VALENTINE, HUGH SUTHERLAND (1848-1932) was born in Aberdeenshire, educated there and received his business training. He then went to the London office of McCulloch, Sellar and Co. and from that to the New Zealand Land Co., of which he became accountant. Having been appointed secretary of the New Zealand Agricultural Co., he rose to be manager and managing director, and eventually came to New Zealand in the capacity of inspector. On Driver resigning he was appointed general manager in New Zealand, a position he occupied for 15 years. Valentine had an interest in properties in south Otago, and for some years had a stock and station agency in Gore. He helped to promote the Gore dairy factory, and assisted in obtaining relief for the district from the Waimea plains railway rate. In 1887 he was elected M.H.R. for Waikaia and in 1890 for Tuapeka. Retiring in 1893, he contested Wallace in 1896 unsuccessfully. In 1896 he moved to Dunedin, where he spent some years auctioneering.

Valentine married (1888) Wilhelmina Margaret, daughter of Captain Linck, of the German navy. He was captain of the Gore Rifles and a staff officer, and was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Colonial Institute; a life member of the London Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Royal Agricultural Society. He died on 10 Sep 1932.

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); N.Z.P.D., 23 Sep 1932; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Otago Daily Times, 12 Sep 1932

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 210

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VALPY, WILLIAM HENRY (1793-1852) was born at Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, the son of the Rev Richard Valpy, D.D., an eminent schoolmaster who edited a well-known Latin grammar and assisted in the publication of the Variorum Classics. Valpy was educated at Forbury school, Reading, and went into the Royal Navy at the age of 14. He did not like the sea, and an exchange was effected with his brother (afterwards Captain Anthony Valpy) whereby he went to Haileybury to prepare for the East India Company. Entering the Company's service as a writer (1812), he held office in the board of commissioners and the mint, and in 1820 became collector at Cawnpore. In 1832 he was collector and magistrate at Shahabad, and in 1833 magistrate at Saran and agent to the Governor-general at Benares. He retired in 1837 as commissioner of revenue and circuit there, and settled down at Bath. Later he lived at Cheltenham, where he interested himself in the establishment of a Church of England training school.

Valpy's health had suffered from his stay in India, and he was advised to leave England. By upbringing and the possession of capital he was eminently suited to be one of the gentry, whom Wakefield insisted upon as a necessary element in a British colony, and he took with him a strong staff of house and farm servants and the mechanical equipment for a sawmill and a flourmill. Valpy arrived in Otago by the Ajax (7 Jan 1849) and selected his farm of 120 acres south of Dunedin, giving it the name of 'Forbury.' He also acquired land on the flat upon which he conferred the name of 'Caversham' after the birthplace of his mother. Early in 1851, with due ceremony, the foundation stone was laid of a fine stone house at Forbury. There Valpy farmed in English style, through the medium of a bailiff, and each year entertained his friends and servants at harvest homes. On these occasions all the children of the neighbourhood were feted, toasts were drunk, and finally the health of the bailiff, 'whose stackyard testified to the excellence of his farming.' Besides the farm, Valpy had runs at Horseshoe Bush and Waihola (the latter under the charge of his son, W. H. Valpy, who in 1852 shipped the first fat stock by sea from Otago to Canterbury, and made a long overland journey between the two provinces). The sawmill and flourmill which were erected in the Leith Valley started on 11 May 1850, Peter McGill being the miller and J. Fulton foreman of the sawmill.

Valpy was a good employer, and a man of the highest public spirit. Though an Episcopalian, he was a warm supporter of Burns. Highly cultured, and having long administrative experience, he was a valuable asset to the community, but he was too refined and sensitive for the conditions of a young colony. In 1850 Sir George Grey, on a visit to Dunedin, discovered that Valpy's views on self-government were somewhat similar to his own; he too was not fully convinced that the people of the young colonies were ripe for self-government, and he offered Valpy a seat in the nominated Legislative Council (under the ordinance of 1850). A largely-attended public meeting (in May 1851) passed resolutions, worded in terms of affectionate respect, urging Valpy not to accept the nomination, 'it being inconsistent with the feeling and principles of the Otago settlers to have anything to do with an exclusively nominated council, or that they should have the remotest appearance of being represented without their actually being so.' Cargill, who was in the chair, said there was no man in New Zealand who would not delight to honour Valpy; he would probably be elected as soon as there was an elective body to receive representatives. Valpy, who was not present, received a deputation with dignity and consideration, but was not moved from his position. 'It has given me much pain,' he wrote afterwards, 'so widely to differ from some of my fellow settlers, and far more would it do so were I to be considered as betraying their interests, towards which I hope I have never shown myself indifferent.' As it happened, he did not take his seat in the Council, nor indeed was he gazetted a member of it. He died at Forbury on 25 Sep 1852.

One of Valpy's early interests in Otago was to help to provide a newspaper for the settlement. When the Otago News closed down, he advanced £150 to purchase the plant. It was thus made available for the Otago Witness, which appeared a few weeks later.

Cycl. NZ, iv; Otago Witness, 2 Oct 1852; Hocken, Otago.

Reference: Volume 2, page 210

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VAN ASCH, GERRIT (1836-1908) was born in the Netherlands, educated there and at an early age devoted himself to the study of methods of teaching and training deaf mutes. In 1859 he introduced into England the methods of lip-reading and articulation taught in Germany. In his institution near Manchester all signs and finger language were banned in favour of the spoken language and lip-reading. He moved the school later to Barnet, Hertfordshire, and then to London. Coming to New Zealand in the Scottish Prince in 1879, he settled at Sumner where under engagement to the Government he established a school for deaf mutes which he controlled for 25 years with conspicuous success. Van Asch died on 4 Mar 1908.

Cycl. NZ, iii (p); The Press, 7 Mar 1908.

Reference: Volume 2, page 210

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VAN DER VELDEN, PETRUS (1834-1913) was born at Rotterdam, Holland, and apprenticed to a firm of lithographers. He disliked stone work, and on being discharged at the age of about 30 years he entered on the study of painting, spending some years in Berlin and Paris. His earliest work was done amongst fishermen of Marken, and he quickly gained recognition. In 1872 his picture Double Blank was purchased by the National Museum in Amsterdam. In 1890, sponsored by Gerrit Van Asch (q.v.) he came to New Zealand, and spent many years in Christchurch, where he married. He taught many of the art students of the time, and painted a large number of pictures, among the most famous of which is the Dutch Funeral. His work is characterised by thoroughness, painted in low tone, and each one true to the man himself. On leaving Christchurch, Van der Velden paid a visit of a few years to Sydney, Wellington and Auckland (where he died on 11 Nov 1913). Examples of his art are in most of the public galleries of New Zealand.

John Barr, Art: Art in N.Z., Sep 1930 (p); Lyttelton Times, 13 Nov 1913; The Press, 6 Feb 1914.

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VAN STAVEREN, HERMAN (1849-1930) was born at Bolsward, Friesland, Germany, and educated in Antwerp and London (where he was ordained at the age of 19). In 1877 he was engaged by Joseph Nathan to minister to the Jewish community at Wellington, whither he proceeded in the Waikato. He took a keen interest in all social and philanthropic movements, being a founder of the home for the aged and needy, chairman for 21 years from 1878 of the Benevolent home; first chairman of the Wellington hospital board (1879), and of the Wellington and Wairarapa charitable aid board; and a member of the licensing bench and the Terrace school committee. Van Staveren died on 24 Jan 1930.

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

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VARNHAM, JOHN (1818-68) was born in Bembridge, Isle of Wight. He was in the East India Company's service before coming in 1844 to Wellington, where he was in business as a merchant, shipping agent and shipowner. He married in 1850 E. Marshall (Sydney). In 1857 Varnham was gazetted a lieutenant in the militia, in which he served in the war. He represented Wellington City in the Provincial Council (1857-61). About the latter date he went to live in Wairarapa, first at Taueru and later at Papawai, where he died on 18 May 1868. Varnham wrote a pamphlet on the History and Troubles of the Early Mail Service.

Wellington P.C. Proc.; Ward; F. S. Varnham (information); Wairarapa Mercury, 23 May 1868.

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VAUTIER, JOHN HELIER (1834-1907) was the son of a Jersey farmer, was educated in his native island and brought up to the building trade. In 1854 he went to Liverpool, and from there to Melbourne in the Lightning. After spending a few months there he came to New Zealand in the Onkaparinga, arriving at Wellington a few hours before the earthquake (1855). In 1857 he visited the goldfields at Collingwood, but soon moved to Hawke's Bay, to find a great demand for building at Napier. Afterwards he went into business as a merchant and eventually as a wood and coal merchant, from which he gradually invested in several ships. This business he ran profitably until 1885, when he sold out and devoted his attention to his landed properties and public service. He was a member of the first Napier harbour board (1875) and continued to serve throughout, being eventually made a life member. He was elected to the borough council in 1875, was first chairman of the works committee till 1878, and mayor 1878-82. Vautier was a trustee of the Napier Savings Bank throughout the 36 years of its existence. He died on 19 Dec 1907.

Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); Hawkes Bay Herald, 20 Dec 1907.

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VAVASOUR, HENRY DUNSTAN (1850-1927) was born at Hazlewood Castle, Tadcaster, Yorkshire. His father, William Vavasour, came to New Zealand in the George Fyfe with his relatives the Welds and Cliffords, in 1842. His mother was a daughter of the 7th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh. Educated at Oscott College, near Birmingham, he studied farming for a while and came to New Zealand in 1871. He went to Flaxbourne station to gain experience, and in 1873 took temporary charge. In 1874 he took up land in Taranaki, where he bred pedigree shorthorn cattle. There he first played a part in public life. He was chairman of the Tataraimaka road board (1874-77), and a member of the Taranaki county council (1877-78) and of the New Plymouth harbour board (1878-81). Vavasour then went to Southland for about a year, and in 1882 returned to Flaxbourne as permanent manager, a position which he held for 15 years. In that time he completely cleared the station of scab, reduced rabbits to a minimum and increased the clip from 450 to 1,150 bales. In 1897 he purchased part of the Vernon run and Ugbrooke station, retaining the latter until his death. He was a member of the Awatere road board (1883-97) and chairman for the last 10 years; a member of the Marlborough rabbit board (1887-88, 1891-95), the Marlborough county council (1894-96), and the Wairau hospital board (1892-96); president of the Marlborough sheepowners' association for 17 years; of the Farmers' Union and the A. and P. association, and a director of the Wairau Freezing Co. Vavasour was a prominent figure on the turf. He was 18 years president of the Marlborough Racing club, and for many years represented the north Canterbury clubs on the racing conference.

Vavasour married (1887) Bertha Eleanor Mary, daughter of Thomas Redwood (Blenheim). He died on 22 Jan 1927.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Cycl. NZ, vi; Press Association, 22 Jan 1927.

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VEALE, JOHN (1814-1907) was born at Clawton, Devon, educated in that parish and brought up as a carpenter and builder. He married (1840) a daughter of Philip Cole, and in 1854 came to New Zealand with his family in the Hamilla Mitchell. His father (John Veale) had preceded him in the Amelia Thompson (1841). Veale served in the militia during the Maori troubles; represented New Plymouth in the Provincial Council (1866-69) and was an early member of the old town board. After many years as a builder he opened a store in New Plymouth and retired from business in 1878.

Taranaki P.C. Minutes; Cycl. NZ, vi; Taranaki Herald, 11 Sep 1907

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VEEL, JOSEPH VEEL COLBORNE (1831-95) was the son of an Anglican clergyman and was born in Gloucester. Educated at Kidderminster and at Magdalen College, Oxford, he graduated M.A. in 1856 and won the light-weight sculls. He came to Canterbury in 1860 with an introduction to J. E. FitzGerald, and spent some time farming 10 acres in Linwood and examining at Christ's College. In 1861 he began to contribute to The Press, of which he became associate editor on the resignation of G. S. Sale. Veel had fine literary taste and judgment and a good style, and he had a marked influence upon The Press during the 17 years in which he was associated with it. In 1868 he went to Westland, but soon returned to the editorship of The Press, which had been in the hands meanwhile of C. W. Purnell (q.v.). Veel was editor to 1878, when he retired and became secretary to the education board. In 1893 he was appointed principal of the normal school in Christchurch. He was a governor of Canterbury College (1875). He died on 29 Jul 1895. A daughter, Mary COLBORNE-VEEL (d. 1923) wrote a good deal of verse of good quality. She published one volume, The Fairest of the Angels (London, 1894). A Little Anthology of Mary Colborne-Veel, edited by Jessie Mackay, was published in 1924.

Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); N.Z. Chess Book, 1922; Alexander and Currie; Colborne-Veel, op. cit.; The Press, 23 Feb 1923; Lyttelton Times, 30 Jul 1895.

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VERDON, MICHAEL (1838-1918) was born at Liverpool of an Irish family long settled in Leinster and Munster. Educated at a Catholic school in his native town, he proceeded to Castleknock College, Dublin, and then to Rome, where he entered the Irish College. After being ordained deacon, he was sent home to Dublin in ill-health, and was ordained priest there (1861). Appointed a professor at the Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, he became dean and later succeeded Dr Power as president. In 1879 Verdon was made a canon of the metropolitan chapter of Dublin, but he resigned later in the year to become vice-rector of the Irish College in Rome. While at Clonliffe he promoted the building of the church of the Holy Cross and the library, and in Rome he practically rebuilt the Collegio Irlandese, one of the most comfortable and up-to-date institutions in Rome. His family was long closely associated with it, his uncle (Cardinal Cullen) having been rector and his cousin (Bishop Moran, q.v.) vice-rector. Verdon himself was vice-rector (1879-88). In 1888 he was appointed president of Manly College, Sydney. Eight years later he was proceeding to Rome as resident representative of the Australian hierarchy when he received news of his appointment as Bishop of Dunedin. Verdon took up the burden laid down by Moran and vigorously promoted the many works in which his predecessor had been interested. The home at Anderson's Bay, the orphanage at South Dunedin, the boys' and girls' schools in Dunedin, various convents and schools, and Mosgiel College are a monument to his energy. He was chairman of directors of The Tablet, and to him was largely due the success of the appeal made by that paper for relief for sufferers by the fighting in Dublin in 1916. Verdon died on 23 Nov 1918.

N.Z. Tablet, 28 Nov 1918 (p); Otago Daily Times, 24 Nov 1918.

Reference: Volume 2, page 211

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VERRALL, JOHN MILES (1849-1921) was born at Lewes, Sussex, the son of a farmer, and spent his early manhood as a tenant farmer. In 1880 he left England for Australia and took up a cattle station in Queensland. A few years later, leaving his partner in charge, he came to New Zealand and bought land at Ohoka, Canterbury. Shortly afterwards he sold out and bought a place at Swannanoa, where he farmed for 28 years and took his part in local government. In 1887 he contested the Ashley seat in Parliament, and in 1888 he was elected as an Independent. The electorate was abolished at the succeeding election. Verrall gave close study to the bank of issue question and for many years from 1886, on the platform and in the press, advocated a state bank. He published in 1885 a pamphlet, The Condition of New Zealand, challenging the Vogel policy, and at a later date a pamphlet entitled The Stockwhip. Verrall married a daughter of John Aylwin, of Plumpton, Sussex. He died on 16 Sep 1921.

N.Z.P.D., 23 Sep 1921; Lyttelton Times, 25 Jul 1888, 19 Sep 1921; The Press, 28 Jul 1888. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 212

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VIARD, JOSEPH PHILIPPE (1809-72) was born in Lyons, and educated at the first ecclesiastical college in the diocese of L'Argentiere and afterwards at the theological seminary of St Irenaeus, Lyons. Ordained a priest in 1834, he served in several parishes, and then joined the new Society of Mary in order to devote himself to foreign missionary work. Viard was one of the priests who came to Bay of Islands to reinforce Bishop Pompallier in Dec 1839. After spending a few weeks learning Maori at Hokianga, he accompanied Pompallier on his visit to Tauranga (Feb 1840). Although still unable to speak the language, he was left to instruct Tupaea's people while his chief visited the interior, and a few weeks later he took up his station amongst them. Early in 1841 he was created grand vicar of the mission, and started on a wide tour with the Bishop, visiting Rotorua and as far south as Akaroa, where they heard of the death of Father Chanel at Futuna. Viard went with the corvette Allier to Futuna and received the remains of the martyr. He established a native catechist on the island with great success. In Apr 1842 Viard relieved Pompallier at Wallis, and remained there in charge of all the tropical missions. In 1843, at the request of Bishop Douarre, who had just been appointed to New Caledonia, Viard was sent there to assist the new missionaries, who were quite ignorant of the language. During eighteen months there he incurred the seeds of a disease of which eventually he died. His sufferings from eating only native food were intense.

In Sydney he met Pompallier, who had received instructions to have a coadjutor bishop, and Viard was accordingly consecrated by Archbishop Polding (6 Jan 1846). Returning to New Zealand, he had charge of the whole diocese during the Bishop's first visit to Rome (1846). At Bay of Islands he consecrated Father Colon as coadjutor to Bishop Epalle (afterwards massacred at the Solomon islands). Viard in 1848 ceased to be coadjutor, and was appointed administrator of the vicariate of Wellington. In 1850 he arrived in Wellington with a band of clergy and religious sisters to organise the new diocese. In 1860 a Catholic hierarchy was established in New Zealand, and he was appointed bishop of Wellington. Viard was a man of singularly gentle and tolerant disposition. He won the high respect and affection of the people of Wellington and the Government acknowledged his great public service in allaying unrest amongst the natives on the West Coast during the wars of the sixties. In 1868 he visited Rome and attended the Oecumenical Council on which occasion the inroads of the tropical climate upon his health became evident. He died in Wellington on 2 Jun 1872.

Pompallier; Marist Messenger, 1 Mar 1938 (p); Wellington Independent, 6, 9 Jun 1868, 3 Jun 1872; Portrait: Ward.

Reference: Volume 2, page 212

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VICKERS, SAMUEL (1799-1895) was employed in connection with Lloyd's underwriting in London for many years before coming to Taranaki in 1850. For some years he was in business as a merchant in New Plymouth and agent for the ships of H. H. Willis and Co., of London. He represented the town in the Provincial Council (1853-56), and resigned when he left the province to settle in Auckland. Vickers bought land at Mauku, which he had to leave when the war broke out (1863). He served as a clerk in the militia office and was afterwards a sharebroker in Auckland till 1893. He died on 20 Jul 1895.

Reference: Volume 2, page 212

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VILE, JOB (1845-1905) was born in Somersetshire, England, educated at board schools in London, and came to New Zealand by the Ann Wilson in 1856. After farming at various places in Wellington province, the family settled at Purupuru and in 1872 he started a coach service, which increased to include several important routes. He was first chairman of the Pahiatua county council, mayor of Pahiatua (1892) and chief ruler of the Pahiatua Rechabite lodge. In 1902 Vile was elected member of the House of Representatives for Manawatu. He was re-elected in 1905, but died suddenly on election day (6 Dec 1905).

N.Z.P.D., 28 Jun 1906; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); N.Z. Times, 7 Dec 1905. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 212

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VOGEL, SIR JULIUS (1835-99) was born in London on 24 Feb 1835, the son of Albert Leopold Vogel and Phoebe, eldest daughter of Alexander Isaac, of Hatcham Grove, Surrey, and Wolsingham Park, Durham. As a child he was delicate and until the age of 13 he received his education at home. Then he spent three years (1846-49) at the University College school until the death of his parents (1849). Amongst his contemporaries were Sir Arthur Charles, August Prevost, Sir Edwin Durning Lawrence, Lord Romilly and Thomas Hood. He was put under the care of his grandfather, a West Indian and South American merchant, and in his office gained much experience. He is believed to have made one voyage to South America, and to have been for some time in a sharebroker's office in London.

The gold discoveries in Victoria caught Vogel's imagination, and to fit himself for a new life there he entered upon a course of study in chemistry and metallurgy at the Royal School of Mines in Jermyn Street (1851-52). Under Dr Percy he achieved noteworthy success, gaining proficiency in smelting and assaying. Thus equipped, he formed a partnership with A. S. Grant and they sailed for Melbourne, arriving towards the end of 1852. For about two years they were in business together in Flinders Lane, their principal client being the Bank of Australasia. Vogel was at one time tempted by the high price of flour to make a speculation in this commodity at £80 per ton, but an opportune clearance in the weather and improvement in the state of the roads depressed the price on the diggings, and he lost heavily. He decided to go himself to the goldfields and with Dr Gagen he opened a drug store in the new town of Maryborough. Finding time on his hands, he accepted an invitation to write for the Maryborough Advertiser, with considerable success and profit. When the Inglewood rush occurred he opened another store there, under the management of Mr. White, and to indulge his journalistic bent he established the Inglewood Advertiser, which soon had a good circulation. He also became editor (with a financial interest) of the Talbot Leader. Speculative, shrewd and sanguine, Vogel was at this time making a good deal of money both from the papers and from his association with various mines on the Back Creek, Tarnagulla and Inglewood fields. Being popular and liberal, he was unable to retain his wealth. Encouraged to enter politics, in which his views were moderate, he contested the Avoca seat (Aug 1861) but was severely defeated (Hon J.M. Grant, 2,305; B. G. Davies, 2,050; Vogel, 819). In that campaign he advocated constructing railways by means of grants of land. This disappointment prompted him to seek fresh fields, and he turned his attention to the new goldfields of Otago, where he arrived about Oct 1861.

Vogel was at once engaged by W. Lambert (q.v.) to write for The Colonist, a weekly paper which then shared the business of the province with the Otago Witness. Before he had been many months in the province he had acquired a share in the Witness and had persuaded his partner (W. H. Cutten) to publish the Otago Daily Times (15 Nov 1861), the first daily newspaper in New Zealand. This child of Vogel's lively imagination and sanguine temperament was the joint property of Vogel and Cutten, Vogel being editor of both weekly and daily and Farjeon (q.v.) manager. In spite of being burned out a month or two after its birth, the Otago Daily Times was a rapid success. Following a verdict for £500 damages given against the paper for libel in 1864, Cutten retired from the proprietary, making way for Farjeon. Early in 1866 a company took over the papers, retaining both Vogel and Farjeon.

Politics ran high at this time and Vogel did the financial interests of the papers an injury by his determined advocacy of the separation of the North and Middle Islands so as to relieve the latter of any responsibility for the costly Maori wars. Early in 1868 he was given notice of dismissal, which he countered with an offer to lease the paper at £1,000 a year. The shareholders rejected the proposal, and Vogel withdrew. In retaliation he started The Sun, a daily morning paper which for some weeks put up a brilliant opposition to the Otago Daily Times; but the call of national politics was now insistent. The Sun closed down in the middle of 1869, and Vogel left for Auckland, where early in 1870 he bought the Southern Cross. He was a brilliant journalist, a forceful and fluent writer, and during his stay of eight years in Otago his journals gave him a commanding position in provincial politics and a firm entry into the national sphere. He had been less than 18 months in control of the Otago Witness when he first offered himself for popular election. In an election in Apr 1863 for the representation of Dunedin City in the House of Representatives he was defeated by a staunch 'Old Identity' (Reynolds, 77; Vogel, 31; Cutten, 11). Two months later he contested another city vacancy and again suffered defeat at the hands of an old identity (Paterson, 105; Vogel, 72). But he was consoled by being elected to the Provincial Council for Waikouaiti (Vogel, 21; J. McGlashan, 16). On that occasion he was an avowed advocate of separation, but only after the existing crisis was over. Thus early also he advocated oversea mail services and an agency-general (which he was to further later in Colonial politics).

Vogel's star was now in the ascendant. In Sep he was elected to the General Assembly without opposition, for Dunedin and Suburbs North. Allying himself with John Hardy and others, he soon had a leading position in the Provincial Council; but his far-reaching and imaginative schemes were looked at askance by the staid Scots leaders of the province. Early in 1866 he carried a resolution advocating the reunion of Otago and Southland, which was to be almost achieved before he left the province. His main argument was that the landed estate of both provinces was in danger of being squandered in the ruinous competition for settlers. He was an advocate of communications of all sorts, and promoted steamship services, railways and telegraphs in the province. At the end of 1866 he was tempted to withdraw from provincial politics, but a party incident lured him on. He had in debate challenged A. J. Burns to resign and contest a seat with him. Shortly afterwards Vogel was defeated by Murison in a General Assembly election for Waikouaiti (Murison, 37; Vogel, 35; Thompson, 1), and he resigned his seat in the Provincial Council. About the same time Burns resigned his seat (Taieri) owing to lack of support at a public meeting. Vogel accepted an invitation to Taieri, and defeated Burns by 82 to 56. Burns meanwhile was elected to the House of Representatives for Caversham, while Vogel was returned for the Goldfields. He was also elected for a Dunedin Provincial seat in Feb 1867, and at the end of that year became head of the government, a position which he held until he left the province. In the early weeks of 1867, when Macandrew was elected Superintendent of the province, the General Government refused to delegate to him the powers of administration of the Otago goldfields. Vogel threw his whole weight into this fight as a question of the provinces against the General Government, and when it failed he maintained the demand for some degree of separation and a dissolution of the partnership between the provinces and the Colony which would leave the provinces in full control of their own resources. The vehemence of this claim by Vogel was often recalled when a few years later he was equally determined, if less open, in attacking the provinces themselves.

Vogel's advance in general politics was smooth and rapid but was distinguished by frequent changes of constituency. Elected unopposed for Dunedin Suburbs in 1863, he was returned unopposed again for Goldfields in the next parliament, after having been defeated for Waikouaiti. At first his attitude in Parliament was strongly coloured by his provincial associations; but his schemes and dreams were much wider than the borders of the province. The adventurous vein in his character was strongly in evidence in the scheme which he proposed to the Stafford ministry in 1865 for disposing of the magnificent native lands confiscated in the war. He suggested a gigantic lottery in which 2,000,000 tickets should be sold at one pound each. Free passages from Great Britain were to be provided for the lucky ticket-holders (175 cabin and 18,870 steerage), and single immigrants were to show themselves possessed of merely £1 on landing in the colony. They were to be well provided for; model settlements would be established; and the Government would guarantee protection against any ill-disposed natives. Vogel anticipated a great increase of population and that vast sums of money would be available for public works. Stafford submitted the proposal without enthusiasm to the provinces. Auckland and Wellington said laconically that they had no lands available; Taranaki did not care for the speculative element. The embarrassed Weld Government by its financial proposals in 1865 changed Vogel's attitude from lukewarmness to violent hostility; but he was inhibited by his fight on behalf of provincial rights from throwing in his lot with Stafford. During the four years of Fox's absence from New Zealand (to 1869) Vogel became the virtual leader of the opposition, scoring heavily against Stafford in debates on native affairs and provincial rights. It was no surprise, therefore, when Fox returned to the Colony, that he should want Vogel as his Treasurer and that Vogel should accept the opportunity to retire gracefully from provincial politics. Fox's views on the native question were strongly philo-Maori and Vogel, with the practical impatience of the South Islander, considered that the best way to end the war and subjugate or pacify the natives was not by endless military operations involving vast debt, but by the vigorous promotion of roads, railways, telegraphs and immigration as a means of settling the country. He accordingly accepted office with Fox and, by choice, took the portfolios of Colonial Treasurer, Postmaster-general and Commissioner of Customs. In the ensuing session (28 Jun 1870) Vogel expounded his historic scheme of public works and immigration. It was no new vision with him. What he proposed was to borrow £10,000,000 for expenditure over a period of 10 years in the construction of roads, railways and telegraphs and in bringing in immigrants, who would obtain sections as the lands were opened up. He proposed finding the money partly by loans, partly by guarantee, and partly by land grants. It was hoped that in 10 years there would be a trunk line of railway from end to end of each island. The whole scheme was not adopted. Provincial agitations insisted on branch lines being built before the trunk system was completed, and the special difficulties of construction in the North Island held up the work there. Immediately after the session Featherston and Bell were sent to England to enlist the help of the Imperial Government in raising the necessary money. They obtained a guarantee for the first million, to be spent over a period of five years. Encouraged by this report, the Government initiated the minor scheme, costing £4,000,000, of which half was to be expended on railways.

At the end of the year (1870) Vogel himself left New Zealand on an extended tour. In the United States he negotiated for the establishment of the San Francisco mail service, but was unable to persuade the American Government to subsidise it. Pursuing the same subject in Great Britain, he failed to carry his project of penny postage or to induce the British Government to annex Samoa as a port of call, a step which was taken by America a few years later in the lease of Pago Pago. In London Vogel succeeded in raising loans amounting to £1,200,000, and in promoting the idea of inscribing the stock of the colonies in preference to the existing method of raising money by debentures. In this connection he warned the New Zealand Government that there was no hope of obtaining this concession for the colonies 'so long as there exists - as there does at present - grave doubt as to the permanence of the connection between the colonies and the Mother Country.' In fact, there was no prospect 'until it is finally understood that the colonies are to be regarded as indissolubly parts of the Empire.' Vogel also asked the assent of the Imperial Government to the act passed in New Zealand in 1870 with a view to the conclusion of reciprocity agreements between the various Australian colonies. The Australian colonies were all forbidden by their constitutions to make differential tariffs; but Vogel's arguments were not unavailing. A year or two later (in 1873) the Imperial Parliament passed an act to make possible this measure of empire consolidation. Vogel could arouse no enthusiasm over the proposed submarine cable between Australia and New Zealand. He pushed the interests of New Zealand coal and flax, and suggested thus early that the Colony should appoint official graders of hemp at each of the ports. But the most important part of his mission in Britain was an agreement with the engineering firm of John Brogden and Sons, who had already been negotiating with the province of Nelson, to send a preliminary party to New Zealand to study the proposed railway contracts. He definitely engaged to grant them contracts amounting to £1,000,000, in consideration of which they were to introduce not less than 40,000 immigrant labourers. Vogel was satisfied from his discussions in England that it would not be possible to finance the railway construction entirely through land grants. A minor achievement was his arrangement with the Hon W. Feilding to select immigrants with means to settle a block of land in the Rangitikei district. Vogel returned to New Zealand in Aug 1871. (C.M.G.)

In the meantime there had been a general election, and he was now member for Auckland City East. He was made plainly aware at a public meeting in Dunedin before his departure how little the people of Otago liked his politics. Accordingly, having acquired an interest in the Southern Cross and the Weekly News in Auckland, he turned his attention in that direction, and was elected in his absence. He was soon to learn that the parliament which he met on his return was not willing to accept without demur all his commitments. Fox himself shared the general uneasiness, and in the ensuing session the Government suffered a series of reverses, generally initiated by Stafford, on its immigration and public works policy. The Government's resignation (10 Sep 1872) gave Fox the opportunity he was seeking to retire and enjoy more personal freedom than he had known for 30 years. Stafford being unable to carry on, Vogel was called to form a new Government. Selecting the best talent that was available, he took office in Oct with Hall, McLean, Ormond, O'Rorke, Bathgate and E. Richardson. For reasons of his own he chose as the titular leader of the Government the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse (q.v.), who was scarcely known in New Zealand politics, and who was, moreover, in the Legislative Council. It was soon only too clear to the country, and to Waterhouse himself, that he was a leader without real authority. He and Vogel were men of such widely different temperaments that they could not possibly agree and their policies could not harmonise. When matters came to a head Vogel was again out of New Zealand negotiating with the Australian colonies on the cable question. Waterhouse insisted on resigning the premiership, and once more the unselfish Fox came from his retirement to hold office as Premier until Vogel returned. Vogel at once resumed the leadership, but was unable owing to illness to be in his place when Parliament met; and Donald McLean acted for him. Without a division the House adopted the agreement with Queensland and New South Wales to subsidise the English mail service by guaranteeing a loan of £1,000,000 for 35 years; and the joint cable agreement was also approved. The Vogel policy was now in full swing. Railways were creeping forward in all parts of the country. In 1873 31,774 immigrants reached New Zealand; in 1874 18,324. Fully appreciating the power of the press, Vogel transferred the Southern Cross to a company, which lost £8,000 in four years before selling out to the New Zealand Herald (1876). He had meanwhile acquired an interest in the New Zealand Times, which on 1 Jan 1874 incorporated the old-established Wellington Independent. The session of 1874 was noteworthy for the rejection, mainly through provincial prejudice, of the far-seeing forests bill, the adoption of which would have saved the country, in the next generation or two, millions of money. Vogel was already suspected of the design of abolishing the provincial system; and not without reason, for on 13 Aug, at the instigation of Stafford, he brought forward resolutions to that end, favouring abolition of the North Island provinces and instructing the Government to consider the matter during the recess. The debate was marked by the dramatic rebuke and resignation of O'Rorke (13 Aug 1874) and terminated in the rejection of all amendments by a two-to-one majority. The session over, Vogel wished again to visit London and proposed resigning in favour of Stafford, the arch-abolitionist; but Stafford insisted that it was no time to leave the Colony. Accordingly Atkinson was appointed to the ministry (10 Sep 1874) nominally as Secretary for Lands; and Vogel sailed (with T. Russell) on a new financial expedition to London. Calling first at Australia to settle various matters with New South Wales and Queensland and to get an understanding regarding the joint guarantee of the cable, he had then to arrange in Great Britain for its construction and to make a thorough investigation of the Agent-general's office, then under the control of Featherston. The period of more than a year that Vogel spent in England on this occasion sealed his fate as a political leader in New Zealand. Atkinson was mainly responsible for the leadership of the party, not merely from the great ability with which he mastered the intricacies of finance, but also from the fact that Pollen was in the upper chamber and removed from the vital hurly-burly of politics. With the session of 1875 approaching Vogel informed the Government that he would not be able to return until it was over, and the ministry accepted his suggestion that they should appoint another leader. Pollen accordingly became Premier (6 Jul 1875). Vogel, though he was at the other end of the world, continued nominally to hold his two portfolios. Atkinson as Colonial Treasurer was the virtual leader of the Government, and thus served a useful apprenticeship for his own hard years of office. Early in the year (Mar 1875) Sir George Grey had entered politics for the City of Auckland with the express purpose of defending the last ditch for provincialism. That cause could not be saved. Atkinson brought forward a series of resolutions which summarily abolished the provincial system. Grey could not resist them. By majorities of 55 to 20 in the lower house and 23 to 4 in the upper, the decision went against him. But from a party point of view the struggle was not altogether unavailing, for he gathered round him a strong body of Liberals who formed the foundation of the victories of the nineties.

Vogel, having been promoted K.C.M.G., returned to New Zealand in Feb 1876. While he was on the water a general election was held. He had taken the hint from an unfriendly meeting at Auckland late in 1874 to seek another home in the next parliament. The fascination he exercised over the constituencies was again in evidence. In his absence supporters nominated him in three different electorates. On 7 Jan he was elected for Wanganui (Bryce, 380; Vogel, 361; Watt, 191; Pharazyn, 36). At Thames, a few days later, he was defeated by his most dangerous antagonist (Grey, 984; William Rowe, 862; Vogel, 685). He was nominated also for Clutha but, having already gained a seat, did not go to the poll. Pollen retired when he landed, and five days later Vogel resumed the Premiership, and nominally the Treasury, though in reality Atkinson remained in charge of finance. It was soon evident that Vogel's days were numbered. At an early stage he had to face an attack on the transactions of his travelling companion, Russell. A grant of lands in the Piako district to Whitaker and Russell was impugned, and the Government suffered defeat by 5 votes. Vogel insisted on the deal being completed, and his persuasive arguments got a favourable decision by 51 votes to 49. Then his own extravagant travelling allowances came under criticism. His mind was on the wider life in London and Europe and the allurements of the financial world, and he was not sorry to resign (Sep 1876) in order to accept the post in London which had been rendered vacant by Featherston's death. Atkinson took office as Premier and appointed Vogel Agent-general, in the first instance for one year. Vogel had not been long in London when he intimated to the Government that it would suit him to hold the office permanently, and he asked permission to accept directorates of public companies. In 1877 he was offered the choice of the Agency-general or the agency for the inscription of New Zealand stock. He wished to accept the latter if the terms were sufficiently attractive, but the matter was not finalised. During the rest of his term in London Vogel was more or less involved in squabbles with the Government. His acceptance of a seat on the board of the New Zealand Agricultural Co. was objected to by both Grey and Hall, and finally he was called upon to choose between that and the Agency-general. He chose to give up the official post (Oct 1880), and four months later Bell arrived and assumed office. Vogel's political associations in England had also been distasteful to the Government, especially to Grey; and he was warmly censured in 1880 when he persisted in his candidature for Penryn and Falmouth in the Conservative interest as a supporter of Beaconsfield. The attempt was unsuccessful (D. J. Jenkins, Liberal, 1,176; R. B. Brett, Liberal, 1,071; Vogel, Conservative, 882; Mayne, Conservative, 765) and is said to have cost Vogel £5,000.

Vogel's next visit to New Zealand, in Dec 1882, was as the representative of the Electric Lighting Co. In a journey northward from the Bluff he was able to estimate the political position and his own chance of re-entering the arena. Again in 1883 he was in New Zealand on behalf of the Australian Electric Light, Power and Storage Co. From his point of view, the political situation was now more hopeful. New Zealand was in a depression from which all the devices of successive governments seemed unable to extricate it. He declared that he had no intention of staying more than a few months and would only agree to re-enter politics in the belief - which many New Zealanders shared - that he could propose remedies for troubles that had baffled others. He accepted a most flattering invitation to stand for the East Coast (Gisborne) seat, but withdrew when several local candidates refused to stand down. Declining an invitation from Stanmore, he accepted Ashburton, and had actually addressed the electors when the dissolution opened a new field of opportunities. Putting aside New Plymouth and Te Aro, Vogel stood for Christchurch North, where he defeated John Crewes by 980 to 223 (26 Jul 1884). In the new Parliament Vogel was actually the leader of the largest individual party. Out of 91 members 33 were pledged to support him; Atkinson had 2 followers; 15 were pledged to the leadership of Montgomery and 4 to Grey; while 7 were independents definitely opposed to Atkinson. Montgomery, the leader of the strongest Liberal group, offered his support to Vogel, and on 16 Aug the Stout-Vogel Government took office. Stout was Premier and Vogel Treasurer and the real leader of the Government, which included also Macandrew, Ballance and Montgomery. The territorial composition of the ministry (in which Canterbury had three members and Auckland only one), was a challenge to the old provincial spirit; and on purely provincial grounds the ministry was defeated on the address-in-reply. With Atkinson again in office for a week, Vogel reshuffled his material, and Montgomery once more sacrificed his own interest to enable Stout to resume office (on 3 Sep). Once more Stout was the titular Premier, but the hopeful country looked to his Treasurer to produce the miracle of finance which alone could solve its problems. Progressive ill-health, evidenced in deafness and drowsiness, influenced Vogel in surrendering the leadership to the brilliant young barrister, but his own brain he believed was still imaginative and venturesome enough to produce schemes which would relieve the country's distress. The stern facts of an empty treasury did not, however, yield so readily, and Vogel found himself compelled to ask for higher taxation. The Government steadily lost ground during the next three years. At the general election in 1887 Stout lost his seat. Vogel, for the first time in his political career, was returned again for the same constituency, defeating Roberts by 748 votes to 256 (26 Sep 1887).

The Government had no alternative but to resign, and Atkinson took office again (8 Oct). Vogel had a fairly strong following, but his prospect was bleak in the extreme. Suffering from progressive disorders, he attended one more session and then yielded to his old craving and returned to London. He took a house at Hillersdon, East Molesey, where he devoted himself to literature and, when opportunity offered, to business. Early in 1889 he resigned his seat in the New Zealand Parliament, and in that year he published his only novel, Anno Domini 2000; or Woman's Destiny, in which he adumbrated the use of aviation for purposes of travel. He contributed much to magazines and reviews at different times, and published several pamphlets during his earlier visits to London, notably two on Empire relations and the South Sea Islands. He also edited in 1875 the well-known Official Handbook of New Zealand. As a journalist he was trenchant and effective; the best of his speeches, as preserved in Hansard and the press, were written beforehand. In 1863 the Otago Daily Times published serially Mrs Braddon's Lady Audley's Secret. Vogel produced a dramatised version which was played for some weeks by amateurs at the Princess Theatre in Dunedin, the last performance being a benefit for the (as yet anonymous) playwright.

Vogel was in straitened circumstances for many years. In 1885 and 1892 he petitioned Parliament for compensation in respect of his services as financial agent, and in 1890 he filed a petition of right, but without success. During the last three years of his life he was in receipt of a salary of £300 a year as financial adviser to the Government. When he died (12 Mar 1899) his widow received a grant of £1,500. Lady Vogel, whom he married in Mar 1867, was Mary, eldest daughter of W. H. Clayton (q.v.), Colonial Architect. Of their family the eldest son, Harry BENJAMIN (born 1868) practised for some years as a solicitor in Wellington, where he contested a parliamentary election in 1893 and served on the City Council (1891-94). Returning to London he became a prominent journalist and novelist.

As a statesman Vogel had a dazzling record of achievement. In Fox's administration in 1869 he got his state life insurance proposal approved. This and the Torrens land transfer system were adopted in 1870, and in 1872, on the suggestion (it is believed) of E. C. J. Stevens, he passed an act creating the Public Trust office. He favoured woman franchise in 1887, but it was not enacted until 1893. Vogel's public works policy had economic and social consequences far beyond his own sanguine dreams, though possibly of a less desirable sort. The intensity of the subsequent depression was undoubtedly increased by the reckless pace at which Vogel had moved in the seventies and the careless selection of immigrants. It is generally admitted that the average type of men and women introduced in the seventies was not comparable with those of the forties and fifties, when tests of character and means were rigidly applied. In the realm of finance Vogel was audacious, speculative and sanguine. Not only did he persuade the London money market to grant New Zealand huge loans, but he prevailed upon the Imperial Government to pass legislation to authorise the inscribing of certain colonial stocks. When the bill was first presented to the House of Commons the Irish question was acute and the party obstructed everything. Learning what the obstacle was, Vogel personally interviewed Parnell and Biggar and convinced them that the interests of Ireland would not suffer if they extended this consideration to the colonies. The colonial stock bill accordingly came into law in the following session (Aug 1877). Communications of all kinds always interested Vogel. Even in the small field of Otago province he arranged oversea mails and ports of call and fostered railway and telegraph construction. The New Zealand Shipping Co. (1873) and the Union Steam Ship Co. (1875) came into existence while he was in office. Practically all through he had control of the customs, post office and telegraphs, and he lost no opportunity of furthering Empire lines of communication. The San Francisco mail service and the submarine telegraph line between Australia and New Zealand were two of his achievements, involving intricate negotiations with several Australian Colonies, the United States and Great Britain. In the earliest discussions of the Pacific cable in 1887 Vogel proposed joint ownership by the Mother Country and the Colonies. Colonial reciprocity he proposed in his earliest provincial speeches, and on his first visit to England (1871) he tried to induce the Government to legislate enabling this to be achieved. New Zealand had already passed an act, but the Australian colonies were prohibited by their constitutions from making differential tariffs and it was not until 1873 that the Imperial Parliament amended this (36-37 Vic. c. 22). Empire defence Vogel took cognisance of in his first visit to England, and as a result the valuable suggestions of Sir William Jervois were forthcoming. Vogel's views on annexation in the Pacific were far in advance of his time. Taking up the mantle of Grey, he endeavoured to open the eyes of Downing street to the troubles that might follow if foreign powers were permitted to annex the groups in the western Pacific. In particular he urged that Samoa should be taken possession of as a port of call for the San Francisco mail service. The co-operation of certain Australian colonies in this demand being ineffective, Vogel endeavoured to gain his ends by floating a trading company similar to the German companies already active in the Pacific. New Zealand actually offered to administer Fiji if it were annexed, but when in 1874 the Colonial Office demanded that all of the colonies that wanted annexation should contribute towards the £4,000 a year that it would cost, Vogel refused point blank to contribute unless New Zealand had a say in the administration. In his celebrated memorandum of 5 Apr 1876 he protested that the British policy in the Pacific appeared to be one of disintegrating the Empire; and he freely committed New Zealand to portion of the cost of annexations. The outcome of this agitation was the extension of the powers of the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. In 1880 Vogel again warned the British government of German activities in the Pacific to which the colonies could not remain indifferent. In Nov 1884 the New Zealand Parliament agreed to pay a share of the cost of governing New Guinea, and demanded that both Tonga and Samoa be secured to New Zealand. These activities of the British colonies moved Germany to immediate steps culminating in the annexations in New Guinea. Vogel then demanded angrily to be allowed to annex Samoa, and Derby had the greatest difficulty in restraining him. The annexation of the Kermadec islands in 1887 seems to have been the main outcome in the way of extending New Zealand's boundaries.

Gisborne describes Vogel as being 'bold, sanguine and hasty, determined, self-willed and often rash; overfond of personal power and popular adulation, and apt to become a dictator.' He was undoubtedly impatient of restraint, but was willing at all times to surrender the shadow of power for the substance. Though he was considerate towards friends, and often conciliated enemies by kindness, he had not the disposition for perfect team work. It was significant of his temperament that he never represented one constituency twice until the end of his career. He saw his goal afar off but he scented trouble afar also and, with the instinct of his race, he evaded it gracefully. He loved spending freely both his own and the country's money, and was generally considered to be something of a gambler in the public funds, as he was in his own pastimes. But he had many of the qualities of the statesman. Gisborne remarks, especially his restless energy, great self-confidence, quick perception, persistent tenacity, dialectical power, unbounded fertility of resource, constructiveness, close practical observation of men and things, and instinctive knowledge of figures. In fact he was 'the best all-round leader on both sides of the House.' His personal courage bore him up under grave suffering and even poverty and against political intrigue and combinations.

Personal information from J. L. F. Vogel; N.Z. Times, 19 Oct 1876 (p); Otago P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., pass; Gisborne (p); Saunders (p); Hocken, Otago; Reeves; Condliffe; Rusden; E. Wakefield, Stafford; Sylvia Masterman, Origins of International Rivalry in Samoa; British Empire Review, Apr 1935; Scholefield, N.Z. Evol. and Pacific.

Reference: Volume 2, page 213

🌳 Further sources

VOLKNER, CARL SYLVIUS (1819-65) was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, and served in the Prussian army. Becoming deeply interested in religion, he trained in the missionary college at Hamburg, and came to New Zealand in 1847 under the North German Mission Society. He first laboured in Taranaki, assisting Riemenschneider. Early in 1852 he offered his services to the Church Missionary Society, and shortly afterwards was sent to Maraetai (Waikato) to teach the men's school. In 1853, when that station was removed to Kohanga, he went ahead to prepare the ground. He married (1854) Emma, daughter of William Lanfear, of Christian Malford, Wiltshire. In 1857 he was naturalised. Having attracted the attention of Bishop Selwyn, he was ordained deacon in 1859 and priest in 1863. He was appointed in 1858 to assist at Waerengahika, but owing to the ill-health of his wife he was transferred to Opotiki (Aug 1861).

Volkner was a man of remarkable simplicity of mind and devoted piety, and acquired considerable influence amongst the wilder tribes of Bay of Plenty, notably the Whakatohea. A handsome church and commodious schoolroom were erected for him by the natives at Opotiki, he contributing largely. On the outbreak of the Waikato war he remained at his post, but when early in 1864 the Whakatohea threw in their lot with the King, Volkner took his wife for safety to Auckland. While he was away a Hauhau party arrived, ransacked the church and plundered the station. He was warned that it would be dangerous for him to return to his post, as missionaries would not be permitted by the Hauhau to remain amongst the Maori people. Volkner and the Rev T. S. Grace nevertheless returned by the schooner Eclipse, which reached Opotiki on 1 Mar 1865. She was seized by the Hauhau and looted. Grace and Volkner were taken prisoner but the captain (Morris Levy, q.v.) and his brother, being Jews, were regarded as akin to the Hauhau and spared. On the following day (2 Mar) Volkner was taken into the church and the leader of the Hauhau party, Kereopa te Rau, took the best of his garments. Volkner knelt down and prayed with some of the natives before being hanged from a tall willow tree. An hour later the head was cut off, and some of the rebels crowded round to drink the blood. Gouging out the eyes, Kereopa returned into the church, where he placed the bleeding head on the communion table, devoured the eyes and shared with his congregation a chalice full of blood. The head was then smoke-cured and carried to Poverty Bay. Kereopa was captured, tried and hanged on 5 Jan 1872.

W. Williams, W. L. Williams, East Coast; Grace; Stock; Stack, More Adventures; Cowan ii, 144-5; Buller; Wohlers; Cox; Southern Cross, 9 Mar 1865.

Reference: Volume 2, page 213

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VON DADELSZEN, EDWARD JOHN (1845-1922), who was born in Liverpool, was educated in Oxford and in 1859 came to New Zealand in the Red Jacket, in which Sir John Gorst (q.v.) was also a passenger. He was first employed by Bishop Selwyn in printing for the Melanesian mission, and in 1862 became printer and publisher of Gorst's paper Pihoihoi in the King Country. When Maori trouble broke out, von Dadelszen returned to Auckland as a clerk in the post office and in 1864 he joined the Registrar-general's department. He was appointed chief clerk in 1880, deputy registrar-general in 1884, and Registrar-general and statistical officer in 1892. He represented New Zealand at several statistical conferences in Australia. He retired in 1909, and died on 28 May 1922. Von Dadelszen married (1876) Alice Sarah Louise, daughter of William Lotze, of Sydney.

Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Gorst, N.Z. Revisited; N.Z. Chess Book, 1922; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Evening Post, 31 Mar 1909; N.Z. Times, 14 Apr 1892

Reference: Volume 2, page 213

🌳 Further sources

VON DER HEYDE, GUSTAV LUDWIG THEODOR (1836-91) was born at Bremen. He emigrated to South Australia as a young man, and in 1866 came to New Zealand, settling in Auckland, and entering the firm of Henderson and Macfarlane. After having lost his seat through not being naturalised, he represented Waitemata in the House of Representatives 1874-75. For some years he was German consul in Auckland. After visiting Germany he settled in Sydney, where he was general manager of a German-Australian steamship line. He died on 29 Jun 1891. Von der Heyde married (1864) Mary, daughter of Thomas Henderson (q.v.).

Parltry Record.

Reference: Volume 2, page 213

🌳 Further sources

VON HAAST, SIR JOHN FRANCIS JULIUS (1822-87) was born near Bonn, in Germany, where his father, a merchant, was for many years burgomaster. He was educated at the grammar schools of Bonn and Cologne and the University of Bonn, where he devoted much time to geology and mineralogy and made a scientific collection of considerable value. He carried on business as a merchant for eight years, travelling extensively in Russia, Austria and Italy, and finding time for scientific research and the study of art. He ascended Mt Etna just after the eruption of 1852.

For a London firm of shipowners Haast came to New Zealand to report on its suitability for German emigration. He reached Auckland by the Evening Star on 21 Dec 1858, the day before the arrival of the Austrian frigate Novara with a scientific expedition. Haast made the acquaintance of the Novara's geologist, Dr Hochstetter (q.v.), and when Hochstetter accepted an invitation to spend six months in scientific exploration in New Zealand he went as his companion and thus initiated a long career of discovery in science. After spending some months in the southern part of Auckland province and in Nelson (of which he wrote long reports for German periodicals), Haast was commissioned by the Nelson provincial government to explore the south and west of the province. Accompanied by Burnett and three others (of whom one was a Maori), he spent nine months in the field, suffering considerable privations. On this expedition he first made known the extent and value of the coalfields of the Grey river (which Brunner had discovered), and discovered and named the Coalbrookdale coal seam on the Buller river and several gold bearing districts. His reports added much to the topographical, zoological and botanical knowledge of the province of Canterbury. In Dec 1860 he rendered service to that province which led to his appointment as geologist in connection with the Lyttelton tunnel. The first contractors (Smith and Knight) abandoned their undertaking on encountering hard rock. Haast's report indicated that the tunnel was likely to meet with less hard rock as it progressed, and, thus assured, Moorhouse went to Melbourne and made a contract with Holmes and Richardson, who completed the work.

Early in 1861 Haast was appointed provincial geologist. Each year he spent six or eight months in the field systematically examining the resources of the province. In his first year, besides work on the upper Rangitata, he surveyed the mineral resources of the Malvern hills and the Mount Torlesse range. In 1862 he devoted himself to Mount Cook, discovering a number of glaciers and mapping many new features to which he gave names commemorating contemporary scientists. On an investigation of the Otago-Canterbury boundary line (1863) he endured considerable hardship and discovered the Haast pass.

In 1863 Haast married Mary (d. 1913), daughter of Edward Dobson (q.v.). In 1864 he surveyed the basins of the Rangitata and the Ashburton for coal; and in the following year, while working west of the Alps following the discovery of gold, he found and named the Franz Josef glacier. For some years he had been diligently collecting specimens with a view to the foundation of a museum. The discovery in 1866 at Glenmark station of important deposits of moa bones formed the basis of the unrivalled collection assembled in the Canterbury Museum, and enabled him to effect exchanges with museums abroad. Haast contributed to the New Zealand Institute and other learned societies many papers on the moa, and two of his papers were read before the Zoological Society (1885), the Royal Geographical and Geological Societies. These gave him a recognised standing in the scientific world. The University of Tübingen conferred on him its doctorate of philosophy (1862); he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society (1865); and many learned societies elected him fellow, honorary or corresponding member.

In 1863 Haast discovered the existence of copious artesian water beneath Christchurch. In 1868 he was appointed director of the Canterbury Museum, which was opened in 1870 and was one of the finest in the southern hemisphere. To this object he gave ungrudging care and thought and by the time of his death there were in the Museum 150,000 labelled specimens (many of great rarity) and exhibits representative of ethnology, technology and art. The Museum, of which he was director until his death, was his masterpiece. He was also deeply interested in another of his foundations, the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, which dated from 1862. Many of his papers were read before this body and afterwards printed in the transactions of the New Zealand Institute. He took also a keen interest in higher education. Following a course of lectures in geology which he gave in 1867, he and Bishop Harper in 1872 founded the Canterbury Collegiate association, out of which evolved Canterbury University College. He was the first professor of geology and paleontology, and was a member of the senate of the University of New Zealand (1880-87). Haast was a member of the general committee of the Art Exhibition in Christchurch in 1870, the year in which the first building was opened in the domain for museum purposes. In 1875 the Emperor of Austria conferred on him a patent of hereditary nobility, whereby he was created 'von Haast.' For the Paris Exhibition he collaborated with Edward Dobson in preparing a fine exhibit of rocks and minerals discovered in the boring of the tunnel. In 1881 he was appointed German consul for Canterbury and Westland. In 1883 he was created C.M.G. He went to London in 1886 to represent New Zealand at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition and there received the K.C.M.G.

The Imperial Institute, of which he was mentioned as the first head, came into existence as the outcome of a memorandum written by him on the suggestion of the Prince of Wales (1886). Von Haast was the first person in New Zealand to receive the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society, which was awarded in 1884 'for encouraging scientific activity in a colony that had distinguished itself by its enlightened policy towards education and science.' He was regarded as an authority on glaciation. In 1886 the University of Cambridge conferred upon him the honorary degree of doctor of science, and shortly afterwards he was appointed an Officer de l'Institut Publique des Beaux Arts et des Cultes, Professor Quatrefages handing him the diploma. He returned to New Zealand early in 1887, and died on 16 Aug 1887. Von Haast was a lover of music and a cultivated singer and violinist. In a performance of 'St Paul' by a Christchurch musical society he sang the part of the Apostle at one stage and in another led the orchestra as first violin.

H. F. von Haast (information); Nelson and Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Canterbury Gaz, vols ix, x; Hochstetter; Cox; Mennell; Tr. N.Z. Inst. and other societies cited; Andersen; Elder, Gold Seekers, Pioneer Explorers; Wigram; von Haast, op. cit; N.Z. Jour. of Science, vol. ii (p); Lyttelton Times, 7 Sep 1887.

Reference: Volume 2, page 217

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VON STURMER, FREDERICK JOHN (1829-97) was born at Oxford, the son of the Rev F. W. von Sturmer, rector of Heapham, Lincolnshire. Educated for holy orders, he sailed in 1851 for Victoria and spent some years on the goldfields. In 1858 he came to New Zealand and settled at Wade, where he lost his money farming and fruit growing. In 1863 he became sub-editor and in 1864 editor of the New Zealand Herald, resigning in 1872 to edit the Coromandel Mail. He started the Coromandel News, but sold it to the Mail and rejoined that paper. In Dec 1872 he was appointed to the editorship of the Waikato Times, which shortly afterwards he relinquished to engage in fruit growing at Hamilton. Von Sturmer served in the militia during the Waikato war. In early life he published a small volume of verse. He died on 5 Aug 1897.

N.Z. Herald, 6 Aug 1897.

Reference: Volume 2, page 217

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VON TEMPSKY, GUSTAVUS FERDINAND (1828-68) was born in the Silesian town of Liegnitz, the son of a lieutenant-colonel in the Prussian army who was once aide-de-camp to Prince Lichtenstein. Educated at the Military College in Berlin, he received his commission in 1844 in the 3rd Regiment of Fusiliers. As soon as he had completed his military service he went abroad. In 1848, with an introduction from Lord Westmoreland to Patrick Walker, the British consul for the Mosquito kingdom, in Central America, he went there with some companions intending to settle. Owing to the climate the colony failed, and von Tempsky accepted a captain's commission to organise an irregular force of Mosquito Indians for service against the neighbouring state of Nicaragua. He acted as guide to a force from H.M.S. Vixen, Alarm and Daring which penetrated up the river to attack the forts of Castello Viejo, Sarapequi and San Carlos (Feb 1848). There Walker met his death by drowning.

Von Tempsky shortly afterwards left the country and found his way to California, where he spent three years, having many rough experiences on the gold diggings and with desperadoes at San Francisco, but making little money. In Jul 1853, in company with a doctor, he sailed for the Mexican port of Mazatlan, from which point they commenced a long journey of 3,000 miles on horseback and on foot. The roads were infested by robbers and Comanche Indians, from whom they were often in danger when travelling on foot. Their pilgrimage through Mexico, Guatemala and San Salvador terminated in Jan 1855. While in Bluefields again von Tempsky married Emilia (daughter of the British resident, James Stanislaus Bell), and he returned with her parents to Scotland, where he spent some months preparing for publication his fascinating book Mitla, gaining a facile command of English and sketching.

His father-in-law having died, von Tempsky sailed with his wife and child for Victoria, where he began farming. He applied for the command of the expedition into the interior which the government was organising, but one of British nationality was preferred and he declined to be second in command (1859). Instead he crossed to New Zealand and commenced goldmining in Coromandel. When the Waikato war broke out the Government decided to raise a special corps for bush fighting, similar to the Forest Rangers of Taranaki. For such duty von Tempsky had unrivalled qualifications, and he received his commission as ensign on 26 Aug 1863. He contributed a good deal from his own pocket to the cost of equipping his company, which was soon engaged in bushfighting in the Hunua forest. His first brush was with a force of King natives which had laid an ambush at Mauku. Shortly afterwards, with Thomas McDonnell (q.v.), von Tempsky distinguished himself in reconnoitring the enemy position at Paparata. Approaching the position in the middle of the night, they spent 48 hours in a swamp observing the movements of the enemy, and returned with information of high importance. On the recommendation of General Cameron both officers were promoted captain (10 Nov 1863). Von Tempsky played an independent part in the fight which developed on 11 Feb 1864, when a bathing party was ambushed by the enemy at the Mangapiko river. Under heavy fire he led his men through the river with revolver and bowie knife, and cleared the enemy from the fern with some loss, gaining the thanks of Sir Henry Havelock and other British officers. On 22 Feb his force was engaged for two days in sharp fighting at Rangiaowhia, from which it returned laden with booty. At the investment of Orakau (2 Apr) von Tempsky was sent with his company to occupy a position commanding an angle of the enemy works. Approaching across the open under heavy fire, they gained their post and soon subdued the enemy fire. When the evacuation began, von Tempsky gallantly led his men into action to cut off the retreat of the enemy. For his conduct on this occasion he earned his majority (4 Apr 1864).

A few weeks later he was in the field on the West Coast. On 13 May, with 64 of his Rangers, he moved out from Kakaramea against a strong native position on the bank of the Patea river. After several days fighting, in which the natives were severely punished, he regained the redoubt with his dead and wounded. In Jun he saw fighting at Nukumaru, and two days later was with a force of 500 men which advanced to within a mile of Weraroa. Commanding the advance guard, he approached within 400 yards. A week later Weraroa was evacuated. Von Tempsky was unable to be present owing to an attack of rheumatism, and had to be taken to Wanganui in a cart. He took part in the operations against Pipiriki in Jul 1865, and then went as a volunteer to Opotiki, expecting to rejoin his Rangers at Hicks Bay. Landing on 9 Sep with Stapp and Captain Newland, they seized a commanding position to cover the debarkation. Von Tempsky commanded the rear of the position when it was attacked on the 11th, and on the following afternoon brought up reinforcements for the native contingent. Then he took part in the attack which carried the village and the town. He hoisted a red shirt as a signal to prevent H.M.S. Brisk shelling.

Owing to a misunderstanding as to the terms of their enlistment the Rangers did not embark for the East Coast, and von Tempsky accordingly went to Wellington (which he reached on 15 Sep). Acting on his suggestion that the men would have volunteered if he had been present the authorities ordered the corps to be sent from Wanganui to Wellington. When they arrived von Tempsky resumed command and was instructed to take the corps to the field of war and place himself under the orders of Major Fraser. That officer had shown great courage and resource in suppressing the Hauhau outbreak in his district but was nevertheless junior in rank to von Tempsky, who felt that he had been unjustly superseded. He declined to obey the orders and tendered his resignation. When summoned to discuss the matter with the Defence Minister (Atkinson) he left the room abruptly. Having three times refused to obey orders which had been repeated with full cabinet authority, he was placed under arrest, and Westrupp sailed from Wellington (24 Sep) in command of 40 men of the corps who had volunteered. A court of inquiry (30 Sep and 2 Oct) elicited that the Rangers had originally enlisted for service in Auckland province, and had agreed to serve in the Wanganui district on being granted the special pay of 5s a day (including 1s 6d for rations). The terms for the East Coast campaign were equal to 4s 2d a day. Von Tempsky contended that the orders to the corps to proceed there were illegal, but said little about his own seniority, and the court expressed no opinion on the evidence. On 16 Oct the Weld Government resigned, and Haultain succeeded Atkinson as Minister of Defence. On 20 Oct von Tempsky was released from his technical arrest and the Governor gave him an opportunity of recalling his resignation. This he did on the assurance that the promotion of Fraser did not constitute supersession of himself. He at once rejoined the Colonial Defence Force, and on 24 Oct proceeded to Wanganui with 30 men and instructions to organise a new native contingent. Gudgeon indicates that what he desired was an independent command in the field, a position for which Atkinson declared him to be unfitted.

At the end of the year, with 54 Rangers, he joined General Chute's force, and rendered valuable service in scouting and cutting bush tracks during the march to New Plymouth east of the Mountain. At Whenuakura he led his men across the open into the pa, and at Otapawa (13 Jan 1866) he cleared the bush and reached the rear of the pa at the moment when the 57th Regiment appeared on its front. His services on this march were warmly praised by General Chute (N.Z. Gazette 26 Jan 1866). The Rangers were disbanded in the following month, and von Tempsky retired to Auckland for a few weeks' rest. This he spent with his wife at Coromandel, where he made some of his sketches of incidents of the war.

He was again in service in 1868. When the Armed Constabulary was formed he accepted a commission as inspector, and in Aug was engaged in the stiff fighting against Titokowaru. At the first attack on Turuturumokai (21 Aug) he arrived with his detachment of 60 too late to avert defeat, but managed to bring off his killed and wounded. In the second attack (7 Sep) he was in command of No. 1 detachment (which consisted of 142 men of the Armed Constabulary, Rangers and Volunteers). The objective was to surprise the village of Ruaruru, which was in rear of the enemy position; but when the force came into touch with the enemy it was found that they were actually before the main position of Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu. Von Tempsky asked permission to attack, but McDonnell hesitated fatally and eventually ordered a retreat. Meanwhile von Tempsky, who had been waiting in an exposed position, was shot by a concealed Hauhau. His body, with those of other pakeha killed, was burned on a funeral pyre with Hauhau rites.

Von Tempsky's reputation at the time of his death was at its zenith. At a public dinner after the action at Kakaramea the Premier declared that he was the great bulwark of the self-reliant policy and had done more than any other officer to raise the morale of the colonial soldier.

App. H.R., 1863-68; Wells; Cowan (p); Von Tempsky, op. cit.; Gudgeon (p); Hawkes Bay Herald, 16 Oct 1900; Taranaki Herald, 3 Mar 1866, 24 Jun 1865; Wellington Independent, 10, 12 Sep 1868; Southern Cross, 1 Oct 1865.

Reference: Volume 2, page 218

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VON TUNZELMANN, PAUL NICHOLAS BALTHAZAR (1828-1900) was the son of Major Tunzelmann von Adlerflug, an officer in the Russian army, and was born in Oesel, Livonia. Educated on the continent and in England (including University College, London), he had some training in veterinary science and was naturalised in England at the age of 21. He came to New Zealand in 1858, and shortly afterwards joined Hankinson, Rees and three others on an exploration from Oamaru towards western Otago. Rees and von Tunzelmann alone, travelling up the Cardrona valley, reached the Crown range, from which they saw Lake Wakatipu and the open country they were in search of. Rees decided to settle on the eastern shore, near where Queenstown is, and the von Tunzelmanns established themselves at Fern Hill, on the western shore. Rees and von Tunzelmann explored a good deal in the vicinity of Wakatipu, giving names to the Von river, Mount Nicholas and other features. After the gold rushes they carried on until they were ruined by the ravages of rabbits. Nicholas spent some time in New South Wales and then returned to Otago, dying at Walter Peak on 31 Jul 1900.

EMANUEL JOHN F. VON TUNZELMANN (1839-98) was an accomplished linguist, and when the station failed he found employment in different schools as a teacher of languages. He was thus employed at Nelson College (1875-76), at Wellington College, at Canterbury College and Christ's College (1878-80). He then returned to Southland and was for 10 years in charge of the primary school at Woodlands. Eventually he was at The Neck, Stewart Island, as missioner for the Presbyterian Church and native school teacher. There he died on 26 May 1898.

Beattie; Nelson Coll. O.B. Reg.; Roberts, Southland; Hight and Candy; Gilkison; Southland Times, 28 May 1898, 3 Aug 1900.

Reference: Volume 2, page 219

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