BECKETT, REGINALD HOWARD (1855-1938) was born in London and educated at the London University School. In 1873 he came to New Zealand, and two years later commenced business at Marton as auctioneer and general merchant (the firm being known as Beckett, Hammond and Dick, and later as Beckett and Hammond). Finally, for some years he carried on in his own name before selling the business to Abraham and Williams, of which he became a director for life. He was closely associated with the development of the district. He was a member of the first Marton town board and borough council, and was mayor on three occasions (1881-84, 1898-1901, 1909-13), during which the council inaugurated the water supply and sewerage. He was also on the Rangitikei county council from 1892 (and chairman from 1905), resigning in 1907 to visit England. He was an original member of the Rangitikei Building Society (1876) and chairman of directors to 1935. Beckett was a guarantor of the Rangitikei Hunt Club and the Marton Jockey Club. He was secretary of the latter for many years and afterwards chairman and president (1922-33), and a life member for 30 years. In his youth he was a prominent cricketer and for some years was president of the Marton athletic club. He was an original member of the Marton Agricultural and Pastoral association and the Marton club, and chairman for some years of the local branch of the Reform party. Beckett died on 23 Jun 1938.

Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Rangitikei Advocate, 23 Jun 1938.

Reference: Volume 1, page 43

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