Kelcher, William, Farmer, Main Drain Road, Flaxton, Mr. Kelcher was born page 456 at Helmton, Northamptonshire, England, in 1838, and was brought up to country life. In 1856 he came to Nelson by the ship “Emma Colvin.” Two years later he had some novel experiences in travelling overland, partly on foot and partly on horseback, from Nelson to the Hon. W. Robinson's station at Cheviot, before any tracks were opened. After being employed for about three years at Cheviot, he went gold-seeking in Nelson, at Gabriel's Gully, and at other places in Otago. At the end of two years he settled at Fernside, and soon afterwards bought his farm in the Rangiora Swamp, where he works 160 acres. Since 1882, Mr. Kelcher has been a member of the Bangiora and Mandeville Drainage Board. He was married, in 1869, to a daughter of the late Mr. Alexander Gow, of Fernside. This lady died in 1888, leaving three daughters and two sons. In 1890 Mr. Kelcher married a daughter of Mr. T. Barnes, of Kaiapoi Island.