Two blades for one : rural land subdivision on the plains of the Ashburton County, 1880-1930

Abstract

Nineteenth century agriculture in New Zealand was characterised by the rapidity with which large areas of land surfaces were subjected to extensive and permanent change. Since settlement by the European often occurred on an uninhabited or at most sparsely occupied landscape, the changes introduced in the subsequent exploitation by its occupiers were revolutionary in their effect, and because of the comparatively advanced level of technology of the time, rapid in their achievement. This study examines some of the changes which occurred in the period 1880-1930, particularly the subdivision of large estates and the creation of farm settlements by successive Governments. [extract from Introduction]