Settler period The Ashley Clinton area was acquired by the Government from the local
Maori in the 1850s and consists of part of the Ruahine, Ruataniwha and Makaretu Blocks. Ashley Clinton's name was most likely derived from
Ashley Clinton Estate,
Hampshire, England. A primary school, Ashley Clinton School, was established in the main village in 1876 but has since closed. Its school hall was the centre for community functions, meetings, and gathering. In 1883 a Post Office was opened in Ashley Clinton. The Government named it Makeritu, which caused confusion with mail being occasionally misdirected. Makaretu, another small settlement nearby was seeking its own Post Office at this time but was declined as it was thought that they already had one due to the name similarity. The issue was raised with the Government, with both Makaretu and Ashley Clinton asking that the Post Office's name be changed to Ashley Clinton. The Post Office was renamed in January 1885. There was a store run by a Mr Loye at Ashley Clinton in 1883.
Fires, bush fires, and a fired teacher In 1886 the school teacher, Charles Morton's, house was burnt down. The house also contained the community library which was also destroyed. The house and library were replaced in 1887. That same year horse racing (hurdles) was held at Ashley Clinton. The great
Norsewood fire of 1888 destroyed two houses. Another bush fire passed by Ashley Clinton in 1895 but caused no damage to infrastructure there. Another severe fire passed through the area in February 1896 destroying a number of settlers' homes along with the school house and a number of bridges in the surrounding district. These continued to plague the area with bush fires being reported as late as 1938. Later in 1896 the school headmaster was initially involved in an altercation with one of the school committee members, and was given notice by the Education Board. This brought about a court case appealing the decision — the first such appeal under the then new Public-School Teachers Incorporation and Court of Appeal Act 1895.
Development A telephone service was installed in 1891. In 1893 the W Morton and Co sawmill was upgraded and offered more employment in the area. The mill, renamed as James Smith and Co. sawmill in 1895, was closed on 31 March 1896. Some time prior to 1893 a hall, Durham Hall, was constructed in Ashley-Clinton and used for various gatherings. Through this time a coach service ran from Ashley Clinton to
Takapau. By 1895 a butcher and a blacksmith had taken up residence in the immediate area, and a
rugby club was formed. Rabbits had become a significant pest in the area with the Ashley Clinton Rabbit Association being formed in 1896 with the aim of eradicating them.
Since 1900 By the early 1900s Ashley Clinton had a miniature rifle club and a lawn tennis club. This was later followed by a Ladies Institute. In 1912 the former store and post office were replaced. In 1921 a glass war memorial was installed at Ashley Clinton Memorial dedicated to the five local men killed in
World War I. In 1971 drilling was carried out by Beaver Exploration (New Zealand) Limited at Ashley Clinton,
Takapau, and
Ongaonga. Small pockets of natural gas were found. In 2013, residents of Black Road launched a campaign to have the road sealed. ==Demographics==