He explored the headwaters of several Canterbury rivers, helped by his background in cross-country running, a sport pioneered at his former school, Shrewsbury.
[5] After taking several trips into the Canterbury High Country finally settled on and successfully applied for Run No.
[3] He spent the following winter on the run with his stock, constructing his hut several miles up Forest Creek.
Butler expanded his holdings over the following years by acquiring neighboring runs and establishing the station.
[3] Butler ran the station for approximately four years before selling and returning to England with double his initial investment (£8,000).