Newspaper Article – Tribute to a pioneer

TRIBUTE TO A PIONEER

LATE MR WILLIAM NELSON AND FREEZING INDUSTRY

A memorial to commemorate the life and work of the late Mr William Nelson, founder of the export freezing industry in Hawke’s Bay, is being planned for the Waikoko gardens at the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s showgrounds, said the president of the society, Mr Lachlan Maclean, to-day.

Mr Nelson, in partnership with Mr J.N. Williams, established a boiling-down work at Tomoana in 1881 and, after experiments with refrigeration had proved successful, they converted the boiling-down works into a freezing works, said Mr Maclean. This marked the establishment of the freezing industry in this province, and the first shipment of 9008 carcases of mutton left Napier on the Turakina early in 1884. “From this small beginning the industry has expanded until it is now a vital component of the life blood of the province,” he said.

Another phase of Mr Nelson’s activities in developing the primary production potential of Hawke’s Bay was his direct association with many properties throughout the province. He, or the company, had an interest in many well-known Hawke’s Bay stations. He was guide, philosopher and friend to the farmers of Hawke’s Bay, many of whom owed their success in life to his judgment and guidance.

INTEREST IN EDUCATION

The work of Mr Nelson extended far beyond the land and its produce, continued Mr Maclean. Education was one of his interests and he was instrumental in founding the Heretaunga School, which was opened in 1882 and afterwards transferred to Havelock North, the name eventually being changed to Hereworth. He also helped to establish Woodford House, of which he was chairman of directors.

Mr Nelson, who died in 1932, made his home at Waikoko, continued Mr Maclean, and the house, surrounded by lawns, shrubberies and trees, is now part of the showgrounds and has helped make them one of the most beautiful of their kind in New Zealand.

Members of the society were anxious to perpetuate the memory of Mr Nelson, concluded Mr Maclean, and a memorial was to be built in the Waikoko gardens. A public appeal has been launched to raise funds for the purpose and particulars concerning it are advertised elsewhere in this issue.

“The late Mr Nelson was a great pioneer,” said Mr Maclean. “We should commemorate the services of such men, and I therefore trust the people of Hawke’s Bay will subscribe to the fund and thus show their appreciation of his outstanding service to both Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand.”