To a small child gazing east across the green expanse of Carrington Park, it appeared there was a ship, two chimneys billowing, sailing south it was a puzzle as to why it never seemed to make any progress!

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This ‘ship’ was, in fact, the Wairarapa Brick and Tile Works, an enterprise that contributed much to the development of Wairarapa farmland and urban boroughs.

The Wairarapa Brick, Tile and Drain Pipe Company Limited was founded in 1899 by 18 Carterton settlers who took up shares of £100 each. This initial outlay purchased 11 acres of land in Rutland Road, Carterton, “up to date machinery” and substantial buildings, including a large kiln. The total cost was £3,000 and further shares, 200 at £5 each, allowed less affluent locals to contribute to this much needed industry. It subsequently became a limited Liability Company.

In the late 1900s more Wairarapa land was wanted by settlers to further develop arable and pastoral land. Swamps and wetlands were deemed ‘wasteland’ at that time and extensive drainage was taking place to extend settlers ‘useful’ land. For this purpose settlers purchased drainage pipes and tiles from as far away as Auckland and Christchurch and the cost of rail transportation and inevitable breakages made it an expensive exercise.

Also at that time Wairarapa boroughs were developing and the urban populations growing. Initially totara slab was used to construct wooden culverts in townships but totara was becoming scarce, had a limited life span in culverts and blockages often occurred. Glazed pipes would overcome all these issues. 

Furthermore, bricks were required locally for constructing sturdy public and private buildings. 

Previously there had been at least two brickworks in Carterton prior to the establishment of the Wairarapa Brick, Tile and Drain Pipe Company; Ridgeway-Field Brickworks and Kiddie Brick Works. 

Ridgeway-Field Brick Works was established behind Ridgeway’s cottage, which still stands at 281 High Street South opposite Brooklyn Road. Ridgeway and Field manufactured bricks at the site from 1866-1867, 1875-1876 and 1880-1881.

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Wairarapa Brick, Tile and Field Company

Sources:

• https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WDT19030507.2.18#print 

• https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WDT19000320.2.18#print 

• http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d36-d11.html 

• http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d36-d11.html

• http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d36-d11.html

• https://masterton.spydus.co.nz/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/TRN/WPAC/ARCENQ/91710371/?SEL=39822965