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

Mr. William Alfred Mosley

Mr. William Alfred Mosley , sometime proprietor of the Woodside Estate, Inchclutha, was not only one of the pioneer settlers of Otago, hut amongst the first to purchase and cultivate land in the Inchclutha district. Mr. Mosley was the son of Mr. Mosley, silk lace manufacturer, Nottingham, England. His father met his death through an accident, and died intestate. Young Mosley was thus thrown upon his own resources at an early age. He, however, married Mary, daughter of the Rev. John Housley, Wesleyan minister, Derbyshire, and he and his young wife emigrated to the United States of America, where they remained one year, and where their eldest daughter was born. They then returned to England, whence they afterwards emigrated with their three daughters in the ship “John Wickliffe.” Mr. Mosley settled down at the Half Way Bush. About four years later he purchased land at Port Molyneux and Inchclutha, and moved thither with his family of six children. Travelling at that time was so difficult that Mr. Mosley and family at first attempted to reach Port Molyneux on board the schooner “Endeavour.” But that proved a failure, for after a fortnight's sailing round, the captain was afraid to land, and returned to Dunedin. Then the family decided to make the journey overland, leaving the furniture and provisions on board the “Endeavour,” and there she kept them eight months before landing, and had it not been for the kindness of the Maoris at Port Molyneux the family would have starved. The journey overland was completed in three days, a bullock and sledge being the only means of conveyance, and a tent at night the only possible shelter. The family stayed only three years at Port Molyneux, whence they removed to Inchclutha to the rich estate of “Woodside,” which is still occupied by the sons and one daughter. It should be mentioned that the “John Wickliffe,” by which Mr. Mosley and his family came to Otago, brought out the Presbyterian Special Settlers, who were accompanied by Captain Cargill, the founder of Otago. Shortly after this the Presbyterian settlers petitioned the British Government, through their representative. Mr. John McGlashan, then residing in Great Britain, that one-tenth of the land in Otago and Southland, should be set aside as a perpetual endowment for their church, and that that portion of the Colony should be set apart for settlement by adherents of their own Church. Mr. Mosley and several others then took an active part in presenting a counter-petition to the Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey, praying that all lands throughout New Zealand should be open for free selection, without reference to any creed or section of any Christian Church. This petition was sent Home to the English Government, with the result that the prayer of the supporters of the Presbyterian Church was not granted. There was then a great deal of feeling against the party dubbod the “Little Enemy,” and Mr. Mosley suffered, not only then, but afterwards, from ill-will, which was kept up against him by a section of the Presbyterian Church during his life. While he was at Half Way Bush Mr. Mosley cultivated his land by the primitive method of the spade, and eventually sold it and some sections which he had at Port Chalmers, to the late Mr. William Hepburn. It was then that he left for Port Molyneux, whence he subsequently removed to Inchclutha, where, assisted by the members of his family, he commenced to form a permanent home; an uphill task in those days of early colonization. The land had first to be dug with the spade, then broken up by a single-furrow iron plough, drawn by bullocks, as horses were not used till about 1862. The property was very difficult to cultivate, as it was covered with bush, stumps, logs, cabbage trees, flax and tutu. Some of the neighbouring Maoris caused Mr. Mosley considerable trouble, though the majority were exceedingly hospitable and kind to him, in consequence of his straight forward and manly dealings with them. Mr. Mosley was for four years a member of the Otago Provincial Council, and was chairman of the local road board. He introduced the first drainage scheme for Inchclutha. Though the first Mrs Mosley was a Wesleyan, Mr. Mosley himself was for years a member of the Church of England. He was very intimate with Bishop Selwyn, the first Anglican Bishop of New Zealand, who christened his eldest son. Later in life Mr. Mosley belonged to the body known as Christadelphians. He was twice married, and by his first wife, who died at “Wood-side,” Inchclutha, he had a family of three sons and eight daughters, ten of whom still survive their parents. His second wife was Adelaide, daughter of Mr. George Jones, of Croydon, Surrey, England, and of this second union, there were three sons and two daughters. Mr. Mosley died on the 23rd of October, 1889, at the age of seventy-three years, deeply regretted by his family and a host of friends, who mourned the death of so worthy a colonist.

The Late Mr. W. A. Mosley.

The Late Mr. W. A. Mosley.