Motueka, New Zealand 🌍

Motueka (#nz62)

Frank Jellicoe was a gentleman farmer and general merchant, and his property in Motueka is described as the Mill in an ad in Nov 1863: Colonist, Volume VI, Issue 635, 24 November 1863

JUST received, ex CASHMERE, from London and ON SALE at the Mill, Motueka, the following GOODS, which are of very superior quality ...

and then a month later more specifically as the Windmill: Colonist, Volume VI, Issue 642, 22 December 1863

IMPORTED from England, and FOR SALE at the Windmill, Motueka -
Rice, Currants, Raisins, Figs, Corn Flour, Cocoa, Coffee, Candles, Sheet Zinc, Perforated Zinc for meat safes, Paints and Oils, Plough Shares, Bullock Bows and Chains, Corks, Glue, Carpenters' Tools.
F JELLICOE, Moutere.

A sales notice a couple of months later is more direct about there really being a windmill there, though its exact form is unclear, since it appears to be driving commercial (portable) mills Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 17, 9 February 1864

By Private Contract
The MOTUEKA WINDMILL, with ten acres of LAND.
The mill is nearly completed, and will drive a very superior Flour Mill (just imported), by Ransomes and Sims, with three feet French Burr-stones and Dresser. An eighteen inch French Burr-stone Mill, by Barrett and Co., and a large Steel Mill and Dresser.
Also (separately), imported per MAGNA BONA, a Ransomes and Sims new patent self-cleaning and adjustable ROTARY SCREEN, with Stone Separator and Blower, and a large and powerful Brass Lift and Force Pump for power.
About 160 acres of LAND, near the Village of Motueka, between the sea and the mill, having frontages to three main roads, fenced in, and partly divided into paddocks : will be sold in small quantities, or otherwise to suit purchasers.
Several blocks of LAND in the district.
Fifteen TOWN SECTIONS at Picton, and Section, No. 45, Wairau (50 acres).
Terms. — Purchasers of sufficient amount, paying interest, and giving approved security, can have long credit for any of the above.
F. Jellicoe.

The same ad, claiming to be nearly completed, ran for almost 2 months. A year later the mill was clearly still much of a general store - the flour gets bottom billing in this ad: Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 20, 16 February 1865

FOR SALE, at the Mill, Motueka, WORKING BULLOCKS, CATTLE, and FOALS. Also, cheap, NEW SACKS, CORN FLOUR.

It's not clear if the mill was used much as a flour mill - a series of ads only a year or so after it was built were short and to the point, detailing that it was then being used to crush oats and barley: Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 92, 1 August 1865

CRUSHED OATS AND BARLEY. BARLEY and OATS CRUSHED at the MOTUEKA WINDMILL.

It's possible that this "windmill" was in fact the "wind engine" that Jellicoe had offered for sale in Nelson in 1862, just over 18 months before the first mention of his windmill at Motueka.

About 9 years before the windmill, Jellicoe had imported a hand mill: Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIII, 4 November 1854

Also to arrive, a very capital FRENCH BURR STONE FLOUR MILL, with Dressing Apparatus complete. The mill is intended to be worked by hand, and one man can work it with ease; but to enable it, if desired, to be connected with other moving power, the spindle is fitted with a rigger wheel. Also, to arrive, a quantity of IRON HURDLES. Apply to Mr. Jellicoe, Motueka.

He'd also been responsible for selling a partly erected horse driven flour mill in 1856, and making it clear that a flour mill was a necessary resource for the district: Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 99, 8 March 1856

MOTUEKA.
TO be SOLD, in consequence of the Proprietor returning to England, a LEASEHOLD COTTAGE and Six Acres of LAND, with nearly Two Acres of Bush adjoining, Orchard in full bearing, and Two Barns, Stockyard, and Outbuildings, prettily situated at the entrance of the Village of Motucka.
Also, a small FLOUR MILL, with Horse Mill for working the same, partly erected on the premises. The machinery is of very superior manufacture, and so arranged that its power can be used to work, in addition, a Circular Saw, Post-boring Machine, &c, &c.
A Flour Mill is much wanted in the district. Price for the two. £500; or the Cottage and Flour Mill will be sold separately, at £250 each. To a purchaser of the whole half the purchase-money may remain on mortgage. Immediate possession given.
F. Jellicoe, Motueka

A later version of the ad no longer said the mill was only partly erected: Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XV, Issue 3, 9 April 1856

TO be SOLD (the Proprietor returning to England), Nine Acres of FREEHOLD LAND, Six Acres of which are fenced in and in cultivation, well situated near Motueka; also, several pieces of FREEHOLD LAND, of Six Acres and upwards, adjoining; a Fifty-Acre Section of FREEHOLD LAND at the Moutere; and the LEASE, for 13 1/2 years, of SECTION 2SO, Moutere (this Section has a stream running through it, is partly fenced in and sown with grass, and will be sold at a moderate price, either with or without 160 Acres of Freehold Hill-land which joins it : together they form a small but capital Run). Also, a small FLOUR MILL, with Horse Mill for working the same : the machinery is of very superior manufacture, and so arranged that its power can bo used to work, in addition, a Circular Saw, Post-boring Machine, &c, &o.
F. Jellicoe, Motueka.

Associated people

• Frank Jellicoe