BECKHAM, THOMAS (1810-75). Born in 1810, Beckham seems to have been educated at Guildford, Surrey, or the Royal Military College at Woolwich, since he claimed to have been at school with Sir George Grey. Receiving his commission in the 28th (North Gloucester) Regiment in 1828 (lieutenant 1832), he sailed with it to Australia in 1835, and three years later resigned to come to New Zealand in the Diana (1838). Shortly after the declaration of British sovereignty, Beckham was appointed magistrate at Hokianga and rode to his post from Auckland. A year later (Aug 1841) he was transferred to Russell. At the outbreak of Heke's war, he and the Rev Henry Williams endeavoured to mediate, but without success, and when Kororareka was sacked and burned he withdrew to Auckland with the refugees. There he helped to raise the local militia and commanded one company of volunteers. He also co-operated in the building of Fort Britomart and the stockade. In Mar 1845 he was appointed police magistrate at Auckland and in Nov 1846 resident magistrate. He was from Jan 1842 sheriff of the northern district and later in the year harbourmaster at Bay of Islands. Tall, well built and carefully dressed, Beckham was a stickler for procedure and a stern dispenser of justice. He did good service for both the Kororareka and Auckland communities in their early days.

In Oct 1855 he was elected by the City of Auckland a member of the Provincial Council. He was a member of the executive for a year under Logan Campbell, and then retired from the Council. He was also elected in 1855 to the House of Representatives, where he held his seat until 1860. In 1858 he moved the address-in-reply. He frankly disliked politics, and was afterwards appointed resident magistrate at Auckland and district judge, which positions he held until his death on 31 Jul 1875. Beckham married a daughter of Major-general Baddeley, at one time colonel of engineers in New Zealand.

G.B.O.P., 1845/130; P.R.O., A.L., 1829; Buick, First War; Morton; N.Z. Herald, 1 Aug 1875.

Reference: Volume 1, page 43

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