Early Castlepoint
(H G Groves)

Published on 18 December 1940 in the Wairarapa Times-Age

WITH the completion of a fine ferro-concrete bridge over the Whakataki Stream, on the Masterton-Castlepoint highway, a few rambling notes on early tracks and transport in that region may be of interest in the Centennial year [1940]. 

Taking into account the amount of traffic on the Castlepoint road, and the years during which it has been in use, it seems remarkable that the Whakataki had not been bridged before. 

There is still one stream, Ducrous Creek, on this road to bridge. Is there another road in New Zealand that has been in use so long and carries as much traffic, that has had to wait so long for bridges? 

In making this comment, it is not the writer's wish to reflect in any way on the authorities who have controlled the road. The long delay in bridging is mentioned merely as an interesting fact. In the notes that follow, every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of dates and other particulars.

Kupe's visit

Castlepoint, or to give it the original Maori name, Rangi Wha Koma [Rangiwhakaoma] , was one of the places visited by Kupe in his great chase after the "Wheke," or octopus, from Hawaiiki. 

We are told that Kupe landed at Rangi Wha Koma to replenish his stores and also to hunt the wheke from a cave in the rocks. This he succeeded in doing; the Wheke fled south and was eventually caught in Tory Channel--"New Zealand's first fishing story."

Thomas Guthrie

Castlepoint, as known today, was first settled by Thomas Guthrie, in the year 1848. He was the original owner of Castlepoint Station. This must have been one of the earliest settlements on the East Coast, between Palliser Bay and Hawke's Bay. 

No doubt the safety of ships from southerlies, and a good beach for landing on, would be a deciding factor in choosing Castlepoint as a place for a settlement. 

Guthrie and his family must have arrived at Castlepoint carly in the year. for in the big earthquake of 16 October 1848 the chimney of their hut, built of clay and boulders, was wrecked [along with every other chimney in the Wairarapa]

No information is available today of the struggles and trials of these pioneers in their first seven years at Castlepoint.

With the arrival of the Groves family at Castlepoint in 1855, more information is available, thanks to letters by John Groves to his brother in England. These letters are now in the Turnbull Library. 

From these letters we learn that Guthrie had established a store and also an hotel at Castlepoint, as well as being in a large way with sheep and cattle. 

To the writer of these notes it is a great surprise to learn that 13,000 sheep were shorn on Castlepoint Station in 1856 and that the wool was sold in the London market for 13d a lb [pound].

Thomas Guthrie

Of Guthrie, not much is known today. As far as is known, he was of a London family. He, his wife, and one child arrived at Wellington in the ship Adelaide on March 7, 1840, having sailed from London on September 18, 1839, a voyage of 171 days. 

Before settling at Castlepoint, Guthrie was one of the first settlers in Happy Valley, Wellington. His old home, a slab hut, was in use as a cowbail not many years ago. A list of the burgesses of Wellington for the year 1846. in the Turnbull Library, contains the name of Thomas Guthrie: occupation, stock-holder; place of residence, Upper Willis Street. 

Guthrie died and was buried at Castlepoint in May, 1876. His wife Ann died at Dannevirke in 1906.

John Groves and Mrs Guthrie were brother, and sister. Guthrie was noted for his very fine physique and immense bodily strength. His only son died in his early twenties, so the name has passed. 

The Whishaws, of Featherston, are grandchildren. Their mother [Kitty Wishaw] was a daughter of Thomas Guthrie. Mrs N. R. Blakiston, of Dannevirke, is also a grandchild.

Pioneer transport

To come to early tracks and transport, it is hard to realise today that Castlepoint was a centre for distribution, years before Masterton was started and many years after that event. 

The district served by Castlepoint extended from Brancepeth on the one hand to Alfredton on the other, and the main means of transporting stores from Castlepoint to the different homesteads was pack bullocks. 

The writer has often heard his mother speak of the pack bullocks coming through from Brancepeth on their way to Castlepoint for stores twice a year. 

Seven Oaks was one of the places of call on the way through. William Beetham was usually in charge of the pack bullocks, and if churning was in progress at Seven Oaks, Beetham always waited for a cup of buttermilk when the churning was completed. Morning and afternoon teas were not yet invented.