The Legend of Mt White Station

Description

The diverse and desolate country that makes up Mt White Station has held an irresistible allure for men for decades. Many have committed themselves to the extreme weather and isolation of the place only to finally admit defeat, while others have endured, raising families and forming bonds with their fellow station workers and the land itself. From the Riversdale flats to the Puketeraki and Dampier ranges on the Lochinvar estate in the Upper Waimakariri catchment, Mt White has been one of the most successful operating stations since the Long Depression of the 1880s. The Turnbull family, who live 200 kilometres away from the station, have owned Mt White for almost 100 years. The key to their success has no doubt been the careful appointment of skilled managers made of the right stuff to handle this volatile and isolated terrain. From the managers, musterers, shepherds, shearers, packmen, fencers, deer-cullers, cooks, cowboys and the wives and children who have worked and lived there, Mt White has certainly attracted its share of colourful characters and high country legends. This book pays homage to them and to the rugged and beautiful landscape of Mt White station.

GERALD SANDREY was raised on a South Canterbury farm and spent his life working on the land. After assisting with a few small fencing projects on Mt White, he became fascinated by the station and jumped at the opportunity to write its history.