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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. Frederick William Mead Dowsett

Mr. Frederick William Mead Dowsett, the Postmaster, Telegraphist and Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Newman, was for many years well known in Wellington. Mr. Dowsett was born in Herefordshire, England, on the 26th of February, 1841, and was educated in Essex and Surrey. He landed in Wellington on the 15th of May, 1857, and immediately found employment with Mr. Walter Freeman, baker. In 1860 he joined the man-of-war “Victoria” as steward. Three years later he was again in Wellington after an experience in several parts of the South Island. For ten years Mr. Dowsett was in the employ of Mr. G. H. Vennell, auctioneer, and then started as a baker in Tinakori Road. It was during this time that Mr. Dowsett held the position of chairman of the Karori-Makara Road Board, and took so active a part in the Terawhiti goldfields. He built a store at Terawhiti with the idea of being first on the spot; but the venture was ill-considered and Mr. Dowsett lost over a thousand pounds from his hard-earned savings. In 1888 he cast in his lot with Special Settlement No. 1, and has no cause to regret his decision. He has sold off his rural sections and bought up town acres. His holding now consists of thirty acres extending from the main road to the page 1005 river. It is all in grass with the exception of some four acres surrounding the house, which is in a high state of cultivation. He has a splendid vinery, 33 feet by 12 feet, and a tomato house 120 feet long. He has water laid on to his house and grounds, the supply being from an elevated tank filled from a spring in his grounds, which works a hydraulic ram. His orchard and garden are well laid out and carefully kept. A few hives of bees, about a dozen cows, and several varieties of poultry are kept. Mr. Dowsett was married in 1863 to Miss Harris, daughter of Mr. Luke Harris, of Wellington, and of their ten children three boys and two girls survive.