NOLAN, SIR ROBERT HOWARD (1855-1923) was born at Bathurst, New South Wales, the son of David Nolan (1828-1901, of Londonderry and Auckland). Educated at Wesley College and Auckland College and Grammar School, he went to the Thames goldfields, where he built and operated the Eglinton battery. Returning to Auckland, he entered the warehouse of McArthur and Co., whom he represented for some years in the South Sea islands and afterwards in New Zealand. He was one of the early members of the Pakuranga hunt club and attended most of its meetings.

In 1880 Nolan established an auctioneering and stock agency business in Hawera (in which he was joined later by A. S. Tonks). The business prospered and Nolan took a leading part in the life of the district. He was secretary for many years (to 1889) and afterwards president of the Egmont Racing club; judge for the Patea and Waverley and Waitotara clubs, and secretary of the Egmont hunt club. He represented Taranaki district clubs on the racing conference, and was one of the first appeal judges in New Zealand racing. As a volunteer Nolan was a lieutenant in the Hawera Rifles. He was chairman of the Mokoia domain board before it was taken over by the government, chairman of the Hawera Gas Co. and a director of the permanent building society. Nolan married (1882) Octavia, daughter of Major D. S. Durie (q.v.). After retiring from business he spent some years in London. During the Great War he managed a soldiers' club in Bloomsbury and was an untiring official of the New Zealand War Contingent Association. Created C.B.E. in 1918, he was knighted in June 1923 and died on 13 July (his widow being granted the style and title of 'Lady').

Cycl. N.Z., vi (p); Chadwick; Who's Who N.Z., 1924; N.Z. Herald, 11 Jan 1901, 14 Jul 1923.

Reference: Volume 2, page 66

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