The bicycle was an Ariel model from Coventry, England.
Douglas took six days to complete the journey and took the west coast route which meant travelling over the Rimutaka ranges, and fording rivers and streams. He also had to pass through the Forty Mile Bush in the Wairarapa, which was muddy and cut up by drays.
On the last day of the journey, Douglas completed 64km against a strong head wind to reach the McLean's townhouse on Scinde Island (Napier Hill). When he arrived, he was said to have "suffered a little from exhaustion".
The bicycle is on display at MTG Hawke's Bay, and was gifted by Lady McLean in 1940.
It was commented by the Evening Post, which had received notice of Douglas' arrival by telegram, that with good roads and bridges, "the journey can be easily achieved in three or four days".
Douglas was a kind hearted and generous man. It was standard practice to give swaggers (itinerant farm workers who travelled by foot from farm to farm, some of whom could be trouble) who called into the station, without question, food for tea and breakfast and a bunk to sleep on. In the cottage set aside for swagmen, there could be up to 20 per night staying.
He assisted employees into their own farms on the property, by occasionally selling blocks for small farming.
Douglas at his own expense, built a community hall and church at Maraekakaho.
On the bicycle in the photo is Douglas' only son, Algernon.
Algernon would serve in World War I with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and he was severely wounded in Ypres in October 1914. He died in 1923 as a result of his war wounds in a private hospital in Napier.
Douglas McLean and his wife were in England during the war, and it is reported he funded the war effort with £5000 (2018: $772,000) of his money, including sponsoring two ambulances. He also gave his time in serving, such as for the Walton Hospital , New Zealand Contingent Association, New Zealand Soldiers' Hostel and the Royal Colonial Institute.
Due to his war service and contributions, Douglas was knighted in 1927.
Throughout his life he took active part in public service, including representing Napier from 1896 to 1899 in the House of Representatives. Douglas also served on the Hawke's Bay County Council and Hawke's Bay Hospital Board, as well a taking active parts in agricultural and pastoral societies.
Due to the reforms of the Liberal government in the 1890s, Douglas voluntarily sold off significant parts of his property into smaller lots. Upon his death in 1929, Maraekakaho Station was further broken up, with Lady McLean retaining only a small orchard. After the land sales, there were around 60 farms on the original Maraekakaho block.
Douglas' will made generous provision for over 20 employees of Maraekakaho Station and a year's wages for those who had worked for him for five or more years. Children who were born on the station were also provided for.
His fortune at death was estimated at £750,000 ($74 million), but substantial estate duties were paid out of this to the government.
Douglas had gifted some land for the war memorial in Maraekakaho, and this has been in the family until 2017, when it was gifted to the Hastings District to become a historical reserve.
Sir Douglas McLean is buried on Napier Hill, along with his father, Sir Donald, and his son Algernon.
Signed copies of Michael Fowler's Historic Hawke's Bay book are only available from the Hastings Community Art Centre, Russell St South, Hastings for $65 or by emailing mfhistory@gmail.com
Michael Fowler FCA (mfhistory@gmail.com) is a chartered accountant, contract researcher and writer of Hawke's Bay's history.
