Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/138

 partnership with a Mr. Smith. They brought out the first Shorthorn cattle shipped direct from England to Canterbury, New Zealand (two bulls and two heifers), but they were unfortunate in losing three of the valuable animals, only one bull surviving the voyage. However, that was the start in Canterbury of splendid stock. A good mare was brought out by them, also, and some old English pheasants. Mr. Robinson gave a pair to Mrs. Sinclair, then living in Pigeon Bay. Finding their way first to Port Levy, the adventurous pair of birds, or their progeny, soon stocked the whole Peninsula, vieing with the pigeon family for numbers. Mr. Robinson acquired some good landed property in one of the bays in Akaroa Harbour, which was named Robinson’s Bay, he being the first owner. He also owned a fine block of land in Pigeon Bay, which was sold to Mr. Ebenezer Hay in 1861. About this latter date he returned to England, but came back about 1864-5 to dispose of his property, after which he left New Zealand finally for England, where he spent the remainder of his life. His widow and their only son, Mr. Aubrey Robinson, have their home in Makaweli Kanii, one of the Sandwich Islands,