Settlement of Feilding celebrated
The atmosphere of an extendedfamily reunion is expected at Manchester Block’s 144th anniversary of Settlers’ Day in Feilding.
It was in 1874 that Hector Booth took the first families of settlers by jolting and lurching a bullock wagon through the mud between Palmerston North and Feilding.
They were taking up land on Manchester Block, a thin strip of real estate running between the Rangitı¯kei River and the ranges, and covered in bush.
The settlers paid no money, but had to provide labour.
In return, each received an acre of land.
They lived in a town of tents, fending off mosquitoes, before cottages were built.
It was not at all the picture painted for them before they left.
Five years later, the whole 106,000-acre block was settled, and farms established.
The anniversary celebrations on January 20 will re-enact some of the events of those times, Feilding and District Promotion project coordinator Raewyn Loader said.
The highlight would be a dressup competition, where attendees could mirror the settlers that came before them.
A wide selection of food trucks would also be on offer, including the region’s first hangi-styled truck, which has smoked meat.
Loader said the event would offer an ‘‘inspiring, lazy afternoon’’ spent dining at the region’s ‘‘longest lunch table’’.
The Edwardian-style event would be held in Kowhai Park, one of the town’s most historic reserves, Loader said.