Dictionary of NZ Biography — Surname Index H
| Name | Biography | Reference |
|---|---|---|
William James Habens | William James HabensHABENS, WILLIAM JAMES (1840-99) was born at Brighton, England, and educated at the Puget School there and Hackney College, graduating B.A. at London University (1862). He studied for the Congregational ministry, was ordained in 1863 and came to New Zealand in the Canterbury (1864). For 15 years he was in charge of Trinity Church, Christchurch, which was erected during that time. In 1878 he was appointed inspector-general of schools, and in 1886 he succeeded John Hislop as Secretary for Education. In this capacity Habens had much to do in organising the department and coordinating the work of the various education boards and the classification of teachers. He was a member of the royal commission on higher and secondary education and acted as secretary (1879-80). He was a fellow of the New Zealand University and a member of the senate (1877-99); founder of the Public Service Association; and president of the New Zealand Congregational Union. He married (1863) Annie, daughter of Thomas Mellish (Brighton, England). Habens died on 8 Feb 1899. Butchers; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Evening Post, 4 Feb 1899. Reference: Volume 1, page 186 | Volume 1, page 186 🌳 Further sources |
Robert Tahupotiki Haddon | Robert Tahupotiki HaddonHADDON, ROBERT TAHUPOTIKI (1866-1936) was the son of Charles Haddon and Te Paia, and on his mother's side was of high descent in the Ngati-Ruanui and Nga-Rauru tribes. In boyhood he was adopted by Tohu Kakahi (q.v.), one of the prophets of Parihaka, and was thus recognised also as a high chief of Taranaki. He witnessed many stirring events in and about Parihaka in the days of Te Whiti's rise and decline. As a young man Haddon took an active part in the Young Maori Movement, and later he was associated with Maui Pomare (q.v.) in the reform of Maori hygiene. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Church, was ordained and in time became superintendent of the Maori missions of the Church. In this position, he did valuable work in improving the social conditions of the people. For 35 years he travelled widely amongst the Maori tribes of the North Island, attending all the great gatherings. He was keenly interested in the exclusion of liquor from the King Country, and was a member of the deputation which waited upon Parliament, taking with it a wheelbarrow and spade in token of the bargain which was made (when the last section of the Main Trunk railway was opened) that liquor would never be allowed into the Rohe-potae. Haddon was well versed in the ancient lore of his people, which he studied at the feet of such teachers as Tauke te Hapimana and Te Haukopa. When he participated at the installation of the Maori King Koroki, he was honoured by being clad in the cloak of Tawhiao. At the hui at Waitangi in 1934 he presented to the Treaty House, on behalf of the Taranaki Maori, a painting of the great event of 1840, done by his son Oliver Haddon. One of his last interests was the formation in 1936 of the Aotea Maori Association, to improve the social condition of the people. Haddon died at Warkworth on 5 Nov 1936. His wife, Susan Haerehau Haddon, died on 10 Aug 1932. Hawera Star, 10 Apr 1930 (p); 'Tohunga' in N.Z. Railways Magazine, 1 Dec 1936 (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 186 | Volume 1, page 186 🌳 Further sources |
Octavius Hadfield | Octavius HadfieldHADFIELD, OCTAVIUS (1814-1904) was born at Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, the last of the family of sixteen of Joseph Hadfield. He spent 10 years of his boyhood abroad, mainly in Brussels, Lille, Tours and Paris, and during this time gained a good command of languages and was so influenced by the doctrine of the Atonement as to wish to become a missionary. Returning to England in 1828, he entered Charterhouse School the following year, but in 1831, owing to delicate health, had to leave and spend his time in the open. He entered Pembroke College, Oxford, in 1832, occupying rooms once tenanted by Samuel Johnson. Here again his studies were interrupted, and he spent a year in the mild climate of the Azores. In 1835 he returned to England determined to become a clergyman and entered upon the study of the Greek Testament and Aristotle. Having decided in 1836 to become a missionary in New Zealand he found that by not having graduated he was ineligible for ordination. He was, however, accepted by the Church Missionary Society as a lay missionary (Oct 1837). Learning that Bishop Broughton would ordain without a degree, he sailed for Australia in the John (Dec 1837). After a trying voyage with a mutinous crew he reached Sydney, where he was ordained deacon (Sep 1838). Hadfield was tall and spare, very delicate in health, but with a richly cultured mind-analytical and logical-and a bent for languages and philosophy. In Dec 1838 he sailed with Broughton for Bay of Islands in H.M.S. Pelorus, and on 6 Jan 1839 was ordained priest at Paihia (Henry Williams, William Williams and R. Maunsell taking part in the ceremony). He had been about nine months attached to the native school studying Maori when Katu (son of Rauparaha), and Matene te Whiwhi (q.v.) arrived asking that a missionary should be sent to Waikanae. Hadfield at once volunteered for the post, and proceeded thither with Henry Williams. Finding the Ngati-Raukawa and the Ngati-Awa at enmity over the sale of lands to the New Zealand Company, Williams remained to reconcile them, and on 5 Dec bade farewell to Hadfield. Though many of the natives were anxious for Christianity, others were demoralised by the example of whalers and traders, and Hadfield spent a few difficult years establishing himself at Waikanae and Otaki, between which he rode regularly almost daily. He made many dangerous journeys as far north as Wanganui and Patea and across the straits to Queen Charlotte sound. In 1841 he had 18 schools and 600 pupils, and his two services daily were attended by congregations of more than 500. While teaching as widely as he could, he never interested himself in secular matters or in the possession of land, and thus won the warm approval of the New Zealand Company. In 1840 he assisted Williams by calling a meeting of his tribes to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. In May 1844 he courageously confronted Te Heuheu at Waikanae and succeeded in staving off an attack by the combined Ngati-Raukawa and Ngati-Tuwharetoa on the Ngati-Awa people (led by Wiremu Kingi te Rangitake). In 1842 Hobson sailed past while Hadfield, in a strong northerly gale, was precariously steering his whaleboat across Cook strait. He accompanied Bishop Selwyn in his canoe voyage up the Manawatu river, and in 1843 he was almost drowned in attempting to save his fellow missionary (Mason) in the Turakina river. When Rauparaha and Rangihaeata returned from Wairau (Jun) and endeavoured to rouse their tribes against the Europeans, Hadfield firmly resisted their arguments at Waikanae. A favourable turn was given to the discussion by sound of the bell for religious service (rung by Riwai te Ahu), and on resuming Wiremu Kingi threw in his influence in favour of the Europeans and announced that he would not allow the hostile tribes to attack Port Nicholson. Having prevailed over the chiefs, Hadfield rode into Wellington (20 Jun). Later at Waikanae he introduced Governor FitzRoy to discuss the Wairau affair. Hadfield's health, always frail, broke down in 1844 and he was for the next five years lying on a sickbed in Wellington. During his illness Selwyn contemplated himself residing at Waikanae, which he regarded as a key position in the Island, but the arrival of the Rev Henry Govett enabled him to make other arrangements. Govett was succeeded by the Rev Samuel Williams, who organised the schools and the farming and boarding establishments with great success, and promoted the building of the Otaki church, which Hadfield had designed. Wiremu Kingi after his conversion was a faithful adherent and supporter of the mission, and Tamihana te Rauparaha (Katu) and Matene Te Whiwhi were enthusiastic teachers. Hadfield's constant attendant from 1839 was Riwai te Ahu (1818-66, of the Ngati-Kura branch of Ngati-Awa). He was the first native lay reader at Waikanae, and in 1855 was taken to St John's College by Selwyn, returning as an ordained deacon in 1856. For many years he had charge of the Manawatu district. Governor Grey adopted Hadfield as his constant and trusted adviser, visiting him almost every day when he was in Waikanae or Wellington and acting invariably on his advice. He recognised that Hadfield had an intuitive knowledge of the Maori mind and that his illness gave him time for reflection. In 1848 Hadfield commenced a new treatment under Dr Fitzgerald, from which he profited so rapidly as to be able to return to his station in Oct 1849. Meanwhile he had been appointed archdeacon of Kapiti (Jan). Realising that Christianity was going through a period of 'withering' after its first flush in the forties, he paid great attention to farming and handicrafts, and interested some of his leading supporters in scientific farming and the breeding of shorthorn cattle and merino sheep. In 1852 Hadfield married Catherine, daughter of Archdeacon Henry Williams. She took charge of the girls' school. In public life Hadfield came under criticism again and again for his participation in political questions. In 1857, in the interests of the natives, he supported Welch for the superintendency. He opposed the Constitutional Association on the same grounds, and made a strenuous fight against the education bill, the result of which was that the denominational system was retained. In 1856 he wrote important letters to the Governor (Gore-Browne) suggesting means of reconciling the two races and making use of intelligent Maori in their own government by appointing trustworthy men as assessors. In 1857 he took a prominent part in the drawing up of the New Zealand Church constitution. He was offered the bishopric of Wellington in 1858, but declined owing to his feeble health and went to England as chaplain to Archdeacon Abraham (who was proceeding to be consecrated to the see). Hadfield had as early as 1845 drawn up for Grey a paper on the Maori tenure of land. He warned the Government in 1857 that the changes in the system of purchase were likely to cause grave resentment. Individual purchase he considered undesirable and he strongly urged the Government to define clearly the native title. On his return from England in 1859 he had letters from Wiremu Kingi warning him that the Government was driving him into war over the Waitara purchase. He did not realise then the gravity of the position, but shortly afterwards, believing the Waitara war to be unjust, he said so with candour and fearlessness, incurring wide odium. Throughout 1860 he took his stand with Selwyn, Martin and Swainson in condemning the native policy of the Government, and he was called before the bar of the House of Representatives on 14 Aug to undergo a searching examination on native affairs (by C. W. Richmond and Whitaker). Nevertheless he restrained his own tribes from taking part in the war. Hadfield wrote two important pamphlets on One of England's Little Wars, to show that Wi Kingi had been unjustly treated. Grey in Apr 1863 admitted the mistake, and Stafford in 1868 confessed that the war was wrong but said that his colleagues had forced him into it. Throughout the difficult period 1861-67 Hadfield kept the Ngati-Raukawa people loyal. The most difficult crisis was in 1865, after the murder of Volkner, when a strong Hauhau deputation, under Te Ua, visited Waikanae and endeavoured to persuade the local tribes to join the movement. On that occasion Henare Matene Te Whiwhi turned the scale in favour of the Government. Hadfield felt his health failing in the late sixties. In 1870 he was consecrated Bishop of Wellington. He was the first deacon ordained in Australia, the first priest ordained in New Zealand, and the first bishop consecrated in New Zealand without royal warrant (which he declined to accept). In later years he became the intimate and close friend of Richmond, whose antagonist he had been on the native question. He was a fearless controversialist, caring nothing for public opinion, and a wise administrator. He opposed the doctrine of evolution, rationalism and scientific Bible criticism. Hadfield was a strong supporter of Wanganui College, which he supervised for most of the period 1853-93, and he fought strenuously in defence of the College trust. He appeared as a principal witness in the Bryce v. Rusden libel case in London (1884) and had several warm controversies on constitutional questions in the synod. In 1890 he was elected primate, and four years later he resigned the see and the primacy to live in retirement at Marton. Mrs Hadfield died in 1902 and Hadfield himself on 11 Dec 1904. G.B. and G.P., pass; App. H.R., 1854-67; Buller; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Wakefield; Saunders (p); typed letters and journals, Turnbull Library; Jacobs; Carleton; Godley, Letters; N.Z. Spectator, 14 Nov 1860; R. G. C. McNab, in The Press, 14 Mar-30 May 1931; Evening Post, 24 Oct 1929 (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 187 | Volume 1, page 187 🌳 Further sources |
Brian Cecil Haggitt | Brian Cecil HaggittHAGGITT, BRIAN CECIL (1838-98) was born at Toronto, Canada, the son of D'Arcy Haggitt (1806-69, solicitor, who a year or so later came to Hobart). Educated at the Hutchins school there, he served his articles with his father, and was admitted at Hobart (1861). In 1862 he commenced to practise in Dunedin, and in 1864 was joined by John Stamper. This association was dissolved in 1865 and his father came into the firm, which was carried on as Haggitt and Haggitt from 1866 till his father's death (on 9 Jul 1869). In 1867 Haggitt was appointed crown solicitor for Otago. In 1871 his brother D'Arcy (who had joined him as clerk in 1864) and Spencer Brent joined the partnership. Haggitt was elected in 1865 to represent the City of Dunedin in the Provincial Council (with J. G. S. Grant as his colleague). By the help of the Ancient Order of Foresters, they defeated W. Mason and T. Birch. In 1866 he was deputy-superintendent. In 1867 he was elected to the Council (Vogel being one of his colleagues and F. D. Bell one of the defeated candidates). In 1867 Haggitt was provincial solicitor, and in 1867 provincial solicitor and a member of Reid's executive (with Vogel as a colleague). They resigned together in 1871 and Haggitt retired. In 1873 he was again M.P.C. for Dunedin. Haggitt only became prominent at the bar about 1877. Thereafter he appeared in all important criminal trials. He was chancellor of the Anglican diocese of Dunedin. Haggitt married, first Catherine (1881), daughter of W. G. Robertson (Tasmania), and second (1883) a daughter (d. 1931) of W. A. Tolmie. He died on 31 Jan 1898. Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Otago Daily Times, 2 Feb 1898. Reference: Volume 1, page 187 | Volume 1, page 187 🌳 Further sources |
Ihaka Te Tai Hakuene | Ihaka Te Tai HakueneHAKUENE, IHAKA TE TAI (1836-1887) was born at Te Rawhiti, Bay of Islands, of illustrious lineage. He was the second son of Whai Hakuene, of the Ngai-te-wake hapu of Ngapuhi and was also connected with the Rarawa. He was too young to take part in Heke's war. Having married Ahenata Takurua, a daughter of Te Kemara Tareha, chief of Waitangi, her health forbade him accepting the invitation of the Rev B. Y. Ashwell to study for the ministry, but he soon became a lay reader. When Te Tai was 25 years old his father died, having previously designated him as his successor in the chieftainship. Truthful, honourable and modest, with a keen sense of responsibility, Ihaka devoted his talents and strong common sense to improving the social condition of his people. He acted as treasurer to the Maori committee which in the early eighties placed a memorial stone on the site of the signing of the treaty of Waitangi. Te Tai first stood for the Northern Maori seat in 1876, and he represented it from 1884 to the time of his death. This happened on 6 Apr 1887, while he was attending the meeting of the synod in Auckland. Ihaka was survived for a few weeks only by his second wife Ruiha (whom he married on 25 Mar 1885), daughter of Matene te Whiwhi and widow of Hori Kerei of Rawhiti. Hakuene was the most distinguished layman in the diocese. In Parliament he warmly advocated Bible reading in schools, particularly for natives. N.Z.P.D., 1884-87; Church Gazette, Jul 1887; N.Z. Herald, Apr 1887, 5 May 1888 (Ri Maumau). Reference: Volume 1, page 188 | Volume 1, page 188 🌳 Further sources |
Arthur William Follett Halcombe | Arthur William Follett HalcombeHALCOMBE, ARTHUR WILLIAM FOLLETT (1834-1900) was born in Wiltshire, England, the son of John Halcombe, Q.C., and came to New Zealand early in the sixties. In 1863 he married Edith Stanway (d. 1903), daughter of W. Swainson, F.L.S. He represented Rangitikei in the Provincial Council (1865-72) and was in the executive on four occasions as provincial secretary and treasurer. Halcombe was immigration agent under the general Government, and later attorney and agent of the Emigrants' Aid Society for the Manchester block, a post he held for nine years (1872-81). He was in 1876 on the first Manawatu county council. Halcombe resigned his position in 1881, and became manager of the Patetere estate in the Thames. In 1886 he moved to Taranaki, where he was a member of the Clifton county council, and the New Plymouth High School board. He was for some years (from 1869) editor of the Wellington Independent. Halcombe died on 3 Mar 1900. (See SIR WILLIAM FOX.) Family information; Jackson; J. G. Wilson; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Wellington P.C. Proc.; Taranaki Herald, 5 Mar 1900. Reference: Volume 1, page 188 | Volume 1, page 188 🌳 Further sources |
Arthur William Hall | Arthur William HallHALL, ARTHUR WILLIAM (1880-1931) was born at One Tree Hill, Auckland, and educated at St John's College. He farmed first at One Tree Hill, then for five years at Mangere, East Tamaki and Papatoetoe (where he had two milking herds). He was a member of the first town board at Papatoetoe (1918) and later chairman, till his retirement in 1928. He was chairman of the Milk Producers' Association, representative of the suburban local bodies on the Railway Advisory Board and chairman of the school committee. Hall was returned to represent Hauraki in the House of Representatives in 1928 as a supporter of the Reform party. He died on 17 Apr 1931. Who's Who N.Z., 1932; The Dominion, 17 Apr 1931 (p) Reference: Volume 1, page 188 | Volume 1, page 188 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Hall | Charles HallHALL, CHARLES (1843-1937) was born at Malton, Yorkshire, where he was educated at Richardson's academy and the British school and apprenticed to a joiner. Later he entered the post office and then the railway clearinghouse in London. In 1875 he came to Napier in the Countess of Kildare and commenced business as a builder. On the opening of the Woodville settlement in 1882 he took up a section but, losing his home in a fire, he returned to business as a builder (in Woodville). He assisted in the settlement of the Hall and Malton blocks near Woodville, and was an original selector on the Mangahao settlement, Pahiatua. In public life Hall was a member of the Woodville road board (1883-86); some years mayor of Woodville; district coroner; a member of the Waipawa county council (chairman 1889); Woodville licensing board (chairman 1884); Waipawa licensing board (1895-98); the Hawke's Bay education board (1901-06) and the Hawke's Bay land board (1886-1903). In 1893 he became member for Waipawa, but at the following election he was defeated by G. Hunter (q.v.). In 1899 he turned the tables, and until 1911 he sat in Parliament. On his retirement he spent three years in England, and then settled down in Dannevirke. His first wife having died in England, he married (1875) Marian Dinsdale (d. 1918), of Malton. Hall died on 29 May 1937. Dannevirke Advocate, 29 May 1937; Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 188 | Volume 1, page 188 🌳 Further sources |
Edwin Hall | Edwin HallHALL, EDWIN (1855-1928) was born at Louth, Lincolnshire, educated there and passed as a chemist, which trade he followed in the north of England. He studied further on the Continent, and eventually emigrated to Victoria. In 1876 he came to New Zealand from Sydney and started farming in Waikato. Ten years (1879-89) were spent in England and, after a further tour of travel in Australia and the East, Hall resumed farming, at Mangere (1891). He was secretary of the Auckland Agricultural Association (1892-1912), resigning to act on the cost of living commission. He was some time secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union and of the first Dominion conference (1902), and attended all the agricultural conferences. He was a member of the council of agriculture and the board of agriculture. He was keenly interested in stock-breeding, herd-testing and rural economics, and contributed many papers to the proceedings of farmers' societies. In his own district Hall was chairman of the Onehunga school committee and president of the public library. He died on 5 Jun 1928. N.Z. Farmers Union reports; N.Z. Agricultural conference, do.; Who's Who N.Z., 1924. Reference: Volume 1, page 188 | Volume 1, page 188 🌳 Further sources |
George Williamson Hall | George Williamson HallHALL, GEORGE WILLIAMSON (1818-96) was born at Scarborough, a brother of Sir John Hall (q.v.). As a youth he went to sea and became a captain in the merchant service. He settled in Canterbury, taking up the Highbank property in 1852 and later, with his brothers, Springfield. Hall devoted himself mainly to his pastoral pursuits, but represented Heathcote in the Provincial Council for one year (1861-62). He died on 27 Feb 1896. Acland; Lyttelton Times, 28 Feb 1896 Reference: Volume 1, page 188 | Volume 1, page 188 🌳 Further sources |
Richard Augustus Hall | Richard Augustus HallHALL, RICHARD AUGUSTUS (1824-95) was born in County Monaghan, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated M.A. He was appointed curate at Derrygortrevy, County Armagh. Wishing to improve the prospects of his family, he joined in one of the Auckland special settlements, and induced others to come out in the Mary Shepherd which arrived at Bay of Islands in 1866. Having settled his family, he accepted an invitation from Bishop Selwyn to take charge of the parish of Howick, which he administered until 1882. He then returned to Ireland and was appointed rector of Quivy and chaplain to the Earl of Lanesborough. He retired in 1894 and died on 9 Dec 1895. Hall published several controversial works, including an essay on Swedenborgianism. N.Z. Herald, 8 Feb 1896. Reference: Volume 1, page 189 | Volume 1, page 189 🌳 Further sources |
Robert Hall | Robert HallHALL, ROBERT (1832-1920) a native of Ulster, came to New Zealand in the Ellora in 1848, and for more than 50 years farmed in the vicinity of Auckland. He was president for many years of the Agricultural Association, a member of the One Tree Hill road board (and 44 years chairman); of the One Tree Hill domain board and the Manukau licensing committee; a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank; chairman of the James Dilworth trust and a member of the council of Auckland University College. Hall acted on the land commission in 1905. He died on 22 May 1920. Cycl. N.Z., ii; N.Z. Herald, 21 Mar 1905; 24 May 1920. Reference: Volume 1, page 189 | Volume 1, page 189 🌳 Further sources |
John Hall | John HallHALL, SIR JOHN (1824-1907) was born at Hull, the son of Captain George Hall, of Elloughton, Yorkshire, a mariner-shipowner and elder brother of Trinity House, Hull. To the age of 10 years he was at school in Hull, and the next six years he spent in Germany, France and Switzerland, acquiring some knowledge of Latin and a useful facility in French and German. At the age of 16 he entered the office of a London merchant, and in 1845 he joined the Post Office, where he became private secretary to the permanent head. He was commissioned to visit Europe to investigate a proposal to carry mails from India by way of Trieste instead of through France. The proposal was dropped as being impracticable. Hall was selected as chief postmaster at Brighton, with a salary of £600 a year; but royal patronage gave the post to another officer and he left the service. He became interested in the Canterbury scheme, and, reading Weld's Hints to Intending Sheepfarmers in New Zealand, he decided to emigrate, and sailed for New Zealand in the Samarang. While in London, Hall was a member of the Honourable Artillery Company, and won a medal for rifle shooting. During the Chartist disturbances of 1848 he did service as a special constable. Landing in Canterbury in 1852, he engaged a Maori guide and rode far south. He also visited the North Island, riding through Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay, and eventually decided that the best place was south of the Rakaia, where the only white settlers were the Rhodes brothers. He acquired a large canoe to ferry his stock and goods across the Rakaia and to use afterwards in a regular service for the benefit of settlers. The first crossing was so discouraging that he abandoned the ferry and settled on the north side of the river, buying Stoddart's run and stock. Hall was clearly marked out by his experience for public life, and at the elections of 1853 was returned to represent Christchurch Country district in the Provincial Council. From that time until the provinces came to an end he was continuously a member of the Council, except when absent in England. He was instrumental in getting the ordinance passed which established the Church of England trustees for the province and helped to pass the ordinance to combat scab. In Oct 1854, he was appointed provincial secretary, and he was head of the government until May 1855. He was elected for Heathcote in 1857. At the end of 1855 he was elected to represent the Country District in Parliament, where he accepted the office of Colonial Secretary in the Fox ministry (1856). In Nov he was appointed resident magistrate for Lyttelton, sheriff, and commissioner of police, and early in 1857 he became a magistrate and justice of the peace for the colony. In Dec 1858 he was magistrate for Christchurch. In 1859 he sought respite by a visit to England. There he spent three years and married (1861) Rose Anne (d. 1900), daughter of William Dryden, of Hull. In Feb 1862 the Christchurch town council was called into being. Hall presided at the meeting of burgesses, was elected at the head of the poll and in the following month he was elected chairman. In 1863 he was re-elected under the new ordinance. The most urgent work facing the board, the construction of Cashel street, was carried out by an old-fashioned working-bee of householders, amongst whom Hall plied pick and shovel. He resigned the mayoralty in Jun 1863, and in Jul he was called to the Legislative Council. In Dec 1863 he returned to the Provincial Council, in which he represented Mount Cook until 1866, when he became member for Rakaia. In 1864 he became secretary for public works in the Tancred executive. Businesslike, prudent and methodical, he was just the man for the emergency which occurred in 1865, when gold was discovered in Westland. Communication with the other side of the mountains was a matter of vital concern, and Hall started off at once with the provincial engineer (Dobson) to examine possible routes. Satisfied with Arthur's Pass, he authorised Dobson to put all available men to work to open out the road. In Jun 1865 he was appointed commissioner of crown lands. Early in 1866 the executive resigned, and Hall had more time for colonial politics. In Feb he resigned his seat in the Legislative Council and contested the Heathcote seat in the House of Representatives (defeating Buckley). In May he became a member for Rakaia in the Provincial Council, and in Aug he was appointed Postmaster-general in the Stafford ministry. During the three years that he held this office, Hall retained the confidence of his constituents, though they passed resolutions disapproving of the policy of the Government as a whole. Once more ill-health compelled him to resign his portfolio (Feb 1869), but he remained a member of Stafford's executive until the Government went out of office. In Oct 1867 he attended the conference in Melbourne on ocean postal communications. Hall's interest in Westland continued, and in 1868 he presented to Parliament a numerously-signed petition for separation from Canterbury. He warmly espoused the rights of the mining region, and when it was enacted that Westland should be a separate county, he was sent over to inaugurate the new system of government. Taking office as chairman of the self-governing county, he administered affairs until the elections at the end of 1868. He had been a strong provincialist, but was convinced that the example of Westland would show that all the necessary powers of self-government could be provided under a county. He was a firm believer in decentralisation and had taken part in the formation of road boards in Canterbury, and been a member of several. At a later date he welcomed the establishment of counties throughout New Zealand, and was a member of the first Selwyn county council, and its chairman (1877-79). In provincial politics he headed an executive (Oct 1870-Aug 1871). In 1872 Hall was persuaded to resign his seat in the lower house to strengthen the Fox Government in the Legislative Council. A few months later the ministry was defeated. Stafford held office for a month, and was succeeded by Waterhouse, who invited Hall to be Colonial Secretary. Unfortunately owing to his health he had to resign (Mar 1873), when Waterhouse also retired. Hall now withdrew from provincial politics for good and sailed for England. On his return he was for a week or two a member of the executive in Atkinson's ministry (1876). In 1879, having resigned from the Legislative Council, he won the Selwyn seat and became leader of the opposition, moved an amendment on which Grey was defeated, and was himself invited to form a ministry. He took office on 8 Oct 1879 (with Whitaker, Atkinson, Rolleston, Oliver, and Bryce as colleagues). His anxiety regarding his majority was set at rest by four Auckland members crossing the floor of the House. Hall's cautious administration helped to bring order into the finances of the colony, of which Atkinson had charge, while his social policy satisfied for the time the yearnings of Liberals. Amendments of the electoral law which Grey had drafted were adopted by Hall. Triennial parliaments and universal suffrage became law and, with the support of Rolleston, Hall declared in favour of more speedy land settlement. "If there is any class in the community," he said, "which is opposed to the settlement of the land on liberal principles, with such a class we have no sympathy whatever." The pacification of the Maori was a difficult task. The Native Minister (Bryce) advocated a policy towards Te Whiti and Tohu which Hall could not at first approve. The pacific Rolleston also urged for patience. Early in 1881 Bryce resigned, and Rolleston administered the department. A few months later, however, the situation appeared to the cabinet so menacing that Hall was converted to Bryce's views; Bryce resumed his place in the cabinet, and a display of force was decided upon. Though the coup at Parihaka (Nov 1881) was carried through without bloodshed, Hall was severely criticised. He incurred more odium for the arrest of Te Whiti and Tohu than credit for setting up a commission to investigate native grievances. While the proceedings at Parihaka were still incomplete, the general election was held and Hall was accorded a vote of confidence. The burden of office, however, had made inroads upon his health, and in Apr 1882 he resigned the premiership to Whitaker. His knighthood was received a month or two later. Gisborne says of Hall: "There is nothing especially striking in his character, but it is a combination of useful qualities ... He was always painstaking, accurate, conscientious, and intelligent. He is, perhaps, more an official than a statesman. His official aptitude was wonderful, and he looked on the transaction of departmental business as a labour of love ... He has moderation, judgment, and commonsense. He is not apt to rush into extremes; he is ever ready to retrace his steps, as far as practicable, when he has made a mistake ... All round, he has been one of the best public men in New Zealand." Hall resigned his seat in the House (Feb 1883). Four years later he appeared as member for Selwyn, with no further desire for office, but interested heart and soul in the liberalisation of the electoral laws. Women's franchise had been advocated in Parliament by Dr Wallis as early as 1877. During the electoral debates in 1879-81 Ballance pushed the matter to a division. In 1881 Wallis's bill passed its first reading, and in 1887 Vogel dropped his bill after it had passed its second reading by 41 votes to 22. In the session of 1888, Hall presented a great petition and gave notice to move that the franchise be granted to women. In Aug 1889, in moving a resolution in favour of the measure, he said: "We cannot afford to bid women stand aside from the work of the nation. We need all their spirit of duty, their patience, their knowledge in abating the sorrow, sin, and want that is around us." He was convinced, he added, that women were entitled to be placed on a perfect equality with men. The motion was carried by 37 votes to 11, and a fortnight later Hall's bill was read a first time. In 1891 he presented a petition with over 10,000 signatures, and his bill was read a second time by a majority of 25. The House resolved that the act should come into force before the next general election. To the dismay of supporters of the measure, the Legislative Council threw it out by 17 votes to 15. In 1892 Ballance's bill was lost on a disagreement between the houses. In 1893 Hall again presented a petition (with 31,872 signatures). On 9 Aug his female franchise bill passed its second reading almost unanimously. The Legislative Council bowed to the inevitable, but even then a minority petitioned the Governor not to assent. The bill became law on 9 Sep. Hall retired from Parliament at the dissolution (Nov 1893). He had served in Parliament with slight intermissions for 40 years. He represented New Zealand abroad at the Paris exhibition (1889), and at the conference on federation (1890). He was fully convinced that federation would be a mistake; indeed "that the 1,200 miles between New Zealand and Australia were 1,200 reasons against such a union." Hall was a member of the first synod of the Church of England (1859), when the constitution was adopted. He served on various bodies, however humble-road boards, county councils, harbour boards, school committees-and was a governor of Canterbury College (1873-79). A member of the Leathersellers' Company of London, Hall was chosen master in 1905. As the first chairman of the Christchurch municipal council, he was called upon to be mayor at the time of the exhibition (1906). Failing health prevented him from taking his part, and he died on 25 Jun 1907. He left bequests amounting to £55,000, including £30,000 to establish a general charitable trust in Canterbury, £10,000 for the building of a church and vicarage at Hororata, and £10,000 to establish the Boys Gordon Hall in Christchurch. N.Z.P.D., pass. (notably 27 Jun 1907); Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Col. Gent.; Cox; Saunders (p); Cant. O.N.; Gisborne; Reeves; The Press, 26 Jun 1907, 12, 19 Apr 1930 (p). Portraits: Leathersellers Hall, London; Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 189 | Volume 1, page 189 🌳 Further sources |
William Hall | William HallHALL, WILLIAM (?-1832) was born at Carlisle, entered the service of the Church Missionary Society in 1809, and was sent to Hull to learn carpentering and shipbuilding. He sailed with Marsden in the Ann on 25 Aug 1809, and for several years maintained himself by his trade in New South Wales, awaiting the opportunity to proceed to the mission in New Zealand. Hall accompanied Kendall on the first voyage of the Active and later in 1814, when Marsden established the mission, he settled at Bay of Islands with his wife and family, his prime duty being to build the mission houses. He landed at Rangihoua on 12 Jan 1815. A few months later he moved to Waitangi, where he acquired 50 acres of land, built a house and commenced farming, but owing to the constant assaults by natives in this isolated spot he had to move. Under Marsden's direction Hall built stores at Kerikeri (1819) and he built ships under the direction of the Rev Henry Williams (the Herald being launched in Jan 1826). Marsden considered him industrious and persevering, but stubborn and self-willed. About 1825 he resigned from the mission owing to ill-health and commenced farming in New South Wales. For some time he taught at the seminary at Parramatta and assisted Marsden with the work of the mission. He was still catechist to gangs at different stations in New South Wales in 1831. He died on 28 Oct 1832. Marsden, L. and J., and Lieutenants; Carleton; Ramsden. Reference: Volume 1, page 189 | Volume 1, page 189 🌳 Further sources |
William Hall-Jones | William Hall-JonesHALL-JONES, SIR WILLIAM (1851-1936) was a native of Folkestone, England, and was educated at public schools there. Trained as a carpenter and builder, he came to New Zealand in 1875, settled at Timaru, and was foreman for George Filmer for some years before entering into business on his own account. He carried out many contracts for buildings and other works. Hall-Jones was a member of the Timaru borough council for five years and of the Levels road board for three years. In 1890, following the death of R. Turnbull, he was returned to Parliament for Timaru as a Liberal, and he held the seat continuously till 1908. When the Atkinson Government was defeated and Ballance took office Hall-Jones was junior government whip, under Perceval (1891). He did not fully accept the view of his leaders that members of the party should vote with the Government, and in 1893 he resigned his post as whip. For three years he sat apart, keenly criticising the Government and voting in an independent liberal spirit and co-operating with McNab, Buick, G. J. Smith, Pirani and Montgomery, though on questions of no-confidence they always cast their vote with the Government. In Feb 1896, Buckley and Reeves having retired from the Government, Hall-Jones was offered a portfolio, and he became Minister of Public Works and Marine. A painstaking, conscientious administrator, with a competent knowledge of building and contracting, he devoted himself with enthusiasm to the administration of departments which at that time were of high importance in the Government. He gained a reputation as a thorough and fearless manager in his own domain. When Seddon visited Australia in 1906 Hall-Jones, as the senior member of the cabinet in New Zealand, was acting-Prime Minister, and on Seddon's death he carried on the government as Prime Minister pending the return to New Zealand of Sir Joseph Ward. He set his face sternly against the counsel of a fairly strong section of the Liberal party that he should retain the leadership. The strain of administrative work told upon his health, and he was compelled in 1907 to take a holiday. Returning to duty in Jan 1908, he was offered a few months later the position of High Commissioner in London rendered vacant by the resignation of Reeves. During the four years that he held this post he represented New Zealand at the Imperial copyright and education conferences and the international refrigeration congress in Vienna (at which he carried a resolution protesting against the restrictions in Europe against frozen meat from the dominions). He was the Dominion's representative on the Pacific Cable board, the Imperial wireless committee and the advisory committee of the Board of Trade. He was created K.C.M.G. in 1910. On his return to New Zealand in 1913, Sir William was called to the Legislative Council by the Massey Government and remained a member till his death (on 19 Jun 1936). Staunch adherence to principle marked his whole public life; and his personal character was distinguished by courtesy, consideration and a singular lightness of heart even into advanced age. Hall-Jones played an important part in the preliminary study and representations which led to the acceptance by the Seddon Government of the policy of old age pensions. In a private memorandum (portion of which was published shortly after his death) he states that his first election was largely due to his advocacy of the subdivision of large estates. In discussions of old age pensions in 1894-95, he made careful estimates of the cost of granting pensions forthwith and suggested how this could be done without increasing taxation. He had intended making this a plank of his platform at the election in 1896, but on accepting an invitation to join the ministry he could not make use of it without the approval of his chief. Seddon fully concurred in the desirability of the pension but proposed raising the money by special taxation. A bill was introduced that session, but dropped after these objections had been urged against it. Next year it was passed by the lower house without special taxation, but thrown out by the Legislative Council. In 1898, after some new members had been appointed to the Council, the bill was carried. While acting-Prime Minister in 1906, Hall-Jones, on behalf of New Zealand, sent to the Colonial Office a despatch protesting against the non-consultation of the Dominions in the matter of the New Hebrides. As the outcome of conversations between Seddon and the Australian Prime Minister, it had been intended that the despatches from the two dominions should be identical, but Hall-Jones considered the terms too strong, and took the responsibility of toning down the despatch which he sent on behalf of New Zealand. N.Z.P.D., pass.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; Condliffe; Scholefield, N.Z. Evol.; Reeves; Evening Post and The Dominion, 20, 22 Jun 1936. Portrait: Prime Minister's gallery, Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 189 | Volume 1, page 189 🌳 Further sources |
Bendix Hallenstein | Bendix HallensteinHALLENSTEIN, BENDIX (1835-1905) was born and educated in Brunswick, Germany. He finished in England, where he spent five years in a shipping house in Manchester. In 1857 he emigrated to Victoria and in 1863 crossed to New Zealand. He took up his residence first in Invercargill, but soon moved to Queenstown, where he established a business with J. W. Robertson and erected a flourmill at Kawarau for the benefit of the small farmers whom they settled upon their land. Hallenstein was several times mayor of Queenstown and represented the Lakes in the Otago Provincial Council (1872-75), and Wakatipu in the House of Representatives (1872-73). In 1873 he removed to Dunedin, where he helped to found the New Zealand clothing factory, of which he was managing director for many years. He was also a director of the D.I.C. (established in 1884), of Kempthorne Prosser and Co. and the National Insurance and Westport coal companies. He was German consul for some years. Hallenstein died on 6 Jan 1905. Gilkison; Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Otago Daily Times, 7 Jan 1905. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
Patrick Hally | Patrick HallyHALLY, PATRICK (1866-1938) was born at Dunedin, educated there and brought up to the boot trade. He was president of the boot trades union (1890) and of the Dunedin tailoresses union (1893), and a member of the first conciliation board of Otago and Southland. In 1902 he was on the Dunedin City Council; in 1904 was appointed inspector of factories and in 1908 a conciliation commissioner under the act of 1908. He retired in 1936 and died on 21 Jul 1938. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Halse | Henry HalseHALSE, HENRY (1820-88) was born in the City of London; educated there and entered at St George's Hospital to study medicine but, preferring an outdoor life, sailed in the Amelia Thompson with his brother for New Zealand. Arriving at New Plymouth (1841), they at first engaged in farming, but in 1846 Halse entered the civil service. He married Mary Ann Shaw. In 1858 he was appointed commissioner of native reserves in Taranaki and in the following year magistrate and commissioner of police. In 1858, as assistant native secretary, he reported the murder of Katatore. In 1875 Halse became a judge of the native land court, from which he retired in 1880. He was a fine Maori scholar and a capable, conscientious judge. Halse died on 5 Jun 1888. App. H.R., 1867 A4; Wells; N.Z. Times, 7 Jun 1888. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
William Halse | William HalseHALSE, WILLIAM (1816-82) came to Taranaki in the Amelia Thompson (1841) and was immediately appointed a justice of the peace. In 1848 he succeeded Bell as resident agent for the New Zealand Company in New Plymouth (1848-52). He was appointed commissioner of crown lands in 1851 and held that office till 1863, when he entered into business. In 1853 Halse contested the Superintendency of the province against C. W. Brown (Brown 173, Halse 138). He acted as deputy-Superintendent in 1858. Wells; Seffern; Jourdain; Taranaki Herald, 13 Apr 1882. Portrait: Taranaki Hist. Coll. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
Edmund Storr Halswell | Edmund Storr HalswellHALSWELL, EDMUND STORR, a son of Henry Halswell, of Presteign, Radnorshire, was admitted to the Middle Temple in 1831 and called in 1834. As a shareholder and a member of the committee of the Church of England Society, he was appointed by the New Zealand Company as commissioner of native reserves, and arrived in the Lady Nugent (1841). He was appointed a magistrate in May, chairman of quarter sessions and protector of aborigines for the Southern district (Jul 1841), and judge of the county court (Feb 1842). In 1842 he tried and convicted a young Maori chief for theft. In 1845 he was an officer of the defence organisation in the Te Aro district. He shortly afterwards left the Colony. G.B.O.P., 1842/569; 1846/722; E. J. Wakefield; Ward. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Hutchinson Hamer | Thomas Hutchinson HamerHAMER, THOMAS HUTCHINSON (1855-1924) was a son of the Rev Thomas Hamer (1814-99), who was sent to Auckland by the Congregational Union in 1865 to establish a church, and was a founder of the Freedom of Religion Society, formed to resist the establishment of a state religion. His son Thomas was born in Auckland and educated at Wesley College and McRae's high school. He was in the office of the Provincial Superintendent (1872-76), then for two years in the Bank of New Zealand at Thames, and in 1878 became a clerk in the Mines department. He was acting-Undersecretary in 1887 and later chief clerk of lands and mines. In 1891 Hamer became private secretary to the Minister (Hon R. J. Seddon) with whom he remained until his death (1906) when he became Under-secretary for Mines. In 1908 he was appointed auditor in the High Commissioner's office in London. Hamer married first (1883) Isabella Rayner (of Hutt), and second (1893) a daughter of W. Dollimore (Lyell). He died on 13 Feb 1924. Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Southern Cross, 6 Oct 1865; N.Z. Herald, 21 Jun 1899, 25 Oct 1905; N.Z. Times, 15 Feb 1924. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
Augustus Hamilton | Augustus HamiltonHAMILTON, AUGUSTUS (1853-1913) was born at Poole, Dorsetshire. Educated at Dorset County College, he began his medical course at Epsom College, but had an inclination for natural history. In 1875 he came to New Zealand in the Collingwood, and commenced teaching at Thorndon school. He was afterwards appointed to Okarito, Westland, and while there made a noteworthy exploration in south Westland collecting plants. While teaching at Petane, Hawke's Bay, he was secretary to the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Society and founded a museum in connection with it. In 1890 he was appointed registrar of Otago University and in 1903 he succeeded Sir James Hector as director of the Dominion Museum. Hamilton contributed frequently to the proceedings of the New Zealand Institute and published 72 papers in various branches of science, notably botany, ornithology, ethnology and entomology. He took a particular interest in the Maori collection and his most noteworthy published work was a fine volume on Maori Art (1907). He made an expedition to the Macquarie Islands and many excursions in different parts of New Zealand (especially in South Canterbury) in search of specimens of the arts of the native race. His comprehensive collection was acquired by the Government for the Dominion Museum. Hamilton was a governor of the New Zealand Institute, a member of the Maori mission board, a founder of the Polynesian Society, a member of council of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and a philatelist. He died on 12 Oct 1913. (See Harold HAMILTON.) Polyn. Journ., vol 22, p 230; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Hamilton, op. cit.; Evening Post, 13 Oct 1913. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
George Douglas Hamilton | George Douglas HamiltonHAMILTON, GEORGE DOUGLAS (1835-1911) was born in France and educated on the continent and at Edinburgh University, and in 1851 received a commission in the 11th hussars. He came to New Zealand in 1857 and managed stations for Dr Featherston and St Hill, afterwards taking up the Mangatoro property in Hawkes Bay. In the Maori war he served in various capacities for eight years, being twice wounded. He was deputy land frauds commissioner in 1867-68; chairman of the Seventy Mile road board (1868-72), president of the Woodville and Dannevirke Jockey clubs and of the Bush Districts Farmers' club (1891-1900). He did much to stock the rivers of his district with trout, and published Trout Fishing and Sport in New Zealand (1904). His only other publication was The Relation of Capital to Agriculture and Labour in New Zealand (1892). He died on 29 Nov 1911. App. H.R.; N.Z. Times, 7 Oct 1910; Who's Who N.Z., 1908. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
Harold Hamilton | Harold HamiltonHAMILTON, HAROLD (1885-1937) was the son of Augustus Hamilton (q.v.) and was born at Napier. Educated at the Waitaki Boys' High School and Otago University, he qualified as an associate in geology at the Otago School of Mines (1908). He was biologist to the Australasian Antarctic expedition (1911-14), assistant at the Dominion Museum (1919-27), and the first director of the School of Maori Arts at Rotorua from 1927 till his death (on 31 Dec 1937). During the war he served in the Royal Naval Reserve as a lieutenant. He married (1917) Edith Leahy (Southampton, England). Hamilton studied deeply the arts and crafts of the Maori, and during his administration of the school was responsible for the carving and design of many native buildings erected all over New Zealand. Who's Who N.Z., 1932; Rotorua Morning Post, 3 Jan 1938. Reference: Volume 1, page 191 | Volume 1, page 191 🌳 Further sources |
John Ronald Hamilton | John Ronald HamiltonHAMILTON, JOHN RONALD (1871-1940) was born at Forest Hill, Southland, the son of John Hamilton, and was educated at the school there. After farming at Forest Hill, Hokonui and Winton, he joined his brother (Adam Hamilton, M.P.) in the ownership of a threshing plant and later in the firm of Hamilton and Co., of Winton. When this business was sold to the Southland Farmers' Cooperative Association he became a life director. He was chairman of the Dominion dairy factory, a founder of the Winton Agricultural and Pastoral Association and a member of the Winton borough council. Hamilton twice contested the Awarua seat in Parliament (1911 and 1914), and in 1919 defeated Sir Joseph Ward (3100 votes to 2323). Losing the seat in 1922 to P. A. de la Perrelle, he regained it in 1925 and finally lost it in 1928. He married (1898) Catherine, daughter of James Hunter. Hamilton died on 12 Jan 1940. Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; Southland Times, 13 Jan 1940. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 2, page 274 | Volume 2, page 274 🌳 Further sources |
William John Warburton Hamilton | William John Warburton HamiltonHAMILTON, WILLIAM JOHN WARBURTON (1825-83) was born at Little Chart Rectory, Kent, of Irish extraction. He was the eldest son of the Rev John Vesey Hamilton. His education he obtained in England, in Paris, in Brussels and at Harrow. At the age of 18 he left for Sydney in the Bangalore. Captain FitzRoy was a passenger, proceeding to be governor of New Zealand. This association was of importance in shaping Hamilton's career. The young naval officer who was to have been FitzRoy's private secretary having to resign as the result of a wound, FitzRoy offered the post to Hamilton. In this capacity he visited settlements and native strongholds from end to end of the colony. Many of FitzRoy's dispatches were drafted by him and he had also the duty of entertaining guests. During Heke's war in 1845, as a lieutenant in the Auckland militia and aide-de-camp to the Governor, he saw something of the fighting. When FitzRoy was recalled (late in 1845) Hamilton continued for a while under Sir George Grey, and then returned to England (1846), where he appears to have spent two years. He came again to New Zealand as a survey officer in H.M.S. Acheron, detailed to make a survey of the coast (1848). Fellow officers were Captain Richards and Lieut. Evans, whose surveys were embodied in the first New Zealand Pilot and still remain the basis of navigation instructions for the New Zealand coasts. Richards was later Sir George Richards (managing director of the Cable Maintenance Co.), while Evans became hydrographer to the Navy. Hamilton's work was chiefly in the South Island. Early in 1849 he made inland explorations in north Canterbury, and discovered open grass country up the Hurunui and Waiau rivers, part of which was called the Hamilton plains. His report (dated 3 May 1849) shows a sound knowledge of geology. When the Acheron was in Foveaux Strait, Hamilton was put ashore, with a midshipman and a Maori guide, and made important explorations to the westward as far as Mt Hamilton, Jacob's river. They spent three days on the flat which afterwards became the site of Invercargill and then returned overland to Dunedin. During the summer of 1849-50 he examined the coastline from Banks Peninsula to Cape Campbell, making soundings and landing in every cove. His reports were published in Captain J. Lort Stokes's paper before the Royal Geographical Society. When in Canterbury Hamilton considered the streets of the capital town should be two chains wide, with rows of trees, as in Paris. Returning to Auckland, Hamilton was appointed by Grey to the post of resident magistrate at Wanganui (Aug 1850), a considerable responsibility for a young man of 25 years. He made several trips far up the river, got into communication with the natives, and organised a native police (of which Keepa te Rangihiwinui, q.v., was a member). His integrity and fairness commended him to both races. His next official post was collector of customs in Canterbury, to which he was appointed in Aug 1853. At the first elections for the Provincial Council Hamilton was elected for Lyttelton, which he represented 1853-57. An active and useful member, he was shortly appointed provincial auditor, which was in the gift of the Council. In the following year he was made also sub-treasurer for the general Government. Hamilton was a member of the Tancred executive (1853) and presented a good deal of government business in the Council. He was again in Tancred's executive (1855-57), and finally in that of Packer (1857). He did not seek re-election or to enter Parliament. In Feb 1856 he was appointed resident magistrate in Canterbury, and was called upon to clear up outstanding difficulties with the South Island natives. His early knowledge of the native question was extensive, but he insisted that a competent interpreter should accompany him, and the Rev J. Aldred was appointed. The negotiations in one district resulted in an area of 50,000 acres being purchased for £150, with £45 additional for expenses. North of Kaiapoi Hamilton purchased 1,140,000 acres for a payment of £200. Much of this area had already been let or sold to Europeans in the belief that it had been duly purchased from the natives. Hamilton strongly advised the Government to send a competent person to visit the South Island Maori every few years, and Sir Donald McLean agreed. In the Provincial Council, in his official capacity, and in the press Hamilton set his face firmly against the 'gridironing' of Canterbury lands by wealthy people, to the detriment of the working settlers. Several cases of evasion of the law were brought into the courts. He was for some years a commissioner of the land board. In 1863 Hamilton was a member of the provincial commission which recommended the improvement of Lyttelton harbour. After leaving the customs service he was appointed receiver of land revenue, a position which he held until his retirement (1874). Incidentally he was for some time manager in Lyttelton of the Union Bank and a director of the Trust and Loan Co. He was also for 25 years a part proprietor of the Lyttelton Times. Hamilton was many years a governor of Christ's College, and was on the board of governors of Canterbury College (1875-83). He was a deeply religious man, a keen churchman and a lay member of the synod. He died on 6 Dec 1883. Hamilton married (1857) Frances, eldest daughter of James Townsend, who arrived in the Cressy (1850). She died in 1889. G.B.O.P., 1850; A. Mackay; Cox, Men of Mark; Godley, Letters; Beattie, ii; Lyttelton Times, 26 May 1853, 3 Jan 1884, 13 Dec 1917; The Press, 26 Apr 1930. Portrait: The Press, 28 Apr 1930. Reference: Volume 1, page 192 | Volume 1, page 192 🌳 Further sources |
Ebenezer Hamlin | Ebenezer HamlinHAMLIN, EBENEZER (1844-1900) was born at Orua, Manukau, the youngest son of the Rev. James Hamlin (q.v.). Educated at the Church of England Grammar School in Auckland, he was withdrawn at the age of 16 to join the 1st battalion Auckland militia on the outbreak of the Taranaki war. He was in the 3rd battalion at the opening of the Waikato war, but transferred to a frontier force at Waiuku and (serving under Maj. Lloyd) was twice mentioned. He contested the Raglan seat in the Provincial Council in 1868 and represented Raglan (1870-73) and Waiuku (1873-74). In 1876 he was elected M.H.R. for Franklin, and he sat in Parliament for Franklin (1876-81); Franklin South (1881-90), and Franklin (1890-93). He was chairman of committees from 1882 to 1890. Hamlin died on 4 Jun 1900. N.Z.P.D., pass; Gudgeon; N.Z. Herald, 5 Jun 1900. Portrait: Parliament House Reference: Volume 1, page 192 | Volume 1, page 192 🌳 Further sources |
James Hamlin | James HamlinHAMLIN, JAMES (1803-65) was born in England and trained as a flaxdresser and weaver. Being drawn towards missionary work, he came to Bay of Islands with William Williams (q.v.) in 1826 and was stationed for some years at Waimate as a lay teacher, afterwards moving to Kerikeri. In 1834 he accompanied Archdeacon Brown on his exploration of the Waikato, and in the following year was stationed at Mangapouri. In 1836 he was placed in charge of two stations at Manukau, with headquarters at Awhitu. In 1844 he was ordained deacon and sent to Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. His ordination as priest took place in 1863 and in the following year, owing to the murder of his brother Job by King natives, he returned to Auckland, where he died on 15 Nov 1865. Williams papers; Marsden, L. and J.; Stock; Southern Cross, 16 Nov 1865. Portrait: Sherrin and Wallace. Reference: Volume 1, page 192 | Volume 1, page 192 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Godfrey Hammond | Thomas Godfrey HammondHAMMOND, THOMAS GODFREY (1846-1926) was born at Richmond, Nelson, on 4 Oct 1846; educated at Nelson and spent 14 years in business before entering the Wesleyan ministry, for which he was accepted in 1874. He did duty as a probationer at Rangitikei, New Plymouth and Manawatu. In 1878 he was appointed to the Maori mission at Hokianga as successor to the Rev William Rowse, and in 1887 he was appointed to resuscitate the West Coast Maori mission (with headquarters at Patea). The natives were bitterly hostile, and every door was closed to him except that of Taurua and his brother. A church was opened at Hukutere and services were held at Waitotara and Whenuakura. Hammond often met with insult, but gradually won his way, counselling the natives against armed resistance. By his patient endurance and virile courage in face of disappointment he eventually won the goodwill of Te Whiti and Tohu and was welcomed to Parihaka. Throughout Taranaki the name of 'Te Hamana' is revered by the Maori. In 1890 he was appointed superintendent on the West Coast, and in 1917 superintendent of the Maori missions. He had a wide and accurate knowledge of Maori history and customs and made many contributions to the journal of the Polynesian Society. In 1916 he published In the Beginning; The History of a Mission, and in 1924 The Story of Aotea, both dealing with the history of Taranaki. He was superannuated in 1920, but continued to serve the Maori people until his death on 13 Dec 1926. Hammond married (1878) Lydia St George (1857-1936) of New Plymouth. Cycl. NZ, vi; Pratt, Minutes Conf. 1938; W. J. Williams; Centenary Sketches; T. A. Boughin, foreword to The Story of Aotea (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 192 | Volume 1, page 192 🌳 Further sources |
Te Rei Hanataua | Te Rei HanatauaHANATAUA, TE REI (?-1860) a principal chief of Ngati-Ruanui in the early nineteenth century, lived chiefly at Te Ruaki, and was considered by Gudgeon the greatest chief in Taranaki. He was constantly at war to prevent the passage of heke through his country towards Cook Strait. In 1824 he participated in the combined attack on Te Rauparaha at Kapiti. In revenge for the death at his instigation of a Ngati-Awa chief, Te Karawa, a strong taua of Ngati-Awa and Taranaki, with reinforcements from Waikato under Awaitaia and Waharoa, invaded the Ngati-Ruanui country in search of Hanataua (1826), but without success. He protected the heke Tama te Uaua from Ketemarae (1832) until it was safely past the hostile Whanganui tribes. Two years later a stronger force came from Waikato bent on obtaining revenge. Though many of his men were absent Hanataua defied the invaders and taunted them with breaking their peace. After a long siege and a truce for negotiation the pa fell and Hanataua was captured. Waikato proceeded to attack Matakatea (q.v.) at Ngateko, and in the confusion of their defeat at Nga Ngutu-Mairo, Hanataua and many of his people escaped (1834). Hanataua sympathised with Wi Kingi te Rangitake in the Waitara dispute (1860) and led to Taranaki a contingent of the Nga-Ruahine hapu armed with double-barreled shotguns. Arriving at Waireka on the eve of the engagement he was killed in the first charge. TITO Te Hanataua, chief of the Tangahoe tribe, was hostile to the pakeha during the early part of the Hauhau war, but took the oath in 1866. S. P. Smith, Taranaki; Cowan; Gudgeon. Reference: Volume 1, page 193 | Volume 1, page 193 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Edwards Handley | Henry Edwards HandleyHANDLEY, HENRY EDWARDS, (1836-92) was born at Grantham, Lincolnshire, his father being a partner in the banking house of Philip Handley, Peacocke and Handley. He held a commission in the 2nd Royal Dragoons, served in the Crimea, and commanded the right troop in the charge of the heavy brigade at Balaclava, where he showed conspicuous courage and was wounded. He afterwards came to New Zealand; farmed for a few years at Oakura (Taranaki) and was field adjutant on Herrick's expedition to Waikaremoana (1869). He was for some time in the Legislative department and, having land in Taranaki, contested the Omata seat in the Provincial Council against W. Carrington (1872). He afterwards lived in Auckland. Handley was a prominent figure on the turf and afterwards for some years wrote sporting notes under the nom de plume 'Old Turfite'. He died on 24 Jun 1892. Cycl. NZ, vi, p 285; Gudgeon; NZ Herald, 25 Jun 1892. Reference: Volume 1, page 193 | Volume 1, page 193 🌳 Further sources |
John Handley | John HandleyHANDLEY, JOHN (1811-67) was born in England, brought up to farming, and on coming to New Zealand in 1841 settled in the Wanganui district at Southern Grove, near Westmere. There he had a model farm which was much frequented by military officers and government officials. Handley was a justice of the peace, and in 1856 was elected to the Provincial Council, in which he represented Wanganui and Rangitikei until 1861, supporting Featherston's policy throughout. He was chairman of the town board (1862-64). He died on 3 Mar 1867 as the result of injuries received by his horse falling on him. His widow died on 8 Jun 1868. Cycl. N.Z., i; Woon. Reference: Volume 1, page 193 | Volume 1, page 193 🌳 Further sources |
Marjory Lydia Hannah | Marjory Lydia HannahHANNAH, MARJORY LYDIA (1891-1930) née Nicholls, was born in Wellington, the youngest child of H. E. Nicholls. She was educated at Clyde Quay school, The Terrace school and Wellington Girls' College, and passed on to Victoria College. While there she took a prominent part in most of the College activities, contributing to, and later on, editing The Spike, and distinguishing herself in the dramatic and debating clubs. She was the first woman to win the oratorical contests for the Plunket medal (1913). Eye-strain and nerve trouble caused her to leave Victoria College without taking her degree, and she commenced her travels in 1914, visiting Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland, France, Belgium and Switzerland. She returned to Wellington (1915) and for the next three years taught at Marsden School. In 1917 she published her first book of poems, A Venture in Verse, and in 1918 spent a year in Ceylon and India. In Feb 1920 she was married to John Hannah of Colombo, who died a few weeks later. Mrs Hannah then returned to New Zealand. Between intervals of teaching at Marsden School, Chilton House, Girls College and Chilton St James, she visited many overseas countries. In 1922 she published her second book of poems, Gathered Leaves. She did notable work on the amateur stage in Wellington and was a foundation member of the National Repertory Theatre Society. She also did competent work in stage-production for the University Dramatic Club and other societies. She was a gifted dramatic reader. During the winter of 1930 she was largely occupied in lecturing on the drama in Wellington, the Hutt, Masterton, and Palmerston North for the W.E.A. Her final book of verse, entitled Thirdly, was published within a few days of her death (which occurred on 1 Oct 1930). Marjory Nicholls, op. cit.; Art in N.Z., Mar 1931; The Dominion, 23 Aug (p), 3 Oct 1930. Reference: Volume 1, page 193 | Volume 1, page 193 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Hansen | Thomas HansenHANSEN, THOMAS (1785-1874) came to New Zealand in 1814 as chief officer of the brig Governor Phillip, of which his father was captain. Having married a daughter of Sergeant Tolles, of the New South Wales Regiment, he settled at Te Puna in 1815 and lived continuously in the vicinity until his death on 8 Mar 1874. His wife predeceased him by seven years. Marsden, L. and J. and Lieutenants; N.Z. Herald, 11 Apr 1874. Reference: Volume 1, page 193 | Volume 1, page 193 🌳 Further sources |
Richard Davies Hanson | Richard Davies HansonHANSON, SIR RICHARD DAVIES (1805-76) was born in London, educated at Melbourne, Cambridgeshire, and articled to a London solicitor. After being admitted an attorney (1828), he practised for a while and also did journalistic work for the Globe and the Morning Chronicle. He became associated with Wakefield's South Australia scheme in 1830, and after it had received the sanction of Parliament he went to Canada as an assistant commissioner to inquire into lands and emigration, being associated there with Wakefield and Charles Buller. On returning to England, Hanson was private secretary to Lord Durham, and in 1840 he arrived in New Zealand in the Cuba (Jan 1840) as agent for the purchase of land for the New Zealand Company. In this quest he visited Kawhia, where his operations were halted by Captain Hobson's proclamation; and he later visited and purchased the Chatham islands, but the deed was repudiated by the British Government. He then settled in Wellington and was appointed, with Evans and Moreing, to lay before the Governor of New South Wales the grievances of the settlers. At later meetings he opposed the demand for Hobson's recall. In May 1841 he was gazetted a justice, and in Sep crown prosecutor. He failed to secure a seat at the election of aldermen in Wellington (Oct 1842). Hanson edited The Colonist until its demise (Aug 1843). In 1844 he was appointed commissioner of the court of requests. About two years later he went to live in Adelaide, where he soon took a leading position at the bar, and wrote for the Register. He was elected to the legislature, but his election being declared invalid, he was appointed advocate-general, and ex-officio member of the legislature (1851). Hanson in the next few years passed some important laws, including a district councils act (1852); the abolition of grand juries and reform of court procedure trusts and joint stock companies. He was Attorney-general in the first ministry under responsible government (1856-57), and shortly after its defeat formed a ministry himself which held office until 1860. He again made important amendments of the law, and after opposing the land registration bill he secured the services of Torrens as head of the office. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1857 to 1861, when he was appointed Chief Justice. During a visit to England (1869) he was knighted. In 1872-73 he was administrator of the government, and in 1874 he was chosen as chancellor of the new University of Adelaide. Hanson died on 2 Mar 1876. He was the author of several works on theology and religion, including Law in Nature (1865), The Jesus of History (1869), Letters to and from Rome (1869). N.Z. Journal, 1841 (p. 100, purchase of Chatham Islands); C. H. Spence in Melbourne Review, 1876; C. P. Lucas, Lord Durham's Report... 1912; Mennell; Loyau; Austral. Encycl; Desiderata, Aug 1936; N.Z. Company reports; N.Z. Colonist (Wellington), 1842-43. Portraits: S Australian Archives; Illus. London News, 31 Jul 1869. Reference: Volume 1, page 193 | Volume 1, page 193 🌳 Further sources |
Hapurona(Iwimaire Pukerimu) | Hapurona(Iwimaire Pukerimu)HAPURONA (otherwise IWIMAIRE, or PUKERIMU, formerly known as Ngawakawawe) was a chief of Ngati-Awa and one of the most successful of the Maori generals against British troops. Not of high birth, he was the son of Pukewhao, a Taranaki chief, his mother being a Ngati-Awa woman of Pukerangiora. He escaped from that stronghold when it was captured. Hapurona was a tall, rough, honest-looking man, with some oratorical powers, fiery and jealous. A skilful engineer with considerable military talent, he was the fighting leader of Wiremu Kingi te Rangitake (q.v.). Having appealed to the King (Tawhiao) for help, he took the field early in 1860 in defence of Waitara. He was driven out of Te Kohia on the disputed block (17 Mar 1860). Three months later, on 27 Jun, he commanded skirmishers of Ngati-Awa in their victory at Puketakauere, which raised Maori mana against both soldiers and naval forces. He had made preparations for resisting the troops at Mahoetahi, but on the arrival of Wetini Taiporutu with the Waikato contingent he took a subordinate position and was posted with 800 men to make a flank attack. Hapurona now had a contempt for the soldiers and signed a letter challenging General Pratt and threatening to occupy the Bell block. When Wetini's position was stormed Hapurona fired a volley and retired, leaving the Ngati-Haua to be destroyed. On 23 Jan 1861 he led one party in the assault at dawn on No. 3 redoubt. He commanded the long defence of Te Arei against the clever sapping operations of Pratt, but under heavy artillery fire surrendered on 19 Mar. On 8 Apr he accepted terms of peace. Wi Kingi was to retire with the King people to Waikato, and Ngawaka Patukakariki also signed the treaty providing for the investigation of Waitara block, the completion of the survey, the restoration of plunder to the settlers and the submission of the Ngati-Awa. Hapurona had kept British troops in the field for more than a year and inflicted on the province losses of over £200,000. Hapurona received a salary of £100 a year as commandant of Matarikoriko blockhouse. In Aug 1863 the Maori King and chiefs were living with him at Te Arei and Pukerangiora and in Oct troops burned the whares at Te Arei. Later Hapurona became a Hauhau, taking the name Tuahuterangi. He continued to have a great influence over Rangitake, whom he brought into New Plymouth to meet McLean and be reconciled with the government (22 Feb 1872). He lived his later years at Te Arei blockhouse, where he died on 26 Feb 1874. He had one son named Horopapera. Cowan (p); M. S. Grace (p); R. Carey, Narrative of the late War in N.Z., 1863. Reference: Volume 1, page 194 | Volume 1, page 194 🌳 Further sources |
Haratua | HaratuaHARATUA, a Ngati-Kawa chief of Bay of Islands, had been a matua of the Europeans in the early days of the Colony, when his pa was at Mangakahia. During the troubles of 1844-46 he acted as Heke's general, and took a leading part in the destruction of the flagstaff at Kororareka. Heke rebuked him for looting. He was with Kawiti at Ruapekapeka, and was wounded at Ohaeawai. Haratua afterwards lived for many years near Archdeacon Williams at Pakaraka. He was a candidate for baptism before 1851, and took the name Te Wiremu on his baptism a few years later. His son was one of the first adults baptised there. Haratua took command of his people in a tribal dispute with the Uritaniwha hapu at Pakaraka in 1867. Buick, First War; Carleton; Cowan. Reference: Volume 1, page 194 | Volume 1, page 194 🌳 Further sources |
William James Hardham | William James HardhamHARDHAM, WILLIAM JAMES (1876-1928) was the son of George Hardham, Wellington, and was educated at Mount Cook school. He was captain of the Petone Rugby football club and played for many years in the Wellington provincial team. He was employed in the railway workshops at Petone until proceeding to the South African war, in which he served as a farrier-sergeant with the 4th and 9th New Zealand Contingents. He received the Queen's medal with five clasps, and the V.C. for rescuing a wounded trooper at Naauwpoort (28 Jan 1901). In the war of 1914-18 he served with the Wellington Mounted Rifles in Egypt, Gallipoli and Palestine. He died on 13 Apr 1928. Studholme; Ranfurly; Who's Who N.Z., 1924. Reference: Volume 1, page 194 | Volume 1, page 194 🌳 Further sources |
Isaac Harding | Isaac HardingHARDING, ISAAC (1815-97) was born at Wanstrow, Somerset, England, three months after the death of his father. At two years he was adopted by a childless uncle and aunt, and eventually he was confirmed in the Anglican church. Shortly afterwards he joined the Wesleyan Methodist church and soon became a local preacher. At the age of 21 he entered the ministry and was ordained at Newcastle-on-Tyne (1840). During the dissensions in British Methodism (1849-53) he rendered yeoman service by his loyalty and eloquence and his writings. In response to a call for volunteers for Australia, Harding offered and sailed for Victoria in 1852. Landing at the height of the gold rush he engaged in strenuous labour, enduring hardships, establishing schools and erecting churches. He was one of the originators and the first editor of the Victorian Wesleyan Chronicle. In 1858 he was transferred to New Zealand, his first sphere being Auckland. The discovery of gold in Otago led to Harding's transfer to Dunedin, where the Rev James Buller had arranged for the erection of a church for him on Bell Hill. Harding held his first services in the Athenaeum and then occupied a canvas tent at the corner of Stafford and Melville streets. He speedily took the whole of Otago for his circuit and during two years churches were erected at Tuapeka, Clutha, Tokomairiro, Waikouaiti, Oamaru and elsewhere. In the course of one journey he went to Gabriel's Gully, thence proceeding through Teviot to Dunstan, up the Kawarau to Arrow and Queenstown, thence to Invercargill and Dunedin. In this journey he used four horses and made some very long daily journeys. He opened preaching services in 23 centres and had canvas and frame churches erected on the goldfields at Hogburn, Shotover, Alexandra, Clyde, Hyde and other places. A robust constitution, volcanic energies and an indomitable will gave him a rich endowment for pioneering work. Harding was a man of unusual mental ability, a profound thinker and book lover. He was a contributor to leading magazines and reviews in England. His letters written from Auckland and Dunedin and published in the London Times over the signature 'Uncle John' did remarkable service to New Zealand and its intending colonists. In 1859 he published a lecture entitled Young Men for the Colonies, and a controversial pamphlet addressed to Governor Gore Browne on correspondence between him and Bishop Pompallier. In 1860 he published a pamphlet addressed 'To the intelligent Roman Catholic laymen of the province of Auckland,' regarding the inspection of schools receiving government grants. After leaving Otago Harding served at Wellington (1864-66) and Wanganui (1867). In 1868 he was transferred to Queensland, where in 1872 he founded the Methodist book depot in Brisbane. He died on 17 Jul 1897. M.A.R.P. Reference: Volume 1, page 194 | Volume 1, page 194 🌳 Further sources |
John Harding | John HardingHARDING, JOHN (1820-99) was born at Southampton, England, and brought up to the trade of a turner. He came to New Zealand in the Birman (1842), and worked in Wellington at his trade for some years and later as an ironmonger. He was one of the founders of the order of Rechabites in New Zealand (1842), and with Francis Bradey organised the anniversary celebrations in 1843 and subsequent years. About 1850 Harding acquired land in Hawkes Bay and made his homestead at Mount Vernon, Waipukurau. About 1876 he established his Romney flock with sheep purchased from Alfred Ludlam (q.v.). Later he bred also Clydesdale horses. Harding served on several local bodies. He died on 25 Jun 1899. Ward; Playne; Cycl. NZ., vi (p); Hawkes Bay Herald, 26 Jun 1899. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
Rechab Harding | Rechab HardingHARDING, RECHAB (1844-97) was born in Wellington, the son of John Harding (q.v.), and educated at Toomath's school and the Wellington Commercial and Grammar School. He then went to Hawke's Bay, where he worked on his father's station, Mount Vernon. He represented Te Aute in the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council (1875-76) and served also on the Hawke's Bay education board, the land board, the Napier harbour board, the Waipawa county council, the Waipukurau hospital board and the Napier High School governors. He died on 2 Jun 1897. Hawkes Bay Herald, 3 Jun 1897. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Hardington | Henry HardingtonHARDINGTON, HENRY (1828-87) was born in England and arrived in Auckland in the early forties. He first kept the Victoria hotel on the beach, and later the Exchange in the Crescent. In partnership with S. A. Wood, he managed a horse bazaar and auction mart at the Greyhound. Hardington had great influence with the natives, and was on terms of confidence with Tamati Ngapora and other Waikato chiefs living at Mangere. On the outbreak of the war (1860), he joined the Auckland Cavalry volunteers, in which he became captain (1863), and served throughout the Waikato war. After the war he controlled the Onehunga coaches and held mail-carrying contracts for some years. He took a great interest in the Auckland Racing Club, of which he was one of the promoters and acted as clerk of the course both at Epsom and at Ellerslie. He died on 31 Jul 1887. Gudgeon (p); N.Z. Herald, 3 Jul 1880, 2 Aug 1887. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Albert Creery Hardy | Charles Albert Creery HardyHARDY, CHARLES ALBERT CREERY (1843-1922) was born in Ireland and educated under the Church Education Society. Having gained some experience in a store, he came to New Zealand in 1863, spending the next four years in Dunedin. In 1868 he went to the West Coast, where he kept a store at Charleston for some years, and later at Hokitika. He moved in 1879 to Canterbury, opening a store at Rakaia. Hardy was for many years a member of most of the local bodies in his district. He was chairman of the Rakaia school committee and of the North Canterbury education board. In 1899 he was elected M.H.R. for Selwyn, which he continued to represent till 1911, when he was defeated by W. J. Dickie. In 1913 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until his death (on 29 Aug 1922). He acted for some years as whip for the Reform party and was chairman of the joint house committee. N.Z.P.D., 29 Aug 1922; Parltry Record; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; The Press, 30 Aug 1922. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
John Hardy | John HardyHARDY, JOHN (1821-82) was born at Uxbridge, Middlesex, educated there and in London, and qualified as a civil engineer. He married Helen Akerman. In 1855 he came to Otago in the Dunedin and settled at Tokomairiro, his farm being named Helensbrook after his wife. Hardy took a prominent part in the politics of the district as a supporter of Macandrew. An advocate of a better roading policy, within a few weeks of his arrival in the province he approached the Provincial Council with a petition on the subject, and for some years he was commissioner of roads and deviations. He presided at meetings to consider district needs and to form the mutual improvement society and the agricultural society. As a farmer he showed a fine example of scientific methods and new ideas. He imported valuable stud horses, and his ploughing teams were prominent at matches for many years. In 1860 he organised the coal company, of which he was secretary and manager. Hardy was elected to the Provincial Council in June 1861 and represented the district until 1864. He was for some time provincial secretary and treasurer under Richardson, and was chairman of the committee on roads and their deviations. His chief service to the district and to New Zealand was, however, the encouragement he gave to Gabriel Read (then in his employ) to persist in his search for gold in the Tuapeka district. Hardy and his sons accompanied Read on these expeditions, and as provincial secretary Hardy reported in the Council the outcome (28 June 1861). He advocated encouraging Victorian miners to come to Otago after the opening of the fields. Hardy was a prominent member of the Church of England and presented land for its endowment. He was defeated at the Council election in 1864 and three years later moved to Dunedin, where he practised as a surveyor and architect. He maintained his interest in communications and led a deputation to the Council to protest against the railway line as projected. He carried out many engineering contracts, including the ferry and accommodation house at the Clutha; and acted as clerk and engineer to several road boards. After moving to Oamaru Hardy surveyed much of the country lands for the provincial government and made many bridges. He was engineer in charge of railway construction on the Moeraki-Waitaki section. He laid before the Oamaru borough council in 1875 a scheme for lighting the borough with gas. He was for some years a member of the borough council (1876 and 1881-82), founded the permanent building society and was a vestryman and lay reader of the Church of England. Hardy was a fine cricketer and a supporter of all musical societies. He contributed a good deal to the press, writing a graceful style of prose and some verse of passing quality. He died on 22 Sep 1882. Otago P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; Diary of Gabriel Read in Public Library, Dunedin; Pyke; Hocken, Otago; Bruce Herald, 1864-67; Otago Witness from 1855; North Otago Times, 23 Sep 1882. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
Francis Augustus Hare | Francis Augustus HareHARE, FRANCIS AUGUSTUS (1845-1912) was born in Germany and educated at St Columba's College, Dublin, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he graduated (B.A., 1868; M.A., 1873). He was ordained in Ely Cathedral and proceeded to Perth, Western Australia, as headmaster of the collegiate school. In 1872 he came to New Zealand; in 1873 was private secretary to Sir James Fergusson, and on the conclusion of that appointment was temporarily engaged in the Riccarton parish. In 1877 he was appointed divinity and classics assistant at Christ's College, of which he became headmaster in 1889. He resigned in 1893, but remained on the staff until his death (on 26 Jul 1912). Hare was a canon of Christchurch Cathedral. N.Z. Gaz., 1873; Christ's Coll. List (p); The Press, 27 Jul 1912. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
Edward Allen Hargreaves | Edward Allen HargreavesHARGREAVES, EDWARD ALLEN (1826-80) was born in England. Coming to Canterbury in the early fifties, he was in business as a merchant in Lyttelton till 1870 when, having suffered considerable loss in the fire, he retired. He represented Lyttelton in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1861-62 and 1865-69), and in Parliament (1866-67). On being elected to Parliament he resigned the chairmanship of the Lyttelton municipal council, which he had held since its inauguration. Hargreaves afterwards lived at Timaru, having an interest in the Richmond station. He died on 9 Mar 1880. NZP.D., 1866-67; Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Timaru Herald, 10 Mar 1880. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Hargreaves | Joseph HargreavesHARGREAVES, JOSEPH (1821-80) was born in Liverpool. While a young man he came to Auckland and purchased a property at Tamaki, which he sold a few years later and bought from the natives a larger estate near Kaipara. He was an ardent sportsman and a successful breeder of horses. Hargreaves was elected in 1860 to represent the Suburbs of Auckland in Parliament, but owing to repeated prorogations and a visit to the Old Country, he resigned (24 Jul) without having taken his seat. He died on 10 Apr 1880. Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); N.Z. Herald, 11 Apr 1880. Reference: Volume 1, page 195 | Volume 1, page 195 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Cudbert Harington | Thomas Cudbert HaringtonHARINGTON, THOMAS CUDBERT (1799-1863) was born in India, his father, John Herbert Harington, being a member of the Supreme Council of Bengal. Having sold property in India for £6600, he arrived in New South Wales in 1820 and was at first allowed to occupy 6,600 acres in consideration of the possession of capital. In 1827 he became a civil servant, and in 1829 joined the Colonial Secretary's office. In 1834, when he was assistant colonial secretary, he helped Surgeon W. B. Marshall to get infant lessons translated into Maori for use in New Zealand. Two years later he was petitioning for a permanent appointment in the service. This being declined, he seems to have gone to England (1837) and become secretary of the New Zealand Company. His system of keeping office records was very efficient. In 1850 Harington made a gift of £300 to the endowment of Trinity College, Porirua (as soon as the name was announced). He died on 1 Feb 1863. Hist. Rec. Aust., xviii, 447; N.Z.C., pass.; Wellington Independent, 9 May 1863. Reference: Volume 1, page 196 | Volume 1, page 196 🌳 Further sources |
John Harkness | John HarknessHARKNESS, JOHN (1853-1938) was born in Derbyshire, educated at the Derby school and graduated from Corpus Christi College, Oxford, proceeding M.A. A strong classical scholar, he was appointed to the staff of the Manchester Grammar School. In 1883 he was chosen as the first rector of the Waitaki Boys High School, of which he was in control for fourteen years. Harkness was a man of deep culture and a generous spirit. After resigning from Waitaki, he was for seven years in charge of a private school in Christchurch and later on the staff of the Boys High School. Returning to England about 1911, he resided for the rest of his life at Cheltenham. Harkness married (1889) Miss Satchell, one time matron at the Waitaki High School. He died on 28 Jul 1938. K. C. McDonald (p); Oamaru Mail, 6, 10 Oct 1938. Reference: Volume 1, page 196 | Volume 1, page 196 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph George Harkness | Joseph George HarknessHARKNESS, JOSEPH GEORGE (1851-1930) was born in Nelson, the son of William Dixon Harkness, of Scotland, who represented Waimea East in the Provincial Council (1863-65). Educated at Nelson College (1867-68), he became a school teacher and then a farmer. Elected to Parliament as a supporter of the Atkinson Government, Harkness represented Nelson City (1889-93). He was a member of the Waimea county council (for eight years), of the school committee and of the Nelson education board, and chairman of the Richmond town board. In 1893 he took up land at Tariki, Taranaki. He was the chief promoter (in 1896) of the Midhirst Dairy Co., of which he was secretary and general manager till 1905, when he moved to Wellington. Harkness contested the Egmont seat in Parliament in 1897. In Wellington he became president of the chamber of commerce (1907-08), and president (and afterwards secretary) of the National Dairy Association, from which he retired in 1921. He was a member of the harbour board from 1908 and chairman (1919-22). In 1907 he was elected mayor of Onslow. He afterwards lived at Te Horo, where he was chairman of the dairy company, and he was one of the founders of the Wellington Co-operative Freezing Co. Harkness married a daughter of George MacRae. He died on 9 Jan 1930. Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Philpott (p); The Dominion, 10 Jan 1930. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 196 | Volume 1, page 196 🌳 Further sources |
Richard James Strachan Harman | Richard James Strachan HarmanHARMAN, RICHARD JAMES STRACHAN (1826-1902) was born at Dublin and educated at Rugby in the days of Dr Arnold. Amongst his school-fellows were Freeman, the historian, Sir Richard Temple and Dr Liddell. He learned to play good cricket, and figured in the earliest games in Canterbury a few years later. Harman qualified as a civil engineer, serving his articles with George and John Rennie in London, and soon after sailed with the first expedition for Canterbury in the Sir George Seymour. When the settlers organised the Society of Land Purchasers, he was elected to the council, and as executive officer he had to present to the agent of the Canterbury Association the recommendations of the Society with regard to roads and other public works. In 1851 Harman started in business as a land and estate agent and agent for a number of purchasers who had not come out. In 1862 he was joined by E. C. J. Stevens (q.v.). Early in 1853, in partnership with Cyrus Davie, one of the early surveyors, he took up a run between the Selwyn river and Lake Ellesmere. They soon made several thousand acres freehold, and held it until the end of the seventies. In 1854 Harman, Bray, Cridland, Jollie and Dobson were appointed a commission to report on the best means of communication between Christchurch and its port. They recommended an open road by way of Sumner, with a tunnel through Evans pass. Harman assisted Bray in the survey for the tunnel, and then went to England. While there he acted as emigration agent, and sent out many people to the province. In 1855 he married Emma, daughter of Dr Thomas de Renzy, of county Wicklow. They came out in 1856 in the Egmont. In 1857 Harman entered the Provincial Council for Heathcote, which he represented until 1860. He was a member of the executive (1856-58). The Council in 1858 appointed him to a commission to decide upon the best lines for road and railway communications. In 1859 he led the executive. In 1860 he was elected to represent Akaroa in the Council and he continued as its member until 1862. He was a member of the waste lands board, and he also did much surveying for the provincial government on Banks Peninsula. For the first month he was required to attend the land board twice a week. This entailed leaving camp at Duvauchelles at midnight, walking through the bush to Purau, boating to Lyttelton and thence walking to Christchurch. Eight times in the month Harman covered this journey. In 1865 he joined the provincial expedition to discover a route across the mountains to the West Coast, where a new mining population was settling. Crossing the Canterbury plains on foot, and swimming the Rakaia, Ashburton, and Rangitata rivers, they discovered Browning's Pass. In 1867 Harman was nominated for Mandeville in the Provincial Council, but he retired in favour of a local man. In 1867 he was a member of the Financial Reform association, formed to bring economy into the affairs of the province. In 1871 he acted as deputy-superintendent. Harman was elected (1869) a member of the South Waimakariri board of conservators, and was chairman throughout. He was for long on the domain board (chairman 1874-81), and did much towards beautifying the city, notably in planting Rolleston avenue and the avenues surrounding Hagley Park, and in presenting a garden of rhododendrons (opposite St Michael's Church). He was for twenty-five years a churchwarden and for thirty-seven years a church officer of St Michael's; a member of the diocesan synod from its formation, and one of the first members of the cathedral chapter; and a governor of Christ's College. As a volunteer Harman was elected a lieutenant when No. 2 Company was formed (1864). He succeeded Col. Packe as captain, and held that rank until the corps was disbanded. In 1885 he co-operated with de Renzie Brett in forming the honorary reserve corps, in which he became a captain and helped to make a body of fine marksmen. He took part in the formation of the Canterbury Rifle Association, and represented it for many years on the New Zealand Association. He was one of the leading cricketers in the province, and for many years a supporter of the United Club, of which he was president. He was president of the Canterbury Rowing Club from its foundation, and of the Christchurch Football Club. Harman died on 26 Nov 1902. Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Christ's Coll. List; The Press, 27 Nov, 1 Dec 1902; 6 Sep 1930 (p); Lyttelton Times, 28 Nov 1902. Reference: Volume 1, page 196 | Volume 1, page 196 🌳 Further sources |
Charles John Harper | Charles John HarperHARPER, CHARLES JOHN (1838-1920), a son of Bishop Harper, was born at Eton, England, and educated at Rossall and Cirencester Agricultural College. He came to New Zealand in the Duke of Portland (1855), and took up the Malvern Hills and Lake Coleridge runs. Later he owned properties at Brackenfield (Amberley), and Hackthorne (Ashburton). He was a member of the Rakaia road board and of the Provincial Council (in which he represented Sefton 1873-75). In 1900 he contested the Ashburton parliamentary seat against McLachlan. Harper was a member of the Upper Ashburton road board (chairman 1898 and 1901), and of the Ashburton county council (chairman from 1899), and chairman of the Rangitata road board. He married (1868) Sarah, daughter of Walter Cracroft. He died on 6 Sep 1920. Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Acland; Cycl. N.Z., iii (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 196 | Volume 1, page 196 🌳 Further sources |
George Sawden Harper | George Sawden HarperHARPER, GEORGE SAWDEN (1840-1911) was born at Burton-Fleming, near Bridlington, Yorkshire. He became a pupil teacher in the Wesleyan day school at Nafferton, Yorkshire, and began to preach at sixteen years of age. His gifts led to his acceptance for the ministry by the British Wesleyan Conference, and his theological training was received under the direction of Dr Kessen. He entered the ministry in 1864 and in 1865 arrived in New Zealand, beginning work in Canterbury under the direction of the Rev James Buller. On the discovery of gold on the West Coast Buller crossed the Southern Alps for Hokitika, directing Harper to go by sea. Harper was the first Protestant minister to work on the West Coast. His hearty manner, ready wit, tireless energy and appreciation of the digger's lot won their confidence and gave him great influence. He was later sent to organise Methodist work on the Thames goldfields and to preach in the open air at centres of population. He married (1868) Catherine Anne Ingamells. Harper held pastorates at Wellington, Blenheim and Nelson. The excitement and strain of his pioneering work resulted in nervous prostration, and in 1878 he was superannuated. He settled at Sanson and was for some time schoolmaster at Carnarvon, and worked for his church in the Manawatu district. Harper contributed to the New Zealand Wesleyan a series of articles entitled "The Gospel Among the Maoris" (1872-74) and he left several manuscripts which are still unpublished. Two of these deal with work on the West Coast and Thames goldfields. He died on 24 Sep 1911. M.A.R.P. Reference: Volume 1, page 197 | Volume 1, page 197 🌳 Further sources |
Henry John Chitty Harper | Henry John Chitty HarperHARPER, HENRY JOHN CHITTY (1804-93), the first actual Bishop of Christchurch, was born at Gosport, Hampshire. His father, Tristram Harper, was a physician, and belonged to a Worcestershire family. Educated in the first place at Hyde Abbey school, Winchester, Harper went on to Queen's College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in 1826, and M.A. in 1834. After his first degree Harper went as 'conduct,' or chaplain, to Eton College (where his coadjutor was Selwyn). At Eton he evinced characteristics which pointed him out as a man for high preferment. He was the leading spirit in many reforms at the college, and when he left he received testimonials from the authorities, and from the people of the parish of Eton, which showed the high esteem in which he was held. He was at Eton College from 1831 to 1836, and curate in charge of the parish till 1840. (There was no vicar at the time, the College holding the vicariate). Meanwhile Harper was ordained deacon (1831), and priest (1832). In 1840 Eton College presented him with the living of Stratfield-Mortimer, in Berkshire, where he remained until he was designated Bishop of Christchurch. While curate at Eton College he took private pupils. It was on Selwyn's advice that he read for holy orders, and years later Selwyn strongly recommended Harper as the man for the bishopric of Christchurch. Accordingly a meeting of churchmen, held in Lyttelton in 1855, decided to petition the Queen asking that Harper should be appointed. The Royal letters patent were duly issued, and on 10 Aug 1856 he was consecrated by Archbishop Sumner in the chapel at Lambeth Palace. At the same time he became a doctor of divinity. With his wife and family Harper sailed in the ship Egmont, which on 23 Dec 1856 arrived in Lyttelton. The scene at the meeting of Selwyn and Harper is depicted in one of the sculptured panels of the pulpit in Christchurch Cathedral. On Christmas Day Harper was enthroned in the Church of St Michael and All Angels, which became the pro-cathedral of the diocese. By letters patent of the same date as Harper's, Selwyn was appointed Metropolitan of New Zealand; and before he left Christchurch he discussed with the new bishop his project of a constitution for the Church in New Zealand. Harper lived first in a house in Cambridge terrace (afterwards occupied by Dr Turnbull). On 24 Jan 1857 he consecrated the Church of the Holy Trinity at Avonside. Six months later he laid the foundation stone of Christ's College, of which he was first warden (Selwyn holding the office for only a few months). In the organisation of his vast diocese he travelled long journeys on horseback between the Hurunui on the north and Stewart Island. Almost every year he visited the farthest settlements of Otago and Southland. Like Selwyn, he spent many nights in the open, sometimes with only a saddle for pillow. In 1866 the separation of Otago as an independent bishopric was initiated, and Harper was called upon to act as mediator and peacemaker when the opinions held by the bishop-designate (Jenner) caused his appointment to be challenged. Harper presided at several meetings in Dunedin, and tactfully and sympathetically endeavoured to induce the people of Otago to accept their bishop. When this was found impossible, he had to admit that the appointment was not valid until it was confirmed by the general synod of New Zealand. The controversy was still raging when Jenner reached New Zealand (Jan 1869). Harper convened the synod to meet in Dunedin, and presided throughout five or six days of anxious and difficult debate. One night he occupied the chair from 1 p.m. to 6 a.m. The synod declined by a decided majority to accept the bishop, and he returned to England. In due time Nevill arrived, and he was consecrated by Harper (1871). There were several other controversies which disturbed the even tenor of Harper's episcopate, notably the charge of heterodoxy against the Rev H. E. Carlyon, and the long discussion (1862-65) on the demand of the Christchurch synod to be allowed full control of its own church property. Harper's opening addresses at the synods were marked by practical common-sense. In 1867 and 1878 he attended the Lambeth conferences. With the resignation of Selwyn, he was elected to the primacy of New Zealand, but he declined to enter upon it until he was informed by Selwyn that he had laid down the office of Metropolitan (Jul 1869). Harper's first general synod was at Dunedin. Several new bishops he consecrated personally, including J. R. Selwyn (son of the bishop) as bishop of Melanesia (1877). In the same year at Napier he consecrated E. C. Stuart as bishop of Waiapu. The twenty-fifth year of his episcopate was marked (on 1 Nov 1881) by the consecration for public worship of the fine Christchurch Cathedral. In 1887 Harper announced his intention of laying down his episcopate at the earliest convenient moment, and on 26 Sep 1889 the diocesan synod was informed that his resignation had been accepted. On the following day Archdeacon Julius, of Ballarat, was elected to the see, and on 13 May 1890 Bishop Harper consecrated him. Meanwhile Hadfield was elected primate. Harper was a member of the first N.Z. University senate, and had some influence in the formation of its policy. He married in 1829, Emily, daughter of Charles Wooldridge, registrar of the diocese of Winchester. She died on 10 Jun 1888. Harper died on 28 Dec 1893. (See SIR GEORGE Harper, J. B. ACLAND, C. R. BLAKISTON and C. G. TRIPP.) Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Cox; Purchas (p); Wigram; Beaglehole; Cant. O.N.; The Press, 29 Dec 1893, 7 Jun 1930 (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 197 | Volume 1, page 197 🌳 Further sources |
George Harper | George HarperHARPER, SIR GEORGE (1843-1937) was born at Stratfield Mortimer, England, the son of Bishop Harper (1804-93), and educated at Radley and Eton Colleges. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1858, and returning to England in 1866 (after three years at Christ's College and four years on stations at Malvern and Avoca) he was called at the Inner Temple in 1869. He joined the Northern Circuit, held a few briefs at Manchester and returned to New Zealand in 1870 and commenced to practise. In 1880 he became a partner in Hanmer and Harper. He had a sound knowledge of local body law and also appeared in several celebrated cases, including those of the 'severed hand' and the yacht Ariadne. He was president of the Canterbury Law Society (1910-11), of the Christchurch Club, captain of the Christ's College rifle volunteers and founder of the Citizens' Defence Corps (1914-18); a governor of Christ's College from 1900, and later subwarden, a member of the McLean Institute, and chairman of the Christchurch domains board. He received the O.B.E. in 1918 and was knighted a few weeks before his death (on 12 Mar 1937). Harper married (1871) Agnes, daughter of Judge Loughnan. In 1864 he explored the passes to find a route for sheep to Westland and drove 500 from Lake Coleridge to Hokitika by way of Browning's Pass and the Styx Saddle. Christ's Coll. List (p); N.Z. Law Jour. 16 Mar 1937 (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; J. D. Pascoe (information); The Press and Star-Sun, 12, 13 Mar 1937. Reference: Volume 1, page 197 | Volume 1, page 197 🌳 Further sources |
Walter Harper | Walter HarperHARPER, WALTER (1848-1930), a son of Bishop Harper, was educated at Christ's College, and at Trinity College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1873 and was successively vicar of Ellesmere (1876) and of St Michael's, Christchurch (1882); principal of the upper department of Christ's College (1893-1906); dean of Christchurch (1901) and a governor of Canterbury College. He died on 6 Jan 1930. Christ's Coll. List.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924. Reference: Volume 1, page 197 | Volume 1, page 197 🌳 Further sources |
Benjamin Harris | Benjamin HarrisHARRIS, BENJAMIN (1836-1928) was born at Lisburn, County Antrim, Ireland, his parents being of Irish and French stock. His father, George Harris (1804-80), was a sergeant in the 65th Regiment. Harris accompanied his parents to Canada, but returned to England in 1846 and in the following year sailed for Wellington. In 1851 his father took up a farm at East Tamaki, and in 1860 Harris himself took up land at Pukekohe. Native unrest compelled him to leave, and he joined the Otahuhu Cavalry under Maj. Nixon. In 1862 he made another attempt to cultivate the farm, but in 1863 war broke out. Harris acted as guide to the 60th Regiment into Tuakau, and then rejoined his own corps with the rank of lieutenant (1863) and received his baptism of fire at Paterangi. After the war he returned to his farm to find the buildings burned down, and he took charge of immigrants just arrived at Pokeno, Tuakau and Pukekohe (1866). He was elected captain of the Tuakau and Pukekohe Rifles at the same time (1869), and afterwards major (1878). In 1875 he was commanding the South Franklin Rifles, and in 1885 he raised the first mounted rifle corps in Auckland province. In 1862 Harris was elected a trustee of the Pukekohe highway district. He represented Ramarama in the Provincial Council (1874-75). In 1879 he was elected M.H.R. for Franklin, in 1882 for Franklin North (defeating W. F. Buckland) and in 1893-96 he represented Franklin again (defeating W. F. Massey). In his first term in Parliament he acted as whip for the Opposition party. In 1896 Harris lost his seat to Massey. He was called to the Legislative Council in 1897, and was a member till 1923 (when he retired). He was a member of the Auckland land board (from 1892), the Franklin county council from 1876 (some years chairman) and the Harrisville school committee (for 18 years). Harris died on 12 Feb 1928. Auckland P.C. Proc.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); N.Z.P.D., 3 Jul 1928; Cowan, i; Russell (p); N.Z. Herald, 13 Feb 1928, 12 Jan 1933. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 198 | Volume 1, page 198 🌳 Further sources |
John Chantrey Harris | John Chantrey HarrisHARRIS, JOHN CHANTREY (1830-95) was born at Bath, England, his father being a sculptor and friend of Sir Francis Chantrey. At the age of thirteen he apprenticed himself on a West India trading ship. In 1851, when he had been four years qualified, his ship was wrecked at Cape of Good Hope and he was stranded. Early in 1852 the Gwalior put in in distress. Harris shipped as first mate, and soon afterwards put the captain under arrest for drunkenness and brought the vessel to Auckland. He then had command of the Governor Wynyard, the first steamer built in New Zealand, took her across to Melbourne and ran her for a few months on the Yarra. Leaving this to go to the Forest Creek diggings, he had the usual vicissitudes there and finally settled down to journalism. For many years he was mining reporter at Thames for the Southern Cross. Then he joined the Otago Daily Times as representative at Port Chalmers (1873). In 1878 he was commissioned by the Union Steam Ship Co. to describe the hot lakes of the North Island for a guidebook. He spent a year or two with the Southland Times and in 1880 became proprietor and publisher of the New Zealand Times and the New Zealand Mail (Wellington). This connection lasted till 1890, when Captain Baldwin bought the paper. Harris invested disastrously in silver mines at Puhipuhi, and with his remaining capital bought the Bruce Herald (Milton). He died on 12 Feb 1895. Harris was a free-thinker and lectured on that subject in Wellington (1884). His character was marked by honesty, humanity and straightforwardness. Brett, White Wings, ii; Will Lawson, Steam in the South Pacific (1909); J. T. M. Hornsby in Southland Times, 12 Nov 1912; N.Z. Herald, 22 Oct 1873; Otago Daily Times, 14 Feb 1895. Reference: Volume 1, page 198 | Volume 1, page 198 🌳 Further sources |
John Hyde Harris | John Hyde HarrisHARRIS, JOHN HYDE (1825-86) was born at Deddington, Oxfordshire, educated there and received his training in law. He practised a little before coming to New Zealand. Arriving in Dunedin by the Poictiers (Sep 1850), he at once commenced to practise, his office being in Stafford street. Later he joined John Gillies, whose son, Thomas Bannatyne, was afterwards a partner in the firm. Harris took an immediate interest in the affairs of the settlement, and was soon recognised as one of the 'Little Enemy,' Episcopalians for the most part, who found themselves banded together against some of the cardinal tenets of the old identities. Harris signed his name to the petition against class settlement which was sent to the Government for consideration. He admitted later that he had not had time properly to study the question, and retracted his adhesion to the offending document. Harris became popular in the province, and was clearly marked out for public life. He took a leading part in the protest to Wellington against the transference to the general Government of so-called 'surplus revenue' raised in Otago which was obviously required in the province. He opposed the nominated Legislative Council and co-operated as a member of the Otago Settlers' Association in the demand for representative government; drew up the petition to this end, and when the object was in sight supervised the preparation of the roll of electors. In doing so he resisted hotly the attempt to enrol Maori voters, on the ground that they did not possess the separate qualification that was necessary under the law. Harris's plans were at first not very definite. As a leading citizen he took his part in the foundation of the Mechanics' Institute; he helped to promote the Otago Banking Co., and was an interim director. He drafted the petition for a charter, which was refused by the Government. He was a founder of the Otago Witness when a number of the leading men of the settlement decided to provide a newspaper in place of the defunct Otago News. When gold was discovered in Victoria he was tempted to leave, but eventually decided to stay in Otago. He passed the examinations required by the supreme court and, after going to Wellington to be admitted, he entered into partnership with Gillies. When the elections were held towards the end of 1853 for the first Provincial Council, Harris was elected at the head of the poll for the City of Dunedin. He held strong views, and his determined attitude on several political questions brought him to grips with Cargill, his austere father-in-law. He remained a member of the Council until 1858, and during the last few months was also a member of the executive. He had meanwhile been elected a member of the first town board and of the first education committee (1856). In the following year Gillies was appointed a magistrate and Harris took his son, Thomas Bannatyne, into the practice. In 1858-64 Harris was a member of the Legislative Council. In 1860 he was appointed a district judge, but in 1862 the office was abolished. Richardson in 1861 appointed Harris to be his deputy, and at the next superintendency election (1863) Harris defeated Richardson by 162 votes. As Superintendent he had many important public works to carry through, and severe economic trouble to face due to the inflation following the influx of men into the province. His task was not made easier by the unfriendly attitude of his Council, and he resigned his office in Jun 1865, long before the expiry of the term for which he had been elected. The dissolution of the town board was one of the unpleasant duties which fell to his lot, but the city later attained to the dignity of a municipal corporation, and in 1867 Harris had the honour of being elected mayor. That post also he resigned before the end of his term. He was president of the Dunedin exhibition in 1865. In 1867 Harris was called again to the Legislative Council, in which he sat for about a year. He was Attorney-general in the Stafford ministry. Harris was at times a considerable owner of landed property in Otago. He lived for many years at the Grange and had rural runs at Waihola, Otokia, Lee Stream, and West Taieri. He opened for sale the first private township in Otago, at Clarendon. Harris had a lively passion for education, and he was a member of the council of Otago University from 1869 until his death. He was a prominent freemason under the English constitution, and assisted at the formation of several lodges in Otago. He was installed provincial grand master in 1864 and held that office until 1880. His death occurred on 24 Jul 1886. He married in 1851 Annie Cunningham (1830-81), second daughter of W. W. Cargill. Otago P.C. Proc.; Cycl. NZ. iv (p); Hocken; McIndoe; Otago Witness, 3 Jul 1886; Otago Daily Times, 25 Jul 1886, 21 Mar 1930 (p). Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 198 | Volume 1, page 198 🌳 Further sources |
John Williams Harris | John Williams HarrisHARRIS, JOHN WILLIAMS (1808-72) was born in Cornwall. Going to sea with his uncle in a China tea clipper (in which he learned a good deal about navigation), he deserted his ship and found his way to Australia, where he obtained employment with J. Barrow Montefiore and Co., Sydney. In 1830 the firm sent him to New Zealand as agent for the purchase of flax and other produce, and he eventually settled at Turanga under the protection of the chief Turangi and married a Maori woman. He established the first shore whaling station on the East Coast and was the first European to settle permanently in the Poverty Bay district. Harris had considerable success as a storekeeper and sheepfarmer, but fell upon evil days in his later years and died tragically in Auckland on 4 Feb 1872. While on a visit to Sydney in 1837 Harris left with a relative the moa bones which were eventually laid before Professor Owen. Buick, Discovery of Dinornis (p); W. L. Williams; Gisborne Times, 30 Oct 1926; N.Z. Herald, 6 Feb 1872. Reference: Volume 1, page 199 | Volume 1, page 199 🌳 Further sources |
William Chambers Harris | William Chambers HarrisHARRIS, WILLIAM CHAMBERS (1842-85) was born in Hull, his father being registrar in bankruptcy. Educated at Bradfield College, Berkshire, he proceeded to Brasenose College, Oxford, where he graduated (B.A. 1862; M.A. 1867). He was for a year (1864-65) assistant master at St Peter's College, Radley, and was then appointed headmaster of Christ's College, Christchurch, assuming the position in 1866. Harris was a devoted teacher, an energetic worker and no mean athlete, and under him the school made rapid progress. He undertook the work of the chapel in addition to his headmastership, and wrote his sermons every Sunday. His health breaking down, he resigned and became vice-principal and lecturer at Lichfield Theological College (under Selwyn). He was headmaster of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School at Wimborne, Dorsetshire (1874-77) and vicar of Marchwood, Southampton (1877-79). In the latter year he was appointed organising chaplain to the diocese of Christchurch and inspector of the Church of England schools. In 1882 he became archdeacon of Akaroa, and the following year had again to retire owing to failing health. He died on 6 Jun 1885. Christ's Coll. Sch. List (p); Jacobs; The Press and Lyttelton Times, 17 Jun 1885. Reference: Volume 1, page 199 | Volume 1, page 199 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Shafto Harrison | Henry Shafto HarrisonHARRISON, HENRY SHAFTO (1810-92) was born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, the son of a clergyman. He studied at Clare College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. Having married (1831) Henrietta Paterson (Yorkshire), he lived for some years at Warrengate House, Wakefield. He sailed for New Zealand in 1839 in the Bolton. Arriving early in 1840 they shortly afterwards settled at St John's Hill, Wanganui, where they lived until the trouble of 1847. On this occasion Harrison served as captain, and he was afterwards for many years an officer of militia. Early in 1844 Harrison made an exploration down the Manawatu river, and later in the year he travelled overland with Captain Thomas to Hawke's Bay. In 1851 he was appointed clerk to the Legislative Council. His wife having died (1853), he married (1855) a daughter of Dr Fletcher (Norfolk). On the new constitution being promulgated Harrison was elected to the Provincial Council for Wanganui and Rangitikei (1853), but (being appointed clerk) he resigned his seat. He was again elected in 1861, and resigned his seat two years later on accepting the post of provincial auditor. From 1861-70 he represented Wanganui in Parliament. He was one of the founders of the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society and president for some years of the Wanganui Jockey Club. He bred and raced many fine horses, and introduced racing in the district. Harrison died on 3 Jul 1892. Family information; Wellington P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; N.Z. Gaz.; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Wakelin; Ward; Hawkes Bay Herald, 13 Oct 1934; Wanganui Herald, 4 Jul 1892; Wanganui Chronicle, 4 Jul 1892. Reference: Volume 1, page 199 | Volume 1, page 199 🌳 Further sources |
William Henry Harrison | William Henry HarrisonHARRISON, WILLIAM HENRY (1831-79) was born at Leeds, Yorkshire. Coming to Auckland in 1860, he was in business for some time. In 1861 he went to Otago, and was a member of Vogel's first staff on the Otago Daily Times. He was the first editor of the Grey River Argus (1865), and in 1871 became editor of the Wellington Independent, from which he returned a year later to the Argus. He was a fine writer and a fluent speaker. Harrison represented Westland Boroughs in Parliament (1868-70), and Grey Valley (1871-75), but was rejected by his constituents for advocating the use of prison labour to construct a harbour at Port Elizabeth and the establishment of a central prison there. He turned the first sod of the Brunnerton railway (1873). He was a member of the first Westland county council and the Grey county council. Harrison died on 30 May 1879. Parltry Record; Cycl. NZ, v; Paul; Harrop, Westland; Grey River Argus, 9 Jun 1879. Reference: Volume 1, page 199 | Volume 1, page 199 🌳 Further sources |
George Hart | George HartHART, GEORGE (1820-95) was born at Winchmore Hill, London, and educated there. He came to New Zealand with his brother, Robert Hart (q.v.) in the Mary (1843), and settled in Wellington. In 1848 he paid a visit to England and, returning in the Phoebe Dunbar, he settled in Canterbury, where he took up the Winchmore run (1853). Then he returned to Wellington and was elected to the first Provincial Council for Hutt (1853), which he represented to 1861. From 1859-61 he was speaker. In 1859 he married Miss Kenison James (Sydney). Shortly after this he left Wellington to take up his residence in Canterbury. In 1866 he took over also the Fernside and Birch Hill properties. The former he sold in 1874 (with 40,000 sheep). In 1867-68 Hart was a member of the Canterbury provincial executive. He was elected to represent Coleridge in Parliament (1879), but at the general election a few months later was defeated by E. G. Wright. Hart died on 19 Aug 1895. (See R. PARK) Wellington and Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Parltry Record; Acland; Lyttelton Times, 21 Aug 1895. Reference: Volume 1, page 199 | Volume 1, page 199 🌳 Further sources |
Robert Hart | Robert HartHART, ROBERT (1814-94) was born in London. After his primary education, he commenced to attend lectures at University College in 1830, one of his lecturers being Dr Dionysius Lardner, who gave experiments with electric sparks. Hart was in Paris during the revolt of 1830. He was articled in 1831 to W. R. King, Serjeant's Inn, and attended law classes at University College. In Aug 1843 Hart arrived in New Zealand and commenced forthwith to practise in partnership with A. T. Holroyd, who had come in the same ship (the Mary). He was later associated with R. D. Hanson (q.v.). In 1859 he paid a visit to England, and on his return was appointed district judge for Wellington district. This post he resigned in 1861 and returned to practice. In 1866 he took in as partner Patrick Buckley (q.v.) and they practised together till 1878, when Hart retired from the bar. Meanwhile he had played his part in parliamentary life, in which he held a position of considerable influence. Elected in 1853 to represent the City of Wellington, he acted as law adviser to the Government during the absence of the Attorney-general (Swainson). At that time he was offered a seat on the Supreme Court bench, but declined. Hart was the only representative of Wellington province at the parliamentary session of 1855. At the elections later in the year, refusing to accede to the stipulations of the Featherston party, he stood as an independent and was defeated. As crown prosecutor he appeared for the crown in the trial of the Maungatapu murderers. In 1867 he married Catherine (d. 29 Jun 1897), sister of Donald McLean. In 1872 Hart was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member till his death (16 Sep 1894). Though he did not practise after 1878, Hart's advice was always valued as that of a sound, conscientious lawyer of unquestioned integrity. He was a notary public and revising barrister. At the time of his death he was the only member of the New Zealand Parliament who was in the first assembly in 1854. He rose from his sickbed to register his last vote (in favour of female suffrage). Hart's interest in physics, aroused during his study at University College, was continued throughout his life. He read a paper on terrestrial magnetism before the Wellington Philosophical Society in 1892. Hart was an early freemason. (See G. HART and R. PARK.) N.Z.P.D., 17 Sep 1894; Cycl. N.Z., ii; Trs. N.Z. Inst., 1890; Ward; N.Z. Spectator, 27 Oct, 10 Nov 1855; N.Z. Times, 17, 18 Sep 1894. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 199 | Volume 1, page 199 🌳 Further sources |
Horatio Hartley | Horatio HartleyHARTLEY, HORATIO (?-1903), an American by birth, was attracted to New Zealand from California in 1861 and, in company with an Irish-American, Christopher Reilly, prospected for gold. They first tried the Lindis, Otago. Early in 1862, working in the bed of the Molyneux river about 15 miles below the junction of the Manuherikia, they found signs of gold, but made no report. Having obtained stores, they returned and, taking the western bank, worked back to the junction of the Kawarau, a distance of 13 miles. There they obtained good results. After returning to Waikouaiti for provisions, outfit and packhorses, they followed up the eastern bank, examining especially the rocky bars. In the hard winter of 1862, with consequent low water in the river, they obtained 87 lbs weight of gold. One day, while they were washing good dust, a Victorian miner visited them but, not noticing their result, moved on. In Aug they took their gold to Dunedin, disclosed the field to the authorities and were awarded £2,000. Hartley led the warden (Keddell) to the field, which was proclaimed on 23 Sep 1862. Within three months 16,000 oz was taken out, 6031 oz being brought down by escort on 3 Oct. Hartley returned shortly afterwards to California, taking his fortune with him. He died in Jan 1903, leaving most of his estate of 50,000 dollars to the Tacoma school district. Reilly abandoned his claim at the Dunstan, and spent some months investigating (without success) the feasibility of opening the Molyneux for navigation to afford easy access to the field. He petitioned the Provincial Council (5 Dec 1862) for £400 still owing to him for expenses incurred in this service, but did not appear before the committee to support the claim. He does not seem to have remained in New Zealand. Otago P.C. Proc., 1862; Pyke; Gilkison; DOI; Otago Daily Times, 16-20 Aug 1862; San Francisco Call, 1 Apr 1903. Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
Bache Wright Harvey | Bache Wright HarveyHARVEY, BACHE WRIGHT (1835-88) was a scholar of St John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A., as seventeenth wrangler in 1857. After coming to New Zealand he was curate of Westport, and later of Governor's Bay. He was appointed incumbent of St Paul's, Wellington, in 1871, and while there acted as examiner to Wellington College. In 1881 he was appointed to the staff of Wanganui Collegiate School, of which he was headmaster (1882-87). Harvey's contribution to Wanganui College was the introduction of the English public school system and standards. Resigning owing to ill-health, he received the honorary degree of D.D. from the Archbishop of Canterbury. He died on 26 Jan 1888. Cycl. NZ, i. Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
George William Harvey | George William HarveyHARVEY, GEORGE WILLIAM (1823-89) was born in Derbyshire, and as a young man came to Australia, settling in Ballarat. There he studied law in Randall's office. On coming to New Zealand (1861), he was at once admitted a barrister and solicitor in Dunedin. In 1864 he began to practise in partnership with Joseph Alexander McGregor. Later he was appointed a district judge at Lawrence, and afterwards at Hokitika (1875). On retiring from the bench he practised at Hokitika and Dunedin. He was a prominent freemason, being district grand master on the West Coast. Harvey died on 19 Nov 1889. Barclay; Otago Daily Times, 20 Nov 1889. Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
Frederick Henry Haselden | Frederick Henry HaseldenHASELDEN, FREDERICK HENRY was born in London, being the son of Charles Haselden, with whom he came to New Zealand in 1860. He was a member of the Rangitikei county council and the licensing committee. He won the Patea seat at a by-election (4 Jul 1901) on the resignation of G. Hutchison, and retained it on a second election (Nov 1901). He was defeated by W. Symes at the next general election (1902). Haselden was a conservative in politics, opposing the Liberal land system and co-operative labour, protection and federation. He left a few years later for South Africa. Evening Star (Dunedin), 24 Jul 1901 Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
William Reeve Haselden | William Reeve HaseldenHASELDEN, WILLIAM REEVE (1849-1934), who was born in London, was the son of Charles Haselden, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1861 by the Mermaid. Educated privately in Auckland, he entered the civil service in Hokitika in 1866. In 1872 he was admitted a barrister and appointed crown prosecutor for Westport. He was active in public life as a county councillor, a borough councillor and mayor. Haselden moved to Wellington in 1889, and practised law until 1897, when he was made a stipendiary magistrate. From 1905 until the abolition of the district courts he served as a district judge. He retired in 1918 and died on 12 Apr 1934. Haselden was the author of several works, including the New Zealand Justice of the Peace (1895), Protection and Free Trade (1887), and Industries of New Zealand (1885). In 1875 he married a daughter of J. Lane, of Kyneton, Victoria. Cycl. N.Z., i; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932. Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
Francis William Chapman Haslam | Francis William Chapman HaslamHASLAM, FRANCIS WILLIAM CHAPMAN (1848-1924), born at Cotta, Ceylon, was a son of the Rev. J. Haslam, of St John's College, Cambridge, who was a translator of the Bible into Sinhalese. He was educated at Rugby, where he was head of the school, and at St John's College, Cambridge, where he was a foundation scholar and exhibitioner. After teaching at Manchester and Tonbridge schools, and at the Westward Ho military college, Devon, he was appointed professor of classics at Canterbury College in 1879. Haslam was an active member and a president of the Philosophical Institute. Interested in colonial defence, he was president of the Navy League, and during the war of 1914-18 undertook the recruiting of Ashley county. He retired from the University in 1912 and died in 1924. Cycl. N.Z., iii; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Hight and Candy (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Church Haslewood | Charles Church HaslewoodHASLEWOOD, CHARLES CHURCH, was for some years a squatter in Australia before coming to Canterbury in the early years of the settlement. He took up the Coringa run in 1852, and later one or two others, which he did not carry on. Haslewood represented Rakaia in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1857-58). He met his death through a gun accident in Feb 1858. Acland. Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
Rhona Haszard | Rhona HaszardHASZARD, RHONA (1901-31) was born at Thames, and lived as a child at Hokitika and Invercargill, where her father was commissioner of crown lands. She was educated at the Southland Girls' High School, and proceeded in 1919 to the Christchurch School of Art to study drawing and painting. In 1925 she went to England to continue her studies and, having married, she accompanied her husband to Egypt. She died in 1931. Miss Haszard showed considerable ability as a painter, and exhibited with success at most of the New Zealand exhibitions and abroad. Ledie Greener in Art in New Zealand, Sep 1933; Christchurch Times, 19 Jul 1933. Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Hatch | Joseph HatchHATCH, JOSEPH (1838-1928) was born in London, his father being a furrier by trade and an alderman. A staunch Baptist, he wished his son to become a clergyman, but his bent was in another direction and he was apprenticed first to printing and then to a wholesale druggist. At the age of 19 Joseph emigrated to Melbourne, and was employed in the drug firm of Youngman and Co. for six years. Being sent in 1862 to Dunedin to advise on opening a branch there, he decided to settle in Invercargill, and T. W. Kempthorne opened the Dunedin house. Hatch was in partnership with J. D. Hayes in Invercargill for some years. He became interested in seal and penguin oil and owned the cutter Mary Brilliard, 13 tons (which was wrecked at New River heads in 1873). She was replaced by the Awarua (built at Bluff), which sailed a good deal on the West Coast and to the Auckland islands, and was wrecked at Rarotonga. (The Awarua picked up the survivors of the ship Derry Castle). Hatch then bought the Gratitude, 114 tons, in Sydney. He took over the penguin oil business (which was initiated by William Elder, of Port Chalmers), and as its headquarters was at Macquarie islands he had to move to Hobart to fulfil the requirements of the Tasmanian Government in leasing the station to him. At Macquarie island the Gratitude was lost (1898) and she was replaced by the Jessie Niccol. When she was lost (1910) he bought the schooner Clyde, which was lost on her first voyage (1911). The Rachel Cohen was the last sailer Hatch owned, and she was eventually equipped with an oil engine. Hatch lost much money in this trade and sold out to a company which had no better fortune, closing down in 1918. While in Invercargill Hatch took a leading part in public life. He was a member of the City Council for some years, and mayor in 1878, and represented Invercargill in Parliament (1884-87), being defeated by Feldwick. He was a determined stonewaller. He was the first secretary of the Invercargill fire brigade and was an enthusiastic volunteer both in Melbourne and in Invercargill. Hatch died on 2 Sep 1928. He married (1872) a daughter of Henry Wilson (Melbourne). N.Z.P.D., 2 Jul 1929; Who's Who N.Z., 1924; Ingram and Wheatley; Southland Times, 4 Sep 1928; Parlty Record. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 200 | Volume 1, page 200 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Edward Mallard Haughton | Charles Edward Mallard HaughtonHAUGHTON, CHARLES EDWARD MALLARD (1827-1904) was born in New South Wales, taken to England as a child and educated at Oxford, where he graduated M.A. with the intention of entering the Church. Being appointed chaplain in H.M.S. Queen, he served in the Crimea. Later, in the Euryalus, as chaplain and naval instructor he taught navigation and mathematics to the Duke of Edinburgh. He retired from the Navy and, having become a Roman Catholic, came to New Zealand (1863) and practised as a mining agent at Queenstown in partnership with Manders (q.v.), who succeeded him as editor of the Wakatipu Mail. Haughton was elected to the Otago Provincial Council in 1865, and sat for seven years (for Queenstown 1865-67; The Lakes 1867-72). He was chairman of committees, and was a member of the executive for a month or two in 1871 (as goldfields secretary under E. B. Cargill). In 1865-66 he was a member of Parliament for the Goldfields, in 1866-70 for Hampden, and in 1871 for Wakatipu. Though he was a Conservative and acted as senior whip for the Stafford Government, he supported the first factory legislation of Bradshaw and Richardson. Haughton retired from Parliament (1871) to accept the position of Under-secretary for Immigration and Mines. In 1876 he left the Government service and joined the staff of the Wellington Independent, from which he passed late in the seventies to the Evening Star, Dunedin. He was leader-writer at the time of his death (16 Apr 1904). Otago P.C. Proc.; Otago Daily Times and Evening Star, 18 Apr 1904. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 201 | Volume 1, page 201 🌳 Further sources |
Theodore Minet Haultain | Theodore Minet HaultainHAULTAIN, THEODORE MINET (1817-1902) was born at Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, of Dutch ancestors, who came to England with William III. At the age of fourteen he entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and three years later got his commission in the 88th Regiment. He transferred to the 63rd (1836) and was a lieutenant in the 39th, with which he served for ten years in India. He was quartermaster-general on the staff of the army of reserve at Ferozpur (1842) awaiting the return of the defeated army from Afghanistan. In the following year he served in the Gwalior campaign and was present at the battle of Maharajpur (29 Dec 1843). In 1847 Haultain returned to England with the rank of captain and was appointed adjutant (and then staff officer) of Pensioners (1849). He came to New Zealand in the Oriental Queen in charge of the 8th division of the New Zealand Fencibles (1849). Located at first at Onehunga but he moved to Panmure after the retirement of Lieut-colonel Gray as staff officer of enrolled Pensioners (with the rank of captain). On completing his seven years' term of service with the Pensioners, he retired and settled as a farmer at Mangere (Mar 1857). On the outbreak of fighting in Taranaki in 1860, Haultain organised the Auckland militia and commanded the first battalion (with the rank of lieut-colonel). In the Waikato war he was appointed to command the second of the four Waikato regiments of military settlers raised to guard the frontier. His station was at Alexandra. At the battle of Orakau he distinguished himself and was promoted colonel; and later he was colonel commanding the four regiments. Meanwhile Haultain had taken a full part in public life. In 1852 he was a member of the first municipal council of Auckland. He took no part in provincial politics, but in 1859 was elected to Parliament for the Southern division of Auckland, defeating David Graham by one vote. He was defeated by C. Taylor in 1861. In 1864, on the death of Nixon, he was elected to Parliament for Franklin, which he represented until his retirement in 1870. Finding himself strongly opposed to the Weld ministry on the withdrawal of Imperial troops, he resigned his command (1865) in order to have a free hand in politics and, the ministry having been defeated, he joined the Stafford cabinet as Minister of Defence (16 Oct 1865). His administration was characterised by vigorous measures. He personally supervised the location of the military settlers and in the middle of 1868, when events bore a serious complexion, he asked Whitmore to take command on the West Coast. When Te Kooti attacked Poverty Bay, Haultain took the unpleasant responsibility of withdrawing the outposts to Wanganui in order to concentrate all available forces on the threatened East Coast. He took a personal interest in both campaigns, and supported Whitmore at every juncture. He personally commanded the column operating at Whakamarama until invalided with rheumatism (1869). In the same year he retired from office, with permission to retain the title of 'honourable.' Haultain was a high-minded soldier, a strict disciplinarian, firm but genial, and a prudent minister of defence. He was a strong advocate of temperance, and president for many years of the Auckland Total Abstinence Society. After retiring he carried out many official tasks. He was a member of the flax commission (1871); reported on native lands legislation; took charge of the payment of pensioners (1872); was a trustee under the native land frauds prevention act; a member of the Auckland education board (1871-80); a trustee of St. John's College since 1860; a member of the diocesan and general synods; a governor of Auckland Grammar School to 1900; secretary of the Auckland industrial school and sheriff for Auckland. Shortly before his death he represented New Zealand at the reception to the New South Wales contingent from the Soudan. He died on 18 Oct 1902. N.Z. Gaz.; App. H.R.; N.Z.P.D., pass; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Whitmore; Gorton; Gudgeon (p); Morton; Gisborne; Saunders, ii; Cowan; N.Z. Herald, 16 Jul 1881; 2 Jul 1885; 20 Oct 1902. Reference: Volume 1, page 201 | Volume 1, page 201 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Hawdon | Joseph HawdonHAWDON, JOSEPH (1813-71) was born at Walkerfield, Durham. He came to Australia as a young man and became one of the pioneer graziers of Victoria, making many explorations on his own account and taking up large tracts of land in different colonies. He was the first settler at Dandenong, Victoria, and the town is now on the site of his home station, which he disposed of to the administrator (Captain Lonsdale) in 1838. Hawdon and his partner, Bonney, drove the first mob of cattle (300) from New South Wales to Adelaide (Jan-Apr 1838), and were highly praised by Sturt for the achievement. With Gardiner he drove one of the first mobs of cattle overland from Sydney to Port Phillip. In 1842 Hawdon married Emma, daughter of W. Outhwaite, Richmond, Yorkshire. Hawdon took an early interest in New Zealand, and his reports on the Canterbury block were the means of attracting a number of Australian pastoralists there. In 1851 he sent Joseph Pearson, one of his managers, with a shipment of sheep to establish stations. Pearson explored the upper Waimakariri, took up Burnt Hill for himself and induced Hawdon to take Craigieburn, Grasmere and other runs in the west of Canterbury. The Hawdon river and lake are named after him. In 1866 Hawdon was called to the Legislative Council, but owing to absence in England he was unable to attend. He returned to New Zealand in 1870, and died on 12 Apr 1871. (See R. Campsett and E. W. HUMPHREYS) Cycl. NZ., iii (p); Acland; Sturt; Grey, Journals; Cant. O.N.; The Press, 13 Apr 1871. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 201 | Volume 1, page 201 🌳 Further sources |
Archibald Fotheringham Hawke | Archibald Fotheringham HawkeHAWKE, ARCHIBALD FOTHERINGHAM (1862-1936) was born at Stirling, South Australia, and came to Southland as a youth. Educated at a private school at Port Augusta, and at the Invercargill Grammar School, he became in 1878 a junior clerk in the National Mortgage and Agency Co., of which he was Invercargill manager in 1890. Hawke was for some years mayor of Gladstone; for six years a member of the Invercargill borough council; chairman of the Bluff harbour board for three years, and of the hospital board for fifteen; president of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral association, the chamber of commerce and the Southland and New Zealand Rugby unions. He was a member of the High School board of governors and the electric power board. He was called to the Legislative Council in 1918, and served two terms, retiring in 1932. He died on 27 Sep 1936. N.Z.P.D., 29 Sep, 13 Oct 1936; Who's Who N.Z., 1932; Southland Times, 28 Sep 1936. Reference: Volume 1, page 201 | Volume 1, page 201 🌳 Further sources |
James George Hawkes | James George HawkesHAWKES, JAMES GEORGE, was in business in Christchurch as an auctioneer, and was captain of one of the city volunteer corps. He represented the City in the Provincial Council (1862-72), and was a member of the City Council for some years from 1875. Reference: Volume 1, page 201 | Volume 1, page 201 🌳 Further sources |
William Henry Hawkins | William Henry HawkinsHAWKINS, WILLIAM HENRY (1862-1930) came to New Zealand as a young man and was first in clerical employment in Napier. He was for some years engaged in journalism in Wairarapa and Pahiatua, and was manager of the Pahiatua Herald. He was elected to Parliament for Pahiatua in 1904, but defeated in 1908. He was a Liberal and a strong advocate of no-license. Hawkins afterwards farmed in Taranaki and served in the war of 1914-18 as captain in the Wellington Regiment. He died on 10 Aug 1930. Who's Who N.Z., 1924; Taranaki Herald, 11 Aug 1930; Otago Daily Times, 8 Aug 1904. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
Stuart Hawthorne | Stuart HawthorneHAWTHORNE, STUART (1833-75) graduated M.A. at Sydney University and was headmaster of the Ipswich Grammar School. In 1869 he was appointed rector of the Otago Boys' High School, which was then in a critical condition. Hawthorne already showed signs of failing health when a commission was set up in 1873 to consider the state of the school. This body (consisting of Sir John Richardson, Professor Shand, R. Stout and James Hislop) recommended that the school should be divided into upper and lower departments, and that a board of advice should be appointed. Hawthorne appeared at the bar of the Provincial Council to vindicate his administration. He died on 8 Jun 1875. Otago H.S. O.B. Reg.; Otago Daily Times, 5 Aug 1889, 3 Aug 1933 (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
Ebenezer Hay | Ebenezer HayHAY, EBENEZER (1814-68) was born at Midbuiston, Ayrshire. Brought up to farming, he was in business for some years in Glasgow as a grain and produce merchant. He was one of the committee which organised in Glasgow the early Scottish emigration to New Zealand (1839) and was a land purchaser in the New Zealand Company's settlement. Having married a daughter of Thomas Orr, he sailed in the Bengal Merchant, arriving at Port Nicholson in Feb 1840. After exhaustively prospecting for suitable land in the North Island, Hay joined Captain Sinclair in examining the Port Cooper district in the schooner Richmond (1842). They visited Banks Peninsula and Otakou, and finally decided to settle at Pigeon Bay, the Sinclairs taking Holmes's bay. The schooner was then sold to Rhodes for ten head of horned cattle delivered at Pigeon Bay from Akaroa, a difficult and expensive condition. Hay steadily improved his holding, occasionally acquiring stock from Australia and also on occasion investing in the purchase of stock there for sale in Canterbury. He made butter and cheese on a large scale for the Wellington and Christchurch markets, and in 1852 introduced cocksfoot grass on the peninsula. One of the teachers whom Hay obtained from Scotland for his family was W. S. Fitzgerald (q.v.). The Hays had many vicissitudes from the Maori labourers whom they employed, from the rougher type of colonist, and from the ravages of bush fires, which involved him in heavy legal costs and damages. He died on 26 Nov 1868. Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Cant. O.N.; Guthrie Hay; Lyttelton Times, 16 Dec 1925; Godley, Letters; The Press, 16 Jun 1924; The Sun, 6 Aug 1927. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
Ebenezer Storry Hay | Ebenezer Storry HayHAY, EBENEZER STORRY (1850-87) was born at Kilsyth, Scotland, came to Otago about 1865 and qualified as a barrister and solicitor, practising in Dunedin. A man of quaint habits and quiet disposition, he wrote a good deal of poetry for the press under the nom de plume of 'Fleta'. Shortly before his death he collected verse from New Zealand poets for publication in A New Zealand Garland (which, however, did not appear). He read a paper before the University debating society in 1881 on some characteristics of Wordsworth's poetry. This was later published, with the addition of some of his own poems. Hay died on 20 Apr 1887. Poems in Saturday Advertiser (notably 23 Aug, 20 Sep 1879) and Otago Witness, 17 Sep, 1, 17 Oct 1886; Otago Daily Times, 22 Apr 1887. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
Peter Seton Hay | Peter Seton HayHAY, PETER SETON (1852-1907) was born in Glasgow and, arriving in Otago by the Storm Cloud (1860), completed his education at Otago University. There he graduated B.A. in 1877, being the first Otago student to receive that degree. In the following year he graduated M.A., with first-class honours in mathematics. Having entered the Public Works department as a cadet in 1875, he was appointed in 1879 an assistant engineer in Dunedin. In 1884 he was transferred to Wellington; in 1886 he became resident engineer; in 1896 superintending engineer for the Colony, and in 1906 Engineer-in-chief. He did much valuable technical work, his reports on hydro-electrical power in New Zealand rivers being very sound. Hay died on 19 Mar 1907. Otago Daily Times, 7 May 1877; N.Z. Times, 20 Mar 1907. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
William Hay | William HayHAY, WILLIAM (1805-75) was born in Scotland and came to Wellington in 1840. A builder by trade, he moved to Auckland when it became the capital and was engaged in his trade there for many years. He built Government House. When Hay retired with a competency he bought a farm at Woodstock, Papakura. He was a member of the road board and president of the Agricultural Society. Hay was much interested in education, and promoted several schools in the province. He represented Suburbs of Auckland in the Provincial Council (1855-57), Franklin (1870-73) and Papakura (1873-75). He was a fluent speaker, was interested in social and religious movements, and was an office-bearer of the Presbyterian church. The engagement of Kirikiri was fought on his boundary. Hay died on 15 Feb 1875. Auckland P.C. Proc.; N.Z. Herald, 16 Feb 1875. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
John Hayhurst | John HayhurstHAYHURST, JOHN (1827-89) was born near Preston, Lancashire, and in 1850 came to New Zealand. Having no capital, he worked for a while in the North Island and began in Canterbury as shepherd to H. J. Tancred, for whom he managed Malvern station in 1853. He afterwards rented Ashburton station (1855-60), and in 1861 took up Green Hayes, where he carried out comprehensive improvements, and cut the property up into small farms, upon which he settled about 250 people. Hayhurst was a member of the Timaru and Gladstone board of works, and represented Timaru in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1865-66) and Geraldine (1872-74). A Liberal in politics, he contested the Geraldine seat in Parliament against E. Wakefield. The voting resulting in a tie, the returning officer cast his vote for Wakefield. Hayhurst died on 5 Apr 1889. Poultry Record; Andersen; Acland; Cycl. N.Z.; Timaru Herald, 8 Apr 1889; Otago Daily Times, 10 Aug 1891. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Haynes | Charles HaynesHAYNES, CHARLES (1838-1901) was born in Tasmania, educated in Victoria and came to Otago in 1859. He entered into business as a carrier from Dunedin to the goldfields and when the railway was opened moved to Palmerston, where he opened a store (1873). He was a member of the borough council and the school committee, was five times mayor of the borough, and contested the Moeraki seat against John McKenzie. In 1886 Haynes moved to Dunedin, where two years later he entered the City Council. He was mayor in 1892 and thereafter again served in the Council. In 1888 he was elected to the benevolent trustees, of which he was at times chairman and treasurer. He was a member of the hospital and charitable aid board, and chairman of the George Street school committee, and chairman of directors of the Commercial Property Co. and the New Zealand Cement Co. He twice contested a Dunedin City seat in Parliament. Haynes married (1859) a daughter of P. Logan, and in 1888 a daughter of S. Woolley (Palmerston). He died on 7 Oct 1901. Otago Daily Times, 15 Oct 1901. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
James Hazlett | James HazlettHAZLETT, JAMES (1829-1913) was born at Maghera, County Londonderry, Ireland, and educated partly in that town and partly in Belfast, where he gained some mercantile experience before sailing in 1854 for Australia. He had some success on the Victorian diggings and in Gippsland, and in 1861 came to Otago. In 1863 he started business at the Dunstan, and afterwards opened stores at Cromwell, Clyde and other places. He was five years mayor of Cromwell and represented the Dunstan in the Otago Provincial Council (1873-75). In 1878 Hazlett moved to Dunedin, where he entered into partnership with J. T. Mackerras as merchants and importers. He was president of the Dunedin Hospital for some years, a member of the charitable aid board and a warm supporter of the Dunedin benevolent institution. He was a successful racing owner, being a member of the Dunedin Jockey Club and some years its president. He married (1867) a daughter of Thomas Coleman. Cycl. NZ., iv (p); Gilkison; Otago Daily Times, 30 Mar 1908. Reference: Volume 1, page 202 | Volume 1, page 202 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Heaphy | Charles HeaphyHEAPHY, CHARLES (1822-81) was born in London, the son of Thomas Heaphy (1775-1835), who was attached to the Duke of Wellington's staff as an artist and founded the Society of British Artists. As a youth he studied for five years in the schools of the Royal Academy, and he gained bronze and silver medals and entered for the gold medal. He appears to have exhibited at the Royal Institute in 1835. Heaphy was for 18 months in the works of the London and Birmingham railway. In 1839 he received an appointment for three years as artist and draughtsman to the New Zealand Company and left with the first expedition in the Tory (Apr 1839). He spent 12 years sketching and writing descriptive matter for the Company's publications, studying, surveying, and exploring. In 1841 he accompanied the expedition to fix the site of Nelson. In 1842 he visited England and published his Residence in Various Parts of New Zealand, one of the most authoritative accounts of the colony and the Chatham Islands. Some of his sketches were lithographed for this publication. On returning he took up land in the Nelson settlement, but was obliged to withdraw from it on account of the hostility of the natives. Heaphy took part in several explorations from Nelson to the headwaters of the Buller (1843-46) and accompanied Brunner on his arduous journey down the West Coast. In 1848 he was appointed draughtsman at Auckland. In 1852 he was located at the Coromandel goldfields, being the first goldfields commissioner in New Zealand. On the abandonment of the field (1853), he returned to Auckland, and was appointed district surveyor at Mahurangi early in 1854. In 1858 he became district surveyor for Auckland and in 1859 he assisted Hochstetter in his geological survey of Auckland. In 1859 also Heaphy joined the Auckland City Volunteer company, of which he became lieutenant, and he was afterwards captain of the Parnell company. On the outbreak of the Waikato war (Jul 1863) he took one detachment and erected St John's redoubt at Papatoetoe. In Nov, by reason of his intimacy with the country, he was attached to flying columns as guide. In Dec, as a justice of the peace, he committed for trial in Auckland the natives concerned in murders at Kaipara. On 11 Feb 1864, with a flying column under Sir Henry Havelock reconnoitring near Waiari, he was placed in charge of a detachment when a bathing party of the 40th Regiment was fired upon. Heaphy, having some knowledge of surgery, went to the rescue of a wounded soldier, tended him under fire and eventually with some assistance brought him off the field, being three times slightly wounded himself. He was promoted major in the militia and recommended for the Victoria Cross. As he did not belong to a unit of the regular army, and such an award had not previously been made, he did not receive the Cross until 1867. On the termination of the war Heaphy was appointed chief surveyor in Auckland (1865). In 1867 he was elected M.H.R. for Parnell, which he represented until 1870, when he resigned to accept the post of commissioner of native reserves. In 1878 he was appointed a judge of the native land court, a position he held until his retirement in 1880. He died in Brisbane on 3 Aug 1881. Besides the publications already mentioned Heaphy contributed in 1855 to the quarterly journal of the Geological Society a paper on the goldfields of Coromandel. In 1863, when he was waste lands commissioner, he prepared a pamphlet on New Zealand in support of the Auckland provincial loan of £500,000. Heaphy married (1851) Catherine Letitia, daughter of the Rev John Churton. N.Z.C. papers and reports; D.N.B.; Heaphy, op. cit.; Cowan (p); Jourdain; Gudgeon (p); Harrop, Westland; Thomson; Buick, First War; unpublished thesis by O. S. Meads; Southern Cross, 13 May 1867; London Gaz., 14 May 1864, 8 Feb 1867; Annual Register, 1881. Reference: Volume 1, page 203 | Volume 1, page 203 🌳 Further sources |
James Heberley | James HeberleyHEBERLEY, JAMES (1809-99) was born at Weymouth. His father, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who had been taken prisoner by the British, married and settled in England, where he commanded the brig Nancy. After three years schooling Heberley worked in a ropewalk, and at 11 was apprenticed to the captain of a fishing smack. He ran away and found a post as cabin boy in the Sarah and Margaret, trading between London and Hamburg, and afterwards in the West Indiaman Somersetshire. After many vicissitudes he reached Sydney in the Alexander Henry (1825), and two years later, in the whaler Caroline, put into Bay of Islands. In 1830 Heberley shipped in the schooner Waterloo for Queen Charlotte Sound, and settled at Te Awaiti, where he engaged in whaling. He had many rough experiences during the last campaigns of the Ngati-Toa against Te Rauparaha. Eventually in 1831 he settled at Port Underwood, where he married a Maori woman (1840). Returning in the Hannah in 1836 from Sydney, where he heard of the proposed English colonisation of New Zealand, he bought land at Port Nicholson (1 Feb 1837). The deeds were not valid. Heberley piloted the Tory into Port Nicholson, and round the coast to Wanganui and Taranaki. While she was at Kaipara he climbed Mount Egmont with Dieffenbach (Dec 1839). He was appointed pilot at Port Nicholson but, the fees being insufficient to maintain him, he moved to the town and engaged in fishing, also continuing his whaling operations. He was drowned at Picton in 1899. C. A. Macdonald; E. J. Wakefield. Reference: Volume 1, page 204 | Volume 1, page 204 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Henry Heberley | Thomas Henry HeberleyHEBERLEY, THOMAS HENRY (1876-1937) was born at Picton, his father Joseph Heberley being harbourmaster there. His grandfather was James Heberley (q.v.). He lived as a boy with his uncle, Jacob Heberley, in Petone, and learned Maori carving from him. He paid special attention to Maori art, and was employed by the Dominion Museum authorities almost continuously from 1928. While so engaged he completed many Maori works, including the canoe in the Museum (which was carried out under the supervision of Elsdon Best), the Sir Maui Pomare memorial and the restoration of the Maori church at Otaki. Heberley died on 15 Jan 1937. The Dominion and Evening Post, 15, 16 Jan 1937. (P). Reference: Volume 1, page 204 | Volume 1, page 204 🌳 Further sources |
James Hector | James HectorHECTOR, SIR JAMES (1834-1907) was born (probably at Edinburgh), the son of Alexander Hector, a lawyer, and his second wife, Margaret McCrosty. He first attended the Edinburgh Academy (1844-45), and then for four years was a pupil at the Edinburgh High School. After three years at actuarial work, he sickened of office routine and, having matriculated (1852) he entered the University of Edinburgh, and passed the medical course (apparently as an avenue to a scientific career). He graduated M.D. in 1856. Medicine did not hold him long. To examine the possibility of establishing communication between the Pacific and the Atlantic, the British Government in 1857 sent an expedition, commanded by Captain Palliser, R.N. Hector was offered the dual post of surgeon and geologist; Blakiston was astronomer, and M. Bourgeau botanist. Assured by Sir George Simpson of the co-operation of the Hudson's Bay Company, the expedition sailed from Liverpool on 16 May 1857 in the Arabia. From New York it made for Sault Sainte Marie, travelled by the government steamer to Fort William, and reached Fort Garry (Winnipeg). Having split the party into two, Palliser, accompanied by Hector and Sullivan (secretary to the expedition), started on the longer route by Pembina and Turtle mountain to Fort Ellice, where the others were to meet him. On reaching Carlton, Palliser returned to Montreal. Hector travelled from Edmonton to Rocky Mountain House, back to Carlton, then to Fort Pitt and down the Saskatchewan river to Carlton to connect with the other members. He was able to complete plans for the coming season and to make some substantial progress with his own scientific studies. Starting again, with Nimrod and Erasmus, Hector pushed on up the Bow river, crossed over to the Beaver Fort river and, following up the Columbia, discovered the Kicking Horse Pass-the main key to the central Rockies. Thence, though impeded by scarcity of provisions and numerous accidents, he crossed the watershed, continued down the Saskatchewan, and reached Edmonton on 7 Oct. During the eight weeks since they separated Palliser had made extensive and successful discoveries to the southward, including four passes, and had removed the uncertainty concerning the northern Kootenay pass. Setting off again in May 1859, Hector was repulsed in his efforts to find a pass down the Fraser and Thompson rivers towards the Pacific. His party returned to Colville, and then swung south to follow up the Columbia river to Fort Vancouver. Financial difficulties intervening, Hector penetrated to California and northern Mexico, and towards the end of 1860 returned home by way of Panama. For his work in Canada he was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, of the Geological Society of London and of the Royal Geographical Society (which in 1861 awarded him its gold medal). On the initiative of James Macandrew, approved by his successor (Major Richardson), Hector was engaged from Nov 1861 to carry out a geological survey of Otago. He landed in Dunedin on 15 Apr 1862, and during the winter made a preliminary reconnaissance of one-third of the province. To establish the truth of rumours of gold, he made an exploration up the Shag river and into the Manuherikia valley. With two field assistants he made a rapid survey of certain coal deposits, the results of their analyses forming the groundwork for his valuable Report on the Coals of Otago (1864). Hector then turned his attention to the West Coast to decide as to its fitness for settlement, the extent of its resources, and the existence of a pass into Otago. An expedition was planned under the command of J. T. Thomson, and Hector determined to make a hurried survey west of Wanaka to assist it. On 28 Oct he left Dunedin, reached the Dunstan diggings, skirted Wanaka and made his way up the Matukituki valley, returning to Dunedin by way of Lake Wakatipu. As the arrangements for the West Coast trip broke down, he determined early in 1863 to make an assault from the land side, and the Government sanctioned an expedition to discover a practicable route in that direction. Hector intended to follow up the Waitaki and Ahuriri rivers, crossing over the Lindis pass and again proceeding up the Matukituki. The party left Dunedin on 6 Jan 1863, and followed the Matukituki to its source. On 17 Feb Hector, Sullivan, and Rayer climbed the Matukituki saddle and dropped down into what is now the Waipara river. Heavy rain and lack of food placed them in some jeopardy, and within eight miles of the sea they were forced to turn back. Their position was desperate as they struggled back to their central camp in the Matukituki. They reached Dunedin on 15 Mar. The conception of an effective exploration of the West Coast was first mooted by Macandrew, and revived later by J. T. Thomson. Hector made a hurried trip to Wakatipu and up the Greenstone valley and on 15 May 1863, he and his party, without Thomson, boarded the Matilda Hayes. At Riverton Hector broke the journey to travel up the Waiau river and back by the Oreti and Aparima valley. Some Maori having been engaged, the vessel sailed for Preservation Inlet, and anchored off Milford Sound on 7 Aug. He could find no route leading from the Cleddau river across the range towards Wakatipu, so sailed towards the Awarua river and, when opposite Martin's Bay, entered the Hollyford river. Passing up this, they climbed the saddle which caps the Passburn, dropped down the Greenstone, and on 4 Oct reached Queenstown. Caples and Alabaster can claim priority in the discovery of this pass, but this did not lessen the importance of Hector's route. From Dunedin he returned to the schooner, in which he reached Port Chalmers on 6 Jan 1864. An acrimonious correspondence ensued with J. T. Thomson concerning several alterations to Hector's report. Hector was one of the three commissioners for flax in Otago, and in 1870 he was appointed a commissioner by the New Zealand Government. His principal administrative work at this time was in connection with the Museum nucleus and the Exhibition of 1865. He was appointed a commissioner for the Exhibition in 1863, and in 1864 he was authorised to report on the preparations in the northern provinces. He completed his geological map and section of the province in Nov. Towards the end of 1864, the Government authorised a complete geological survey of the Colony, and Weld offered Hector the position of director of this service. The exhibition successfully finished, and his term of agreement with the Otago provincial government having expired on 1 Jan 1865, he took up his new duties at Wellington in Aug. His organising ability and catholic interests soon established this work on successful foundations. In 1866 Hector was elected a corresponding member of the Geological Society of London, and later in the year an F.R.S. In 1868, he was largely instrumental in forming the New Zealand Institute (formerly the New Zealand Society). He was its first director and for 35 years edited the Transactions. In 1868 also he married Maria Georgiana, daughter of Sir David Monro. In 1870 the Otago provincial government sued Hector for breach of contract, but a committee of the House of Representatives quashed the charge. In 1871 he became a member of the first senate of the University of New Zealand, and in 1885 was elected chancellor, a position which he held for 18 years. In 1875 he visited Europe, where he was awarded the Lyell medal and received the C.M.G. for his services in Canada. On his return through the United States, he represented New Zealand at the Centenary Exhibition at Philadelphia. In 1879 Hector was appointed executive commissioner to the Sydney Exhibition (for which he prepared his Handbook of New Zealand). While he was acting in a similar capacity a year later at Melbourne, the Victorian Government asked him to report on the coal-resources of that Colony. He was knighted for his services as commissioner at the Wellington Exhibition. In 1890 he was chairman of the royal commission on the Dunedin hospital, and later he was sent to the West Coast as a commissioner to investigate the colliery troubles. Hector was three times president of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, and was unanimously awarded the founder's medal of the Royal Geographical Society. He was a member of numerous learned societies. After this period his work diminished in importance. When the staff of the geological survey was transferred to the Mines department, he retained his nominal position as director of the geological survey until 1903, but for some years had no control over the work. He visited Canada in 1903, and died at Lower Hutt on 6 Nov 1907. Amongst Hector's separate publications are an essay on the geographical botany of New Zealand (1865), Phormium Tenax (1872) and Mineral Waters of New Zealand (1893). Lady Hector died on 3 Aug 1930. R.I.M.B.; Otago P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; reports (1865-95) and bulletins of Geological Survey and Colonial Museum; meteorological reports (1868-85); Hector collection in Hocken Library; Royal Geog. Soc. Jour., vol xxiv; Catalogue of Col. Museum (1870); Hector, op. cit.; Cox; Gisborne; Beaglehole; Trans. N.Z. Inst.; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Otago Daily Times, Feb-Mar, 10 Oct 1863, 9 Jun 1864; New Zealand Times, 7 Nov 1907. Reference: Volume 1, page 205 | Volume 1, page 205 🌳 Further sources |
Hone Heke | Hone HekeHEKE, HONE (?-1850). This famous Ngapuhi chief was born at Pa Karaka and was the son of Kau (brother of Pokaia) and Tupanapana, and descended from the Ngapuhi ancestor Rahiri. For a while he lived at Paihia with the Rev H. Williams. Though not himself of the highest rank, he made an influential marriage with Hariata, the daughter of Hongi Hika (q.v.). Heke was rather a turbulent boy and as a young man used his high mana to levy tribute on travellers through his domain at Puketona. Though not fond of the martial life, his ambitions required that he should achieve a reputation. In 1830 he showed skill and bravery in battle at Kororareka; in 1833 he was wounded in the neck on Titore's expedition against Otumoetai pa (Tauranga). In 1837 he distinguished himself in fighting against Pomare and Te Mau-paraoa at Otuihu, when he narrowly escaped capture. Educated by the missionaries, Heke acquired a deep knowledge of Scripture, which he turned to account in later years in controversies directed against the influence of the pakeha and the British Government. On being baptised, in the presence of the British resident (Busby) he took the name of Hone. He married first Ono (Lydia), the daughter of Te Pahi of Ngati Rehia, and they had one son, who died. He then again became rather troublesome. After 1837 he moved to Kaikohe, where again he kept the people unsettled. Heke disliked the steady encroachments of the pakeha upon Maori customs and mana, and contrasted gloomily the poor condition of his people after 1840 with their earlier prosperity and influence. For himself, the arrival of British sovereignty deprived him of the revenue he had been accustomed to levy from shipping at the Bay. As the most prominent chief at Bay of Islands, whose ambitions were well recognised, he had urged upon the chiefs gathered at Waitangi the need of protection, and when he signed the Treaty many others followed his lead. Nevertheless he disliked yielding up his mana to the Queen. His victory in the fight with Pana-Kareao in 1843 raised his prestige, and revived his grievance against the Governor over the punishment of Maketu. Quick to take offence at pakeha arrogance, and burning with ambition to make a name for himself, Heke was furious at being called a pig by a Maori woman of his tribe who was married to a pakeha. He demanded her surrender, but eventually agreed to accept a cask of tobacco as utu. When this was not paid by the pakeha (Lord), Heke led his people into Kororareka (5 Jul 1844) and pillaged some of the stores. By now he was regarded by the missionaries as an apostate, and his influence with the natives in face of the decay of the old customs was much feared. He resented the removal of shipping and, regarding the flagstaff at Kororareka as a symbol of Maori deposition, he chafed to cut it down. On 8 Jul, after praying to both Christian and Maori gods, Heke led a war party and Haratua cut down the flagstaff. Troops and H.M.S. Hazard arrived at the Bay next month, but some of the friendly chiefs begged the Governor (FitzRoy) not to initiate hostilities. At a meeting at Waimate Heke paid ten muskets as utu and apologised for his outrage, but declared that the flagstaff was his property, cut from the forest of his own people. Encouraged, it is said, by passages in the report of the House of Commons committee (1844) which seemed to question the wisdom of the Treaty of Waitangi, Heke continued his recalcitrant attitude, and again (on 10 Jan 1845) the flagstaff was cut down, and yet again on 18 Jan. A reward of £100 was then offered for his capture (to which he replied by offering a similar reward for the head of Governor FitzRoy). The flagstaff was re-erected and fortified with a blockhouse garrisoned by soldiers and men from the warship. On 1 Mar 1845 Heke again attacked the flagstaff hill. After severe fighting during the day the position was evacuated and the whole town abandoned to the enemy. The city of Auckland was alarmed at the arrival of refugees and reports that Kawiti had joined Heke and that an attack on the city was imminent. Expecting retaliation by the troops, Heke and Kawiti built a pa (Okaihau) some distance inland. On 3 May a force of 400 soldiers and marines and an equal number of friendly natives was landed, and three days later the pa was assaulted in a frontal attack, which was unsuccessful for lack of artillery. The British retreated with the loss of 14 killed and 39 wounded, and Heke sallied out of the pa and attacked the friendlies. In this fighting he received a gunshot wound in the thigh, which prevented him taking further part in this campaign. He now established himself at Ohaeawai, 40 miles inland. Colonel Despard landed a larger force on 16 Jun, and on the 22nd paraded at Waimate 630 men of the 58th, 96th and 99th Regiments and from H.M.S. Hazard, with four guns and a strong force of friendlies. Heke's garrison in the pa numbered 250, all armed with guns. Artillery opened on the 24th, without effect until a 32-pounder from the warship breached the palisade. A sudden sally of Heke against the friendlies under Nene resulted in the capture of a Union Jack and the narrow escape of several British staff officers. An assault delivered on the pa on 1 Jul failed, and the troops withdrew to a distance of 400 yards. Two days later Heke hoisted a flag of truce to enable the British to carry off their dead (44) and wounded (66). On the 9th a few more shells were thrown into the work and on the morning of the 10th it was found that the defenders had evacuated the pa. The troops accordingly took possession and five days later retired to the coast. FitzRoy determined to give the enemy time in which to consider the advisability of asking for peace. Heke's mana, however, was now very high, since he had thrice ostensibly beaten the British trained soldiers. With the arrival of Grey to assume the governorship (in Nov 1845), affairs assumed a new aspect. Though Kawiti had constructed a very strong pa at Ruapekapeka, Heke had in the meantime realised the disadvantage at which he was placed by the neglect of planting, so that he was faced with a probable shortage of provisions for the coming campaign. He was held in his pa at Ikorangi by a feint attack while the British forces, with nine guns, were gradually marshalled before Kawiti's position at Ruapekapeka. Colonel Hulme had 1,173 soldiers and seamen and 450 native allies, with 43 guns. On 2 Jan 1846 Kawiti made a sortie from the pa, but was driven back. On the 10th a cannonade effected two small breaches in the palisade. On the following morning (being Sunday) Kawiti retired to the rear of the pa to rest. Heke's reinforcements were in the bush close at hand holding their religious service when British scouts ascertained the weakness of the position, and it was quickly and quietly occupied with slight resistance. After the fall of Ruapekapeka the influence of Heke diminished, and his followers dwindled away rapidly. He made peace through his wife Hariata, who saw Grey. Heke remained disaffected in his last years, but made no further attempt at revolt, and he died on 6 Aug 1850. His widow married Arama Karaka. Heke at one stage called himself John William Heke Pokai. G.B.O.P., 1850/1136, p. 17; 1851/1420, pp. 30, 33; 1854/1779, p. 119; A. N. Brown; Carleton, Marsden, L. and J.; Davis; S. P. Smith; Buick, First War (p); Bowen; Selwyn, Annals (p); Rusden; Buller. Reference: Volume 1, page 206 | Volume 1, page 206 🌳 Further sources |
Hone Heke | Hone HekeHEKE, HONE (1869-1909). This brilliant young Maori was born at Kaikohe in 1869, and belonged to the Ngati-Tawake, Ngati-Rahiri and Ngati-Tautahi hapu of Ngapuhi. His father was Hone Ngapua Tuhirangi, of Bay of Islands, whose father, Tuhirangi, was an elder brother of Hone Heke (q.v.). The present Heke was therefore the grandnephew of Heke and the great-grandnephew of Hongi Hika. Educated at the Kawakawa village schools, the Oromahoe native school and St Stephen's college, Auckland, Heke entered the government service in 1891 as a clerk in the native land court at Wellington. He threw himself with great enthusiasm into the Kotahitanga movement, which aimed at securing for the Maori the full control of their own lands and local government. A Maori parliament of nominated members, which originated in a conference amongst the Ngapuhi in the eighties, held its meetings generally in the northern district. Extending gradually to embrace practically all the tribes but those of the King country and Te Whiti's close adherents in Taranaki, it held its first meeting in another district (Hawkes Bay) in 1892. Heke resigned his post in 1892 to accept the position of leader of the Federated Tribes of New Zealand. He stood for Parliament and was elected for the Northern Maori, on the crest of this movement, expressly for the purpose of putting this policy into effect. Though his bill in 1894 was thrown out, the movement gained momentum and culminated in 1900 in the passing of the Maori land administration and the Maori councils acts. Heke won several elections, retaining his mana with his people and his seat in Parliament until his death (9 Feb 1909). He was a brilliant speaker and a man of strong personality, not the least important of the group of young men (including Ngata, Te Rangihiroa and Pomare) who led the Maori towards their renaissance in the early years of this century. Heke's influence as a prominent chief of four great tribes (Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi and Ngati-Whatua) was such that they were able on the advice of Sir James Carroll, to elect as his successor a man (Te Rangihiroa) who had no tribal connections in the north but was likely to carry on the spirit of Kotahitanga. A monument to Heke was erected on the Kaikohe hill by the Government and unveiled by Carroll. N.Z.P.D., 10 Jun 1909; Gisborne; Scholefield in N.Z. Times, 10 Oct 1907; information from Heke, Carroll and Sir A. Ngata. Portrait: N.Z. Times, cit.; Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 206 | Volume 1, page 206 🌳 Further sources |
George Hempleman | George HemplemanHEMPLEMAN, GEORGE (1799-1880) was born at Altona, Schleswig-Holstein. He came to New Zealand in 1835 as master of the brig Bee and established a shore whaling station at Piraki, Banks Peninsula, which for some years was fairly profitable. He enjoyed the protection of Taiaroa, but suffered much from the depredations of Tuhawaiki and other chiefs who visited the bay. His treatment of the natives was uniformly severe, and caused him to be reprimanded by Captain Stanley, of the Britomart. Hempleman claimed to have made an extensive purchase of land in Banks Peninsula from the natives on 2 Nov 1839. The claim was considered good by Colonel Campbell, but was not substantiated before the commission. He was twice married, first to an English woman in Sydney. He died on 13 Feb 1880 at Akaroa, after a prolonged illness and many disappointments. The Piraki Log, published by F. A. Anson in 1910, is based on Hempleman's diary (now in the Canterbury Museum). J. Hay; Anson, op. cit.; Andersen; Jacobson; A. Mackay. Reference: Volume 1, page 206 | Volume 1, page 206 🌳 Further sources |
Tau Henare | Tau HenareHENARE, TAU (1878-1940) was born at Bay of Islands. A direct descendant of Kawiti (q.v.), he was of the powerful Ngapuhi hapu Ngati Hine. He had no schooling, but at an early age took an intelligent part in Maori affairs and sports. Elected to Parliament in 1914 to represent the Northern Maori, he sat till 1938 (when he was defeated by P. Paikea). His adherence to the Reform party in 1915 assured its retention of office. Henare was a member of the Waitangi Trust board and was prominent in the consolidation of native lands for the benefit of his people. He himself farmed at Motatau. He married Katrine (d. 1918), daughter of the Rev. Parata Awanui. Henare died on 12 Jan 1940. Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; N.Z. Herald, 13 Jan 1940 (p) Reference: Volume 2, page 274 | Volume 2, page 274 🌳 Further sources |
Donald Henderson | Donald HendersonHENDERSON, DONALD (1822-89) was born and educated in Caithness, and learned the trade of an ironmonger at Airdrie, near Glasgow. Coming to Otago in 1856, he engaged in contracting and then entered into business in Princes Street, Dunedin. Having made a competence, he took up land at Romahapa, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He represented Clutha in the Otago Provincial Council (1867-73, 1874-75). Though not prominent in public life, he took a firm stand against Vogel's hundreds regulations, which he considered were designed to favour the squatting interest. Henderson died on 29 Dec 1889. Parltry Record; Otago Daily Times, 31 Dec 1889. Reference: Volume 1, page 206 | Volume 1, page 206 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Henderson | Thomas HendersonHENDERSON, THOMAS (1810-86) was born at Dundee and trained there as a blacksmith. He then moved to Perth, where he married (1834) Catherine Macfarlane. In 1840 Henderson came to Wellington in the London. Moving shortly to Auckland, he was at the first land sale and bought a section in Wyndham street on which he erected the well-known hostelry, the Commercial Hotel. For some years he was in partnership with J. Macfarlane in the timber business, which did not prosper. Then they founded the trading firm of Henderson and Macfarlane (1846), of which he was principal for many years, and they employed some hundreds of Maori in a gumdigging venture at Mangonui. The schooner John Bull, which they acquired for the Sydney trade, was not a success and they sold her in Hobart, taking flour in payment. The success of this deal led to the establishment of Henderson's mill (at the village afterwards called Henderson). The firm suffered heavy losses in 1849 through shipping timber to California. They sold their first vessel, the Fanny, to Polack. Another venture with timber to California, in the Josephine, landed on a stagnant market. They then chartered the Glencoe and initiated a successful trade with China, in which Henderson personally took part. On one of his visits he brought back Chinese pheasants, which were successfully acclimatised. In 1852 the barque Spencer was chartered, and thus the Circular Saw line of sailing packets was inaugurated. Considerable profits were made in connection with the Victorian diggings and the firm expanded its shipping trade to South America. On the death of John Macfarlane in 1860, Henderson's son Thomas joined the firm; and Henderson withdrew shortly afterwards in favour of his eldest son (George) and his son-in-law, Gustav von der Heyde (q.v.). A few years later the firm met with reverses, and Henderson returned to business. They purchased the steamers Airedale, Lord Ashley and Phoebe, but made little headway until the youngest son, H. H. W. Henderson, came in. Thomas Henderson represented the City of Auckland in the Provincial Council (1855-57) and was a member of Campbell's executive (1855-56). At the same time he represented the Northern Division in Parliament (1855-70), holding office for a year without portfolio in Fox's ministry (1861-62). In 1865-67 he represented the Northern Division in the Provincial Council. Henderson was again in Parliament, for Waitemata, in 1871-74, two of his partners (Macfarlane and von der Heyde) being there with him. In 1878 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until his death on 27 Jun 1886. Henderson was a good honest type of politician, a practical thinker and a forceful speaker. In business he was always enterprising. His public spirit was evident in 1863 when he visited Melbourne while Colonel Pitt was enlisting men for the Waikato war. Learning that the banks would not give the Government credit beyond £10,000, Henderson personally found security for another £15,000, which he placed at Pitt's disposal. Henderson was a founder and many years a director of the Bank of New Zealand, and a director of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., the New Zealand Insurance Co. and the Auckland Gas Co. Larkworthy; Auckland Star, 28 Jun 1886; N.Z. Herald, 21 May 1881. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 206 | Volume 1, page 206 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Henry | Joseph HenryHENRY, JOSEPH (1835-94) was born in Ireland and educated at Trinity College, Dublin (L.R.C.S. Ireland 1862). He came to New Zealand in the Ironsides (1864) and during the Waikato war served as surgeon with the 1st Waikato Regiment, being present at Rangiriri. He afterwards married Miss Armstrong (d. 1891) and practised at Charleston, where he was surgeon to the hospital. He represented Buller in Parliament (1876-79), being defeated by Fisher. In 1880 he graduated L.R.C.P., and two years later moved to Wellington, where he practised until his death (9 Apr 1894). Henry was a justice of the peace, chief medical officer to the Government Life Insurance department from 1889, and a governor of Wellington College and Girls' High School. N.Z. Times, 10 Apr 1894; Westport Times and Star, 28 Dec 1926 (p). Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 207 | Volume 1, page 207 🌳 Further sources |
Richard Henry | Richard HenryHENRY, RICHARD (1845-1929) was an accomplished bushman and observer, who took an interest in natural history and especially bird life. Henry had a sheep station in Canterbury adjoining crown lands and at one time had 20,000 sheep, but was ruined by the depredations of rabbits. He paid great attention to methods of extermination, but failed to suppress the pest. He accordingly sold the property but took it back again a year or two later. Again he had to abandon the run, but he believed that if he had studied the natural history of the rabbit he could have fought them successfully. In 1888 he published an interesting pamphlet on methods of combating the pest. Henry then took up a place on Lake Te Anau, where he encountered T. Mackenzie, M. Ross and others assisting in the search for his friend Q. McKinnon (q.v.). In 1895 he was appointed ranger under the animals protection act and stationed at Dusky Sound, with instructions to report on the best site for a house for observation and the protection of native fauna on Resolution, Parrot and Pigeon islands, and means of obtaining wingless birds from other parts of New Zealand to place in sanctuary there. He made valuable reports to the Government in which he described Maori relics on the beaches and articles left by the sealers. He described the kiwi (apteryx australis), and felt confident he could catch a takahe if he heard one. Henry's natural history notes, many of which were printed in the annual reports of the departments and in the Otago Witness, are of great interest and considerable value. In 1904 it was considered advisable to recall him since he had no companion, and he was transferred to Kapiti island. He retired in 1911, and died at Auckland on 13 Nov 1929. App. H.R. C1, 1895-1904; H2, 1905-09; Otago Daily Times, 11, 24 Jan 1893; Henry, op. cit.; Otago Witness, 31 Dec 1896. Reference: Volume 1, page 207 | Volume 1, page 207 🌳 Further sources |
George Hepburn | George HepburnHEPBURN, GEORGE (1803-83) was born at Leslie, in Fifeshire, Scotland. He was educated there and in Kirkcaldy, and went into business in the latter town. He was an elder of the Established Church in the congregation of Dr Alexander, whom he followed at the Disruption into the Free Church. In 1850 he came to Otago in the Poictiers, and in the following year he was appointed manager of James Macandrew's store in Dunedin. In 1859 he entered into business as a grain merchant in partnership with James Paterson, and after a successful experience of some years he sold out and went to reside at Halfway Bush. In 1855 Hepburn was elected to the Provincial Council for Dunedin Western, which he represented till 1859, and he later sat for Wakari (1863-67). During part of the time he was chairman of committees. From 1866-69 he represented Roslyn in Parliament. He was a staunch Presbyterian, and in 1860 was one of the founders of Knox Church, of which he was an elder from the beginning. Deeply interested in Sunday schools, he was for over 60 years a teacher. He was also interested in secular education, and was for some years chairman of the Wakari school committee. Hepburn died on 9 Dec 1883. His daughter married W. Downie Stewart (q.v.), whose son, the Hon W. Downie Stewart, edited Hepburn's journals for publication in 1934. Hepburn, op. cit. (p); Cycl. N.Z., iv; Otago Daily Times, 4 Jan 1884. Reference: Volume 1, page 207 | Volume 1, page 207 🌳 Further sources |
George Heppell | George HeppellHEPPELL, GEORGE, was educated at Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. He was appointed headmaster of Nelson College in 1859, and in his short reign showed great ability as a mathematician and some literary taste. Owing to differences with the governors, he resigned in 1861 and returned to England. Nelson Coll. Reg. Reference: Volume 1, page 207 | Volume 1, page 207 🌳 Further sources |
James Herd | James HerdHERD, JAMES, a Scottish seaman, was first in New Zealand in 1822 in command of the Providence trading in spars with the natives at Hokianga. Kendall assisted him as interpreter. Herd was in command of the New Zealand Company's expedition in the Rosanna, which sailed from Leith in 1825 with a large body of mechanics and arrived off the southern coast of New Zealand early in 1826. He paid a visit to Port Nicholson, and at the Thames he remained for some weeks. He made a purchase of land, which included the islands of Waiheke and Pakihi, but owing to the unfriendly manner of the natives he left for Hokianga. Calling at Bay of Islands (26 Oct 1826) he complained of the hostility of the missionaries who, he said, feared that colonisation would impair their influence with the Maori. At Herd's Point, Hokianga, he purchased a block of land for settlement. Some of the mechanics settled there under the protection of Patuone, Moetara and other chiefs and established the respectable colony of artisans which later visitors remarked upon. The Rosanna arrived in Port Jackson on 11 Feb 1827, where her tender, the Lambton, was sold, and the mechanics were discharged. She took a cargo for England. Herd's report practically ended the venture, and the Company's interests were bought by the New Zealand Company of 1840. Marsden remarked that Herd's dishonest treatment of the natives on his earlier visit was responsible for their unfavourable reception. NZ. Archives, Carleton; Marsden, L. and J.; Sherrin and Wallace; Earle; E. J. Wakefield; Dillon; Harrop, England and New Zealand; Parl. Jour., 1841; McNab, Murihiku Reference: Volume 1, page 207 | Volume 1, page 207 🌳 Further sources |
Jasper Lucas Herrick | Jasper Lucas HerrickHERRICK, JASPER LUCAS (1833-90) was born in County Cork, Ireland, and entered the army as an ensign in the 67th Regiment of Foot (1852). Two years later he retired and came to New Zealand in the John Scott, arriving in Auckland on 5 Mar 1859. He took up land in Hawke's Bay in partnership with J. N. Williams, and lived at Kereru, where he was postmaster (1865-69). In 1863 he was commissioned as a captain in the Napier militia, and he served under Whitmore on the East and West Coast. In the engagement at Ruakituri he was in command of the Napier volunteers. At Poutu in 1869 he had command of No. 2 company Armed Constabulary. He was in charge of the expedition at Waikaremoana, which was countermanded when he had the boats ready to carry the force across the lake. He then resigned and returned to Napier, where he married in 1870 Emily M., daughter of Richard Duncan, of Forest Gate, Essex. Herrick represented Hampden in the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council (1875-76) and served on many local bodies. He was accidentally killed at Oparae in 1890. Family information; War Office records; Lambert; Cowan; Whitmore; Napier Daily Telegraph, 16 Oct 1925. Reference: Volume 1, page 208 | Volume 1, page 208 🌳 Further sources |
William Herbert Herries | William Herbert HerriesHERRIES, SIR WILLIAM HERBERT (1859-1923) was born in London, the son of H. C. Herries, barrister at law, and grandson of General Sir William Herries, chairman of the board of audit. He was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. (1880). He studied geology on his Yorkshire holidays and when still young was elected a fellow of the Geological Society. Coming to New Zealand in the Tararua (1881), Herries took up 900 acres of land at Shaftesbury, near Te Aroha, and in 1889 married Catherine Louisa, daughter of E. F. Roche, of county Cork and Ohineroa. He was a member of the Piako county council (1891-99), and of the Waikato hospital and charitable aid board (1893-97). In 1896 Herries was elected to Parliament for Bay of Plenty (defeating W. Kelly), and he represented that seat continuously till 1908, and under its new name of Tauranga till his death. As a leading member of the Reform party he became Minister of Railways and Native Affairs in the Massey cabinet (1912) and also of Customs and Marine in the National government. He held his old portfolios in the new Massey government of 1919 till ill-health compelled him in 1921 to relinquish all departmental administration. He became K.C.M.G. in 1920. Herries was a strong supporter of the turf, being president of the South Auckland Racing club and the Te Aroha Jockey club and patron of the Rotorua Jockey club. He published in 1921 The Successful Running and Sire lines of the Modern Thoroughbred Horse, a noteworthy treatise on breeding in Great Britain and Ireland. He contended that New Zealand would inevitably take a similar position in the southern hemisphere. Herries died on 22 Feb 1923. N.Z.P.D., 15, 19 Jun 1923; Memoir of Sir William Herries (1925, p); N.Z. Herald, 23 Feb 1923. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 208 | Volume 1, page 208 🌳 Further sources |
John Heslop | John HeslopHESLOP, JOHN (1838-1929) was born in the Cheviot Hills, Northumberland; educated at Blackburn and Redsdale, and came to New Zealand in the Indian Queen (1857). He gained experience on John Sutherland's run at Castle Point and became manager of Hatuma estate. At the action of Omarunui a bullet passed through his hat. He was later corporal in the Waipawa cavalry. With his father Heslop took up a swamp property at Patangata, which they had to abandon after the Waipawa river had broken a new course and transformed the swamp into a lake. In 1863 Heslop and S. Thorpe chartered the Rangatira to ship bullock teams and merchandise to Otago, intending to cart stores to the Dunstan. The outlook being unfavourable, they withdrew and carted wool in Hawkes Bay for some years. In 1872 he drove stock through the Manawatu gorge. He explored other unfrequented routes in Waikato and the King Country. In 1873 he settled on a farm within 10 miles of Wanganui. He became a member of the first county council (1876), on which he sat until leaving the district in 1883 to take up a new property at Mawhitiwhitu, where he was a successful breeder of shorthorn and Holstein cattle. He was chairman of the Goat Valley and Matapu school committees, a member of the Taranaki land board (1904-21), the lands for settlement board, the Egmont forest board, the forest conservation board, and the Wanganui, Hawera and Egmont licensing committees; the Hawera county council (1884-98; chairman six years); the Waimate road board (10 years), and the Taranaki hospital and charitable aid board. Heslop tried to win the Patea seat in Parliament (being defeated by F. H. Haselden Nov 1901). In 1921 he was appointed a Government member of the assessment court. Heslop married (1874) a daughter of M. U. Goodson (East Coast). He died on 6 Feb 1929. Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., vi (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 208 | Volume 1, page 208 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Hewetson | Joseph HewetsonHEWETSON, JOSEPH (?-?) came to Nelson in the forties and established a business in Motueka as flourmiller and sawmiller. He represented Motueka in the Provincial Council (1859-61) and died in Jan 1901. Nelson P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., v, 232; The Colonist, Jan 1901 Reference: Volume 1, page 210 | Volume 1, page 210 🌳 Further sources |
James Duff Hewett | James Duff HewettHEWETT, JAMES DUFF (1830-1865) was the son of Colonel W. Hewett, of the Rifle Brigade (a Waterloo veteran who died in 1891). He was educated at Bonn University in Germany, and was intended for a military life, but came to New Zealand in 1855 and settled on the Toi farm at Kai-iwi. In 1858 he married Ellen Baker. Living in a district which was constantly disputed by the disaffected Maori, Hewett had many escapes and was twice burned out. He was chairman of the road board; a justice of the peace (1862); ensign in the militia (Oct 1863) and captain (May 1864). In 1863 he was elected to represent Wanganui and Rangitikei in the Wellington Provincial Council. He favoured separation as a blow at provincialism, but early in 1864 changed his opinion. Hewett introduced Dr Featherston and J. C. Crawford to the disaffected chiefs when they discussed the Maori boundary, and thereafter was several times warned of impending attacks on his farm. Nevertheless he persisted in his military duties, declined to leave his farm and go to the stockade at night, and continued to employ Maori farm labour. He was murdered by Hauhau on 18 Feb 1865. His widow and family, after living for some years in England, settled in Wanganui. Cycl. NZ, ii; Gudgeon; Ellen Hewett, Looking Back, 1925; Independent, 11 Feb 1865. Reference: Volume 1, page 210 | Volume 1, page 210 🌳 Further sources |
William Hewitson | William HewitsonHEWITSON, WILLIAM (1860-1932) was born at Smythesdale, Victoria, and educated at the High School at Ballarat, Ormond College, Melbourne, and Melbourne University. He entered the service of the Union Bank of Australia, but afterwards studied for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, was licensed in 1888 and put in charge at Brunswick. In 1895 he was appointed to Knox Church, Dunedin. Hewitson was convenor of the foreign missions committee of the Church (1901-22). In 1909 he was appointed master of Knox College, a post which he administered with conspicuous success until shortly before his death (on 8 Dec 1932). He was moderator of the General Assembly in 1928, a member of the council of Otago University (1903-22), and of the senate of the University of New Zealand (1912-22). Who's Who N.Z., 1932; Otago Daily Times, 10 Dec 1932. Reference: Volume 1, page 210 | Volume 1, page 210 🌳 Further sources |
William Hickson | William HicksonHICKSON, WILLIAM (1810-85) was born in Liverpool and was a member of the firm of Ridgway and Co., who chartered ships to the New Zealand Company. Amongst these was the Martha Ridgway, which made two voyages (1840 and 1841). Hickson came out in the Theresa at the end of 1843 to wind up the affairs of the branch establishment in Wellington (Ridgway, Guyton and Earp). He brought only his wife and elder children, but liked the prospect so well that he entered into business on his own account (as Hickson and Co., merchants and shipowners), and was at one time a successful shipowner trading between Sydney and Wellington. He made a special study of marine insurance, shipping and finance. Hickson was called to the nominated Legislative Council by Governor Grey (1848), and was at the same time a member of the Council for the province of New Munster. When the new constitution came into force he did not at once seek election, but in 1854, having retired from business, he was elected to the Provincial Council for Wellington City (which he served 1854-56 and 1865-69). He was a member of Borlase's executive for two years, holding the post of provincial treasurer part of the time. He was a member of the first town board (1863). As a landowner Hickson quite early imported from Australia stud sheep, purebred cattle and thoroughbred horses. He owned some good racehorses and was a constant supporter of the Wanganui and Wellington Racing clubs. For a while he was president of the Wellington Jockey club, and for many years acted as judge. He was also chairman of trustees of the Hutt Park racecourse. Hickson was a senior justice of the peace from an early date, at a time when the first three on the list were almost automatically invited to join the Legislative Council. He presided on the bench until a year or two before his death. In 1857, when the steamer Wonga was sent down to Wellington from Auckland to be sold, Hickson, Hunter and Rhodes by a vigorous canvass secured a capital of £5,000 to purchase her. Hickson was chairman of the company for the first five years. It bought also the Stormbird from John Jones, and paid its shareholders 10 per cent. each year for four years, and then returned them £19 for each £10 invested. Hickson was a man of great strength and vigorous constitution. He died on 6 Jul 1885. (See C. Rous-Marten.) Wellington P.C. Proc.; Ward; N.Z. Times, 7 Jul 1885; Evening Post, 28 Oct 1929 (p) Reference: Volume 1, page 211 | Volume 1, page 211 🌳 Further sources |
Robert Luke Higgins | Robert Luke HigginsHIGGINS, ROBERT LUKE (1828-92) was born in Australia and was managing runs in Victoria for John Terry Murphy (a cousin of Gabriel Read), who sent him across to Canterbury with stock to take up a station. He took up Murphy's run on the Waimakariri, and acted as managing partner until Murphy's death, when he was executor. He also had a property of his own near Cust. Higgins represented Ashley in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1857-61) and Oxford (1870-75). Gabriel Read's diary (in the Dunedin Public Library) shows that Higgins did him many services, which he recognised by sending a quantity of seeds of trees collected in Tasmania by the naturalist Dickenson. From these the fine plantations at Cust originated. Higgins died on 9 Nov 1892. Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Acland; Lyttelton Times, 29 Nov 1892. Reference: Volume 1, page 211 | Volume 1, page 211 🌳 Further sources |
Alfred Henry Highton | Alfred Henry HightonHIGHTON, ALFRED HENRY (1858-1915) was educated at Marlborough College, England, under Dean Farrar. He went to Cambridge in 1875 (St John's College), and graduated M.A. in 1878. He was then selected out of many applicants for the post of classical master and lecturer in science at St Peter's College, Adelaide. A few years later he was appointed mathematics and natural science master at the Auckland Grammar School, and in 1886 headmaster of the Southland Boys and Girls' High School. He established the chemical laboratory there and took a great interest in athletics, but he was reserved and rather feared by his pupils. Resigning in 1898, he took over a milk condensing factory at Underwood. This was not a success, but he afterwards had a prosperous dairy business in Gippsland, Victoria. He died in Melbourne on 27 May 1915. Southland B.H.S. Reg.; The Argus (Melbourne), 28 May 1915. Reference: Volume 1, page 211 | Volume 1, page 211 🌳 Further sources |
Hongi Hika | Hongi HikaHONGI HIKA (1777-1828) was a Ngapuhi chief of high rank, the son of Te Hotete, chief of Te Tuhuna (Kaikohe), and was descended from the great ancestor Rahiri. In person he was of medium stature and slight build, with large broad forehead, quick piercing eyes; dignified, mild mannered, little suggestive of the savage; and one of the least assuming of all the travelled Maori chiefs. Hongi first distinguished himself in the field in Pokaia's expedition against the Roroa (1806) and he was one of the tribal leaders against Ngati-Whatua at the battle of Moremo-nui (1807), where Ngapuhi, stricken with terror at the death of Pokaia, fled the field. Hongi lost two brothers and many relatives and only escaped by his fleetness. It was here that he conceived the idea of revenge which shaped his later life by convincing him of the efficacy of firearms. In the next few years he had some personal successes in the field, but only where the enemy had no guns. With native weapons the fortunes of war swung from side to side. A campaign against the Ngati-Korokoro in 1812 on the lower Hokianga river created an entanglement which had the effect in 1844 of ranging the Ngati-Pou on the side of the British against Hongi's relative Hone Heke. Hongi greatly widened his knowledge of the world by visiting Sydney in 1814 in company with Kendall, Hall and his nephew Ruatara. Marsden, with whom he lived at Parramatta, was much struck by his mild manners, his chiefly conduct and his sincere desire to acquire European arts. Hongi learned the alphabet in six days. He showed some skill in carving a bust of himself with an iron hoop. Returning to New Zealand with Marsden at the end of 1814, he assisted materially in the establishment of the mission. With Korokoro and Ruatara he helped to regulate the natives attending the first service held by Marsden, and thereafter was a constant protector of all Christian missions. He was most anxious to encourage the intercourse of white men, and punished severely any offences against the pakeha in his territory. Agriculture interested him, and he grew wheat from seed sent by Marsden, but military matters were his preoccupation. He laughed at Marsden's admonitions to stop fighting, but agreed to desist while the missionary was in New Zealand. In 1817 he planned a naval expedition to the North Cape, but having quarrelled with the Whangaroa tribe en route he returned to the Bay, lest they should make reprisals in his absence. In Feb 1818 Hongi joined Te Haupa (Ngati-Paoa) in an expedition to East Cape. With 900 men they harried the coast of the Bay of Plenty as far as Hicks Bay, where Te Haupa was killed. Hongi returned to his home with many hundreds of prisoners. Marsden dissuaded him from taking part in the Amiowhenua expedition (1819-20). By a deed dated Nov 1819 he granted land for the mission at Kerikeri. Desirous of visiting England, Hongi sailed with a near relative, Waikato (q.v.) in Mar 1820 in the whaler New Zealander. They spent several months in Great Britain in charge of Kendall, making a prolonged stay at Cambridge, where they collaborated with Professor Samuel Lee (q.v.) in compiling a Maori dictionary. Hongi was dignified in bearing, behaved devoutly in church, and was everywhere treated with great deference. He was especially interested in the arts and crafts of the country, in army organisation and in implements of agriculture. George IV granted him an audience and gave him a suit of armour and some two-barrelled guns. Hongi had already conceived the ambition of being paramount king in New Zealand. He wished to take back with him 100 artisans, some missionaries and 20 British soldiers with three officers, and he offered to give them land to settle on. He was at special pains to secure firearms, even exchanging for them presents which seemed to him to have less value. Waikato, on the other hand, was interested in implements of a more peaceful purpose. The English winter proving injurious to Hongi's health, the government provided them with passages to New South Wales in the convict ship Speke. He was received by the Governor and presented with a cow and other gifts. While there Hongi heard of the death of a son-in-law fighting against the Thames tribes, and he also met the Thames chief Te Hinaki (q.v.) and the Coromandel chief Te Horeta (q.v.). Te Hinaki was awaiting an opportunity of a passage to England, but was dissuaded by Marsden. Hongi discussed freely his intention of turning his arms against Hinaki and Horeta as early as possible to obtain utu for his losses. Fired with this passion, and his ambition of being the King of New Zealand, he disposed of many utilitarian gifts and bought guns and ammunition. Moreover, according to Bishop W. Williams, he brought back to New Zealand a mind exasperated against the Church Missionary Society. Returning in the ship Westmoreland to Bay of Islands (where they arrived 11 Jul 1821) Hongi held aloof from the missions, and his example was soon reflected in the defiant and truculent behaviour of the common people and the mischievous conduct of inferior chiefs. He entertained the Thames chiefs for a short time and then set about preparations for his expedition against them. He constructed for his own defence an ingenious fortification. On 5 Sep Hongi embarked the strongest taua ever despatched from the Bay-2000 men, many of them with guns; and amongst the leaders such men as Rewa, Patuone, Muriwai and Waikato. The expedition sailed up the Hauraki gulf against the Ngati-Paoa pas at Mokoia and Mau-inaina, where Hinaki, poorly supplied with guns, had made the best preparations he could for the attack. Though presents were offered and accepted, Hongi pressed forward to the attack. The helmet which George IV had given him was shot off at an early stage, and in the close fighting he was in grave danger through getting his feet entangled in a vine. But Patuone urged a new attack, and Hongi, forming his superior numbers into a cuneus with himself at the apex, carried the position. Te Hinaki he shot personally and drank some of his blood. The pa was then attacked with rifle fire from high platforms and taken with great slaughter of men, including three pakeha sailors, women and children. Some hundreds of the vanquished were devoured in a feast lasting several days, and Hongi returned to the Bay of Islands with Hinaki's head as a trophy. In the two fights it is believed that at least 1,000 Ngati-Paoa were killed. All of the northern tribes resented the monopoly of trading and pakeha intercourse which Hongi had created, and they lived in terror of the irresponsible supremacy of his guns. Marsden reasoned with him without avail that if he would only cease fighting they might accept him as king. In Dec 1821 Hongi proceeded against the Ngati-Maru pa Te Totara (Thames) which withstood his assault for two days and a night. He then sent sixty of his chiefs to make a deceitful peace, which Ngati-Maru accepted and sealed with gifts. Pomare, to avoid complicity in the plot, withdrew his men and returned home. Hongi's forces took to their canoes and pulled as far as Tararu as if retiring; but when night fell they landed and took the pa by surprise. Sixty Ngati-Maru chiefs and many of other tribes who were in the pa were killed. Hongi's son-in-law, Tete, was amongst the casualties, and the belief that he died at the hands of a Waikato warrior afforded the pretext for a new campaign. Meanwhile Hongi returned to the Bay with his captives, upon whom revolting cruelties were committed. In Jan 1822 1,000 men left for Thames, and in Feb an equal number. Their goal was a triple pa held by Waikato (with some allies of Ngati-Whatua and Ngati-Paoa) at Matakitaki, at the junction of the Mangapiko and Waipa rivers, 14 miles north of Pirongia. Hongi's canoes were paddled up the Tamaki, pulled across the portage at Otahuhu to Manukau, and thence across the portage from Waiuku to the Awaroa, a tributary of the Waikato. Obstructions carefully prepared by the flying enemy delayed the journey, and it was probably the middle of May when Hongi sat down on the west bank of the Waipa, within 100 yards of the position. Many of the defenders escaped when the Ngapuhi guns first opened fire, and the pa was taken without much resistance, hundreds of the defenders being smothered in the ditches while trying to escape. On the following day Te Wherowhero and Te Kanawa led a counter attack and drove the Ngapuhi back into the pa, but Waikato were again defeated at Orongokoekoe. Te Wherowhero, though vanquished, had yet another triumph at Otorohanga, where he surprised a considerable force of Ngapuhi who had captured a party of Waikato women. Sixty of the enemy were killed. Ngapuhi returned north at their leisure, while Waikato hid in the forests of the upper Mokau. Hongi was back at his home at the end of Jul. His next great expedition, against Rotorua, was in the early part of 1823. On this occasion the canoes paddled up the Pongakawa river, east of Maketu, towards Roto-ehu, and were then hauled overland to Roto-iti and so into Roto-rua. This difficult portage was hampered throughout by the bold attacks of the Ngati-Pikiao (Arawa), from whom Hongi suffered many losses. The Arawa, fearing Hongi's guns, had assembled with their canoes and supplies on the island of Mokoia. Hongi paddled round the position for three days, opening fire occasionally but really reconnoitring. Meanwhile many of the defenders swam to the shore of the lake and escaped. On the third day Hongi landed on the north side of the island, which was carried without great difficulty. In this attack the leader again had his helmet shot from his head and was thrown down in his canoe. Ngapuhi lost many men in the fighting in the canoes. They stayed some time in Rotorua, but abandoned the idea of a permanent occupation and eventually left, after making a partial peace with the chief Hikairo, to whom Hongi gave one of the helmets of George IV. The conqueror returned to the Bay with many prisoners. Hongi in 1823 promised Marsden he would devote his attention to agriculture if a man were sent to teach his people to plough; but he still exulted in his conquests and lamented that there was so little goodwill shown towards him by other chiefs. Later in the same year, while Pomare and Te Wera went on a new expedition, Hongi made preparations for sending Rewa with sixty other Ngapuhi chiefs and Rewa's daughter, Matiretoha, to cement a peace with Waikato by the marriage of the latter with Kati (brother of Te Wherowhero) and the reinstatement of that tribe upon their lands. This was achieved early in 1824. Now at last Hongi was free to seek utu from his old enemies of Ngati-Whatua. Overtures were sent to the Hokianga people, who agreed to co-operate. Hongi then set out with a taua of 500 against the Te Roroa division of the hostile tribe, but timely presents assuaged his anger and he returned without attacking. Late in Feb 1825 the campaign was commenced. Hongi had with him his son Hare Hongi (aged 20, who had shown great bravery in the campaign against Hinaki), and many great chiefs, including Whareumu, Taiwhanga, Te Morenga and Te Tirarau, while the Hokianga contingent included Patuone, Nene and Moetara. Ngati-Whatua rejected the sage advice of the veteran Murupaenga to await attack at the head of navigation on the Kaiwaka river, and took up their position at Te Ika-a-ranga-nui, about a mile up the little tributary Waimako. Hongi wore his full coat of mail. Most of his men had guns, whereas the thousand of Ngati-Whatua and Uri-o-hau had very few. Ngati-Whatua impatiently dashed into the stream to fight hand to hand with the well-armed Ngapuhi under Whareumu; and killed many of them before Hongi came on the scene. Very soon the Ngapuhi firearms gained the upper hand. The carnage was terrible and, though Ngati-Whatua returned to the charge, they had no chance. They had lost one thousand men before they took to their canoes and escaped down the river. In one heap by the river's bank lay 120 dead, with Hongi's son, Hare Hongi, amongst them mortally wounded. Many Ngati-Whatua chiefs fell, but Murupaenga escaped, only to meet his death shortly afterwards. The tribe dispersed into the forest and did not reassemble until British sovereignty brought security to the weak. Ngapuhi lost about 70. Many prisoners were taken back to Hokianga, but liberated later by the intercession of Moetara. Shortly after Hongi's return to Bay of Islands he moved his abode to Waimate. About Jun or Jul 1825 he went with Tareha to Whangaroa to punish the local tribe for the capture of the brig Mercury, an incident which he feared might discourage the visits of pakeha ships. Later in the year, to avenge a reverse suffered by his people at the hands of the fleeing Ngati-Whatua, he pursued them to Waikato and came up with them at Noho-Awatea, on the Mangapiko river. Some Ngati-Paoa who were in the pa were called out, and peace was made with them and then, with the help of a Ngati-Haua contingent under Waharoa, Hongi overwhelmed the Ngati-Whatua and killed Rewharewha. On his homeward journey he met Pomare and tried to persuade him to abandon his expedition, but without success. About this time Murupaenga, the only chief who was able year after year to maintain a successful warfare against Ngapuhi, died. Family tragedies and the ingratitude of people who feared but did not love him weighed on Hongi's mind, and late in 1826 he decided to leave Bay of Islands, drive his enemies from Whangaroa and live there. While he was fighting against the Ngati-Pou of Whangaroa (Jan 1827) the Wesleyan mission station at Wesleydale was plundered and the missionaries fled to Bay of Islands. In an engagement on the Mangamuka river Hongi received a bullet wound in the chest from which he eventually died. Marsden hurried across from Sydney (Apr 1827) to assure himself that the missions were safe. In spite of his unwavering care for them, Hongi was still consumed with the passion for war. Almost up to the day of his death (3 Mar 1828), he was planning a raid against Waikato for the death of Pomare, and his last words were to exhort his people to repel stoutly any attacks upon them. The missionaries had real reason to appreciate his protection, though undoubtedly it was prompted by the advantage he reaped from having pakeha settlers amongst his people and European ships engaged in commerce with him. Hongi was cruel and treacherous, but not more so than his fellows. Powerful chiefs could not easily discard long traditions of revenge and utu without falling in the estimation of their people. The early possession of firearms was a temptation to an ambitious man to establish a hegemony for his tribe. This restless ambition was fatal to Marsden's pious hope that the Maori people might accept a sovereignty based upon Christianity. Hongi had two wives, Tangiwhare, and the blind wife Turi-ka-tuku, who accompanied him on most of his campaigns and often advised him shrewdly as to his plans. She was the mother of Hare Hongi and of Harata, who married Hone Heke (q.v.) and Heke's military ambitions were inspired in some degree by jealousy of his father-in-law's reputation. Harata afterwards married Arama Karaka Pi, whom she survived. Turi died about the time of the last campaign against Whangaroa. A son of Hongi, Ripiro (born about 1804) visited New South Wales in 1819, returning in H.M.S. Dromedary. S. P. Smith, Wars; Buller; Marsden, L. and J. (p); Creevey Papers; Carleton; Barton (p); Ramsden; Sherrin and Wallace. Reference: Volume 1, page 221 | Volume 1, page 221 🌳 Further sources |
George Hill | George HillHILL, GEORGE (ROWLEY) (1837-1930) joined the Royal Navy in 1851, and saw service in the Crimea, being in H.M.S. Leopard at the bombardment of Sebastopol and afterwards in the Baltic. In the Indian mutiny he was with Peel's naval brigade, and was slightly wounded at Lucknow. Leaving his ship (H.M.S. Hannibal) at Palermo in 1860, he served with Garibaldi and was wounded. When he rejoined his ship, his desertion was pardoned. In 1868 Hill came to New Zealand and joined von Tempsky's Forest Rangers. He served in Taranaki and against the Hauhau on the East Coast in No. 1 company Military Settlers and the Armed Constabulary. At the siege of Hiruharama pa, near Mohaka on 10-12 Apr 1869 he led a party of natives past the rifle pits of Te Kooti's men and so gained admission to the pa. Hill was the life of the defence thereafter, strengthening the palisade and keeping up a steady and destructive fire from the angles. He was recommended for the New Zealand Cross, which was granted. After the war he joined the submarine mining section of the permanent force at Fort Cautley, and afterwards lived at Takapuna. He held two medals presented by the Royal Humane Society for saving human life. Hill died on 15 Feb 1930. Lambert (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1924; Cowan (p); Gudgeon (p); The Dominion, 7 Jan 1927; Evening Post, 15 Jul 1879. Reference: Volume 1, page 211 | Volume 1, page 211 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Thomas Hill | Henry Thomas HillHILL, HENRY THOMAS (1849-1933) was born at Lye, Worcestershire, the son of a nail factor. Educated in his native town, he completed his training as a school teacher at Cheltenham Training College. He organised St Mark's school at Nottingham. In 1873 Hill came to Canterbury in the Merope under engagement to the provincial government, to organise schools. He also taught science at Christ's College and mathematics at Miss Lohse's, and organised the first teachers' association (which held its conference at Christchurch in 1876). While he was engaged at the East Christchurch school, he studied at the University for his B.A., which he gained in 1878. He won the first Bowen prize. In 1878 he was appointed secretary and inspector to the Hawkes Bay education board, a position he held for 36 years. He started the New Zealand Schoolmaster and edited it for some years, and was a member of the commission on teachers' salaries. Hill had a strong scientific bent and spent much time in the study of geology (F.G.S. 1896), Maori history and folklore. He contributed many papers to the proceedings of the New Zealand Institute and was president of the Hawkes Bay branch and a governor of the New Zealand Institute. He was a member of the Napier borough council and mayor (1917-19), and was a member also of the hospital board, the Hawkes Bay power board, and the High School governors, and chairman of the Parke Island old people's home. He contested the Napier seat in 1920. He was a member of the Anglican diocesan synod. Hill married (1873) Emily, daughter of John Knowles. He died on 15 Jul 1933. Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; Cycl. N.Z., vi; Hight and Candy; Hawkes Bay Herald, 16 Jul 1933; Daily Telegraph (Napier), 18 Jul. Reference: Volume 1, page 211 | Volume 1, page 211 🌳 Further sources |
James Hill | James HillHILL, JAMES (1822-97) was hospital sergeant of the 57th Regiment, with which he served in Corfu, India and Crimea, and came to New Zealand in 1861. He was steward of the New Plymouth hospital (1867-82). In 1869 Hill was elected to the Provincial Council for Grey and Bell, but a few weeks later retired in the belief that his position disqualified him. He was defeated by Upjohn at the by-election. He died on 2 Jan 1897. Taranaki Herald, 4 Jan 1897. Cycl. NZ, vi. Reference: Volume 1, page 211 | Volume 1, page 211 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Sydney Hill | Joseph Sydney HillHILL, JOSEPH SYDNEY (1851-95) was born at Barnack, near Stamford, England, the son of a builder. Orphaned at the age of nine, he entered a working school at Haverstock Hill and at 14 was apprenticed to a trade. The Rev Alexander Burton, of Trinity Church, Southampton, persuaded him to study for the ministry, and he passed his examinations after two years at Reading College and a further course at the C.M.S. College at Islington. There he met and married Lucilla Leachman. Ordained at St Paul's (1876), he proceeded to Lagos, but was soon compelled by fever to return to England, and was appointed to the cure of Holy Trinity, Richmond. In 1878 he was sent by the C.M.S. to New Zealand, where he worked with great success amongst the Maori in Hawke's Bay and Auckland. He was also a strong supporter of the Y.M.C.A. in Auckland. In 1890 Hill returned to England and was engaged in home mission work until 1893, when he was consecrated as Bishop of West Equatorial Africa in succession to Bishop Crowther. He and his wife died of fever in the Niger diocese on 9 Jan 1894. Biography by Rose E. Faulkner, 1895 (p); N.Z. Herald, 24 Feb 1894, 9 Mar 1895. Reference: Volume 1, page 211 | Volume 1, page 211 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Hillyard | Charles HillyardHILLYARD, CHARLES, was a Canterbury sheep farmer and owned the Wai-iti run, on the Waimakariri River, from 1860 till 1868. He represented Mandeville in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1867-70). He left shortly afterwards for Fiji and did not return to New Zealand. Parltry Record; Acland. Reference: Volume 1, page 212 | Volume 1, page 212 🌳 Further sources |
Alfred Humphrey Hindmarsh | Alfred Humphrey HindmarshHINDMARSH, ALFRED HUMPHREY (1860-1918) was born at Adelaide and educated at St Peter's College there. In 1878 he came to New Zealand. He was for some years in the office of Smith, Chapman, Sinclair and White, solicitors, Dunedin, and was admitted a barrister and solicitor at Christchurch (1890). In 1894 he commenced to practise in Wellington. He was a member of the City Council (1905-15) and of the Wellington Harbour Board from 1911. Taking a keen interest in Liberal politics, he was defeated by R. C. Kirk for selection as Labour candidate for Wellington City in 1898. In 1911 he was elected M.H.R. for Wellington South, defeating R. A. Wright and in 1914 he defeated J. P. Luke. At the time of his death (on 13 Nov 1918) Hindmarsh was leader of the Parliamentary Labour party. Evening Post, 13 Nov 1918; N.Z. Times, 14 Nov; N.Z.P.D., 13 Nov 1918, pp 343, 355; Cycl. N.Z., vi. Portrait: Parliament House. His father, JOHN HINDMARSH (1820-1903) was the son of Rear-admiral Sir John Hindmarsh, Governor of South Australia. He was educated at the Royal Naval College at Portsmouth, but being too delicate for the Navy he accompanied his father to South Australia, where he spent some years surveying. He helped to lay out the towns of Hindmarsh and Walkerville. In 1841 he returned to England, entered the Middle Temple, and was called to the bar. He then settled on a large property at Victor Harbour, South Australia, also practising law and acting as revising barrister. He married a daughter of Captain Leworthy, R.N. In 1878 Hindmarsh came to New Zealand for the benefit of his health and acquired a property near Napier. Reference: Volume 1, page 212 | Volume 1, page 212 🌳 Further sources |
Samuel Hinds | Samuel HindsHINDS, SAMUEL (1793-1872) was born in Barbados and educated in England. At Queen's College, Oxford, he graduated M.A. (1818) and four years later was ordained. He was associated with the Society for the Conversion of Negroes. In 1827 he was appointed vice-principal of St Alban Hall, Oxford, under Whately, to whom as archbishop of Dublin, he was domestic chaplain (1831). In 1832 he wrote an essay on colonisation which was published as an appendix to Whately's Thoughts on Secondary Punishment. He was later prebendary of Castleknock and in 1846 chaplain to the Lord-lieutenant, in 1848 dean of Carlisle, and in 1849 Bishop of Norwich. Hinds was on the committee of the New Zealand Association. He published in 1838 The Latest Official Documents relating to New Zealand, in which he supported the plan of the Association and replied to the criticisms of the Rev J. Beecham and Dandeson Coates. He gave evidence before the select committee in 1840. D.N.B.; Hinds, op. cit.; Marais; Harrop, Wakefield; O'Connor. Reference: Volume 1, page 212 | Volume 1, page 212 🌳 Further sources |
John Williams Hipango | John Williams HipangoHIPANGO, JOHN WILLIAMS (HOANI WIREMU) (?-1865), an influential chief of Whanganui (Ngati-Tumango hapu), was a landed proprietor and lived at Putikiwaranui. Though inferior in rank to Te Anaua, his personal influence was greater. He early befriended the Europeans, embraced Christianity as soon as the missionaries arrived at Whanganui, and was himself an exemplary teacher. In 1846, when the Taupo chiefs and Mamaku made a hostile raid upon Wanganui, Hipango and the Putiki chiefs were appealed to for protection, and they garrisoned the town pending the arrival of a military force. On the murder of the Gilfillan family Hipango offered to pursue the murderers, and with five of his tribesmen he followed them up the river. Both canoes were upset in the fight, but five of the six murderers were captured and brought back to Wanganui for trial. Governor Grey granted Hipango a pension for his services and he was appointed an assessor (1849). In 1855 the Whanganui natives furnished Hipango with money to enable him to accompany the Rev Richard Taylor (q.v.) to England and convey their gifts to the Queen. These included Te Anaua's greenstone mere (a token of allegiance), a bag made by his wife, Rawinia, and an ancient family weapon sent by Pehi Turoa. The gifts were presented in audience with the Queen and Prince Albert at Windsor. On his return to New Zealand Hipango at once went to Taranaki with other chiefs and Mr Taylor to endeavour to effect peace between Rawiri Waiaua and Katatore, but without success. He then entered St Stephen's School at Auckland to study for the ministry, but having to desist owing to failing eyesight, he accepted with reluctance from Sir George Grey a position of trust at Wanganui. When the Hauhau, after recovering from their defeat at Moutoa, threatened Wanganui again by advancing down the river, Hipango was chosen to command the friendly force which advanced towards the Hauhau camp at Ohoutahi, above Hiruharama. Having skillfully manoeuvred to gain the advantage of his opponents, he declined to be the first to shed blood, and twice sent back to the enemy a captured picket. The Hauhau then commenced the attack, and after some blood had been shed Hipango led the assault on their position. Receiving a bullet in the chest, he walked to the rear and handed over the command to Hakaraia. He was carried down to Wanganui where he died on 24 Feb 1865. He was accorded an impressive public funeral and some time later a monument to his memory was erected in Wanganui. His son, HORI KINGI HIPANGO (b. 1852) died while visiting England with Taylor (29 Jun 1871). Another son WALTER, presented Hipango park to Wanganui. Buller; Downes; Taylor, Past and Present; Cycl. NZ. Reference: Volume 1, page 212 | Volume 1, page 212 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Hirst | Henry HirstHIRST, HENRY (1838-1911) was born at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and educated at Huddersfield College. Coming to New Zealand by the Agra (1858), he settled in Otago, but soon removed to Southland and took up land at Te Anau and Manapouri. Having accompanied Captain Watts-Russell (q.v.) to prospect for grazing land at Breaksea Sound, he established a butchery at Riverton, and once drove a mob of cattle from there to Gabriel's Gully (1861). Later he took up a run at Orepuki, and when it was resumed for gold mining purposes he bought a freehold property. In 1877 he was elected to the Wallace county council, of which he was a member until his death, and chairman (1877-85). In 1879 Hirst was elected M.H.R. for Wallace (defeating J. P. Joyce), but he was defeated in 1884 and 1887. He strongly advocated the Riverton railway. As a young man he was a good cricketer and captained the Riverton club. He married (1860) a daughter of William Dallas. Hirst died on 14 Dec 1911. N.Z.P.D., 27 Jun 1912; Southland Times, 15 Dec 1911; Otago Daily Times, 5 Dec 1900. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 212 | Volume 1, page 212 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Hirst | Thomas HirstHIRST, THOMAS (1805-83) was born at Halifax, Yorkshire. He was already in middle age and had made a competence as a woolstapler when he sailed for New Zealand with his family in the Gwalior (1852). He took up a farm at Bell Block, Taranaki, and worked it until the outbreak of the Maori war compelled most of the settlers to retire to New Plymouth. He then with his wife paid a visit to England, sailing in the William Brown. The ship was burned at sea off Madeira and the passengers were rescued from the boats by a Swedish brig (Oct 1861). On returning to New Zealand Hirst resided mainly in New Plymouth, taking a great interest in public life and in proposals for the improvement of the town and harbour. He constructed several ingenious models of concrete moles, breakwaters and floating landing stages. He stood for Parliament in 1853 and was a member of the Provincial Council for New Plymouth for one year (1865-66), trying unsuccessfully to regain a seat in 1873. He did duty for many years as a justice of the peace and was a prominent member of the Anglican synod. Hirst died on 11 Oct 1883 and his widow (who was a daughter of Jonathan Bracken, of Luddenden, Yorkshire) on 8 Sep 1901. Taranaki P.C. minutes and Gaz.; Jacobs; Taranaki Herald, 12 Oct 1883; 9, 10 Sep 1901; News, 18 Oct 1883. Portrait: Taranaki Hist. Coll. Reference: Volume 1, page 213 | Volume 1, page 213 🌳 Further sources |
James Hislop | James HislopHISLOP, JAMES (1870-1932), son of Andrew Hislop of Stirling, Scotland, was born and educated at Taieri, Otago. Joining the Post and Telegraph department in 1885, he was assistant private secretary to Sir Joseph Ward (1900-06) and secretary until 1911, accompanying him when he went as Prime Minister to England in 1907, 1909 and 1911. In 1912 he was appointed Under-secretary to the department of Internal Affairs, from which post he retired in 1928. (O.B.E., 1919; M.V.O., 1920; C.V.O., 1927.) In 1900 he married Anne Grove, eldest daughter of Benjamin O'Connor, of Dunedin. He died on 7 Jul 1932. Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; The Dominion, 8 Jul 1932 (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 213 | Volume 1, page 213 🌳 Further sources |
John Hislop | John HislopHISLOP, JOHN (1821-1904) was born at Pentland, Midlothian. He received his education in Edinburgh, took the prize in every class at the School of Arts (now Heriot Watt College), and left with his diploma at the age of 17. Next year Hislop was appointed assistant master at Burntisland Grammar School, and two years later, at the age of 20, he was appointed to the staff of the school at Lasswade, his native parish. He afterwards attended the Normal School in Edinburgh, and then was master successively of the parish schools at Colinton, Cults, and Kirknewton. He was at Kirknewton for 12 years prior to leaving for New Zealand. In 1855 Hislop applied for a post under the provincial government of Otago, and he arrived at Port Chalmers by the Strathmore in Oct 1856. He was appointed to the school at East Taieri, where he spent four and a half years; and then he was appointed inspector of schools for the province and secretary of the Otago education board. While in this post he had much to do with the establishment of the Boys' and Girls' High Schools in Dunedin, the Training College, the School of Art, and the district high schools. He was also first secretary to the Otago University council and registrar of the University. In 1867 the provincial government employed him to report on the resources of the province, and he published an interesting handbook. When the industrial school was established at Caversham in 1869, the task of organizing and supervising the institution was entrusted to Hislop and St John Branigan (q.v.). The passing of the national education act marked the end of Hislop's official career in the province. As early as 1871 he had a large part in the drafting of the bill, which was then read for a second time in the House of Representatives. It made no further progress, but many of its provisions were embodied in the later bill of 1877, which gave to the Colony a uniform system of education, free, secular and compulsory. Hislop was selected for the post of Secretary for Education when the new system was brought into force, and he went to Wellington to inaugurate it. When he left Otago the teachers of the province, who were to leave their mark upon the teaching profession of the Colony during the next generation, paid him a remarkable demonstration of affection and respect. Henceforward Hislop's duties kept him mainly in Wellington. In 1882 he visited Great Britain, when he received from the University of Edinburgh the honorary degree of LL.D. in recognition of his services to the cause of education. He also received the fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. After retiring from the Education department (1886) Hislop lived in Dunedin. He became a member of the education board, of the hospital board of trustees, and of the City Council; chairman of the industrial school board of advice, a representation commissioner, a member of the committee of the benevolent institution, and a visiting justice of the gaol. In the commercial world he was a director of the Mosgiel Woollen Co. A prominent freemason, he was at one time grand master under the Scottish constitution. He also took a keen interest in the Caledonian Society. Dr Hislop married (1846) Miss J. Horne, of Caithness-shire (who died in 1903). His death occurred on 19 May 1904. (See THOMAS WILLIAM HISLOP) Otago P.C. Proc.; App. H.R., 1878-86; Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Butchers; McIndoe; Otago Daily Times, 20 May 1904, 31 May 1930 (p). Portrait by Horsburgh at Otago University. Reference: Volume 1, page 213 | Volume 1, page 213 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas William Hislop | Thomas William HislopHISLOP, THOMAS WILLIAM (1850-1925), who was born in Kirknewton, Midlothian, was a son of John Hislop (q.v.). With his parents he came to New Zealand in 1856 by the Strathmore. He attended the Taieri primary school, Shaw's grammar school, the Otago Boys High School and Otago University. Admitted a barrister and solicitor in 1871, he practised law in Oamaru until 1890, being crown prosecutor (1872-76). From 1876 until 1880 (when he resigned), Hislop represented Waitaki in the House of Representatives (defeating Sir William Steward). He was again in the House for Oamaru (1885-90) (defeating Lord Reidhaven). In 1887 he joined the Atkinson ministry, first as Colonial Secretary and later as Minister of Education and of Justice. During this time he drafted the optional clauses in the land act of 1877, and passed the local bodies powers act, the representation act, and the shipping and seamen's act. Several of his social measures were thrown out as too extreme, and were carried a few years later. In 1889 Hislop was made an officer of the Legion of Honour, in recognition of his services at the Paris exhibition. Moving to Wellington in 1890, he practised in partnership with A. de B. Brandon. He contested Wellington seats in the elections of 1890, 1905 and 1908, but was not again successful. Hislop was mayor of Wellington (1904-08). In 1921 he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council, a position he held till his death on 2 Oct 1925. He married, first (1873) Maria Annie (who died 1909), daughter of James Simpson of Parramatta, and second (1923) Marguerite E. Smith, of Wellington. One of his sons, THOMAS CHARLES ATKINSON HISLOP, (1888-) was elected mayor of Wellington in 1931. NZ.P.D., 18 Jul 1926; Cycl. N.Z., i, iv; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Butt. Fort. Notes, 10 Nov 1925; Auckland Star, 27 Sep 1887; Evening Post, 8 Oct 1925; North Otago Times, 19 May 1885. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 213 | Volume 1, page 213 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Hitchings | Thomas HitchingsHITCHINGS, THOMAS (1816-94) was born at Oxford, England, qualified M.R.C.S. London, and came to New Zealand in the early fifties. He settled in Hawke's Bay, was government health officer, and attended to the wounded in the tribal fighting at the Big Bush between Hapuku and Te Moananui. He was M.P.C. for Napier Town (1859-67). In 1864 he was appointed provincial surgeon. Hitchings died on 26 Feb 1894. He married (1861) Mary Elizabeth Challen, daughter of George Garland (Sussex). Cycl. NZ, vi. Reference: Volume 1, page 213 | Volume 1, page 213 🌳 Further sources |
John Hobbs | John HobbsHOBBS, JOHN (1800-83) was born at St Peter's, Isle of Thanet, the son of Richard Hobbs, a coach builder and Wesleyan local preacher. His father was admitted to the Wesleyan Society by John Wesley. He learned his father's trade and followed in his footsteps, joining the Church in 1816 and becoming a local preacher in 1819. In 1822 Hobbs decided to emigrate to Tasmania to work among the convicts. Nathaniel Turner, whom he met there, urged him to offer himself to the Wesleyan Missionary Society, but Marsden had already offered to employ him under the Church Missionary Society in New Zealand. He accordingly, on 3 Aug 1823, sailed from Port Jackson in the Brampton (with Marsden, Williams and Turner) and walked from Bay of Islands to join the mission at Wesleydale, Whangaroa. The Rev Samuel Leigh having returned to New South Wales sick, Hobbs remained to assist Turner at Wesleydale. He was a skilled mechanic and built himself a house; cultivated a garden, had a good knowledge of medicine and became so proficient in Maori as to become one of the translators of the Bible into the vernacular. He translated the book of Job into Maori and composed and translated many Maori hymns (including a translation of Toplady's Rock of Ages). Unfortunately, when Hobbs arrived at Whangaroa, George, the local chief, was already failing in health and unable longer to protect the mission. On his death hostile natives made a violent attack on the station (Jan 1827), which had to be abandoned. Turner and his colleagues, with their families, protected by Patuone, walked through the bush to Bay of Islands. Hobbs went to Sydney, where he married an English lady, Miss Jane Blogreff (1799-1887), and returned a few months later with unflinching courage to renew his exertions. Cooperating with Stack in the selection of a site, they opened a new station at Mangungu in Apr 1828 under the protection of Patuone and Nene, who gave them 850 acres of land. Hobbs had now received full ministerial standing, and he and Stack worked under the Rev W. White. In 1833, on his request to be moved, the home committee sent him to Tonga, where, having speedily acquired command of the language, he took charge of the press. Owing to the health of his wife he was designated for Tasmania, but the vessel springing a leak, put into Bay of Islands, and Turner claimed the services of Hobbs to take charge of his station. There he built boats and houses, operated the printing press and (with the assistance of Abraham Taonui) translated part of the Bible. He made several journeys with Bumby for the extension of the mission. Sailing in a small schooner from Hokianga they visited North Cape, Bay of Islands, East Cape, Port Nicholson, Cloudy Bay, Kapiti, Taranaki and Kawhia. They fixed a site at Port Nicholson on 8 Jun 1840 for a permanent mission. With Bumby and Whiteley, Hobbs travelled overland to Taranaki with the object of stopping a tribal war, and on another occasion he walked from Hokianga to Port Nicholson. He had great influence with Patuone, Nene, Muriwai, Moetara and Tawhai, and rendered service to the government as interpreter for Hobson at a gathering of 3,000 natives held at Mangungu to consider the Treaty of Waitangi (1840). The outbreak of Heke's war was fatal to the prosperity of the Wesleyan mission, but Hobbs did much to wean the Ngapuhi from their warlike habits. In 1848 he was designated by conference to open a mission up the Whanganui river. The ship Harriet Leathart, which was engaged to take the missionaries there, was stranded in a storm. Hobbs spent the night lashed in the rigging and thus incurred deafness which increased so as to incapacitate him for heavy duty. In 1855-56 he spent a year resting at Three Kings Institution, Auckland, after which he retired. He died on 24 Jun 1883. Hobbs lived a life of strict integrity, devoted to the service of the mission. He never acquired property in New Zealand, the regulations of the Wesleyan mission forbidding any of its agents to acquire land or to engage in business. Mrs Hobbs died on 16 Dec 1887. (See RICHARD HOBBS, Rev W. KIRK, and Rev W. GITTOS.) Marsden, L. and J.; Morley; W. J. Williams; Buller; M. A. R. Pratt (information); N.Z. Herald 25, 28 Jun 1883. Reference: Volume 1, page 214 | Volume 1, page 214 🌳 Further sources |
Richard Hobbs | Richard HobbsHOBBS, RICHARD (1833-1910) was born at Hokianga, the son of the Rev John Hobbs (q.v.). Educated at the mission school at Waimate, and afterwards privately by Dr Day, he went to Tasmania, where he was apprenticed to Waterhouse Brothers (drapers). He married Emma, daughter of the Rev John Waterhouse. Hobbs spent 12 months at the Friars Creek diggings in Victoria, and then returned to New Zealand and entered into business in Auckland. He was able to retire with a competence in 1873. Hobbs was a lieutenant in the First Volunteer Rifles in Auckland, and served in the Waikato as a captain in the militia (Sep 1864). He was a member of the Auckland City Council (1871-73). Taking up land at Springs, Pokeno, he bred horses and cattle and had a fine orchard. He represented Franklin in Parliament (1879-80) and Bay of Islands (1881-90). He was a member of the native affairs committee and was the promoter of the gaming and lotteries bill (1881). Hobbs was a member of the Manukau county council, the Pokeno road board and school committee and the Auckland education board (of which he was two years chairman). He was a justice of the peace and a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank. A Wesleyan by tradition, he was superintendent of the Sunday school in High Street, a member of the board of trustees of the church, and treasurer of Wesley College (for 30 years). Later he became attached to St John's Church, Ponsonby. He died on 16 Jul 1910. (See G. M. WATERHOUSE.) Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z.P.D., 19 Jul 1910; N.Z. Herald, 3 Oct 1902, 18 Jul 1910. Reference: Volume 1, page 214 | Volume 1, page 214 🌳 Further sources |
Edmund Hobhouse | Edmund HobhouseHOBHOUSE, EDMUND (1817-1904), the first bishop of Nelson, was a son of the Rt Hon Henry Hobhouse and brother of Lord Hobhouse. Born in London on 17 Apr 1817, he was educated at Eton and Oxford. He graduated B.A. (at Balliol, 1838), M.A. (at Merton, 1842) and B.D. at Durham (1850). In 1841 he was ordained deacon and became a fellow of Merton College, and two years later vicar of St Peter's-in-the-East, Oxford. Having declined to be a candidate for the bishopric of Christchurch (1856), Hobhouse was chosen in 1857 for the see of Nelson. He was consecrated with Abraham (q.v.) in Lambeth Church on 29 Sep 1858, receiving later the honorary D.D. of Oxford, Cambridge and Durham. Arriving in Nelson in Feb 1859, he attended the first general synod in Wellington before his installation. Hobhouse had to carry out the organisation of the new bishopric and its committees and institutions. He visited every corner of his wide diocese, on horseback or on foot, opening new churches in many districts in Nelson, Marlborough and what is now north Canterbury. He naturally became involved in much criticism, which he studiously ignored in the interests of peace. The whole of his stipend he devoted to diocesan objects, and he made the splendid gift to the diocese of Bishopdale and the first part of the old bishop's house. Owing to failing health he intimated his intention of resigning (Aug 1864). A few months later his wife died. Released from his charge in Dec 1865, he returned to England, to spend many years in partial retirement. From 1869 to 1880 he was assistant to the Bishop of Lichfield, and for one year chancellor of the diocese. He died 20 Apr 1904. Hobhouse married first (1858) Mary Elizabeth, daughter of General the Hon John Brodrick; and second (1868) Anna, daughter of Dr Williams, warden of New College. One of his sons was the Ven Walter Hobhouse (Bampton lecturer and editor of The Guardian). Nelson Dioc. Gaz., Oct 1933. Portrait: Nelson Evening Mail, 11 Dec 1926. Reference: Volume 1, page 214 | Volume 1, page 214 🌳 Further sources |
William Hobson | William HobsonHOBSON, WILLIAM (1793-1842) was born in Waterford, Ireland, the son of Samuel Hobson, assistant barrister for the county of Cork, and his wife Martha Jones, who was seventh in descent from Henry Jones, Bishop of Clogher in the seventeenth century. In 1803 he entered the Royal Navy as a second-class volunteer and went to sea under the patronage of Sir John Poo Beresford in the frigate Virginie. In 1805 he was appointed to the frigate Dart (28 guns), in which he spent more than two years on the West Indies station, seeing much active service against pirates and privateers. Passing for midshipman in 1806, Hobson was appointed to the Temeraire, and in 1808 he again served under Beresford in the Theseus (74 guns). His only engagement of large ships was when Willaumez made his escape from Brest. He was present at the boat attack on the French squadron in Basque roads, and also at Walcheren. Hobson again served with Beresford in the Poictiers (74 guns) in Portugal, and was supernumerary lieutenant in the Dragon in the West Indies. In 1812 he was appointed acting-lieutenant, and afterwards lieutenant, of the sloop Peruvian (18 guns), which captured the American privateer John after a chase of 15 hours. In 1814 he was present at the operations on the coast of Maine, including the expedition up the Penobscot river and the reduction of Hampden. Returning to England in June 1815, the Peruvian cruised in the Channel to gain tidings of the campaign of Waterloo, and after the surrender of Napoleon was with the escorting squadron which conveyed him to St Helena. In his next ship, the Spey, Hobson saw considerable service in the Mediterranean against pirates. He distinguished himself in command of the brig Frederick, which cut out of Smyrna harbour the pirate brig William, of Liverpool. In the Tyne (28 guns) Hobson passed several years operating against pirates in the West Indies. While on independent service in command of the schooners Eliza and Whim, he was captured by Pepe Diablito in the port of Camaguey and eight days later cast adrift in the dismantled schooner without food, water or instruments. Punitive operations resulted in the capture of Aragonez, the leader of the band, and the Zaragonaza, of 120 tons and 80 men. During 1823 Hobson, with a small flotilla, practically demolished the piratical haunts in the northern cays of Cuba, for which he received the thanks of the Admiralty. While he was again temporarily in the power of pirates the command fell to Lieutenant Francis Liardet (q.v.). Admiral Owen recommended Hobson to the Admiralty as an officer 'who to the most persevering zeal unites discretion and sound judgment.' Promoted commander in May 1824, he commissioned the Ferret (10 guns) early in 1825 and spent another year in the West Indies. He then commanded the sloop Scylla (18 guns) for two years, capturing the letter of marque Diana, 20 guns and 170 men, in Jan 1827. At the end of that year Hobson married, at Nassau, Eliza, only daughter of a Scots West India merchant, Robert Wear Elliott. He was not again employed until 1834, six years after paying off the Scylla, when, through the interest of Lord Auckland (now First Lord) he was posted to the frigate Rattlesnake (28 guns) to join the flag of the admiral commanding in the East Indies (Sir T. Bladen Capel). The company which he selected for this ship included three future admirals - T. M. C. Symonds (1813-94), Hastings R. Henry, afterwards Yelverton, and P. F. Shortland (1815-88). Shortly afterwards Lord Auckland was appointed Governor-general of India. In 1836 the Rattlesnake was detached to visit Australia. There Hobson was under the orders of Sir Richard Bourke, the Governor of New South Wales. He assisted to establish the new colony at Port Phillip, where the Rattlesnake lay for three months while her officers surveyed the harbour and helped to lay out the town of Melbourne. Bourke directed that the northern arm of the bay should bear Hobson's name. About this time Hobson was mentioned for the post of superintendent of the Bombay Marine, but he was already contemplating settling in one of the colonies, the climate of which was a great attraction. The precarious situation of British settlers in New Zealand owing to the outbreak of a tribal war at Bay of Islands induced Bourke to despatch the Rattlesnake thither. Hobson made a careful study of conditions in the country and, with the advice of Marsden (who was visiting New Zealand at the time) and Henry Williams, he made many contacts with native chiefs, missionaries and the British Resident (James Busby). On his return to New South Wales he made an interesting report outlining a scheme for the government of the country through a system of factories similar to those existing in India at that time. Despatches were now received ordering the Rattlesnake to rejoin the flag at Trincomalee in view of projected operations against Burma in which, as senior officer, Hobson would take command. Counsels of peace prevailed, however, and the Rattlesnake proceeded to England and paid off. Again unemployed, Hobson spent some months with his family in Plymouth. The New Zealand question was becoming more insistent, and Lord Glenelg, when he retired from the post of Secretary for the Colonies in Feb 1839, expressed the opinion that steps must be taken to place British authority there on a definite basis. His successor (Lord Normanby) was impelled to act by reports of French activities and by the preparations made by the New Zealand Company to establish a colony in New Zealand. He considered the reports of Hobson and Busby on the proposed form of government, and decided to send an officer, in the capacity of consul, who might treat with the chiefs for the cession of sovereignty over portion or all of the country, and then become lieutenant-governor therein, subject to the jurisdiction of the governor of New South Wales. Hobson was chosen for the post (1 Jul 1839). On 14 Aug he received from the Secretary of State carefully drawn instructions, which laid emphasis upon the desire of the British Government to deal honestly with the natives and to safeguard their future interests against the encroachments of white settlement. He was not to be provided with a military force, nor even with the power to raise a militia of the white population. On 25 Aug (four months after the departure of the Company's ship Tory) Hobson sailed with his wife and family, in H.M.S. Druid. In his party was Willoughby Shortland (q.v.), with whose family at Plymouth the Hobsons had lived on terms of close intimacy. Arriving in Port Jackson on 24 Dec, Hobson spent several weeks consulting with the Governor (Sir George Gipps) as to the machinery of government he should erect in New Zealand, the relations of New Zealand to New South Wales, the officials who should be taken to inaugurate the administration, and proclamations which were considered necessary to stop land speculation in the prospective colony. He sailed for New Zealand as a passenger in H.M.S. Herald (Captain Joseph Nias), and arrived at Bay of Islands on 29 Jan 1840. He at once got into touch with the British Resident (Busby) and the leading members of the Church Missionary Society. On the following day, in the mission church at Kororareka, he read his commission, extending the limits of the colony of New South Wales, and appointing him Lieutenant-governor over such part of New Zealand as might be ceded in sovereignty to the Queen. A memorial of the act was drawn up and signed by 40 European witnesses. Hobson then read proclamations announcing his assumption of office and warning claimants to land that only such claims as were derived from, or confirmed by, a grant from the crown would be held valid. Invitations were sent out for a meeting of chiefs to be held at Waitangi on 5 Feb to discuss the proposed cession of sovereignty. In all these proceedings Hobson was cordially assisted by the missionaries and the Resident. At the meeting on 5 Feb, and at subsequent meetings both at Waitangi and at other places in the north of Auckland, the chiefs signed the instrument ceding sovereignty to the Queen, and copies were thereafter taken elsewhere to receive the signatures of more distant chiefs. On 8 Feb the British flag was hoisted and saluted with 21 guns to celebrate the cession. Having attended similar meetings in the Hokianga district, Hobson sailed on 21 Feb in the Herald for the dual purpose of obtaining signatures and inspecting the Waitemata district, which Williams had recommended as the site for the capital. On 1 Mar, as the result of fatigue and anxiety, he suffered a stroke of paralysis which temporarily incapacitated him for duty, and on the advice of Williams he was taken to the mission station at Waimate for rest and medical care. The Herald returned to Port Jackson for provisions, taking George Cooper, the official whom Gipps had expected to assume office in such a contingency. Gipps in the circumstances decided to send to New Zealand Major Thomas Bunbury (q.v.), of the 80th Regiment, who had been acting as Governor of Norfolk Island, the understanding being that if he should find Hobson incapable of continuing his office Bunbury would assume the administration, with a salary of £1,000 a year. Hobson meanwhile had responded to the careful treatment he was receiving, and when Bunbury arrived at Bay of Islands in the Buffalo with a detachment of soldiers (16 Apr) he found Hobson had moved from Waimate to Paihia and had resumed almost the full burden of his duties. On the advice of his officials he had entered into an agreement with Captain Clendon for the purchase of his property at Okiato, in Bay of Islands, as a temporary seat of government. Bunbury co-operated loyally with Hobson in completing the cession of sovereignty, and at his request went to the southern parts of the country collecting signatures of chiefs. The Herald sailed for this purpose on 27 Apr, and the Queen's sovereignty was proclaimed at Stewart Island and (as regards the South Island) at Cloudy Bay (on 17 Jun). Shortland meanwhile had been sent to Port Nicholson to display the dignity and authority of the Crown amongst a body of settlers of the New Zealand Company who had been arriving in a series of ships since 22 Jan. Shortly after Bunbury's departure for the south Hobson received word from Port Nicholson of the proceedings of the settlers there. Acting under a voluntary agreement which they had signed before leaving England, they had constituted a committee or council for their own self-government, with legal officers purporting to act in the capacity of magistrates. On 14 Apr this tribunal adjudicated upon the complaint of a settler against the captain of the British brig Integrity. The defendant, refusing to acknowledge the authority of such a court, was committed to prison, and an attempt by his men to release him was repulsed by the settlers. He escaped from custody, however, and sailed for Bay of Islands to complain to the Governor. Believing the settlers at Port Nicholson guilty of high treason, Hobson on 21 May proposed to send Shortland with a detachment of troops to enforce obedience. In order to validate any action which Shortland might take he published two proclamations (dated 21 May), the one taking possession of the North Island by virtue of the cession of sovereignty by the chiefs, and the other taking possession of New Zealand by right of discovery. A third proclamation (23 May) declared the settlers' council illegal and ordered it to disband. Shortland left in the Integrity for Port Nicholson, where he arrived on 2 Jun. On the 4th he read his proclamations with ceremony before an eager and hospitable community which sent to Hobson addresses of loyalty. In Jul the French corvette Aube arrived in the Bay of Islands. As French settlers were also on the water, bound for Akaroa, Hobson despatched thither H.M.S. Britomart (Captain Owen Stanley) with magistrates to hold courts in token of the existence of British authority. The Company's settlers, who had influential support in Great Britain, urged Hobson more than once to establish his capital at Port Nicholson, where at the moment the largest British community was now settled. He had, however, made up his mind that the position on the Waitemata was the best. In Sep the land was purchased and formally proclaimed as the capital, and in Feb 1841 the Government shifted its headquarters there. The house which had been brought from England in the Company's ship Platina was accordingly erected, the Britomart's officers helped to survey the bay, and Felton Mathew laid out the city with some resemblance to the plan of Bath. The founding of the new town inevitably attracted labourers from the southern settlement, and brought upon Hobson the further reproaches of the Company's settlers. The disallowance of the Company's purported purchases of land also caused the settlers at Port Nicholson grave anxiety. Their ably-conducted press bitterly attacked Hobson as the cause of their troubles. Since the mother colony of New South Wales declined to provide for its dependency, Hobson was embarrassed by lack of money, and he was handicapped from the outset by the indifferent quality of his officials. Public meetings in Wellington demanded the recall of the Governor. When despatches arrived which announced the separation of New Zealand from New South Wales and its erection into an independent colony, the Port Nicholson settlers adopted an address congratulating him upon his promotion, but repeating all the arguments previously used to induce him to make his home in Wellington. Hobson replied in conciliatory terms, and took the first opportunity (in Aug 1841) of paying a visit to Wellington. He was on friendly terms with Colonel Wakefield, the principal agent, whom he desired to appoint a magistrate; but the question of a site for the Company's second settlement was a fresh cause of friction. Fearing that the settlements were not strong enough to maintain themselves against possible native hostility, Hobson discouraged further dispersion, and for that reason declined to allow the new colony to be planted at Port Cooper. He offered a site at Mahurangi, north of Auckland, which Wakefield rejected. The colony was finally located at Nelson, where the land available was not adequate. Far from his own official head, Hobson was anxious to propitiate what he recognised as a valuable body of settlers and the powerful Company behind them, but the bitter hostility of the Port Nicholson press and the truculence of some of their leaders militated against the establishment of cordial relations. Having comforted the southern settlers with an assurance as to the occupation of their lands, relieved them in respect to customs duties, and provided regular courts, Hobson returned to Auckland. During 1841 three officials of high character and attainments were sent from England to New Zealand, thereby considerably lightening Hobson's responsibility and strengthening his councils. William Swainson (q.v.) took office as Attorney-general, William Martin (q.v.) as Chief Justice, and shortly afterwards George Augustus Selwyn (q.v.) as Bishop of New Zealand. About the same time came despatches from the Colonial Secretary censuring Shortland and Mathew for their part in the land sales at Auckland and the purchase of the useless site at Russell (Okiato). Hobson had as yet little grounds for the feeling that the Colony was secure. A trial at Maketu for the murder of the Roberton family at Motu Arohia, Bay of Islands (20 Nov 1841) terminated in the execution of the murderer (7 Mar 1842). While it was in progress the safety of the colonists hung in the balance. It was the wise and sympathetic hearing of the case by Martin rather than the available military force that vindicated British authority. Shortly afterwards, the Ngati-Maru chief Taraia reverted to the worst savagery of the race by devouring two of his enemies. The executive council was inclined to use its small force against this powerful offender, but Taraia insisted that the quarrel was purely a native one, in which the Government had no right to intervene. Fearing the consequences with so small a military force to support him, Hobson sent the protector of aborigines to remonstrate with Taraia, and the incident ended. Hobson's financial difficulties were grave. The revenues of the Colony were quite inadequate for the expenses of the administration, and with the advice of his Council, he issued bills on the British Treasury. In due course they were dishonoured, and he was reprimanded for adopting that forbidden expedient. The struggling settlers of Auckland now joined their criticism to that of Wellington and demanded the recall of the Governor. Hobson was too ill to receive the deputation, and he died on 10 Sep 1842. 'Had he lived a few weeks longer,' says Swainson, 'he would have been cheered by the knowledge that his general administration of the affairs of New Zealand was approved by her Majesty's Government; and that he might count on official support against the exaggerated pretensions of the Company and their agents.' Hobson had many good qualities. Energy, decision and judgment he had always shown in times of action. He was a plain, practical naval officer, with wide experience, a high sense of justice and devotion to duty. Reeves says that 'most of his good deeds were his own.' He had a deeply religious nature, and was earnestly desirous that the natives of New Zealand should suffer no hurt from his administration and from the historic instrument by which they ceded their country to the British crown. Mrs Hobson died in 1876. Hobson's only son, WILLIAM ROBERT (1831-80) was also a midshipman in the Navy. At the age of 20 he served in the Plover and other relief ships searching for Sir John Franklin in Behring straits (1851-55). He had great experience of sledge travel, and in 1857 McClintock asked for his services in the new expedition in the Fox. With one sledge drawn by four men and another by seven dogs Hobson discovered relics on King William island which established the fate of the explorer (3 May 1859). He was promoted commander and appointed to the Pantaloon (1860). In 1862 he commanded the Vigilant in operations in the Persian gulf. He was promoted captain in 1866 and retired, dying on 11 Oct 1880. Admiralty records in Public Record Office; G.B.O.P., 1840/238; 1841/311; N.Z. Gaz.; Hist. Rec. Aust.; MS. letters in Turnbull Library; New South Wales Gaz.; Scholefield, Hobson (p); J. C. Beaglehole, Captain Hobson and the New Zealand Company; Buick, Waitangi and Akaroa; Bunbury; Marsden, L. and J.; Gisborne; Harrop, England and New Zealand; Carleton; James, Naval History; Rusden; Swainson; Reeves; E. J. Wakefield. Portrait by Collins in Auckland Public Library (copy by James Macdonald in National Portrait Gallery). Reference: Volume 1, page 215 | Volume 1, page 215 🌳 Further sources |
Ferdinand von Hochstetter | Ferdinand von HochstetterHOCHSTETTER, FERDINAND VON (1829-84) was born at Esslingen, Wurtemberg, the son of Professor Christian Ferdinand Hochstetter, the principal clergyman in the town and a naturalist and botanist. After passing through the grammar school in his native town, he went to the seminary at Maulbronn to study theology, but after passing (1851) he was drawn to the study of mineralogy, palaeontology and geology and proceeded, with his doctorate of philosophy (1852) on a year's tour of study. In 1853 he was employed in the Austrian geological survey, becoming assistant geologist in 1854 and chief geologist for Bohemia in 1856. He made a close study of the geology of the Bohmenvald and lectured in the University of Vienna. In 1857 Hochstetter was chosen to accompany the Novara expedition, and he arrived in Auckland in that frigate on 22 Dec 1858. His services were sought by the Auckland provincial government to examine the coalfields in the province. On the strength of his report the general Government obtained leave for Hochstetter to remain eight months in New Zealand to report on its geology, natural history and physical geography. This commission he achieved with a staff which included Haast and Heaphy. He spent two months examining the formations near Auckland and then proceeded to Waikato, Whaingaroa, Bay of Plenty and the thermal district. In June he visited Coromandel, the Great Barrier and Kawau, and on 28 July left for Nelson, where he remained until 2 Oct, when he left for Sydney. In Nelson he examined the Dun mountain copper deposits and Lake Rotoiti, but could not visit the Alps. Arriving back in Austria in Jan 1860, Hochstetter received many distinctions from the Emperor and scientific societies. He was appointed professor of geology and mineralogy at the Technical University of Vienna. In June he took to London the two young Maori who had accompanied him to Europe and embarked them with their printing press in the Caduceus for New Zealand. He was busy at this time working up the collections made in New Zealand and preparing his reports. In Apr 1861 he married Georgina Bengough, daughter of the English director of the Vienna gasworks. In 1862 he was granted leave to complete his book on New Zealand, which was published first in German in Apr 1863. In May 1864 he published his scientific work on the geology of New Zealand for the Novara publications, and in Dec the first half of the paleontology of New Zealand appeared. In 1864 he made a special study of prehistoric lake dwellings in Europe, and in 1865 he prepared for the Imperial Institute a report on oilfields in western Galicia. Having failed to find an English publisher for the book on New Zealand, he had it translated into English by an American (Edward Sauter) and it was printed by Cotta, of Stuttgart, the New Zealand Parliament having voted £525 for the purchase of 500 copies. In 1867 he was elected president of the Imperial Geographical Society of Vienna, a position which he held until his health failed in 1882. His other Novara publications were now brought out, and he prepared many text books for higher schools. In 1867 he went to Paris to report on the metallurgical products in the Exhibition, and in Sep of that year the English edition of the New Zealand book made its appearance. He was now suffering severely from an affection of the throat and, hoping that it might benefit his health, he got leave to act as consulting geologist to the Turkish Great Railway Co. For this work he received the order of the Medjidieh. Hochstetter was one of the first promoters of the Austrian North Polar expedition of Payer and Laube, and he raised funds for the second expedition, in the Tegethoff. As a member of the commission for the Imperial Exhibition in Vienna in 1873, he persuaded New Zealand to take part. In 1872 he was appointed scientific lecturer to the Crown Prince Rudolph, with whom he travelled in the Austrian alps. In 1876 he became director-general of the Imperial Museum, to which he devoted his undivided attention after being pensioned from the University in 1881. Hochstetter, as head of the Museum, and by reason of his friendship with von Haast, was the means of effecting many valuable exchanges of exhibits between New Zealand and European museums. In 1877 the last sets of the Novara publications reached New Zealand. He was also responsible for the appointment of a competent taxidermist (Andreas Reischek, q.v.) for the Canterbury Museum. It is due to the continuing interest that Hochstetter took in New Zealand that this Colony's section in the Museum in Vienna is so complete and generously equipped. He died on 21 Jul 1884. Auckland P.C. Proc.; Buller; biography by Sir Julius von Haast in N.Z. Journ. of Science, ii, no. 5, Sep 1884 (p); N.Z. Herald, 25 Jul 1884. Portrait: Bust in Canterbury Museum by Victor Tilgner. Reference: Volume 1, page 217 | Volume 1, page 217 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Morland Hocken | Thomas Morland HockenHOCKEN, THOMAS MORLAND (1836-1910) was the son of the Rev. J. Hocken, of Stamford, England. Educated at The Grove, Yorkshire, and at Durham University and Dublin, he qualified in medicine (F.R.C.S. Eng., 1860; L.S.A.) and spent two years as a surgeon on the steamer Great Britain trading between England and Australia. In 1862 he settled in Dunedin and began to practise, being honorary surgeon at the Dunedin hospital and the benevolent institution and for 22 years coroner. He took a great interest in such social movements as the Patients' and Prisoners' Aid society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Hocken's claim to recognition arises out of his interest in New Zealand history and his lifelong collection of literature relating to it. For many years he was collecting books, maps, manuscripts and prints with such care and persistence that his library before his death constituted a body of published books and original source material unique in New Zealand. He devoted special attention to Samuel Marsden and secured from the Church Missionary Society and other sources a remarkable collection of documents relating to him. At an early stage he began to read papers on New Zealand history and to contribute to the press, the proceedings of the Otago Institute and the transactions of the New Zealand Institute. In 1898 he published his first important book Contributions to the Early History of New Zealand (relating to the foundations of Otago province). In 1901 he visited England and examined the papers of the New Zealand Company and of the missionary societies and other archives. He then devoted himself closely to the compilation of his Bibliography of the Literature Relating to New Zealand (1909) a patiently compiled volume which has since been the standard work in that sphere of research. Another volume, lectures on the Early History of New Zealand, was posthumously published in 1914, with a memoir by Sir George Fenwick. In 1896 Hocken offered his library to Otago University to form the nucleus of a New Zealand historical collection. It was subsequently housed in the Hocken wing of the Otago Museum, where its treasures have been of great service to the student and the historical researcher. Hocken was a member of many learned societies, including the New Zealand Institute, the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Historical Society and cognate bodies in foreign countries. In 1884 he was elected a fellow of the Linnaean Society in recognition of his contributions to science. He contributed frequently to the proceedings of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. He was the first lecturer in surgery at Otago University and was a member of the council of that institution from 1883. A few months before his death (which occurred on 17 May 1910) he succeeded to the position of vice-chancellor. Hocken's report on the papers of the New Zealand Company was followed a few years later by the transfer to the New Zealand Government of all documents regarded by him as being of insufficient value to be retained in the principal collection of records (which is in the Public Record Office in London). Though of secondary importance from the archive point of view, they form a valuable and interesting source for historical research. They include duplicate copies of most of the despatches from the Company's agents in New Zealand and are especially rich in loose papers, drafts of despatches and notes of proceedings in the hand of Edward Gibbon Wakefield. Hocken, op. cit.; Fulton; Fenwick, cit supra. The Press, 3 Apr, 20 Aug 1909; Otago Daily Times, 23 May 1910. Reference: Volume 1, page 217 | Volume 1, page 217 🌳 Further sources |
Frank Franklin Hockly | Frank Franklin HocklyHOCKLY, FRANK FRANKLIN (1865-1936) was born at Orrell, Lancashire, the son of Captain E. M. Hockly. Educated at Hutton Hall, Dumfries, he arrived in New Zealand by the Lady Jocelyn (1884) and took up land at Makuri, Hunterville, and eventually at Te Awamutu. He was a member for nine years and chairman for five of the Kiwitea county council. In Waikato he was president of the second Auckland district military service board. He took a keen interest in the Farmers' Union, being a delegate to several Dominion conferences and chairman of a sub-provincial branch. Hockly contested the Parliamentary seat for Rangitikei in 1909 and the Waimarino in 1911. In 1919 he was elected Reform member for Rotorua (where he was defeated by Clinkard in 1928). He was for some years chairman of the lands committee of the House and in 1926 was elected chairman of committees. He died on 7 Oct 1936. N.Z.P.D., 13 Oct 1936; Who's Who N.Z., 1932; Evening Post, 7 Oct 1936 (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 217 | Volume 1, page 217 🌳 Further sources |
William Mathew Hodgkins | William Mathew HodgkinsHODGKINS, WILLIAM MATHEW (1833-98) was born in Liverpool. He was for a while employed in the patents office in London and in 1856 by Waterlow and Sons. Interested in art, he spent two years in the Latin quarter of Paris. In 1858 he sailed for Melbourne in the White Star, and in 1860 came to Otago. He first entered the office of Gillies and Richmond, and then became articled clerk to Howorth and Barton. On Barton's retirement he joined Howorth in practice, retiring in 1885. Hodgkins was eminent amongst water colour painters in New Zealand, ranking with Gully and J. C. Richmond. He travelled widely and painted many New Zealand landscapes. He was a founder of the Otago Art Society (1876) and president (1880-98). He married (1866) a daughter of John S. Parker (Sydney). He died on 9 Jan 1898. Otago Daily Times, 10 Feb 1898. Reference: Volume 1, page 217 | Volume 1, page 217 🌳 Further sources |
Samuel Hodgkinson | Samuel HodgkinsonHODGKINSON, SAMUEL (1817-1914) was born at Babworth, Nottingham, and received his education at the Retford day schools and the Collegiate Grammar School at Southwell. At the age of 17 he was apprenticed to Dr Valentine Williams in Nottingham (with whom one of his earliest experiences was a cholera epidemic). On completing his apprenticeship in 1838, Hodgkinson studied at Apothecaries' Hall and the Royal College of Surgeons, London. There he saw something of his relative Millais and of Clement Hodgkinson, his uncle (afterwards an explorer in Australia). In 1840 he gained the diploma of the Society of Apothecaries and membership of the Royal College, and went to Paris to walk the hospitals. Returning to England he was appointed house surgeon to the Newark-on-Trent hospital and dispensary. While there he became interested in the New Zealand Company, and was appointed surgeon superintendent in the ship Bombay. Arriving in Nelson on 14 Dec 1842, Hodgkinson spent a little time in Wellington, and then took passage to Valparaiso, and joined an American whaler, which landed him in New Bedford in Jun 1843. After travelling for some time in the United States, he returned to England and entered into practice again. In 1846 he was appointed by the Colonisation Commissioners as surgeon superintendent to the David Malcolm, bound with emigrants to Port Adelaide. From there he went to Port Phillip and Warrnambool, and after spending some time in Victoria he crossed in 1851 to Canterbury (encouraged by the recommendations of Frederick Tuckett and Sir William Martin). Hodgkinson assisted G. D. Lockhart with a shipment of stock and before the year was out took up (in partnership with Hunter Brown) the Deans Peaks and Doctor's Hills stations in north Canterbury (including what is now Waipara downs). By next year they had 1,500 sheep running on 29,000 acres. In 1852 Hodgkinson was compelled by ill-health to visit England, and he published a pamphlet on emigration to Canterbury. In 1855, while he was absent G. H. Moore purchased the run. While in England, Hodgkinson married a granddaughter (who d. 1902) of the Earl of Gosford. He played some part during this visit in persuading William Rolleston to make his home in New Zealand. Coming to New Zealand in 1857 in the ship Joseph Fletcher, the Hodgkinsons landed at Auckland, and lived for a time at Parnell. They purchased land at Remuera at £30 per acre, and built a cottage. Not caring for the climate of Auckland, Hodgkinson in Jan 1859, with Dr Buchanan, rode from Dunedin to Invercargill, and from there walked with W. H. Pearson to Riverton. He purchased for £1,000 cash J. P. Taylor's Wairaka property, but sold again almost immediately and selected 900 acres at the foot of the Longwoods. He brought his family down in May 1860. In Jun 1861 they moved to Riverton, and Hodgkinson chose the homestead site at Fairfax. The house was built and occupied in the middle of 1862. When Southland gained separation from Otago Hodgkinson declined to stand for the superintendency. Towards the end of 1864 he was elected to the Provincial Council for Riverton, and he threw in his weight to secure the election of Taylor as Superintendent. He was a member of the executive (1865-66). In 1869 he moved to Invercargill and retired from the Council, entering into medical practice for a short time with Monckton. He fought strenuously against the reunion of Southland with Otago, and re-entered the Council in Sep 1870 with that object. When the province was extinguished Hodgkinson gave up his practice, but devoted much time to education, temperance, and other objects. In 1876 he was elected to represent Riverton in Parliament, in which he was a staunch supporter of Grey. He did not seek re-election in 1879. In 1887 he was elected for Wallace, which he represented until 1890. His motion for an elective executive was only defeated by 27 votes to 25; he tried to reduce the members' honorarium according to the length of the session; and he took steps to have the grave of Wakefield in Wellington cared for, and to have a portrait of the coloniser hung in the town hall in Invercargill. He continued to be active in Invercargill, sitting on the bench, doing duty as coroner, and on the hospital and charitable aid board (1885) and the education board (1889). He had throughout life a voluminous correspondence with scientific men (including Lecky and Goldwin Smith); and he wrote many pamphlets on social and political topics. As long ago as 1860 he wrote on close settlement versus large estates; and for many years after the passing of the education act in 1877 he advocated Bible reading in state schools. Hodgkinson died on 10 Jan 1914. Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Hocken; Roberts; Fulton, p 7482 (p); Acland; Southland Times, 11 Jan 1914; Otago Daily Times, 16 Aug 1930 (p). Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 218 | Volume 1, page 218 🌳 Further sources |
William Charles Hodgson | William Charles HodgsonHODGSON, WILLIAM CHARLES (1826-94) was born at Chorley, Lancashire, the son of William Hodgson, a Manchester cotton spinner. Having lost his money by the introduction of the power loom, and having married his deceased wife's sister (then forbidden by the law of the Church) William Hodgson came to New Zealand in the Himalaya, arriving in Nelson in 1844. He took up 50 acres of land at Wakapuaka, upon which he and his family struggled in vain to establish themselves. The father died in 1847 and the son, who had been educated at the Manchester Grammar School and had hoped to go to Oxford, taught the private school which had been established in Nelson by Thomas Arnold (q.v.). He afterwards taught under the education board at Wakapuaka, and in 1863 was appointed inspector of schools. He represented Nelson in the Provincial Council in 1865. Hodgson retired in 1893 and died on 28 Jul 1894. A man of great literary taste and classical learning, Hodgson wrote a good deal of verse, the quality of which ranks very high amongst New Zealand poetry. Classical allusion and graceful diction abound, some of the choicest of his verse being English versions of Greek poems. A volume of his poetry, selected by A. A. Grace (who also wrote a biographical introduction) was published in 1896. A sister of Hodgson married J. W. Barnicoat (q.v.). Cycl. N.Z., v; Grande; Hodgson, op. cit. (p); The Colonist, Jul 1894. Reference: Volume 1, page 218 | Volume 1, page 218 🌳 Further sources |
James Edmund Hodson | James Edmund HodsonHODSON, JAMES EDMUND (d. 1900) settled early in Marlborough, where he had a sheep run. He represented Awatere in the Marlborough Provincial Council (1870-74) and was a member of the executive twice during that term. On moving into Blenheim to live he represented the town (1874-75). He was mayor of Blenheim in 1875-76, and was a member of the education board and other local bodies. Cycl. NZ, v. Reference: Volume 1, page 218 | Volume 1, page 218 🌳 Further sources |
George Hogben | George HogbenHOGBEN, GEORGE (1853-1920) who was born in London, was the son of a Congregational minister, and attended a Congregational school in Lewisham, Kent, where he won a scholarship which took him to Nottingham (1867-69). After some years in the civil service as junior auditor in the office of the controller-general, he entered St Catherine's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. (1877) and M.A. (1881) after a distinguished career. In 1881 he came to New Zealand as science master of the Christchurch Boys' High School, from which he was appointed Inspector of schools to the North Canterbury education board (1887). He became rector of the Timaru Boys' High School (1889) and inspector-general of schools in 1899. During his 16 years in this office (1899-1915) a large number of reforms in the education system of New Zealand, culminating in the Education Act of 1914, were effected. In 1907 Hogben represented New Zealand at the education conference in London. In the year of his retirement (1915) his title was changed to director of education, and he was awarded the C.M.G. Hogben was an authority on seismology and a fellow of the Geological Society. He died on 26 Apr 1920. His wife was a daughter of Edward Dobson, C.E., of Canterbury. He published a number of works on education. Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Butchers (p); N.Z. Graphic, 16 Sep 1893; Evening Post, 26 Apr 1920. Reference: Volume 1, page 218 | Volume 1, page 218 🌳 Further sources |
Alexander Wilson Hogg | Alexander Wilson HoggHOGG, ALEXANDER WILSON (1845-1920) was born in Glasgow and educated in the primary schools there and at the Andersonian College. At the age of 13 he emigrated to Victoria, where he engaged in mining, storekeeping and journalism. He helped to form a miners' protection league, one object of which was to institute courts of arbitration in place of courts of law. In 1877 he crossed to Dunedin, and was on the staff of the Southern Mercury and for some years manager and editor of the Dunedin Age. From there he went to Ashburton, where he conducted a paper, then to Timaru and finally he became part proprietor and editor of the Wairarapa Star (Masterton) (1881-92). Hogg was elected to Parliament for Masterton in 1890 as a Liberal, and sat continuously for that electorate till 1911, when he was defeated by G. R. Sykes. He was chairman of the lands committee (1902-05). In 1909 he was Minister of Labour and Customs in the Ward Government, but he withdrew owing to a difference of opinion on matters of policy. He was a member of the school committee, the Wellington education board, the licensing committee and the land board (1889-1904), and of the Victoria College council (1898-1913). A fearless and outspoken politician, Hogg was scarcely fitted for the restrictions of team work and found it difficult to attune his opinions to those of the cabinet, with which he worked for only a few months. He was a firm believer in the leasehold tenure and in small settlement, and fought unceasingly for the formation of roads in the backblocks. Hogg died on 16 Nov 1920. N.Z.P.D., 11, 14 Mar 1921; Russell (p); Evening Post, 18 Nov 1920. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 218 | Volume 1, page 218 🌳 Further sources |
David Hogg | David HoggHOGG, DAVID (1811-80), the first Presbyterian minister in Wanganui, was born at Haddington, Scotland, and educated in Edinburgh. He was ordained in the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland and built up a new congregation in East Lothian. His brother, Peter Dodds Hogg, was sub-collector of customs at Port Nicholson (1841), and temporarily filled the post of chief collector of revenue at Auckland, and commissioner of audit (after the resignation of George Cooper 1843). In 1845 he was stationed at Nelson and a few months later at Wellington. He was drowned at sea about 1850. David Hogg came to New Zealand in the Slains Castle (1852), and was appointed to Wanganui, where he preached in a toetoe whare to 30 people in Jan 1853. He retired about 1870 and died in 1880. Family information; Cycl. N.Z., i; Ward; Woon. Reference: Volume 1, page 219 | Volume 1, page 219 🌳 Further sources |
John Farr Hoggard | John Farr HoggardHOGGARD, JOHN FARR (1815-71) spent his early life in the West Indies, but went to England for his education and is believed to have attended one of the leading universities and to have entered upon a medical course. Having money, he sailed for Australia towards the end of 1839 and there made the acquaintance of one or two other young men, who joined him in the purchase of a small vessel in which they crossed to Mangonui, walking thence overland to Bay of Islands. He did not intend to stay in New Zealand, but after a visit to Sydney in Sep 1840 he made his home here. He seems to have been in business with Daniel Pollen (q.v.) for some little time in Auckland, and in 1843 he joined the civil service as a clerk. In 1844 he was transferred to Wellington, where he practically performed the duties of postmaster, though nominally collector of customs. In 1853 he was appointed postmaster, and he held that position until his death (on 4 Sep 1871). Hoggard was a man of some culture and a pleasing personality. Records Post and Telegraph department; D. Robertson, Hist. of Wellington Post Office. Reference: Volume 1, page 219 | Volume 1, page 219 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Godfrey Holdsworth | Joseph Godfrey HoldsworthHOLDSWORTH, JOSEPH GODFREY (1824-84) was born in London. Arriving in Wellington in 1853, he entered into business with John Knowles. He represented the City of Wellington in the Provincial Council (1856-57), and resigned to accept the position of paymaster of roads. This entailed much horseback travelling in Manawatu and Wairarapa. In 1870 Holdsworth was appointed commissioner of crown lands for Wellington, a position he held till a few months before his death (on 16 Aug 1884). He was the first president of the Y.M.C.A. in Wellington, and was chairman of the Benevolent Institution (1878). A son, SIR CHARLES HOLDSWORTH (1863-1935) who was educated at Wellington College, became managing director of the Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand (Kt. Bach. 1926). Ward; Jourdain; Who's Who N.Z., 1932; Cycl. NZ, i, p 475. Reference: Volume 1, page 219 | Volume 1, page 219 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Edmund Holland | Henry Edmund HollandHOLLAND, HENRY EDMUND (1868-1933) was born on 10 Jun 1868 at Ginninderra, near Canberra, New South Wales, and was educated in the Stone Hut (a provisional school) at Canberra and in the public school at Ginninderra. At the age of 14 he was apprenticed to printing in the office of the Queanbeyan Times, where he spent five years. He took a lively interest in social matters and, reading as widely as local resources would permit, laid the foundations of a deep culture. He was much influenced by Bellamy's Looking Backward, Karl Marx's Capital and Henry George's Progress and Poverty; had an intimate knowledge of both Old and New Testament philosophy, especially in its bearing on human relationships; and became a zealous member of the Salvation Army. At the end of his apprenticeship Holland went to Sydney, where he made acquaintance with slums, poverty and unemployment, became a loyal trades unionist and a member of the Australian Socialist League and (some years later) of the Australian Electoral League. In 1888 he married a playmate of his boyhood, Annie McLachlan. He helped to form the Sydney tailoresses' union and was its first president. When he was editing The Vedette in Grenfell the union invited him to conduct their case in court; and he cycled 300 miles to do so (without fee). He was the leader in 1901 of a strike of tailoresses which assumed state-wide proportions and ultimately produced great improvements in the wages, hours of labour and conditions of the women workers concerned. An outspoken advocate of labour rights, he thus early risked the ordeal of imprisonment for his opinions, which in later days held no terrors for him. He was in fact imprisoned in 1896, 1909 and 1913-14 as the result of his writings and speeches at Newcastle, Broken Hill and Wellington (New Zealand). Ill-health caused Holland in 1912 to come to New Zealand, where he at once became associated with the Labour movement, then in its infancy, and threw himself with quiet but determined energy into the advocacy of labour principles. He was appointed editor of the Maoriland Worker, which he conducted for nearly six years with conspicuous success. A fluent writer with an incisive, logical style, he expressed the views of his party with such force and effect that he was recognised during the struggles of 1912 and 1913 (including the Waihi strike) as a coming factor in the success of the party. He exerted every effort in support of the unity movement. In the Worker he led the fight against conscription during the war of 1914-18. His first parliamentary contest was in Wellington North in 1914 (against Herdman). Again in 1918 he stood (against Sir John Luke), but he did not gain a seat in Parliament until 1918, when the disqualification of P. C. Webb caused a vacancy for Grey. At the by-election (on 29 May 1918) Holland defeated T. E. Coates by 2,865 votes to 2,717. This electorate was abolished in the following year, when he defeated D. Q. O'Brien (by 3,545 votes to 2,542) for the Buller seat, which he held until his death. On the death of A. H. Hindmarsh (q.v.) in 1919, Holland was elected leader of the Parliamentary Labour party, which then occupied the cross benches. After the election of 1925 Labour became the second strongest party in the House, but in 1928 it again found itself the weakest party and returned to the cross benches. Holland did the party a great service in his clear and explicit statement of the aims of Labour, not only in the press and in party propaganda, but in public and parliamentary speeches. He defended with the greatest pertinacity the privileges gained for Labour in a succession of acts passed by the Ballance and Seddon Governments, and gradually brought the Labour party to occupy in the public mind the position of successors of the Liberals of the nineties. He marked the end of what might be termed the battle between ins and outs. He believed in increasing socialism rather than in reforming capitalism to make it more social. The party platform, as he saw it, should be determined only by the consideration whether it could lead or help towards complete socialism. His advocacy of the leasehold principle of land tenure was also noteworthy. A man of high principle and deep culture, Holland was one of the finest speakers in the Parliament of his day; formidable, incisive and devastating in debate; lofty and inspiring on the public platform. He was an indefatigable writer and pamphleteer, and published about 30 party pamphlets on social and political subjects. Noteworthy amongst his smaller publications are: Armageddon and Calvary (1919), The Farmer and the Mortgagehold, Indentured Labour, Boy Conscription, and Samoa. He also wrote verse of good quality. His volume Red Roses on the Highway contains much of high poetic standard. Holland died on 8 Oct 1933 while attending the funeral of Te Rata Mahuta at Waihi. The public tribute paid to him both by the thousands who filed past his coffin in the main entrance hall of Parliament buildings, and by the huge concourse which followed his body to its resting place in the old Sydney street cemetery, was impressive evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by the community generally. His grave is marked by a fine symbolical memorial statue erected by the Labour movement of New Zealand. N.Z.P.D., pass. (notably 10 Oct 1933); Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; Annals N.Z. Lit.; Holland, op. cit.; typescript in Alexander Turnbull Library; Janet Fraser in The Standard, 6 May 1937; The Standard (p), Grey River Argus, Evening Post, 9 Oct 1933. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 219 | Volume 1, page 219 🌳 Further sources |
James Job Holland | James Job HollandHOLLAND, JAMES JOB (1841-1922) was born in Leicester, England, educated there and learned the trade of a builder with his father. In 1860 he came to New Zealand in the Persia, and after spending a short time on the Otago goldfields he was drafted into the militia for the Maori war, in which he rose to the rank of sergeant. In 1864 he settled down as a building contractor, and he erected many important edifices in Auckland (including St Benedict's Church, the Costley home and the Baptist Tabernacle). He served on highway boards, the Auckland harbour board, the charitable aid board, the hospital board, the Auckland College and Grammar School governors and the council of Auckland University College. Holland was a member of the City Council (1886-93); mayor of Auckland (1893-95); a sinking fund commissioner and a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank. Elected in 1881 to the licensing committees for Auckland North, South and East, he was chairman for three years. In 1896 he was elected to Parliament for City of Auckland, but he was defeated at the following election (1899). Holland was an Oddfellow for 46 years and a trustee for 30. He married (1864) Agnes Melvin, daughter of Dr Mackenzie. Holland died on 31 Jul 1922. N.Z.P.D., 7 Sep 1922; Cycl. NZ. ii (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z. Herald, 1 Aug 1922. Portrait: Parliament House Reference: Volume 1, page 220 | Volume 1, page 220 🌳 Further sources |
James Holmes | James HolmesHOLMES, JAMES (1831-1910) was born at Brighton, England, and learned the trade of a painter. Emigrating to Australia in 1852, he was for some time goldmining at Forest Creek, Bendigo and Ballarat, and for five years (1855-60) working in his own business in Geelong. In 1861 he came to Dunedin, followed his trade there for four years, and in 1865 moved to Hokitika, where he continued in his business, with a branch at Greymouth. In 1880 he bought the Okuku water race at Kumara, which he worked successfully for 20 years. He was also interested in the erection of one of the earliest batteries on the Coast. He was chairman of the first licensing committee, a member of the harbour board and the High School board and a vice-president of the Savings Bank. A Liberal in politics, Holmes was interested in the early political career of Seddon, who called him to the Legislative Council in 1901. He died on 17 Apr 1910. N.Z.P.D., 28 Jun 1910; Cycl. NZ, vi (p); NZ Herald, 18 Apr 1910. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 220 | Volume 1, page 220 🌳 Further sources |
John Holmes | John HolmesHOLMES, JOHN (1838-1907) was born in County Kilkenny, educated at the Royal School, Dungannon and at Trinity College, Dublin, and admitted to the bar at King's Inns. In 1865 he emigrated to Victoria and was for some years magistrate at Wangaratta. In 1878 he settled in Christchurch, where he practised in partnership with A. Loughrey. He represented Christchurch in Parliament (1881-87), and during the next three years (1887-90) led the Radical party. His manifesto at the election of 1890 is an interesting exposition of radical ideas of the day. Holmes died on 3 Jul 1907. Cycl. N.Z., iii; The Press, 5 Jul 1907. Reference: Volume 1, page 220 | Volume 1, page 220 🌳 Further sources |
Matthew Holmes | Matthew HolmesHOLMES, MATTHEW (1817-1901) was born at Strabane, County Tyrone, educated in northern Ireland, and trained for commercial life. At the age of 20 he emigrated to Victoria, where he farmed for a short time on the Barrabool hills. Being burned out, he went into business in Geelong, interesting himself in shipping wool and other produce and supplying the diggings. Having made a small fortune, Holmes returned to Scotland in 1854 and purchased an estate near Edinburgh, but in 1859 he sailed for New Zealand in the Pirate to take up the position of general manager for the New Zealand and Australian Land Co. Visiting England in 1862 as a commissioner for the Exhibition of that year, Holmes sold his estate in Scotland and brought his family to Otago. He took up extensive holdings of land on behalf of the company and in his own name, notably the estates of Awamoa (near Oamaru), Castlerock (Lumsden) and Manapouri. His other interests included Seaward Downs, Spar Bush and Totara. He was a progressive agriculturist, and imported a great deal of machinery for various properties. He also took a keen interest in stock breeding and purchased many stud animals abroad, especially Clydesdale horses and long-woolled sheep. At Castlerock he had a Cheviot flock. In 1866 he was called to the Legislative Council, and he attended to his duties regularly for the remainder of his life. He was an original director of the Mosgiel Woollen Co. On retiring from active business Holmes disposed of his connection in Dunedin to Dalgety, Rattray and Co. He married (1841) a daughter (d. 1897) of Allan McLean, of Strathallan, Victoria. Holmes died on 27 Sep 1901. (See G. McLean.) Cycl. N.Z., i (p), iv (p); N.Z.P.D., 27 Sep 1901; Col. Gent.; U. Church, in Otago Daily Times, 1 Oct 1901; Otago Daily Times, 17 Mar 1875, 28 Sep 1901. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 220 | Volume 1, page 220 🌳 Further sources |
Abraham Honore | Abraham HonoreHONORE, ABRAHAM (1818-94) was of French Huguenot extraction, and was born at Fredericia, in the Danish province of Jutland. An earnest student of the Bible, he offered his services at the age of 22 to the North German Missionary Society and was accepted. Having been brought up to farm work, his education was inadequate, and he spent two years in the seminary at Hamburg. In 1843, following the arrival of a young Maori from Stewart Island in a German whaler, the Society decided to establish a mission in southern New Zealand and chose Wohlers (q.v.) for the post. When Wohlers had been four years at Ruapuke, Honore was sent out in the Blundell (1848) to assist him. They spent 20 years together, working by day on their farms and preaching on Sundays to a dwindling congregation of Maori. Honore went to Stewart Island (1855). In 1859, when living at Jacob's River, he became naturalised. He was now most of the time on the mainland, and had charge of all the natives between Dunedin and Invercargill until he was persuaded that there was better work in the North Island. He settled at Marton, ministering to the Scandinavians and constantly travelling up and down the coast keeping in touch with the despondent and often hostile tribes of Titokowaru, Te Whiti and Wi Kingi te Rangitake. Though his stipend was never much more than £50 a year he was twice married and brought up a family. He died at Foxton on 23 Jul 1894. Taranaki Herald, 22 Nov 1873; Beattie, ii; Wohlers; Cycl. N.Z., 1; N.Z. Gaz., 1859. Reference: Volume 1, page 221 | Volume 1, page 221 🌳 Further sources |
Augustus Adolphus Alexander Hood | Augustus Adolphus Alexander HoodHOOD, AUGUSTUS ADOLPHUS ALEXANDER (d. 1866) was captain and owner of the barque Augusta at the time of his death (27 Jul 1866). He was a member of the Marlborough Provincial Council from 1862, his seat being vacated in 1866 owing to his failure to attend either session during that year. Marlborough P.C. Proc.; Marlborough Press, 1 Aug 1866. Reference: Volume 1, page 221 | Volume 1, page 221 🌳 Further sources |
Joseph Dalton Hooker | Joseph Dalton HookerHOOKER, SIR JOSEPH DALTON (1817-1911) was born at Halesworth, Suffolk. Educated in the Glasgow High School, he proceeded to the University (where his father was professor of botany), and studied moral philosophy and medicine, graduating M.D. in 1839. Interested in botanical research, he received an offer from Sir James Clark Ross to accompany the Antarctic expedition and he sailed from Chatham as assistant surgeon in the Erebus on 29 Sep 1839. The voyage was broken at Tasmania, New Zealand and the Falkland Islands, and Hooker had ample opportunities of making collections. He spent some time at the Auckland and Campbell islands, where with Lyall he collected 370 specimens of plants. At Bay of Islands (early in 1841) he met Colenso and Dr Sinclair, who assisted him to make a thorough exploration of the vicinity. The botanical results of the expedition were published in six volumes by the British Government. The Flora Antarctica, Flora Novae Zelandiae and Flora Tasmaniae, which appeared between 1843 and 1860, embraced all the information on the subject which Hooker had collected from various sources. He had ample time to gather from correspondence with Colenso, Sinclair and others the results of their later observations. In 1846 Hooker was appointed botanist to the geological survey of Great Britain. In 1847 he made a botanical and geographical survey of the Himalaya region, discovering many new plants (including 37 species of rhododendron). Hooker's researches had an important bearing on the theory of evolution. In the Pacific he found identical species in islands separated by 3,000 miles of ocean, and in the Galapagos he found related but different animals and plants in the different islands. In 1844 Darwin first confided to Hooker his theory of evolution by natural selection, and they corresponded continuously during the next 14 years before the theory was published. Darwin valued Hooker's opinion more than that of anyone else and believed he would live to see Hooker the first authority in Europe on geographical distribution. His introductory essay on the flora of Tasmania (1859) is remarkable as the first sketch of a rational theory of geographical distribution of plants. Hooker and Lyell some time earlier acted for Darwin, who was ill, in proving that his theory had been put forward 14 years before. In 1860 Hooker took part in a naval scientific expedition to Syria and that year also he began (with Bentham) his Genera Plantarum. In 1865 he succeeded his father as director at Kew, where he had been engaged as botanist since 1855. His handbook of the New Zealand Flora which was commissioned by the New Zealand Government, appeared in 1867. In 1868 he was president of the British Association. In 1871 he went with John Ball and George Maw on an expedition to Morocco in which he proved that the Arctic-Alpine flora did not reach the Atlas mountains. Hooker in 1872 found himself in conflict with the Office of Works over the function of Kew Gardens, which the department thought should have the character of a pleasure garden. Gladstone sided with Hooker, and removed the offending commissioner. In 1872 Hooker drew up suggestions for the collections to be made by the Challenger expedition, and in 1876, as president of the Royal Society, he welcomed back the expedition. He was chairman of the committee for publication of the reports, which appeared in 50 volumes during the period 1876-95. In retiring from the presidency of the Society in 1878, Hooker announced the raising of a sum of £10,000 as an endowment to enable the Society to reduce its fees, which had prevented many men of high eminence from joining. After some years of scientific work in America Hooker returned in 1879 to Antarctic botany, discussing the flora of Kerguelen Land as a result of the transit of Venus expedition (1874). His Genera Plantarum having been completed in 1883, he turned to his Indian botany, which he completed in seven volumes in 1897. Retiring from Kew in 1885, he edited in 1896 Sir Joseph Banks's journal of Cook's first voyage, and thereafter worked on the flora of Ceylon and the Imperial Gazetteer of India. Hooker received honorary degrees from Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin. (C.B., 1869; K.C.S.I., 1877; G.C.S.I., 1897; Order of Merit, 1907.) He received the most prized medals of many learned societies, including a Royal medal (1854), from the Royal Society, the Copley medal (1887) and the Darwin medal (1892). In 1892 he was the sole recipient from the Royal Swedish Academy of the medal struck to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Linnaeus. His physical and mental powers remained unimpaired until his death, on 10 Dec 1911. Leonard Huxley, Life and Letters of Sir J. D. Hooker; D.N.B.; Hooker, op. cit.; N.Z. Jour. of Science, May 1885. Reference: Volume 1, page 223 | Volume 1, page 223 🌳 Further sources |
Conrad Hoos | Conrad HoosHOOS, CONRAD, was born in Germany and acquired some experience in farming there and elsewhere on the Continent and in Scotland. He came to New Zealand on the discovery of gold at Gabriel's Gully, and followed the rush to Westland in 1865. He was a member of the Canterbury Provincial Council (for Westland) in 1866-67, and a member and first chairman of the Westland county council (1868). About 1870 he edited the West Coast Times. Hoos stood for the superintendency against Bonar, M. Kennedy and J. White in 1874, but was at the bottom of the poll. He was the author of The New Zealand Practical Agriculturist (1882). Cycl. NZ, v. Reference: Volume 1, page 223 | Volume 1, page 223 🌳 Further sources |
Isaac Hopkins | Isaac HopkinsHOPKINS, ISAAC (1837-1925) was born in London. He saw service in the mercantile marine during the Crimean War, and came to New Zealand first in 1855. Having married, he returned to the West Coast in 1865 and was on the Thames goldfield soon after it opened (1867). He and his mates working on the Golden Crown battery there first instituted the eight-hours system on the field in place of the 10 hours previously observed. It was at the Thames that Hopkins commenced beekeeping, with a gin-case hive (1874). In 1879 he obtained a copy of Langstroth on the Honey Bee, and from this constructed his first moveable-frame hives. He established an apiary at Parawai, Thames, which attracted considerable attention. From 1880 he contributed notes on beekeeping to the Thames Advertiser, and the Auckland Weekly News and shortly afterwards he brought out the first edition of his Bee Manual (afterwards the Australasian Bee Manual). In conjunction with J. C. Firth he established an apiary at Matamata, where he bred Italian queens and sent them to all parts of Australia and New Zealand. He also imported Holy Land bees and other varieties. Owing to ill-health, Hopkins removed to Auckland in 1887 and there organised the New Zealand Beekeepers' Association, and promoted the foul brood and bee diseases bill of 1888 (which was unfortunately shelved). In 1905 he was appointed Government apiarist, and in 1907 and 1908 he got the legislation passed. He started the apiary at Ruakura state farm and the departmental bulletins on bee culture. In 1883 Hopkins was running the New Zealand Illustrated Bee Journal. He died on 20 Jul 1925. Hopkins, op. cit, and Practical Bee Keeping; biography of Hopkins (New York State College of Agriculture, Cornell University); N.Z. Jour. Agric., 20 Aug 1925; N.Z. Herald, 21 Jul 1925. Reference: Volume 1, page 223 | Volume 1, page 223 🌳 Further sources |
Edward Betts Hopper | Edward Betts HopperHOPPER, EDWARD BETTS (d. 1840) of Dover, was first associated with Dr G. S. Evans in 1832. He was a moving spirit in the South Australia Company and in 1837 E. G. Wakefield introduced him as the projector of that scheme. He was one of the promoters of the New Zealand Company and was a member of the Church of England Society, of the committee of the first colony and of the provisional committee formed in Wellington after the landing. He arrived in the Oriental (Jan 1840), and entered into partnership with H. W. Petre and F. A. Molesworth in a mercantile firm at the Hutt, which established a flourmill and sawmill and had a millwright and engineering shop at work in June. Hopper had considerable landed interests in the province and was a director of the bank. He was drowned in the Hutt river on 17 Sep 1840, while working timber for the mill. Ward (p). MS journal in Turnbull Library. Reference: Volume 1, page 223 | Volume 1, page 223 🌳 Further sources |
James Horn | James HornHORN, JAMES (1855-1932) was born at Inverkethney, Banffshire, educated at Huntly school, Aberdeen, and trained as a draper. Coming to New Zealand by the Oamaru in 1875, he spent a few years in business at Port Chalmers and then entered into partnership in Horn, Roy and Co. and built the first store at Stirling. There he was a member of the Clutha licensing committee. In 1883 he purchased a business at Bannockburn, where he was chairman of the school committee, a member of the Kawarau and Wakatipu licensing committee and of the hospital board, and 13 years chairman of the Vincent county council. A firm believer in the future of central Otago when by means of irrigation fruit and lucerne should be developed, he was a member of the Railway League and afterwards organised the Upper Valley Settlers' Delegates League. A Liberal in politics, Horn contested the Tuapeka seat in 1908 against Chapple; and the Wakatipu seat in 1911 against Fraser. On that gentleman's retirement (1919), Horn was elected. He retained the seat against J. Ritchie in 1922 and 1925, and retired in 1928. He was a member of the Otago education board from 1916, and of the King Edward Technical School governors from 1919. Horn was a keen rifle shot and a member of the champion team in 1882-83. He married Maude Barltrop (of Nelson). His death occurred on 11 Dec 1932. N.Z.P.D., 26 Jan 1933; Otago Daily Times, 12 Dec 1932. Reference: Volume 1, page 223 | Volume 1, page 223 🌳 Further sources |
Alfred Hornbrook | Alfred HornbrookHORNBROOK, ALFRED, was a son of a colonel of the Royal Marines, and himself served as a field officer of engineers in the British Legion in Spain (1837), and was created a Knight of Saint Ferdinand. He came to Wellington in the Oriental (1840) and engaged in business. During 1850, in anticipation of the arrival of the Canterbury settlers, he established the Mitre Inn at Lyttelton. He was one of the first to start a station in Canterbury, taking up Mt Pleasant at Arowhenua, where he lost his money owing to scab. About 1870 he and his brother William bought Raukapuka from A. Cox, and they had also Opuha Gorge and Kakahu for a while. Hornbrook represented Port Victoria in the Canterbury Provincial Council in 1862-71, and was in the executive (1869-70). His wife is said to have been the last woman in Canterbury who wore the crinoline. William Hornbrook, who was born in France in 1822, also served in Spain. He died at Seadown in 1882. Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Cox; Acland; Cycl. N.Z., iii; Ward. Reference: Volume 1, page 223 | Volume 1, page 223 🌳 Further sources |
Cecil Greville Horne | Cecil Greville HorneHORNE, CECIL GREVILLE (1845-1920) was born in Australia, where his parents had settled. He went to England to prepare for the Royal Navy, in which he served on several stations and rose to the rank of commander. In 1880 he settled in New Zealand, and shortly afterwards married a daughter of Singleton Rochfort. He was sergeant-at-arms to the House of Representatives from 1880 till 1889, when he resigned and accepted the governorship of a prison in northern New South Wales. There his wife died, he remarried and, returning to New Zealand, was again appointed sergeant-at-arms. He died on 12 Jul 1920. N.Z.P.D., Jul 1920; Evening Post, 12 Jul 1920. Reference: Volume 1, page 223 | Volume 1, page 223 🌳 Further sources |
John Thomas Marryat Hornsby | John Thomas Marryat HornsbyHORNSBY, JOHN THOMAS MARRYAT (1857-1921) was born in Hobart, Tasmania, where he was educated and brought up to printing by his father. Coming to New Zealand in 1874, he settled at Queenstown, and soon afterwards took charge of the Observer at Arrow, where he was a borough councillor and lieutenant of the volunteers. In 1876 he became foreman printer of the Southland Times, and some years later was on the News. In 1882 he started the Lake Country Press at Arrow, and he contested the Wakatipu seat against T. Fergus in 1884. In 1886 he became editor of the Napier Evening News, and later of the Waipawa Mail. While in Hawkes Bay he was a member of the education board. After a few months in Dunedin he returned to the Evening News. He became editor of the New Zealand Times in 1896 and in that year contested the Wairarapa seat in Parliament. In 1898 Hornsby purchased the Wairarapa Leader, and in 1899 he won the Wairarapa seat against Buchanan. Defeated by the same opponent in 1902, he turned the tables in 1905. In the following year he relinquished the Leader and became editor of the New Zealand Railway Review. Defeated in 1911 and 1914, he won the Wairarapa seat once more in 1914, but was defeated in 1919 (by A. D. McLeod). Hornsby died on 23 Feb 1921. He married (1876) Sarah Scott, a daughter of Dougald Napier (Glasgow). Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., i. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 224 | Volume 1, page 224 🌳 Further sources |
Abraham Hort | Abraham HortHORT, ABRAHAM (1799-1869) arrived in New Zealand in 1843. His son Abraham preceded him to Wellington, where he arrived in the Oriental in 1840 and established himself in business. There were several other Jews on board under engagement to him. Hort, junior, was elected to the committee of colonists in April. He was a keen oarsman and took part in amateur crews at regattas. In 1840, when sailing his whaleboat up the harbour (Heaphy being also on board) she upset in a gust of wind. Abraham Hort, senior, arrived in Wellington in the Prince of Wales (3 Jan 1843). A man of wide Hebraic knowledge, he had authority from the Chief Rabbi (Dr Herschell) to form a congregation, and on the Saturday following his arrival (7 Jan) he conducted the first Jewish service held in New Zealand. Immediately afterwards he applied to the Administrator of the Government (Lieut. Shortland) for a site for a synagogue and cemetery in Wellington; 'grants which,' he said, 'will greatly conduce to the direction of the capital and industry of the Jewish people to these distant shores.' The application was approved on 16 May, and on the 31st Nathaniel Levin, Solomon Mocatta, and Kauffman Samuel were named as trustees. Hort was on the burgess roll in 1843, and seems to have been one of the aldermen elected in October of that year. He also signed the address of sympathy with the Nelson settlers after the Wairau affray. In 1845 he was a member of the military sub-committee for the defence of Wellington. In 1848, when he was about to visit England, Hort moved a resolution at a public meeting to receive an address of sympathy from Auckland inhabitants on the earthquake in Wellington. He said it was a matter of congratulation to him that he had not left New Zealand before he heard such a message had been received from the people of Auckland. Some members of the Hort family settled in Tahiti as merchants a few years after the father's arrival in New Zealand. Hort returned to England in the Clontarf in 1859, and died there on 18 Oct 1869. (See SIR F. BELL and N. LEVIN.) N.Z.C.; Jewish Review; Dora Hort, Tahiti, the Gem of the Pacific, 1891; Ward; Wellington Independent, 20 May 1859; N.Z. Spectator, 20 Jul 1853. Reference: Volume 1, page 224 | Volume 1, page 224 🌳 Further sources |
Alfred George Horton | Alfred George HortonHORTON, ALFRED GEORGE (1842-1903) was born at Hull, Yorkshire, and as a youth was employed on the reporting staff of the Daily Express there. In 1861 he came to New Zealand and served a year on the staff of The Press (Christchurch). He established the Timaru Herald (Jul 1864), which he edited and subedited for eight years, and then sold out to his partner. After a visit to England he joined Wilkinson in the Thames Advertiser and, removing two years later to Auckland, purchased the Daily Southern Cross from Vogel's company. At the end of 1876 the Wilson brothers, proprietors of the New Zealand Herald, negotiated a partnership with Horton, which involved the amalgamation of the daily papers and the weekly issues. Horton represented the town of Timaru in the Canterbury Provincial Council (for a few weeks in 1869), and he was instrumental in getting Stafford to stand for the Parliamentary seat (1868). In Auckland he took no part in public life. In 1884 he visited London at the request of the committee of investigation of the Bank of New Zealand and secured more capital and the first steps towards reorganisation of the institution. He was for a time a director of the Bank of New Zealand Estates Co.; from 1890 of the New Zealand Insurance Co. (two years chairman); and for some years chairman of the local board of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia. Horton married (1867) Jessie Haliburton Chisholm (Dunedin). She died in 1879. His death occurred on 11 Mar 1903. Cycl. N.Z., ii; The Press and N.Z. Herald, 12 Mar 1903. Reference: Volume 1, page 224 | Volume 1, page 224 🌳 Further sources |
John Henry Hosking | John Henry HoskingHOSKING, SIR JOHN HENRY (1854-1928) was born at Penzance, Cornwall, and came to New Zealand with his parents in the Rock City when only a year old. He was educated at Auckland and at the age of 16 was articled to Samuel Jackson. In 1875, having passed the necessary examinations, he was admitted by Judge Gillies, and he at once proceeded to Dunedin to take up a post as managing clerk to E. P. Kenyon. In 1877 he was admitted to a partnership which lasted till 1898, Hosking carrying on most of the time alone after the departure of Kenyon to England. He was a first-class conveyancer. Accepting the advice of S. Solomon (q.v.) to enter into practice as a barrister, he showed himself also an excellent advocate, a sound and able lawyer. He gave valuable assistance in drafting the Bank of New Zealand legislation in 1894. In 1907 he took silk with the first batch of K.C.'s in New Zealand, and in the following year he entered into a new partnership with John Cook. In 1913, with A. McIntosh, he acted as a royal commission to inquire into the working of the Public Trust office, and in 1914 he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. During his tenure of this appointment he had to decide many difficult and intricate legal questions arising out of post-war legislation designed to adjust the relations between mortgagees and mortgagors. In 1924 he was appointed to carry this work to a conclusion under the mortgages final extension act. He was also chairman of the war pensions board. Hosking retired from the bench in 1925 and was knighted (K.B.) in that year. He married Kathleen, daughter of Colonel Reader. With his wife he took a prominent part in Dunedin in the early activities of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children, Lady Hosking being first president of the Dunedin branch. He died on 30 May 1928. N.Z. Law Jour., 12 Jun 1928; N.Z. Herald and Otago Daily Times, 31 May 1928. Reference: Volume 1, page 224 | Volume 1, page 224 🌳 Further sources |
Te Hatiwira Houkamau | Te Hatiwira HoukamauHOUKAMAU, TE HATIWIRA (1842-1916) was born at Wharekahika, Hicks Bay, the son of Iharaia Houkamau, a leading chief of Ngati Porou (who was descended from Porourangi and who took the loyal side in the Hauhau rising. He died in 1875). In 1865, when left in charge of Te Mawhai pa, Tokomaru, with only women and boys while the men were in the field against the Hauhau, Houkamau successfully defended the position against a force of overwhelming strength. He then proceeded to Waerengahika and took part in the fighting there and later at Ngatapa. As sergeant-major of the Ngati Porou contingent, he served through the Urewera campaign and then received his commission as captain in the New Zealand militia. Commanding a Ngati Porou force against Titokowaru, he took part in much of the fighting there. After the death of Ropata Wahawaha (q.v.) Houkamau became chief of the Ngati Porou tribe. He died on 17 Sep 1916. Cowan; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Evening Post, 19 Sep 1916. Reference: Volume 1, page 224 | Volume 1, page 224 🌳 Further sources |
Robert Morrow Houston | Robert Morrow HoustonHOUSTON, ROBERT MORROW (1842-1912) was born in County Down, Ireland, the son of the Rev. T. Houston, D.D., and educated at Belfast Academy and Queen's College. Arriving in Lyttelton by the Canterbury in 1864, he remained in Christchurch for six months, and then went to Auckland, where he was employed as a school teacher at Whangarei, Otara and Otahuhu. His pupils won two out of three of the first state scholarships given in the province. Houston kept a store in Mangonui for many years, and was interested also in the timber and kauri gum industries. He was chairman of the Mangonui town board and Oruaiti district board, and for 24 years chairman of the Mangonui county council. In 1890 he was elected to Parliament for Bay of Islands, which he represented until 1908. He was a fluent speaker, well versed in parliamentary forms, and for 15 years was chairman of the native affairs committee (retiring in 1906 owing to ill-health). Houston married in 1870 Tina, sister of James Stewart, C.E., Auckland. He died on 27 Sep 1912. N.Z.P.D., 1 Oct 1912; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. NZ, ii; N.Z. Herald, 28 Sep 1912. Reference: Volume 1, page 225 | Volume 1, page 225 🌳 Further sources |
de Berdt Hovell | de Berdt HovellHOVELL, DE BERDT (1850-1905) was the son of Dr C. H. J. Hovell, of the 3rd Waikato Regiment, and came of an old East Anglian family. Educated at King's School, Rochester, where he was a scholar on the foundation, he proceeded to Boniface College, Warminster (1868) and to St Augustine's College, Canterbury (1870). There he distinguished himself in mathematics and Greek, winning the Whytehead Greek Testament prize in 1870. He was captain of the eleven and the fifteen. Hovell devoted himself to oriental languages, with a view to missionary work in India. He went there in 1872 under an appointment from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and was ordained in Bombay (1873) and stationed at Kolapore. For health reasons he had to leave India in 1874, and he came to New Zealand in 1875. He served for three years in the diocese of Christchurch, at St Michael's, Christchurch, and in the parishes of Prebbleton, Templeton and Halswell. He married (1876) Emily, daughter of George Ffitch (Woodstock, Canterbury). Appointed vicar of St John's, Napier, in 1878 he displayed great energy in his parish and in furthering the building of the Cathedral. In 1889, on the formation of the Cathedral chapter, he was appointed dean. For some years he edited the Church Herald, and for 23 years took a Bible class in a district high school. Hovell was an able organiser, an eloquent preacher, and a man of considerable culture and literary taste. He was a prominent freemason and Rechabite and for 20 years was chaplain to the Napier garrison. He died on 4 Sep 1905. Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); New Zealand Graphic, 19 Dec 1891 (p); Hawkes Bay Herald, 5 Sep 1905. Reference: Volume 1, page 225 | Volume 1, page 225 🌳 Further sources |
Edwin John Howard | Edwin John HowardHOWARD, EDWIN JOHN (1868-1939) was born at Bristol, educated at Plymouth, and apprenticed to an accountant at Devonport. He served for some years in the Royal Navy, and in 1887 married Harriett, daughter of Amos G. Goring. In Australia Howard worked for some years as a copper, lead and zinc smelter. He became foreman for the Australian Smelting Co., and later for the South Australian and West Australian Governments. He studied chemistry at the Adelaide School of Mines and prospected for gold in the MacDonald Range. Howard came to Christchurch in 1902 and joined the Labour movement, in which he held every office from secretary of a union to secretary of the general labourers' union and eventually president of the national organisation. In 1919 he was elected to Parliament for Christchurch South, which he represented till his death (on 26 Apr 1939). Under the Labour Government (which came into office in 1935) he was chairman of committees and deputy-speaker. He was a member of the school committee, the boards of governors of Canterbury University College, the Technical College and the Agricultural College, of the Christchurch City Council, the Lyttelton Harbour Board, the Domain Board and the Repatriation Board. N.Z.P.D., 1919-39; 30 Jun 1939; Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; The Dominion and Evening Post, 27 Apr 1939 (p). Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 225 | Volume 1, page 225 🌳 Further sources |
John Howell | John HowellHOWELL, JOHN (1809-74) was born at Eastbourne and lost his father at an early age. His first employment yielded him threepence a week, and with a friend he ran away to sea on a smuggling vessel. On their return from France they were apprehended by the coastguard, but he was released on account of his youth, and with a companion (Luxford) stowed away on an emigrant ship for Australia. On being discovered they worked their passage. Howell shipped on whalers for some years and in 1829 was first mate under Captain Lovett. He spent some years in New Zealand waters and eventually took service with John Jones (q.v.) at Waikouaiti. In 1836 Jones sent Howell with three ships to establish a station at Jacobs river to replace the abandoned station at Preservation Inlet. The settlement which he established at Falls Point was successful, and in a few years Howell purchased it for himself. By his marriage in 1838 with Koikoi, a daughter of Horomoana Patu, the Ngati-Mamoe chief of Centre island, he received a wide expanse of land between the Waimatuku and Jacobs rivers. While enjoying his honeymoon in Sydney Howell persuaded his half brothers and sisters (the Stevens family) to give up their unsuccessful farms in Australia and make their homes in Southland. They came in the whaler Success (1842), his half sisters being the first white women in Southland. Cattle and horses were brought across to stock the run and George Stevens took charge of the marine store which Howell established at Riverton. Theophilus Daniel, who arrived soon after, married the youngest Miss Stevens. In 1844 Howell received visits from Bishop Selwyn and F. Tuckett. Developing his mercantile interests, he built the schooner Amazon (laid down in 1848), which on her first voyage carried some French colonists from Akaroa to Tahiti, and then went on to prospect the riches of California. On the return Howell brought 500 sheep from Sydney. His wife having died, he married a daughter of Captain Brown, a sealer at Codfish island. He now definitely left the sea and lived in a substantial house of Tasmanian hardwood. His grants aggregated 50,000 acres, extending from Fairfax to Wreys Bush, to which in later years he added the Burwood estate, Fairlight, south of Kingston, and some smaller properties. He built a fine new country house, Eastbourne, at Flints Bush. Howell continued to own and sail small ships, but he persuaded many whaler friends to forsake the sea and settle down on the land. He represented Riverton in the Southland Provincial Council (1862-69). He died on 25 May 1874. Riverton; Roberts, Southland; Beattie, ii; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Southland Times, 24 Apr 1937. Reference: Volume 1, page 225 | Volume 1, page 225 🌳 Further sources |
Herbert Charlton Howitt | Herbert Charlton HowittHOWITT, HERBERT CHARLTON (1838-63) was born at Esher, Surrey, the son of William Howitt and Mary Howitt, the poet, and brother of the Australian explorer A. W. Howitt. From his infancy he showed a passionate love of nature, animal and plant life. He received a good education, but was more interested in gardening, farming and the construction of implements. For a few years he was in a business office, walking into London each day. In his early twenties Howitt came to Australia and spent two years with his father and brother on a bush selection. After they returned to England he decided to settle in New Zealand and arrived in Canterbury in 1860. He found employment under the provincial government prospecting for gold on the West Coast and in Jan 1863 was instructed to open out a route to the goldfields from the Hurunui plain to the mouth of the Grey or the Teramakau. Having sent back two of his men as unfit for the strenuous work, he marked out and cut 40 miles of the track through Harper's pass and down the Teramakau. Having fixed a camp on Lake Brunner, he carried on into the winter, living mainly on eels and birds. He lent his horses to Lauper, the survivor of Whitcombe's party, to get back to Canterbury. About the end of Jun Howitt lost his life, the only survivor of his party being Hammett, who found his way to the mouth of the Teramakau. Encycl. Brit.; Money; Austral. Encycl.; Howitt; Harrop, Westland; Sherrin's journal in The Press, Jan 1864; Lyttelton Times, 27 Dec 1863. Reference: Volume 1, page 225 | Volume 1, page 225 🌳 Further sources |
Henry Howorth | Henry HoworthHOWORTH, HENRY (1834-1907) was born in Shenley, Hertfordshire, the son of James Howorth (q.v.). He came to New Zealand with his father in the Strathmore in 1856 and studied law under him in Dunedin. He was appointed coroner in Dunedin in 1860, and admitted to the bar in 1862. In 1869 Howorth was elected to Parliament for Taieri, which he represented till the following year. On one occasion his vote kept the Fox-Vogel Government in office. He practised in Wellington till 1894, and was then appointed examiner of titles in the Land Transfer department. He married a daughter of Charles Mottram Steel. Howorth died on 8 Jan 1907. Evening Post, 8 Jan 1907. Reference: Volume 1, page 225 | Volume 1, page 225 🌳 Further sources |
James Howorth | James HoworthHOWORTH, JAMES (1792-1867) was born in England, educated for the bar at Gray's Inn, and came to New Zealand with his family in the Strathmore in 1856. Settling in Otago, he practised in Dunedin for many years, and occupied the position of provincial solicitor and crown prosecutor. He represented Central district in the Provincial Council (1860-63), and was a member of the executive for two years at that time. He died on 13 Mar 1867. Otago P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; Otago Daily Times, 15 Mar 1867. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Robert Clinton Hughes | Robert Clinton HughesHUGHES, ROBERT CLINTON (1847-1935) was born at Auckland, the son of Robert Hughes (1821-1914), a Shropshireman. He arrived in New Plymouth as a young man and was apprenticed to W. Halse (q.v.), under whom he studied law and was duly admitted a solicitor. He practised for many years in New Plymouth. Hughes was elected a member of the Provincial Council for New Plymouth in 1874, and sat until the abolition. He took a great interest in the amenities of the town, being a member of the Pukekura Park board from its inception until his death. He was a member of the town board (1884-89) and of various societies for beautifying the town and humanitarian objects. Hughes was the last surviving member of the Provincial Councils in the North Island (see SIR J. MILLS). He died on 18 Jan 1935. Taranaki Herald, 19 Jan 1935; Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); Taranaki P.C. Proc. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Partridge Hulbert | Charles Partridge HulbertHULBERT, CHARLES PARTRIDGE (1841-1926) was born at Bristol and arrived in New Zealand from Australia in 1860. He had some experience at Gabriel's Gully in 1863, and served in the Maori war. Later he settled in Christchurch, where he was for 30 years in business. He was elected to the City Council in 1879, 1881 and 1886, and was mayor in 1884-85, and a member of the domain and hospital boards. During his mayoralty he promoted the establishment of the Jubilee home for the indigent poor of Christchurch. Hulbert was an officer and life member of E battery of volunteers, and during the South African war (1899-1902) and the war of 1914-18 he did service as examiner of military clothing. He was a freemason, being master of lodge St Augustine and past provincial grand warden. He died on 22 Jun 1926. Cycl. N.Z., iii; Evening Post, 23 Jun 1926. HULKE, WILLIAM KING (1819-1908) was born at Deal, the son of a doctor. The family originated in Holland, whence they fled to England to escape the persecutions of the Spaniards. Apprenticed to the sea under the East India Company, Hulke disliked the life, and after one voyage retired to farming in Pembrokeshire. In 1840 he sailed for New Zealand in the ship London. Landing at Port Nicholson he walked overland to Wanganui, where he started a store in partnership with Dorset, Keith and Barley brothers (Bristol). Returning to Wellington, he made a voyage to Sydney for dairy cattle and established a farm at Kilbirnie and Miramar, from which he supplied vegetables and milk to the town. At the end of 1842 he moved to Wanganui, where he erected a flourmill (driven by the wind) with machinery which he had imported from England. It was burned down in 1845 and he moved to New Plymouth, where he erected a new mill with the same machinery. This was afterwards the Union mill and was run by water power. In the early fifties Hulke purchased land at Bell Block, which he farmed until the war, when he retired to New Plymouth and established a nursery garden. In 1866 (with the Webster brothers) he established a steam flour mill. In proposing C. Brown for the Legislative Council of New Munster, Hulke advocated universal suffrage (1852). In 1886 he became a pioneer of the Taranaki dairy industry, when he started a model farm and dairy at Corbett road, Bell Block. Importing Jersey cattle, he established a famous herd and rendered valuable service to the industry and the province by promoting the dairy factory system. In 1882 he published Golden Rules for Buttermaking. Hulke was member of the Provincial Council for Grey and Bell (1857-58, 1861-65). He died on 23 Oct 1908. Taranaki P.C. minutes and Gaz.; Philpott (p); Taranaki Herald, 23-28 Oct 1908. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Francis Holmes Hull | Francis Holmes HullHULL, FRANCIS HOLMES (1816-84) was born in England. He arrived in Auckland by the Blue Jacket (1860) and settled at Mangawai, or Kaiwaka, where he farmed for many years. He was appointed a justice of the peace (1861), and served on the bench in his own district and later in Auckland. In 1866 he was elected M.H.R. for Marsden, which he represented to 1869. Four years later he contested Otamatea for the Provincial Council. He was the first chairman of the Pukekaroro road board (1869) and for many years chairman of the school committee. He was one of the promoters of the Mangawai Racing club (1860). On going to reside in Auckland (1883) Hull took a keen interest in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other humanitarian bodies. He died on 13 Jul 1884. N.Z. Herald, 21 Jul, 6 Aug 1884. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Edward Hulme | Edward HulmeHULME, EDWARD (1812-76) was born at Hythe, Kent, and at the age of 16 was apprenticed to the Royal College of Surgeons in London. He studied also at the Middlesex Hospital and, having received his diploma, practised in Exeter, and was appointed a physician at the infirmary. He subsequently pursued his studies on the Continent, notably at the School of Medicine in Paris and at the Salpetriere asylum. In 1848 he was awarded the Jacksonian prize of the Royal College of Surgeons for his essay on asphyxia. Hulme resigned from the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin in 1856 and came to New Zealand in the Strathmore, intending to go on the land. He was, however, persuaded to practise his profession, and in 1857 was appointed provincial surgeon in Dunedin. He was afterwards coroner and for many years port health officer. Hulme was for a short time a member of the Dunedin town board, but took no other part in public life. He died on 27 Dec 1876. Fulton (p); Otago Daily Times, 28 Dec 1876. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Arthur Hume | Arthur HumeHUME, ARTHUR (1840-1918) was born at Dublin, educated at Cheltenham College, Gloucester, and in 1859 received his commission as ensign in the 79th Highlanders, with which he served in India for some years. Returning to England in 1871, he became a captain in 1874 and deputy-governor of Millbank Prison, London. In 1875 he was transferred to Dartmoor; in 1878 he became deputy-governor of Portland, and later governor of Wormwood Scrubs. In 1880 he was appointed inspector of prisons in New Zealand. In 1888 he was gazetted colonel of militia and inspector of volunteers. Two years later he became commissioner of police, a position which he occupied (together with that of Under-secretary of Defence till 1895) until his retirement in 1909. He died on 2 Feb 1918. Hume married (1864) Miss Macintire, daughter of the deputy-inspector-general of hospitals in the Punjab. Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); N.Z. Times, 4 Feb 1918. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Fergus Hume | Fergus HumeHUME, FERGUS (1859-1932) was born in England and educated at the Otago Boys' High School and Otago University. Becoming a barrister, he spent three years in Melbourne and settled in England in 1888. His first novel, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab, was published in 1887 and was followed by Madame Midas (1888) and many others. Hume died on 12 Jul 1932. Otago H.S.O.B. Reg.; Who's Who N.Z., 1931. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Edward Wingfield Humphreys | Edward Wingfield HumphreysHUMPHREYS, EDWARD WINGFIELD (1841-92) was the second son of Erskine Humphreys, barrister, Garthmyl, Wales. He came to Otago in 1864 and took up a property at Strath-Taieri. About 1888 he left this station and settled in Christchurch. In 1889 he was elected to Parliament as a supporter of the Atkinson Government for Christchurch North, which he represented till the end of the following year, when he was defeated. In 1891 he was elected to the Christchurch City Council but had to resign on account of ill-health, and died on 28 Apr 1892. Humphreys married Alice, second daughter of the Hon J. Hawdon (q.v.). Parltry Record; Otago Daily Times, 30 Apr 1892. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 226 | Volume 1, page 226 🌳 Further sources |
Edward Larwill Humphries | Edward Larwill HumphriesHUMPHRIES, EDWARD LARWILL (1816-69) was born in Finsbury Square, London; educated in London, and passed the examination of Apothecaries Hall in 1838 and that of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1839. He commenced to practise in the East End but, his health not being equal to the strain, he sailed for New Zealand as surgeon in the Mary, which touched at all ports in 1849. Returning to England, his health again failed a year later and he came out to New Zealand with his family in the Sir Edward Paget (1851). Humphries settled in New Plymouth and was soon engrossed in an arduous, if not always lucrative, practice. Owing to native unrest the family had to move into the town while he acted as surgeon to the forces in the field. In 1857 he was elected to the Provincial Council for New Plymouth, which he represented until 1861, being speaker of the Council the whole of that time. He was also on three occasions in 1860-61 deputy superintendent. Being a good business man, and finding medicine not profitable, he opened a business in the town, first as chemist and afterwards adding wine and spirits. Humphries and his wife (a daughter of William Dixon, lieutenant in the 44th Regiment) were active in all social movements, including the initiation of the recreation grounds, which afterwards developed into Pukekura park. Humphries died on 9 Jul 1869. His widow (Ellen Maria) died on 27 Apr 1889, aged 68. (See T. HUMPHRIES, C. W. HURSTHOUSE.) Skinner (p); Cycl. N.Z., vi; Taranaki Herald, 14 Jul 1869. Reference: Volume 1, page 227 | Volume 1, page 227 🌳 Further sources |
Thomas Humphries | Thomas HumphriesHUMPHRIES, THOMAS (1841-1928), son of E. L. Humphries (q.v.), was born in London and came to New Zealand in 1851. He was educated privately in New Plymouth and in 1857 joined the Taranaki survey department. He subsequently rose to the position of chief surveyor and commissioner of crown lands for Taranaki, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Canterbury and in 1906 became Surveyor-general. Serving with Atkinson's Forest Rangers, he took part in the Maori war in the sixties and became a good rifle shot. Humphries was interested in astronomy in relation to surveying and wrote a text book on the subject. He officially observed the transit of Venus in 1882, and photographed the eclipse of the sun in 1885. He was a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and of the Institute of Surveyors, and a member of the Government Life Insurance and Public Trust boards of investment, and of the miners' and surveyors' boards of examiners. Retiring in 1909, he died on 30 Aug 1928. In 1864 he married Martha Ann, daughter of the Rev Robert Ward (q.v.). Cycl. NZ, 1; Who's Who NZ, 1908, 1924; Evening Post, 30 Aug 1928 (p); The Dominion, 31 Aug 1928 (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 227 | Volume 1, page 227 🌳 Further sources |
William Duffus Hunt | William Duffus HuntHUNT, SIR WILLIAM DUFFUS (1867-1939) was born at Walton, Waikato, the son of John Hunt, and educated there and at Auckland. He first took employment as a shepherd on Blackstone station, Central Otago, and he was manager of that and Maniototo stations from 1888 to 1891, when he joined the firm of Wright, Stephenson and Co. in Gore. He opened a branch of the company in Invercargill in 1896, and three years later became a partner in the firm, which was formed into a limited liability company in 1906. He was managing director from that date until his death, which took place on 18 Sep 1939. Hunt served on many royal commissions, notably those on the public service (1912) and taxation (1924); was a member of the national efficiency board during the war of 1914-18, and member or chairman of committees on taxation (1928), Rangitaiki drainage (1924) and unemployment (1928-29). He was on the Meat Export Control board from its inception, the New Zealand Dairy board for six years, and the Board of Agriculture (1912-17); and was president of the Council of Agriculture and the New Zealand Friesian Cattle Breeders' society. He was chairman of directors of the Australian Mutual Provident Society in New Zealand and a director of the New Zealand Insurance Co. Hunt married first a daughter of the Rev T. L. Stanley, and second (1902) a daughter of the Rev H. J. Edwards. Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; The Dominion, 19 Sep 1939 (p). Reference: Volume 2, page 274 | Volume 2, page 274 🌳 Further sources |
Alexander Hamilton Hunter | Alexander Hamilton HunterHUNTER, ALEXANDER HAMILTON (1816-1900) was a builder by trade. Arriving in Auckland in the early fifties, he carried on his trade with success until 1863, when a cyclone destroyed his factory in Parnell. Hunter was M.P.C. for Parnell (1865-69). He died on 12 Jul 1900. Auckland P.C. Proc.; N.Z. Herald, 17 Jul 1900. Reference: Volume 1, page 227 | Volume 1, page 227 🌳 Further sources |
George Hunter | George HunterHUNTER, GEORGE (1788-1843) came from Banffshire, Scotland. There he was educated and, having engaged in business in Glasgow, he came to New Zealand in the Duke of Roxburgh (1840) intending to make his home in Wellington. In the first instance he was representing the London firm of Arthur Willis, Sons, and Co., and later he started business in Lambton Quay in partnership with Kenneth Bethune as general merchants and shipping agents. On the erection of their building S.D. Parnell (q.v.), as clerk of works, insisted on the eight-hour day. Hunter occupied the post of storekeeper-general to the New Zealand Company's settlement. He immediately took a leading place as a citizen of Wellington. For some time the pioneers governed themselves under a voluntary association of order and defence. When this drew the suspicion of Governor Hobson they appealed for the erection of a municipality, which would enable them to raise funds to carry out the necessary works in the town. Hobson proclaimed Wellington a borough as from 4 Aug 1842, and steps were taken to elect a council. This took place on 3 Oct. Hunter became mayor by virtue of his position at the head of the poll, and appears to have been painstaking, thorough, and sagacious. He was one of the few chosen by Hobson for the commission of peace (3 May 1841). Hunter's life came to an untimely end owing to his devotion to public duty. Requisitioned in Jun 1843 to call a public meeting to sympathise with the people of Nelson in the Wairau disaster, he attended it and caught a chill, from which his death followed on 19 Jul. W. Guyton became mayor for the balance of the term. The ordinance of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, under which the borough council was established, was disallowed later, and the corporation came to an end in Dec 1843. (See ROBERT COLE, Henry GOVETT.) Cycl. N.Z., i; Ward (p); Evening Post, 3 Sep 1929 (p). Portrait: Wellington City Council. Reference: Volume 1, page 227 | Volume 1, page 227 🌳 Further sources |
George Hunter | George HunterHUNTER, GEORGE (1821-80) was born in Banffshire, the son of G. Hunter (q.v.), with whom he came to New Zealand in 1840. He became a member of his father's firm, which in 1844 removed from Lambton Quay to Customhouse street. When Kenneth Bethune died he became the sole partner. As a business man he was shrewd, able, and scrupulously honest. He had large country interests in Hawkes Bay (where he owned the Porangahau station), and considerable holdings in real estate in Wellington. In public life Hunter was opposed to Featherston, and he declined Grey's offer of a seat in the Legislative Council because his partner was a partisan of Featherston. He did accept the invitation in 1848. When the constitution of 1852 came into operation, Hunter retired from politics; but at the election of the second Provincial Council (1857) he was persuaded to come forward, and he was a member until the abolition. During the contest between Featherston and Jerningham Wakefield (1857-61) Hunter was closely associated with the latter, and was for a short time a member of his executive. He was also in Bunny's executive under the superintendency of Fitzherbert. Hunter entered Parliament in 1870 as a member for Wellington City, and supported Vogel and Fox against Stafford. He continued in Parliament until 1879, when he was defeated by W. Hutchison, who also defeated him for the mayoralty. He retired from the City Council in 1879. Hunter was a founder of the Wellington chamber of commerce (of which he was president); of the Wellington Choral society, of the Gas Co., the Patent Slip Co., the Trust Loan, and Investment Co.; the Wellington Club, the Jockey club and the New Zealand Times. On a stud farm at Island Bay he bred stock which he exhibited successfully at shows. He was an efficient militia officer; started the patriotic fund during the Crimean war and took the first steps to see that New Zealand was represented at the London Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862. He was a liberal member of the Church of England, attending St Peter's Church and building a church on his estate at Porangahau. Hunter married a sister (who died 1868) of Major James Paul (q.v.). He died on 6 Aug 1880. (See SIR GEORGE HUNTER). Wellington P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., i; Ward (p); N.Z. Times, 7, 13 Aug 1880; Evening Post, 3 Sep 1929. Portrait: Wellington City Council. Reference: Volume 1, page 227 | Volume 1, page 227 🌳 Further sources |
George Hunter | George HunterHUNTER, SIR GEORGE (1859-1930) was the son of George Hunter (1821-80, q.v.), and was born and educated in Wellington. He soon afterwards engaged in sheepfarming with his brother at Porangahau, where he lived most of his life. He was 35 years chairman of the Wallingford road board, 37 years chairman of the Porangahau road board, and 33 years a member of the Waipawa county council. He was president of the Hawkes Bay Agricultural and Pastoral association and of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture. As a sportsman Hunter was president of the Waipukurau and Wellington Racing clubs. With his brother he bred many thoroughbreds and raced with some success. The mare Cynisca, owned by him and Sir George Clifford, won the Wellington Cup three times in succession. As a member of the racing conference, he introduced the gaming amendment bill on the first occasion. Hunter represented Waipawa in Parliament (1896-99), and again from 1911 till his death (which occurred on 20 Aug 1930). He married (1923) Mrs Edith Munro (née Ford). Hunter donated £30,000 worth of land for the settlement of veterans from the war of 1914-18. He was knighted in 1921. Parltry Record; N.Z.P.D., 20 Aug 1930; Evening Post and The Dominion, 20, 21 Aug 1930. Portrait: Ward; Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 227 | Volume 1, page 227 🌳 Further sources |
William Magee Hunter | William Magee HunterHUNTER, WILLIAM MAGEE (1834-68) and his brother, Henry BOYLE HUNTER, were born in county Antrim, Ireland. William was trained in the militia in Ireland and at Hythe gunnery school. On coming to New Zealand he was clerk to the Auckland Provincial Council. On the outbreak of war in 1863 he received a commission as captain and adjutant in the 1st Waikato Regiment of militia, in which his brother also served for a while. On the day of the attack on Turuturumokai (12 Jul 1868) von Tempsky, as senior officer, led his division to relieve the post and Hunter, having received no orders, remained to defend the Waihi redoubt with his division of mounted Constabulary. Unjustly accused of failing to come to the rescue of the garrison, he was acquitted by court-martial, but the accusation rankled in his mind. At the first attack on Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu (21 Aug) he commanded the second division, which formed the rear-guard in the retreat. In the second attack (7 Sep) he requested permission of Colonel McDonnell to storm the position, but was refused and ordered to escort the wounded out of the bush. Von Tempsky was one of the five officers killed and Lieutenant Henry Hunter, of the Wellington rifles, met his death while heedlessly exposing himself to observe the enemy movements. Major Hunter was killed in the reverse at Moturoa (7 Nov). With 50 men of the Armed Constabulary he advanced across the open front of the position under heavy fire and led his men round the stockade searching for a weak spot. He was severely wounded, and though Whitmore tried to staunch the bleeding, died almost immediately. Hunter had begged permission the previous night to lead the assault. Cowan; Whitmore; Gudgeon (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 228 | Volume 1, page 228 🌳 Further sources |
William John Hurst | William John HurstHURST, WILLIAM JOHN (?-1886) was born in England. He settled in Auckland in the early sixties, and was a conspicuous figure in politics for the remainder of his life. In 1868 he was elected to the Provincial Council for Auckland East, which he represented until 1875. In 1870 he moved the resolution which unseated the executive, and he was a member of the incoming government without portfolio but later he accepted the treasurership, which he held for three years. In 1871 he was elected to the Auckland City Council, and in 1876-77 he was mayor of Auckland. He was also a member of the education board. In 1879 Hurst was elected to Parliament for Auckland City West, which he represented till 1881, and from that date until his death he was member for Waitemata. He was one of the four Auckland Liberals who supported the Hall ministry. He was a fine debater, an active thinker and a good business man, and was much interested in agricultural matters. He died in England on 29 Sep 1886. Cycl. NZ, ii; Morton; Auckland Star, 8 Oct, 15 Nov 1886. Portrait: Parliament House; Barr. Reference: Volume 1, page 228 | Volume 1, page 228 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Flinders Hursthouse | Charles Flinders HursthouseHURSTHOUSE, CHARLES FLINDERS (1812-76) was born in England. At the age of 19 he was sent to the United States and Canada to report on the prospects for settling there. He advised the family to turn their attention to New Zealand and he came to Nelson in 1842. From Wellington he walked to New Plymouth, where he spent five years, and then revisited England. There he published An Account of the Settlement of New Plymouth (1849) and lectured to induce emigrants to come to the Colony. He came back in the Joseph Fletcher in 1854 with other members of the family, but returned to England at once and was not able to come here again for 15 years. During that time he published New Zealand, the Britain of the South (1860), a Letter to Australian Colonists (1867), The Incorporation of the British Colonies in the Home Empire (1867), the New Zealand Handbook, A Short Synoptical View Of New Zealand To-day (1867), Australian Independence (1870), and a number of pamphlets. He was thanked by the Taranaki Provincial Council for his services to the province. Hursthouse came to New Zealand again by the Halcione in 1870. He died on 23 Nov 1876. Hocken, Bibliog.; Taranaki Herald, 24 Nov 1876. Reference: Volume 1, page 228 | Volume 1, page 228 🌳 Further sources |
Charles Wilson Hursthouse | Charles Wilson HursthouseHURSTHOUSE, CHARLES WILSON (1841-1911) was born in Norwich, England, and educated in New Plymouth, where he arrived with his parents at the age of two. In 1855 he entered the survey department as a cadet, and two years later became assistant surveyor. In this capacity he was sent to survey the Waitara purchase, but was turned off by Wi Kingi's people (1860). He served in the Taranaki war (1860-64), and was present at Waireka and Mahoetahi. (Ensign of Military Settlers, 1866; lieutenant Taranaki militia, 1869; captain New Zealand militia, 1881; retired 1905.) He represented Grey and Bell in the Taranaki Provincial Council (1869-73). In 1871 he was appointed a surveyor in the Public Works department to lay out railway routes; in 1875 resident engineer in Taranaki, and in 1880 a road surveyor making roads to Parihaka. He then proceeded to make the explorations for the North Island main trunk railway. While on this duty, in Mar 1883, he and T. Newsham were captured by Mahuki and bound hand and foot for 48 hours. He was for many years engaged in the King Country and as resident engineer began the construction of the line, which he completed to Mokau station, 34 miles from Te Awamutu. In 1901 he was made chief engineer of the new Department of Roads. Hursthouse married a daughter of Dr E. L. Humphries (q.v.). He died on 26 Feb 1911. Cowan, Wars and Old Frontier; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Jourdain. Portrait: Taranaki Hist. Coll. Reference: Volume 1, page 228 | Volume 1, page 228 🌳 Further sources |
Richmond Hursthouse | Richmond HursthouseHURSTHOUSE, RICHMOND (1845-1902) was born in New Plymouth (the son of John Hursthouse, who arrived in 1842). Owing to the outbreak of the Maori war he was taken by his parents to Nelson, and his education was limited to one year at the Bishop's School there. At the age of 19 Hursthouse was with a survey party which laid out the town of Westport. He then returned to New Plymouth and served for two years in the Bush Rangers under his kinsman Harry Atkinson. In 1868 he visited the Thames goldfields and afterwards spent three years in engineering works in Melbourne. He was fairly successful at the Gulgong rush in 1871, and returned to New Zealand for the Green Hill rush at Coromandel. This was disappointing, and he returned to live in Nelson. Hursthouse was elected to Parliament in 1876 by the Motueka constituency, which he represented for 11 years. He contested the Nelson seat (1899) and Egmont (1902). Hursthouse was farming until 1893, and thereafter was manager of the Australasian Gold Trust and Pioneer Co.'s works at West Wanganui. For many years he was a member of the land board and education board, and he was the first mayor of Motueka (1900). He died on 11 Nov 1902. His wife, a daughter of Edward Fearon, died on 1 Sep 1901. Cycl. N.Z., v; Parltry Record; Nicholls; The Colonist and Taranaki Herald, 12 Nov 1902. Portrait: Taranaki Hist. Coll. Reference: Volume 1, page 228 | Volume 1, page 228 🌳 Further sources |
George Hutchison | George HutchisonHUTCHISON, GEORGE (1846-1930) was born at Dundee, Scotland, the son of W. Hutchison (q.v.). To the age of 15 he received his education in public schools in Ireland and Scotland. Coming to New Zealand with his parents (1866), he was associated with the Southern Cross in Auckland for a year or two; then studied law and, having been admitted, commenced in 1872 to practise at Wanganui and Wellington. Hutchison first attempted to enter Parliament in 1881. He announced himself for Waitotara, but stood down in favour of Bryce and contested the Egmont seat against Atkinson. In 1884 he contested the Taranaki seat against Atkinson, and in 1887 defeated Bryce for Waitotara, which he represented till 1893. Electoral boundaries having been altered, he sat for Patea from 1893. A vigorous independent in politics, he had a part in the defeat of the Atkinson ministry (1890), but remained in opposition to the Ballance Government and afterwards to that of Seddon. In 1889 he introduced a bill to give accused persons the right to give evidence in their own defence. In 1899 Hutchison went to South Africa, where for a while he did military staff duty during the advance to Bloemfontein and Pretoria. He resigned his seat in 1901 to practise law in South Africa, where he remained till 1907. After spending two years in England he returned to Auckland, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died on 30 Jul 1930. Hutchison married a daughter of the Rev D. Hogg (Wanganui). He was for some time an officer of the West Coast infantry battalion. An eloquent speaker and a capital debater, Gisborne expected him to achieve some political success. Parltry Record; N.Z.P.D., 2 Jul 1890; Gisborne (p); Saunders; N.Z. Herald, 31 Jul 1930; Auckland Star, ib. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 228 | Volume 1, page 228 🌳 Further sources |
William Hutchison | William HutchisonHUTCHISON, WILLIAM (1820-1905) was born in the village of Bellie, Banffshire, educated in the parish and at Inverness, and became a journalist. He worked on newspapers in Scotland and Ireland, and published several pamphlets on the poor law and education. In 1866 he came to Auckland under engagement to the Southern Cross, but a few months later accepted the editorship of the Wanganui Chronicle, which he controlled for seven years. During this time he was mayor of Wanganui (1873-74), and represented the town and district in the Wellington Provincial Council (1867-76). In Feb 1874 he established the Tribune (in Wellington). He sold out two or three years later to E. T. Gillon (q.v.), and edited the Nelson Colonist for a short time. He was very prominent in the civil life of Wellington, being five times elected mayor (1876-77, 1879-81). He was on the education board (1877-84) and represented Wellington City in Parliament (1879-81) and Wellington South (1881-84). In 1884, having been defeated by G. Fisher, Hutchison went to Dunedin and again engaged in journalism. Here he became deeply interested in trades unionism and in politics. He was first president of the Otago Protection League; president of two trades unions and of the Industrial League of New Zealand (1890). After contesting the Roslyn seat in 1887, he was elected for the City in 1890 as a Labour representative (with Pinkerton and Fish). In 1896, and at a subsequent by-election in 1897, he suffered defeat, and he was not again in politics. A strong party man, yet very independent, he was perhaps not as well suited for politics as for journalism. As a writer he was highly endowed, with the accomplished style of a good essayist. He wrote prolifically on social, philosophical and religious topics. He was for 50 years an ordained elder of the Presbyterian Church, and for some years an ordained deacon of Knox Church. Hutchison was described at his death as 'an all-round worthy.' He was on the committee of the Dunedin City mission and one of the Dempsey trustees. He married, in 1846, Helen Aicheson, of Inverness (who died in 1900). Their sons included G. Hutchison (q.v.), T. Hutchison, S.M., and Sir James Hutchison. Hutchison died on 3 Dec 1905. Cycl. NZ., iv (p); Otago Daily Times, 4 Dec 1905; Evening Star, ib.; Lyttelton Times, 8 Dec 1890. Portrait: Wanganui Town Hall; Wellington Town Hall; Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 229 | Volume 1, page 229 🌳 Further sources |
William Hutt | William HuttHUTT, SIR WILLIAM (1801-82), after whom the Hutt river was named, was born in Lambeth, Surrey, and educated privately at Ryde, Isle of Wight, and Camberwell. Matriculating from St Mary Hall, Oxford, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. (1827) and M.A. in 1831. He married (1831) Mary, daughter of J. Milner, and dowager countess of Strathmore. Hutt was M.P. for Hull (1832-41) and for Gateshead (1841-74). A freetrader and much interested in colonial affairs, he was a member of the select committee on colonial lands (1836). He was a commissioner for the foundation of South Australia, a member of the New Zealand Association (1837), and of the select committee on New Zealand (1840). After the New Zealand bill was thrown out in 1838 Hutt formed the New Zealand Company, amalgamating the interests of the New Zealand Land Company, the New Zealand Colonisation Company and the old New Zealand Company of 1825. He was later a director and chairman. In 1860 he was vice-president of the Board of Trade. (K.C.B., 1865) He died on 24 Nov 1882. His first wife (who died 1860) left him mining properties worth over £18,000 a year. He married again (1861) a daughter of the Hon. Sir James Francis Stanhope. D.N.B.; G.B.O.P., 1838, 1840 et seq.; Harrop, Wakefield; Marais. Reference: Volume 1, page 229 | Volume 1, page 229 🌳 Further sources |
David Con Hutton | David Con HuttonHUTTON, DAVID CON (1843-1910) was born in Dundee, Scotland, educated there, and proceeded to the School of Art, where he gained a free studentship and in 1859 was appointed an art pupil-teacher. He continued his studies in modelling, and published his freehand drawing series. In 1863 he gained an art master's certificate, and in 1865 was appointed art master at the Perth School of Art. Early in 1870 he arrived in Otago (in the Christian McCausland) as drawing master under the Otago provincial government, and he forthwith established the School of Art in Dunedin, of which he was principal till his death (on 20 Oct 1910). Hutton married (1872) a daughter of A. Douglas, Edinburgh. Otago Daily Times, 7 Nov 1910. Reference: Volume 1, page 229 | Volume 1, page 229 🌳 Further sources |
Frederick Wollaston Hutton | Frederick Wollaston HuttonHUTTON, FREDERICK WOLLASTON (1836-1905) was the son of the Rev. F. H. Hutton, and was born at Gate Burton, Lincolnshire. He was educated at Southwell Grammar School and at the Royal Naval Academy, Gosport, but at the age of 14 entered Green's merchant service and made several voyages to the East in the Alfred. In 1854 he entered the applied science department of King's College, London, to qualify as a civil engineer; but on the outbreak of the Crimean war he received his commission (1855) as ensign in the 23rd Regiment (Royal Welsh Fusiliers). After a period of service in the field he returned to England, was promoted lieutenant (1857) and sailed for China, but was diverted to India. He was at the relief of Lucknow under Sir Colin Campbell. In 1858 Hutton returned to England to help raise a new battalion of the regiment. He passed the school of musketry at Hythe and was appointed instructor to the battalion, with which he went to Malta. Having completed his training at Sandhurst and Woolwich (specialising in geology and mineralogy) and been elected a fellow of the Geological Society (1860), he was attached to the Royal Horse Artillery, and then to the 9th Lancers. Promoted captain (1862), he rejoined his regiment at Malta. In 1863 he was brigade-major at the Curragh, and in 1864 deputy-adjutant and quartermaster-general at Dublin. In 1865 Hutton sold out of the army and came to New Zealand in the Queen of the South, reaching Auckland in 1866. He started flaxmilling, but was soon employed by the provincial government to examine the extent of the coal deposits in lower Waikato, and then spent two years under the Colonial Government reporting on the Thames and the geology of the Great Barrier. In 1869 he erected a flaxmill at Churchill, Waikato, but abandoned it as a financial loss. At the request of McLean, Hutton reported on the defence of Auckland against a sudden cruiser attack, and examined the harbours of Nelson, Wellington, Lyttelton and Port Chalmers. He recommended the mounting of guns and locomotive torpedoes and the training of marine artillery and volunteers. In 1871 Hutton published his catalogue of New Zealand birds, in 1872 a catalogue of fishes, and in 1873 a catalogue of mollusca. He was appointed geologist to the Geological Survey and teacher of natural science at Wellington College. He then became provincial geologist of Otago, and in 1873 professor of natural science at Otago University. In 1880 he was appointed professor of biology at Canterbury College, a position he held until 1892, when he resigned to become curator of the Canterbury Museum. In that year also he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Hutton wrote many scientific papers. In 1861 he reviewed Darwin's Origin of Species, and some years later his Lamarckism and Darwinism attracted a good deal of attention. He also published many scientific text-books, and collaborated with J. Drummond in The Animals of New Zealand (1904). His magnum opus was the Index Faunae Novae Zealandiae, published in the same year. Hutton was president of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. He married (1861) Annie Gouger, daughter of Dr William Montgomerie, H.E.I.C.S., and died on 27 Oct 1905. Col. Gent.; Hight and Candy; Hutton and Drummond, op. cit. (4th ed.); Otago Daily Times and The Press, 31 Oct 1905. Portrait: N.Z. Jour. of Science, vol ii (p). Reference: Volume 1, page 229 | Volume 1, page 229 🌳 Further sources |
Robin Hyde | Robin HydeHYDE, ROBIN, née IRIS GUIVER WILKINSON (1906-39) was born in South Africa, the daughter of George Edward Wilkinson (who was born in India and went to South Africa with Lumsden's Horse in the war of 1899-1902) and his wife, Adelaide Butler, whose parents were pioneers of Victoria. Her great grandfather, John Sircom, was a minor poet. Coming to New Zealand as an infant, she was educated at the Berhampore school (Wellington) of which she was dux, and then at Wellington Girls' College, where she won junior and senior scholarships and several literary prizes and contributed to the school magazine, The Reporter. While on the staff of The Dominion she attended lectures at Victoria College. Having suffered permanent injury in an accident she devoted herself to literature, mainly as a freelance writer, and won a short-story competition of the Auckland Sun and a poetry prize. Under the pseudonym 'Robin Hyde' she wrote verse and prose for that paper, the Sydney Bulletin, the Triad, Auckland Star and the New Zealand Artists' Annual. Her first publication, The Desolate Star, a small volume of verse, appeared in 1934, and her first volume of prose, Journalese, in the same year. She developed quickly as a writer, publishing in rapid succession Passport to Hell and Check to Your King (1936), Wednesday's Children (1936), Nor the Years Condemn (1938), The Godwits Fly (1938) and two other volumes of verse, The Conquerors (1935) and Persephone in Winter (1937). Early in 1938 she went to China, where her health suffered from hardships undergone in the war. Her book, Dragon Rampant, was in the press when she died (in London) on 22 Aug 1939. Robin Hyde, op. cit., and personal information; The Dominion, 25 Aug; Evening Post, 23 Aug (p); 2 Sep 1939. Reference: Volume 1, page 230 | Volume 1, page 230 🌳 Further sources |
Theophilus Heale | Theophilus HealeHEALE, THEOPHILUS (1816-85) was born in England, the son of a sugar broker in London. He received a good classical education, and was an accomplished linguist, mathematician and navigator; and something of a geologist; a man of singular attainments and wide experience gained in travel. Going to sea at an early age, Heale is said to have commanded an East Indiaman before being appointed to the Aurora, which brought the first of the New Zealand Company's settlers to Port Nicholson (arriving 22 Jan 1840). A few weeks later, while getting a cargo of spars, the vessel was stranded at the mouth of Kaipara harbour and became a total loss. Heale spent some months travelling and making business connections in the north, and at the end of the year, having entered into partnership with Dudley Sinclair and others, he left for England. In Apr 1841 Sinclair purchased town sections for them in the first sale at Auckland. In reply to the criticisms of Wakefield, Heale published his book New Zealand and the New Zealand Company. He carried out negotiations on behalf of the Manukau Land Company with a Scots organisation which proposed to develop the interests of his group and establish a township (Cornwallis) inside the north head of Manukau harbour. Heale brought out the machinery for a steam sawmill, which he erected on an 18 acre section at Cornwallis. The project failed; the partnership was dissolved, and Heale returned to England again (1843). While there he gave valuable evidence before the select committee of the House of Commons. In 1845, in partnership with Whitaker (q.v.) Heale obtained a grant from FitzRoy for 274 acres of land on Kawau island, below highwater mark, where it was intended to mine for copper. The grant was contested by the Aberdeen company which was operating above highwater mark and, the Privy Council having decided against Heale and Whitaker, they disposed of their interests (1850). They later engaged in copper mining on Great Barrier. Heale was one of three members nominated by FitzRoy to the Legislative Council (3 Mar 1845) who resigned a year later to leave Grey free to make his own appointments. In Jan 1860 he was elected to Parliament for Auckland Suburbs, which he represented at the following session. He was defeated for Parnell at the general election by R. G. Wood (Jan 1861). A few months later (Sep 1861) he was appointed chief surveyor of the new province of Southland under the superintendency of Menzies (q.v.), who shortly appointed him chief engineer and adviser to the government. Heale laid out and supervised the construction of the Bluff, Oreti and Northern railways, which were prosecuted with vigour until the provincial exchequer was empty. He also made important reports on the settlement of Stewart island. In May 1864 he was appointed deputy-superintendent, and J. H. Baker assumed office as deputy chief surveyor. The province being no longer able to finance public works, Heale did not resume his full duties, but undertook professional work in the north. At the end of 1864, as the outcome of a political deadlock, the Provincial Council elected him Superintendent, but as he had not received the requisite absolute majority he retired and then appears to have severed his connection with the province. Late in 1864 Heale carried out surveying contracts at Tauranga, and a few months later was appointed inspector of surveys under the native land act. Early in 1866, though he was now away from Southland, he consented to be nominated for the Invercargill seat in Parliament. He did not appear to address the electors, but was defeated by Wood by only one vote. In Nov 1867 he was appointed chief surveyor in Auckland and inspector of surveys for the Colony, which position he held until 1876. While thus employed, he initiated the first extensive system of triangulation, which was afterwards prosecuted by S. P. Smith from one end of New Zealand to the other. Smith considered Heale "the most scientific surveyor in the country." He took observations of the transit of Venus and fixed the latitude of Mount Eden. In 1871 he published his Principles and Practice of Surveying. After the abolition of the provinces Heale was appointed (30 Apr 1877) a judge of the native land court, for which his knowledge of Maori and of Maori customs eminently fitted him. He retired in 1880 and visited England, but was again appointed in 1882. He finally retired in 1883 and returned to England, where he died, at Orpington, Kent, on 21 May 1885. He was a man of unusual attainments and experience, but lacked the assertiveness of character necessary for advancement in public life. Family information; G.B.O.P., 1845/56; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); N.Z. Gaz., 1860-62, 1864-67, 1877, 1882; App. H.R., 1869 D20; 1870 D11, H4; 1872 G21; 1873 G6, H1; 1874 H11; 1875 H6; 1876 H17; Auckland Gaz. 1843; Southland Gaz. 1861-64; A. Mackay; Jourdain; Baker; Auckland Public Library, N.Z. MS 095B; research by R. P. Fletcher, Lands and Survey dept. Portrait: Parliament House. Reference: Volume 1, page 203 | Volume 1, page 203 🌳 Further sources |