Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/65

 vessels (1834-5), he ascended the Port Hills, whence he viewed the Canterbury Plains. He described them as a vast swamp for the most part, covered with water, and showing two patches of bush.

After Mr. W. B. Rhodes took possession of his land at Akaroa he was joined by his brother, Mr. Joseph Rhodes, who, however, only remained a short time in partnership. He was succeeded by another brother, Mr. George Rhodes, who, a year or two after, came into the venture, and from this time onwards the firm was known as Messrs. Rhodes Brothers, and they proceeded to acquire immense blocks of land in Canterbury, Nelson, and Napier. There was at this early period no market for produce save the whalers, with whom all transactions were conducted on the system of barter. This made things very dull until 1843, when the advent of the Messrs. Sinclair, Hay, Deans, Greenwood Brothers, Gebbie, Manson, Prebble, and McQueen gave prospect of more cheerful times, especially as all those settlers were intent on fanning of one kind or another, but principally of a pastoral character. Besides those above-mentioned, there were several others, notably a Mr. Knight