SHRIMPTON, WALTER (1842-1936) was born in England, and arrived in Canterbury in the Charlotte Jane (Dec 1850). After farming with his brother for a short time he moved to the North Island and took up virgin land in the Matapiro block, Hawkes Bay. He established a fine herd of red deer (from the South Island) in 1876. He broke in this country and farmed it with great tenacity and perseverance. In later life he took an energetic part in public affairs, serving for many years on most of the local bodies in his district. He was chairman of the Okawa road board and afterwards represented the Okawa riding in the Hawkes Bay county for many years (being often elected chairman). He was an early trustee of the Napier hospital and represented the county on the united Hawkes Bay charitable aid trustees from 1898 until 1909, when the Hawkes Bay hospital board was formed. He was a member of that body (1909-27), and chairman (1909-22). During 30 years of participation in hospital administration he made many handsome gifts, including the Shrimpton ward, which was built in 1913, destroyed by earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt. He presented to Hastings hospital the first radio equipment so installed in New Zealand. From 1910-27 he was on the committee of the Parke Island old people's home and chairman many years. Shrimpton was for a while a member of the East Coast native land trust, an official of the Hawkes Bay A. and P. association and an officebearer of the Hawkes Bay Jockey club. He died on 25 Jul 1936. He was twice married. (See F. D. RICH.)

Playne; Hawkes Bay Herald and Daily Telegraph, 26 Jul 1936.

Reference: Volume 2, page 153

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