A new chapter in the life of an historic south Westland homestead will be written when the Ferguson family farm is sold for the first time in nearly 150 years.
The historic property, including a 297ha home and a separate 68ha support block at Mikonui, has been listed for sale with Bayleys unless sold prior to deadline on November 7.
It follows the death of the Jim Ferguson at the age of 92 in March.
Jim was the son of George and Irene (Butler) Ferguson and grandson of pioneer Samuel George Ferguson, who settled in South Westland in 1873.
The family went on to have a significant impact on the life of the West Coast in a number of spheres.
Jim was one of a family of nine, seven boys and two girls, which included eldest brother Mackley who went on to found Ferguson Bros in the 1940s, George Ferguson who settled at Waipuna, and Jack who started retail meat in Hokitika.
At Fergusons Bush, Samuel Ferguson built a large two-storey home in the early 1880s which was set up as a licensed hotel with accommodation, known as Ferngrove.
The hotel closed its doors in the late 1940s and was eventually replaced by the home on the farm where Jim Ferguson resided until his death.
In 2015, at the age of 88, Jim was still working the farm and told the Greymouth Star he still had his "finger on the pulse."
The sale notice describes the property as an opportunity to continue with the current beef breeding and finishing operation.
It was well enough developed to suit a dairy support operation.
- Brendon McMahon
