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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