STRODE, ALFRED ROWLAND CHETHAM (1823-90) was the son of Admiral Sir E. Chetham, K.C.B., of South Hill House, near Shepton-Mallet, Somersetshire, who took the additional name of Strode on inheriting property. Strode arrived in Wellington in 1842, apparently accompanied by a brother. A few years later he was clerk to the magistrates in Wellington, and then sub-inspector of police. While he held this position the settlement was threatened by a Maori rising at the Hutt, and all the male inhabitants were enrolled in the militia. Strode, who held the rank of ensign, had extended authority as sub-inspector of police, and under his instructions a stockade was erected at Karori as a refuge for settlers in case of attack. He showed himself a brave and resourceful officer. At one point he garrisoned the residence of H. S. Chapman at Karori. He took part in the fighting in the Hutt valley and in the pursuit of the natives across the hills and up the Horokiwi valley; and he was close to Blackham when he was mortally wounded. Strode received the New Zealand medal for his services.

Two years later (1848) Sir George Grey appointed Strode deputy-inspector of police for the new settlement about to be established at Otago. He arrived there in the schooner Perseverance on 20 Apr with a small detachment of armed police. Three months later he was appointed resident magistrate and sub-treasurer for the province. When the emigrants arrived Strode found himself in the position of sheriff and chief magistrate. There being no local government, he was called upon as chairman of the local magistrates to preside at the meetings at which it was decided what works were necessary to be carried out. A man of pronounced ability and irreproachable character, he was nevertheless not one of the body of settlers, and appeared to them somewhat out of sympathy. As a member of the Church of England he presided at the first meeting, held in 1851, to organise that congregation. He was a churchwarden of the church in Moray place. When he stood for the Provincial Council in 1860 he was defeated for both a town and a country seat. As sheriff, he was the first warden appointed for the Otago goldfields.

A few years later (1865) he was appointed to the Legislative Council by the Weld Government. When the Stafford Government came into office Strode got the impression that they looked to him to assist in passing a taxing bill, and he resigned his seat (Nov 1867). He lived in Otago about 35 years. He was a founder of the Otago benevolent institution, and for many years chairman. He was also for some years to 1878 a member of the Otago land board. In 1869 he became a member of the Otago University council and treasurer, and he remained on the Council until 1884. Strode and W. Fraser (q.v.) owned the Earnscleugh run in 1862. In 1873, after holding the position of magistrate for 25 years, he resigned on pension. He went to live for a time at Waikouaiti, and then to England, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died on 13 May 1890.

Strode married (1851) Emily, daughter of William Borton (Banbury, Oxfordshire). She died in 1890.

G.B.O.P., 1846; N.Z. Gaz.; N.Z.P.D., 1865-67; Don; Cowan, i; Ross; Ward; Hocken; McIndoe; Independent, 9 Jan 1864; Otago Witness, 21 Jun 1862; Otago Daily Times, 26 Jun 1890, 20 Jun 1930 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 175

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