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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Townsend, Jams Andrew

Townsend, Jams Andrew , Run-holder, Hawksbury Estate, Waikouaiti, was born at Trowbridge, in the West of England, in 1848, and came to the Colony by way of Melbourne, landing at Port Chalmers. He started dairying with his brother at Caversham, and afterwards commenced farming at the Taieri Mouth. He Joined the police force at the time of the police strike, after the abolition of the Provincial Government system, and served over ten years, being stationed alternately at South Dunedin, Oamaru, Kakanui Mouth, Maheno, and at Hawksbury, where he was for five years. Within four months of his entry into the service he was made a first class constable, and subsequently twice declined promotion to the position of sergeant. During his terrm of office in Waikouaiti he effected the capture of Butler who was charged with the murder of the page 437 victims of the Cumberland Street tragedy, Dunedin. Butler was however acquitted on the capital charge but sentenced to eighteen years' imprisonment for arson, and he afterwards confessed to having murdered Mr. and Mrs. Dewar. Mr. Townsend now carries on agricultural and dairy farming, his property being known as the “Hawksbury Estate.” He is married and has seven sons and five daughters.