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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]

Captain Thomas Baker

Captain Thomas Baker, Secretary of the United District Charitable Aid Board, the Napier Hospital Trustees, and the Hawke's Bay Hospital District Board, was born in Shropshire, England, in the year 1835, and is a son of a Shrewsbury merchant. He was educated at the Blue Coat School, and went to Victoria, Australia, in 1857, by the ship “Shuffolk.” After mining at Ballarat and Egerton, he gained considerable experience as a stockman on the western plains. Mr. Baker came to New Zealand in 1861, and settled in Invercargill, where he entered the service of Messrs Robertson and Company, auctioneers. Shortly after this the Southland Provincial Government needed a gaoler, and Captain Baker was appointed to the position. Twelve months later he took charge of the gold escort at Lake Wakatipu, and in 1865 went to Canterbury, where he joined the provincial police force. He joined the Armed Constabulary at Wellington in 1869, under Commissioner Brannigan, was promoted to sergeant during his first month's service, four years later he attained the rank of sergeant-major, and in 1879 was appointed sub-inspector. He was promoted to be captain in the Permanent Militia in September, 1886, and retired from the force in 1888. In the beginning of 1890 he accepted the positions he now holds. Captain Baker was initiated into Freemasonry in Lodge Unanimity, Christchurch, in 1865. In 1872 he married Miss Carleton, of Hawke's Bay, and a year later was left a widower with one daughter. His second wife, a daughter of Mr. Eyre, of Whangarei, to whom he was married in 1875, died ten years later, leaving one son and one daughter.

Captain T. Baker.

Captain T. Baker.