Swamps, sandflies and settlers, Feilding and the Manchester Block, the European settler families by Janet Doyle and Dorothy Pilkington. 

Another Feilding & Districts Community Archive project.  A new edition of the book first published in 2000, extensively updated with new research, and histories of more families who were brought to Feilding by the Emigrant and Colonist's Aid Corporation 1874-1879.  Short histories of businessmen who settled in the area during those years are included.  Both a comprehensive surname index, and a general index have been added. 

The book costs $39.00 (plus postage if required).  Copies are available at the Coach House Museum, or by email order to the link below.

Hearths and Feilding Families, by Marilyn Wightman and Stevie Dallenger

The history of Feilding told through 45 houses and homes of early Feilding people. Recalling the life and times of an earlier era the book includes  different  building designs and styles of the late 19^th century (1874-1899).

Researched and written by staff of the Feilding & Districts Community Archive, this book is priced at $41.00 (plus postage) and is available in person at the Coach House Museum, or by email order via the link below.

Makino Memories

Compiled by Robyn Corpe and Ngaire Stantiall in 2001, this popular book tells the stories of the settlement just north of Feilding township that began in 1880 with the intention that this new town would eventually grow to be the main population area of Manawatu. There was the attraction of eventually owning a 40 acre block of land to farm which encouraged families to flock to this district. Initially sawmills offered the most employment and a small settlement of shops and stores began.  The chief employment industry was to be the Makino Butter factory established by William Wescombe Corpe.

Full of photos and images this comprehensive book gives accounts of the early families that settled in the area. It was reprinted in 2019 by the Coach House Museum and the new edition now has an index. Price is $39.00 (plus postage) and it is available in person from the museum, or by email order via the link below.

This comprehensive account of the beginnings of the wider Manawatu District relied on early newspaper reports as well as first-hand accounts of some early settlers.  Beginning as a philanthropic society in England, it had the financial backing of gentry who were endeavouring to resettle people and move them away from Europe where economical upheaval and unemployment had resulted from the industrial revolution. They sent out General Feilding (in 1871 a Colonel) as their appointed representative to negotiate with the New Zealand Government to purchase a suitable area of land for development.

The Manawatu area was chosen and the main settlement became known as Feilding, named after the family who were part of the scheme. The books gives an account of the arrival of the first settlers in 1874 and the progress made over the next decades.  The book has been reprinted and is only available from the Coach House Museum. Price is $25.00 (plus postage).