ACLAND, JOHN BARTON ARUNDEL (1823-1904), the first of the Aclands in New Zealand, was a scion of an old Devonshire family, the Dyke Aclands of Columb John. He was the sixth son of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 10th baronet of Killerton. His ancestor's house at Columb John was destroyed in the Cromwellian wars, and the Parliament fined him £3,000. Acland of Canterbury was born at Killerton, educated at Harrow and at Christ Church, Oxford. He graduated B.A. with honours in mathematics (1845) and in due course took his M.A. He proceeded to study law, was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn (1849) and entered into practice in London. Dissatisfied with his prospects at the bar, and not caring for London life, he spent his vacations in Switzerland, Norway, the Orkneys and Shetlands.

The Aclands had taken notice of the proposed Canterbury settlement through C. G. Tripp (q.v.), who in 1850 thought seriously of joining the Canterbury Association. Acland made the acquaintance of Godley, Fitzgerald, Selwyn, and Sir George Grey and decided to give up his practice and become a sheepfarmer in New Zealand. He and Tripp took passage in the Royal Stuart, which sailed from London in Oct 1854, and reached Lyttelton in the first week of 1855. As soon as possible they made a journey through north Canterbury as far as the Conway river, visiting many stations. Acland went as cadet to H. J. Tancred at Malvern Hills, and Tripp to W. J. Burke at Halswell. In Mar they went with Burke carrying stores by bullock dray to his station on the Opihi; and in the spring they set out to look for country up the Rangitata and Ashburton rivers. In May 1856 they started their own station at Mount Peel, and during the next three or four years increased their holding to about 250,000 acres, including Mount Peel, Mount Somers, Mount Possession, and Orari Gorge. They were the first runholders in Canterbury who conceived that the hill country overlooking the plains could be successfully stocked with sheep. As all the lower country had already been taken up they made extended explorations up the gorges of the Rangitata, Ashburton, and Orari rivers, and burned a good deal of country in preparation for their occupation. Mount Peel carried 4,100 sheep in 1857 and 2,700 the following year. It was another ten years before the back part of this station was stocked by Acland himself.

Acland and Tripp, coming from traditional land-owning families in England, understood the duty and the policy of encouraging their employees to settle down and bring up their families on the property. They built cottages for the men and encouraged them to deal in stock on their own account and to become landowners. Acland in 1868 erected a stone church at Mount Peel capable of seating 80 persons. In 1862 they dissolved the partnership. Acland took the Mount Peel property of 100,000 acres which he had named Holnicote, after the family seat in Somersetshire (1856). While paying close attention to his run, he always found time to do what one in his position regarded as his public duty. He never stood for the Provincial Council, but he took a leading part in the affairs of his own locality and of the colony. On his suggestion the first agricultural show was held (1859). He wished it to be on his property at Mount Peel, but the northern stockowners objected to driving their animals so far, and the meeting was held at Benjamin Moorhouse's station at the Rangitata.

Early in 1864 Acland was elected a member of the Geraldine road board. Next year Weld, wishing to have a representative of south Canterbury in the Legislative Council, nominated Acland, and he remained an active member for 34 years until advancing age prompted him to resign (1899). He was chairman of the Mount Peel road board from its inception in 1870 until 1900. He was a fellow of Christ's College (1873-78), a member of the board of governors of Canterbury College, and of the senate of the University of New Zealand, from which he retired to visit England (1877). He was one of the founders of the Christchurch Club. Acland was prominent in the councils of the Church of England, of which he was always a devout supporter. As a licensed lay-reader he preached regularly at Mount Peel and Peel Forest. He was for many years a member of both the diocesan and the general synod and was mainly responsible for the erection of the church at Fendalton. Acland married (1860) Emily Weddell, eldest daughter of Bishop Harper. He died on 18 May 1904 (see W. EMPSON).

Col. Gent.; Acland; Scholefield in The Press, 5 Jul 1930 (p); The Press, 19 May 1904.

Reference: Volume 1, page 17

🌳 Further sources