It was first mentioned in a offer for sale in 1857, where the property is not actually named: Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 440, 21 January 1857
VALUABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTY FOR SALE BY PRIVATE CONTRACT.
THE Property consists of 50 acres, Freehold Land, substantially fenced, divided into 3 paddocks, 30 acres under cultivation, one paddock of 12 acres, now laid down with grasses, 2 acres of garden, well stocked. Comfortable Dwelling-house in excellent order; detached offices, with three good bed rooms over and all other conveniences, for carrying on Agricultural and Dairy operations.
A small Windmill, capable of grinding and dressing the finest flour.
A pre-emptive right of 250 acres advantageously placed.
The property is conveniently situated 4 miles from Christchurch, and a short distance from Riccarton Church.
For further particulars apply to R. Harrison, Esquire, or to Mr. Alport, Auctioneer, Lyttelton.
Jan. 19, 1857.
A few years later another ad gives a name to the farm, and although the exact acreage on offer this time differs, many of the details are so strikingly similar to be confident that this is the same mill being referenced: 3 paddocks, large garden, near the church on Riccarton Rd. We unfortunately get no real additional information on the mill - though the fact that the details mention both the windmill, and a pump confirm that we are not merely referencing a wind engine for raising water. Lyttelton Times, Volume XIV, Issue 823, 29 September 1860
TO CAPITALISTS, AGRICULTURALISTS, STOCK BREEDERS AND OTHERS.Those unfortunately are the only two references to the mill I have uncovered. However there is quite a lot of background material available on the farm in general:
COURT BARTON FARM. AND TWO HUNDRED ACRES OF THE FINEST AGRICULTURAL LAND ADJOINING.
MR. OLLIVIER will sell by public auction, at the Mart, by direction of the Trustees under the will of the late J. G. Rossiter Esq., on THURSDAY, 15th NOVEMBER. That admirably situated Freehold Estate, comprising the well known COURT BARTON FARM, AND TWO HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND. near the same, situated on the Riccarten Road, about five miles from Christchurch, and near the Race Course.
COURT BARTON FARM Consists of that Valuable Freehold Rural Section, No. 275, situated and fronting upon the Riccarton Road, - and now in the occupation of W. R. Cator, Esq. The Land is divided into three paddocks - one of which is laid down with English Grass, and fenced on all sides by a good ditch and bank, and gorse rising to the height of eight feet.
THE BUILDINGS Consist of a comfortable four-roomed House, detached Servant's rooms, kitchen, saddle room, and other offices.
THE STABLES AND COACH HOUSE Are roomy and convenient - and are well fitted for the occupation of Breeding and Racing Studs. In addition to the above there is a - Windmill, Large Garden, Stockyards, Pump All in best order on the premises.
THE TWO HUNDRED ACRES Consist of Rural Sections, Nos. 885, 1453, 1503, 1676, 1677, 1686, and are situated and fronting upon the Great South Road, near Court Barton Farm. This Land is dry, and of the finest Agricultural Character, and is suitable for Paddocks, Good Water may be obtained on any part of the Sections, by sinking a depth of 15 feet.
The immediate proximity of the above property to the Race Course, the excellence of the well sheltered and gorse fenced paddocks, stables, &c, renders this property particularly desirable for gentlemen who devote their attention to Stockbreeding and racing - while from the high rental such a property commands at all times, it affords a capital opportunity for remunerative investment. The selection of the Two Hundred Acres offered in connection with Court Barton, was made early, with a view to securing the best soil for the cultivation of English Grasses for Paddocks.
For further particulars and plans of the property, apply to, THOMAS S. DUNCAN, Esq., Solicitor to the Trustees, Or the Offices of the Auctioneer, CASHEL AND HIGH STREETS. Terms at Sale. Sale at one o'clock.
The barque Minerva, Captain Merryman, from London, the 4th March, and Gravesend, the 6th, arrived in this harbour on Tuesday last. ... One death occurred on board, that of a cabin passenger, named J. G. Rossiter, who was about to proceed to Canterbury. Mr. Rossiter was subject to epileptic fits, and on the evening of the 30th June, was attacked, severely, 12 following each other in succession, and after a period of two hours he expired, nature having become so completely exhausted, that he never rallied. Deceased was a gentleman of very temperate habits, and highly respected by all on board, and his death was deeply lamented by his fellow passengers.
HEAVY DRAUGHT MARES & HORSES. THE undersigned has on view and for sale, a mob of heavy draught horses and mares, broken and unbroken, well selected in the Nelson market, and especially deserving the notice of those requiring good horses for cart or plough work; also a few first-class roadsters. The above horses will be on view at the Royal Hotel Stockyards, on Saturday January 8, at 11 a.m.
W. R. CATOR, Court Barton Farm, Near Riccarton Church.
The horses were all bred in Wellington, and have neither of them done much work. Apply to E. JERNINGHAM WAKEFIELD, Christchurch : or W. R. CATOR, Court Barton Farm.
ESTATE OF WILLIAM ROBERT CATOR.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Deed bearing date the 16th day of July 1861, and made or expressed to be made, between WILLIAM ROBERT CATOR, of Court Barton Farm, near Christchurch, in the province of Canterbury, Gentleman, of the first part, EDWARD JERNINGHAM WAKEFIELD, of Wellington, in the province of Wellington, Esquire, and THOMAS FISHER, of Christchurch, in the province of Canterbury, Doctor of Medicine, of the second part; and the several other persons whose names are thereunder subscribed, being severally Creditors of the said William Robert Cator, of the third part; all and singular the Estate and Effects of the said William Robert Cator have been assigned by the said William Robert Cator unto the said Edward Jerningham Wakefield and Thomas Fisher, their executors, administrators, and assigns, in trust, for the equal benefit of the Creditors of the said William Robert Cator, and the said Deed was duly executed by the said William Robert Cator, on the 16th day of July, 1861, in the presence of and attested by Charles Tulley, of Christchurch aforesaid, clerk to Mr. Duncan, of Christchurch, aforesaid, solicitor.
Notice is hereby also given, that the said Deed of Assignment now lies at my Office for the execution of the Creditors of the said William Robert Cator. and that such of the said Creditors as shall omit or refuse to execute the same within one month from the date hereof will be precluded from all benefit which may arise therefrom. Dated this 22nd day of July, 1861.
THOS. S. DUNCAN, Solicitor to the said Trustees, Lichfield street, Chistchurch.
ASHBOLT V. WAKEFIELD. This was a disputed claim for a balance of wages, averred by the plaintiff to be owing to him as the hired servant of Mr. E. J. Wakefield. ... (Mr. Duncan: Why don't you produce Cator himself?) You know why; you know he has bolted, or this debt would never have been denied. ... Thomas Ashbolt, I am plaintiff in this action, and am a groom and jockey. I came to Canterbury in 1858; knew Mr. Wakefield previously in Wellington. I saw Mr. Wakefield in Lyttelton in '58, and he asked if I would stay in Canterbury. I said I didn't mind. He asked would I go to Court Barton Farm and train and ride and break his horses. ... When I was at Court Barton there were these horses and many others of Mr. Wakefield's: Peer, Retribution, Gypsy, Emperor, Royal Miss, under Mr. Cator's management. ... I don't remember when I left Mr. Wakefield's service. It was about this time last year. I received a letter from Mr. Cator on my return from Sydney. It was delivered to my mother. (Mr. Duncan objected, to the letter being read, but the Court ruled it was admissible, and it was read. The contents expressed Mr. Cator's annoyance at Ashbolt for leaving Mr. Wakefield's service without first enabling that gentleman to get another groom in his place. There was also acknowledgement of plaintiff's claim for wages as against Mr. Wakefield.) ... Towards the latter end of my service, when Mr. Cator began to get into difficulties, Mr. Stifle used to come to the stables, and he bought hay and corn for the horses. ... His Honor complimented Ashbolt on his scrupulousness, and recommended that a nonsuit should be taken, and the case be brought into court again when the necessary witnesses might be subpoenaed. Mr. Williams concurred, and accepted a nonsuit.
COURT BARTON FARM.The farm sold Press, Volume III, Issue 311, 29 October 1863
MESSRS. T. OLLIVIER AND SON have been favored with instructions from Messrs. Hart & Lodge, to SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION, AT MESSRS. HART AND LODGE'S STORE, IN COLOMBO STREET, previous to sale of Stock-in-trade, ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, the whole of that Capital Estate at Riccarton, known as the COURT BARTON FARM, consisting of 50 acres of FREEHOLD LAND, all thoroughly well fenced and laid down to grass. There is a very good DWELLING HOUSE with the property, together with several capital OUTBUILDINGS. The land is situated about one mile from Riccarton Church. Adjacent to this property are two other sections, one of TWENTY ACRES, another of TWENTY-THREE ACRES, unimproved, but with large road frontages.
Court Barton Farm, consisting of 100 acres of land about four and a half miles from Christchurch, well fenced and laid down in English pasture, sold for £2000.The buyer was Thomas Cook, a butcher: Press, Volume IV, Issue 405, 16 February 1864
ONE POUND REWARD. LOST from Court Barton Farm, Riccarton, a black Horse branded T on near shoulder. Any party bringing the same to T. Cook will receive the above reward.He did not hold the farm long, before retiring: Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1293, 20 September 1864
On TUESDAY, the 27th day of SEPT., At one o'clock. MESSRS. AIKMAN & WILSON have been favoured with instructions from Mr. Thos. Cook (who has retired from the Butcher Business), to sell by PUBLIC AUCTION, Without Reserve, HIS STOCK OF PIGS, At Court Barton Farm, Consisting of from 90 to 100, and among them are some excellent breeding sows, and sows in pig. Also, The feeding troughs, wash tub, scalding tub, and other utensils. Sale at 1 o'clock. Terms at Sale.The farm (or rather a part representing 2 of the 3 paddocks) was again offered for sale, though no mention of a windmill: Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1308, 25 October 1864
MESSRS. AIKMAN & WILSON have been favoured with instructions from Mr. Thomas Cook, who is about to leave the settlement, to sell by public auction, At their New Offices, On WEDNESDAY, 2nd of November next, At 1 o'clock, The following PROPERTIES, viz.:It's possible that the rest of the land had already been sold separately: Press, Volume VIII, Issue 910, 7 October 1865
1st. Thirty-five acres, more or less, freehold land, known as Court Barton Farm, situate on the South Road, within four miles of Christchurch, all fenced and laid down to grass, with the dwelling-house, offices, slaughter and sheep yards, piggeries, &c., thereon. The property adjoins the station of the line of railway to the South.
Licensed Victuallers' Association. - The quarterly meeting of this Association was held on Thursday evening, at the Lyttelton hotel. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Several letters were read from different persons offering land to the Association, and a discussion took place as to the eligibility of the sites. It was ultimately agreed that a piece of land (sixteen acres) offered by Mr. Hart, and situated at Court Barton, should be purchased on the terms mentioned by Mr. Hart, viz., £200 in cash, and another £100 payable in a year.
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