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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

Ugbrooke Station

Ugbrooke Station . This property consists of 13,000 acres, and is situated in the Awatere district, about seven miles from Blenheim. Ugbrooke overlooks the sea, and faces the Dashwood Pass Road for six or seven miles. Ugbrooke and Vernon were originally taken up by the late Mr. Henry Redwood (father of the present Mr. H. Redwood), who lived at Vernon, and who was well-known to the early pioneers of Marlborough and Nelson. In 1880 the property was acquired by the Hon. William Clifford, from whose family the present owner, Mr. H. D. Vavasour, purchased the freehold, comprising 8000 acres of low-lying hills and 5000 acres of first-class agricultural land. The whole of the estate is fenced, wire-netted and subdivided into convenient paddocks. Of the agricultural area, 600 acres are cropped annually-300 acres in white crops, and 300 acres in rape and turnips; and wheat yields from 30 to 40 bushels, barley from 30 to 70 bushels, and oats 50 to 80 bushels an acre-all of excellent quality. Cocksfoot, red clover, and other grass-seeds are cultivated, and after three or four crops are taken from the soil, it is laid down in grass. The practice of breaking up 350 acres of new ground every year is observed. At present, about 11,000 sheep are depastured on the station; the breed is a half-bred Lincoln-Merino cross, into which a Shropshire strain for freezing purposes has page 360 been introduced of late years. The clip averages £10/1/2 lbs. per fleece, and the Ugbrooke lambs are noted as being second to none in quality for freezing purposes. Considerable improvements have of late been made on the station, including the erection of outbuildings, fencing, etc. From eight to ten men find constant employment on the estate. The homestead is admirably situated, the view being second to none in New Zealand. Tapuaenuka is visible also the Kaikoura ranges, anu on clear days Pencarrow Heads can be seen. Altogether, Ugbrooke is a valuable, well-managed, ond beautiful estate.