Maker: Liz Kennedy

Panel number: 264

Petition sheet number: 320

Person honouring: S [Susan] Costello

Relationship to maker: Great-grandmother

Susan Mary Costello was the first successful applicant in the ballot for properties in the Starborough Settlement Ballot of 1899. Under the Lands for Settlement Act 1892, the government bought up estates and then offered smallholdings for lease by ballot. 

Susan was born in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland in 1856. With her husband William James Costello, she sailed for New Zealand on the Edwin Fox.

They lived at Grovetown in Marlborough – when Susan signed the petition, she gave her address as Old Renwick Road, Blenheim. She and William had seven children between 1880 and 1892.

Reporting on the ballot for the sections, The Marlborough Express, 16 March 1899 noted “The first successful applicant was Mrs Costello, and the announcement was greeted with applause”. The article continues, “First Class Agricultural Land, Clifford Bay Survey District. Block IX, Section 2, 260 acres, half yearly rent 45 pounds, four shillings, and sixpence; nine applicants – Susan Mary Costello, Blenheim”.

The family grew barley on their holding and all five sons and two daughters became hard-working farmers. Susan died in 1925 and was buried at Omaka cemetery, as was William.

Panel materials: Bed sheeting with the design stitched in stranded cotton. The 46 crosses are stitched in a fine metallic gold thread. All materials are from my own collection.