The early
colonial years of the Nelson region (c.1840-60) is a tale of hard work, extreme hardship and at one
point, near famine. Despite the uncertainties and broken promises of the New Zealand
Company programme, industrious settlers soon turned the tide and within two decades of
establishment, began to reap the fruits of their investment in this region. By the
mid-1850s Nelson town and port had been built along with connecting roads, farm land had been
cleared, country villages established and the population had grown to about 10,000
inhabitants. Shipping came from all over the world and there were seldom fewer than
two or three ships in port.
With an expected growth in commercial and population growth, local businessmen
became frustrated with the lack of attention given by the Provincial Government to matters of
commerce. Chambers of Commerce had long been established in England and in the early 1850s
a Chamber was developed in Sydney. Following these models, the first meeting of the
Nelson Chamber of Commerce was held in 1858 and soon became ‘of great service in watching over the
mercantile interests of the province’.
At
a local level, the Chamber provided a network of support for entrepreneurs and business leaders in
the region. In particular, the Chamber provided opportunities for beneficial co-operation
between businesses. At a regional and national level, The Chamber was a co-ordinated
‘voice’, effectively lobbying Provincial Government, and later, the Nelson Provincial Council for
important changes in the region. What made the Chamber so effective however, was the
exceptional character of its membership and the significant role they played in the development of
the region.
Many of the
early Chamber of Commerce members were actively involved in promoting and running prospecting
companies. They were later to become prominent historical figures and their descendants
were inheritors of not only the family business, but also the civic responsibilities of their
forebears. There are, for example, interesting connections between the history of the
Chamber and The Suter. Joseph Cock was a founding member of the Chamber and his son
of the same name, was one of the first trustees of The Suter. In 1922, Mrs J.H. Cock
donated the magnificent watercolour of Wangapeka Valley by John Gully which is included in this
exhibition. The Fell family were also involved with both organisations: Alfred Fell
was the Chamber’s first President, Charles Y. Fell was a founding trustee of The Suter (and painter
of note, whose work is represented in The Suter’s collection). The Fell family also
gifted art works to the collection. Tellingly, this spirit has continued through to
the present day with past Chamber President, Sari Hodgson 1995-1997 currently holding the position
of the Bishop Suter Art Gallery Trust Board Chair.
From the past to the present day, these relationships exemplify the wide
reaching interests of business in the creation of a wealthy community.