Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. T. W. Fisher

Mr. T. W. Fisher, J.P., Chairman of the Waitotara-Momahaki Road Board, whose portrait is given below, though still a young man, was one of the earliest settlers in the Waitotara district; and it is not too much to say that in a variety of capacities he has done more for the building up of the township and district than any resident. More than twenty years ago Mr. Fisher was the purchaser of the first story established in Waitotara—that which is now the property of Mr. A. W. Curry. After conducting this store for many years with considerable success, he went into his present business of land, commission, and native agent. He is a fluent Maori linquist, and is well acquainted with all the Maoris in the Kai-Iwi-Waitotara and Patea districts, having collected the census for native population in these districts on the last two occasions, being alike highly respected by the European and native population. It was the writer's fortune to visit Waitotara on the half-yearly rent day—the day on which the Maoris receive their rents, in proportion according to their interest in the property leased to the pakehas; and he had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Fisher paying away these sums amidst a swarm of Maoris, who buzzed and hovered round him like a hive of swarming bees. The interests of the natives are well looked after by Mr. Fisher, and the offices which he holds, which are in the gift of the white population, show the equity of his business transactions. Mr. Fisher is chairman of the Waitotara-Momohaki Road Board, a member of the Patea County Council, a member of the Wellington District Land Mr. T. W. Fisher board, a member of the Diocesan Synod for Wellington Diocese, and also a Justice of the Peace for the Colony. For a considerable time he was chairman of the local school committee, and a member of the Patea Harbour Board. As chairman of the Waitotara-Momohaki Road Board, Mr. Fisher, assisted by Mr. Field, the popular engineer of the district, has been the main mover for the construction of the roads and bridges surrounding the district, and the efforts of these two gentlemen have resulted in a very great advancement in this direction. Mr. Fisher was born at King's Lynn, Norfolk, and was educated at the National School, Folkestone, Kent. After leaving school he entered the establishment of Mr. John Sherwood, provision merchant, of Folkestone. In 1864 he arrived in Lyttelton per ship “Indian Empire,” and came on to Wanganui and began his colonial life by working for a year on a farm. He then went into the employ of Messrs. Hurley and Cunnabell, general storekeepers, of Wanganui, and after this had further experience with Mr. Edward Lewis, of Turakina. Mr. Fisher has had a good deal of bush life, and is no stranger even to the occupation of bullock-driving. During the time of the war in 1865 he was in this way employed assisting the commissariat transport corps in the conveying of provisions to the scene of action. Mr. Fisher is ever to the fore in all philanthropie and charitable institutions, and may be very properly styled the father of his district. [Since the above was in type, Mr. Fisher has removed from Waitotara to Taranaki, and has consequently retired from the local offices held by him as above.]