John Clarke launches Trapski-Pullar family farm history

John Clarke launches Trapski-Pullar family farm history

John Clarke CMG, launched the recent Trapski-Pullar family farm history, written by Margaret Pullar, at the Crichton Park homestead, Pukerau, Southland, on Sunday 24 November.

He told a crowd of over 90 family and friends that the book, Carse Head and Crichton Park Farms: A story of the land and its people, was a tribute to all those who had loved the land for so many years.

Mr Clarke said the story of the Trapksi-Pullar family was an absolutely fascinating one of hardworking people dealing with what for many people would be utterly impossible problems. “You will find out a lot about the area that wouldn’t have occurred to you before, and above all what people meant to the area and how they put up with trials and tribulations that we can’t really understand today,” he said.

Mr Clarke said the history has been clearly recorded and is a tremendous tribute to Margaret Pullar’s endeavour in collating the available information. “It is a fascinating book to read. I am sure that anyone with an interest in the area and the people generally, and those families that have been here right through the period, will find it very informative.”

An interesting story in the book was of the influence of Professor Black, who wasn’t a farmer initially, but a lecturer in geology and natural science at Otago University. Professor Black named the property “Crichton Park Downs” after his wife, Jeanie Crichton.

“He bought a large quantity of land, 2750 acres, between 1876 and 1878 and set about developing it. He established a pretty progressive development scheme and cultivated and improved a lot of ground,” Mr Clarke said.

Author Margaret Pullar said it was important to record the history of the farm and the Trapski-Pullar story while her husband Gordon, his siblings, cousins and neighbours were here to remember. She said it has enabled her to get to know the ancestors of the two families she married into.

“I have gained a greater respect and admiration for the Pullars and the Trapskis than I already had. They are salt of the earth people, unpretentious, genuine, and hard working – straight shooting people with sound values,” she said.

Ross Dickie, Secretary of the Gore Historical Society, who was present at the launch with his father, said “It is an impressive book with very good quality historical photos. Along with the family, history people will find an excellent history of the development of the Otago and Southland regions with an emphasis on farming development.”

John Clarke, a Nuffield Scholar in 1963, the Chairman of the New Zealand Wool Board between 1972 and 1980, served as a Director with the Otago Dairy Co-op, the Kiwi Dairy Co-op and the National Bank. He was awarded a CMG (Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George) in 1981. He has now retired from his directorships and is enjoying farming with is family at Wairuna.

The book, Carse Head and Crichton Park Farms: A story of the land and its people. The Trapski-Pullar family is available from Gore Paper Plus or email trapski.pullar@gmail.com

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