RAMSAY, KEITH (1843-1906) was born at Alyth, Perthshire, Scotland, and educated at Blairgowrie. Coming to New Zealand in 1862 by the Jura, he entered the firm of Cargill and Co. in Dunedin, and three years later established his own business as a shipowner. In public life Ramsay was a member of the Dunedin City Council (1871-73) and mayor in 1874; chairman of the Otago harbour board (eight years); president of the chamber of commerce, and vice-president of the Dunedin Savings Bank. He was a founder of the National Insurance Co. and the Westport Coal Co., and a director of both until his death (on 3 May 1906); and was chairman of the stock exchange proprietary and of the Perpetual Trustees, Estate and Agency Co. In 1871 Ramsay married Janet Torry, daughter of Archibald Douglas, of Edinburgh.

Cycl. NZ, iv; Otago Daily Times, 7 May 1906.

Reference: Volume 2, page 99

🌳 Further sources

RANFURLY, UCHTER JOHN MARK (1856-1933), 5th Earl of, was the younger son of the third earl, by his marriage with Harriet, daughter of John Rimington. Educated at Harrow, he passed through the Britannia for the Navy, but went instead to Trinity College, Cambridge.

Having succeeded his brother in 1875, he spent some years in Australia, where he engaged in fruit-growing in the Mildura country. He installed an irrigation plant, and was regarded as an authority on fruit-growing. He had also studied at the Geological Institute in London, and was interested in practical mining. In 1888 he visited New Zealand. He was lord-in-waiting to Queen Victoria (1895-97), and in the latter year was appointed Governor of New Zealand, taking up his duties on 10 Aug.

Lord Ranfurly's term of office in New Zealand included the whole period of the South African war, and he took a keen interest not only in the raising and despatch of contingents to the field of war, but in the reception of the men on their return and their subsequent welfare. He was the founder of the Veterans' home in Auckland, and compiled the list of war services known as the Roll of Honour, 1840-1902. During his governorship New Zealand adopted penny postage, largely increased her contribution to the Royal Navy, played her part in the opening of the Pacific cable, established Empire Day and passed the preferential trade act. The boundaries of New Zealand were extended to embrace certain groups of islands in the Pacific, and Lord Ranfurly visited them to proclaim British sovereignty. He left New Zealand on 19 Jun 1904.

In 1897 he was created K.C.M.G.; in 1901 G.C.M.G.; in 1905 sworn of the Privy Council of Ireland; and in 1923 of the Privy Council of Northern Ireland. He was a bailiff grand cross of the order of St John of Jerusalem, and an officer of the Legion of Honour. He died on 2 Oct 1933. Ranfurly married (1880) Constance Elizabeth, daughter of the 7th Viscount Charlemont. Their eldest son and heir, Viscount Northland, was killed in France in 1915.

Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Burke; N.Z. Herald, 5 Nov 1888; The Times, 8 Oct 1933.

Reference: Volume 2, page 99

🌳 Further sources

MOETARA RANGATIRA was also a prominent war chief. He was present when his people were defeated by Te Rauparaha at Waima (1810), took part in the Amiowhenua expedition, and was one of the Ngapuhi leaders at Te Ika-a-ranganui (1825). After taking the captured Ngati-Whatua chiefs with him to Hokianga he liberated them. Both brothers signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 13 Feb 1840. Moetara died about Sep 1864 and Rangatira on 1 Nov 1880. The latter was the last of the chiefs who signed the Treaty. He was a Roman Catholic.

P. Smith; C. O. Davis; Earle; Marsden, L. and J.; Ramsden; Buick, Waitangi; Carleton; Webster; Gideon Smales in N.Z. Herald, 26 May 1894.

Reference: Volume 2, page 47

🌳 Further sources

RANGITAAHUA, JABEZ BUNTING (? 1816-56) was the son of Te Tuhi, a chief of the Maungaunga hapu at Purapura, Waikato. On the death of his parents he was taken under the protection of his uncle, Wiremu Wetere te Kauwa (a well-known Waikato general), whose children had died; and he became a leading chief of Ngati Tama-oho. In his teens he came under the influence of the Missions and was baptised at Hokianga. Pious and zealous, Bunting for many years lived an exemplary life. He was one of the secretaries of the evangelical alliance (1851), was prominent in all native matters and spoke at many meetings to eradicate evil customs. Just before his death (on 22 Apr 1856) he handed over to justice at Waiuku the young men who were implicated in the assault on Sutton.

Cycl. NZ

Reference: Volume 2, page 100

🌳 Further sources

RATANA, TAHUPOTIKI WIREMU (1870-1939) was of the Ngati-Apa and Ngati-Ruanui tribes and was a cousin of Robert Tahupotiki Haddon (q.v.). In early manhood he farmed near Wanganui. During the epidemic of 1918 he was very sick and subject to visions. Having read the Scriptures deeply under Presbyterian missionaries, he became a faith healer and claimed to have cured thousands of Maori men and women of various forms of sickness, paralysis and other disability. Having a large following all over the country, Ratana established a modern settlement at his own pa, Ratana, near Wanganui, created the Maori United Welfare Bank, and invested £34,000 in an attempt to recover from the state lands which he claimed had been unjustly taken from his people. In 1924 he led a deputation to England to lay these grievances before the King. In the following year he founded a church which soon had 22,000 followers, 100 clergy and 400 lay preachers. A few years before his death he moved to Matamata, where he founded a similar settlement. He died on 18 Sep 1939.

A son, Haami Tokouru Ratana, contested Maori seats on several occasions, and was elected to Parliament for the Western Maori district in 1935.

Wanganui Herald, 19 Nov 1920; The Dominion ib. (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 101

🌳 Further sources

RATTRAY, WILLIAM (1806-87) was born in Scotland. A master-mariner, he came to Melbourne in his own barque, the Elizabeth, in 1853, and shortly afterwards to Auckland, where he established himself with Captain Lillewall as ship chandlers. They prospered for many years, and sold the business to H. F. Anderson and Co. Rattray had strong religious views, and took an active part in politics, being member of the Provincial Council for Auckland East (1861-65). He was a member of the Christian Brethren for 60 years, and one of the originators of the Freedom of Religion Society, which opposed state endowments to any religious body. Rattray died on 13 Oct 1887.

Parltry Record; Auckland Star, 14 Oct 1887.

Reference: Volume 2, page 102

🌳 Further sources

RAWLINS, CHARLES CAMPION (1846-1918) was born in Liverpool and educated at Allesley Park and Cheltenham. He had served portion of his articles as a mining engineer when his health broke down. Arriving in New Zealand by the Mermaid in 1875, he joined the geodetic survey on the West Coast, and afterwards qualified and followed the profession of mining engineer. He was manager of the Island Block Goldmining Co. in Otago. (F.G.S., London.) A convinced free trader, Rawlins contested the Tuapeka seat in 1893 and 1896, and in 1898 was elected. He was defeated by J. Bennet in 1899, and did not regain a seat. He died on 10 Jul 1918.

N.Z.P.D., 25 Oct 1918; Who's Who N.Z., 1908.

Reference: Volume 2, page 103

🌳 Further sources

RAWSON, THOMAS EDWARD (1810-79) was born at Windsor, in Leicestershire, and received his medical education at King's College, London, of which he became an associate in 1841. After practising for some years at Kegworth, in his native county, and at Notting Hill (London), he came to New Zealand in the Mary Ann (1858) and settled on a farm at Tataraimaka, in Taranaki. There his wife died. Native troubles caused him to retire to New Plymouth with his family, but he was appointed surgeon to the militia and volunteers (Jun 1859), and was present at Waireka and other engagements. At the close of hostilities in 1861 he resigned his commission and moved with his family to Auckland, but being disappointed there he returned to Taranaki and was gazetted coroner (1862). He acquired an extensive practice. In 1863, on the renewal of hostilities, he was appointed provincial and hospital surgeon, and he held both appointments until retiring from practice in 1878. Rawson enjoyed the confidence of settlers over a wide district on whom he conferred a great benefit by the publication of his 'Medical Hints' in the Taranaki Almanac. He was a deeply religious man. While in England he was an adherent of the Congregational Church, being deacon of the Horbury chapel in Notting Hill. After coming to New Zealand he was a staunch Wesleyan. Rawson's second wife (d. 10 Nov 1907) was Sarah Hannah, daughter of the Rev J. Whiteley (q.v.). Rawson died on 14 Dec 1879.

Skinner, Pioneer Medical Men of Taranaki (p); Taranaki News, 20 Dec 1879.

Reference: Volume 2, page 103

🌳 Further sources

READ, GEORGE EDWARD (1816-78) was employed by W. B. Rhodes in his early activities in New Zealand. He engaged in whaling on the East Coast and resided at Te Mahia, near Tokomaru, but about 1845 he settled in Poverty Bay, and a few years later bought out an American trader. He erected a store on the banks of the Turanganui river and became the leader of the settlement, which gradually developed into Gisborne. Read ran a number of small vessels in the coastal trade and to Auckland, and took a prominent part in the days when settlers commenced to arrive in Poverty Bay. Many families he established on farms on deferred payments, for which he provided the money. At the time of Te Kooti's war he showed great spirit in defending the settlement and keeping open sea communications. When a wharf was required at Gisborne, he offered to erect one if permitted to collect dues to reimburse himself. The Auckland provincial government accepted the offer and the contract was carried out.

In 1876 Read was returned as M.H.R. for East Coast, but unseated on petition on the ground of irregularity. He died on 23 Feb 1878.

Appr. H.R., 1876; W. L. Williams; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); N.Z. Herald, 25 Feb, 4 Mar 1878; Poverty Bay Herald, 5 Jan 1924.

Reference: Volume 2, page 105

🌳 Further sources

READ, THOMAS GABRIEL (1824-94). Of the early life of Read there is little to record. He was born in Tasmania in 1824, the son of Captain G. F. Read, who came to Hobart in 1816, and received a land grant which the family still holds. He was well educated, and had some facility in the writing of verse, with which he amused himself in moments of idleness. His people seem to have been well-to-do, and Read himself had town property in Hobart.

In 1849, when quite a young man, he heard of the discoveries of gold in California, and with two others secured a small schooner and went thither. Their luck was not sufficiently attractive, and they sailed from San Francisco with a varied cargo to trade amongst the islands. It is said that the vessel was wrecked at Hawaii, and that Read found his way back to Hobart about two years and a half after leaving. A brother was in the Western district of Victoria as a runholder at Lal Lal, near Buninyong. Gold had just been discovered in that district, and before long Read was on the Victorian fields - at Fryers Creek, Mount Alexander, Bendigo, and Mount Korong. He made no fortune here, either, but he enlarged his knowledge of the ways and interests of a mining population, and took his part in their affairs. The clash at Eureka took place while Read was in Victoria. Though he was not involved in it, he left Victoria with feelings of bitterness against the squatters.

He appears to have been back in Hobart for some time when rumours reached him of the discovery of gold in small quantities in the rivers of Otago. He first heard of the discoveries in the Mataura river in 1856, and thought of coming across, but the opportunity did not present itself. In 1858 Black Peter (q.v.) washed some sand in the Tokomairiro river, and showed the dust to J. T. Thomson (q.v.). Later in the year Thomson himself found traces in the Lindis river. In Jan 1861 Read took passage in the schooner Don Pedro II, which was carrying horses from Hobart to Otago. She reached Port Chalmers on 8 Feb, and proceeded to Dunedin three days later. As she lay alongside the wharf, Read watched the ship Cashmere disembarking a carriage which had been purchased in England by a son of John Jones, and he struck up an acquaintance with Jones which ripened in later months. Read lost no time in getting on the road for the Mataura, wearing a red shirt and carrying a noticeably small swag. When he arrived at Tokomairiro he encountered John Hardy (q.v.) mowing a field of Chevalier barley at his place at Helensbrook. Read was obviously an educated man, with a ripe experience, and Hardy was attracted to him. He told Read that Leatmonth, a Victorian miner, had been at Tuapeka, and had stated that he would soon have 10,000 miners on that field. Read also heard of the finds of Black Peter in the Tokomairiro river, and in the hills towards Tuapeka. Next day he left on his way to the Mataura. He walked as far as the Clutha ferry, where he had a meal and heard discouraging accounts of the prospects. After proceeding four or five miles southward, he returned to Tokomairiro. There he remained for some little time, employed by Hardy in digging a drain through a swamp. In the evenings they continued their discussion of the goldfields, which Hardy was confident would be discovered and would cure the economic depression.

On 11 Mar, just a month after his arrival in Otago, Read sailed from Dunedin for Lyttelton in the Omeo to visit the property of his cousin, John Terry Murphy, at the Cust. A fellow passenger in the cabin was John McLean (q.v.), on whose property were the Lindis diggings; and there is little doubt that Read and McLean discussed them. While he was in Canterbury the diggings were on every tongue, and many parties were being formed to go there either on foot or by steamer through Oamaru. To Read the prospect was not sufficiently enticing; and there is no evidence that he ever went to north Otago. In Canterbury he spent some time with Robert L. Higgins (q.v.), whom his cousin had sent from Victoria in 1851 to take up the Cust properties. At a later date Read sent Higgins a packet of seeds of Tasmanian forest trees collected by the botanist Dickenson, in the hope that they would help to clothe the bare hillsides of the Cust valley. After spending a month or six weeks in Canterbury Read returned to Otago. Early in May, if not before, he was back in Tokomairiro. One day John Fischer, a German, came to Helensbrook and showed Read some gold he had obtained at the Woolshed. This was the first Otago gold that he had seen. The harvest being now over, Read took Edwin Hardy with him to the Canada bush, where they found traces of gold. On 9 May Read attended a meeting at which Alexander McMaster, a candidate for the superintendency, addressed the electors of Tokomairiro. Read disliked him because he was a squatter, and joined issue with him over statements he made about the Squatters' Association of Victoria. John Lillie Gillies, who had also been on the Victorian goldfields for some years, was at the meeting, and he afterwards got into touch with Read.

According to Read's statement and Pyke's book (1887), it was due to the enthusiasm of John Hardy, who was a member of the Provincial Council, that Read eventually undertook a serious expedition. Hardy was the one man who firmly believed that payable gold would be found and that Read was the man to find it. "There are riches yet to come from the wool," he said, "but I am afraid that they may come too late for many. What we want is a good goldfield, and we all believe it is somewhere about here. I believe if you would only try you are the man to get it." They discussed raising a subscription to equip Read, but the enthusiasm of the settlers was as limited as their resources; Hardy was the only one who backed his belief in this direction. The superintendency election was held, and Read walked into Dunedin before 24 May bearing the results of the polling in Tokomairiro. Major Richardson was elected, and Read, who had been struck by the Superintendent's views on the welfare of the province, made a point of calling upon him. Richardson remarked that Strode had reported rather despondently about the Lindis. Read said he had practically decided to give up the search, as he was not very sanguine, but that Hardy seemed to think he would discover a field. Richardson asked him on his way back to distribute some papers to settlers who had supported his candidature, and warned him that if he did go prospecting he should not take dogs with him or get foul of the runholders, who were touchy about prospecting on their land. When Read got back to Tokomairiro Hardy was still sanguine, and offered to send his son Edwin with him if he would go prospecting. Mrs Hardy baked him some bread, and eventually they set off. Proceeding to Peter Robertson's to ascertain where Black Peter had been working, Read went up the river to a place where James Smith's cattle had broken down the banks. Here, with spade, tin dish, and butcher's knife, he set to work, and before long he had about seven ounces of clean gold. That night he spent at Munro's, and next day started on his return to Tokomairiro. About 10 a.m. on Sunday, 2 Jun, he reached Helensbrook, and displayed his gold on the table of the sitting room. On the strength of that expedition Read felt justified in announcing to the Superintendent the discovery of a payable goldfield. He wrote on 4 Jun that he had been 10 days on the exploration, and had travelled 35 miles inland, examining the ravines and gullies of the Tuapeka and Waitahuna. From the outset he took an entirely unselfish attitude, and Hardy advised him as to the wording of the letter. "Although being able to work secretly for a time would greatly benefit me," he wrote, "I feel it my duty to impart these facts. These communications are made in confidence that my secret is safe with Major Richardson, but if a disclosure is of any benefit to the public interest you are at liberty to treat this as a public communication to the Superintendent. ... At all events, I leave myself as a client under your Honor's patronage, convinced that by so doing I take the most certain course to ensure the benefit to which I may some day be considered entitled for this important discovery." He advised Richardson that if the field proved to be a good one the flow of population must go through Waihola and Tokomairiro, and not through Oamaru. A young man named Brooks, who worked for Hardy, was sent into Dunedin with the letter, and with an order from Hardy for an outfit of shovels, picks, and gum-boots for three men. While waiting for the outfit, Hardy and Read rode out towards Tuapeka, and Hardy had the satisfaction of seeing a little gold washed at the Woolshed. The equipment arrived by the next schooner and the expedition was fitted out at Helensbrook, tools, tent, and tucker for some months being loaded on a bullock dray to be driven by Hardy's eldest son, Thomas. The miners were Read, Edwin Hardy, and Brooks. They went out by way of Adams Flat, over Mount Stuart, and down to the Waitahuna, then up to Peter Robertson's, and finally reached the Tuapeka gully. Next day the dray left for Tokomairiro, and the miners, carrying their equipment, tramped up the gully to the spot where Read had found gold. They pitched their tent, made a sod chimney and a bed of ferns, and turned in. On 11 Jun Read paid a visit to Peter Robertson, to whom he showed a handful of gold. A fortnight later the rush began. In a single day 1,000 men arrived on the field.

On 28 Jun Hardy, now a member of the provincial executive, announced from the ministerial benches in the Provincial Council the discoveries made by Read, in whose company he had prospected country "about 31 miles long by five broad, and in every hole they had sunk they had found the precious metal." On the same day the Superintendent transmitted to the Council a message stating that the prospects indicated the existence of gold in large quantities and easily obtainable, and that the reports would necessitate the adoption of immediate measures for the administration of the field. He asked to be invested with unusual powers. The Council responded generously, thus enabling the Superintendent to make adequate provision for the arrival of the "New Iniquity." Even before 24 Jun the field had been called "Gabriel's Gully." Read's party of three in 14 days obtained 112 oz of gold. In Dec 1861 there were 27,163 people in Otago, as compared with 12,700 a year earlier. Read had no desire to participate in the wealth at hand. Once the field became known, his main concern was to place at the disposal of the miners the experience he had gained in California and Victoria. He left the working of his claim to Hardy and Brooks, and spent his time showing new arrivals round. The first essential was some means of controlling affairs on the field. On 7 Jul a meeting was called at which J. L. Gillies presided. Gillies spoke very warmly of the unselfish manner in which Read had made his secret public for the benefit of the province. Read gave a long address to the miners, most of whom were amateurs, advising them of the experience on other fields, how to go about their work, and how to govern themselves. He urged them to have small claims so as to give everyone a chance, and to select from amongst themselves a committee of responsible men. He was elected one of the committee, of which Gillies was chairman, and he was asked to act as umpire for the settlement of disputes. A small news-sheet was published on the field by Thomas Birch (q.v.), and Read contributed a leading article to one of its early issues. He used his experience to protect the miners. As the banks offered only a low price for gold in the early days, he sent a parcel on his own account for assay at the Sydney mint. The report showed the miners what they ought to get for their dust, but Read had to bear the cost of the experiment. He imported a large quantity of seeds from Tasmania, which he presented to the Superintendent in the hope that they would be usefully distributed in the province. Read was also keenly interested in the moral welfare of the new community and took steps, with J. L. Gillies, to provide for Sunday services. The first two services were taken by Gillies himself, and thereafter clergymen from different churches in Otago took turns to visit the fields. For this purpose Read contributed £50 from his own pocket. He had deep religious convictions, by which he was prompted in most of the relations of life.

Having seen the first field established, Read lost no time in continuing his explorations. Receiving a regular salary from the government, he started on 18 Jul, with the Superintendent and Captain Baldwin, and by following up the river discovered the Waitahuna field. In Sep Read made explorations west of the Molyneux, finding a little gold in the Waipahi and Pomahaka. He tried the headwaters of the Waipori, and the sources of the Waitahuna and the Tuapeka, and then went south to the Umbrella range. Writing to the Superintendent on 6 Nov, he said: "After I had the pleasure of seeing you in the front ranks fighting nobly for the cause of humanity, a fortnight had not elapsed from that time when I became the sole possessor of a secret which provided a panacea for the evils which were impending over the province. I believe in the daily interposition of an over-ruling Providence. I felt I had been His agent and took the course which has led to the present results." He declared himself unqualified to prosecute his searches further, and asked to be relieved of further duties. Read had neglected many opportunities to make his own fortune, and the Superintendent suggested to the Council on 4 Nov that "such recognition of Mr Read's services should be made as would be an honour to the province and a fitting reward for such disinterested and generous service." When the Council was asked to vote £500 J. L. Gillies proposed that the amount should be £1,000. The higher sum was rejected, but the £500 was agreed to without division. In May 1862 Richardson again brought the matter before the Council. A further sum of £500 was then voted. Meanwhile Hardy had recommended certain measures with a view to settling the miners as permanent residents of the province.

Read left Otago, spent some time in the North Island, and probably visited Cust again. He states in his recollections that he prospected the likely-looking sandbanks of "the noble rivers of the Wairarapa." He later returned to Hobart. Edwin Hardy says that he was in Otago early in 1864, when he entertained the All England cricket team at a champagne supper. He is said also to have visited the New Zealand Exhibition (1865), when he was awarded a bronze medal "as the first person to give practical value to the discovery of gold in Otago." At a later date he appears to have married. His recollections were partly written in 1887 and partly later. His last years he spent in an institution at Sandy Bay, near Hobart, and he died there on 31 Oct 1894.

It was at the instance of Pyke that Read started to write his recollections, the first part being produced probably in 1886. This appears in Pyke's book on gold discoveries in Otago, the balance being preserved in the Dunedin Public Library.

Family information from G. F. Read; T. G. Read, op. cit.; E. Hardy in Otago Witness, Sep 1929; Otago P.C. Proc.; McIndoe; Acland; Pyke (p); Otago Daily Times, 17 Oct 1930 (p); Hobart Mercury, 1, 5 Nov 1894.

Reference: Volume 2, page 106

🌳 Further sources

READER, HENRY ELMHIRST (1826-85) was born at Naples, and entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst about 1843, receiving his commission in the 39th Regiment. Exchanging into the 14th Light Dragoons, of which he was for five years adjutant, he saw much service in India. In 1848 he participated in the pursuit of the Sikh army until its surrender at Rawalpindi. Reader then returned to England (1855) and, exchanging into the 12th Lancers, served in the Crimea, mostly in command of a troop. He received the Crimea and Turkish medals, but declined to wear them as he was never under fire. Back in England in 1856, the regiment was ordered at once to Madras, and had marched almost to Bangalore when it was diverted to Bombay and fought with Whitlock's column to Hyderabad. In 1860 Reader returned to England. Two years later he sold out and, coming to Canterbury late in 1863, took up the Teviotdale station. Owing to trouble with scab, he abandoned it three years later. In June 1867 he was appointed to command the Canterbury militia and volunteers, and six months later was transferred to Wellington. In Jan 1878 he was acting Under-secretary for Defence (confirmed in Mar 1879) and in Dec 1879 he was appointed also commissioner of Armed Constabulary. These posts he held at the time of his death (29 Sep 1885).

Acland; N.Z. Times, 30 Sep 1885; Lyttelton Times, 7 Oct.

Reference: Volume 2, page 106

🌳 Further sources

READING, JOHN BROWN (1812-76) was born in Birmingham and came to New Zealand in the Duke of Roxburgh (1840). A carpenter and builder, he worked at his trade in Wellington for some years and then settled on a farm at Karori. He represented Wellington Country in the Provincial Council (1856-57), and Karori and Makara (1865-69). Reading died on 2 Nov 1876.

Wellington P.C. Proc.; N.Z. Times, 16 Nov 1876.

Reference: Volume 2, page 107

🌳 Further sources

READY, WILLIAM (1862-1927) was born in London of Roman Catholic parents who died while he was young. At six years of age he earned his livelihood in London at street tumbling and as boot-black and crossing-sweeper. A city missionary sent him to George Muller's orphan home in Bristol, from which he twice absconded in his first year. He was apprenticed to a flour-miller named Perryman at Chagford, Devon (a local preacher of the Bible Christian Church). Through his influence Ready became a local preacher and his manifest gifts led to his call to the ministry. He was sent to Shebbear College, Devon, and in 1885 began his ministry at Hatherly. In Feb 1887 he sailed for New Zealand, and served in Christchurch and at Banks Peninsula (under the Rev John Orchard). He married (1890) Miss Fanny Luxton. In that year he went to Dunedin to inaugurate work for the Bible Christian Church. He and his wife held their first meetings in the streets, soon gathering crowds about them. Ready then engaged first the Rattray Street Hall and later the Lyceum Theatre. Each in turn proved too small and he engaged the Garrison Hall, where every Sunday he preached to from 1,200 to 1,800 people. His work rapidly developed into the Dunedin Methodist central mission. In 1896 the Bible Christian Church united with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In 1899 Ready was transferred to the Pitt Street church, Auckland. He was elected president of the Methodist conference in 1912. He later served at Christchurch and in Invercargill. In 1917 he was chaplain with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the hospital ship Maheno.

Ready was a strong and attractive personality, a lover of the poor, and a trusted counsellor of the rich. He had a tireless passion for social reform. He was superannuated in 1926 and died on 7 Sep 1927. His life story has been recorded by the Rev Lewis H. Court in a book Ready, Aye Ready.

MARP.

Reference: Volume 2, page 107

🌳 Further sources

REDMAYNE, ROBERT (1822-84), came to New Zealand from San Francisco in 1863, and settled in Dunedin. In 1865, with his brother Thomas, who had preceded him by some years, and who was a member of the town board, he published the Dunedin Punch, in which they displayed some ability as humorists. Thomas, who was responsible for the illustrations, made many caricatures of members of the Otago Provincial Council. Only 41 numbers were issued. Thomas left New Zealand for California in 1874, and Robert died in Sep 1884.

Hocken, Bibliog.; Otago Daily Times, 10 Oct 1884.

Reference: Volume 2, page 107

🌳 Further sources

REDWOOD, CHARLES (1837-1915) was a son of Henry Redwood (1794-1873) and came to Nelson with his parents in the George Fyfe. He had a property in Marlborough for many years and was a member of the Provincial Council for Lower Wairau from 1874 till the abolition of the provinces. He went to Queensland some years later and had a sheep station on the Darling Downs till his death (on 3 Oct 1915).

Marlborough P.C., minutes; Brisbane Courier, 4 Oct 1915; Marlborough Express, 5 Oct.

Reference: Volume 2, page 107

🌳 Further sources

REDWOOD, FRANCIS (1839-1935) was born at Lower Hanyard, Staffordshire, the son of Henry Redwood (1794-1873, q.v.), his mother being one of the Gilberts of Penkridge. In 1842 he came to Nelson in the George Fyfe with his parents and the rest of the family, who settled at Waimea West. As a pupil at Father Garin's school, he showed such promise that his parents were prevailed upon to give him a better education. He was taken with some others for a week to board in Nelson with Father Garin to prepare him for his first communion, and it was to this priest that Redwood owed his decision to become a priest. He was in fact the first New Zealand boy to elect for the Catholic priesthood. For more than three years he remained as a boarder with Father Garin, going home to Stafford Place, Waimea, once a month. While at school he was taught by another pupil to play the violin and it became his lifelong pastime and accomplishment. He gained a good mastery of Latin and French under Garin, his assistant (Moreau), and Brother Claude Bertrand, and in his holidays he worked in the harvest field and did other farm duties.

In 1854 Redwood sailed in the brig Mountain Maid for Sydney, and thence in the Lady Ann for London, Father Comte being a fellow passenger. He became a student in 1856 at St Mary's Marist College at St Chamond, in the department of Loire, where by hard work he found himself capable of holding a place about the middle of the class. At the end of his course (1860), he shared with another student most of the prizes and won the award in rhetoric for French discourses. He then entered the scholasticate of the Marist Fathers, at Montbel, near Toulon, where he formed friendships with John Ireland (later Archbishop of St Paul, Minnesota) and Thomas O'Gorman (later Bishop of Sioux Falls). Having made his year's novitiate at St Foy, near Lyons, Redwood was appointed professor of Latin and Greek at St Mary's College, Dundalk. He made his profession in the Society of St Mary on 6 Jan 1864; was ordained in 1865; and a short time afterwards raised to the priesthood at Maynooth, county Kildare. He then studied for the licentiate of theology and spent a winter in Rome for the sake of his health.

Returning to Ireland in 1869, he was appointed almost immediately professor of dogma to the Marist scholastics in Dublin. On the death of Bishop Viard (1872) a vacancy occurred in the bishopric of Wellington, and Redwood was called to the episcopate, the first New Zealand bishop (as he was later to be the first Marist archbishop). He was consecrated by Cardinal Manning at St Anne's, Spitalfields, London, on 17 Mar 1874 and in Nov took charge of a see which then extended from Wellington to New Plymouth and Wairoa in the north and to the Waitaki river in the south. At the time of his becoming Bishop there were 31 priests, of whom two were invalids and two were resting in Sydney; 56 churches and 34 schools.

Redwood threw himself with zeal and energy into the development of his diocese. The creation of the bishopric of Christchurch in 1887 synchronised with his own elevation to the status of Archbishop and Metropolitan of New Zealand. He was Archbishop for almost 50 years, and witnessed a great increase in the priesthood and institutions of the Church. One of his notable achievements was the establishment of St Patrick's College in Wellington; he watched over the establishment of many other institutions, including those of Mother Aubert; and took a warm interest in higher education outside the purely denominational sphere. He was a member of the senate of the University of New Zealand (1877-1903). At the celebration of the golden jubilee of his episcopate, in 1924, Redwood was created assistant at the Pontifical throne. He published in 1922 a small booklet of his Reminiscences of Early Days in New Zealand. He died on 3 Jan 1935.

Cycl. N.Z., i; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; Redwood, op. cit. (p); Archbp. Redwood's Diamond Jubilee (p); Evening Post, 26 Feb 1934, 4 Jan 1935 (p); The Dominion, 26 Jan; N.Z. Life, 10 Dec 1927 (p); The Month, Jan 1935 (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 107

🌳 Further sources

REDWOOD, HENRY (1794-1873) was born on the estate of the Cliffords at Tixall, Staffordshire. He was a man of great physical strength and brilliant mentality. In 1842 he sold his farm in Staffordshire and sailed for New Zealand with his wife and eight children in the George Fyfe. Taking up land at Waimea (Nelson), he and his sons worked for some years two farms (Stafford Place and Hedgford) and also operated a flourmill. He was one of the first settlers (about 1854) to take up land in Marlborough. The Bluff run, upon which he started, included what were later Ugbrooke, Vernon and Wither Hills, and he was one of the first to drive sheep there from Nelson.

Redwood was a member of the Nelson Provincial Council for Waimea West (1859). He died on 19 Jun 1873. (His sons included Henry Redwood, THOMAS Redwood and FRANCIS Redwood, q.v.)

Cycl. N.Z., v; F. Redwood, Reminiscences; Cycl. N.Z., v; The Colonist, 24 Jun 1873; Nelson Evening Mail, 11 Dec 1926 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 107

🌳 Further sources

REDWOOD, HENRY (1822-1907) was born at Tixall, in Staffordshire, and was the son of Henry Redwood (q.v.), with whom he came to Nelson in the George Fyfe (1842). After farming with his father at Waimea, he took up a large farm at Spring Creek (1863), where he established a flourmill (1865). In 1863 he was elected to the Provincial Council for Waimea West, which he represented till 1869, being a member of the executive (1865-67). Brought up amongst horses, he owned and rode a mare called Tixall Lass, and other horses before coming to Nelson. His farm at Spring Creek became famous not only as an agricultural estate, but also from the fine horses that he bred there. Hedgford, his father's place at Waimea, was cropped heavily and cultivated by the most modern methods. At Spring Creek the son kept up the tradition, being one of the first settlers to use the traction engine, steam plough and reaper and binder.

In 1865, when he moved to Marlborough, he transferred the stables and stud from Hedgford to Spring Creek, where he had many years of success on the turf. Redwood began his stud with seven imported stallions (including Sir Hercules) and 20 mares. Amongst the horses which he bred or owned were Manuka, Strop, Peeress, Lurline, Bay Middleton, Zoe, Zingara, Le Loup and Flora McIvor. He frequently took horses to race in Australia. Redwood was himself a fine horseman, and a first-class shot at deer and pigeons, winning many competitions in Australia and New Zealand as a gunshot. He also sailed his own yacht, the Torea. He was a member of the Nelson Provincial Council for Tuamarina (1868). He died on 9 Nov 1907.

Nelson P.C. Proc. 1863-69; Marlborough P.C., minutes, 1868; F. Redwood; Cycl. N.Z., v; Chadwick (p); Marlborough Express, 12, 13 Nov 1907.

Reference: Volume 2, page 108

🌳 Further sources

REDWOOD, JOSEPH HENRY (1847-1918) was the son of Henry Redwood (1822-1907). He was born in Nelson, educated at the public school there, and became a jockey at the age of 14, riding his father's horses for seven years. He then went to assist on the family farm at the Wairau, and in 1870, with his brothers, took over the whole property and flourmill. The mill was driven by water power and adopted the roller system in 1885. Redwood was chairman of the Spring Creek road board for 25 years, and of the river board for 12. In 1874 he was elected to the Marlborough Provincial Council for Spring Creek, which he represented until the provinces were abolished. He was a member also of the Marlborough education board, the Wairau hospital and charitable aid board, the Marlborough land board and land purchase board, and various other local bodies.

Cycl. N.Z., v; Marlborough Express, 9 Sep 1918

Reference: Volume 2, page 108

🌳 Further sources

REDWOOD, THOMAS (1833-1918) was born in Staffordshire, the son of Henry Redwood (1794-1873). Educated at Upper Hanyard and Tixall College, Stafford, and at Ward's school in Nelson, he was brought up to farming, and in 1848 drove a flock of sheep to Wairau. Four years later he took over the management of Bank House station, leased by his father from Dr Monro, and later also the Vernon run, which he managed to 1876. He then bought Burleigh station, which he managed for 23 years, when he disposed of it and bought Woodbourne, near Renwicktown.

Redwood was member of the Marlborough Provincial Council for Clarence (1865-68), and of the provincial executive (1866-67); and was a member of the Wairau licensing committee. He owned some successful thoroughbred horses, and won the Marlborough and Wellington Cups and the Christchurch Derby (1866). He married (1863) Charlotte Eleanor (1840-1925), daughter of S. E. Grimstone. His death occurred on 11 May 1918.

Marlborough P.C., minutes and Gaz.; Cycl. N.Z., v (p); N.Z. Herald, 14 Dec 1925; Marlborough Express, 13 May 1918.

Reference: Volume 2, page 108

🌳 Further sources

REECE, WILLIAM (1856-1930) was born in Christchurch and attended the Christchurch Boys' High School. Returning in 1879 from England, where he had completed his education, he entered his father's firm, Edward Reece and Sons, ironmongery and hardware merchants. In 1880 he married Eva, daughter of Thomas Raine. Reece was a captain in the Canterbury Rifles (1888-90); and served in public life as president of the Chamber of Commerce (1890), president of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association (1898), mayor of Christchurch in the Jubilee year (1900), chairman of the Tramway Board (1903-07), commissioner of the New Zealand Exhibition (1906-07), and a member of the Prisons Board (1911-23). He was also chairman of directors of the Westport-Stockton Coal Co. and the Christchurch Gas Co., and a director of the Bank of New Zealand and of the New Zealand Shipping Co. He died on 17 Jul 1930.

Cycl. N.Z., iii; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924.

Reference: Volume 2, page 108

🌳 Further sources

REED, GEORGE McCULLAGH (1832-98) was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, and educated at Queen's College, Belfast, where he took several scholarships and graduated B.A. (1856). After being ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, he spent some time travelling on the Continent, and in 1858 came to Victoria to take charge of the North Melbourne Presbyterian Church. While there he was elected first moderator of the United Presbyterian churches of Victoria. In 1860 Reed took charge of the church at Ipswich, Queensland, and there he married Jessie Chalmers, daughter of John Ranken (squatter and police magistrate). Prompted by a strong interest in social conditions, he resigned from the ministry (1866) and contested the parliamentary seat for Ipswich against the Attorney-general (R. Pring), whom he defeated. His election was petitioned against but upheld, and he sat in the Queensland Parliament until the dissolution (May 1867). In 1870 Reed came to Auckland and started the Evening Star, in which he was joined shortly afterwards by Henry Brett (q.v.). About 1876 he sold his interest to Brett, and accepted the editorship of the Evening News, which had been established in Dunedin to defend the provincial system. In April 1876 he purchased the Otago Guardian. He induced George Fenwick to take a share in this enterprise, and they soon acquired the Otago Daily Times and Otago Witness, in which the Guardian and its weekly (the Southern Mercury) were merged (Oct 1877). When a company was formed to take them over, Fenwick became managing director and Reed editor of both papers.

In 1878 Reed accepted the position of immigration agent for New Zealand in Ireland, and went with his family to live in Belfast. Returning to New Zealand about 1881, he became associated with Rees's East Coast settlement scheme. He spent some time in Melbourne, where he was a leading contributor to the Argus, and then returned to Auckland and joined the staff of the New Zealand Herald (1884), for whom he soon afterwards went to London as English correspondent. There he started the Anglo-New Zealander. In 1886 he disposed of this property and returned to New Zealand to become editor of the Auckland Evening Bell, also contributing, under the nom de plume of 'Pollex,' to the New Zealand Herald. This connection displayed his fine talent for writing, and graceful style equally happy in pathos, eloquence and (when he cared to use it) in invective. He was described as the 'Junius of colonial journalism.' Before long he resigned from the Bell and joined the Herald. In 1889 he went to Melbourne to edit the Evening Standard, and in 1890 he was a leader writer in the Sydney Morning Herald.

In 1895 he returned to Auckland once more, and became leader-writer on the Herald and a constant contributor of regular columns under the name of 'Colonus.' In 1887 he published Calamo Currente, including the Finding of Noah's Ark (a highly successful literary hoax); and in 1896 The Angel Isafrel; a Story of Prohibition in New Zealand.

Though he was never in politics, Reed for many years wielded considerable political influence both as journalist and speaker. He did, in fact, represent Takapuna in the Auckland Provincial Council (1872-75); was a member of the executive, and in 1873 provincial secretary. In the closing months of that period he took a leading part in inducing Sir George Grey to enter provincial, and then colonial, politics. He was a member of the charitable aid board, a promoter of the Anglo-Israel association and, at the time of his death, president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Journalists' institute. He died on 13 Nov 1898.

Of his sons SIR JOHN Ranken Reed was a judge of the Supreme Court from 1921, and VERNON Herbert Reed was M.P. for Bay of Islands (1908-22) and M.L.C. (1924-31).

Auckland P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Hocken; Otago Daily Times, 9 Dec 1878, 14 Nov 1898; Saturday Advertiser 14 Dec 1878; The Press 8 Jun 1907; N.Z. Herald, 14 Nov 1898, et pass.

Reference: Volume 2, page 108

🌳 Further sources

REES, GEORGE (1810-58) was born in London, the son of a Thames pilot. He qualified in medicine and came to Port Nicholson in 1841 as surgeon in the Lord William Bentinck. Starting practice in Wanganui, he was shortly joined by his brother Joseph (1808-61), who, however, soon gave up medicine and farmed up the river. George Rees had a lucrative practice, and was also colonial surgeon and medical officer to the natives. He acquired a good deal of property in the town and district of Wanganui, and when he died (on 19 Sep 1858) he left a bequest of about £5,000 to establish an educational endowment, from which the Girls' College and the Technical College in Wanganui benefited.

Woon; T. W. Downes in The Index, Wanganui Tech. Coll., Nov 1913; Wanganui Chronicle, 20 Sep 1858.

Reference: Volume 2, page 108

🌳 Further sources

REES, WILLIAM GILBERT (1827-98) was born in Wales, the son of Commander W. L. Rees, R.N., and a cousin of Dr W. G. Grace. Educated at the Royal Naval School at New Cross with a view to joining the Royal Marines, he turned his attention to engineering and served his articles in Wales, later acting as tutor at Mount Radford School, Exmouth, Devon. In 1852 he came to Australia and managed two of R. Tooth's stations in Queensland. Returning to England in 1858, he married a daughter of G. M. Gilbert, and came to New Zealand in that year as working partner with R. Campbell, of Buscott Park. With N. von Tunzelmann he explored central Otago, being one of the first to settle on the shores of Wakatipu, where he took up 300,000 acres for the firm, including what was known as the Arrow run. The sheep were brought from Victoria and grazed at Shag Valley before being driven to the lakes. The homestead was situated on the site of Queenstown.

In 1862 Maori Jack reported the discovery of gold in the Arrow river, and the run was resumed by the Government for mining purposes, Rees removing his homestead to The Falls. The partnership expiring in 1867, he became manager of Galloway station for the Hon R. Campbell (q.v.). In 1883 he took employment under the Stock department as an inspector in south Canterbury, and subsequently in Westland, Blenheim and Wellington (1894). He died on 31 Oct 1898. Rees was a prominent cricketer and athlete, being amateur champion of south Canterbury in 1872. His daughter ISABEL (1867-94) was tennis champion of New Zealand in 1890-92.

Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Bowen; Don; Beattie, ii; A. H. Duncan, The Wakatipians; Gilkison; Otago Daily Times, 13 Nov 1898.

Reference: Volume 2, page 109

🌳 Further sources

REES, WILLIAM LEE (1836-1912) was born in Bristol, the son of Dr James Rees, who died while he was an infant. Having received private tuition in early life, Rees came to Australia as a young man, and was articled to Carrington and Cresswell, barristers and solicitors, in Melbourne. He did not complete his articles, but turned towards religion, and after the approved course of study became a minister of the Congregational Church.

After spending four years in the ministry at Melbourne and Beechworth, he resumed his legal studies and was called to the bar (1865). He practised in Melbourne for a few months, and in 1866 came to Dunedin, where he was admitted to the New Zealand bar. For three years he practised at Hokitika, and then removed to Auckland. His first brief was for the plaintiffs in the case of Whitaker and Lundon v. Graham. In the last days of provincialism Rees was elected to the Provincial Council for Auckland East (Apr 1875). Here he came into close association with Sir George Grey (then Superintendent of the province), to whom he was for a while provincial solicitor. In 1876 he was elected to Parliament for Auckland City East, and he co-operated actively with Grey in the formation of the young New Zealand party and the enunciation of a Liberal policy. Rees was offered the Attorney-generalship, but declined, proposing Stout as giving the south better representation in the ministry. During this Parliament he made a stonewalling speech of 24 hours' duration. Having moved to Napier, Rees lost ground in his constituency and was defeated in Auckland North by T. Peacock (1881). During 1879 he settled in Gisborne. Though always closely associated with Grey, and taking a large part in the formulation of the Liberal policy, especially the suffrage proposals, Rees now remained outside Parliament for ten years. In 1885 he propounded his cooperative land and labour company, and in 1888 he visited England to promote a scheme of co-operative colonisation. Rees was again elected, for City of Auckland, in 1890 and took part in launching the Liberal policy under Ballance and Seddon. He was chairman of committees (1891-93). In 1893 he accepted the challenge of Cadman to contest a seat of his own choosing. He selected the City of Auckland and was defeated, thus retiring from politics. He was chairman of the native land commission, and was for many years interested in the East Coast native lands trust.

As a writer Rees was constructive and forceful. His first book, The Coming Crisis, appeared in 1874 and his novel, Sir Gilbert Leigh, in 1878. He published also an economic essay From Poverty to Plenty (1888), The Science of Wealth in the Light of the Scriptures and (in collaboration with his daughter, Lily Rees) The Life and Times of Sir George Grey (1892). Rees married in 1863 a daughter of Opie Staite. Miss Rosemary Rees, author and actress, is a daughter. He died on 18 May 1912.

N.Z.P.D., 1876-81; 1890-93 (and 27 Jun 1912); Auckland P.C. Proc., 1875; Cycl. N.Z., ii; Rees, op. cit.; N.Z. Times, 20 May 1912; Taranaki News, 9 Dec 1890; N.Z. Herald, 27 Aug 1885.

Reference: Volume 2, page 109

🌳 Further sources

REESE, DANIEL (1841-91) was born at Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland, educated there, and trained as a carpenter and builder in the Motherwell ironworks. In 1862 he came to Canterbury in the Zealandia, worked for Joseph Bailey for a few years; visited the West Coast goldfields (1865), and started in business in Christchurch with Rankin and Greig. Later, on his own account, he built many of the outstanding buildings, including St Paul's Church, Lincoln Agricultural College, the School of Art and Holy Trinity Church. He was chairman of the West Christchurch school committee and a member of the City Council (1882-85, 1888-89).

Reese represented Stanmore in Parliament (1884-87), and was a supporter of the West Coast railway. He was a prominent oarsman, one of the four who built the Black Eagle and rowed her down the Avon and round the coast to Lyttelton, where they competed successfully at the regatta until 1874. Later he was a keen draughts player and first president of the Christchurch draughts club. He died on 4 Oct 1891.

Cycl. NZ, iii; Lyttelton Times, 5 Oct 1891. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 109

🌳 Further sources

REEVES, CHARLES STEPHEN (1836-1912), a native of Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, was educated at the Barrow and Tarvin schools in Cheshire, and in 1854 came to Victoria. Crossing to New Zealand eight years later, he settled in Dunedin, and established the firm of Reeves and Co., accountants and commission agents. In public life he was a member of the City Council (1873-76), and mayor (1876-77). He represented Dunedin in the Provincial Council (1874-76) and served as chairman of the harbour board; as a member of the land board (1879-85), as a hospital trustee and as representation commissioner (1904). In 1863 he joined the Dunedin Artillery; he was captain of the North Dunedin Rifles for nine years, and commanded the first battalion of Otago volunteers (1885-90). Reeves was a master mason and an oddfellow. He died on 29 Nov 1912.

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Otago Daily Times, 2 Dec 1912

Reference: Volume 2, page 109

🌳 Further sources

REEVES, RICHARD HARMAN JEFFARES (1836-1910), who was born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland, and educated at the Barrow Grammar School and at Tarvin, Cheshire, went to sea in the late forties, and in 1852 arrived on the Australian goldfields. Joining the rush to the West Coast of New Zealand, he was engaged as miner and storekeeper. In 1866 he was elected to represent Hokitika in the Canterbury Provincial Council, and in 1876 he was member for Grey in the Nelson Provincial Council. He served on the Westland county council from 1869. A consistent supporter of the Liberal party, Reeves sat in the House of Representatives as member for Grey Valley (1878-81), and for Inangahua (1887-93). He was defeated by P. J. O'Regan. In 1895 he was called to the Legislative Council, and in 1905 he was reappointed. He was chairman of committees for some years, and acting-speaker in 1905. In Westport he was a member of the harbour board. His death occurred on 1 Jun 1910.

N.Z.P.D., pass. (notably 26 Jun 1910); Cycl. N.Z., v (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 109

🌳 Further sources

REEVES, WILLIAM (1825-91) was born at Clapham, London, his father being in the civil service. He received his education at a private school in London and entered the service of Kennard's Bank as a clerk. After a few years there he went on the stock exchange, where he was fairly successful.

Reeves married (1853) Ellen, daughter of John Ross Pember, of Clapham Park. They sailed for New Zealand in the Rose of Sharon, and reached Lyttelton on 25 Jan 1857. His first occupation in the Colony was as a clerk in the customs, followed by farming at Fernside, Rangiora, in company with C. O. Torlesse, for whom he managed the place for a year or two. He was associated with Hamilton Ward for a while, and then returned to Christchurch and started a carrying business. Most of the merchandise for Christchurch was taken by sea over the Sumner bar and landed in the river at Ferrymead, whence it had to be carted into Christchurch. After a year or two of this life Reeves joined Crosbie Ward and W. J. W. Hamilton in taking over Bowen's interest in the Lyttelton Times. He and Ward were actively associated with the paper, and when it was formed into a company Reeves became manager. He wrote regularly to the leading columns in a plain, straightforward style, simple, clear and grammatical. Ward and Reeves were personal friends, and generally saw eye to eye on public questions. When Ward resigned from Parliament (1867) Reeves won the seat (Avon) but resigned in the following year in order to give his whole time to the paper. Early in 1871 he stood for Selwyn against Stevens (in the protection interest), the main issue being the duty of sixpence a bushel on Australian wheat, which the farmers of Canterbury felt to be essential to their welfare. Reeves won by a single vote, and had the satisfaction of seeing the duty reimposed during his term in Parliament. He was a strong supporter of the Fox Government, and when the office of Resident Minister for the Middle Island was instituted (in 1871) he was appointed to the post, which he held until the defeat of the Government in the following year. When Vogel came to power in 1872, Reeves declined to take office or the chairmanship of committees. He supported Vogel's railway policy, but in a year or two definitely fell out with Vogel on the question of the abolition of the provinces, and crossed the floor of the House, in company with O'Rorke, as a protest against the proposed changes (Aug 1874). "It is a shameful thing," he said, "that such a measure as this can be introduced in a fit of temper, and that great constitutional changes may be due simply to the passing humours of the head of the government." At the general election in 1875-76 Reeves was defeated by Fitzroy by a narrow majority on the abolition issue. He did not again stand for Parliament, but was called to the Legislative Council by the Stout-Vogel Government in 1884. Though a natural orator, he was nervous and diffident when speaking, and he had a reserve which did not assist him with the public. He recognised that he had entered politics too late in life to be successful. He was always a Liberal, and lived to see his son (W. P. Reeves, q.v.) holding office in a Liberal government. In the life of the city of Christchurch Reeves took his part. He did much to encourage education, and was on the board of governors of Canterbury College (1879-91). He was passionately fond of music, and was president of the Christchurch Musical Society. His interest in native fauna and flora was lifelong. In the Legislative Council he spoke strongly against the importation of stoats and weasels as likely to prey on bird life. At the Canterbury Jockey Club meeting in 1876 Reeves's horse Daniel O'Rourke won the New Zealand Derby and the New Zealand Cup for Patrick Campbell.

A very good business man, Reeves assisted to promote a number of companies in Christchurch. For years he was a director of the New Zealand Shipping Co., which he helped to form. He was chairman in 1875, but disagreeing with the introduction of steam, he resigned from the board (1882). He was a promoter of the Union Insurance Co. and on the board throughout, and was also on the local board of the Mutual Life Association of Australia from the time it started business in Canterbury. As managing director of the Lyttelton Times Co., he took a great interest in the welfare of its employees. He was the first chairman of the United Press Association of New Zealand, and presided till his death (on 4 Apr 1891).

Family information from W. P. Reeves; Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Acland; Lyttelton Times, 6 Apr 1891, 11 Jan 1926; The Press, 6 Apr 1891, 30 Aug 1980 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 110

🌳 Further sources

REEVES, WILLIAM PEMBER (1857-1932) was born at Lyttelton on 10 Feb 1857, just over six years after the first Canterbury settlers arrived at that port, and before Christchurch had ousted Lyttelton as the chief centre of the settlement. He was the son of the Hon William Reeves (q.v.). During his boyhood English, provincial and colonial politics were familiar topics of conversation, and political discussion was carried on at a high level in the infant colony. In England Gladstonian Liberalism was coming into its full strength; there was much talk of democratic equality, of the second reform bill, of the rights of trade unionism and of educational reform. The colonists in New Zealand followed these controversies with the keenest interest, though with a long time lag. It was the period of letter-writing, of lengthy discussions in pamphlets and in the quarterlies. The first great scientific agnostics were challenging religious articles of faith. Though the material environment in New Zealand was at a crude pioneer stage, intellectual activity ran high. Christ's College grammar school, established soon after the settlers arrived (1850-51), was giving sound classical instruction on English public school lines by the time that Reeves was ready to attend it (1867). The home in which Reeves grew up was a centre of political and literary discussion. His father represented local constituencies in the House of Representatives (1867-68 and 1871-75). In 1869-72 he was in the Fox cabinet, and in 1871-72 was resident minister for the Middle Island. Both his father and mother were typical pioneer colonists, drawn from west-country upper middle-class families. From this stimulating environment Reeves emerged a sensitive, cultivated young man. He had a normal love of games and represented his province both at cricket and at Rugby football. He was senior Somes scholar (1873) and New Zealand University scholar (1874). Having matriculated in 1874, Reeves left Christ's College and went to England with the intention of taking a degree at Oxford, but he became ill and returned to New Zealand. He was admitted as a barrister and solicitor and acted as reporter to the Canterbury Law Society, but was soon attracted to journalism and joined the literary staff of the Lyttelton Times. To this paper he contributed articles which later became his first published work: An Introduction to the History of Communism and Socialism. These were brief descriptions of Utopias and are significant only as showing the way in which his political ideas were tending. He was for a while editor of the Canterbury Times, and in 1889 was appointed to the editorial chair of the Lyttelton Times. His main interests were, however, political, and in 1887 he was elected to Parliament as liberal member for St Albans.

Though the rest of his life was to be dominated by political activity, he retained a keen interest in literature. Before leaving New Zealand he published, in collaboration with G. P. Williams, two volumes of verse, Colonial Couplets (1889) and In Double Harness (1891). Much of this was light political or social satire, and some was rather of the undergraduate level; but in his best verse Reeves attained fair descriptive quality. In 1898 he published in London New Zealand and Other Poems, containing the hymn to New Zealand, which, with "The Passing of the Forest," is perhaps the best of his work. In the hymn there is abundant evidence of the humane temper that made him a pioneer of political and social reforms. His prose, however, is better than his poetry, much of the writing in The Long White Cloud reaching a very high level. He is best known by his writings descriptive of the social experiments in which he took so large a share. Indeed, he once said to the present writer that his success as an author had prevented him gaining recognition as a statesman. The best-known and most readable of his books, perhaps the best book ever written on New Zealand, is The Long White Cloud. He had an exciting and dramatic story to tell of the early days of white settlement. Later scholars, working meticulously over the historical records that were not available to Reeves, have corrected many of his statements; but none has approached him in the dramatic quality of his writing and the clarity of his prose. He took a little too easily the point of view of the colonists in their struggle with the Colonial Office. We know now that the permanent officials in London were neither stupid nor obstructive in their protection of Maori interests against the clamour of colonists eager for land. The later story of the social experiments in which he himself played a prominent part also needs supplementing. Written soon after the heat of the battle, it states a strong case against the land-owning "squattocracy." He was indeed regarded in many quarters as a renegade from his class. Something of the political struggle gets into the first edition of The Long White Cloud, but it was pruned out later. The third and last edition, published in 1924, is noteworthy for the care he took to draw pen-portraits of his political contemporaries. These he himself regarded as one of his most important contributions to New Zealand history. The new matter in this edition, written by a collaborator, does not reveal either Reeves's political penetration or the qualities of his style.

In 1902 his two-volume study of State Experiments in Australia and New Zealand was published. It is a careful and documented description of the movements towards electoral reform, closer land settlement, labour regulation, old-age pensions, immigration control and liquor legislation that swept these colonies from 1881 onwards. While it does not always give the popular origins of such reforms as old-age pensions, and is apt to present them as inventions of an enlightened political leadership, it remains a mine of information concerning the actual period studied. It was reprinted by photographic process in 1923 and never revised. Most of the substantial journal articles which Reeves wrote were incorporated in this volume, which gives his considered first-hand account of the first period of legislative experiment. It is noteworthy that there is no "state socialism" to be recorded. Reeves was a Liberal, and the experiments for which he was largely responsible were humane rather than doctrinaire. These experiments attracted much attention in England, on the Continent and in the United States. The legend of New Zealand as an innovating country of radical legislation persisted long after government had passed into the hands of Conservatives. In large part it was due to the fact that foreign investigators found their chief source of information and ideas in the urbane and versatile minister who was almost the only social theorist of his party. This fact, together with the influence of his own writings, spread a view of New Zealand radicalism that survived for two or three decades after the temper of the New Zealand Parliament had completely changed. Reeves represented St Albans (1887-90) and City of Christchurch (1890-96). His career as a minister was very short. He entered Ballance's Liberal-Labour ministry in 1891 as Minister of Education and Justice. In 1892 he became the first Minister of Labour, transferring the portfolio of Justice to Cadman. He was again Minister of Labour, Education and Justice in Seddon's ministry till in 1896 he was appointed Agent-general for the Colony in London. It was a strange combination that held together the astute, domineering and comparatively unlettered Premier and his urbane Minister of Labour. Seddon was a man of the people, graduated from local to colonial politics, rugged, overbearing and herculean in his dogged strength. In debate he used bludgeons where Reeves's wit flashed like a rapier. Stout, the other outstanding intellectual of the Liberal Party, was never able to combine with Seddon, and it was perhaps with some reason that Reeves left the ministry in 1896. The three years' partnership, however, was a fruitful one. It is difficult to say how much Reeves contributed to the general body of legislation concerned with breaking up the great landholdings, though he was clearly in full sympathy with the measures of graduated taxation and compulsory powers that were taken. As Minister of Education he was liberal and enlightened; but his chief claim to political fame rests upon the conciliation and arbitration act, in which for the first time in any country not only was trade unionism given legal encouragement, but provision was made for compulsory arbitration of labour disputes. The regulation of factory conditions and the stamping-out of the sweated conditions of home labour that had been revealed by the 1890 inquiry owed much to his ingenuity and persistence; but his name is connected most with arbitration. He was himself proudest of this achievement, and extremely disappointed when the act was emasculated just before his death in 1932. He did not live to see it restored and strengthened by the Labour Government.

In London Reeves was an efficient Agent-general until 1909, and during that time was closely in touch with social reform movements in England. Some of the anonymous Fabian pamphlets were written by him, and he enjoyed a considerable reputation in Fabian circles as a man who had actually carried through social legislation. He was an attractive and witty speaker, with a gift for epigram and apt quotation, and soon became one of the most popular after-dinner speakers in London. Like many other colonial statesmen, he had ambitions to enter British political life, but these he could never realise for lack of sufficient income. He did, however, influence in some degree the trend of Liberal policies, and in still greater degree the shaping of labour policies while they were still the subject of discussion in intellectual circles outside of practical politics. In 1908 he became Director of the London School of Economics. He gave his full time to that work from 1909 till 1917, when he became chairman of directors of the National Bank of New Zealand, continuing as part-time director of the School till 1920. The School was a comparatively new venture when he took it over as the third director, and was still very much under the influence of Sidney Webb. Graham Wallas, another of the original Fabian essayists, was professor of political science, and Edwin Cannan was teaching economics there; a fact which enabled Reeves to refer on one occasion to the army class, which had come somewhat reluctantly at Haldane's behest to take economics, "seeking the bubble reputation, even in the Cannan's mouth." He was a fellow of London University. Reeves devoted much time towards the end of his life to the chairmanship of the Anglo-Hellenic League. For this work he was given an honorary degree by the University of Athens (1919) and was decorated by the King of Greece as a Knight of the Redeemer (1914). He also served as a representative of New Zealand at various international conferences, and was a member of the royal commission on shipping rings, as well as the commercial intelligence committee of the Board of Trade.

To cite references to him, his political achievements and his writings would involve mentioning most of the studies of the first period of legislative experiment in New Zealand. It is curious that this man of wide culture and literary ability, the product of intense intellectual activity in a small and remote English colony, should have as his most enduring achievement a pioneer piece of labour legislation. To those who knew him in later life he was an urbane and courtly figure, invariably generous and encouraging to youthful effort; but in fact his ambitions were political rather than literary. Perhaps he was too sensitive and of too fine a temper for the rough-and-tumble of practical politics; but the driving force of his life was the desire expressed in his own verses to contribute towards the building in a new and beautiful land of a kindlier society.

Reeves married (1885) Magdalen Stuart, daughter of W. S. Robison (Christchurch). He died on 16 May 1932. B.C.

N.Z.P.D., 1887-96 and 23 Sep 1932; Reeves, op. cit.; Condliffe; Rossignol and Stewart; Scholefield, N.Z. Evol.; Saunders; Gisborne; Christ's Coll. List.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Dict. Social Sciences; H. D. Lloyd, A Country Without Strikes, 1900, Newest England, 1900; Caro Lloyd, Henry Demarest Lloyd, 1912; S. and B. Webb, Industrial Democracy, 1897; Aust. Rev. of Rev., iii, 255; Otago Witness, 2 Nov 1893; N.Z. Herald, 15 Jul 1893; Christchurch Times (p), The Times (p), 17 May 1932; Evening Post, 17 May and 27 Jun 1932; N.Z. Graphic, 27 Aug 1892, (p). Portrait: Parliament House; London School of Economics.

Reference: Volume 2, page 111

🌳 Further sources

REGNAULT, PETER (1856-1928) was born at St Brieuc, Brittany, and educated at the lycées of St Méen and Glouguernével. He studied philosophy at St Brieuc and, having joined the Marist order (1881), he studied at Dublin and Dundalk and was for a while professor at Senlis and Montluçon. In 1886 he joined the mission in New Zealand, where he was first curate at Timaru and afterwards at Hokitika. He was priest at Waimate from 1889 until 1907, when he was appointed provincial of the Society of Mary for New Zealand. He was at St Mary's, Wellington, for seven years, and was afterwards administrator to the Archbishop. Dean Regnault founded the Marist band of missionaries in 1908. He died on 26 Jan 1928.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Evening Post, 27 Jan 1928 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 111

🌳 Further sources

REID, ALEXANDER (1821-91) was born at Edinburgh, and spent his childhood in Glasgow. After leaving school at the age of 11, he was engaged for some years in forestry and horticulture, meanwhile studying at night school. Bent on entering the teaching profession, he spent some time at Glasgow Training College and was one of the earliest teachers trained under Dr David Stow's system. Out of 70 applicants he was appointed master at a Wesleyan day school. He taught at Glasgow, Oxford and Bath (where he married).

By birth and education a Presbyterian, he accepted the Arminianism of Methodism, and joined the Methodist Church. He was accepted for its ministry in 1848, and was sent to Perth. As his preference was for mission work he was designated for Africa, but a request having been received for two ministers for New Zealand, his course was diverted and he sailed with Joseph Fletcher in 1849. Reid took charge of the training institution for native teachers at Three Kings, receiving from his predecessor (H. H. Lawry) a class of 160 scholars. He threw himself with great zeal and success into the work; grounding his pupils thoroughly in the English language, religious training and industrial pursuits. Meanwhile he had acquired a mastery of the Maori language. He was early impressed by the idealism of the King movement and, believing he could work with success amongst the Waikato tribes, he resigned his teaching position in 1858 and accepted charge of the mission at Te Kopua, on the Waipa river (in succession to Buttle and Buddle). Reid initiated sheep-farming on a practical scale, and induced the natives to send their wool to market in Auckland. He tried to restrain the Ngati-Maniapoto from taking part in the Taranaki war. He deprecated Europeans making war upon the Maori, and fully sympathised with the native desire for self-government with the initiation of law and order. As the movement took a stronger form in opposition to the authority of the Queen he felt it getting out of hand, and when the Ngati-Maniapoto advised him that they could no longer protect the mission he reluctantly withdrew (1863). For a while he devoted himself to the spiritual welfare of the soldiers, and then he was appointed to a post in New Plymouth. While there Mrs Reid died (on 23 Nov 1864) and he married again (on 5 Dec 1866).

Reid was sent in turn to Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, then back to Christchurch and again to Auckland. In 1885 he again became head of the training institution, in succession to Buddle. In 1881 he was delegate to the Oecumenical Methodist conference, and in the following year visited the Holy Land. He was president of the New Zealand Wesleyan conference in 1876, and was a member of the revising committee for the translation of the Scripture into Maori. In 1885 he visited Fiji to share in the celebration of the mission jubilee. During his later years in Auckland Reid was secretary of the home mission fund and a member of the council of Auckland University College. He was a man of highest integrity and earnestness, and as a missionary showed an outstanding degree of self-sacrifice. He died on 25 Aug 1891.

Information from M. A. R. Pratt; Morley: N.Z. Methodist; N.Z. Herald, 26 Aug 1891.

Reference: Volume 2, page 112

🌳 Further sources

REID, CHARLES (1828-97) was born in Edinburgh, and came to New Zealand in the late forties. For some time he followed his calling as a bricklayer, and then became clerk of the Dunedin town board. In 1862 he started in business as a commission agent, and in 1867 he established the Standard Property Investment Society, of which he was manager till 1885. He also founded the Standard Insurance Co. and managed it for some years, besides being interested in several terminating building societies. He acted as shorthand reporter of the proceedings of the Otago Provincial Council for the Otago Witness and for many years he contributed comical and satirical notes to that journal. Reid lived for some years in San Francisco, where he died in Sep 1897.

Otago Daily Times, 8 Oct 1897.

Reference: Volume 2, page 112

🌳 Further sources

REID, DONALD (1833-1919) was born at Newton Farm, Strathtay, Perthshire. He was educated at Burns's academy in Edinburgh, and afterwards at Daniel Stewart's endowed school in his native village. At the age of 15 he sailed for New Zealand in the Mary, and after calling at New Plymouth, Nelson, and Wellington, he landed on 10 Apr 1849 at Port Chalmers. His first employment was on Valpy's farm at Forbury.

For his first three years in Otago Reid worked at harvesting in the summer and cutting and splitting timber in the winter. His determination was to be a farmer and he was able in 1852, out of his earnings, to buy 20 acres in south Dunedin, about where the benevolent institution was later erected. In the following year he acquired 180 acres of swampy land, on which in later years arose the suburbs of South Dunedin and St Kilda. After farming here for three years he sold out, and in 1857 purchased the farm at Taieri which he called Salisbury and occupied until 1912. Reid was a good farmer and a far-seeing forester, and in time he made Salisbury a model estate of 6,300 acres, well grassed and with extensive plantations, mainly of bluegums raised by himself. Shortly after he had settled down here the diggings broke out (1861) and Reid, in view of the difficulty in keeping farm labour, made a bargain with his men to stay with him until the summer work was over, on the understanding that they should all go together for the winter months, he providing transport, equipment and rations. Accordingly they took up a claim together and had more than the average run of luck. But seeing that more was to be made by providing for the needs of the miners, he commenced carrying farm produce and stores to the fields, making one trip with a bullock dray each way per week to Gabriel's by way of Maungatua and Waipori. For the first few trips he got as much as £100 per ton freight. Reid made his first appearance in public life in 1858 as a warden for the Taieri hundred. Five years later he was elected to the Provincial Council for the Taieri. He was not a fluent speaker, but improved greatly with experience, and in later years he could make a telling speech on the platform and was a formidable debater. He represented Taieri throughout the provincial period, being four times elected, and at the end he was a stalwart defender of the provincial system in Parliament. His convictions on the land question dictated his political actions. He strongly advocated liberalising the regulations so as to make it easy for good men of moderate means to get land, and he was one of the earliest advocates of the deferred-payment system. In 1866 he assisted to pass new regulations through the Council, and in that year he was elected to represent Taieri in Parliament. Here again he furthered his views by every means in his power, taking a leading part in his first year in the passing of the land act. In 1868 he became provincial secretary and treasurer for the first time; only for two days on this occasion, but he came back to office in May 1869 and (except for 1872-74) remained in office until the abolition.

In 1869 Reid resigned his seat in Parliament, but he was again elected in 1871, and continued as member for Taieri until Jun 1878, when he resigned for good. He was throughout a strong supporter of Stafford, and was for a few weeks in 1872 his Minister of Public Works. In 1871 Reid contested the superintendency of Otago against Macandrew, mainly on the land question. In certain districts he gained a majority, but the town vote defeated him: Macandrew 3,242, Reid 2,950. This was his only defeat in politics. In 1871 he carried amended land regulations in the Council, providing for the sale of land on deferred payment, and next year he carried a land act through Parliament. In the beginning of 1877, having fought centralism to the last ditch, Reid found himself Minister of Lands and Immigration in the reconstructed Atkinson cabinet.

There he introduced the first general land act for the colony, which consolidated the provincial regulations and extended deferred payments to Southland and Canterbury. The Government was defeated in Oct but the Grey Ministry adopted the bill, which was fathered by Stout and Macandrew, and duly became law.

Though still comparatively a young man, Reid now felt that he had made a worthy contribution to politics and should pay more attention to his own affairs in the interests of his family. He retired from Parliament in 1878 and commenced a stock and station business in Vogel street, which flourished under his careful administration. He remained at its head until 1918. In 1912 he sold his farm at the Taieri and bought a place near Abbotsford, where he lived for the rest of his days. He took a deep interest in the Otago harbour board (of which he was one of the first members), and strongly advocated the deepening of the channel to the upper harbour. In later years he took an interest in the Otago Early Settlers Association, of which he was president.

Reid married first (1854) Frances (d. 1868), daughter of John Barr (Mavis Bank). In 1873 he married Sarah Gordon, widow of the Rev E. H. Price, of New South Wales, and at that time teaching on the staff of the Girls High School. Reid died on 7 Feb 1919. (See DONALD REID 1855-1920.)

Family information from Miss E. N. Reid; Otago P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., 29 Aug, 2 Sep 1919; Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Otago Daily Times, 24 Nov 1875, 8 Feb 1919, 1 Aug 1930 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 112

🌳 Further sources

REID, DONALD (1850-1922) was born at Dunedin, the son of Charles Reid (q.v.) and nephew of Donald Reid (q.v.). He was educated at Livingstone's school and the Otago Boys' High School (1863-68) and articled to G. K. Turton. Having qualified in law he began to practise at Milton in 1874. He was mayor of the borough (1879-80) and again (1894-98), retiring to visit England. In 1885 he was elected M.H.R. for Bruce, defeating J.C. Anderson, J. McDonald and W. Hutchison, but at the following general election he was defeated by Anderson. Reid was an enthusiastic volunteer. For many years he commanded the Bruce Rifles and he won many trophies for marksmanship. He married (1885) Alice Charlotte, daughter of Francis C. Fulton (Napier). Reid died on 3 Sep 1922.

N.Z.P.D., 1885-87 (and 7 Sep 1922); Otago B.H.S. Reg.; Evening Star, 4 Sep 1922

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

🌳 Further sources

REID, DONALD (1855-1920) was born at Caversham, Dunedin, the eldest son of Donald Reid (1833-1919, q.v.) and of Frances, daughter of John Barr. Educated at the Taieri school and Otago University, he entered the law office of Smith and Anderson, Dunedin, in 1874. After being admitted to the bar (1880), he practised in partnership with his brother until 1889, when he joined the firm of Donald Reid and Co., of which his father was head. In 1897 he resumed legal practice. Reid sat in the House of Representatives for Taieri (1902-08). He married (1906) Catherine Agnes, only daughter of David McMillan, of Southbridge, Canterbury. Reid was a keen student of economics and a supporter of bi-metallism, being for a time secretary of the New Zealand Bimetallic League. He wrote many articles on this subject. He was a deacon in Knox Church, and was president of the Roslyn branch of the Workers' Educational Association. He died on 25 Aug 1920.

N.Z.P.D., 1902-08, and 31 Aug 1920; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Otago Daily Times, 1 Aug 1930. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

🌳 Further sources

REID, JAMES (1838-1920) was born at Carmyllie, Forfarshire, Scotland, and educated at Arbroath High School. After teaching for three years at Podge school, Carmyllie, he entered the Edinburgh Training College in 1860 with a Queen's scholarship, and then spent a year in training at Moray House. After teaching in Scottish schools until 1865, he came to New Zealand as first assistant in the Auckland High School. From 1868 to 1870 he was amalgamator to the Wha Gold Mining Co., Thames, and in 1871 he went to Otago to resume teaching. He was appointed in 1880 rector of the Tokomairiro district high school, of which he was in control till his retirement in 1906. Reid was a sound classical scholar and a courageous modernist. In 1880 he introduced the teaching of chemistry, and in 1881 woodwork classes. In 1885, after consulting the education board, he introduced other technical subjects, and later he instituted commercial classes and home science. Reid died on 16 Nov 1920.

Cycl. NZ., iv; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Scholefield, Tokomairiro District High School (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

🌳 Further sources

REID, JOHN (1829-1912) was born at Longside, Aberdeenshire, and arrived in Otago by the Pudsey Dawson in 1854. He joined the provincial survey department in 1858, became chief draughtsman and then started as a storekeeper and goldbuyer at Waitahuna, afterwards with Captain Sutter (q.v.). In 1866 he established a business with his brother, G. F. Reid, and Edward Herbert as buyers and forwarding agents. In 1868 they purchased the business of Cain, Munro and Co. of Timaru, from which Reid sold out in a few years. In 1870 he bought the Corner Bush estate at Merton, which he greatly improved. Moving to Dunedin, he entered into partnership with J. W. and George S. Duncan as land surveyors, civil engineers and estate agents. They carried out government contracts in Canterbury and Otago and for the West Taieri and Henley river boards and built the Roslyn and Mornington cable tramways. In 1885 George Duncan withdrew to undertake the Melbourne tramway construction, and Reid carried on the firm as John Reid and Sons until his death (on 30 Jul 1912). In 1878 Reid acquired an interest in the Monte Christo estate, where he had a model farm and bred Shropshire sheep. He was on several river and road boards, and was a director of the Colonial Bank during its first years, chairman of the Standard Fire and Marine Insurance Co., and a member of the Presbyterian Church board of property.

Otago Daily Times, 12 Aug 1912

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

🌳 Further sources

REID, JOHN (1835-1912), who was born near Stirling, Scotland, entered commercial life in Glasgow. In 1853 he emigrated to Australia, and 10 years later crossed to New Zealand. He settled in 1865 on the Elderslie estate in north Otago, the area of which he increased to 34,000 acres. He stocked it at first with merinos and later with long-woolled sheep. Reid was a member of the Waitaki county council, the Otago waste lands board (1868-72), the Oamaru road board and harbour board; was twice president of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral association; was a founder of the Colonial Bank; a governor of the Waitaki High School (1882-87), and a railway commissioner (from 1880). In 1887 he contested a seat in Parliament. To encourage the frozen meat trade and break the monopoly of the shipping companies Reid persuaded Turnbull, Martin and Co. to purchase the steamer Elderslie, and he freely supported the experiment by sending his own sheep forward. With J. T. Thomson Reid made a valuable report on the conservation of New Zealand forests. He married (1855) Agnes, daughter of James Humphries, of Paisley. He died on 16 Aug 1912.

His son, JOHN BENNIE REID (1861-1930), was a well-known racing owner, some of his successful horses being Wolverine, Skirmisher and Gladsome. He raced with success also in Australia and England. J. B. Reid was a director of the National Bank of New Zealand.

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Critchal and Raymond; K. C. McDonald; Otago Daily Times, 9 Sept 1912, 12 Jan 1930; Evening Star, 27 Sep 1887.

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

🌳 Further sources

REID, ROBERT CALDWELL (1832-97) was born in the north of Scotland, where his father owned the John o' Groats Journal. He left for Victoria in the early fifties, spent some time there and then came to the West Coast goldfields. He bought sections at Greymouth which he sold at a profit, and followed the rush to Okarito. There and at Hokitika he acted as storekeeper and as gold buyer for the Bank of New Zealand. In 1862 he accompanied the Otago expedition to the West Coast Sounds, which he described in Rambles on the Golden Coast (1884). Reid was associated with the West Coast Times, the New Zealander (Wellington), the Dunedin Herald, the Greymouth Star and the Westport News. He married (1869) Emily, daughter of James Manning (Dunedin). In the same year he represented Buller in the Nelson Provincial Council. He was chairman of the first school committee in Hokitika (1874). He was M.H.R. for Hokitika (1879-81), Seddon being the other member. In 1879 he was a member of the Young New Zealand Party. Reid died on 18 Mar 1897.

Parltry Record; Col. Gent.; Nelson P.C. Proc.; Preshaw; Reid, op. cit.; Hindmarsh; Harrop, Westland; Grey River Argus, 20 Mar 1897. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

🌳 Further sources

REID, WALTER SCOTT (1839-1920), born in Edinburgh, was the son of Captain James Reid, of the 45th Regiment, who was a staff officer in Tasmania in 1852. Educated in Scotland and in Tasmania, he was admitted to the bar in 1862. In 1865 he came to New Zealand and started to practise in Wellington. He was registrar of deeds for Southland for some months and then went into partnership with C. E. Button (q.v.) in Hokitika.

Reid was elected a member of the Westland county council and education board. After four years as assistant law officer in Wellington, he was appointed Solicitor-general in 1875 and he drafted the abolition of the provinces act 1875 and the education act 1877. He assisted in the consolidation of the statutes which was published by the Government in 1881 and adapted the criminal code (passed in 1893). In 1882 he served on the judicature commission, which prepared the code of procedure for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Until he retired (in 1900) Reid was chairman of the boards of the Public Trust office and of the Government Insurance department. He was a member of the commission which considered the advisability of New Zealand joining the Commonwealth of Australia and was appointed chairman of the land commission (1905) but did not act. Reid refused a seat on the Supreme Court bench. He died on 1 Feb 1920.

Cycl. NZ., i; Who's Who NZ., 1908; Evening Post, 3 Feb 1920.

Reference: Volume 2, page 113

🌳 Further sources

REISCHEK, ANDREAS (1845-1902) was born at Linz in Austria, the son of a tax-collector. After a few years of schooling he was apprenticed to a baker, who took him on nature study excursions. In the war of 1866 he fought in the Tyrol. Having married (1875), Reischek settled in Vienna as a taxidermist. In 1877 he accepted Hochstetter's invitation to go to New Zealand as assistant to Von Haast in arranging the newly-opened Christchurch Museum. The engagement was for two years, but it was 12 years before Reischek returned to his home. During this time he arranged the museums in Christchurch, Auckland and Wanganui, and a number of private collections, and made eight extended expeditions (with his dog Caesar) in New Zealand and the adjacent islands, carrying out a careful study of the flora and fauna. In 1889 he returned to Austria with his valuable collection, which was presented to the nation and housed in the state museum. Some years later he was appointed superintendent of the Francis-Caroline Museum in Linz, where he died on 8 Apr 1902. For his work he was elected a fellow of the Linnean Society. Many of his articles were published in the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. The English edition of his book Yesterdays in Maoriland appeared in 1930.

Trans. N.Z. Inst., pass.; Reischek, op. cit. (p); N.Z. Herald, 16 Apr, 16 Jul 1887, 10 Mar, 5 May, 3 Jul 1888, 2 Apr 1891, 6 Apr, 17 Dec 1892; Otago Daily Times, 10 May 1926, 10 Jan 1885.

Reference: Volume 2, page 114

🌳 Further sources

REMINGTON, ARTHUR EDWARD (1856-1909), who was born in New Plymouth, was educated at a private school in Jersey (Channel Islands). Returning to New Zealand, he established himself as a chemist in Bulls. He was chairman of the Bulls town board (1879-90), a member of the Rangitikei county council (1881-91), and of the Wanganui hospital board (1887-91). After moving to Hunterville, he was elected chairman of the Hunterville town board (1905-06) and he was a member of the House of Representatives for Rangitikei from 1902 until his death on 17 Aug 1909.

N.Z.P.D., 7 Oct 1909; N.Z. Chess Book, 1922; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z. Times, 18 Aug 1909. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 114

🌳 Further sources

RENALL, ALFRED WILLIAM (1813-1902) was born at Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, and came to New Zealand with his father in the Martha Ridgway (1840). Having previously had some experience as a carpenter and miller, he found employment in Port Nicholson for some years. Then he took up bush land in the Hutt valley. About 1849 he completed a mill which Charles Mabey had commenced to build, and in 1850 started the first watermill in the valley, which he worked for many years with success. The flood of 1858 destroyed his mill, and with other settlers he petitioned Grey to make land in the Wairarapa available for settlement. As a leading member of the Small Farms association he chose his sections in Masterton, and had to do with the formation of Greytown also. In Masterton he erected a mill, with three sets of stones and other equipment from the Ngahauranga and Taita mills. It was opened in 1862 and worked for many years. Renall represented Hutt in Parliament (1858-66). In 1853-57 he represented the same constituency in the Provincial Council and in 1866 he was returned for Wairarapa West, which he represented till 1873, being chairman of committees in 1869. In 1863 he established the first road board in Masterton, of which he was chairman and engineer. He was later a member of the town board, sketched out the boundaries of the borough, and was several times mayor. He was a justice of the peace from 1859. Renall died on 31 Jan 1902.

Carter; Cycl. N.Z., i; Ward; N.Z. Times, 2 Feb 1902.

Reference: Volume 2, page 114

🌳 Further sources

RENNIE, ALEXANDER (1811-89) was born at Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire. He received a fair education; was taught the tailoring trade, and practised it on his own account in his native village for some years. Rennie sailed for New Zealand in the Phoebe Dunbar (Jul 1850). Arriving in Oct, he entered upon his own trade in Dunedin, but associated with it the business of a seedsman, of which he had gained some knowledge. He imported seeds from Scotland and was especially successful in the distribution of the yellow turnip for which Aberdeen was famous. An advertisement in the Otago Witness in 1851 reads: 'The subscriber has for sale a quantity of turnip seed which consists of six of the most approved kinds of that article. They were raised at Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire, a place celebrated for producing turnip seed.' A man of great public spirit and unwavering loyalty to his opinions, Rennie was a 'thorough voluntary.' He believed it was no part of the duty of the state to provide religious instruction for the young. On this he came into collision with the stalwarts of the Otago settlement, which was founded upon state provision for religion and education. He was never a popular man, and did not aspire to be a political leader. Quite early he opposed with all his power the suggestion of the provincial executive to grant lands in Dunedin for a church and parsonage for the Church of England. He opposed the provision in the Otago education ordinance for religious instruction in schools; and by the same reasoning the clauses in the Colonial education act which prohibited the teaching of the Bible as part of the school course had his full concurrence. Rennie had no difficulty in being elected to the first Provincial Council as a member for Dunedin City, which he represented for six years (1853-59). In the succeeding four years he represented Central, and for three years (1863-66) Taieri, where he was at that time engaged in farming. For two years, 1861-63, he presided over the Council as speaker, and in 1865 he was a member of the provincial executive. In 1855 he was a member of the old Dunedin town board.

Selling his farm in 1865, Rennie paid a visit to the Old Country, and on returning he lived privately, taking a constant interest in philanthropic and social questions. Throughout life he directed much energy towards the total abstinence movement. In 1855 he was president of the Otago Maine law league, the form that organised temperance took at that time. One of his hobbies was the Otago benevolent institution, with which he was associated from its earliest years, and of which he was a trustee (1869-89). Here again his opinions brought him strong opposition, and even contumely. He refused to consent to an illegitimate child being admitted to the institution, and strained every rule to prevent the institution handing over a child to the custody of its father, against whom nothing could be alleged morally except that he was a freethinker. Rennie devoted himself with zeal to church and Sunday school, and was intimately associated with Dr Stuart and Knox Church as an elder. He died on 2 Jun 1889.

Otago P.C. Proc.; Hocken, Otago; Otago Daily Times, 3 Jun 1889, 28 Jun 1930 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 114

🌳 Further sources

RENWICK, THOMAS (1818-79) was born at Dumfries and educated at Edinburgh, where he graduated M.D. After practising for some years in Kent, he made one voyage to India as surgeon to a passenger ship and in 1842 came to New Zealand as surgeon-superintendent of the Thomas Harrison. Renwick settled in Nelson and had a wide medical practice. In 1846 he was present as an onlooker at the capture of Ruapekapeka pa. In 1848 he took up the Dumgree estate in Marlborough, which was managed for him by George MacRae. He took a prominent part in the life of the province and was one of the first members for Nelson and Suburbs City in the Provincial Council (1853-61). For some years he was chairman of the hospital committee. In 1863 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until his death on 28 Nov 1879.

Cycl. NZ, v (p); Carleton, ii, 127; Buick, Marlborough. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 114

🌳 Further sources

REREPU, PAORA, was a distinguished Mohaka chief in the early days of the Colony. His father was once tied up during a dispute as to the chiefship, but lived to be accepted as chief of Mohaka. He was descended from Kahungunu through Tutekahikura. Rerepu took a leading part in the defence of the East Coast against the invasion of the Hauhau, and in May 1866 he received the surrender of Te Waru and his party. His son Ropihana was one of the garrison of Te Huki pa when it was sacked by Te Kooti (Apr 1869). Paora and Ihaka Whanga were absent on an expedition and unable to help, but they arrived in time to relieve the twin pa Hiruharama.

Cowan; Lambert.

Reference: Volume 2, page 115

🌳 Further sources

REVANS, SAMUEL (1808-88) was born in England, the son of a doctor-apothecary, who brought him up to the printing trade. From his early years he was a militant radical. In 1833, with H. S. Chapman (q.v.) he went to Canada, and together they ran the Montreal Daily Advertiser. The proprietors were generally at loggerheads with the official and wealthy classes, and the paper never paid. When Chapman was sent by the Liberal party in Canada on a political mission to England, the paper closed down (1834). Revans stayed on for a short time in Canada, to become involved, it is said, in the rising under Papineau (1837). When it failed he made his way into the United States, and thence to England.

There the Chartist movement was at its height, and Revans became associated with Henry Vincent, Roebuck, and Cobden. He acted as second to Roebuck in a duel with Black, the editor of the Morning Chronicle (1835). Shots were exchanged twice without effect, and in an altercation Revans offered to fight the other second. Revans became interested in the colonisation of New Zealand, and on 21 Aug 1839 issued from his office, 16 Little Pulteney street, St James's, London, the first number of the New Zealand Gazette. On that same day he was appointed secretary under the provisional constitution drawn up by the intending emigrants for their own governance when they should land in New Zealand. The next issue of the paper was to appear as soon as possible after the landing of the newspaper plant, which Revans took with him in the Adelaide. The vessel arrived at Port Nicholson on 7 Mar 1840, and Revans landed with his Columbia printing press on the beach of Petone. There, on 18 Apr 1840, he brought out the second issue of the New Zealand Gazette. One of his staff was Thomas Wilmor McKenzie (q.v.). When the settlement was moved to Lambton the paper was called the New Zealand Gazette and Britannia Spectator.

Revans took an important position in the community. The provisional council met for the first time on 4 Apr, and all of its official documents until it was declared illegal by Lieut Governor Hobson were signed by Revans as secretary. In 1843 he published the first Wellington Almanac, which for many years was an accurate chronicle of the events of the province. In the same year he sold the paper to a company, and William Fox became editor. The founder for a while devoted his energies to the importation of merchandise from England and cattle from Australia. In 1846, after the hostilities in the Hutt Valley, he presided over the public meeting held to consider measures of defence. In 1847 he severed his connection with journalism, and joined W. Mein Smith in the ownership of a large run in the Wairarapa. At one time they had 22,000 acres of freehold and 30,000 acres on lease.

Revans was a member of Parliament for Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay (1853-55) and for Hutt (1856-58). In provincial politics he was member for Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay (1853-57), and on two occasions he held office in Featherston's executive. He was a member of the Council's first committee on education (1853). The run was not always successful and in 1851 Revans chartered the barque Thames and loaded her with timber and potatoes for California. He was forestalled by earlier cargoes; the timber was not a success, but the potatoes found a good market.

When the leases fell in (about 1872) part of the Wairarapa property passed into the hands of Waterhouse. Another portion, where Martinborough now stands, was bought by John Martin. Revans continued to reside with his partner at Woodside. He and Smith were almost the first to take an interest in the timber industry in the Wairarapa, but the want of a railway was a serious drawback. Revans died on 14 Jul 1888.

N.Z.C. papers; Wellington P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., i; R. E. Leader, Life and Letters of John Arthur Roebuck (1897); Ward; E. J. Wakefield; Otago Daily Times, 25 Nov 1874; Evening Post, 14 Sep 1929 (p), 20 Sep 1929 (by H. Fildes). Portraits: General Assembly Library.

Reference: Volume 2, page 115

🌳 Further sources

REVELL, WILLIAM HORTON (1829-93) was born at Wicklow, Ireland, the eldest son of Thomas Revell, who settled at Kaiapoi in 1854 (and died there 17 Oct 1868). He joined the Canterbury provincial police and in charge of the northern district showed himself a man of great courage and determination. On one occasion single-handed he stopped a prize fight from being held on the banks of the Waimakariri river. He took a great interest in volunteering, and induced many bushmen to join No 5 Company rifle volunteers (1858), which offered its services for the Maori war. In 1863 he received an ensign's commission. Besides being a good drill, he was an expert marksman, winning one of the first four rifles offered in New Zealand for marksmanship. He was inspector of police at Timaru when he retired on the reorganisation.

On 1 Jan 1864 he was appointed agent of the provincial government on the West Coast, when small finds of gold were reported. Accompanied by H. D. Macpherson, Revell reached the mouth of the Grey river by the schooner Mary on 24 Jan 1864. He established a store there, and in the next few months made arduous journeys throughout Westland, as far south as Ross. He purchased the first gold on 27 Jan. It had been intended to withdraw in Sep, but when Revell returned from Canterbury in Aug he found that an important discovery had been made at the Greenstone Creek. Miners soon poured in, and in Dec 1864 Revell marked off sections for the town of Hokitika. He was appointed warden and magistrate on 3 Mar 1865 (issuing the first miner's right on the 21st). On the arrival of the commissioner (Sale, q.v.) Revell was transferred to Greymouth. He showed admirable tact in the administration of a difficult office. In 1879 he was appointed to Westport and Reefton, and about 1890 to Lawrence, where two years later ill-health compelled him to retire.

Revell married in 1867 Emily O'Callaghan. He died at Timaru on 22 Sep 1893.

Harrop, Westland; Preshaw; Hindmarsh; Grey Star, 25 Feb 1928; The Press, 25 Sep 1893.

Reference: Volume 2, page 115

🌳 Further sources

REWA OR MANU, (1780-1862), a leading chief of Ngapuhi in the early nineteenth century, was one of three brother chiefs of Ngati-Tawake. In 1807 his father and two brothers were killed at Moremonui. Thereafter he distinguished himself on many campaigns, becoming one of Hongi's leading generals and, after the death of Hongi and Pomare, the greatest Ngapuhi commander. In Tuwhare's expedition to Taranaki (1819-20) Rewa shot the Taranaki chief Mokowera at Orangituapeka pa. In 1820 he and his brother Moka followed Tareha on the Kaipara expedition. The following year the three brothers played their part in the deception which brought about the fall of Te Totara. In 1822, Rewa was at Matakitaki (Waikato) with Hongi and Moka. He sincerely desired peace with Waikato and in 1824 his daughter Matire-toha was given in marriage to Kati to cement the peace. In that year also he accompanied Pomare to the East Coast seeking a peace with Ngati-Porou.

In 1825 the brothers were at Te Ika-a-Ranginui, where Moka was severely wounded and saved with great gallantry by Taiwhanga (q.v.). In 1828, through the intervention of the missionaries, Rewa made peace with the Hokianga tribe. Marsden in 1829 met Rewa again and was much impressed by his generous character, outstanding intelligence and disposition to stop tribal warfare. Marsden's arguments towards a Maori sovereignty were sympathetically discussed, but Rewa could see no hope of its acceptance owing to the jealousy of the chiefs. He appreciated the benefits arising from the presence of missions, protected the Rev J. Butler at Kerikeri, and insisted on taking missionaries south to occupy the lands conquered in 1823. Marsden held him in high respect and had great influence over him, but could not prevent him from making a human sacrifice on the death of his second wife. Though involved in the girls' war of 1830 by the fact that one of the girls was a close relative, he maintained a position almost of neutrality and seconded Marsden's efforts for a settlement. Rewa and Wharerahi signed the petition asking King William for protection (1831). Now a good Christian, he assisted the Rev Henry Williams in converting others and strove energetically to inaugurate a regime of law and order.

Williams, however, reposed greater faith in his brother Wharerahi, whom he baptised as Hori Kingi. He too strove for peace and protected the missions after the burning of Kororareka (1845). A venerable, dignified figure, Wharerahi was in 1828 already old and decrepit, but he lived to cooperate in bringing about peace with Waikato (1835). The third brother, MOKA (who took the name of Te Kaingamata) was less well disposed to the pakeha. Williams found him self-willed, quarrelsome, daring, impatient and "without one good quality." Before 1840 the three brothers had drawn away from the influence of the missions and were somewhat hostile to the acceptance of the Treaty of Waitangi. Their loyalty, however, was unquestioned and Rewa aided the military against Heke (1845) with both arms and advice. He died in Aug 1862.

Marsden, L. and J. and Lieutenants; Ramsden; Barton; Carleton; S. P. Smith, Wars

Reference: Volume 2, page 116

🌳 Further sources

REYBURN, ROBERT (1809-92) was born in Scotland, and arrived in New Zealand in the John Scott (1859). He settled at Whangarei, devoting himself at an early stage to fruit-growing. He was prominent in the Presbyterian Church, and represented Marsden in the Provincial Council (1868-73). In 1880 Reyburn returned to England, and lived for eight years at Macclesfield. He died on 21 Oct 1892.

Parltry Record; N.Z. Herald, 23 Oct 1892.

Reference: Volume 2, page 116

🌳 Further sources

REYNOLDS, HENRY (1848-1925), who was born in Cornwall, came to New Zealand in 1868 in the Maori. He drained and managed the Piako swamp estate, in the Waikato, and in 1886, with his brother Richard, he established at Pukekura the first separator butter factory in the North Island. Reynolds paid a visit to England to investigate the market and opened a cool-storage depot. In 1896 when most of the pioneering obstacles had been overcome and the business had increased, he sold out to the New Zealand Dairy Association. For a time he was interested in mining in the Hauraki Peninsula, but, turning his attention to the Argentine, he took a prominent part in the development of the dairy industry there. For a short time before his death (on 22 Sep 1925) he resided in London.

Cycl. N.Z., ii; Philpott (p); The Dominion, 23 Sep 1925.

Reference: Volume 2, page 116

🌳 Further sources

REYNOLDS, WILLIAM HUNTER (1822-99) was born at Chatham, Kent, the son of Thomas Reynolds, a retired lieutenant of the Royal Navy, who invested in cork plantations in Spain and Portugal. Reynolds passed his early days at Oporto, but a revolution in 1828 compelled the family to leave. He was educated at Nicholson Street Academy and Fountain Bridge school, Edinburgh. At the age of 12 he returned with his parents to Oporto, and attended a school kept by an Englishman, on whose death he went into his father's business. In a few years he acquired a thorough knowledge of the stripping and preparation of cork for the market. Returning to London in 1842, Reynolds found it necessary to study English afresh to acquire facility. For some years he managed the London house of the firm, which in one year had a turnover of £185,000. Then he went into business for himself in London. During these years Reynolds became acquainted with James Macandrew (who married his sister), and he also conceived an interest in the Otago Association. They all sailed together for New Zealand in the iron schooner Titan (reaching Dunedin in Jan 1851). They acquired a house in High street, and their store was at the corner of Stafford and Manse streets. As soon as the merchandise had been put under cover, Reynolds set off on foot through south Otago as far as Jacob's river in search of produce to make a cargo for California, where the diggings had opened up a lucrative market. Before leaving on this voyage the Titan loaded at Hobart with produce and stores for the business. The vacant space was filled up with Otago potatoes, barley, and lime. The Titan reached San Francisco just after the great fire of 1851, and Reynolds not only disposed of the cargo at a good profit, but was able to buy a return cargo advantageously. Most of this he disposed of profitably in Sydney. Filling up there with cattle and sheep, he returned to Dunedin, having made a profit of £8,000 to £9,000 on the voyage.

Reynolds was soon appointed to the commission of the peace, and he was agent for Lloyds until 1888. While still a member of Macandrew and Co., he acted on occasion as managing editor of the Otago Witness during the absence of Cutten. The circulation of this sixpenny weekly was then only 130 copies, and when the compositors struck for overdue wages Reynolds, by means of an energetic canvass, raised the subscription list to 300, and handed the paper back to Cutten as a sound proposition. On the introduction of representative government (1853) he was elected to the Provincial Council for the City of Dunedin, and when the provinces were abolished (1876) he had the record of having been a member of the Council throughout. Between 1854 and 1865 he was eight times a member of the executive. In 1867 he was elected speaker, a position he held with dignity for three years. During his occupancy of the chair he introduced (or reintroduced) the practice of wearing gown and bands. Reynolds first went into Parliament for Dunedin and Suburbs South (against Vogel and Cutten) in 1863. Three years later, when Macandrew had been re-elected Superintendent and the Stafford Government refused to delegate to him the usual powers respecting goldfields, feeling was so strong in Otago that those who had taken the side of the 'Centralists' - Paterson, Reynolds, and Richardson - were hooted on their appearance in Dunedin. In the Waterhouse Government (1872) and that of Fox (1873) Reynolds was Commissioner of Customs, and he was Colonial Secretary in Vogel's ministry for a few months in 1873. Though he had always been a provincialist at heart, he saw no hope of turning back the hands of the clock. Nevertheless, his retention of his portfolio cost him his seat in Parliament. In 1875 the Centralist candidates were beaten by over 400 votes by three provincialists - Macandrew, Stout, and Larnach. A few days later Reynolds was returned by Port Chalmers, and he afterwards took office in the Pollen Government. In 1876 he was strongly favoured for the speakership, but Vogel propitiated Fitzherbert with the post. Reynolds in 1878 resigned his seat, and was called to the Legislative Council, of which he remained a member until his death. On two occasions (1884-85 and 1886-87) he was a member without portfolio of the Stout-Vogel Government. In 1855 he went to Victoria, and succeeded in bringing to Otago in the Gil Blas a considerable number of immigrants. In 1856 the firm of Macandrew contracted with the provincial government to bring 2,000 immigrants from the United Kingdom. Reynolds went to London to superintend the shipping arrangements, while James Adam secured the immigrants. When Reynolds returned to New Zealand his partnership with Macandrew was dissolved, and he built some warehouses at the foot of Jetty street.

While he was provincial secretary Reynolds carried through the Otago education ordinance. The poll tax was not popular, and some of his constituents called upon Reynolds to resign. Once more he refused. He had his justification in the Otago system of education, recognised as one of the soundest in the colony. He was for some years a member of the board of school commissioners, a governor of the High Schools and a member of the board of church property. From 1869 he was a member of the council of Otago University. While Minister of Trade and Customs he promoted the establishment of a training ship for boys at Kohimarama as a means of dealing with juvenile crime. In Parliament he took charge of many measures affecting municipal government in Dunedin. He helped to reserve the town belt and to secure for the hospital the buildings used for the Exhibition of 1865. He was an original trustee of the Dunedin Savings Bank (1864), and remained one until his death. He was associated with the establishment of the Colonial Bank and was a director until the amalgamation with the Bank of New Zealand and was a director also of the Westport Coal Co., the Perpetual Trustees, Estate, and Agency Co., and the Otago Daily Times and Witness Co.

Reynolds married (1856) Rachel Selina (1838-1928), daughter of William Pinkerton (q.v.). He died on 1 Apr 1899.

Otago P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., 28 Jun 1899; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Hocken, Otago; Gols Gent.; Otago Daily Times, 2 Apr 1899, 7 Mar 1950 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 117

🌳 Further sources

RHODES, ARTHUR EDGAR GRAYENOR (1859-1922) was the third son of George Rhodes of the Levels. He was educated at Christ's College (1868-77) and at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. and LL.B. 1880. In 1882 he was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, and two years later he commenced to practise law in Christchurch. In 1887 he was elected to represent Gladstone in Parliament, and in 1890 to represent Geraldine. He contested Pareora unsuccessfully in 1893 and 1896. Rhodes took a great interest in all forms of sport, and was president of the Canterbury Rugby Union and the Canterbury Rowing Association. In public life he was a member of the board of governors of Christ's College and of Canterbury College (some time chairman). He was a keen student of public finance, and was associated with many companies, being chairman of the New Zealand Shipping Co. and the Christchurch Press Co. and a director of the Waihi Goldmining Co. He was president also of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association and a knight of justice of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. In 1901 Rhodes was elected unopposed as mayor of Christchurch, in which capacity he entertained the Duke and Duchess of York. In 1917 he was decorated with the O.B.E. He married (1892) Rose, daughter of J. W. Moorhouse. His death occurred on 26 Dec 1922.

N.Z.P.D., 1887-93 and 9 Feb 1923; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Woodhouse (p); Christ's Coll. School List; The Press and Lyttelton Times, 27 Dec 1922 (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 117

🌳 Further sources

RHODES, GEORGE (1816-64), the fourth son of William Rhodes, of Epworth, and Balby, Yorkshire, spent his early years on his father's farm, and came to New Zealand in 1843, taking charge of the cattle station at Akaroa of W. B. Rhodes and Co. In 1847, with W. B. Rhodes (q.v.), he purchased Purau from the Greenwood brothers and made his home there until about 1850, when the three brothers in partnership took up numerous pastoral runs on Banks Peninsula and elsewhere in Canterbury. Applying for a licence for three runs in south Canterbury, they received the Governor's permission to occupy this country.

In 1851 Robert and George drove a mob of 5,000 sheep from the Peninsula runs southward. After considerable difficulty in crossing the rivers, they reached Timaru, and established the first sheep station in south Canterbury (which was then unoccupied by white people). In 1854 they were granted the first pastoral licences for runs outside the Canterbury block (numbers 1, 2, and 3), their country running from the Opihi river in the north to the Pareora in the south, and from the sea to the Snowy mountains, an area of about 150,000 acres. George managed the Timaru station, which was named the Levels. In 1858 they had 30,000 sheep on the run. It was from the Levels that James Mackenzie (q.v.) drove off a flock of 1,000 maiden ewes and took them through the mountains to the country afterwards known by his name. In 1851 the Government reserved an area for a township at Timaru (the position not being defined). In 1853 the Rhodes brothers bought 120 acres to the north of this reserve. Samuel Hewlings commenced to lay out the government town in 1856 and E. H. Lough laid out Rhodes Town, the two townships being divided by North street.

Rhodes took a keen interest in all stock, and also in the development of the town and district. He was a justice of the peace, and one of the first wardens of St Mary's Church, Timaru (for which the Rhodes brothers gave the land). He married (1854) Elizabeth, daughter of John Wood, of Retford, Nottinghamshire. His death occurred on 18 Jun 1864, and in the following year the Levels was sold to the Canterbury and Otago Land Association. (See JOSEPH, A. E. G., and R. H. RHODES)

Personal information from Mrs P. R. Woodhouse; Woodhouse; Andersen.

Reference: Volume 2, page 118

🌳 Further sources

RHODES, JOSEPH (1826-1905) was born in England, the youngest son of William Rhodes, of Balby, Yorkshire. He went to sea very young, but returned home and in 1848 came to New Zealand, and spent about a year on the cattle station at Akaroa belonging to W. B. Rhodes and Co. Later he went to Australia, where he acquired property, and married Fanny, daughter of James Reid. In the early fifties he took up land in Hawkes Bay, known as Clive Grange estate, and brought his wife and family over to Port Ahuriri in his own vessel, which he commanded himself. He lived at Clive Grange until 1869, when he sold it, and from that time made his home at Milton Grange, Napier. He also acquired the Edenham and Springhill stations, both in Hawkes Bay. Rhodes represented Clive in the Hawkes Bay Provincial Council during the whole period of its existence (1859-75), and was a member of the executive in 1864, 1867, and 1869. He acted as deputy-superintendent every year (1863-71). In 1863 he was appointed captain in the Napier militia, with which he served at Omarunui. He was a justice of the peace, and a member of the first Napier harbour board. Rhodes married a second time in Australia. (See S. LOCKE.) He died in 1905.

Hawkes Bay P.C. Proc.; Woodhouse.

Reference: Volume 2, page 118

🌳 Further sources

RHODES, ROBERT HEATON (1815-84) was born at Rotherham, Yorkshire, the third son of William Rhodes, of Epworth, Lincolnshire, and Plains House, the Levels, Yorkshire. He studied farming and surveying, and in 1837 sailed to New South Wales, where he managed the property belonging to his elder brother W. B. Rhodes (q.v.). In 1850 he came to New Zealand, and entered into partnership with his brothers W. B. and G., who were already settled in the country. The three held numerous runs in Canterbury under pasturage licence, including Akaroa, Purau, Kaituna, and Ahuriri on Banks Peninsula; and the Levels in south Canterbury. Robert made his home at Purau. In 1863, R. H. and G. Rhodes and Robert Wilkin purchased the St Leonards station in the Waiau district and acquired other property in Canterbury and Otago. Rhodes held land in the North Island (frequently in partnership with his youngest brother, Joseph). In his business dealings and his management of the various estates, he showed keen foresight, tireless energy and thrifty husbandry, which did much to consolidate the fortunes of the family. He had a good knowledge of stock, and was judge of cattle at the first show held in Christchurch (1853).

In 1866 Rhodes moved from Purau to Christchurch, where he built a house and named it Elmwood. The Levels was sold in 1865; but the other large runs were held until the seventies, when most of the partnership property was disposed of.

Rhodes was one of the founders of the New Zealand Shipping Co. and Kaiapoi Woollen Co. He was chairman of the Canterbury Meat Preserving Co., and one of the first churchwardens of the Merivale church. He took an early interest in the political affairs of Canterbury. He was elected to the first Provincial Council in 1853, and sat almost continuously (for Akaroa, 1853-61; Port Victoria 1861-62; Bays 1862 and 1866-74). He was in the provincial executive (1869-70) and acted as deputy-superintendent during the absence of Rolleston. Rhodes was M.H.R. for Akaroa (1871-74). He was a beneficent citizen, always generous to philanthropic movements. In memory of his brother George he donated the tower and peal of eight bells to Christchurch Cathedral, thus giving an impetus to the completion of the Cathedral.

Rhodes married (1858), Sophia Circuit, daughter of Robert Latter (Lyttelton). After his death (on 1 Jun 1884) his family built the Rhodes convalescent home to his memory.

A son, SIR ROBERT HEATON RHODES (1861-) was M.H.R. for Ellesmere (1899-1925) and M.L.C. (1926-). He was Postmaster-general (1912-15) and Minister of Defence (1920-26), and was created K.B.E. (1920) and K.C.V.O. (1927).

Family information from Sir Heaton Rhodes; Canterbury P.C. Proc; Woodhouse; Andersen; Lyttelton Times, 3 Jun 1884; The Press, 16 Aug 1930. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 118

🌳 Further sources

RHODES, WILLIAM BARNARD (1807-78) was the eldest son of William Rhodes, of Epworth, Lincolnshire, Plains House, the Levels, and Balby, Yorkshire. He went to sea at an early age, and in 1826 was second officer of the ship Samdaney, in which he sailed to India and China. He made other voyages to the east in trading vessels, and in 1831 commanded the brig Harriet, in which he held a third share (in partnership with Ashley and Porter). The next five years he spent trading in many parts of the world. In 1836 he sold the Harriet to Weller brothers and acquired property in Australia, including land which he stocked with sheep, cattle, and horses. In the same year he took command of the barque Australian (in partnership with Cooper and Levy, merchants, of Sydney), and he spent the next two years whaling in the Pacific and particularly round the New Zealand coasts, where he learnt something of the country.

In 1839-40, on behalf of Cooper, Holt and Rhodes, he established trading stations on the New Zealand coast, including one at Entry Island (Kapiti), of which he held the original grant. His claim to have purchased from the natives a large area in Hawkes Bay was disallowed by the commission. He purchased 100,000 acres of land at Akaroa from Captain Francis Leathart (who had acquired it from Taiatoa and other chiefs). In Nov 1839 he brought from Sydney in the barque Eleanor nearly 40 pure-bred Durham cattle and landed them at Akaroa, establishing the first cattle station in the South Island, and leaving William Green in charge. Rhodes gave up his seafaring life and made his home in Wellington, where he established himself as a merchant and landowner and erected at Te Aro in 1841 the first substantial wharf in the town. He advised his younger brothers (Robert Heaton, George, and Joseph, q.v.) to come to New Zealand, and with the two former took up large pastoral runs in Canterbury. These were managed by Robert and George, although William had a controlling interest for several years. The brothers imported large numbers of sheep from Australia. Rhodes also owned considerable property in the North Island, including Heaton Park estate, Rangitikei, and a large area now covered by the City and suburbs of Wellington. In the sixties, he built at Wadestown a fine home called The Grange. Practically the whole of the country between the Wadestown and Hutt roads, as far north as the Kaiwarra stream, he used as a run. In the sixties a herd of alpacas, imported from South America by the Provincial Council, was depastured here for some years, until the Government was forced to admit that the venture was hopeless financially. The alpacas were taken over by Rhodes, who sent them to Purau, Banks Peninsula. Among many undertakings in which Rhodes played his part were the establishment of the New Zealand Shipping Co., the Bank of New Zealand and the New Zealand Insurance Co. He was a man of great business ability, prudent and industrious. He was M.H.R. for Wellington Country District (1853-55) and for Wellington City (1858-66). In the Wellington Provincial Council (1861-69) he consistently supported Featherston. He was a member of the Legislative Council from 1871 until his death (on 2 Feb 1878).

Rhodes married first (1852) Sarah (d. 1862), daughter of John King, solicitor, Wellington; and second (1869) Sarah Anne, sister of William Sefton Moorhouse (q.v.). (See GEORGE, JOSEPH, and ROBERT RHODES)

Family information from Mrs P. R. Woodhouse; Wellington P.C. Proc.; Woodhouse; Ward; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Col. Gent.; The Dominion, 7 Aug 1929; N.Z. Times, 3 Feb 1878; Evening Post, 24 Apr 1917, 19 Sep 1929. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 118

🌳 Further sources

RICH, ALFRED GEORGE (1835-91) was a civil engineer. He came to New Zealand in the fifties, and had landed interests in Canterbury and Otago. He represented Kaiapoi in the Canterbury Provincial Council (1862-63).

Reference: Volume 2, page 118

🌳 Further sources

RICH, FRANCIS DYER (1828-1901), arrived in New Zealand in the Chelydra (1840) with his father George Rich (a Somersetshire farmer, who brought to Auckland long-woolled sheep and Ayrshire cattle and later some merinos. G. Rich bought a portion of Clendon's grant at Manurewa). Rich was later in partnership with his father at Mount Eden, breeding sheep and selling them in Australia. He prospected the South Island, and as a result his father took half the stock to Canterbury and he took the other half to Otago. There he maintained the quality of his flock and herd and continued shipping animals to Australia. He was awarded a certificate for wool at the Dunedin Exhibition (1865). In partnership with John Jones, Rich took up other runs in Otago and Canterbury. He purchased Bushey Park, which he cultivated highly and stocked with sheep, cattle, deer and game. While there he bought and developed the Shag Valley coalmine.

Rich was elected M.H.R. for Waikouaiti (1869), but sat only till the following year. He again contested the seat (in 1875) against G. McLean. In 1873 he bought Clive Grange and Matapiro in Hawkes Bay from Joseph Rhodes, selling the former soon afterwards to Whitmore and working Matapiro with his son-in-law (W. Shrimpton, q.v.), who afterwards bought him out. Rich paid a short visit to the Thames goldfield, and in 1878 took a share in the Patetere Land Purchase association (which acquired 250,000 acres of native land), and in the railway from Thames to Rotorua which would open it up. He promoted the railway company, which eventually sold the line to the Government. In 1881 he went to England and formed the New Zealand Thames Valley Land Co. (to take up 168,000 acres) which he managed from 1885. He leased the Woodstock estate at Okoroire, and introduced Chewing's fescue as a pasture grass. Rich died on 5 Dec 1901.

Roberts; Christie; New Zealand Exhibition, 1865 (report); N.Z. Herald, 13 May 1893 (p); 9 Dec 1901. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 119

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDS, ISAAC (1859-1936) was born at Tavistock, Devon, and educated at the Wesleyan College, Taunton, and at Exeter College, Oxford, where he graduated M.A. He was ordained deacon in 1882 and priest the following year, when he became curate of St Paul's, Truro. There he married (1885) Gertrude, daughter of Dr Robert Oxland. In 1886 Richards came to New Zealand and accepted the charge of St Mark's, Remuera. In 1895 he was appointed warden of Selwyn College, Dunedin, and five years later he became vicar of Tuapeka (and afterwards archdeacon of Queenstown). In 1916 he was appointed to St John's church, Invercargill, with the local archdeaconry, and subsequently canon of St Paul's, Dunedin. In 1919 he was elected Bishop of Dunedin (to which he was consecrated in Jan 1920), and he occupied the see until ill-health compelled his retirement early in 1934. He afterwards lived in Christchurch, where he died on 10 May 1936.

Richards was a man of high literary and theological attainments, charming personality and catholic sympathies. He published in 1912 The Church in Danger and later The Lord and Giver of Life. As a young man he played cricket at Oxford (where he captained his college eleven), and afterwards for Auckland province and for Otago (Opoho Club). His son, R. J. Richards, M.A., became headmaster of Christ's College.

Who's Who N.Z., 1932; The Press, 11 May 1936 (P); Church Chronicle, 1 Jun 1936; Otago Daily Times, 11 May (P).

Reference: Volume 2, page 119

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDSON, SIR GEORGE SPAFFORD (1869-1938) was born in England. Disliking commercial life, he enlisted in the artillery at Woolwich in 1887. For 16 years he served in the ranks, rose to master-gunner, and after a gunnery course at Shoeburyness was appointed gunnery instructor to the New Zealand Government in 1891. In 1907 he retired from the army, and was gazetted a captain in the New Zealand defence force. In 1912 he entered the Camberley Staff College in England, graduating the following year. Just before the war of 1914-18, with the rank of major, he represented New Zealand at the War Office, and after hostilities commenced he helped to organise a force of 25,000 men (mainly of the Royal Naval Division) for the defence of Antwerp. He served as quartermaster-general of the Naval Division at Gallipoli, and in 1917 was appointed general officer commanding the New Zealand forces in England. (C.M.G. 1915; C.B. 1917; C.B.E. 1919; Legion d'honneur; Belgian Croix de Guerre.) From 1919 to 1923 he was in charge of administration in the Dominion, and from 1923 to 1928 (when he attended the mandates committee and Assembly of the League of Nations) he was administrator of Western Samoa (K.B.E. 1926). Returning to live in Auckland, Richardson was elected to the City Council, and was active in the cause of ex-servicemen. He died on 1 Jun 1938, and was survived by his wife, Caroline, daughter of William Warren of Wellington (married 1892).

Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; Studholme; The Dominion and Evening Post, 13 Jun 1938.

Reference: Volume 2, page 120

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDSON, EDWARD (1831-1915) was born in London. After receiving his education at the City of London school, he was trained as a civil engineer on the London and South-Western Railway Co., and as a mechanical engineer on the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland. Coming to Melbourne in 1852, he was employed by the government as road engineer until 1855, when he commenced business in partnership with George Holmes as a contractor. He was a member of the first volunteer corps in Melbourne and rose to be captain in the horse artillery. In 1861 he came to New Zealand under contract to construct the Christchurch-Lyttelton railway, which included the Moorhouse tunnel. The following year he was elected a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Entering public life in 1870, he was member for Lyttelton in the Canterbury Provincial Council till the abolition. He also sat in the House of Representatives for Christchurch City West (1871-75) and for Christchurch City (1875-81). From 1872 he held office as Minister of Public Works during the administrations of Waterhouse, Fox, Vogel, Pollen and Atkinson, until ill-health from overwork compelled him to resign (4 Jan 1877) (C.M.G. 1897). Again elected to Parliament as member for Kaiapoi in 1884, he held office as Minister of Public Works in the Stout-Vogel Governments (1884 and 1884-87). He retained his seat until 1890. He was a member of the Legislative Council (1892-99). Richardson afterwards became manager of the Patent Slip Co. at Wellington. He died in 1915.

N.Z.P.D., 25 Jun 1915; Cycl. N.Z., i, iii; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; New Zealand Times, 17 Oct 1892.

Reference: Volume 2, page 119

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDSON, FREDERICK HALL (1806-81) was born and educated at Cheltenham. He studied medicine in London, taking his L.S.A. in 1829 and M.R.C.S. the following year. He then settled down as a family doctor in Cheltenham for 20 years, varied with courses of study at Paris and Göttingen Universities. He married in 1840 Mary Stokes (d. 1890), of Pauntley Court, Gloucestershire. In 1847 he was appointed an emigration medical officer. He was passionately fond of plants and flowers, and had a remarkable collection of them at his home in England.

In 1851 Richardson was appointed surgeon superintendent of the Dominion, in which he reached Otago in Sep. He at once entered into practice in Dunedin. In 1852 he walked to the Waitaki with F. L. Mieville with the object of selecting a sheep farm. This he did eventually in 1854 at Toitois, Southland. His son (G. F. Richardson, q.v.) drove the sheep to the run and Richardson with his wife went there in the schooner Endeavour. He soon had a fine homestead at Oaklands, where he planted many imported trees and shrubs. He named the township of Wyndham after a Crimean general. In the early sixties Richardson returned to live in Dunedin and resumed practice. He was many years medical officer to the benevolent institution, and in 1874 was the first president of the Otago medical association. In 1865 he was one of the commissioners for the Dunedin Exhibition. Richardson was a staunch supporter of the Church of England, and took an active interest in the erection of St Paul's, which received many gifts from him. When he came to Otago he brought with him an organ and stained-glass windows which were used in the original St Paul's, and some doors, bolts and locks of the old Westminster school. He also assisted by means of endowments in the erection of All Saints Church. He took part in the establishment of the Otago Medical School (1872). Richardson died on 16 Jul 1881.

Fulton (P); Cycl. N.Z., iv; Beattie, i, ii; Otago Daily Times, 18 Jul 1881.

Reference: Volume 2, page 119

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDSON, GEORGE FREDERICK (1837-1909) was born at Cheltenham, England, his father being Dr F. H. Richardson (q.v.). Educated at the Rev Alexander Watson's school, he came to New Zealand by the Dominion in 1851, finished his education at Dunedin, and spent some years on his father's run in Southland. In 1860 he entered the Government service, qualifying as a surveyor under James McKerrow. On the separation of Southland he joined the staff of that province under Heale, but shortly resigned his appointment to become town surveyor at Invercargill, with the right of private practice. After the reunion he was entrusted by Otago with the surveys of the district west of Mataura. During this time he farmed at Oaklands and, as surveying shrank with the development of the province, he gave more attention to public affairs. He was a member of the road board and chairman of the Southland county council (1876-84). In 1884 he was elected to Parliament for Mataura, which he represented until 1893 and again from 1896 till 1898. Richardson was Minister of Lands and Immigration in the Atkinson Government (1887-91), of Mines (1887-89) and of Agriculture (1889-91). During his retirement from Parliament 1893-96 he returned to his profession and established the firm of Richardson, Reardon and Co., Invercargill. In 1902 he again entered the Government service as computer in the Lands and Survey department and later was technical assistant to the land purchase commissioners. He was a member of the Institute of Surveyors for many years and president 1895-98, 1900-07 and finally in 1909. He was a man of high integrity, well-informed and witty. Richardson married (1867) Augusta, daughter of Thomas J. White (Invercargill). He died on 25 Oct 1909.

N.Z.P.D., 26 Oct 1909; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Beattie, ii; N.Z. Surveyor, Dec 1909. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 119

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDSON, JOSEPHUS HARGREAVES (1856-1932) was born in Nelson, the son of an early settler. He attended the bishop's school and Nelson College, distinguishing himself in mathematics (1871-73). Joining the civil service in 1874, he was appointed a cadet in the Government Insurance department, but afterwards spent four years in the New Zealand branch of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia (1878-82). Returning to the Government service, he rose to the position of insurance commissioner (1890). He was acting-commissioner of taxes and acting valuer-general (1910), and a member of the Public Trust investment board, the State Advances board, the Public Service Superannuation board, the Teachers' Superannuation board, and the board of appeal of the Land and Income tax department. Richardson was president of the Insurance Institute of New Zealand (1900), and, as a freemason, was past master of lodge Wellington and a founder of the grand lodge of New Zealand. He was created C.M.G. in 1918, and retired from the public service in 1923. He died on 10 Jan 1932.

Cycl. NZ, i; Nelson Coll. O.B. Reg.; Who's Who NZ, 1908, 1924; The Dominion, 11 Jan 1932.

Reference: Volume 2, page 120

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDSON, RALPH (1812-97) was born at Capenhurst, in Cheshire, and educated at Chester Grammar School and Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.D. He then proceeded to Downing College, Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. and became a fellow. At the age of 28 he married a daughter of G. T. Seymour, of Wrackhall, Somerset. In 1851 Richardson sailed in the Maori for New Zealand and settled in Marlborough, where he bought the Meadowbank estate, near Blenheim. He never practised his profession. In 1853 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member for three years. He was chosen in 1856 for territorial reasons as a member of Fox's short-lived executive. Returning to England in 1858, he bought an estate in Devonshire and lived there until the eighties, when he removed to London. He died in 1897.

His son, Ralph RICHARDSON (1848-95) was member of Parliament for Nelson Suburbs (1871-73), when he resigned to return to England.

Family information from G.B. Richardson; Parlty Record; Saunders; Buick, Marlborough.

Reference: Volume 2, page 121

🌳 Further sources

RICHARDSON, SIR JOHN LARKINS CHEESE (1810-78) was born in the Bengal Presidency, India. He was sent home for his education, and since he was destined for the Indian army he went to Addiscombe College. Early in 1829 he returned to India as an artillery cadet, passed for the Bengal Horse Artillery, and entered the service of the East India Company in 1830. For 22 years Richardson served with distinction. In the Afghan campaign he was with Pollock's army which forced the Khyber pass and reoccupied Kabul, and he distinguished himself in the attack on the forts. Three years later, when the Sikhs crossed the Sutlej, he was serving under Lord Gough and Sir Harry Smith. At Ferozeshah he carried a wounded soldier out of action under heavy fire, and was severely wounded himself. For these campaigns he received the medal, with several clasps. (2nd lieutenant 1828; lieutenant 1837; captain 1846). Appointed to the general staff, he was for some years in charge of the powder magazine at Dumdum. He was secretary and treasurer to the Kabul relief fund, and became a personal friend of Havelock and Lawrence. In 1850 Richardson visited Cape Colony on furlough, and in 1851 he retired from the service. Next year he came to New Zealand in the Slains Castle, made long journeys in the south of Otago, and from Wellington made an adventurous trip overland to New Plymouth. These experiences are described in a scholarly volume, A Summer's Excursion (1854). About the same time he published a volume of blank verse, The First Christian Martyr in New Zealand. Having decided to settle at Puerua, in south Otago, Richardson returned to England to settle his affairs, and came out in the Strathmore (1856). He purchased Suisted's interest in the Otepopo run, north Otago, the other half of which was owned by Edward McGlashan. His disposition was to live the quiet life of a country gentleman, but after avoiding politics for three years he consented to be nominated for the Provincial Council, and was elected for Clutha in 1859. He was forthwith chosen as speaker, a position that threw upon him 18 months later the unpleasant duty of having to impeach the Superintendent (Macandrew) and to assume his office. The address which Richardson made at the time, full of reluctance and a sense of the pressing duty falling upon him, yet warm with indignation at the stigma resting upon the people of the province, is of a piece with the character of the man. Years later, when the people of Otago had again elected Macandrew Superintendent the rigid integrity of Richardson forbade him even to put to the Council the motion for the preferment of Macandrew to a public post, and stiffened the Stafford ministry against delegating to him the powers usually conferred for the administration of goldfields.

In May 1861 Richardson was formally elected Superintendent in Macandrew's place. Almost at once there was a great influx into the province from Australia and California of men of robust and liberal character. They wanted a more managing hand at the helm, and their votes elected John Hyde Harris Superintendent (17 Apr 1863). Richardson was returned to the Council for his old seat (Clutha), and was again speaker (1863-67). His constituents made him a presentation of £230 to recoup him for his expenses, and he devoted the sum to founding scholarships.

Meanwhile he had made a mark in the wider field of colonial politics. Nominated for Dunedin City early in 1862, he withdrew owing to an informality; but a few months later defeated James Paterson. He resigned the seat at the end of the year, and a few months later was returned for Dunedin and Suburbs North, which he represented 1863-66. He lost his Dunedin seat owing to the return to popularity of Macandrew, and the fight between the provincialists and the centralists; but a vacancy was found for him in New Plymouth, for which he sat until his elevation to the Legislative Council in 1867. Richardson was a member of the Weld and Stafford ministries-in the former as Postmaster-general and Commissioner of Customs (1864-65), and in the latter as a member of the executive without portfolio (1866-68). In 1868 he was appointed as speaker of the Legislative Council, a post in the gift of the Government, which he filled with dignity for the remainder of his life. High honours in colonial politics did not wean him from those of the province. Clutha again returned him to the Provincial Council (1873-74). In declining the speakership, he indignantly repudiated the suggestion that it was derogatory for one holding his position in the General Assembly to be speaker of a Provincial Council. 'No possible dignity can be conferred upon me,' he said, 'which would induce me to forego for a moment my rights as a citizen of New Zealand.' Richardson was knighted in 1875 in recognition of his services as Speaker and as New Zealand commissioner in the long and intricate investigation of accounts between Great Britain and New Zealand in respect of the services of Imperial troops in the Maori wars.

Gisborne says of him: 'He was an able, earnest, and conscientious man, guileless, and of whom it may with truth be stated that he was without fear and without reproach. He had a lovable simplicity of thought and character and a heart as courageous as that of a lion. Singularly unselfish, he only thought of his duty, and all his aspirations were pure and patriotic.' He was largely responsible for the passing through the Legislative Council of Bradshaw's factory act, and inspired Bradshaw and others in many social reforms. His pamphlet on the employment of women and girls in factories was published by Bradshaw in 1881. Richardson was a stalwart in the cause of education. He had much to do with the foundation of the Girls' High School in Dunedin, and of the Universities of Otago and of New Zealand. His pamphlet, Thoughts on Female Education (1870) embodied his views on the movement that was then at his heart. He succeeded Burns as chancellor of the University of Otago in 1871, and resigned in 1876. Richardson died on 6 Dec 1878.

Otago P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., pass. App. H.R., 1877, B5, 5A; Richardson, op. cit.; Pearson; Gisborne; Reeves; Saunders; Beaglehole; Rusden; Hocken; Otago Witness, 28 Nov 1862, 22, 29 Oct 1870; Bruce Herald, 10 Dec 1878; Otago Daily Times, 7, 19 Dec 1878; 21 Feb 1930 (P).

Portrait: Parliament House; Girls High School, Dunedin.

Reference: Volume 2, page 120

🌳 Further sources

RICHMOND, ANDREW JAMES (1832-80), was a son of Matthew Richmond (q.v.), and came to New Zealand with his father (1840). In 1852 he became assistant private secretary to Governor Grey. For many years he managed Richmond Brook, Marlborough, for his father, and he always took a keen interest in the affairs of the district. In 1861 he was elected to Parliament for Collingwood, which he represented to 1868, and from 1873 to 1880 he represented Nelson Suburbs, where he was now residing. Richmond held moderate views in politics and spoke rarely. He married (1856) Anna Selina, daughter of Captain F. H. Blundell (11th Light Dragoons) who came to Nelson by the Maori (1851). He died on 15 Nov 1880.

N.Z.P.D., 1861-68, 1873-80; N.Z. Times, 3 Dec 1880; Cycl. N.Z. v (p)

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 121

🌳 Further sources

RICHMOND, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM (1821-95) was born in London in 1821, the eldest son of Christopher Richmond, a conveyancing barrister in the High Court of Chancery (who was himself admitted to the Middle Temple 1806, called 1812, and died 1832). William got his education first at the Hackney Grammar School in London, and later under Dr Richard Hutton at the Unitarian school at Hove House, Brighton. From his earliest youth he was delicate. This took him to France where he gained a facility in the French tongue, but he suffered increasingly from asthma throughout his life. Richmond did not proceed to either of the great universities, but at University College, London, he came into close association with leaders of thought and men of culture, making lasting friendships with Arthur Clough (the poet), William Shaen (the friend of Mazzini) and Richard Hutton (many years editor of the Spectator). The fine culture which distinguished him throughout life originated in these associations and developed in the rough surroundings and turbulent atmosphere of the colony of New Zealand. Destined for the law, Richmond entered at the Middle Temple in 1844, gained experience with a London solicitor (William Sharp), proceeded to the chambers of a famous conveyancer, Lewis Duval, and was called to the bar (1847) while with Charles Hall, afterwards vice-chancellor of England. For some years Richmond practised in London. His future was determined by his indifferent health and his marriage (1852) to Emily Elizabeth Atkinson, of Frindsbury, Kent, sister of H. A. Atkinson (q.v.). Two of his brothers had gone to New Zealand to settle. William decided to join them. With his wife and his mother and sister and H. and A. Atkinson, he sailed in the Sir Edward Paget, arriving in Auckland on 25 May 1853. Without delay they proceeded to join the brothers, who had taken up farms between New Plymouth and Mount Egmont, in what was afterwards famous as the Grey and Bell district. Needless to say, the new surroundings were foreign to Richmond's past experience and his cultured and artistic tastes. The little West Country community that had settled the district needed strong arms and wise counsellors. Richmond was wise, at any rate. At the first meeting of the Provincial Council (Oct 1853) he was appointed provincial attorney and clerk under the superintendency of Charles Brown. Two years later, no other candidates coming forward, he was elected to the House of Representatives and to the Provincial Council for the town of New Plymouth. Gisborne and Saunders, from different political points of view, bear testimony to the purity of the political motives of Richmond, and his honest, generous, and lovable nature. Taranaki was his home and that of his relatives. The Taranaki settlers felt convinced—and Richmond agreed with them—that they could win through to peaceful colonisation only by a strong policy towards the Maori. In Jun 1856 his outstanding abilities and strong character prompted Stafford to invite him to be a member of the ministry. In the important offices of Colonial Secretary and Treasurer his amazing capacity for work and for conscientious detail overcame all obstacles and produced order out of chaos.

When Stafford went to England for a year, Richmond dominated the cabinet, and as native questions became more pressing, his opinions swayed the Governor (Gore-Browne), who in those days was responsible for native policy. Events moved irresistibly towards war in Taranaki. Gisborne says that: 'Once embarked in a cause, Richmond soon became an enthusiast. He was not influenced by mean or selfish motives, but in the assertion of what he considered a grand principle he was ready to throw aside all practical considerations.' Richmond was Minister of Native Affairs from the middle of 1858 till the end of 1860, a period full of tragedy. It fell to him to write the fateful message to the Superintendent of Taranaki intimating that the Governor, on the advice of his executive, intended to proceed with the survey of the Waitara block. This decision brought him into conflict—political only, for they were on terms of warm personal friendship—with men like Selwyn and Hadfield, whose integrity was equal to his own, and whose concern for the Maori race was dominant. On the provincial question, too, he was at variance with many of his friends, for quite early he saw the defects of the system, the precarious position of minorities in the provinces if they were not protected by a strong central government. A man of less principle, or motives less translucent, could never have survived the tragedy of Waitara in the regard of his fellow-men on both sides of politics. Richmond was not happy in politics. He did what he conscientiously believed to be right and just; he reasoned clearly and logically; "he was wealthy only in friends, in character, and in talents." Throughout his political career he yearned for the quiet shades, for cultured society and intellectual exercise. His speeches abound in classical allusion and philosophical thought. He had entered political life only because no one else could be found for the New Plymouth seat. In relinquishing his seat in the Provincial Council, he confided to his friends as early as 1860 his yearning for more peaceful and philosophic occupation. His great intellectual and moral qualities designated him for the bench; but it would not have been surprising if his precarious bodily health had caused him to view with uncertainty the arduous days and nights which a judge must devote to his duty. While in political life Richmond had been interested in legal practice in Auckland in partnership with Whitaker. On going out of office in 1861, Richmond and Whitaker were appointed commissioners to adjust the provincial debt between Otago and Canterbury. They gave their award early in Aug. Otago was entering upon a wave of prosperity arising from the discovery of gold, and Richmond, now free of political ties, made up his mind to move to Dunedin, where he soon enjoyed a lucrative practice in partnership with Prendergast and T. B. Gillies. For some years, with Bell and Stafford, he was interested in a run in the Ida valley. Richmond was always interested in social and philosophic subjects, and delighted Dunedin audiences with his thoughtful lectures on democracy and the borders of metaphysics. He was interested also in art and literature, and was in particular a lover of Robert Browning. On 20 Oct 1862 Richmond was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. It was a post for which his qualities and talents were outstanding. He brought to his duties amazing powers of concentration and patient industry. His utterances were always terse, lucid, quiet, and forceful; his judgments keen in perception, logical in reasoning, and finished in diction. Henceforward he withdrew himself from association with public movements of any kind and with public companies. The independence and purity of the bench were with him a passion. A political critic says that 'no New Zealander has ever yet shone with more intelligence, more gentleness, or more justice.' His capacity for work was immense. As the end drew near he seemed more and more to seek relief from his bodily infirmities in intellectual recreation. As jurist, judge, and scholar he was not excelled in Australasia. His private life was irreproachable and his home life ideal.

From the time of his appointment to the bench Richmond was sole judge in Dunedin until 1864, when Chapman was appointed to assist him. In 1867 he was transferred to Nelson, with jurisdiction over that province and Westland, then booming with the new population attracted from all parts of the world by the gold discoveries. In Otago Richmond presided at the second trial of Captain Jarvey (1865). In Hokitika he heard the charges against the Fenian demonstrators. In 1873 he made his last move, to Wellington; and two years later he revisited England. Except for that respite, he fulfilled his heavy duties without cessation until 1893, when his health forced him to take a short rest. He was in the full exercise of his office when he died (3 Aug 1895). Though worn out with physical infirmity, he was preparing when he died a paper on Browning. Mrs Richmond died on 28 Nov 1906. (See J. C. and H. R. RICHMOND, H. A., W. S. and D. ATKINSON)

Personal information Sir Frederick Chapman and F. J. Rolleston; family information from M. and E. Richmond; Taranaki P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D. and App. H.R., pass (notably 1858-62); Richmond papers; Rusden; Saunders (p); Reeves; Cowan i; Taranaki Herald, 20 Jan 1862; Nelson Examiner, 8 Dec 1858; Otago Daily Times, 24 Mar 1863, 6, 8 Aug 1895; N.Z. Herald, 31 Dec 1881, 6 Aug 1895; N.Z. Times, 4 Aug 1894, 6 Aug 1895; Evening Post, 5 Aug 1895, 25 Aug 1934 (p); The Press, 7, 10 Aug 1895.

Portrait: General Assembly Library.

Reference: Volume 2, page 122

🌳 Further sources

RICHMOND, DOROTHY KATE (1861-1935) was born in Auckland, a daughter of J. C. Richmond (q.v.), himself an amateur watercolourist of ability. She was educated in England and on the Continent and, winning a scholarship, spent two years at the Slade School of Art under Legros (1878-80). In 1899 she again studied in France and England and, returning to New Zealand in 1903, began teaching in Wellington. In 1904 she was elected to the council of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, of which she became a life member in 1928. In her work, many examples of which are in galleries in New Zealand, she was a romantic, with a confident mastery of colour and brushwork. She used both oils and watercolours, her chief works being landscapes, flower studies and still life. She died on 13 Apr 1935.

Who's Who N.Z., 1924, 1932; Art in New Zealand, Sep 1935 (p); The Dominion, 15 Apr 1935.

Reference: Volume 2, page 122

🌳 Further sources

RICHMOND, HENRY ROBERT (1829-90) was born in London, the youngest of a family of four. His father, a barrister of considerable ability and reputation in the conveyancing department of the High Court of Chancery, died early. His mother (née Wilson) was the daughter of a shipbuilder at Stockton-on-Tees. As a boy Henry spent some months with the family at Argelès, in the Pyrenees. Most of his early education he obtained (1838-44) at the school of University College in London, where he came under the notice of Professor Thomas H. Key (the distinguished philologist). Proceeding to University College, Richmond distinguished himself in mathematics and chemistry (under Morgan), took lectures under Faraday and Tyndall, and is mentioned in a text book on chemistry as having discovered an error. He was a friend at this time of Richard Hugh Hutton (editor of the Spectator), and of his father the Rev Dr Hutton, whose ministry the family attended in the ancient chapel in Little Carter Lane, E.C.

With his brother J. C. Richmond (q.v.), Henry came to New Zealand in the Victory (Feb 1851). He married his cousin Mary Blanche, daughter of John and Helen Hursthouse. Richmond served in the Taranaki militia (captain 1850). He took for some years a prominent part in public affairs in Taranaki, representing Grey and Bell in the Provincial Council in 1857, and New Plymouth in 1869-73. For six months (1864-65) he was deputy-superintendent of the province, and in Sep 1865 he was elected Superintendent, an office which he held until 1869 along with the post of resident magistrate. In his superintendency campaign in 1869 Richmond undertook to be the representative of both races. He believed that in matters of crime there should be one law for all, but in other matters certain allowance should be made for the Maori, otherwise they would be driven into the interior. They could not rise to the level of civilised beings at once, and he had proposed to D. McLean a native council to help the civil commissioner in promoting their improvement.

For a short time Richmond was editor of the Taranaki News, and later he established a school in New Plymouth (of which Truby King and E. Rawson were pupils). A few years later he decided to qualify in law, and during the years 1875-77 he was in the office of Fell and Atkinson, at Nelson. Passing his examinations, he was duly admitted at the age of 45 and returned to practise in New Plymouth. A man of high intellectual attainments, warmhearted and generous, he was widely respected both in Taranaki and Nelson. He had advanced views on scientific subjects and published more than one pamphlet setting forth theories regarding the atom which were later recognised.

Richmond died at Christchurch on 7 Dec 1890. After the death of his first wife, Richmond married (1868) Emma, daughter of R. Parris. She was a member of the Taranaki education board (1886-89). (See also C. W. RICHMOND)

Taranaki P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; Cycl. NZ., vi.; Richmond papers, pass; Wells; Seffern; Taranaki Herald, 8 Dec 1890.

Reference: Volume 2, page 122

🌳 Further sources

RICHMOND, JAMES CROWE (1822-98) was born in London, the son of Christopher Richmond, and brother of C. W. Richmond (q.v.) The Richmonds being Unitarians, James went to the Unitarian School at Hove House, Brighton, under Dr Hutton. He then went to University College, London, and trained as a civil engineer in the firm of Samuda, where he made the acquaintance of a fellow student, John Atkinson, thus initiating an important family relationship. (See H. A. ATKINSON) After qualifying, Richmond was employed for some time under Sir Isambard Brunel, then engineer to the Great Western railway. Already he showed great ability as a painter in water colours. Though he had little teaching, he studied the work of contemporary artists and made substantial progress. His tastes throughout life were distinctly artistic. The health of an elder brother, Christopher William, made it desirable that the family should leave England. James and Henry sailed in the Victory and on 1 Feb 1851 they landed in Auckland. After a few days there they set out on foot overland to Taranaki by way of the Waikato and Kawhia. During this journey they gained their first acquaintance with the Maori people.

In 1852 he contested the Taranaki seat in the Legislative Council of New Ulster. The Richmond and Atkinson families took up their farm sections together between New Plymouth and Egmont. The first section, a small one, had been partly cultivated by a former holder. They added to it, and, when the rest of the family arrived (1853) they increased their total area to 1,000 acres, in eight holdings. To the present day there are paddocks known as "Uncle James's", "Uncle Henry's" and "Uncle Arthur's." Shortly after settling down James returned to Europe, where he married Mary Smith, a first cousin of the Atkinsons, and a sister of the second wife of H. A. Atkinson. He spent some time on railway construction work under an English company near Namur, in Belgium; and also before returning to New Zealand did a considerable amount of painting in the Isle of Arran. They had not been long in New Zealand before native affairs assumed an unfavourable aspect. The Rawiri-Katatore feud had plunged the Maori into a desultory tribal war. When the Taranaki Volunteer Rifle company was formed (1858) under C. Brown (q.v.), Richmond joined as a private, and was second only to Messenger as a rifle shot. In Nov 1858 he was persuaded to allow himself to be elected to the Provincial Council for the Grey and Bell constituency. Shortly afterwards he and T. King were appointed to the executive by the Superintendent (Cutfield, q.v.). That Richmond's disposition towards the Maori was very friendly was attested by his contributions to the Taranaki Herald. Early in 1860 the Governor (Gore-Browne) wrote intimating that he intended to proceed with the Waitara purchase. The executive earnestly advised Cutfield to apprise the Governor of the probable issue of his policy before allowing the surveyors to commence the work. Cutfield disagreed, but Richmond and King insisted, on threat of resigning, and Richmond as provincial secretary carefully drafted a letter stating that the province would support the Government but repeating the warning that hostilities were liable to be far-reaching. When fighting commenced Richmond was in the field as a volunteer and inspector of defences. He was present at the fiasco at Ratapihipihi and the night operations after Waireka (Mar 1860) searching for stragglers. His own farm was raided, and the stock driven off. The house was preserved by the Maoris as a convenient rest-place, but was accidentally burned after the war by carpenters engaged on reconstruction.

In the middle of 1860 he was elected to the General Assembly as representative of Omata. 1861 was a dark year for the province. On Cutfield's retirement from the superintendency Richmond contested it against Brown and was defeated by 167 votes to 98 (24 May). In his election campaign he strongly urged the settlers, weak and few as they were, to adopt a conciliatory tone in their peace demands and to remember that those who were then enemies were potential friends. The Stafford Government's policy was very distasteful to Taranaki, and Richmond suffered politically from his relationship with the Colonial Treasurer (C. W. Richmond). A week later he was re-elected to the Provincial Council, though at the bottom of the poll. Later in the year he decided to remove with his young family to the less troubled atmosphere of Nelson. He and King were personally responsible to the extent of £4,000 for relief in housing and feeding fugitive settlers. He had been correspondent for some time of the Nelson Examiner, and he moved to that province on receiving the offer of the editorship of that paper. While there he also practised occasionally his profession as consulting engineer to mining companies. In Mar 1862 Richmond was appointed by the Superintendent (J. P. Robinson, q.v.) to the post of provincial secretary. In Nov he became commissioner of crown lands for the province. In this capacity he made many overland journeys on horseback down the west coast and to Canterbury, and some voyages by the ketch Jane down the coast. These travels enabled him to add to his collection of sketches, and he made drawings of the coal seams at Brunner. Until Jan 1862 Richmond remained M.P.C. for Grey and Bell, and actively assisted in the succour of the Taranaki refugees in Nelson. He also continued throughout his sojourn in Nelson to be member of Parliament for Omata. In Aug 1864 he regularised his position in the provincial executive by becoming member of the Nelson Provincial Council (for Amuri).

1865 was a year of great significance in his life. Saunders came into office as Superintendent on the death of Robinson (Mar), and Richmond resigned from the executive, it being considered that this post was incompatible with his tenure of the commissionership of crown lands. In Jun Weld offered him the post of Colonial Secretary with a seat in the Legislative Council. He accordingly resigned from the House and the Provincial Council. His wife having died, he moved with his family to New Plymouth to be near their relatives. The short tenure of office of the Weld ministry (11 months) was a very difficult time. Weld was pledged to work for peace by an amnesty, by making roads and by assuming sole responsibility for native affairs; in short by self-reliance. He at once removed the seat of government to Wellington, and had the satisfaction of seeing his policy hopefully initiated before his Government was defeated (Oct 1865). Richmond incurred subsequent odium for having, as Colonial Secretary, signed the proclamation confiscating lands in Waikato. In Mar 1866 he took the opportunity of returning to the popular chamber (as member for Grey and Bell), and a few months later (Aug) Stafford invited him to join the ministry. The portfolios which he took were nominally those of Customs and Stamp Duties. Stafford explained in the House that native affairs had so much improved that "there appeared to be no longer any specialty in dealing with them. As long as there was a line of demarcation between the management of European and of native affairs there would continue to be causes of dissatisfaction and irritation, and he thought it a step in the right direction to do away with the office of native minister." Though Richmond accepted these essentially civil portfolios, he was destined immediately to have the native problem upon his shoulders in a very insistent form. He rode hundreds of miles visiting restless native tribes, dealing tardy justice to wronged hapus and rewarding with adequate reserves the good service rendered by Taranaki chiefs at the wreck of the Lord Worsley. In Sep 1866 he was chairman of the native affairs committee, and was answering all questions under this head. In Jun 1867 he was openly addressed as Native Minister, and in that capacity he attended a great native gathering in Poverty Bay, where he delighted the tribe by withdrawing any claim to the land on the part of the Government on the understanding that they did not dispute amongst themselves. Throughout this year the Hauhau rising had extended from district to district. When portion of the Ngati-Ruanui tendered their submission Richmond went with Parris to Patea after a tribal meeting at which Hone Pihama presided, and five considerable reserves were set apart upon which this chief and his followers lived peaceably through the succeeding years of trouble. Richmond as Native Minister acted throughout the war in close association with the Defence Minister (Haultain, q.v.) and spent many weeks in the field. It was due to the dissuasion of Governor Bowen that he did not open friendly conversations with the Maori King at his headquarters in the Waikato. Early in 1868 he sent Rolleston, the Native Secretary, to the Chathams to report on the prisoners from Poverty Bay (including Te Kooti, q.v.), who were interned there. On his recommendation the period of banishment was extended, but the guard was so reduced in strength that Te Kooti was encouraged to make his escape. In Jul he appeared at the head of an invading force in Poverty Bay. In this emergency Richmond showed remarkable energy and resource. He at once went to Poverty Bay (with McLean) to see that the garrison of Wairoa and the settlers were in a state of preparedness. Arrangements were made for erecting a redoubt and stockade at Poverty Bay, and Richmond specially warned Major Biggs not to allow settlers or friendlies to sleep outside the pa. Then he went south and assisted in bringing up a force of 200 European troops under Whitmore (q.v.). He remained with the force on the march for some days; personally helped to carry wounded natives on a litter, and persuaded the Ngati-Porou contingent to pursue the enemy. Then he went to Maketu and Rotoiti, and brought reinforcements from the loyal tribes to assist in the reduction of Ngatapa. He started with Whitmore's column from Matata, but left shortly afterwards to organise a third force to operate from Wairoa towards Waikaremoana. Having handed over the command of this new column to Herrick, Richmond proceeded to Waikaremoana to construct a flotilla of boats to carry the column across the lake. On the day the force started the orders were countermanded, as Te Kooti had withdrawn to the westward. Richmond had no part or responsibility in the offering of a reward of £1,000 for Te Kooti's capture. The defeat of the Government in Jun 1869 put an end to his active participation in the campaign. The responsibility for native affairs fell to McLean, though the office was not revived in name until 1872.

At the dissolution late in 1870 Richmond found himself strongly opposed to the rising mana of Vogel. He contested two seats simultaneously without success. In Nelson he was third on the poll to Curtis and Lightband, and in Wellington City he was defeated by Pearce, Hunter and Travers. If Brown had retired he would have stood for his old constituency, Grey and Bell.

Out of Parliament at last, Richmond left in 1872 for England with his three eldest children. While they were at school he lived in the Tyrol and Switzerland, and did much painting. For three years (1873-76) he was engaged under an English company on railway construction in Algeria, between Oran and Tlemsen. Another three years he spent in London, and in 1880 the combined families returned to New Zealand. In Melbourne they picked up John Gully (q.v.), and the two artists spent some time sketching at Milford Sound, the first point at which they landed in New Zealand. Richmond settled down in Nelson, made one more attempt to enter Parliament by contesting the Waimea seat (1881), and then lived the retired life of an artist. He was called again to the Legislative Council in Mar 1883, and left his studio each session to attend to his duties in Wellington until his final retirement (7 Jul 1892). Richmond died on 19 Jan 1898 and was buried at Otaki.

Gisborne describes Richmond as being "talented without genius, and philosophic without enthusiasm. His ability is above the average and his mind is cultured and well stored with information. His speeches, in spite of a rather hesitating delivery, are pointed and forcible. He has not the faculties which secure the highest distinction in political life. His mind is too bent on refining, and is of that wavering order which hesitates when promptitude and decision are needed. His political opinions generally were moderate and sensible, but unfortunately they were, in native affairs, characterised by that fatal idea... that the native race needed to be made, once for all, loyal by force, and that peace, to be permanent, must be conquered." A straightforward nobility of character and high principles were evident to his contemporaries. It may aptly be said, in the words of one who knew him, that "his temperament was ideal and poetic rather than practical. He detested the clamour and dust of the parliamentary arena." His intellectual recreations were painting (with definite flashes of genius), writing verse and reading the classics in Greek, Latin, Italian, French and German. His tomb bears Johnson's epitaph on Goldsmith: "He touched nothing that he did not adorn."

Family information; Taranaki and Nelson P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., v (p); N.Z.P.D., pass (notably 7 Sep 1865, 18, 25 Jun 1869, 1 Aug 1888); Gisborne (p); Rusden; Saunders; Gudgeon; Cowan, ii; Art in New Zealand, Mar, Sep 1932; Evening Post, 18 Sep 1984 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 123

🌳 Further sources

RICHMOND, MATHEW (1801-87) was the son of Major Richmond (of Kilmarnock, Scotland) and of the Scots Greys. His father having died in 1808, he entered the Royal Military College (1814), but left in 1817 and went to South Africa. In 1820 he received his commission as ensign in the Cape Corps, from which he transferred in the following year to the 11th Regiment of Foot. (Lieutenant 1823; captain 1826; to 96th Regiment 1839; major 1841.) He served in Canning's expedition to Portugal in 1828-29 and in the Ionian islands (1829-38). While acting as resident in the island of Paxo, he earned the reputation of a just, mild and efficient administrator, and a man of moral habits and clear judgment. He received a gold medal on leaving and was farewelled by the Regent, the bishop and other high dignitaries. Richmond then went to New Brunswick as deputy-judge-advocate, and from there with his regiment to New South Wales.

In June 1840 he was appointed one of the commissioners to examine claims to land in New Zealand. He was in Wellington at the time of the Wairau affair (1843) and maintained order and control in the whole district of New Munster. On 12 July he was appointed chief police magistrate for the Southern division, and a few months later Superintendent of the Southern Division (1 Feb 1844). In this capacity Richmond had onerous and trying duties to perform for several settlements, including Nelson and Wellington, which demanded all his tact and courtesy. During the outbreaks in Wellington in 1845 he was commanding the forces. Having retired from the army he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Wellington militia battalion (23 Jul 1845) and had charge of the disposition of the militia and volunteer forces until the arrival of the regular troops.

In 1847, Eyre having arrived as lieutenant governor, Richmond proceeded as resident magistrate to Nelson. In 1848 he was deputed by Governor Grey to arrange the details of the purchase of 40,000 acres of native lands at Wanganui. In 1853 he retired from his post as magistrate, and in the same year was called to the Legislative Council as a recognition of 'the highly important services he had rendered to the local government for many years, during which very arduous duties had devolved upon him.' He remained a member until his death, being chairman of committees for some years (1865-79). He was commissioner of crown lands for Nelson (1853-58). (C.B. 1860.) Richmond died on 5 Mar 1887.

G.B.O.P., 1844, xxii/556; 1845/131; 1846/337: 1847/763, 892; N.Z.P.D., 1853-87; N.Z. Gaz., 1845 et seq; Cowan; Ward (p); Broad; Buick, Marlborough; The Colonist, 24 Mar 1887. Portrait: Nelson Evening Mail, 11 Dec 1926; Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 123

🌳 Further sources

RICHMOND, MAURICE WILLIAM (1860-1919), son of James Crowe Richmond, was educated at Nelson College (1869-73). He afterwards spent several years in Berne, Switzerland, and took science lectures at Heidelberg and at University College, London, graduating B.Sc. with honours in experimental physics (1880). He then studied law in New Zealand and practised from 1883 till 1900, when he was appointed lecturer at Victoria College. In 1904 he graduated LL.B. He was lecturer in constitutional history and jurisprudence (1903-05) and professor of English and New Zealand law (1906-11). He practised law in Christchurch from 1916 to his death on 26 Feb 1919.

The Spike (Victoria College Review), Jun 1905 (p); Nelson O.B. Reg.; The Press, 27 Feb 1919.

Reference: Volume 2, page 123

🌳 Further sources

RIDDIFORD, DANIEL (1814-75) was the stepson of Dr G. S. Evans (q.v.), whom he accompanied to New Zealand in the Adelaide, arriving in Port Nicholson in Mar 1840. Riddiford brought out a house in sections, and erected it at Pipitea. After acting for a few years as an agent for the New Zealand Company, he moved to the Hutt and erected a new home, Woburn. About 1845 he purchased the Orongorongo property, where the family lived for 10 years, returning to Woburn after the earthquake of 1855. The Te Awaiti property (including Tora, Lagoon Hills and Tuturumuri) was acquired about 1850. Riddiford died on 20 Mar 1875.

N.Z.C.; Cycl. N.Z., i; St John's Parish Mag., Jul-Oct 1938; N.Z. Times, 24 Mar 1875.

Reference: Volume 2, page 123

🌳 Further sources

RIDINGS, RICHARD (1808-68), born in England, came in the Bombay to Wellington (1840) and reached Auckland in 1843. For some years he held a responsible position in the post office, from which he retired to enter into business with his brother-in-law (W. Connell) as auctioneers and commission agents. In this he gained a competence which enabled him to retire in 1865. Ridings was one of the earliest members of the Auckland town board, and served for some years in the Provincial Council (representing Northern Division 1863-64 and Auckland East 1865-66). He was a strong separationist. He was a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank, and a director of the Bank of New Zealand and of the New Zealand Insurance Co. Ridings died on 15 Oct 1868.

Southern Cross, 16 Oct 1868.

Reference: Volume 2, page 123

🌳 Further sources

RIEMENSCHNEIDER, JOHANN CARL (1817-66) was born at Bremen, Germany, and educated at the free schools there and at the Sunday schools, where arithmetic, writing, reading and Scripture were taught. He was much influenced by the preaching of Hermann Muller, in the parish of St Stephen's. Working as an errand boy, he continued his studies as a member of the Bremen young people's club (formed in 1834). The North German Missionary Society was formed in 1836, and between the years 1837-42 Riemenschneider and Wohlers (q.v.) were fellow students at the mission house in Hamburg. They studied the classics and subjects likely to aid them in mission work (including English, geography, natural history, algebra, trigonometry and music), and travelled together during their holidays. With Trost and Heine they reached Nelson in the St Pauli (15 Jun 1843). After ministering to the German colonists at Nelson for some time Riemenschneider proceeded in 1844 to found a mission at Taupo but, finding the district already occupied by the Catholic missionaries, he settled at Motu Karamu, on the Mokau river (Taranaki). There he laboured for a number of years, being the spiritual teacher of both Te Whiu and Tohu, upon whom his teaching had great influence. On the outbreak of the Taranaki war he acted as a go-between for the Government with the Maori tribes, and made a valuable report to Colonel Gold (15 May 1860).

The natives having turned against religion, Riemenschneider was advised by them and by the Governor to leave the district. He moved his family to Nelson (Feb 1861), but returned himself to his station. In 1862 he was offered the post of missioner to the Maori in Otago and he settled at Otago Heads, where he preached and kept a school. In 1863 he became a minister of the Free Church of Scotland.

Riemenschneider married (1849) Katherine, daughter of the Rev William Woon. He died on 31 Aug 1866.

App. H.R., 1861; Richmond papers; Wohlers; Hocken, Bibliog.; L. Tiesmeyer, Eine Deutsche Missionarbeit auf Neu-Seeland, 1875; Buller; Carey; C. S. Ross, The Story of the Otago Church and Settlement (1887).

Reference: Volume 2, page 123

🌳 Further sources

RIES, HANS MADSEN (1860-1926) was born in Schleswig, Denmark, one of the large family of a small farmer. After receiving a sound primary education in his native village, he took a position as teacher in a public school. Deciding to become a missionary in India, he entered the Lutheran divinity school in his native province, where he spent five years. His health then appeared unequal to life in the tropics, and in 1886 he accepted a call to the new Danish settlement at Norsewood, where he was ordained and commenced his ministry in 1887, the year before the settlement was swept by fire. He married in 1887 and shortly afterwards became honorary minister and entered into business to supplement his stipend. In 1890 he brought from Denmark another party of settlers, including his mother and sisters. Ries erected on his own property and managed for six months the first butter factory in southern Hawkes Bay, and he began to import machinery required by the rise of the dairy industry. In 1895, being relieved of ministerial duties by the arrival of two clergymen from Denmark, he moved to Dannevirke and opened a large business, H. M. Ries and Sons. In an honorary capacity he ministered to the Lutherans living in and around Dannevirke, and as president of the Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Convention of New Zealand and Queensland he paid a visit to Australia. He took a leading part in public affairs, being at different times a member of the borough council and five years mayor (1905-10); chairman of the technical school, a member of the Hawkes Bay hospital and charitable aid board, the education board, the Waipawa county council and licensing committee, and the Dannevirke power board. He was on the executive of the Hawkes Bay district lodge of Foresters and the friendly societies council; chairman of the Dannevirke hospital board, and vice-president of the chamber of commerce. He was a Liberal in politics and a strong advocate of no-license. He died on 14 Apr 1926.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Cycl. NZ, vi (p); Dannevirke Evening News, 15 Apr 1926; Hawkes Bay Herald, 16 Apr 1926.

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

🌳 Further sources

RIKIHANA, WIREMU (1849-1933), a leading chief of Rarawa, was born at Hokianga in 1849, a member of the renowned Papahia family. He was one of the most respected chiefs of the north; a leading authority on Maori history and lore; a devout Roman Catholic and a lifelong teetotaller. In 1883 he took up his residence at Kaihu on a block of 200 acres which was presented to his father by Parore in recognition of services rendered by the Rarawa to the Ngati-Whatua tribe. Eventually this block became the site of the town of Kaihu. In 1923-30 Rikihana was a member of the Legislative Council. He died on 10 Jul 1933.

N.Z.P.D., 1923 (and 22, 26 Sep 1933)

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

🌳 Further sources

RING, CHARLES (1822-1906) was born in Guernsey, the son of William Joseph Ring, who lost his money in a bank failure and emigrated to Tasmania. Educated at Hobart, he left in his teens for Adelaide and entered into business. His premises were burned down (1841) and he decided to come to New Zealand. Arriving in Wellington in 1841, he proceeded to Auckland and bought two farms, one near the pa at Onehunga and the other at Mt Roskill, for which he bought 500 sheep from James Busby and two cargoes of cattle from New South Wales. A hitch having occurred in receiving the crown grant for his land, he sold the cattle at auction and, with his brother Fred, sailed in the brig Fanny for California. Purchasing a boat there, they prospected some of the rivers. In hastening from the Yuba to the Sacramento rush, Ring lost all his merchandise by the capsizing of his boat. In disgust he decided to return to Australia. Taking passage in the Dutch barque Ceres, he was wrecked on a reef in Fiji. The survivors, trying to reach Queensland in an open boat, were picked up by an American whaler, who brought them back to Auckland. Ring believed some of the disappointed miners from the Ceres might be induced to prospect in New Zealand. Accordingly on landing (23 Sep 1852) he interviewed Whitaker and Heale to ascertain whether a bonus would be offered for the discovery of gold. A public meeting was held and arrangements made for the offer of a reward for such a discovery between 34.50 and 38 degrees south latitude. Ring and his brother, finding themselves unable to leave for Australia (as no vessel was advertised to sail) turned their attention to the Coromandel and Thames ranges, where they considered the geological formation resembled that of California. In 1852 they discovered gold at Cabbage Bay (Coromandel), at McCaskill's Driving Creek (Ohinemuri) and at Te Aroha. Horeta Taniwha resented their activities, but finally allowed them to proceed. Ring hurried to Auckland and reported his find, showing samples of the gold. The committee was not satisfied that the gold had not come from California. Eventually W. S. Graham lent the schooner Undine to take the prospectors and a deputation to the field (accompanied by interpreters and the native secretary, Nugent). The deputation was satisfied that the gold was there, but the committee wished to ascertain whether it was in paying quantities. The Ring brothers accordingly registered their claim to the reward. This was not granted, but in 1870 they received £200 from the provincial government 'as a matter of grace not of right.' The Rings were engaged in mining enterprises for many years subsequently. Charles lived in Auckland from 1875, and died there on 24 Mar 1906.

Auckland P.C. Proc.; Cycl. NZ., ii (p); Galvin, Mining Handbook; Weston; C. Ring in N.Z. Herald, 14 Sep-26 Oct, 30 Nov 1895; N.Z. Herald, 26 Mar 1906.

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

🌳 Further sources

RIPAHAU, or MATAHAU, was a southern native who was taken as a slave to Bay of Islands. His master having been killed, he lived for some years at the mission stations, where he received regular instruction. When the Ngapuhi were fighting with the Arawa against the Thames tribes he started overland for the south, visiting relatives at Taupo and Rotorua. At Otaki his knowledge of the Scriptures evoked the interest of Tamihana te Rauparaha and Matene te Whiwhi, and for some months they studied together, reading from a single copy of the Prayer Book and writing on scraps of paper obtained from the whalers. They gathered a few other students about them and retired for security to Kapiti. Ripahau later went to Waikanae, where he was well received by Te Rangitake and married his daughter. On 30 Nov 1839, after the battle of Kuititanga, he was selected to ratify the peace between Ngati Raukawa and Ngati-Awa. On 4 Dec he was baptised by the Rev Henry Williams with the Christian name 'Hohepa.' Wi Kingi himself was soon afterwards baptised. Tamihana te Rauparaha and Matene te Whiwhi earnestly demanded a missionary for their people, and Williams had almost decided to go himself. Octavius Hadfield, who was in ill-health, had just arrived from England with Bishop Broughton. He volunteered for the post, and was ordained and appointed.

Jacobs; Carleton; W. Williams; Ward; E. J. Wakefield; Selwyn, Annals.

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

🌳 Further sources

RITCHIE, JOHN DOUGLAS (1853-1933), son of Alexander Ritchie, a farmer, was born at Cupar Angus, Scotland, and educated at the Cargill parish school and at the Perth Academy. Arriving in New Zealand in 1877 by the Halcione, he took up farming at Mount Royal, Otago, and in 1891 joined the public service as chief inspector of stock. In the following year he became Secretary for Agriculture. In 1909 he took charge of the Lands for Settlements department, and as land purchase officer acquired over 800,000 acres for the state. Retiring in 1927, he died in Wellington on 30 Jul 1933, survived by his wife, Margaret, daughter of James McKerrow (q.v.).

Cycl. NZ, i (p); Who's Who NZ, 1908, 1924, 1932; Evening Post, 31 Jul 1933.

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

🌳 Further sources

ROBERTS, JOHN MACKINTOSH (1840-1928) was born in Bombay and educated at the Academy at Inverness. At 15 he came to New Zealand in the Carnatic with his parents, who took up land at Hunua, Auckland. In 1860 he went in a small schooner to Otago and tried his luck at Gabriel's Gully. At the beginning of the Waikato war the farm buildings were burned by hostile natives, and Roberts joined the Forest Rangers under Major Jackson (Aug 1863). In Nov he was given his ensigncy in von Tempsky's company, and in Mar 1864 promoted lieutenant. He was an intrepid scout and bush fighter and earned the title of 'Deerfoot' in von Tempsky's diary. He distinguished himself at Rangiaowhia and Harini (Feb 1864). At Orakau he and Captain Ring led the storming party, Ring being mortally wounded (2 Apr).

At the conclusion of hostilities Roberts was appointed resident magistrate at Rotorua, with charge also of the Taupo district. In 1868 he was gazetted sub-inspector of the Armed Constabulary and proceeded with that force from Waikato to Patea on the outbreak of hostilities. Serving again under von Tempsky he was present at the relief of Turuturumokai (12 Jul) and was left in command of that post. At Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu (7 Sep) he recovered the body of von Tempsky and, returning for Buck, found him dead. He very skilfully led 80 men out of the ambush, showing reckless bravery and having narrow escapes. He displayed resolute bearing, coolness, courage and judgment on this occasion. At the battle of Moturoa two months later (7 Nov) he covered the retreat, giving confidence and inspiration to new troops which had gone into action as soon as they arrived at the front. It was mainly due to him that the force in the dense bush was able to draw off in good order. For these services Roberts received the New Zealand Cross and was promoted major (inspector, A.C.). After serving at Ngatapa (Jan 1869) he was again transferred to the West Coast; here he was present at the defeat of Titokowaru at Tauranga-ika (2 Feb), Otautu (13 May) and Whakamara. He led the right column in the pursuit of Te Kooti in the Bay of Plenty and Urewera, and at the conclusion of hostilities was appointed, with the rank of lieut-colonel, to command all the Colonial forces mobilised for the operations at Parihaka. After that he was appointed to command the Armed Constabulary in Auckland and in 1889 was appointed magistrate at Wairarapa, and later at Tauranga and Opotiki. He remained in service until 1909, when he retired to live in Rotorua. Roberts was the beau ideal of a frontier soldier, cool, courageous and dashing. He married Jesse (d. 16 Feb 1908), daughter of Major Clare, N.Z.M. Roberts died on 12 Oct 1928.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Maxwell; Whitmore (p); Gudgeon; Cowan, i and ii (p); Gorton; N.Z. Herald and Auckland Star, 15 Oct 1928.

Reference: Volume 2, page 126

🌳 Further sources

ROBERTS, SIR JOHN (1845-1934) was born in Selkirk, Scotland, and attended the Cheltenham Grammar School, the Edinburgh Academy and the Edinburgh Institution. On leaving school he spent two years in his father's woollen mill in Selkirk before sailing for Australia in 1864 to study wool production. After four years he came to New Zealand and founded the firm of Murray, Roberts and Co. in Dunedin in 1868. In public life he was a member of the Otago Provincial Council for Kaikorai (1873-75) and for many years chairman of the Taieri county council. He was mayor of Dunedin in 1889, president of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition (1889-90), and a member of the council of Otago University (1885-1921). Four times he was president of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral association, and he was on the Otago harbour board and chamber of commerce. He was a member of the royal commission on federation in 1901 and of that on enemy aliens in 1915. Roberts was a director of the New Zealand Refrigerating Co., the Mosgiel Woollen Co., the Union Steam Ship Co., the Milburn Lime and Cement Co., the Dunedin Saleyards Co., the New Zealand Hardware Co., the Colonial Bank, Donaghy's Rope and Twine Co., and the Trustees, Executors and Agency Co. (C.M.G., 1891; K.B., 1920.) In 1892 he was admitted a freeman of Selkirk. He died on 13 Sep 1934, surviving by 12 years his wife Louisa, daughter of Charles H. Kettle (q.v.).

Cycl. NZ, iv (P); Who's Who NZ, 1908, 1924, 1932; Otago Witness, 21 Jun 1932 (p); Evening Post, 14 Sep 1934.

Reference: Volume 2, page 125

🌳 Further sources

ROBERTS, WILLIAM HENRY SHERWOOD (1834-1917) was born at Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, the son of Captain Thomas Turner Roberts, H.E.I.C.S., and a member of an old Worcestershire family. He was educated at Swansea and at Palace school, Enfield, London, and, after studying bookkeeping and surveying, came to New Zealand in the John Phillips in 1855. His cattle run, near Invercargill, which he bought in 1856, he lost in 1859 by the land and lease ordinance, and in 1871 he lost his sheep run at Tapanui. Settling in Oamaru, Roberts entered into business as an auctioneer and agent, and became a member of the Oamaru borough council (1879), the hospital committee (1882), and the Otago Anglican synod. He published several historical works, including Southland in 1856-57, With a Journey from Nelson to Southland in 1856 (1895), History of Oamaru and Early North Otago (1890) and Maori Nomenclature. In 1867 he married Emma, only daughter of Captain Peter Williams, of Dunedin. He died on 22 Jan 1917.

Cycl. NZ, iv (P); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Otago Daily Times, 24 Jan 1917.

Reference: Volume 2, page 126

🌳 Further sources

ROBERTSON, JAMES (1809-82) was born in Glasgow, and learned the trade of ropemaking with his father. He emigrated to New Zealand in the Duchess of Argyle (1842), and for many years carried on a ropewalk at Mechanics Bay, Auckland. He was a close friend and confidant of Sir George Grey, Dr Sinclair and other leaders of Auckland, and was one of the founders of St Andrew's Church and later of the Presbyterian Church at Otahuhu. Robertson retired from business about 1855, and took a farm at Mangere. He died on 18 Sep 1882.

Sinclair Papers, GA. Library; N.Z. Herald, 9 Oct 1882.

Reference: Volume 2, page 126

🌳 Further sources

ROBERTSON, JAMES WILLIAM (1826-76) was born in New Brunswick, went to California as a young man, thence to Australia. He worked on the Turon field and at Ballarat but eventually, with a partner, engaged in sawmilling in the Bullarook forest. In 1861 he came to Gabriel's Gully, followed the rushes to Fox's diggings at Wakatipu and the Arrow, and eventually settled in Queenstown when the Shotover field was proclaimed. He and his partners soon turned their attention once more to timber, selected a site for their mill near Mount Bonpland and brought the machinery from Melbourne. Robertson engaged in building in Queenstown. About 1868, in company with B. Hallenstein (q.v.), he erected the New Brunswick flourmill at Frankton. They built the steamer Antrim, took up land for a small farm on Frankton Flat, erected two wharves (at Kinloch and Mount Bonpland) with a railway 2½ miles long to the mill, and jetties at Frankton, Queenstown and Kingston. The small farmers were paid for ploughing in the first instance, and were assisted to gain their freeholds and the mill was erected when not more than 50 acres was under crop.

Robertson was a man of fine public spirit and a good organiser. He was the first mayor of Queenstown. During the three years that he occupied that position (with Henry Manders as town clerk), he inaugurated civic government and laid out the town efficiently. In 1871 he was elected to the Provincial Council for the Lakes, which he represented till 1872. Robertson died on 23 Jan 1876.

Otago P.C. Proc.; Don; Otago Daily Times, 16 Feb 1876.

Reference: Volume 2, page 126

🌳 Further sources

ROBIN, SIR ALFRED WILLIAM (1860-1935), a son of James Robin, was born in Dunedin and educated at the Otago Boys High School. He then joined his father's coach building business. Always interested in volunteering, he rose to captain of the Otago Hussars. In 1897 he commanded the New Zealand mounted troop at Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee. On his return he was given command of the Otago Mounted Rifles, and in 1898 he became mounted infantry instructor for New Zealand. In 1899 he commanded the 1st New Zealand Contingent in the South African war. (Queen's medal with five clasps; C.B. 1900) On returning from South Africa he commanded the Otago district, and in 1907 was promoted chief of the general staff, first military member of the Council of Defence, and general officer commanding the New Zealand forces. In 1910 he was appointed adjutant and quartermaster-general. After serving at the War Office, London, as Dominion representative on the Imperial General Staff (1912-14) Robin was stationed in New Zealand during the war of 1914-18 as acting commander of forces within the Dominion. From 1920 to 1922, as major-general, he was acting-administrator of Western Samoa. (C.M.G., 1912; K.C.M.G., 1920) In 1933 he was awarded the order of the Silver Wolf in the boy scout movement. He died in Wellington on 2 Jun 1935, unmarried.

Cycl. NZ., iv (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; The Dominion, 3 Jun 1935 (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 126

🌳 Further sources

ROBINSON, CHARLES BARRINGTON (1812-99) was the son of Joshua Robinson. He read for the bar and had a good practice, besides being well versed in languages. Robinson came to New Zealand in 1840 and settled at Akaroa, buying five acres from the Nanto-Bordelaise Company, on which he erected his house. He was a freemason and superintendent of Lodge Francaise Primitive Antipodienne (1840). Shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi he called on Captain Hobson at Bay of Islands and was commissioned (Jul 1840) to proceed with M. Murphy in the Britomart to hold courts at Akaroa and other places and to remain as resident magistrate at Akaroa. The ceremony took place at Akaroa on 11 Aug. Robinson occupied that position, as well as the collectorship of customs, till Aug 1845, when he resigned to visit England. Returning in 1850 in his own vessel, the Monarch, in which he brought shorthorn cattle and English pheasants, he made several voyages to Australia for stock and then sold the ship.

In 1853 he married Helen McHutcheson, daughter of Francis Sinclair (q.v.). He had acquired a good deal of land in Canterbury, but after another visit to England (1864) he disposed of his holdings and returned to England, where he died on 28 Dec 1899. His widow died in 1913. Robinson fought a duel with Captain Muter.

Family information from Aylmer F. Robinson and Eric Knudsen; Cant. O.N.; Barclay; Deans; Godley, Letters; J. Hay; Buick, Akaroa; Scholefield, Hobson; Acland; The Press, Jul 1924, 5 May 1930; Lyttelton Times, 12, 19 Feb 1853, 16 Dec 1925.

Reference: Volume 2, page 126

🌳 Further sources

ROBINSON, EDWARD TERRY (1838-94) was born at Clapham, London. He arrived on the West Coast in the early days of the gold rush. He was a member of the Westland county council, and represented Kanieri in the Provincial Council (1874-75). For some time he was a member of the executive and provincial treasurer. Afterwards he became secretary to the Westland education board, and at the time of his death (12 Apr 1894) was inspector of schools in the Grey district.

Harrop, Westland; Westland P.C. Proc.; Grey River Argus, 13 Apr 1894.

Reference: Volume 2, page 127

🌳 Further sources

ROBINSON, JOHN PERRY (1809-85) was born in Surrey and trained as a wood and ivory turner. He was in business in Birmingham before coming to New Zealand in the Phoebe (1842). On settling in Nelson he opened a school under the Nelson school society and spent some years in charge of it. He was then for four years in business in Auckland. Returning to Nelson, he commenced farming and then established himself as a sawmiller at Motupipi.

In 1855 Robinson was elected to the Nelson Provincial Council for Massacre Bay, and at the end of the following year he was invited to contest the superintendency, which had become vacant by the resignation of Stafford. Though opposed by Dr Monro, he won the election and was re-elected on two subsequent occasions. Robinson had seen much of politics while living in Birmingham, where he became imbued with Liberal principles. He was a man of considerable intellectual attainments, with a practical and logical judgment, and was often consulted both by public men and by the officials of the General Government. His influence more than once prevented trouble in days of economic depression. In 1860 he stood for the parliamentary representation of Nelson, but was defeated by two titans (Domett 193 and Stafford 185 elected; Robinson 149). He met his death on 28 Jan 1865, being drowned on the bar of the Buller river while on an unofficial visit to the south-west gold and coal fields. Robinson married Miss Gaskell, of Derby.

Nelson P.C. Proc.; Saunders; Cycl. N.Z., V (p); The Colonist, 31 Jan 1865.

Reference: Volume 2, page 127

🌳 Further sources

ROBINSON, WILLIAM (1814-89) was born at Bold Hall, Warrington, Lancashire. In 1839 he emigrated to South Australia, where he purchased the River Hill estate and made considerable money dealing in stock between South Australia and the other colonies. In 1856 he sold out and came to New Zealand. Settling in Nelson, he purchased from the provincial government the Cheviot Hills estate, between the Hurunui and Waiau rivers, and earned the soubriquet of 'Ready-money Robinson' by paying for it in cash. Robinson increased the property to 84,000 acres and established on it one of the finest homesteads in New Zealand. He stocked the run with sheep from good flocks, and in 1888 the clip amounted to 2,079 bales. In Grey's 'Domesday Book' (1885) he appears as the second largest landowner in New Zealand, his property being valued at £291,812. At Port Robinson he provided shipping facilities to enable him and his neighbours to load their wool.

In his early days in Nelson Robinson made many interesting journeys between Nelson and Canterbury. He took little part in public affairs, but was M.P.C. for Amuri 1857-59. He had a distinguished career on the turf in three countries. In 1862 he imported the horse Golden Grape and later Ravenswood and the mares Skybird and Coronaria; but did not race. Going to England in 1864, he backed his mare Gratitude to win the Cezarewitch Stakes, but she was beaten. Next year his horse Eltham ran third in the Derby and Gratitude won the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot. On his return to New Zealand Robinson bought Strop from Henry Redwood and presented it to his brother-in-law (Wood) for whom it ran with remarkable success in Australia. The first horse he trained in New Zealand was Skylark (1868). He purchased Papapa from Redwood, but for family reasons refrained from racing until 1878, when he purchased Natator the day before he won the Canterbury Derby. After the death of J. W. Mallock he joined H. P. Lance, and they raced with great success, amongst their best horses being Foul Play, Grip and Vanguard. The resumption of the Cheviot estate in 1893 initiated the Liberal government's policy of subdivision of large estates. Robinson was a member of the Legislative Council from 1869 till his death (on 9 Sep 1889).

N.Z.P.D., 10 Sep 1889; Acland; Reeves; Cant. O.N.; Roberts, Southland; Col. Gent.; The Press, 10 Sep 1889; Lyttelton Times, 10 Sep, 2 Oct 1889.

Reference: Volume 2, page 127

🌳 Further sources

ROBLEY, HORATIO GORDON (1840-1930) was born at Madeira, the son of a captain in the Indian Army. His parents were both artistic and he early showed similar tastes. In 1858 he was appointed ensign in the 68th Regiment, with which he went to India and saw the final stages of the Mutiny. He was stationed for some time in Burma in charge of Bahadur Shah II, King of Delhi. There he travelled and sketched a good deal. On the king's death in 1862 Robley was appointed lieutenant-instructor in musketry. He came to New Zealand in the transport Australian, landing in Auckland with the headquarters staff on 8 Jan 1864. Without delay he purchased a Maori vocabulary and Maning's Old New Zealand to acquire a knowledge of the language and customs of the natives. The war having been brought to a stalemate, the 68th moved to Tauranga in Apr and was soon involved in the reverse at Gate Pa, followed by the victory at Te Ranga. Robley served throughout as a lieutenant and instructor in musketry, and made many sketches of New Zealand and Maori life for English illustrated papers. In 1865 the regiment returned to England. Promoted captain in 1870, Robley exchanged into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. In 1870, as major, he went to Mauritius and in the next year he rejoined headquarters in Cape Colony. As a lieutenant-colonel he served in the Cape, Natal and Zululand and in 1883 he was promoted to command the regiment. In 1884 he organised its mounted infantry in Zululand. He retired in 1887 with the rank of major-general and resided in London until his death on 29 Oct 1930.

As an author, Robley wrote first the history of his regiment. Having taken a keen interest in the moko (tattooing) of the New Zealanders, which he studied scientifically, he published in 1896 his first book on that subject, Moko. In the pursuit of this study he gathered a fine collection of Maori dried heads, numbering 35, of which 30 were sold to the New York Museum of Natural History (1909). His notes for a new edition of Moko he was not able to finish, and they were acquired for the Hocken Library. In 1905 the New Zealand Government purchased for the Dominion Museum 70 of Robley's water-colour sketches, mainly scenes in the Tauranga campaign. His sketches for illustrations to Maning's Old New Zealand were presented to Sir Douglas Maclean (some of them being used in the 1922 edition). In 1915 he published Pounamu; Notes on New Zealand Greenstone. For many years Robley contributed sketches of Maori subjects to the Graphic and the Illustrated London News.

Polyn. Jour., vol. 40, p89 (p); Fildes collection, Victoria University College; War Office records; Hocken in Otago Daily Times, 24 Apr 1897; The Times, 30 Oct 1930.

Reference: Volume 2, page 127

🌳 Further sources

ROCHE, HUNGERFORD (1841-1914) was born in Dublin, the son of Thomas Hungerford Roche, of Glandore Castle, County Cork, Ireland. He completed his education at the Albert Model Training Farm College, Glasnevin. In 1863 he arrived in Auckland by the Ida Zeigler and was employed in the commissariat during the Waikato war. Afterwards he settled in Waikato. Roche represented Waipa in the Auckland Provincial Council (1873-75), and later contested the parliamentary seat as a supporter of Grey (1879). In 1891 he opened an estate agency at Ohaupo. He married (1876) Emily Adela, daughter of Neil Malcolm, barrister of the Inner Temple. He died on 24 Nov 1914.

Parltry. Record; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); N.Z. Herald, 28 Nov 1914.

Reference: Volume 2, page 127

🌳 Further sources

ROCHFORT, JOHN (1832-94) was born and educated in London, and apprenticed to civil engineering under Sir Isambard Brunel. He had some experience on the goldfields of Australia before coming to Nelson in 1858 in the Marmora. He settled with his family at Motueka. He became a competent Maori scholar and as a surveyor made good use of native guides. While carrying out a contract for the Nelson government to make a survey on the West Coast he lost all his stores in the Buller, but managed to carry on for months, subsisting on what food the forest yielded. On this expedition Rochfort discovered coal seams at Mt Rochfort and traces of gold in the Buller. In 1859, with two men, he surveyed the Nelson-Canterbury boundary, passing down the Teremakau to Lake Brunner, and by the Arnold and Grey rivers to the coast and then to the mouth of the Buller. James and Alexander Mackay, crossing from Canterbury, met him at Lake Sumner (Mar 1860), and while travelling together Mackay saved Rochfort from drowning in fording a river.

According to Harrop it was Rochfort who first used the name 'Westland' (in 1859). In 1863 he accepted a position in Canterbury, and had charge of one of the parties sent out by the Canterbury provincial government to cut tracks on the West Coast. He reported on the Karamea pass. In 1864 he surveyed the coastline of south Westland. Rochfort laid off the town of Greymouth (Jul 1865). In 1869 he entered the service of the General Government. In 1872 he was engaged in laying off the Rimutaka line and in 1874-76 he was engineer to the Timaru and Gladstone board of works. In 1883 he commenced the first engineering reconnaissance of the North Island main trunk line, between Marton and Te Awamutu. In spite of much opposition from chiefs of the King party, he completed his task in 1884. He also made trial line surveys for the Wellington-Masterton railway, and constructed two large traffic bridges in the Waimarino. Rochfort's last years were devoted to surveys in Westland, mineral investigations in Nelson and projects in south Auckland. Physical attributes and an eye for physiography made him an ideal explorer. He died in 1894.

Nelson P.C. Proc.; Royal Geog. Society's Jour., v. 32; N.Z. Railways Magazine, Oct-Nov 1983 (p); N.Z. Soc. Civ. Engineers, Proc., 1922-23; Hindmarsh; J. Rochfort, The Adventures of a Surveyor (1853); Reid; Harrop; Dobson; Jourdain; Nelson Examiner, 24 Aug 1859; Westport Times and Star, 28 Dec 1926; Wellington Independent, 27 Jan 1860.

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

🌳 Further sources

ROCHFORT, SINGLETON, who was born in 1817, was admitted to the bar in Victoria in 1852. Shortly afterwards he came to New Zealand, and was appointed in 1855 provincial solicitor in Auckland. In this capacity he declared all the acts of the Auckland Provincial Council in sessions I and II void and also the creation of the Auckland City Council. A few months later he resigned and he was in the Indian service for several years. Returning to Victoria, Rochfort practised at the Victorian bar. In 1860 he published a masterly commentary, The Constitutional Law of England in its Relation to Colonial Settlements (with a special bearing on the claims of James Busby, q.v.). In 1870 he was appointed examiner of titles at Napier and district judge for Hawke's Bay, a post he resigned in 1872. He married Isabella, daughter of Alexander Shepherd (q.v.).

Victorian Law List.

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

🌳 Further sources

RODRIQUEZ DE SARDINHA, ANTONIO (1832-1905) was a native of Madeira and of good Portuguese family. While living in Madeira he made the acquaintance of T. Mace (q.v.) and in 1852 came to New Zealand with him and E. de Castro in the St Michael. Settling in Taranaki, Rodriquez joined the mounted settlers at the outbreak of the war and greatly distinguished himself in the field, especially in rescuing wounded under fire at Poutoko (2 Oct 1863) and at Kaitake (11 May 1864). He was mentioned in garrison orders and repeatedly by General Warre, and was awarded the New Zealand Cross, which was presented to him by Atkinson in 1877. Rodriquez was farming at Patoka for some years. He died on 12 May 1905.

N.Z. Army records; Gudgeon; Cowan; Wells; Taranaki Herald, 8 Aug 1927, 13 May 1905. Portrait: Taranaki Hist. Coll.

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

🌳 Further sources

ROGERS, HENRY, arrived in Southland about 1857 and took charge of the Castle Rock station (then known as The Elbow) for J. P. Taylor. He was member for Oreti in the Southland Provincial Council (1863-64). Rogers married the eldest sister of Shea Lawlor, of Riverton.

Southland P.C. Proc.

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

🌳 Further sources

ROGERS, JOSEPH (1836-96) was born at Lamplough, Cockermouth, Cumberland. He was educated there and served in a bank. He married (1864) Mary McKellar, sister of David and Peter McKellar (q.v.) and after her death (in 1875) he married her sister, Annie McKellar. Rogers came to New Zealand in 1860 or 1861 to join his brother William, who had taken up the Glenquoich run, at Athol, western Otago, a year earlier. William was drowned in Lake Wakatipu on 9 Aug 1862, and Joseph carried on the property for many years himself. He was a fine type of settler and did much for the development of the district. He represented Oreti in the Otago Provincial Council from 1873 to 1875. Rogers died on 9 Dec 1896.

Otago P.C. Proc.; Beattie, i, ii; Cycl. N.Z., iv, p. 1015, 1018.

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

🌳 Further sources

ROLLAND, JAMES (1802-89) was born at Wester Luscar, Fifeshire, the second son of a privy councillor for Scotland. He belonged to the Rollands of Gask, who suffered for their convictions at the time of the two most important religious movements in Scotland. James was a writer to the signet, and after retiring from his legal practice in Edinburgh came to New Zealand in the Alpine (1859) in the hope of finding prospects for his sons. He bought land in the Clutha district, his first permanent home being Gask Lodge on the banks of the Clutha, near Kaitangata. In 1862 Rolland purchased the Blackstone Hill station, 30 miles from Naseby, where in 1865 he was running 12,000 sheep. In 1865 he was called to the Legislative Council, but in the following year he decided to return to Scotland, and transferred his estate to his sons Adam and Henry. He lived in Edinburgh until his death on 20 Nov 1889. His wife, a daughter of Captain W. Stothert, of the Coldstream Guards, died in 1861.

Parltry Record; Otago Witness, 24 Feb 1931; Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Don.

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

🌳 Further sources

ROLLAND, JEAN BAPTISTE (1834-1903) was born in the department of Meuse, France, and educated at the seminary of Verdun. On being ordained, he chose to enter the foreign mission field, and joining the Society of Mary (1861), he came to Sydney (1863) and to New Zealand the following year. After being assistant to Father Forrest at Napier, he was transferred to Taranaki, where he did fine service amongst both races for eight years, and established a monastery for lay brothers at Koru. As a chaplain he went through the campaign against Titokowaru and showed great gallantry at the battles of Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu in attending to the wounded under heavy fire. He was afterwards on two occasions stationed on the West Coast of the South Island. On being sent there finally he was stationed at Ahaura for eight years, in which time he paid off a parochial debt of £1,000 and maintained a very efficient school (at which Mr Justice O'Regan was educated). His remaining years he spent at Reefton, where he died on 13 Jul 1903.

Cycl. N.Z., v (p); Gudgeon; Cowan, ii; Grey River Argus, 14 Jul 1903; Marist Messenger, 1 Mar 1988 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 128

🌳 Further sources

ROLLESTON, WILLIAM (1831-1903) was born at Maltby, near Doncaster, Yorkshire, on 19 Sep 1831, and was a son of the Rev George Rolleston, M.A., rector of the parish and squire. He was educated at Rossall under the headmastership of Dr Woolley (afterwards principal of the University of Sydney). He then passed on to Cambridge, entering at Emmanuel College in 1851. Next year he won a foundation scholarship, and in 1855 he graduated B.A. with honours in the classical tripos. A brother, Dr George Rolleston, M.D., F.R.S. (d. 1881) was a distinguished professor of physiology at Oxford.

After leaving Cambridge Rolleston spent some time in private tuition, and in 1858 sailed for New Zealand in the Regina. He had made up his mind to go on the land, and without delay took up a run at Mount Algidus in the forks of the Rakaia, close to Lake Coleridge. Rolleston threw himself heart and soul into the arduous work of landowning and did everything possible to improve his property, particularly in the treatment of the soil and the planting of trees. The fact that much of the surrounding country was explored by him accounts for the prevalence of classical names in the neighbourhood. Later he took up a property on the sea coast near the mouth of the Rangitata river, where he lived during most of his public life.

Rolleston took an early interest in public affairs. In 1863 he was appointed a member of a select commission to suggest a scheme of education for the province, his colleagues being Tancred, Dr Lillie, and Saunders. They visited all the schools in the province and brought down a report which recommended placing the whole of them under the control of a board of education. In 1875, when he held the more responsible position of Superintendent and had a Colonial position as well, Rolleston said: 'Our best policy would be to make education free in all Government schools; and such a result is, as I think, but the corollary upon the adoption of any responsibility by the state in the matter of education.' Two years later, when the Colonial system was under discussion, he declared himself convinced that the education provided by the state should also be secular. At the end of 1863, when Bealey was Superintendent, Rolleston was persuaded to let himself be elected for Heathcote to the Provincial Council, and to assume the office of provincial secretary, which he held until Jun 1865. In that year gold digging commenced at various points on the western side of the Alps, and in Mar a great rush of miners set in to Westland from other provinces of New Zealand and from Australia. Though Canterbury was a pastoral province, it was essential that she should see that people on both sides of the range reaped the fruits of the new prosperity. As provincial secretary, Rolleston proceeded across the range with Rochfort and other officers to set up the machinery of government there. Rolleston and Hall, as representing the Canterbury government, and Dobson, Rochfort, and the other officials who went with them, did everything possible to meet the emergency. Rolleston's part was so well done that when Bealey retired from the superintendency in the middle of 1866, he was requested (but declined) to stand for the chief magistracy. He was, in fact, deeply engrossed in the duties of Under-secretary for Native Affairs, which he accepted in Jun 1865 at the invitation of Weld and carried out with zeal and efficiency for three years. In this post he demonstrated not merely his interest in education and his sympathy with the Maori people, but his capacity for administration. His term of office had a most beneficial effect upon the native village school system.

In May 1868 Rolleston resigned from the Native office to devote his full attention to provincial affairs. The superintendency had again become vacant and his supporters, preferring his caution to the freer disposition of Moorhouse, persuaded him to stand. He was duly elected, and took office as a strong provincialist, but not altogether satisfied with the provincial system as it then existed. He frankly wanted it simplified, but did not look with favour on the proposal, which was then before the country, for the severance of the whole of the province south of the Rangitata and its erection, for all practical purposes, into a separate province. He was quite willing to give the southern district the whole of its revenue for local works, but 'unity of government' (he declared) 'is essential to our future greatness as a nation.' He took a strong stand also upon the administration of the railways, which he contended must be independent of the changing politics of the day. On the constitutional question Rolleston strove hard for a solution of the friction that existed amongst council, superintendent, and executive. In common with such shrewd provincialists as Ormond and McLean, he believed that the superintendent should have a seat in the council and be in close touch with it, instead of communicating by means of messages and addresses. He went so far as to be nominated for a seat in the Council, but at the last moment withdrew and sought a solution in another direction by offering to regard the whole Council as his executive and to carry on the administration himself with the assistance of a clerk or two. From the outset of his superintendency he saw clearly the spectre of abolition in the future and urged his Council to take steps betimes to simplify and improve the system, though unquestionably it had enabled Canterbury to do very much for herself. During his superintendency Rolleston promoted immigration as the best precaution against slumps in the future. Though he strongly opposed the Vogel policy of borrowing, he entered heart and soul into the immigration proposals, and was proud of the fact that the population of Canterbury increased from 45,000 in 1870 to 59,000 in 1874.

Rolleston had to defend the superintendency in 1870 against Moorhouse, who came out unexpectedly as a candidate and was defeated by 1,800 votes to 897. At the end of that term he was re-elected unopposed, and saw the provincial system to its close. He promoted public works throughout the province, especially the harbour works at Lyttelton and Timaru, and the railways, which, however, were taken over by the General Government before the abolition. In Feb 1876 Rolleston presided at the opening of the railway from Christchurch to Timaru, and a few days later at the opening of the Amberley line. To meet the discontent of the outdistricts, he agreed to the setting up of the Timaru and Gladstone board of works, which for several years before the abolition, had the spending of the whole of the revenues raised in its district. He took an interest in the establishment of the Museum at Christchurch, which he opened, and the words cut over the entrance door were placed there by him at a later date. A provincial exhibition was held during his superintendency. The question of education was never at rest for long. In 1870, and again in 1874, bills were passed by the Provincial Council dealing with the Canterbury system, which was one of the most successful in the colony. Rolleston strongly opposed the administration of education by the executive of the day. He believed that salaries of teachers and administration should be entirely removed from the vicissitudes of party politics. When an ordinance was presented to him in 1875, which proposed to hand over the administration to the executive, he refused to sign it.

In the parliamentary struggles on abolition, Rolleston staunchly defended the provinces, and was able to adduce good evidence from the case of Canterbury that they had justified themselves. When at length they were extinguished, in 1876, he received a valuable mark of the esteem of the people of Canterbury. A few weeks after his election to the superintendency in 1868 Rolleston was elected unopposed to succeed Reeves as member for Avon in the General Assembly. He went to Wellington well equipped by official experience in native matters, and he launched a well-informed attack upon the native policy of the Stafford government, which he declared could never produce peace on the west coast of the North Island. Next year he moved for the appointment of a commission to visit every native district and ascertain the position of the natives. Rolleston's position in the House steadily improved, and he was plainly marked out for office as soon as the party which he supported should gain the ascendancy. The great popularity of Grey staved this off for a while. Rolleston had come out in 1873 as a champion against the 'gridironers' in Canterbury, and many of his supporters could not understand how he could oppose Grey in 1877. When at length Grey's government came to an end (Oct 1879) and Hall took office, Rolleston was entrusted with the departments of Lands, Immigration, and Education, for each of which he had special qualifications. Later he took also Justice and Mines, and for a few months in 1881, during the retirement of Bryce from the ministry, he administered Native Affairs. Always cautious, and leaning towards clemency to the Maori, he was reluctant to put into effect the Parihaka policy which was eventually adopted by the government. Rolleston resigned from the cabinet, but when the policy was adopted he insisted on signing the proclamation, and when Bryce set about carrying it through Rolleston proceeded to Pungarehu, and by his presence identified himself with the Government. Though he had to bear the odium which this policy excited in a South Island constituency, he was returned unopposed for Avon at the general election of 1881.

Rolleston in the next few years put into effect some liberal ideas in land legislation. He believed in deferred payments, but he feared to establish a tenantry either of the moneylenders or of the crown. Preferring the latter as the less evil, he introduced the perpetual lease into his land bill of 1882. Continuing to hold the portfolios of Lands, Mines, and Immigration in the Whitaker and Atkinson governments, he got the perpetual lease extended in 1884. At the general election in that year he defeated A. Cox for Geraldine, but on the retirement of the Atkinson government a few weeks later he became a private member. In 1887 he was defeated for Rangitata by S. Buxton. In 1890 he fought the Halswell seat against F. S. Parker, and won, and during this Parliament he was leader of the Opposition. In 1893 he again sustained defeat (in the Ellesmere electorate), his opponent being W. H. Montgomery. At the general election in 1896 Rolleston defeated G. W. Russell for Riccarton by 1,834 to 1,443. In 1899 the tables were turned, Russell winning by a single vote (1,867 and 1,866).

Rolleston then retired definitely from politics. Amongst his activities outside of Parliament education always had him as its servant. For many years he acted on the Canterbury education board. For a few years (1873-75) he was a member of the board of governors of Canterbury College. From the foundation of the New Zealand University in 1871 until his death he was a member of the senate. He was also on the governing body of Christ's College from its early years until his death. The foundation of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at Sumner in 1880 was due almost entirely to the interest which he took in the matter as Minister for Education. Many Canterbury educational buildings came into existence during his administration as Superintendent and as Minister, and he took steps to endow them from the landed estate of the province. After the election of 1899 Rolleston retired to his estate at Rangitata, where he died on 8 Feb 1903. He married in 1865 Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Joseph Brittan, one of the Canterbury Pilgrims. Two of his sons, FRANCIS JOSEPH (born 1873) and JOHN CHRISTOPHER (born 1877), became members of the House of Representatives in 1922. The former was Attorney-general and Minister for Justice and Defence in the Coates ministry (1926-28).

Gisborne says of Rolleston: 'There is nothing volatile, in the ordinary sense, about Rolleston; on the contrary a vein of doggedness runs through his nature. When he wavers it is from excess of conscientious doubt as to what is right, but he is firm enough in trying to do it when convinced, and that quality has made him from time to time amenable to the logic of facts. As Minister for Lands, he has been liberal, prudent, and far-sighted, and has done much to discourage mere speculation and to promote real settlement. He is a very good administrator. He dislikes red tape and procrastination, and has a horror of the system of how not to do a thing which he thinks should be done. He has a great aptitude for official business, and in its transaction he is clear, methodical, and industrious. He is intelligent, well-educated, earnest, and animated by the highest motives. What he lacks is decision of character and definiteness of purpose. He is too sensitive and emotional. His feelings are too highly charged, and move him to and fro by jerks and starts. He is so anxious to do what is right that he is more afraid of doing what is wrong; and he wavers between opposite poles. These dual forces make his political motives somewhat unsteady, and, in a party view, irregular.' Saunders says: 'He was the most profound thinker, the most highly educated, the best read, and the most experienced and well-informed minister upon practical political questions. His fastidious determination to say exactly the right thing in exactly the right words made him usually hesitate over the selection until the main effect of his speech was spoiled.

'As a writer or conversationalist he was effective, interesting, and very original.' Sir Robert Stout said: 'I do not know anyone who gave a better example of what classical culture could do in humanising mankind. It was an education in itself to discuss with him some literary, historical, or political subject.'

App. H.R., 1901, A4; Cant. P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., pass (notably 30 Jun 1903); Gisborne (p); Cox; Saunders (p); Reeves; E. Wakefield; Beaglehole; 1901; The Press, 10, 16, 19, 20, 22 Feb 1903, 19 Mar 1903, 2 Apr 1903, 8 Mar 1990 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 129

🌳 Further sources

RONALDSON, WILLIAM (1823-1917) was the son of a wine merchant, born in London and educated at the Hackney Grammar School. To satisfy his fascination for the sea, his father allowed him to make the voyage to Sydney in 1838 in the ship Roxburgh Castle. At Sydney he shipped aboard the whaler Elizabeth for a cruise of 18 months. In 1843 he returned to England and in the following year sailed for New Zealand to join his uncle, Dr Peter Wilson, of Wanganui, on whose farm he worked for a year. He was then persuaded to accept the post of schoolmaster of the Church of England school at the Maori pa at Putiki. For this he received only 10s a week, but he was paid the ordinary 4pence for teaching the settlers' children at two schools—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. He was also postmaster at £40 a year. During this time he lived with the Rev Richard Taylor.

In 1849 Ronaldson returned to England to offer his services to the Church Missionary Society. Though accepted, he was unable owing to the illness of his father to enter the training college at Islington for another year. In 1852 he attended Tamihana te Rauparaha at his audience of Queen Victoria. He was ordained deacon, and in 1855 priest (while holding the curacy of South Collingham, Nottinghamshire). Early in 1855 he married Miss Ridge, of Newark, and a few months later they sailed for New Zealand, reaching Wellington in Nov. Bishop Selwyn (by whom he had been confirmed in 1845) was glad of the opportunity of employing a clergyman who spoke Maori, and he appointed Ronaldson to Greytown and later to Papawai, where a college was opened in 1857 on land given by the Maori people. After spending eleven years there, Ronaldson was transferred to Motueka, where he had charge of the native population at Collingwood and the Whakarewa College. In 1871 he was appointed to the church at Picton; in 1877 to St John's, Milton, and in 1880 to St Peter's, Caversham, where he concluded his active ministry in 1882. In that year he became a freemason and eight years later was appointed secretary to the grand lodge, which post he held until 1900. He was several times secretary of the Diocesan Synod.

Ronaldson died at Dunedin 20 Aug 1917.

Stack, More Maoriland Adventures; Otago Daily Times, 21 Aug 1917.

Reference: Volume 2, page 129

🌳 Further sources

RONAYNE, THOMAS (1849-1925) was born at Youghal, County Cork, Ireland, and received his elementary education there, afterwards proceeding to school at Wakefield, Yorkshire. He was with Smith, Knight and Co., who were building the Doncaster-Wakefield railway, and afterwards served his apprenticeship to the Great Southern and Western Railway Co. in Dublin. After a few years in the Atlas locomotive works at Manchester he came to New Zealand in 1875 and was in charge of the railway construction works at Helensville and later at Greymouth. In 1886 he became locomotive and resident engineer at Wellington and in 1888 at Addington; in 1890 organized the Grey-Brunner line, and in 1895 became general manager of railways, which the government had resumed from the commissioners. He retired in 1914, receiving the I.S.O. Ronayne was killed on 7 Sep 1925.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; Cycl. N.Z., i (p)

Reference: Volume 2, page 129

🌳 Further sources

ROOKES, CHARLES CECIL (1819-1909) was born at Exeter, Devon, educated at Bath, and in France, and was for two years a midshipman in the Royal Navy on the China and West India stations. After a period at the French military riding school at St Omer (1839-41), he joined the 2nd West India Regiment. (Ensign, 1842; lieutenant, 1842; captain, 1846.) He saw much service commanding the government armed steamer Wilberforce in anti-slavery operations in Sierra Leone and Gambia (1843-44), and in 1846 became private secretary and aide-de-camp to the governor of Bahama and Trinidad. Selling out of the army (1858), he came to New Zealand and settled at Howick. On the outbreak of war he was given employment in the Defence department (1860) and he afterwards commanded the Wanganui district and raised a cavalry troop which did good service. Rookes received the thanks of the Governor for his enterprise and leadership at the reduction of Weraroa (Jul 1865), but was shortly afterwards superseded. He married (1855) a sister of General Cafe, and died on 4 May 1909.

App. H.R., 1861, A1, p. 13, 6; A2 p. 15; Cycl. N.Z., ii; Gorton; Gudgeon; Wanganui Chronicle, 7 Oct 1865.

Reference: Volume 2, page 129

🌳 Further sources

ROSMEAD, SIR HERCULES GEORGE ROBERT ROBINSON, (1824-97), first Baron Rosmead, was the second son of Admiral Hercules Robinson, of Rosmead, Ireland. Educated at Sandhurst, he received his ensigncy in the 87th Regiment. (Lieutenant 1844.) Retiring in 1846, he did special service during the Irish famine (1848) and was appointed to inquire into fairs and markets in that country (1852). In 1854 he was appointed president of Montserrat, West Indies, and a year or two later lieutenant-governor of St Christophers, where his principal achievement was making arrangements for the reception of Indian indentured labour. In 1859 he was knighted and promoted to Hongkong, where he negotiated the cession of the territory of Kowloon, on the mainland of China. In 1863 he was a commissioner to inquire into the financial situation of the Straits Settlements, and in 1865 he assumed the administration of Ceylon. From organising the development of that flourishing crown colony he was transferred to New South Wales. (K.C.M.G. 1869.) He negotiated the tariff arrangement for the New South Wales-Victoria border traffic. In Sep 1874 he proceeded to Fiji to carry out the wishes of the chiefs to cede the group to the Queen. Robinson inaugurated the machinery of the new government and remained in Fiji until the arrival of the first governor, Sir Arthur Gordon (q.v.). (G.C.M.G. 1875) In 1879 he was appointed to New Zealand, assuming the government on 26 Mar. He found the country suffering a depression, native difficulties serious and the Grey government tottering to its fall. Soon after Parliament met Fox moved a vote of no-confidence in the Government, which after a fortnight's debate was carried by 48 votes to 34. Grey demanded a dissolution, which Robinson granted, but on strict terms. He insisted that Parliament should be dissolved with the least possible delay, that meanwhile no new measures should be proposed nor any contested motions brought forward, and that the new Parliament should be called together at the earliest possible moment. Parliament was accordingly dissolved on 15 Aug. Grey wished the Governor not to accept the resignation of Sir John Hall from the Legislative Council, which would free him to stand for the lower chamber, but Robinson replied that if such advice were tendered he would reject it and it would then be for Grey himself to resign. Hall won the Selwyn seat, and was thus available for the premiership when the Government was defeated. The new Parliament met within six weeks of the prorogation of the old. Hall moved a want-of-confidence resolution which was carried, but only by a majority of two. It was expected that Grey might accept this as an intimation to reconstruct his ministry, but Robinson did not ask for advice. He sent for Hall to form a cabinet, which took office on 8 Oct 1879. Though the election brought 35 new members into Parliament the parties were more evenly divided than before, and a compromise had to be effected. Robinson relinquished his duties towards the end of 1880 to accept the important post of Governor of Cape Colony and High Commissioner for South Africa. He arrived there at a most critical time. The Boers had declared their independence, and his first and most pressing task was to negotiate a peace and try to alleviate the antagonism between the two races. By dint of his great personal influence he arrived at an understanding with the Boers and got British sovereignty accepted over Bechuanaland (1885). (P.C. 1882) In the following year he went to Mauritius to investigate charges against the governor, whom he suspended. His term of office in South Africa having been extended in 1888 he made a treaty with Lobengula to prevent the Boers from expanding northward, and thus prepared the way for the chartered company. In 1889 he returned to England, was created a baronet and settled down to financial interests in London. He was a director of the London and Westminster Bank.

Relations between the races in South Africa continuing to deteriorate, Robinson was again sent out (1895), and was negotiating delicate matters with the Transvaal republic when Jameson made his raid upon the Rand (29 Dec 1895). Having heard rumours of his intention, Robinson tried without success to intercept him by telegraph. He managed to secure the release of the raiders and returned to Capetown and thence (in May 1896) to England. There he was created Baron Rosmead of Rosmead in Ireland and Tafelberg in South Africa. Returning to the Cape, he did his utmost to conciliate the inflamed passions of both races, but failing health compelled him to retire for good (Apr 1897). He died on 28 Oct. Robinson ranks as one of the great colonial governors. He was a man of high mental activity, prudent in council and energetic in action. He took care to study problems for himself and was strong enough to press his views even with responsible ministries. He married (1846) Nea Arthur Ada Rose d'Amour, daughter of Viscount Valentia. Robinson was a keen sportsman, and while in New Zealand was associated with Sir George McLean in the ownership of several racehorses, including Lady Emma, Legerdemain and Gitana.

App. H.R., 1879, A1 and 2; D.N.B.; Burke, Peerage; Mennell; Saunders; Keith; Rusden, Australia; Gisborne (p); Ross; The Times, 29 Oct 1897.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROSS, ARCHIBALD HILSON (1821-1900) was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, educated there and went into business. He lived for some years at Sunderland, where he was a member of the town council and a guardian of the poor. In 1859 he emigrated to Otago, was for a time chief draughtsman in the survey office and then entered into business as an optician. He was chairman of the Wakari school committee and road board, a member of the first Roslyn borough council, and mayor in 1879. At the same time he had been a member of the Dunedin City Council and he was elected mayor in 1880. He was a member also of the benevolent trustees and the harbour board (of which he was chairman for five years). Ross twice contested the Roslyn parliamentary seat against Driver. In 1887 he was elected (defeating Carlton and Hutchison). Being defeated by Dawson at the election of 1890, he did not seek re-election. Ross was an enthusiastic astronomer and was actively interested in observing the transits of Venus in 1874 and 1882. He contributed several papers to the proceedings of the Otago Institute, of which he was a member. On retiring from business he resided in Hawke's Bay, where he died on 9 Dec 1900.

N.Z.P.D., 1887-90; Otago Daily Times, 21 Dec 1900.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROSS, CHARLES STUART was born in Scotland in 1840 and was a student at King's College, Aberdeen University. Ordained by the Presbyterian Church, he came to New Zealand and in 1869 was appointed to the parish of Roxburgh and Alexandra, in Central Otago. He was subsequently called to Riverton (1872-77), Anderson's Bay (1877-83), and Hawke's Bay, and in 1885 to Skipton, near Ballarat, Australia. Ross wrote a number of historical works on Otago and Southland, including The Story of the Otago Church and Settlement (1887), Education and Educationalists in Otago (1890), Life and Times of Donald McNaughton Stuart (1894), and Early Otago (1907).

Chisholm (p); Ross op. cit.; Riverton Rec.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROSS, GEORGE ARTHUR EMILIUS (1829-76) came to New Zealand and in 1852 was engaged as a cadet by Henry Tancred on his run at Malvern Hills, Canterbury. In 1854, with Charles Harper as partner, he bought Waireka, which he sold in 1862 to take up land at Lake Coleridge and at Fourpeaks. In 1858 Ross entered the Provincial Council as member for Rakaia, serving till 1865. He was an executive member in 1859 and from 1863 to 1865, and was the first clerk of the Provincial Council. He died in 1876.

Parltry Record; Acland.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROSS, JOHN (?-1897) came to New Zealand in the sixties, and took up land at Myross Bush in Southland. He sat as member for Invercargill in the Southland Provincial Council from 1867 to 1869, and was a member of the executive. He died in 1897.

Cycl. NZ., iv, 1056.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROSS, MALCOLM (1862-1930), a son of Alexander Ross, of Dingwall, Scotland, was born in Dunedin and attended the Palmerston High School and Otago University. He was a versatile athlete, an Otago Rugby representative, and a pioneer in alpine-climbing and exploration. Ross began his journalistic career on the staff of the Otago Daily Times, was private secretary for several years to Sir James Mills (q.v.), and for many years acted as parliamentary and Wellington correspondent to The Press (Christchurch) and the Otago Daily Times, and as New Zealand correspondent for the London Times and Melbourne Age. He went to Samoa during the hostilities in 1899 as a correspondent, was New Zealand secretary to the Dominions royal commission (1913), and during the war of 1914-18 was official correspondent with the New Zealand forces in Egypt, Gallipoli and France. Ross was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the London Alpine Club (1909), vice-president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, editor of the Alpine Journal (1893-94), and author of many publications, including A Climber in New Zealand (1914), Through Tuhoe Land (1904), Aorangi (1892), and (with his son Noel Ross) Light and Shade in War (1916). He died on 15 Apr 1930.

His wife, FORRESTINA ELIZABETH (d. 1936) was a daughter of George Grant, of Dunedin. She was the author of Round the World with a Fountain Pen, and Mixed Grill (1934).

Who's Who NZ., 1924; Evening Post, 16 Apr 1930, 30 Mar 1936.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROSS, RODERICK, was a brother of the Hon. William Ross (Nova Scotia). He came to New Zealand from Nova Scotia in the Margaret (Oct 1851) and eventually settled in Waipu. He married a daughter (d. 1888) of the Rev. Norman McLeod (q.v.). Ross started a flourmill at Waipu (1859), taking one-tenth of the flour in payment for his services. He was a member of the Provincial Council for Marsden (1859-66). He died on 2 Dec 1866.

Macdonald; N. R. McKenzie.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROSS, SIR JOHN (1834-1927) was born at Halkirk, Caithness, of an old Sutherland family. Educated at Rangag and Calder, and finally in the parish school at Halkirk, he left school at the age of 13 and walked 40 miles to Lybster, where he apprenticed himself to a merchant named Wallace, serving three years without pay. He then spent a few years as assistant to a merchant in Thurso, and was eventually offered a partnership in a newly established business in Dunedin. He sailed in the Velore in 1861 with merchandise to the value of £3,000. The partnership did not materialise, but he became a member of the firm of Begg and Christie, drapers. At the end of a year he bought out the other partners and took in Robert Glendining. In 1866 they sold their retail business to Brown Ewing and Co. and established themselves in the wholesale trade in Stafford street. In 1870 Ross returned to England to manage that end of the business, and he married in that year Margaret W. Cassels, who was born in Fife. In 1879 the firm commenced manufacturing hosiery, and soon afterwards they erected a mill at Roslyn, in the Kaikorai valley, for the manufacture of woollens and worsteds. In 1900 the capital of the company was £600,000, and in 1927 it was increased to £1,250,000 (another factory being operated in Auckland). Ross returned in 1905 to live in New Zealand. He interested himself in the welfare of his workers, for whom he established a restaurant and a profit-sharing scheme. He made many benefactions to his Church, including £20,000 to Knox residential college, £5,000 for the Presbyterian home for the aged and destitute, and smaller sums to the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A. He built the Ross institute on the spot in Halkirk where his little school stood.

Ross was for some years on the councils of Otago University and Knox College and the High Schools board. (K.B. 1922.) He died on 5 Jan 1927, and his widow on 29 Nov 1934.

Otago Daily Times, 3 Jan 1922, 6 Jan 1927.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

🌳 Further sources

ROUGH, DAVID (1815-99), after several voyages to the East came in 1839 from India to Sydney. He was present in Apr 1840 when Captain Hobson landed at Paihia, Bay of Islands. In Jun 1840, in the cutter Ranger, he accompanied the Governor to the Waitemata, where he took exhaustive soundings of the harbour before the site of Auckland was fixed. He was present at the sale by the natives, and was appointed harbourmaster of the new port (May 1841) and immigration officer (1842). He married Miss Ellen Short (d. 1894), governess to the Hobson family. In 1843, in the brig Ariel, he took a force to Big Mercury Bay and recaptured the brig Hannah Kirk from a piratical band. Rough's meteorological observations are embodied in Dieffenbach's book on New Zealand. He was superintendent of works under the FitzRoy administration (1844), and made some important journeys to the Hot Lakes and the Waikato district on official business. His account of these travels was published by the S.P.C.K. in 1851.

In 1848 Rough accompanied Sir George Grey on his visit to the South Island in H.M.S. Inflexible. In 1856 he was appointed collector of customs at Nelson and in 1868 he retired. He was also chairman of the education board. In 1874 he was deputy-superintendent of the province. He lived thereafter mostly in England. He made interesting gifts to Auckland Museum in 1893. His death occurred on 22 Apr 1899.

N.Z. Gaz., 1841-56; Nelson P.C. Proc. and Gaz., 1856-74; Scholefield, Hobson; N.Z. Herald, 11, 18, 25 Jan 1896, 9 Jun 1899; Colonist Jubilee Souvenir.

Reference: Volume 2, page 133

🌳 Further sources

ROUS-MARTEN, CHARLES (1841-1908) was born in Sussex, the son of a London merchant, William Marten, F.S.A. (1809-92), who suffered considerable losses through the failure of a bank and came to New Zealand in the ship Palmyra in 1857 hoping to re-establish his fortunes. He had intended going to the north, but left the ship in Otago (Mar 1858) and took up a run at Ryal Bush, Southland.

Charles received most of his education before leaving England. He early evinced an interest in science and engineering, and his acquaintance with W. Conyers led him to enter the Railway department, in which he soon rose to have charge of a country station. He had already some ambitions in public life. At the age of 23 he entered the field for the Riverton seat in the General Assembly, but owing to a hitch his nomination miscarried and Hankinson was returned unopposed (Feb 1866). In Aug 1867 he unsuccessfully contested the Waihopai seat in the Provincial Council as an advocate of railway extension. Marten's interest in railways continued, and in later life he was a recognised authority in the engineering world. His knowledge of locomotive construction and running speeds was outstanding, and for many years he was invited to travel in trains in Great Britain and Europe to observe the performance of new engines. His educational equipment led him towards journalism, in which he gained his earliest experience in Invercargill and afterwards moved to Wellington. Joining the staff of the Evening Post (in 1877) he rose to be sub-editor and finally editor.

Marten was widely read, had a sound knowledge of music and the literature of music, and possessed one of the finest musical libraries in the colony. He was a member of St Peter's choir in Wellington, and sang tenor solos in many oratorios produced in New Zealand. He was a keen meteorologist. For some years he contributed to scientific papers observations taken in Southland, then the most southerly station in the world. On the strength of these he was elected a fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society. He was a member also of the Royal Geographical Society. Marten was a staunch Anglican, and for some years was a lay member of the Wellington diocesan and the general synods. In 1883 he resigned the editorship of the Post and paid a visit to England. After his return he accepted the control of the New Zealand Times. In 1890 he went to London as representative of the New Zealand Herald, The Press and the Otago Daily Times (and later of the Evening Post), a position which he held with distinction until his death on 21 Apr 1908. Marten married Emily, daughter of W. Hickson (q.v.).

Evening Post, 29 Nov 1892; The Press, 23 Apr 1908; Southland Times, 24 Apr 1908.

Reference: Volume 2, page 133

🌳 Further sources

ROUT, WILLIAM (1830-1909) was born in Essex and managed his mother's carpet and furniture business before coming to Nelson by the Maori in 1853. He was engaged in building at Richmond for 18 months, and then took up farming at Massacre Bay, but soon moved to Nelson and became a manufacturer of furniture and builder. In 1862 he established a land, estate and commission agency. He represented Nelson in the Provincial Council (1873-75) and was in the executive as provincial treasurer (1874-75). He was government valuer for land tax in Nelson for some years, and on retiring removed to Cambridge (1894), where he founded the technical school. Rout died on 20 Aug 1909.

Nelson P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 133

🌳 Further sources

ROUTLEDGE, WILLIAM (1839-85), who represented Petane in the Hawkes Bay Provincial Council (1871-75), was in business in Napier from 1861. He held a commission in the New Zealand militia (ensign 1864), and was captain of the artillery volunteers. For a short time he was major commanding the district. Routledge died on 20 Mar 1885.

Hawkes Bay P.C. Proc.; Daily Telegraph (Napier), 21 Mar 1885.

Reference: Volume 2, page 133

🌳 Further sources

ROWE, WILLIAM (1819-86) was born at St Ann's, Cornwall, educated there, and was employed for many years in the Cornish mines. He came to New Zealand in the forties under engagement to the Great Barrier Copper Mining Co. Later he engaged in carrying in and about Auckland, and was for a few years employed in the Waikato coalmines until the opening of the Thames goldfield (1867). Rowe stood for the Suburbs seat in the Provincial Council in 1855. In 1861 he was elected for Newton, which he continued to represent until 1868, when he moved to Thames. He was a member of the provincial executive during 1867-69. Rowe's first appointment at the Thames was as manager of the Kuranui mine, and he was afterwards a promoter of the Thames Gold Mining Co. He helped to float the Thames Investment Co., and for some years (to 1871) he managed the Caledonian mine when it was entering upon its most prosperous phase. He also managed the Moanataiari from 1873. Rowe stood for the mayoralty of Thames against Davies without success (1875), but in the following year he was returned with Sir George Grey for the House of Representatives, Vogel being third on the poll. In Parliament his authority on mining matters was recognised. He sat until 1879, when he was defeated. He was invited to contest the superintendency against Grey in 1875, but declined. Rowe later engaged without success in various mining ventures, and in 1882 made a commercial exploration of Lord Howe Island. He was a strong Wesleyan, and owed much of his education to the Wesleyan Sunday schools. In later life he was a local preacher. Rowe died on 1 Jul 1886.

Auckland P.C. Proc.; Parltry. Record; Weston (p); Thames Advertiser, 2 Jul 1886. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 133

🌳 Further sources

ROWLEY, THOMAS, a son of the first dean designate of Christchurch Cathedral (who did not come to New Zealand to take up his duties), arrived in Canterbury in the early fifties. He bought the Sandy Knolls estate in 1854, and the Alford estate on the Waimakariri in 1860. He sat in the House of Representatives as member for Ellesmere from 1861 until he resigned in 1862, when he sold his share in the property to his partner (Tooth) and returned to Scotland. He married a daughter of Archdeacon Mathias.

Acland; Don.

Reference: Volume 2, page 133

🌳 Further sources

RUATARA (? 1787-1815), a son of Kaparu, belonged to the Hikutu hapu of Ngapuhi, and lived at Tepuna. He was a nephew of Hongi, being the son of his sister, and was a relative of Te Pahi, who was wrongly accused of the Boyd massacre. He married Miki, a daughter of Wharaki. In 1805, when 18 years of age, Ruatara shipped with two other Maoris as seamen in the whaler Argo and served for 12 months in New Zealand and Australian waters, attached to one of the whaleboats. Discharged in Sydney without receiving any pay (1807), he shipped again in the whaler Albion and after a cruise of six months was returned to his home at Bay of Islands. In the hope of seeing England he shipped in the Santa Anna for a sealing cruise; and with 13 others was landed on Bounty island. In five months they secured 8,000 sealskins and, the ship being full, she sailed for England. In indifferent health Ruatara landed in London in July 1809. His ambition of seeing the King was disappointed, he fell ill, and in August was shipped in the convict ship Ann for Botany Bay. During the voyage his desperate state of health attracted the attention of Samuel Marsden (q.v.), who befriended him. Ruatara became particularly attached to John King (q.v.), who studied Maori under his tuition, while Marsden learned all he could of his uncle Te Pahi. Ruatara also made good progress with the English language. He was an intelligent and amiable young man.

On their arrival in Port Jackson (Feb 1810), Marsden took Ruatara to Parramatta as a guest in his own house, hoping to teach him some of the useful arts and employ his good offices in opening a mission in New Zealand. In October he entrusted Ruatara to the captain of the whaler Frederick, who promised to return him to his people, but six months later when the ship was full Ruatara was landed almost destitute on Norfolk Island. He was brought to Port Jackson by another whaler, the Ann, which later, through Marsden's intervention, took him back to New Zealand. There Ruatara assumed his position as chief and set about energetically planting the seed wheat he had received, cultivating on European lines and teaching his people pakeha arts to supply their wants. Marsden, as opportunity offered, sent him more seeds, implements, and finally a small mill to demonstrate to his people the possibility of making flour. With his authority enhanced by an order in council of New South Wales (1 Dec 1813), Ruatara exerted his influence to get the Sabbath observed on ships visiting the Bay of Islands, and he encouraged his young men and other chiefs to visit Port Jackson and get in touch with Marsden. From his unhappy experience he harboured suspicions against the Europeans, but he was genuinely desirous of introducing civilisation and acquiring knowledge. His moral character was blameless. Though he commanded 400 fighting men he never again went on the war path. When at length Marsden obtained permission to explore the mission field in New Zealand he gave Thomas Kendall a letter to Ruatara invoking his help and inviting him to bring some other chiefs to Parramatta. Accordingly when the Active returned (Jul 1814) she had on board Ruatara, Hongi, Korokoro, Tuhi and Tuhi's brother, who stayed at Parramatta until Marsden was ready to sail. They reached Bay of Islands again on 22 Dec 1814, and it was mainly through their influence that the mission was established at Rangihoua. Ruatara himself built the pulpit from which Marsden preached his first sermon in New Zealand. The great missionary says that but for Ruatara's determined support he could never have gained a footing in New Zealand. Ruatara's health was failing when Marsden returned to Port Jackson and he died on 3 Mar 1815, divided between Christianity and native superstitions. He was the brother of Waikato (q.v.). His widow, Rahu, hanged herself according to custom.

S. P. Smith, Wars; Ramsden; Marsden, L. and J., and Lieutenants; Stack; Carleton; W. Williams.

Reference: Volume 2, page 134

🌳 Further sources

RUDDENKLAU, JOHN GEORGE (1829-91) was a native of Hesse-Cassel, and was brought up to the bakery trade. In 1850 he went to London, and in 1857 emigrated to New Zealand. After following his trade for a few years in Christchurch, he became licensee of the City hotel, from which he retired (1869) and engaged in the grain business and other undertakings. He was on the Christchurch City Council (1866, 1873-77) and mayor 1882-83. Ruddenklau died on 15 Dec 1891.

Cycl. NZ, iii; Hubner; Lyttelton Times, 19 Nov 1882; The Press, 16 Dec 1891

Reference: Volume 2, page 134

🌳 Further sources

RULE, JOHN, was born in England in 1775, a member of an old naval family, and nephew of Vice-Admiral Peard. Having qualified as a surgeon and physician, he spent some years as assistant surgeon in the Jamaica naval hospital. In 1800 he was appointed surgeon in the packet department on the Falmouth station, and in 1806 he became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Retiring from naval duty in 1825, he practised in Cornwall until 1833, when he accepted a position as medical officer of the Australian emigrant ship Layton. While in Australia in 1837 he received from John Williams Harris (q.v.) a piece of moa bone, which he took to England, aware of its origin. Having interested Sir Richard Owen (q.v.), who later wrote Extinct Wingless Birds of New Zealand from this original piece of evidence, he sold it to the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1843 an article by Rule appeared in the Polytechnic Journal. He later came to New Zealand, and practised in Wellington, Motueka and Nelson. He left for Australia in 1857.

Buick, The Mystery of the Moa, The Discovery of Dinornis; Southern Cross, 15 Jun 1868.

Reference: Volume 2, page 134

🌳 Further sources

RUNCIMAN, JAMES (1829-99), who was born in the south of Scotland, came to New Zealand by the Nimrod in 1839 with his parents, who settled in Whangarei. Driven off by the Maoris in 1845, they bought land at Drury. During the Waikato war, James joined Nixon's light horse, in which he rose to the rank of captain. For six years he served on the Waikato county council, and for 19 years he was chairman of the Tamahere road board. As a pioneer of the dairy industry, Runciman was making cheese on his own farm in 1879, and in 1882 was one of the first to import dairy-factory machinery from America. Later he stressed the importance of suitable containers for butter and cheese. He also advocated the introduction of sugar beet into New Zealand. He died in 1899.

Cycl. N.Z., ii (p); Philpott.

Reference: Volume 2, page 134

🌳 Further sources

RUNDLE, RICHARD (1806-94) was born at Werrington, near Launceston, Cornwall, educated there and trained as a carpenter and wheelwright at Clawton, north Devon. Having married Ann, daughter of John Veale (q.v.), he came to New Zealand in the Amelia Thompson (1841), and at once established himself at his trade in New Plymouth. With Oxenham he built for Richard Brown the first substantial wooden house in the settlement. In 1843 he erected the Alpha flour mill (the first in the province), and he entered into partnership with Samuel Oliver (a miller), Rundle carrying on his trade as a builder. With R. Barrett he carried on a whaling station at Moturoa, and he farmed on Barrett's reserve at Ratapihipihi. In 1855 they launched the only vessel ever built in Taranaki, the schooner Taranaki designed by Cutfield. Having purchased sections in Bell Block, Rundle farmed there until 1860, when he served in the mounted volunteers, carrying despatches. He was M.P.C. for Omata (1853-55) and for Grey and Bell (1862-65). After the war he took up bridge-building and erected many of the most important bridges in the province, as well as that over the Wanganui river. He was on the New Plymouth borough council (1878-80) and was a promoter of the first New Plymouth friendly society. Rundle died on 10 Feb 1894.

Taranaki P.C. Proc.; Taranaki Herald, 12 Feb 1894.

Reference: Volume 2, page 134

🌳 Further sources

RUSDEN, GEORGE WILLIAM (1819-1903) was born at Leith Hill Place in Surrey, the son of the Rev G. K. Rusden, M.A., of Pembroke College, Cambridge. In 1834 he accompanied his father to Australia and got employment as a jackeroo on a station and later as a journalist. In 1849 he went to Port Phillip to establish schools under the National Board of Education in Sydney, and in 1850 he was on the same duty in Moreton Bay (Queensland). On the separation of Victoria in 1851 Rusden was appointed chief clerk in the Colonial Secretary's office at Melbourne. In the following year he became clerk to the executive council and on the establishment of responsible government Clerk of Parliaments and of the Legislative Council. He was an original member of the Melbourne University council and a member of the Victorian Board of Education (1853-60).

In 1874 Rusden decided, on the advice of Anthony Trollope, to write histories of Australia and New Zealand, which he published in England after retiring in 1881. The history of New Zealand involved him in a libel action brought by the Hon John Bryce (q.v.), who obtained heavy damages for statements in Rusden's description of the fight at Handley's woolshed, Nukumaru. Rusden returned to Victoria in 1893 and published revised editions of his books. He was prominent in the movement to celebrate in Victoria the tercentenary of Shakespeare, and was mainly responsible for the foundation of the Shakespeare scholarship at the University. Shortly before his death (on 23 Dec 1903) he published William Shakespeare; His Life, His Works and His Teaching. His other books were: Morgana, An Australian Legend; The Discovery and Settlement of Port Phillip; Aureretanga, Groans of the Maori; Lectures on Work and Learning; The Old Road to Responsible Government; The Character of Falstaff; Constitutional Rights; Caucus Premonitions; Letter to General MacArthur; and Status of Colonial Bishops.

Cycl. NZ, i; Mennell; Rusden, op. cit.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; The Times, 24 Dec 1903.

Reference: Volume 2, page 134

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, ANDREW HAMILTON (1812-1900) was the son of Captain Andrew Hamilton Russell, of the 28th Regiment, who died near Badajoz on the retreat to Corunna. In 1828 he received his ensigncy in the 22nd Foot from the Duke of Wellington (in recognition of his father's services). He served in India at the capture of Sind, exchanged into the 58th, and was promoted captain (1842). Russell came to New Zealand in time for the operations in the Hutt valley, and was stationed at Wellington in command of a detachment. Grey appointed him in 1846 superintendent of military roads, and he constructed several of the important roads between Wellington, Hutt and Porirua. (Brevet-major 1854; brevet lieut-colonel 1856; major 58th Regiment 1858) In 1859 he retired and took up the Mangakuri station in Hawkes Bay, which he sold prior to returning to England (1874). During 1861-72 Russell was a member of the Legislative Council. He was in Stafford's executive (1865-66), holding the portfolios of Native Affairs and Defence. He married Eliza Ann Hewlett. His death occurred in England on 20 Jul 1900. (See his son, Sir W. R. RUSSELL, and grandson, H. A. RUSSELL)

Family information from Maj-gen. Sir A. H. Russell; War Office records; Parltry Record; N.Z. Gaz; N.Z.P.D., 31 Jul 1900; Gisborne; Cowan, i; The Times, 23 Jul 1900; Hawkes Bay Herald, 1 Aug 1900.

Reference: Volume 2, page 134

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, GEORGE FREDERICK, was at Hokianga before 1830 and built the Sir George Murray there in that year. He married a niece or close relative of Tamati Waka Nene. Russell had a good timber business at Hokianga and loaded with sawn timber the first ship, the Bolina, for Logan Campbell to take to the English market (1844). He was with Nene when he erected his pa at Okaihau against Heke (1845), and saw much of the fighting in that campaign. In 1846 he with difficulty persuaded the commander of H.M.S. Osprey not to attack the Ihutai tribe, since Heke and Nene had both declared Hokianga to be neutral. Russell died in 1855.

His son, FREDERICK NENE RUSSELL, was elected unopposed to represent the Northern Maori in the first parliament in which the native members sat (1868). He declared that Maori representation would be a sham if the natives were not permitted to choose European representatives if they wished. He did not contest the seat at the election of 1871. Nene left to Russell's family the goblet presented to him by Queen Victoria.

N.Z.P.D., 1868-70 (notably 4 Aug 1868); Scholefield in N.Z. Times, 10 Oct 1907; Webster; Bowen, i, 298; N.Z. Herald, 29 Mar 1889.

Reference: Volume 2, page 135

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, GEORGE GRAY (1828-1919) was born in Perthshire, Scotland, and educated at Dunfermline and Edinburgh. For many years he was in business in London. In 1864 he came to Dunedin and established himself as a merchant in partnership with John Macfarlane Ritchie (1842-1912). Russell managed the Timaru branch. In 1878 the business was taken over by the National Mortgage and Agency Co., and in 1885 Russell retired. He was a governor of the Otago High Schools and a member of the Otago University council from 1886 till 1905, when he returned to England. He made many donations for public purposes, including £1,000 to the Otago High School board of governors for scholarships (1882).

Otago Univ. Calendar, 1938.

Reference: Volume 2, page 135

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, GEORGE WARREN (1854-1937) was born in London and came to Tasmania with his parents. He was educated privately and at the Launceston Grammar School. He served his apprenticeship in the Evening Post office in Wellington and after spending three years as a probationer for the Wesleyan ministry, he definitely turned to journalism. In 1878 he accepted a position as sub-editor of the Wellington Chronicle, from which he retired the same year to establish the Manawatu Herald (Foxton). While there he contested the Foxton seat in Parliament (1881), being defeated by J. G. Wilson and C. B. Izard. Russell became part owner of the Manawatu Times, and a few years later he took over the Waikato Times. While in Hamilton he again contested a seat in Parliament, being defeated for Waikato by J. B. Whyte by 677 to 522 (1887).

Russell removed to Christchurch, and there contributed for a time to the Lyttelton Times and founded the printing firm of Russell and Willis, which in 1889 established the Spectator. He contested the Heathcote seat as a Liberal in 1890, but withdrew in favour of Tanner, the Conservative candidate being R. H. Rhodes. In 1893 he defeated W. Boag for the Riccarton seat, but in 1896 was defeated by Rolleston by 381 votes. In 1899 he regained the seat by one vote. A keen, incisive speaker and debater, his growing independence dissatisfied the party, and he was opposed in 1902 by Witty, who defeated him by 285 votes, and again in 1905. In 1908 he stood against Tanner for Avon and won on the second ballot by 542 votes. In 1911 he retained his seat against three other candidates, including J. McCombs. Russell accepted office as Minister of Health and Internal Affairs in the short-lived Mackenzie Government (1912). During the absence of Sir Joseph Ward in 1912-13 he was acting-leader of the Liberal party. In 1915 he joined the National Government as Minister of Internal Affairs and Health, and later also of Marine and Customs. During this time he was president of the national war funds council and had full control of sick and wounded soldiers from the war, for whom he created hospitals at Rotorua and Hanmer. At the general election in 1919 Russell was defeated for Avon by Sullivan, who retained the seat against him in 1922. Apart from politics, he did valuable service on the North Canterbury education board, the Canterbury College governors (of which he was chairman) and the Lyttelton harbour board. He published A New Heaven (1919) and The Duties of Life (1920).

Russell married in 1879 Charlotte (d. 1924), daughter of G. M. Park. He died on 28 Jun 1937.

N.Z.P.D., pass; Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; Evening Post and Star-Sun, 28 Jun 1937; The Dominion, 28 Jun (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 135

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, HAROLD ARTHUR (1871-1938) was born at Hastings, the son of Sir William Russell (q.v.). Educated at Bradfield College, England, and Lincoln Agricultural College, Canterbury, he learned farming on his father's property, Sherenden, which he afterwards managed. He farmed for himself at Puketapu (1908-18), and then moved to his father's estate at Flaxmere, which he afterwards managed for himself. He also owned Apley station on the Mangaone river, where he raised black cattle. While he managed the Flaxmere stud for his father it produced one of the greatest steeplechasers in the Dominion (Nadador), as well as Tigritiya, Corazon, Bells of Shannon, and others. He took an interest also in the breeding of remounts. Russell hunted and played polo for many years, and was a gentleman rider with some success. He was president of the Hawkes Bay jockey club (1923-24), a life member of the Hawkes Bay hunt club, and president (1922-24). He captained the polo team which won the Savile cup (1906), founded the Hawkes Bay polo club in 1892, and was president in 1918, and a member of the committee of the New Zealand polo association. He was president of the Hawkes Bay Agricultural and Pastoral association (1921-28) and served on the Hawkes Bay county council, the Napier harbour board, the Napier High School and Te Aute College boards, and the licensing committee.

Russell married (1897) Eva (d. 1935), daughter of William Nelson. He was called to the Legislative Council (1934). His death occurred on 14 Jul 1938.

N.Z.P.D., 14, 15 Jul 1938; Who's Who N.Z. 1932; Dominion and Evening Post, 15 Jul 1938 (p); Daily Telegraph (Napier), 15 Jul 1938. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 135

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, HENRY ROBERT (1813-91) was born in Scotland, and was a brother of T. Purvis Russell. He was one of the early settlers of Hawkes Bay, taking up a considerable area of land in the Waipukurau district, and he was associated with the purchase of the Heretaunga block. In 1860 he laid out the town of Waipukurau, drawing the plans himself and providing for future amenities. He insisted that only one business of a kind should be established, and that all persons intending to erect buildings should submit plans for his approval. Russell had considerable influence with the natives in Hawkes Bay and was appointed agent for the General Government on the East Coast in succession to D. McLean. From 1862 to 1885 he was a member of the Legislative Council. He died on 30 Apr 1891.

N.Z.P.D., 1862-85; Hawkes Bay Herald, 7 Jun 1872, 16 Jun 1891. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 135

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL (1838-1913) was the son of A. H. Russell (q.v.). Born at Sandhurst, he was educated at the Royal Military College, and in 1855 received his ensigncy in the 58th Regiment. Two years later he came to New Zealand in the Chapman to join the headquarters of the regiment. Returning to England in 1859, he exchanged into the 14th Regiment and came to New Zealand, retiring in the following year with the rank of captain. With a brother he took up the Tunanui and Flaxmere properties in Hawkes Bay, retaining Tunanui and Sherenden when the partnership was dissolved.

Russell represented Waimarama in the Hawkes Bay Provincial Council (1869-71), and Napier Country (1871-75). In 1875 he was elected to Parliament for Napier, which he represented till 1881, when he was defeated by Sutton. In 1884 he re-entered Parliament (for Hawkes Bay) and sat till 1905. He was defeated by Dillon in 1905 and again in 1908, and then retired from politics. In the shortlived Atkinson Government of 1884 Russell was Postmaster-general. When Atkinson next came into power he remained a private member, but on the defeat of Rolleston he took office as Colonial Secretary, Minister of Defence and Minister of Justice (Oct 1889), holding these portfolios until the defeat of the Government at the election of 1890. He was chairman of the Midland railway commission (1883) and in 1890, with Sir John Hall, he attended the first Australasian federation conference at Melbourne. When the conference resumed in 1891 he again represented New Zealand (with Atkinson and Grey). On that occasion he voted against the other New Zealand delegates in opposition to Grey's elective governor proposal, and questioned whether the existing system of self-government was satisfactory. He was a member of the federation commission in 1900. A capable and careful administrator, Russell showed great consideration for his subordinates and was generally popular and respected. He was elected leader of the opposition in 1894, but relinquished the post early in 1903, and sat thereafter merely as member for Hawkes Bay.

After spending eight years in retirement he was called to the Legislative Council a few months before his death, which occurred on 24 Sep 1913. Russell took an active part in local affairs as a member of the Hawkes Bay education board, county council, hospital and charitable aid board, waste land board and rabbit board and a governor of the Napier High School. He was captain of the Meanee company of militia and later of the Hastings Rifles. In 1902 he was created a knight bachelor. He married (1867) Harriette Julia, daughter of George Hodgkinson, of Chichester, Sussex. (See H. A. RUSSELL.)

Hawkes Bay P.C. Proc.; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); N.Z.P.D., 24 Sep 1913; Gisborne; Saunders; Hawkes Bay Herald, 24 Sep 1913.

Reference: Volume 2, page 136

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, THOMAS (1830-1904) was born in Cork, the son of a small farmer who emigrated to New Zealand with his family in the Lady Leigh (1840) and lived for a few months at Bay of Islands before settling at Auckland. Russell, senior, earned his livelihood as a small farmer and carpenter, while his wife kept a store in Shortland Street. Thomas, the eldest son, was educated privately, mainly by Dr Comrie. He enjoyed the interest of the Rev Walter Lawry, then head of the Wesleyan Church in New Zealand, and married his niece, a daughter of Henry Vercoe, of Mangere. Under Lawry's guidance he became a lay preacher. He served his articles in the law office of Thomas Outhwaite (q.v.) and, having satisfied the examiners, was admitted to practice as one of the first two New Zealand lawyers (4 Nov 1851). Failing to obtain a partnership, Russell entered into practice on his own account. He joined Whitaker in 1861, and Thomas Buddle entered their employ later, eventually becoming a partner. Russell was a religious man, keenly interested in the welfare of his church; practical-minded, astute in business, a clever but somewhat adventurous financier. He was the leading spirit in the flotation of the Bank of New Zealand (1861) and of other important financial companies, including the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. (1865), the New Zealand Insurance Co. and the Colonial Sugar Co. In association with his partner, with James Williamson and others he invested deeply in lands, first in Auckland province and afterwards in the South Island. He conceived the draining of the Piako Swamp, and the great sum of money lost in that venture did not discourage him from co-operating with John Grigg (q.v.) in the acquisition and development of a similar property in Canterbury. To finance his land interests Russell formed the Waikato Land Association (1879), with a capital of £600,000, and the Auckland Agricultural Co. (1882) with a capital of £1,000,000. When gold was discovered at Thames he took an interest in various flotations and was a founder and chairman of the Waihi Goldmining Co. Russell's activity as virtual director of the affairs of the Bank of New Zealand and of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. embarrassed both himself and the Government during his years in politics. Representing Auckland City East in the General Assembly 1861-66, his masterful character and strong views on the native question gave him great influence in Parliament. When only 32 years of age, he joined Domett's executive (6 Aug 1862), and thenceforward dominated both that and the Whitaker-Fox ministry. He administered the department of Colonial Defence from 22 Jul 1863 until the fall of the latter administration in Nov 1864. He pursued a strong war policy and showed vigour in organising regiments in Australia and New Zealand and keeping the troops in the field equipped and provisioned. Though he retired from general politics at the election of 1866, he still for years had great influence in the government of the Colony through the domination of the Bank of New Zealand. He liberally supported Vogel's development policy in the seventies. On the removal of the capital from Auckland he became an ardent separationist and was elected to the Provincial Council in that interest (Nov 1865). The affairs of the province, however, were scarcely important enough to keep his attention and he resigned a year later.

About 1874 Russell went to live in London, and in 1889 he retired from his legal firm. (C.M.G., 1877.) He died on 2 Sep 1904.

N.Z.P.D., 1861-66; Auckland P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., ii; Gisborne; Rusden; Saunders; Morton; J. W. Fortescue, Hist. of the British Army, vol. xiii; Larkworthy; N.Z. Herald, 29 Nov 1865, 11 Apr 1877, 6 Sep 1904.

Reference: Volume 2, page 136

🌳 Further sources

RUSSELL, THOMAS PURVIS (1819-1906) was born in Scotland, and came to New Zealand as a young man with his brothers. He took up land first in the Wairarapa and then in Hawkes Bay. He was the owner of the Woburn estate (now Hatuma), the acquisition of which by the Government led to long litigation. After parting with that property, he retired to live in Warroch, Kinross-shire, Scotland, where he died on 30 Jan 1906. Russell was a member of the Wellington Provincial Council for Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay (1856-57), and of the Hawkes Bay Council for Waipukurau (1863-67). He married (1859) Mary Glass, daughter of J. P. Sainsbury (Bath).

N.Z. Times, 2 Feb 1906; Hawkes Bay Herald, 3 Feb 1906.

Reference: Volume 2, page 136

🌳 Further sources

RUTHERFORD, ANDREW WILLIAM (1842-1918) was born in New South Wales, the son of George Rutherford (q.v.), and attended a private school in Adelaide. Coming to New Zealand with his parents, he took over the management of the Mendip Hills station in 1861 and specialised in the breeding of merino sheep. He represented Amuri in the Nelson Provincial Council (1870-71) and was a member of the Amuri road board from 1864 till it merged with the Amuri county council, on which he held a seat for 25 years. He was for 12 years in the Cheviot county council (and three years chairman). For 20 years Rutherford was a member of the licensing committee, and of the North Canterbury charitable aid and hospital board. From 1902 to 1908 he was member for Hurunui in the House of Representatives. In 1873 he married a daughter of R. Monk of Conway village, Cheviot. Rutherford published in 1911 Impressions of a Pastoralist on Tour. He died on 12 Nov 1918.

N.Z.P.D., 13 Nov 1918; Cycl. N.Z., iii; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Rutherford, op. cit. (p); Playne; Acland; The Press, 17 Feb 1885. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 136

🌳 Further sources

RUTHERFORD, GEORGE (1816-85) was the son of a tenant farmer at Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. He left in 1840 with his wife for New South Wales, where he became a farm manager. In 1846, with the Hon John Crozier, he took up a run on the Edward river; in 1850 he bought Kulmine, on the Murray, and in 1856 he established a stock agency in Adelaide. He brought stock to New Zealand in 1858 and bought 30,000 acres of freehold at Leslie Hills. In 1865-67 George Rutherford represented Amuri in the Nelson Provincial Council. He died on 13 Feb 1885.

The Press, 17 Feb 1885.

Reference: Volume 2, page 137

🌳 Further sources

RUTHERFORD, JAMES (1825-83) was a native of Dublin, was educated there and entered into business as a seed merchant (1851). He was a man of outstanding energy, integrity and acumen, and had a wide connection all over Ireland. In 1879 his health broke down and, having achieved a competence, he converted the business into a company (in which he retained a holding) and came to New Zealand. After spending a few weeks in Dunedin, he purchased the Summerhill estate at Kaitangata. In 1880 he was elected to the Bruce county council, and at the general election of 1881 he was successful in the contest for the Bruce seat. Standing as a Liberal, he defeated W. A. Murray and J. Adam. He died on 16 May 1883.

NZ.P.D., 23 May, 23 Jun, 18 Jul 1882; Dublin Farmers' Gazette, 21 Jun 1879; Bruce Herald, 14, 28 Oct 1881; Otago Daily Times, 17 May 1883. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 137

🌳 Further sources

RUTHERFORD, JOHN, who was born in 1776 at Manchester, was employed for some years in a cotton factory, and went to sea when he was about 10 years of age. He took part in the storming of San Sebastian in 1813, and in 1816 was aboard the American trader Agnes, which was driven into a bay near the mouth of the Thames, New Zealand, and attacked by Maoris. Rutherford was one of those who were not killed and eaten. He was taken captive, and for 10 years he lived among the natives, tattooed like a Maori, and having two wives. He was created a chief. In 1826 he managed to escape on a trading ship, returned to England and dictated an account of his adventures. His subsequent history is unknown.

Craik, The New Zealanders (1830); J. Drummond: John Rutherford, the White Chief (1908).

Reference: Volume 2, page 138

🌳 Further sources

RUTHERFORD, SIR ERNEST (1871-1937), 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson, was born at Brightwater, Nelson, the fourth son of a wheelwright, James Rutherford who came to Nelson from Scotland in 1842. His mother, Martha Thompson, came to New Plymouth in the early fifties. They were married in 1866, and had a family of 12. Mrs Rutherford was a woman of good education and high character, a good organiser and musician. Ernest attended the schools at Foxhill and Havelock, and from the latter won a Marlborough education board scholarship, gaining 580 marks out of a possible 600. This took him to Nelson College (1884), where he came under the influence of W. S. Littlejohn (q.v.), who took a great interest in his progress and gave him a thorough grounding in mathematics. He won all the prizes and scholarships in classics, French, English and mathematics, and in 1888 was dux of the College. He was a keen footballer and a popular boy. In 1889 Rutherford won a junior university scholarship, being third on the list. W. S. Marris (later his rival at Canterbury College, and now Sir William Marris, principal of Armstrong College, Newcastle), was first. At Canterbury College Rutherford came under the influence of C. H. H. Cook (professor of mathematics) and A. W. Bickerton (professor of physics). He graduated B.A. in 1892 with a senior scholarship in mathematics and M.A. in 1893 with first-class honours in both mathematics and physics (a very rare event). In 1894, while teaching at the Christchurch Boys' High School, he carried out researches on a magnetic detector of Hertzian waves, which he described before the Canterbury Philosophical Institute (29 Nov 1894). These researches were carried out in a rough basement cellar with a battery made by Rutherford during his holidays on his father's farm at Pungarehu (Taranaki). The detector was highly sensitive and led to many other magnetic detectors of wireless waves (for one of which Marconi took out a patent in 1902). In 1894 he graduated B.Sc. and was awarded the 1851 Exhibition science scholarship (which had been offered to J. C. Maclaurin, q.v.). He had to this point assisted his father during his holidays and helped to finance the education of his sisters.

In 1895 Rutherford entered Trinity College, Cambridge, as one of the first graduates of oversea universities admitted as research students. He entered upon his work at the Cavendish Laboratory with great enthusiasm under Professor J. J. Thomson, who was then at the zenith of his powers, and had for 10 years been concentrating on problems associated with the passage of electricity through gases in a partially evacuated chamber. In Nov 1895 Röntgen discovered that electricity passed through at high voltage with a high degree of vacuum produced invisible rays which could pass through the glass walls of the vessel and through outside opaque objects and could affect a photographic plate. Working under Thomson, Rutherford "devised very ingenious methods for measuring various fundamental qualities and obtained very valuable results which helped to make the subject metrical, whereas before it had been only descriptive." They published their results in Nov 1896 in a paper which was the foundation of the ionisation theory of conduction of electricity through gases. These experiments attracted wide attention. After Madame Curie's discoveries with uranium ore, Rutherford applied his knowledge and technique to radiation from uranium and thorium, and in 1898 completed an analysis with a complete verification of the ionisation theory. The most important result was the identification of alpha, beta and gamma rays. The first named (which were doubly charged atoms of helium) specially appealed to Rutherford and later proved effective in unravelling many atomic secrets. With his reputation based on such promising investigations, he was in 1898 offered the research professorship at McGill University, Montreal, where, through the generosity of Sir William Macdonald, he enjoyed exceptional facilities for research. He soon gathered about him a band of workers from Canada and elsewhere, and prosecuted with enthusiasm his researches into the radio-activity of thorium. In association with Professor Soddy, who undertook the chemical work, he investigated the nature of various radio-active substances. Together they discovered thorium X, and in 1902 enunciated the bold disintegration theory of radioactivity, according to which atoms were no longer regarded as permanent and indivisible, and radioactive elements disintegrated spontaneously.

In 1901 Rutherford was made D.Sc. by the University of New Zealand. In 1903 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, which awarded him the Rumford and Copley medals, and in 1904 he outlined the science of radioactivity in the Bakerian lecture. He lectured at many American universities. In 1907 a chance came for his return to Britain when he accepted the Langworthy professorship of physics in the University of Manchester. There he continued his researches into radioactivity and the structure of the atom and developed his third great theory, the nuclear theory of atoms, in which he pictured the atom as a miniature solar system. This was developed by Rutherford in association with many brilliant co-workers, including Moseley and Niels Bohr. Throughout his work his aim was to elucidate the complete structure of the atom, and, having discovered the radioactive properties of particular atoms, he proceeded to investigate the general structure of all atoms; next, the constitution of the nucleus of the atom; and lastly the methods and results of transmuting atoms from one form to another, which he described in the process of transmutation of matter and artificial disintegration. In his work on the atom Rutherford was the first to point the way to the vast possibilities of atomic energy. Although as a scientist he stressed experimentation as opposed to speculation, he suggested many brilliant theories; he favoured quantitative physical methods of investigation and selected electrical methods, which are capable of great refinement in experienced hands. Some years before Rutherford's death Sir William Bragg wrote: "He possesses a keen love of research for its own sake. He has a fine judgment of the essential, and goes to work in a way which when the end is reached, is seen to have been obviously direct. He has the courage to break with precedent and to try out his own ideas. Rutherford has upset many theories, but he has never belittled anyone's work. He has added new pages to the book of physical science, and has always taught his students to venerate the old, even when the writing has become a little old-fashioned." In 1908 Rutherford was awarded the Nobel and Bressa prizes, and in 1914 he was knighted. In 1919 he was created a Fellow of Trinity College and in the same year succeeded Sir J. J. Thomson as head of the Cavendish Laboratory and professor of experimental physics. Throughout the war of 1914-18 he was a member of the board of inventions and research, which he represented on the French naval and military mission to the United States of America. In 1921 he was made professor of natural philosophy in the Royal Institute. From 1925-30 he was president of the Royal Society, and in 1930 he acted as chairman of the advisory council of scientific and industrial research. Rutherford received 20 honorary degrees from universities of high scientific standing. In 1925 he was elected to the Order of Merit, and in 1931 he was raised to the peerage as Baron Rutherford of Nelson. Shortly afterwards the University of New Zealand conferred on him the honorary degree of D.Sc.

His publications include Radioactivity (1904), Radioactive Transformations (1906), Radioactive Substances and their Radiations (1913), Radium and the Electron (1921), Electrical Structure of Matter (1925), Radiations from Radioactive Substances (1930), Artificial Transmutation of the Elements (1933), and The Newer Alchemy (1937). In 1900 Rutherford married Mary Georgina, a daughter of Arthur Charles Newton, of Christchurch. He died on 19 Oct 1937.

Who's Who NZ., 1908, 1924, 1932; C. M. Focken, Lord Rutherford of Nelson; A. S. Eve, Rutherford (1939); E. Marsden in Trans. Roy. Soc. NZ., vol 68 (p); Nelson Coll. O.B. Reg.; The Nelsonian, Dec 1937 (p); Hight and Candy; NZ. Railways Magazine, Dec 1937; Otago Witness, 28 Jul 1931; The Dominion, 10 Jan 1938; The Times, 20 Oct 1937 (P).

Reference: Volume 2, page 137

🌳 Further sources