 Life in Nelson was hard for the colonists . The company had limited finances and tightened its expenditure which affected the salaries of its employees . In 1844 , it had to halt its operations for a time . Although Nelson had 300 landowners , nearly two thirds were absentee owners and only 80 actually lived in the town . Brunner lived at <unk> , a nearby village , and , in addition to carrying out survey work along the Motueka River , helped in the design and building of houses in the area . He ended his service with the company in August 1844 . 
