The Story of Carter Court - Part 1

A DigitalNZ Story by Carterton District Historical Society

Part 1: The Beginnings of Carter Court - Carter and his legacy CREATED BY CARTERTON DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Carter Court, Charles Rooking Carter, Carterton, Wairarapa

The Beginnings of Carter Court:

Carter and his Legacy

Charles Rooking Carter ca 1872

Charles Rooking Carter

Alexander Turnbull Library

CARTER’S FORMATIVE YEARS

It could be said that Carter Court's beginnings were in 1853 when Charles Rooking Carter first arrived in the Wairarapa having walked from Wellington via Palliser Bay, and nearly drowning during the journey. On arriving in the Wairarapa, he recognised the vast plain, set between mountains to the West and fertile hills to the East as very suitable for purchase and development as small farms by working class immigrants.

Carter was born from relatively humble origins in Kendal Westmorland, in England, the son of a builder, John Carter. He lived in London from the age of 21 and through adult education classes at the Westminster Institution, broadened his knowledge and outlook. It was after moving to London that Carter embraced Chartist ideals about political and land-owning reforms for the working classes. These ideals attracted him to the new colony of New Zealand, and with his new wife, Jane Robertson (Robieson), he emigrated from England, arriving in New Zealand in 1850.

Armed with his various skills Carter established himself as a successful businessman in Wellington using his skills as a qualified builder with experience in civil engineering and architecture. and took on and completed a number of government contracts. These included the reclamation of harbour land where Lambton Quay now stands, and the design and building of notable government buildings.

C R Carter's plaque at the cemetery

The cemetery land was donated to Carterton by Carter

C R Carter's Plaque

Uploaded by DigitalNZ user Wairarapa Library Service

Carter's Influence in Developing Wairarapa

Carter worked with Joseph Masters, both members of the Small Farms Association, to convince Governor Grey to acquire land from Wairarapa iwi. Eventually the Small Farms Association settlements of Greytown and Masterton were established. Carter purchased three blocks of land on the Taratahi Plain totalling almost 2,500 hectares.

Carter completed the Black Bridge over the Waiohine River in 1859, improving access between Greytown, Three Mile Bush and on to Masterton. This significant improvement in the road infrastructure of the area, and Carter's work on behalf of the Small Farms Association, raised his profile and in 1859 the area known as Three Mile Bush was renamed Carterton.

Carter was also active in politics and was elected in 1858 to represent Wairarapa on the Wellington Provincial Council, and later the General Assembly from 1859 to 1865.

Although Carter spent much of his later life in England he returned a widower to New Zealand in 1895. He died in Wellington in 1896 and was buried in Clareville Cemetery.

Carterton Post Office

Carter facilitated the purchase of this area of land for the Post Office, the Courthouse, and the Police Station.

Post Office in Carterton

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Postcard]. Public Library and Reading Room, Carterton [1900s]

Carterton Public Library

Carter donated a book collection that helped to establish Carterton Library

[Postcard]. Public Library and Reading Room, Carterton [1900s]

Alexander Turnbull Library

CARTER THE BENEFACTOR

Carter was a generous benefactor. His bequests included a large collection of books to establish Carterton Library and facilitated the purchase of land for the original Court House, Post Office, and Police Station, as well as bequeathing land for the Carterton Cemetery at Clareville. To Saint Mark's Anglican Church he bequeathed the bell, the first stained-glass window, and the font dedicated to his wife. Bequests of the bush clad Carter Scenic Reserve and funds to establish Carter Observatory in Wellington illustrate the breadth of his interests and generosity.

However, Carter's most generous and far-sighted bequest aligned with his liberal beliefs. In his will he left provision for the establishment of a home for, "a durable and substantial building to accommodate at least 20 inmates", The Carter Home for Aged Poor Men, the forerunner of Carter Court.