REDWOOD, HENRY (1822-1907) was born at Tixall, in Staffordshire, and was the son of Henry Redwood (q.v.), with whom he came to Nelson in the George Fyfe (1842). After farming with his father at Waimea, he took up a large farm at Spring Creek (1863), where he established a flourmill (1865). In 1863 he was elected to the Provincial Council for Waimea West, which he represented till 1869, being a member of the executive (1865-67). Brought up amongst horses, he owned and rode a mare called Tixall Lass, and other horses before coming to Nelson. His farm at Spring Creek became famous not only as an agricultural estate, but also from the fine horses that he bred there. Hedgford, his father's place at Waimea, was cropped heavily and cultivated by the most modern methods. At Spring Creek the son kept up the tradition, being one of the first settlers to use the traction engine, steam plough and reaper and binder.

In 1865, when he moved to Marlborough, he transferred the stables and stud from Hedgford to Spring Creek, where he had many years of success on the turf. Redwood began his stud with seven imported stallions (including Sir Hercules) and 20 mares. Amongst the horses which he bred or owned were Manuka, Strop, Peeress, Lurline, Bay Middleton, Zoe, Zingara, Le Loup and Flora McIvor. He frequently took horses to race in Australia. Redwood was himself a fine horseman, and a first-class shot at deer and pigeons, winning many competitions in Australia and New Zealand as a gunshot. He also sailed his own yacht, the Torea. He was a member of the Nelson Provincial Council for Tuamarina (1868). He died on 9 Nov 1907.

Nelson P.C. Proc. 1863-69; Marlborough P.C., minutes, 1868; F. Redwood; Cycl. N.Z., v; Chadwick (p); Marlborough Express, 12, 13 Nov 1907.

Reference: Volume 2, page 108

🌳 Further sources