Alexander McLeod – Martinborough 1888 – 1907 Part D

Martinborough

On arrival in New Zealand from Melbourne, in either 1888 or 1889, the McLeod family had to get to Martinborough. They may have been met in Wellington but still would have probably travelled to Featherston by train and gone to Martinborough from there.

The McLeod’s arrival may have been similar to that of John Smith, a very close friend of Alexander and his family. John, his wife Lillian and baby Gertie arrived in Wellington from Bristol in May 1893. John says: 

• ‘Sent telegram to Martinborough. Reply. Come to Featherston, McLeod will meet train…We shall never forget the journey over the Rimutakas. It looked like a land uninhabited by man or beast. However we survived and duly met Mr McLeod with gig or trap and now away. Looks to me like the end of the world. 12 miles to Martinborough, there to meet his family and settle down to work. For myself I felt like ‘how can I do this in this lonely spot?'

Four engine load ascending Rimutaka Incline

Aerial view of Martinborough 1930

Alexander McLeod may have felt the same as John Smith but with one very big difference. In Martinborough or not too far away were lots of family Alexander and Jessie hadn’t seen for years and who, despite huge hurdles, were all getting on fine. There was Mary, William, Esther, James, Farquhar, Catherine, and all their big families.

Alexander McLeod 1842 - 1932

Janet Sutherland McLeod MS Ross 1847 - 1942

Brother William had a place the new arrivals could stay while they built a house. William McLeod had purchased a property at Hillside near Martinborough. William had engaged William Boyd, the husband of his niece Jessie Ross, to build a cottage there. William let Alexander and his family stay in the cottage when they first arrived. The Hillside cottage is still in good condition and forms the rear part of the present house.

Cottage/rear room at Hillside

Alexander, very soon purchased land in Otaraia Road – later named Jellicoe Street.

The earliest known picture of the general store

In 1889 Alexander built and opened a general store on Otaraia Road, Martinborough. It had a large stock of groceries, drapery and general stores. The family lived in the dwelling part of the house. This building is now beautifully restored and operated as a B & B known as the Martinborough Connection.

Picture showing the boot workshop at rear

The store did well at first. Alexander maintained his interest in the manufacture of footware and started a workshop at the rear of the store that was well fitted with the best modern machinery and employed nine hands.

Boot workshop in 2011

Martinborough Connection B & B 2011

Alexander persuaded his brother-in-law Murdoch Ross to come and manage the general store while he concentrated on boots and shoes. Alexander eventually handed over the store to Murdoch Ross. The store became known as Ross Bros Store.

Source: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District] Macleod, Alexander
Published 1897 pg 865

In the 1890s Alexander established a tannery on the banks of the Huangarua River to provide leather for the boot factory. The venture was not successful due to problems with the supply of hides when the wild cattle were cleared out. It was later abandoned.

Next Alexander purchased some land nearer the new township. It was known as McLeod’s Lane but later was renamed Radium Street. In partnership with John Smith from Bristol he built a new boot factory.  

A 1910 photo of the boot factory shop across the road from the sale yards
on the corner of McLeod’s Lane (now Radium Street)

The Boot factory on corner of Radium street. In this picture 14 staff are employed. Alexander is seated on right. Son Matthew is standing 4th from left.

In 1900 Alexander McLeod gave land on the corner of Jellicoe street to build a ‘Gospel Hall’. Smith and McLeod both held the same strong convictions about the need to 'preach the gospel' and provide a place where visiting preachers could give a series of addresses on Biblical subjects. The membership of the Gospel Hall continued to grow and provide a spiritual home on the same Brethren principals these two friends had brought from Muller in Bristol. They held these convictions for the rest of their lives.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8855, 5 September 1907, Page 5

An interesting old photo of the of 4 Sept 1907 wedding of James Smith and Minnie Kate Thomas in Martinborough gives an idea of the wide circle of friends that became associated with the Gospel Hall. Matthew McLeod is groomsman and Christina Jacobsen, his betrothed is on his left. They are my grandparents. 

Extract from wedding picture. Alexander upper left, Jessie lower right.

To be continued