BIOGRAPHICAL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 538, 8 June 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

BIOGRAPHICAL

MR. R. F. WEBSTER. One who has seen and done much for the furtherance of Pukekohe, and who has perhaps not received just credit for the variety of local government work he has at various periods been connected with, and taken an active part in, is Mr. R. F. Webster, of this town. Mr. Webster was born in the military station at Bermuda in 1846, his father being a N.C.O. in the 20th Foot, and a soldier who had gone all through the Crimean War without as much as getting a scratch from the

enemy. From Bermuda Mr. Webster was taken in September 1847 to Kingston, Canada, and several years were also spent at Montreal and Quebec. After having served about 23 years with the 20th Regiment, in 1853 Mr. Webster's father returned to England, joined the Sussex Militia and acted as drill' instructor under that famous old Waterloo hero, the Duke of Richmond. The few records of Mr. Webster's parent will show the young age at which he became associated with the Army, and which probably accounts for the keen manner in which he in later years took up with military matters in this Dominion.

Shortly after the death of his father at Wickham, Sussex, Mr. Webster's mother decided to make for the colony of New Zealand, which was at that time receiving some attention from the authorities. After a four months' voyage in the emigrant ship Persia, a full-rigged vessel under charge of Captain Smith, Auckland was reached in August, 1859, Mr. Webster at this time being about 13 years old.

Fifty-three years ago Auckland was a mere village, and some difficulty was experienced in obtaining employment. However a start was made as a compositor in the printing office of the old New Zealander, which was then being run by Messrs Williams and Wilson, in Shortland Street. This firm, it may be mentioned, were the first in Auckland to use coal gas.

Mr. Webster relates with interest how in the same office with him there worked Gilbert Carson, who a few years ago was called to the Upper House, and also the late George Mayne who was for so many years connected with the "Herald" staiF. After 15 months at the printing trade our pioneer decided on a change of work, and became apprenticed to Messrs Conner and Harney (saddlers), of Queen Street. While here the Maori War broke out, fa.d Webster and Conner were forced to join the militia, and, as Mr. Webster says. "I had to go up to the Albert Barracks two or three times a week to drill, and so got my first taste in person of military matters. With the First Auckland Militia he often made trips with the escort to provision waggons into the various districts that were operating against the Maoris, the redoubts along the Great South Road being frequently visited, and once a trip was made to Mauku. Later he was stationed at Drury, the military station. A return was then made to the saddlery trade, and after seven years as journeyman to Wiseman's he bought out

the business of a man named Fcrster and started on his own account in 1875, this date being a familiar mark on the Webster premises in Pukekohe. On retiring from business Mr. Webster had therefore been 40 yeare in business on his own account —a fairly long term in so young a country as New Zealand. After about three years in Auckland it was decided to launch out into some of the country townships that were at this time springing up, and in 1878 Mr Webster opened the first saddlery business in Waiuku in a shop just about where Mrs Christy's boardinghouse stood. Here military matters again claimed him, and he became a member of the famous Waiuku Cavalry. How-

ever in December, 1879. the premises he was occupying were sold over his head, and not being able to secure others he decided to move to Pukekohe where he has resided and carried on a successful business until a few years ago, the original premises and the handsome new building being too well known to need further comment. Two years after starting in Pukekohe he entered into a matrimonial compact with a very esSiwable young lady from Auckland, and on November 23, 1881. was married to Miss Helen Potter in Beresford

Street Church. The worthy couple are now blessed with three daughters to be a comfort to them in their declining years. Military matters also claimed Mr. Webster's attention in Pukekohe. and in July, 1885. he was elected lieuten-

ant to the South Franklin Mounted Infantry, under charge of Captain Harris, now Major Harris, and in this troop he took a very keen interest and did much for its furtherance and advancement. This position he held till the disbandment in 1897. Just prior to the disbandment, and for the next few years, volunteering was at a very low ebb, and it became a very difficult matter to keep any of the squadrons mounteds strength. However, in 1900. just prior to the Boer War. a revival took place, and a great impetus was given to the volunteering movement. In the formation of the Pukekohe Mounted Rifles, later known as the B Squadron, First Auckland. Mounted Rifles. Mr. Webster again did yoomen service, and it was through his instrumentality that the troop Has again formed, many of the old South Franklins coming back to the new movement. Mr. Webster holds the Long Service Medal. In all public and civic matters Mr Webster has for many years taken a prominent part, his first advent into local politics being a member for the Pukekohe West Road Board. He served two terms on the Road Board and several terms on the School Committee, and when the school was shifted was a member and had a good deal to do with shifting. He was one of the promoters of our useful technical school, and as secretary proved a most energetic and useful member. And the much abused Town Board. This also owed its inauguration to Mr. Webster, and at this juncture it i is well to remember that Pukekohe t at that time was not the seat of its present prosperity. He was elected a member in the second term, and the fact that much of Pukekohe's prosperity is due to the Town Board should not be lost sight of, for it was they who started the waterworks scheme and much of the town improvements. The Chamber of Commerce, which became such a useful business factor in Pukekohe, was also nurtured by our pioneer, and since it was formed some few years ago Mr. Webster has successfully carried out the duties of president. Being, like all good citizens, a lover of literature Mr. Webster was one of those responsible fot the creation of the Pukekohe Public Library. Mr. Webster's conscientious principles have also induced him to take an active interest in religious matters, and as superintendent of an undenominational Sunday school his earnest teachings and devotion to the work can be recalled by manv scholars now grown up to manhood. All along he has taken a live and active interest in the Methodist and Piesbyterian Churches; even when in Auckland ne became one of the first trustees to the Newton Congregational Sunday School. Being a man of sterling moral character, he has had a good influence on all who came in contact with him. . Mr. Webster was also Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and

e for a number of years wa&the Res gistrar of Electors for Franklin. - As a Justice of the Peace he has been always willing to assist in rr.ain- . taining order, and the number of do--1 cuments that bear his attesting name i- are legion.

Yet another position has to be added to the already long list, that of secretary to the Franklin A. and P. ic-iety, which position was filled with credit for many years. Recently Mr. Webster was appointed District Coroner. It does not fall to the lot of many townships to hold a man who has so long and so earnestly worked fa* its welfare, and who has so unselfishly given his services freely and generously for its advancement. We are not a people of traditions, or we might have even in Pukekche a pedestal on which some record of such services as those rendered Mr. Webster might be chronicled, and where his likeness as Father of Pukekohe could be shown to future generations, which might inspire them to go and do likewise, and by so doing do well.