Para station was opened in August 1876 to provide for a small sawmilling town here. The area consisted mostly of just one bush farm owned by Captain Baillie. He sold the sawmilling rights to a contractor who built houses for his workforce, creating a small community. The Baillie's large, eight bedroom house took on a role similar to that of the local manor. His thirteen year old daughter taught reading and writing to the children and adults of the community, Baillie himself provided first aid and basic surgical services and the homestead was often used for communal entertainments such as magic lantern shows.
There is some confusion as to the origin of the name. Sherwood writes in an article in the local paper in 1903 on the origin of various Marlborough place names that "para" means sediment. Barrer in 1966 agrees, but says that para also means courage or ardour, but also half of a split log, to cut bush, or to fell trees. She thinks this latter definition is more likely, given the local sawmilling. I am inclined to agree. Still not answered, though, is whether the farm was named after the swamp or if the swamp was named after the farm.
Para Station was, believe it or not, just across the railway from the cache, as shown in the lower photo below. The station was closed in December of 1937 and no evidence of it or its platform remains. The building lived on for a few more years as a hay shed just 150 metres from here, but there is no evidence left of that either.
In July of 1911 heavy rainfall resulted in flooding. The road from Para to Koromiko was over two metres under water. A engine and two carriages ran off the rails, the engine toppling over. No significant injuries to passengers or crew. The passengers spent the night in the carriages with locals doing what they could - helping out with food, blankets and a gramaphone. The next morning alternative transport was arranged and the passengers completed their trip to Picton, a day late, but with interesting stories to tell!
The people in the brick house know about the cache and will be playing Spot-The-Geocacher. Alas although I visited the white house a number of times, they were not home. If they talk to you, please let them know what geocaching is and what this particular cache celebrates.
Tracks are for trains. Stay off the rails!
Sunday School outing. Baillie homestead in background.
Para,1890s.
References:
Barrer, N.A.R: "The Misty Isle", published by Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd, 1966
Marlborough Express Supplement, 12 September 1903
Marlborough Express, 26 July 1911
Scoble, J: "Names and Opening and Closing Dates of Railway Stations", published by the Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand, 2010
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