NAIRN, CHARLES JAMES (1822-94), came to New Zealand in the London (Dec 1840). His father, John Nairn, and brothers came in the William Bryan to New Plymouth in 1841. Nairn spent some time prospecting all over New Zealand for good grazing country. In 1850-51, with C. J. Pharazyn, he explored the whole of the South Island, spending some weeks in south Otago. On 27 Oct 1851 they wrote to the Superintendent of Otago reporting that they had picked up auriferous quartz on the property of Charles Suisted at Goodwood, north Otago. In 1848 John Nairn took up a station in the Patangata district, Hawkes Bay, and six years later they purchased from Lockwood and Tiffen the Omakere property of 50,000 acres. They imported some of the first shorthorn cattle into Hawkes Bay. Nairn was a member of the Patangata county council and chairman of the Patangata road board. He married a daughter of Thomas Wright (Boston, Lincolnshire). At his death, which occurred on 21 Jul 1894, he bequeathed to the Church of England land valued at £10,000.

Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); N.Z.C.; Mantel papers in Alexander Turnbull Library; Pyke; Beattie, ii; Playne; Hawkes Bay Herald, 22 Jul 1894.

Reference: Volume 2, page 60

🌳 Further sources