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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Old Colonists, Ex-Civil Servants, And Other Settlers

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Old Colonists, Ex-Civil Servants, And Other Settlers.

By far the greater portion of those who might very fittingly be grouped under the above heading are already included in this volume, as being connected with one or more of the various sections already dealt with. There are, however, many worthy colonists who are best known as colonists only. Some have done a great deal of hard work for the people, and it is fitting that in a work of this kind some mention of them should be made. It is confidently expected that in future issues this section will be greatly increased. It is manifest that for a first volume the difficulties of reaching these classes are great. Not being actively engaged in mercantile or political affairs, they are unfortunately too easily overlooked. Readers, therefore, are asked to excuse any omissions that may have occurred; and the compilers will thankfully receive from subscribers or others any information relative to prominent colonists whom they have missed. It is by no means their intention to overlook anyone who has a reasonable claim to inclusion. All who have in any way assisted to develop the wonderful resources of this favoured Colony have a special claim to recognition in this most interesting section of The Cyclopedia of New Zealand.

Mr. David Bell, one of New Zealand's old soldiers, was born in Kerry, Ireland, in 1838, his father being a soldier in the 65th regiment. Leaving school at fifteen, Mr Bell enlisted in his father's regiment, being sent to London and Afterwards to Portsmouth. He was in the Isle of Wight when a draft from the 65th and 58th regiments was sent from the depôt to New Zealand. The detachment—of which Mr. Bell was one—arrived in Auckland in June, 1854, by the ship “Egmont,” and was sent on to Wellington, Mr. Bell joining the band of the regiment. When the 65th regiment was called to Auckland, to relieve the 58th regiment, recalled to England, he remained in New Zealand, and returning to Auckland, was sent to the front when war broke out in Taranaki. After some active service, his company was ordered back to Auckland to reinforce the garrison till the arrival of the 14th regiment from England, after which he was sent to the front, where he remained till the difficulty was settled. He served under General Cameron in the Auckland campaign, being engaged in making roads from Drury to the Queen's Redoubt and Waikato River in the Waikato district. Mr. Bell was amongst those chosen for the well-known Flying Column, which, with, such officers as Colonel Nixon, Major Walmsley, Captain Pye, Ensign (now Lieut-Colonel) McDonnell, and the famous Von Tempsky, kept the means of communication open in difficult times in the Waikato. He also saw active service at the Queen's Redoubt, Pokono Hill, I'e Awamutn, Dtahuhu, the Gate Pah, and at other engagements. When peacs was proclaimed in Te Awamutu and Waikato the officers reformed the Band, Mr. Bell being appointed Band Sergeant and Band Master. They also offered to send Mr. Bell, on the regiment's return to England, to Weller Hall Military School of Music for three years at their own expense to improve his knowledge. Mr. Bell, however, declined the offer, and took his discharge at Otahuhu when peace was declared. He became Band master of the Wellington City and Wanganui No. 1 Rifles Bands. He was presented on public parade with a Baritone instrument by the late Licutenant-Colonel Reader, and was promoted from Band Master to a Commission as Ensign and afterwards to the post of Lieutenant. Coming to Wellington he secured an appointment in the chief Post Office, which he held for about four years. In 1869 Mr. Bell went into business as a grain and produce merchant in Willis Street Afterwards he started hotel-keeping in Waipawa, where he continued for two years. Coming back to Wellington, he began business as a general carrier, founding a line of coaches to Island Bay In 1895 he had a short experience as licensee of the Island Bay notel. Mr. Bell, who is a widower with three sons and four daughters now resides at No 9, Moir Street, Wellington.

Mr. John Blackett, M. Inst., C.E., was born at Newcastle on-Tyne in 1818, and died at Wellington on the 8th of January, 1893. Mr. Blackett studied engineering with Messrs. R. and W. Hawthorne from 1834 to 1841, and then became draughtsman and office engineer to the Great Western Steamship Company, 1841–44; he was head engineer in iron ship-building and railway work with T. R. Guppy, A.I.C.E., 1844–46; engineer to the Governor and Company of Copper Mines at Cwm Avon, South Wales, 1846–48; page 767 Mr. John Blackett and from that year up to 1851 he practised as a private engineer, and then emigrated to New Zealand, and lived for some time in Taranaki. In 1859 he was appointed provincial engineer at Nelson, where he did good service in opening up the country towards the West Coast, and in Marlborough and Amuri districts, then parts of the Nelson province; from 1864–66 he was Commissioner of the Nelson South West Goldfields during the great rush. In this capacity he held supreme power as administrator, resident magistrate, warden, and head of the police, etc., over the districts now covered by the Grey Valley, north of that river, and the Inangahua and Buller counties, at a time when the population was large and the revenue from miner's rights and gold duty enormous. The Nelson Government wisely gave Mr. Blackett a free hand to spend this money in roads, bridges, and administration, and the brightest days of the goldfields where when he in a modest, unpretentious, yet firm and always considerate manner, was practically the dictator over some 8000 miners, among whom were many turbulent spirits, and not a few criminals. In 1870, when the public works policy was initiated, he became acting engineer-in-chief of the Colony, and had a busy time of it in the early days of railway construction and other public works; and it required a man of his magnificent physique to stand the strain of his West Coast experiences and pioneer work in the first year or two of the developments of public works in New Zealand. His wide knowledge in all branches of engineering led to his appointment as marine engineer in 1871. In 1878 he was made engineer-in-charge of the North Island, a similar positon. being held by Mr. W. N. Blair in the South Island, This arrangement continued until 1884, when Mr. Blackett became engineer-in-chief of the Colony and Mr. Blair assistant. In 1890 Mr. Blackett, who had then seen over thirty years service in the Colony, went Home as consulting angineer of the Government and Mr. Blair took his place, but died on the 4th of May, 1891. Mr. Blackett returned to the Colony, and, his health failing, he retired from the service on the 31st of October, 1892, and died three months later. His eldest son George, who had risen to the position of district engineer in Nelson, died in 1885.

Mr. William Robert Edward Brown, the ex-Registrar-General and the only surviving son of the late Major E. Brown, 86th Regiment, was born at Reading, Berks, England, in 1830, and was educated in Jersey, Schaffhausen, and the London University College School. When twenty-five years of age he sailed with his wife, a daughter of the rector of Keynsham, near Bath, for New Zealand, arriving in Wellington in December, 1855. Turning his attention to farming pursuits, Mr. Brown bought a homestead near Johnsonville, where he lived till 1874, subsequently residing in Wellington. In 1863 he accepted the position of Clerk to the Bench at the District Court. Three years later he became Clerk to the District Court, Curator of Intestate Estates, and Inspector in Bankruptcy. Mr. Brown was appointed Secretary to the Premier and the Cabinet in 1869. Three years later he was gazetted Curator of Intestate Estates for the Colony. In 1873 Mr. Brown was appointed Registrar-General, which position he filled until 1892, when he retired from a lengthy service to the Colony on a pension. In 1860, at the time of the Maori War, Mr. Brown entered the militia as lieutenant, and four years later obtained the rank of captain. Mr. Brown is a member of the New Zealand Institute, He has a family of three sons and three daughters, all of whom are married and settled in Colony.

Mr. George Didsbury, who was for 29 years Government Printer at Wellington, was born in Windsor, New South Wales in 1839. When an infant, Mr. Didsbury came with his parents to Kororareka, Bay of Islands, where his father held several official positions. When the rebel chiefs, Hone Heke and Kawiti, raided that township, the Didsburys flew with others to H.M.S. “Hazard” for safety, and that vessel brought them to Auckland. Here Mr. George Didsbury was educated, and subsequently learned his trade. He was apprenticed to Messrs. Williamson and Wilson, New Zealander office, and very early in his career he was entrusted with the printing of Government documents, then printed at that office. When the Mr. George Didsbury page 768 Government printing contract went to the Southern Cross office, in 1861, Mr. Didsbury was placed in charge of that department, which he superintended till the Government erected their own plant. Mr Didsbury was then appointed second in command; and when Wellington became the seat of Government, and the Government Printing Office became permanently established there, Mr. Didsbury, at the age of twenty-six, became Government Printer. That he held that office for twenty-nine years, until his death, is the strongest testimony to his fitness for so important a post. The first Government Printing Office was a very small and inconvenient place. The next place occupied was burned down in 1891, it being succeeded by the present commodious premises. During the twenty-nine years of his service, Mr. Didsbury built for himself his monument—Blue Books, Hansard, statistics, official publications of all sorts. They are piled up in every office and every library, public and private, throughout the land; they are to be seen in other countries, too; and on each one occurs the monumental inscription, “George Didsbury, Government Printer, Wellington.” In the multiplicity of business, Mr. Didsbury found time to attend to other matters. He was a director of the Gear Meat Company and the Palmerston North Gas Company. He was popular in local pastimes, and a member of the Wellington Bowling Club. As a vestryman, churchwarden, and nominator, he was one of the most valued office-bearers of St. Peter's Church. He was also a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Didsbury was twice married. His second wife, who survives him, was the second daughter of Mr. Henry Holmden, one of Auckland's earliest settlers. The family consists of five sons and two daughters. Mr. Didsbury died on the 20th of April 1893.

Mr. George Dixon, the well-known Aerated Water and Cordial Manufacturer, lost his life at sea from the s.s. “Taiaroa,” during a severe gale in June, 1883, while on his return from a business tour in Auckland, at the early age of thirty-five. Born in Sheffield in 1818, he accompanied his father, the late Mr. Edward Dixon, to Wellington when about five years old. The successful business—now conducted by Mr. George Dixon's widow—was founded, as described on page 611, by Mr. Edward Dixon immediately on his arrival in the Colony. For a number of years the subject of Mr. George Dixon this notice was his father's principal assistant, helping greatly by his energy and industry to build up the business until it became prominent throughout New Zealand. In 1875 Mr. Dixon commenced business on his own account at Thorndon, but in the year following he purchased his father's business. He conducted a growing trade with remarkable energy and success, and by his genial disposition and straightforward character gained the esteem of all those with whom he came in contact. In the welfare of the Oddfellows Society, M.U., Mr. Dixon took a great interest, filling various offices in the Loyal Britannia Lodge with credit to himself, and with advantage to the order. By his zeal, earnestness and urbanity of deportment, he won the respect of his fellow officers and the brethren of the order. He had the honour—as Provincial Grand Master—of welcoming His Excellency Sir William Jervois on his arrival as Governor of New Zealand in 1883. For some years Mr. Dixon was a member of the Pacific Lodge of the masonic fraternity. With unusual kindliness of heart, he was a good friend to many in time of need, who sincerely mourned his early death.

Mr. Jacob Joseph has a very strong claim to be included in the list of prominent colonists. He has passed over half a century in Wellington, has taken part in almost everyventure for the development of the district, and is one of the largest property-owners in the Colony. Mr. Joseph was born in London on the 13th of December, 1819, and was educated in the Metropolis. When he was fifteen he left with his parents for Sydney, per ship “John Craig.” Here he stayed till 1842, when his history in this Colony began. Almost immediately Mr. Joseph joined Mr. Samuel (father of Mr. Samuel, now so well known in Wellington), under the style of Samuel and Joseph, general merchants. After some ten or twelve successful years, Mr. Joseph took a trip Home; but the somewhat page 769 sudden death of his partner considerably hastened his return. In 1862 Mr. Joseph Nathan was admitted to a partnership, which lasted till 1872 under the style of Jacob Joseph and Co. The first brick warehouse in Wellington was built by Mr. Joseph. It was not erected till after the heavy earthquakes of 1855, and it was deemed advisable to make the walls nearly thirty inches thick. There have been a good many more shocks since its erection, but it remains—a fine solid structure. It is at present occupied by Messrs. Edward Reeves and Co. The last warehouse which Mr. Joseph built for his own firm is the tallest building in Wellington, being of five lofty stories. On his retirement from business it was occupied by Messrs. Harcourt and Co. for some years, and is at present well known as the warehouse of the New Zealand Drug Company. It was erected by Mr. Thomas Turnbull, the architect, and a picture of it is given in connection with that gentleman's article. The subject of this sketch has had throughout a most prosperous career. There is no important street in the city in which he has not more or less of freehold property. In Willis Street Mr. Joseph is represented by Messrs. Myers and Son' large brick warehouse, and the three adjoining shops; in Victoria Street by the three-story brick warehouse of Messrs. Myers and Son, and the still larger building of Messrs. Birnbaum and Son; in Lambton Quay by the Drug Company's building and three or four shops and warehouses adjoining; by a row of shops near the Bank of New Zealand, and by the premises of Messrs. Hill and Sons, hatters; in Cuba Street by the Star and Garter Hotel and others; in Molesworth Street by several shops and houses; in Hobson Street by his own beautiful home, and in many other parts by landed properties of all kinds. Mr Joseph is to some extent interested in shipping, being part owner of the steamers “Stormbird” and “Huia.” His suburban and country properties include a half share with the widow of the late Mr. J. F. E. Wright in the Island Bay Estate of some six thousand acres; an estate at Dry River, in the Wairarapa, of eighteen thousand acres, stocked with as many sheep and 1400 head of cattle; a station called “The Knoll,” between Featherston and Martinborough, of two thousand acres, also well stocked; and the Island Bay Park and Racecourse. Mr. Joseph was made a J.P. about forty years ago, but resigned the office during recent years. From all politics he has entirely abstained. Mr. Joseph was one of the promoters of the Colonial Insurance Company, now merged into the Commercial Union Assurance Company, of which he is a director. His family numbers four—one son (Mr. Joseph Joseph), and three daughters, the eldest of whom is married to Mr. Walter Nathan, of Wellington.

Mr Henry Meech, one of the very earliest settlers in Wellington, was born in England, learning the trade of a shipwright in Portsmouth Docks. In 1836 he came to Australia as one of the carpenter's crew in H.M.S. “Buffalo,” which vessel arrived in Adelaide in December of that year. After the crew had erected houses for the Governor, the ship came to New Zealand, where for some months the men were engaged in procuring spars at Coromandei. After returning to England, Mr. Meech married and accompanied the first emigrants to Wellington in the ship “Oriental,” landing with his wife on the 1st of February, 1840. He was present at the hoisting of the British flag and the reading of the proclamation declaring the country a British colony, on the 4th of June of that year. For many years subsequently Mr. Meech worked at his trade in Wellington Harbour, and was the senior partner in the firm of Meech, Oxenham and Whitley, shipwrights. Mr. Meech assisted in building the first surf boats and lighters used in the harbour. As a tradesman he was always respected, and as a settler was much beloved for his great kindliness and willingness, often at great inconvenience, to assist others. Mr. Meech was a devoted churchman. A diary kept by him in the early days has since become of great Mr Henry Meech value. Mr. Meech is credited with having reared the first fowls in New Zealand, the first hen being set in December, 1840. His first wife died in Wellington, and his eldest son was drowned in Palliser Bay in 1866. Mr. Meech afterwards married Mrs. Sancto, whose husband had been lost at sea in the schooner “Young Greek.” This lady survives him, residing at the time of writing at Te Aro Swimming Baths. Two of Mr. Meech's sons are in business in the City, and one lives in Hawkes Bay. A daughter by the second marriage also resides in the Empire City. Mr. Meech died in Wellington on the 8th of May, 1885, much respected and deeply regretted.

Mr. William Mitchell, an old colonist, who arrived in Wellington per ship “Gertrude,” with his parents in 1841, was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, in 1820. A brickmaker by trade, he, with his brothers, established a brick-yard in Upper Willis Street, continuing the business for three years. During the Maori war Mr. Mitchell—then settled on the Porirua Road—served in the Militia, and subsequently in the Armed Constabulary, having several hairbreadth escapes, especially from the murderous chief Rangiatea. Leaving the force in 1850, Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Catherine Suter, and has had seven sons and four daughters—three of his sons however, have suffered violent deaths. Mr. Mitchell was interested in the land now known as Mitchelltown, which derives its name from the family. He built the Royal Tiger Hotel on land at the corner of Abel Smith and Taranaki Streets, and conducted it for ten years, when he sold his interest, retaining the dwelling in which he resides. Mr. Mitchell is well known as a member of and regular attendant at Taranaki Street Wesleyan Church, and enjoys the respect of a large circle of friends.

Mr. William Moxham, who has been identified with the Empire City for over thirty-eight years, was born in London page 770 [unclear: in] 1823. At the age of eleven, his father having died early, Mr. Moxham went to work, but subsequently he had about two and a-half years schooling at the Tower Hamlets free school. Afterwards he served his time as a mechanical engineer. Mr. Moxham married in 1843, and took the management of a sawmill in Stratford, Essex. In 1858 he came to New Zealand in the ship “Montmorency,” landing at Wellington with his wife and family. At that time very little work was obtainable, but Mr. Moxham was undaunted by the gloomy outlook, and resolved to settle in the country, where he soon got employment from the Government at road and drain making. The invariable kindness of the people in the settlement endeared them and the place to him, and made his struggle very much easier than it otherwise would have been. An opportunity was offered to enter upon the business he had learned, but through an affliction of the eyes Mr. Moxham had to decline. This affliction has remained, though not in such a severe degree, for he is able to see and read with a little difficulty. About 1860 Mr. Moxham started in the dairy business, having some time previously leased a few acres of the educational reserve—now the site of the Botanical Gardens. He acquired the Upland Farm—113 acres—and at a later period, another farm at North Makara. For many years he carried on a very extensive dairy business, with the assistance of his sons. This business, with the farm, was sold early in 1896, and Mr. Moxham now lives in retirement in McDonald Crescent, Wellington. A member of the Wesleyan Church in England, he immediately joined Wesley Church in Manners Street on arriving in the Colony, and became choirmaster, the first organ having just arrived for that church. Mr. Moxham soon became prominently associated with every department of church work, as superintendent of the Sunday School, church trustee, and in various other positions of responsibility. As representative to the district meetings of the church, and as one of the first representatives to the New Zealand Conference, to which body he was regularly elected, Mr. Moxham has been as earnest as he was regular in his attendance. He has also filled the office of New Zealand representative at most of the general conferences of the Australasian Wesleyan Church. In August, 1894, Mrs. Moxham, who was born in Epping, Essex, died, leaving four sons and three daughters, who are married and reside in Wellington. The subject of this sketch has for so long been a familiar figure in Wesleyan Church courts and gatherings, and he has so endeared himself to clergy and laity by his unvarying cheerfulness and warm enthusiasm in all that tends to the welfare of the great church he loves, that among the names revered in New Zealand Methodism one that will ever shine out brightly will be that of “Father Moxham.”

Captain Benjamin Edward Oxner has been a resident in the Britain of the South for the greater part of forty years. Born in Nova Scotia, he was brought up to a seafaring life, and advanced from stage to stage till attaining the position of captain. After some years, during which the subject of this notice took charge of various vessels as a certificated shipping master, he decided, in 1855, to abandon life on the “ocean wave” for that of a settler in New Zealand. Three years later Captain Oxner arrived in the Colony, per barque “Sea Nymph,” from Victoria, where he had spent some time previously. For some time he was well known in Wellington as an hotel proprietor. The Princess Theatre Hotel was managed successfully by Captain Oxner for seven years, during which period he established a reputation by his genial disposition and cheerful conduct towards the general public. Subsequently he took over the Metropolitan Hotel, in Molesworth Street, which was completely renovated under his practical supervision. In 1895 Captain Oxner disposed of his interest in this well-known hostelry and retired into private life. His residence is in Edinburgh Terrace, Wellington, where he enjoys freedom from the more arduous labours of his somewhat eventful career.

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Mr. Charles Johnson Pharazyn, who is the oldest of the more prominent founders of Wellington still living, was born on the 11th of October, 1802, and is therefore, at the time of writing, well into his ninety-fourth year. His father, Mr. Henry William Pharazyn, was a merchant in London, and died young, leaving his son, the subject of this notice, to the care of an elder brother, who also died at an early age. Educated at a private academy in London, young Pharazyn accepted a situation at “Lloyds,” and afterwards entered into partnership with an uncle in the business of insurance broker. On the 24th of May, 1841, Mr. Pharazyn landed in Wellington with his wife and three children from the ship “Jane,” with five shillings in his pocket, all his property having been pledged at Rio Janeiro, where the vessel put in for repairs, as Collateral Security in a Bottomry Bond in which the manager of the Bank declined to act; but he held possession of Mr. Pharazyn's property, which was only recovered by an action at law. On bringing an action against the bank on whom rested the responsibility, the illegality of the claim was upheld, and Mr. Pharazyn got his goods back and upwards of £600 as damages. Putting his pride in his pocket, he went into business in the embryo capital as a storekeeper. All who had the money to do so, kept stores in those days, and Mr. Pharazyn made up his mind to be one of the number. He was robbed several times by Maoris and Europeans—on one occasion an entrance being effected by means of a hole cut in the roof. When the money which the settlers had brought with them began to get very scarce, and trade consequently became very dull, Mr. Pharazyn entertained serious thoughts of taking to the country, and after the lapse of half a century he well remembers the incident that decided him. A little girl went into his store and asked for a “quarter of a pound of salt pork, and mother wants the fat well mixed with the lean.” That was too large an order for the erstwhile insurance broker, who gave the girl the first lump that came to hand, saying, “tell your mother Mr. Charles Johnson Pharazyn to take it out of that and not to send you here any more, as I have done with storekeeping.” That was Mr. Pharazyn's last customer. As soon as he could arrange matters he went to Palliser Bay, the shores of which he had leased for the sum of £12 per year. Here, in conjunction with the late Sir W. Fitzherbert, he soon had 500 sheep on 5000 acres of land, and did exceedingly well. After a trip to England for the purpose of settling up with his old partner there, Mr. Pharazyn returned and joined Mr. (afterwards the Hon.) John Johnston, the late well-known merchant, but severed his connection after a few prosperous years. Mr. Pharazyn then went into partnership with Mr. Levin, sen., for a short time, during which he did still better. In 1871 Mr. Pharazyn retired, having a few years before visited England a second time. In 1869 Sir Edward Stafford asked Mr. Pharazyn to accept a seat in the Legislative Council, which position he held from the 17th of June in that year till the 17th of March, 1885, when he retired from the Council, and his son, the Hon. Robert Pharazyn, was appointed to that honoarable position. Since then Mr. Pharazyn has lived an exceedingly quiet life. He is still able to walk into town, and takes his cold bath every morning, to which latter fact he attributes his wonderfully good health.

Mr. Charles Pitt Pynsent, whose house and grounds are situate in Hobson Street, was born in Devonshire in 1824. His father, Mr. Joseph Pynsent, was a Devonshire landed proprietor. His son went to Victoria when quite young. Mr. Pynsent was engaged in sheep-farming from his earliest days, and on attaining manhood took up a squatting lease on the Wimmera River from the Victorian Government. His venture proving successful, he obtained in an additional lease, having a total area of from two hundred to three hundred square miles of territory in the two runs. Mr. Pynsent's sheep numbered sixty thousand, and for some years he led the happy life of a squatter. In 1854 he left Victoria and returned to England, where he remained several years. Later, he spent some time in various parts of the Continent, including France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. Mr. Pynsent came to New Zealand in 1880, on account of his health, arriving in Wellington on Christmas Day in that year, per s.s. “Northumberland,” commanded by Captain Babot, and has reason to be thankful for improved health during the period in which he has lived in the Empire City.

Mr. Charles Thomas Richardson, who has spent forty years in New Zealand, and has had considerable experience in the vicissitudes of colonial life, is a native of Croyden, Surrey, England, where he was born in 1834. He came to New Zealand per yacht “Wyvern,” which was lost on the return voyage to England. For many years after his arrival in Wellington, Mr. Richardson was employed by the late Mr. George Moore. In the early days, as a volunteer, he served under Captain Carkeek and Lieutenant Seed. Educational matters have engrossed a share of his time, he having been a member of the Thorndon School Committee for several years past. Mr. Richardson was also a member of the Athenæum Committee. His brother, Mr. J. M. Richardson, is an ex-councillor of the City of Wellington, and was lately a candidate for the Mayoralty. Mr. Richardson occupies the position of managing director of the Wellington Trust, Loan and Investment Company, which is referred to on page 647.

Mr. Thomas Stevenson, one of the first settlers in Wellington, was born in Wigan, Lancashire, in 1815. When twenty-four years of age he came to Sydney, and, after returning from a voyage to China, decided to go over to New Zealand. The opportunity offered in 1841, when Mr. Crawford shipped a lot of page 772 Mr. Thomas Stevenson stock to Wellington. Mr. Stevenson was engaged to attend to a mob of twenty bullocks on board. Besides the bullocks, the barque also carried several hundred sheep, and a riding-horse, for Mr. Crawford's estate in New Zealand. The voyage across only occupied seven days, but the vessel had to remain another seven days at Wellington Heads, owing to exceptionally rough weather preventing her getting in. Despite the unfavourable termination of the voyage, only some half-dozen sheep were lost. There were no conveniences for landing stock in those days, and the bullocks had to be swung overboard and made to swim ashore. The sheep were landed in barges. On Mr. Stevenson's arrival, Colonel Wakefield was in charge of the settlement, and Governor Hobson was in Auckland. Mr. Murphy was Magistrate, and the surveys were being commenced. For a number of years, Mr. Stevenson worked for the Government of the day—on the survey, and road-making. In 1850 he opened a general store in Manners Street, which, with Willis Street and, later on, Cuba Street, formed the business part of the settlement. There was one house in Cuba Street, and tussocks, toi-toi, grass, and flax bushes abounded everywhere, with clumps of bush here and there. The principal business was Bethune and Hunter's, though, when Mr. Stevenson landed stores were quite unknown. After ten years in business in Manners Street, Mr. Stevenson sold out, and went to Auckland. He returned to Wellington in 1862, and opened a business in Taranaki Place, which he conducted for about eighteen years. In this business, Mr. Stevenson earned sufficient to enable him to purchase a number of properties in Newtown and elsewhere. In 1885, he finally retired from business, and went to live in Riddiford Street, Newtown. Mr. Stevenson has been married several times, but has only one daughter, who lives with him. Despite his great age, and the rough experience he had as an early settler, Mr. Stevenson is still an active man. Locally, he is known as a retiring, benevolent old gentleman.

Mr. William Thomas Henry Strange-Mure, who is a retired Civil Servant, comes of an old British family, whose descent can be traced for hundreds of years. His grandparents were representatives of the English, Scotch, Irish, and Welsh people, and he himself was not born on English soil, but in the territory of the Nizam of India. The great-grandfather of the subject of this notice—Sir Robert Strange—the celebrated engraver, fought in the Jacobite rebellion in the disastrous battle of Culloden in 1746. It is related in the memoirs of this successful student of art that in seeking refuge after the defeat, he fled to the house of his lady love, who hid him beneath her ample skirts, and pursued her spinning, singing merrily, while the royal troop searched the house, and thus he escaped. It is hardly surprising that Sir Robert eventually married the charming girl who had thus risked her liberty in befriending him. Mr. Strange-Mure's grandfather was Sir Thomas Strange, Chief Justice of Madras, his grandmother being a daughter of Sir William Burrows, an Indian Judge, and his father Colonel Strange, of the Second Madras Cavalry. Mr. Strange-Mure was born on the 7th of March, 1834, at Aurangabad, India, and accompanied his father when very young on a visit to his uncle, an officer of the Seventh Madras Cavalry. Before the visit ended the camp was attacked. The little boy, left with the sergeant of the battery—while his father acted as A.D.C. to the General—was seated on a small pony, when a shot cut the man who was standing beside him in pieces. On the return of Colonel Strange after the battle, which is known as that of Kurnoul, he found his child uninjured, although spattered with blood. In 1840 Mr. Strange-Mure was sent to England to be brought up by an aunt, who had married Mr. Philip Mure, distiller, of three Mills Distillery, in the East End of London, whose name he took after his death. At the age of eighteen he commenced to manage the distillery, which he conducted-for twenty years. He was interested in the volunteer movement, being Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifth Essex Volunteers; he is still also a justice of the peace for the County of Essex. In 1871 Mr. Strange-Mure came out to the colonies, arriving in New South Wales, where he spent about two years on the Gulgong Diggings. He
Mr. William Thomas Henry Strange-Mure

Photo by Mrs. Herrmann.

page 773 afterwards was successively on sheep-stations in the Young District as bookkeeper and accountant, and as accountant under the Supreme Court in Sydney, in which city he remained about ten years. On the 12th of January, 1874, Mr. Strange-Mure was married to a granddaughter of the late Mr. Henry Bragg, of Wellington, and has seven children surviving—five sons and two daughters. In December, 1883, he removed to New Zealand, and has since resided in the Capital City. For about five years Mr. Strange-Mure was employed in the office of the Government Insurance Department; afterwards he was in the office of the Government Printer, and later on in that of the Registrar-General. After his mother's death in 1895 he retired from the Public Service, having inherited a competency.

Mr. Thomas C. Williams, is one of the oldest New Zealand born settlers in the Colony. He is a son of the late Rev. Henry Williams, Archdeacon of Waimate, Bay of Islands Born at Paihia in 1825, he was educated at Waimate. Mr. Williams was brought up to country life, and for some years resided in Auckland. In 1865 he removed to Wellington, and since his arrival has been a prominent settler. He is largely interested in station properties, among which may be named the splendid Brancepeth Estate, of about 49,000 acres, and the Annedale Station, of 15,000 acres, which are both situated on the East Coast of the Wellington Provincial District; also the Lansdowne Station, near Masterton, of 2000 acres. Mr. Williams also owns town sections in Pahiatua, Eketahuna, and Masterton. At the Bay of Islands, one of his sons is experimenting in the growth of gorse as fodder for sheep, and there is every reason to hope that this troublesome plant will prove valuable to farmers in this respect. Mr. Williams lives with his family in Hobson Street, Wellington. He has declined to enter public life. Mr. Williams was married, in 1858, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Beetham, and has thirteen children—six sons and seven daughters. The older sons are engaged in farming pursuits, and the eldest daughter is married to Mr. Arthur Russell of Te Matai Station, Palmerston North.