DANIEL, THEOPHILUS (1817-93), A. J. B., was born at Hastings, Sussex, and at the age of 19 landed in Australia from the ship Hercules, of which his brother was captain. After gaining some experience of station life, he was sent by a Sydney firm with 1,200 head of cattle to establish a run in the Riverina. Later, with his brother Sylvanus, he squatted in the same district.

Having sold his interest in the station, he left to visit England, but the ship in which he travelled went ashore at Farewell Spit and was got off and taken to Wellington by Captain Howell. As a result of this meeting Daniel decided to make his home in Southland. He took charge of 500 sheep for Howell from Sydney, and in partnership with Howell and Stevens engaged in whaling and trading. When the agreement was dissolved he ran a store in Riverton and farmed in the neighbourhood. Daniel was mayor of Riverton on several occasions (1879, 1880-81). He acquired considerable property, and was a strong advocate of railway construction in the western district of Southland. He was a member of the Southland Provincial Council (for Longwood) from 1867-69, and after the reunion with Otago sat in the Otago Council for Riverton (1871-75). He also represented the district of Wallace in Parliament (1881-84). Daniel married a sister of Captain Stevens (who had been at Jacob's River since 1842). He died on 22 Mar 1893.

Southland and Otago P.C. Proc.; Riverton Rec (p); Beattie, ii; Cycl. N.Z., iv; Southland Times, 24 Mar 1893. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 113

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