CONGREVE, SIR WILLIAM AUGUSTUS (1826-1860), 3rd baronet, was the son of the second baronet (who invented the Congreve rocket). He came to New Zealand in the Bernicia (1848), and a year or two later took up the Ugbrooke flats in Marlborough. His sheep becoming badly infected with scab, he abandoned his run (which was taken over by the Redwoods). Congreve was appointed a magistrate of the territory in New Munster (23 Apr 1849). A keen sportsman, he did not succeed on the land though he had a wide colonial experience. After his failure at Ugbrooke he moved to Canterbury, where he took up a run on the Rakaia. He was appointed inspector of sheep and registrar of brands under the provincial government in 1854, but relinquished the post in 1858. Congreve witnessed the purchase of the Kaiapoi block by W. J. W. Hamilton (q.v.) in 1857. He had a fund of information concerning the Ngai-Tahu. He was last heard of in New South Wales in 1860, when he was intending to settle in Fiji.

Canterbury Gaz. 1854-59; Mackay, ii, 22; Arnold; Acland; Debrett, 1880; Buick, Marlborough; Lyttelton Times, 10 Jun 1854.

Reference: Volume 1, page 102

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