William Spence Peter

William Spence Peter (1818 – 23 May 1891) was a pioneer pastoralist of South Australia and New Zealand, and a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council from 1868 to 1891.

Peter was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1818. His surname has been frequently misspelt as Peters, which sometimes led to confusion, but he was adamant it was Peter. In partnership with his brother (or cousin) Edward Peter, he arrived aged 19 at Adelaide, South Australia in January 1839 aboard the Indus.

Promptly making their way to New South Wales by sea, the Messrs. Peter there purchased 12,500 sheep from the celebrated flocks of Icely & Co. and then in June 1840 successfully overlanded these from Bathurst to Adelaide. Unlike some overlanders, they had no conflict with Aboriginal people along the route, which they were proud of. They were also proud that their flocks, mostly kept on and around the River Light, were scab free.

The partners then took up pastoralist occupation licences at various locations in the lower Mid North, turning their flocks out onto these unfenced runs under the care of wandering shepherds. Their first head station, established in 1840, was on the Light River just east of Marrabel, on present Tarnma Road. At this period Peters Hill, a prominent peak on their runs, east of present Riverton, was named after them. W.S. Peter is listed in a government return of 1841 as the fifth largest sheep holder in the Province, the first being the South Australian Company.

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