PETRE, HENRY WILLIAM (1820-89) was the second son of the 11th baron Petre (who was a director of the New Zealand Company. Whanganui took its first name from him, and a portion of Wellington was named after his seat in Essex, Thorndon Hall). Petre came to New Zealand in the Oriental (1840) and, with Hopper and Molesworth, entered into business at the Hutt, where they erected a flourmill and farmed. His residence at Petone was pictured by Brees. Petre was a member of the illegal provisional committee in 1840 and an officer for the organisation of the defence of the Hutt district in 1845. On the dissolution of the partnership he engaged with his relatives (Clifford, Vavasour and Weld) in landed interests in the Wairarapa. He was a keen horseman, importing horses and riding them in races. On his return to the colony in 1843 he brought the thoroughbreds Aether and Riddlesworth, an important factor in his future breeding. As a pastoralist he tried unsuccessfully to cross the Australian merino with Lord Western's breed of sheep.

In 1846 Petre was appointed treasurer for the Southern District of the Colony; in 1848 colonial treasurer for New Munster (which involved a seat on the executive); in 1851 Colonial Treasurer and in 1853 Postmaster-general. He married (1842) Mary Ann Eleanor (d. 1885), daughter of Richard Walmsley, of Middleton Hall, Essex. After her death he married Sara (d. 1928), widow of Julian H. Tolme. In 1853 Petre was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until his final departure from the Colony about 1860. He was deputy-lieutenant for Essex, where he died on 3 Dec 1889.

G.B.O. 1838/680; Burke, Peerage; E. J. Wakefield, ii; Ward (p); Evening Star, 17 Dec 1889.

Reference: Volume 2, page 84

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