HOBBS, RICHARD (1833-1910) was born at Hokianga, the son of the Rev John Hobbs (q.v.). Educated at the mission school at Waimate, and afterwards privately by Dr Day, he went to Tasmania, where he was apprenticed to Waterhouse Brothers (drapers). He married Emma, daughter of the Rev John Waterhouse.

Hobbs spent 12 months at the Friars Creek diggings in Victoria, and then returned to New Zealand and entered into business in Auckland. He was able to retire with a competence in 1873. Hobbs was a lieutenant in the First Volunteer Rifles in Auckland, and served in the Waikato as a captain in the militia (Sep 1864). He was a member of the Auckland City Council (1871-73). Taking up land at Springs, Pokeno, he bred horses and cattle and had a fine orchard. He represented Franklin in Parliament (1879-80) and Bay of Islands (1881-90). He was a member of the native affairs committee and was the promoter of the gaming and lotteries bill (1881). Hobbs was a member of the Manukau county council, the Pokeno road board and school committee and the Auckland education board (of which he was two years chairman). He was a justice of the peace and a trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank. A Wesleyan by tradition, he was superintendent of the Sunday school in High Street, a member of the board of trustees of the church, and treasurer of Wesley College (for 30 years). Later he became attached to St John's Church, Ponsonby. He died on 16 Jul 1910. (See G. M. WATERHOUSE.)

Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z.P.D., 19 Jul 1910; N.Z. Herald, 3 Oct 1902, 18 Jul 1910.

Reference: Volume 1, page 214

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