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

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