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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. Thomas Charles Webb

Mr. Thomas Charles Webb, the Agent for the Agricultural Department, Tinui, Las a very large district under his charge, a district extending from the Whareama River northward to the top of Puketoi Ranges on the Hawkes Bay boundary, and from the east coast to a line drawn from Taueru to Alfredtown. This area embraces some exceedingly rough country, roads being few and bad and bridges hardly dreamt of. The swollen condition of the rivers and streams during the rainy seasons often renders travelling highly dangerous. Floods and fires, however, seem to have no effect in checking the increase of rabbits, and it is necessary therefore for the agents of the Agricultural Department to persistently cover the areas under their charge at all seasons, and at all hazards. From conversations with runholders and others best able to give a reliable opinion, the writer is able to record the interesting fact that the rabbit pest in Mr. Webb's districts has, during the two years of his control, steadily abated. There are now thousands of sheep living on pasture lands which hitherto were incapable of supporting half the number. Mr. Webb was born in Monmouthshire, England, in 1861. He is the son of the late Mr. Thomas Webb, of Oamaru, and nephew of Mr. M. R. Millar, the well-known auctioneer of Napier. Educated at Oamaru and Dunedin, Mr. Webb became a cadet in the service of Mr. J. Gemmall, of Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, with whom he remained some nine years, continuing as manager of the estate after its sale to Messrs. Mein Bros. He afterwards managed an estate known as Prior Park in the Hawkes Bay district for the Bank of New Zealand for about two years. After a term in the employ of the Assets Company as buyer, Mr. Webb was appointed to his present position in 1894. Though his principal duties are connected with the extermination of the rabbits, he is expected to advice farmers and runholders in all matters appertaining to their lines of life, and for this part of his work his long experience particularly fits him. Mr. Webb is a member of the Tinui School Committee, a Past Chief Ranger in the Order of Foresters, and an energetic member of the Tinui Amateur Dramatic Club. In 1881 Mr. Webb was married to Miss Sargent, daughter of Mr. Henry Sargent, of Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and his family consists of two girls and a boy.