GWYNNE, RICHARD (1827-83) was born at Rostrevor, County Down. He left Ireland in 1849 and travelled extensively in America. In 1853 he was in Australia, arriving in the Earl of Charlemont, which was wrecked on Barwon Head. Gwynne spent a year or two in Victoria as stockman and trading, and in 1854, in partnership with Benjamin Newell, he brought a consignment of horses to New Zealand. For some years they were in partnership as import merchants and introduced many valuable thoroughbred sires. Newell having died, Gwynne married his widow. In 1862 they visited England, and on returning took the Junction hotel at Newmarket. Gwynne moved to Waikato in 1874 and took the Hamilton hotel. He was a prominent figure in the district and a leader of its social institutions. For some years he was a member of the borough council and acting mayor. He died on 26 May 1883.

Waikato Times, 29 May 1883.

Reference: Volume 1, page 186

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