BARSTOW, ROBERT CLAPHAM (1820-90) was born at Skipton Bridge, Yorkshire, a grandson of Sir Michael Barstow, mayor of York. He was educated at St Peter's School, York, and proceeded as a foundation scholar to Jesus College, Cambridge (1838). After completing his course there he spent some time travelling in Europe, and sailed in 1843 for New Zealand in the Bangalore, which was carrying Captain FitzRoy to assume the Governorship. Arriving in Dec, he purchased land at Tamaki, and then speculated in loading the Bangalore with spars and timber. He sailed in the ship on her return to England, put into Valparaiso in distress and sold her cargo there. Barstow made his way to Payta (Peru) and then to Tahiti (Aug 1844) in search of a vessel for his return to New Zealand. After visiting the Marquesas and Hawaii, he reached Auckland in 1845, just before the arrival of Governor Grey. He had a schooner, the Undine, built in Auckland, and made further cruises in the Pacific. In 1846 he married Jane Mary (d. 15 Jul 1902), daughter of Colonel Hulme, of the 96th Regiment.

In 1848 Barstow was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member until 1850. On account of the scarcity of labour following the gold discoveries in California, he sold his farm (partly to St John's College) and moved to Great Barrier, where he had a cattle station for some years. From 1859 he was resident magistrate at Bay of Islands; from 1872 at Onehunga; and from 1877 at Auckland, retiring in 1881. Barstow took a great interest in the establishment of the Auckland Industrial School, and was many years on the committee. He was for some time president of the Auckland Institute and was interested in acclimatisation and horticulture. He had a valuable collection of engravings, coins and medals. Barstow died on 28 Sep 1890. (See J. P. CAMPBELL.)

Parlty Record; N.Z. Herald, 3 Jul, 10 Oct 1881, 29 Sep 1890; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p)

Reference: Volume 1, page 38

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