Antipodean Empire the New Zealand and Australian Land Company in New Zealand SIGNED BY Noel Crawford.

Antipodean Empire the New Zealand and Australian Land Company in New Zealand SIGNED personal inscription BY Noel Crawford.

Publisher: Henry Elworthy Publishers, 2018, First Edition. SCARCE. Hardback with jacket in excellent near new condition.

Antipodean Empire describes the purchase of the large properties in South Island New Zealand this Scottish company made, and how the extensive borrowings from Scottish banks to do this by the company founder, James Morton, led to the collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank in 1878, one of the worst bank collapses in 19th century Britain. Following Morton, the new General Manager, William Davidson, led the company to establish New Zealand's frozen meat and export dairy industries, and by developing the vast areas the company owned, made the Land Company into New Zealand's, and also Australia's, largest farming operations by the late 19th century. A history is given of each of the company's properties, also a detailed account of how each was eventually divided and sold to farmer settlers. ""Antipodean Empire"" is illustrated with many historic photos and maps and a colour photo section. 424 pages, illustrated.

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