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Friday, October 10, 2014

Brabazon Landmarks - Brabazon Range: New Zealand



The Brabazon Range is located by the Rangitata River in Canterbury, in the middle of the South Island and is now part of the Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park. Brabazon Downs, Brabazon Saddle, Brabazon Stream and Mount Brabazon are all in the same area. They were named after John Brabazon from Co Westmeath, Ireland who was in partnership with Samuel Butler at Mesopotamia Station between 1862 and 1864. The Brabazon Range is mostly just past the north-west boundary of the property.

John Brabazon, eldest son of James Brabazon of Jamestown House near Mullingar, left Ireland in 1859 when he was about 18 years old and travelled to New Zealand via Australia. Early in 1861 he was at Mesopotamia Station as a cadet, to learn sheep farming. About March 1862 he bought a quarter share in the business, then looked after the property while Butler overwintered in Christchurch. By 1864 Samuel Butler had made his fortune and wished to return to England. The partnership was dissolved in March and the station was sold.
Brabazon Range from Crooked Spur Hut in summer, photograph by Hilary Iles. Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai.

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