SKETCHES OF MEMBERS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 3

SKETCHES OF MEMBERS.

Mb Richard Hobbs, the me&beir "for Bay of Islands, was born in Hokianga in. that electorate 55 years ago. His father, the Rev. John Hobbs, was one of the earli. est Wesleyan missionaries in ISfew Zealand, and his name will always be held in revered remembrance as a brave, self-denying servant of his Master. The subject? of fchhj sketch recollects distinctly Hekes war and tho sacking of Kororareka. At fourteen years of age he was ' sent td Tasmania, whero he was' apprenticed to the drapery business, and where he grew up to man's estate. In his early years he took an active interest in the Volunteer movement, and was a lieutenant of the first Hobart Town Rifles. Returning to NewZealand in 1857, he embarked in businesa m Auckland, and after a few years retired! with a competency. While resident ia this city he joined the militia, and waa soon promoted to the rank of Captain, which he still holds. He was one of the first Councillors of the city ot Auckland, and for several years held a seat on the Board of Education, of which body he was Chairman for two years. In 1879 he was elected *-;O fill a vacancy in the representation of Franklin —which constituency then returned two members — and was for some time an adherent of the Grey party. He seceded from Sir George Grey's leadership on the ground that the Greyites had nob carried out the policy to which they had committed themselves. This secession made Mr Hobbs very unpopular- with his constituents, and at the next election he and Mr Buckland were badly beaten by Major Hamlin and Major Harris. In 1881, waiving a numerously-signed requisition from Bay of Islands, he stood for that seat, and defeated the then sitting member, Mr John Lundon. At the next general election he was successful against Messrs Mackenzie and Gannon, and in the late conte&t again headed the poll. Of late years Mr Hobbs has been an adherent of Major Atkinson's, and as he is an apt Maori linguist, and possesses an intimate knowledge of native matters, it is not unlikely that he will shortly be called on to take a prominent position in the management of the affairs of the country. Mr^ Hobba was most strenuous in his opposition to Mr Ballance's native land legislation, and events have proved the correctness of his prognostication made two years ago — that the natives would not be satisfied with the wholesale locking up of their lands which these ordinances entailed. Mr Hobbs is known throughout the length and breadth of tho colony as an enthusiastic horticulturist, and his orchard at Pokeno is one of the " show places " of the Waikato. A new vai iety of peach raised by him and known as Hobbs's Late will no doubt serve to identify his name with his favourite pursuit many years after this generation has been gathered to its fathers. Mr Hobbs is an ardent teetotal advocate, and with Messrs G oldie and Withy will form an able trio of advocates for temperance legislation.