STEVENS, WILLIAM (1825-97), who was born at Eastbourne, in Sussex, came to Sydney in the Alfred in 1841 with his parents. Two years later he crossed to New Zealand, where he joined his half-brother (Captain John Howell) in the whaling industry, and was one of the founders of Riverton. He assisted Captain Richards in the survey of the coast, and afterwards passed as a master in Australia and a pilot in New Zealand. Abandoning the sea about 1860, Stevens took up the Beaumont sheep station on the Aparima river, and a large farm at Gummie's Bush, near Riverton. For 18 years he was a member of the Bluff harbour board, for 21 years chairman of the Gummie's Bush school committee, and he was a founder and first chairman of directors of the Aparima dairy factory. Stevens was twice married, and had 20 children. He died on 2 Aug 1897.

Cycl. N.Z., iv; Riverton Record; Southland Times, 3 Aug 1897.

Reference: Volume 2, page 169

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