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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. James Robert Walters

Mr. James Robert Walters, J.P., Onslow Road, Mount Albert, is the son of the late Mr. John Walters, an old and respected colonist, and was born in Cornwall, England, in 1843. He arrived in Auckland in 1848, with other members of his family, by the ship “Elora”; his father and eldest brother, the late Mr. William Walters, having preceded him to Auckland in 1845. Mr. J. R. Walters was educated in Auckland, and on leaving school, started farming and contracting with his father, who had been engaged in large road-making contracts around Mount Albert and Mount Eden. The stone used in constructing the main sewer in Queen Street, and for many of the large buildings in the city, including that of the Union Bank, was obtained from a quarry on Mr. Walters' property. Mr. Walters had a dairy farm on his property at Mount Albert, and carried it on successfully for about thirty years. In 1897 he disposed of his goodwill and stock, and now lives in comfortable retirement. Mr. Walters has always taken a prominent part in the local affairs of the district, and succeeded his father as a member of the Mount Eden Road Board, of which his father had been chairman. Mr. Walters was a most active member for several years, and devoted himself with energy to the many requirements of the district. After a short retirement he was re-elected, in 1885, and was for seven consecutive years chairman of the board. On his final retirement he was presented with an address and a purse of sovereigns as a token of the ratepayers' appreciation of the many benefits he had secured for the district. Mr. Walters was also for years a most energetic member of the Mount Roskill school committee, and on leaving that district, where he had resided eighteen years, was entertained at a social, and presented with an address. In 1861 he joined the Militia, and after serving a few years, joined the Auckland troop of
Hanna, photo.Mr. J. R. Walters.

Hanna, photo.Mr. J. R. Walters.

page 442 Cavalry under Captain Hardington, and remained in it for nine years. On the amalgamation of the various troops it was then called the Nixon Light Horse, under Captain Isaacs, and Mr. Walters, who was appointed sergeant-major, held the position until the corps was disbanded. Mr. Walters has for many years been a member of the Manukau Lodge of Freemasons. He married, in 1870, a daughter of Mr. William Probert, of Auckland, and formerly of Manchester, and six daughters and three sons have been born of the marriage. Mr. Walters has held the Commission of the Peace for several years.