WHITEFOORD, CALEB (1839-91) was born in Tasmania, the son of John Whitefoord, formerly recorder and commissioner in bankruptcy, and grandson of the celebrated wit and littérateur Caleb Whitefoord (secretary to the British embassy in Paris 1782-92). Having received a liberal and practical education, Whitefoord accepted a cadetship in the Victorian police, was transferred to the mounted police, and became an inspector. On retrenchment being applied to the force, he came to the West Coast and was appointed warden in 1867 and magistrate for the Grey valley two years later. He married (1869) a daughter of R. H. Willis (of Launceston, Tasmania, and Canterbury). In 1875 he was transferred to Kaiapoi and Rangiora, where he purchased a property upon which to reside. Besides his magisterial duties, Whitefoord acted as royal commissioner on occasions (notably inquiring into the Jackson's Bay settlement and the Dunedin gaol). He was a prominent churchman, a churchwarden of St Bartholomew's, Kaiapoi, a lay reader and member of the diocesan synod from 1879 and of the standing committee. He was an active freemason. On the formation of the Kaiapoi Rifles (1885) he was appointed captain, and he promoted cadet corps in the town. Whitefoord died on 13 Feb 1891.

Westport Times and Star, 28 Dec 1926 (p); Lyttelton Times and The Press, 14 Feb 1891.

Reference: Volume 2, page 252

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