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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Rev. Charles Daniel De Castro
Rev. Charles Daniel De Castro, who for about sixteen years was the Acting Chaplain of the Wellington Gaol, was born at Knightsbridge, near London, in 1832. Educated at private schools in England and France, and subsequently at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Mr. De Castro came to New Zealand in 1853 per ship “Cornwall,” landing in Wellington. After teaching a school for a short time, he settled in Porirua, where he engaged in farming pursuits, meeting with the usual experience of many of the early settlers, who went forth to subdue the land and fearlessly braved the hardships and dangers which fell to their lot. Entering the Civil Service in 1868, he was an officer of the Government till February, 1892, when he retired on pension. Mr. De Castro occupied a responsible position in the Treasury, having charge of the Trust and Loan Accounts till 1872. Parliament having constituted the Public Trust Office in that year the subject of this notice was transferred to the new department, in which he became Chief Clerk. He held this important office for many years and took a prominent part in the rapid development of this splendid New Zealand Institution, which has proved of such general utility. In 1875 he took holy orders under Bishop Hadfield, and since this time he has ever lent his assistance to the church of his choice without fee or reward. The reverend gentleman has been married three times: in 1853, to the youngest daughter of the late Mr. E. D. Salisbury, of Middleton, Lancashire, who died the following year; in 1855, to the third daughter of the late Doctor Knox, of Wellington. This lady died in September, 1889, leaving eight sons and six daughters. Three of Mr. De Castro's sons are in the Government service, two respectively in the Education and Government Insurance Departments, and the third as Deputy Commissioner of Stamps and Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court in Nelson. His eldest daughter is Mrs. T. S. Morpeth, of Auckland. The other daughters, with one exception page 390 are married and settled. The present Mrs. De Castro is a daughter of the late Mr. Edward Bull, of Dublin, proprietor and publisher of “The Warder” newspaper.