Napier

Napier was first settled around 1830 by a disbanded group of British military officers who were veterans of the Napoleonic Wars. At the time the British military's practise was to reward combat veterans and retired officers with land grants, in part as payment for service and as a means of reintegrating back back into civilian life. By 1838 the new settlers were well established and had already opened a school, church and military academy, which proved to be a major attraction. Early settlers included a Captain Beer, Edward Blake, Samuel Preston and Sergeant Major John Arthurs.