafted, counted, re-sorted and counted again.

Once, while they were crossing the Rangitata, Mrs Tripp was washed down the river in a boat, and Tripp found himself unable to get to her assistance. He is said to have shouted from the bank: 'Goodbye, Ellen, goodbye, meet you in Heaven you know, meet you in Heaven.' He had not a good memory for faces, but once when a cowboy of his brought a disastrous career to an end by raiding the pantry, and applied again for work within a week or two, under the impression that Tripp would not recognise him, Tripp asked him what he could do. The boy replied, 'Oh, anything about the station.' 'Anything about the station?' said Tripp, 'anything about the station? Yes, you shot the mule, you killed a bullock, you broke the pole of the dray, and you ate all the tarts; anything? You just run off the place as fast, as ever you can! As fast as ever you can! '

He had no natural eye for stock. He could hardly tell his own buggy horses if he saw them in a strange stable, and would never take the drafting gate; but he was a very good judge of men, and had the invaluable gift of getting them to do their best for him. He had a fine eye for country, and bought the freehold of his run with very great judgment. He was the first runholder in South Canterbury to realise the danger of rabbits, and to take steps to destroy them. He had good sense and the most extraordinary energy. Almost to the end of his life he was out and about his station by seven in the morning.

He was extremely temperate in all his ways. He never smoked, seldom drank alcohol, and never sat in any but a straight-backed chair. He always rode his horse at one pace—a steady trot. He had a very liberal page 154mind, and was always full of faith in the future of the country in general and of his own station in particular. He was always progressive, and eager to adopt new ideas and try experiments. It is a bold statement to make, but I believe he was the most hospitable man that ever lived in Canterbury. No one could meet him without being struck by his kindliness, and children and dogs seemed to take to him instinctively. I do not think he had an enemy in the world.