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

Old Colonists

Old Colonists.

Mr. Nathaniel E. Beamish, of “Stoneycroft,” Hastings, is an old colonist of over fifty years' standing. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, came to New Zealand in the “Lady Nugent,” in the year 1850, and for two years resided at Lyttelton. He then removed to the North Island, and for eighteen years was manager of the well-known Heaton Park estate, in the Rangitikei district, the property of the late Hon. W. B. Rhodes. Owing chiefly to the native troubles, Mr, Beamish disposed of a property he owned near Marton, and removed with his family to Hastings. He became manager of the Okawa estate page 476 for the late Mr. T. Lowry, with whom he remained for twenty years, after which he settled down at “Stoneycroft.” Mr. Beamish is owner of the Whana Whana station, which is managed by his son, Mr. George Beamish, and consists of 19,000 acres. About 23,000 Lincoln sheep and 1,000 head of cattle are depastured, and grain and root cropping, laying down grass, etc., are also carried on. Mr. Reamish has long been closely identified with public matters, and has been a member of various local bodies.

“Stoneycroft,” The Residence of Mr. N. E. Beamish.

“Stoneycroft,” The Residence of Mr. N. E. Beamish.

Mr. John Bird, of Riverslea, Hastings, was born in the Old Country in the year 1838, and landed in Wellington in the year 1842, by the ship “Clifton.” He received his education in Wellington and was afterwards employed as a stockman by the late Mr. Hunter for about sixteen years. He was engaged in rough pioneering work, and at an early age drove a mob of cattle from Wellington round the then unroaded sea coast, to Mr. Hunter's station at Porangahau. For three years subsequently Mr. Bird worked on Pourerere station for Mr. Charles Nairn, and then took up his present farm of 600 acres at Wallingford, which he for many years successfully conducted. This farm is now (1906) managed by his eldest son, and Mr. Bird lives in retirement at Riverslea, where he holds a valuable little farm of seventy-two acres. He was for a time a member of the Wallingford school committee, and was a member of the Hastings Farmers' Union and the Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Mr. Bird married Miss Mary Nelson, sister of Sergeant-Major Nelson, of Napier, in 1881, and has three sons and three daughters.

Bunting, photo. Mr. J. Bird.

Bunting, photo.
Mr. J. Bird.

Mr. John Cullen was born at New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, on the 7th of May, 1847, and is a son of Mr. Timothy Cullen, a farmer. He was educated in his native place, where he learned the bakery trade, which he subsequently followed in Waterford, Dublin, Tipperary, and Carriganshore. At ninteen years of age he embarked for New Zealand, and landed on the 21st of October, 1874, at the Spit, Napier. For some time he was employed at various occupations, then worked as a day labourer in the Corporation service, and later as a storeman for Mr. Kinross, at the Spit. In 1875 he was and employed by Mr. Close, of Napier, and later on took up a position as a baker in Hastings and Havelock North. Mr. Cullen subsequently became head cook on the Maraekakaho
Brown and Ross, photo.Mr. J. Cullen.

Brown and Ross, photo.
Mr. J. Cullen.

page 477 station. In March, 1880, he resigned this position, and bought a bakery business at Havelock North, and in 1885 he removed to Hastings, where he conducted a successful business for many years. Mr. Cullen was for three years a member of the Hastings Borough Council, and has been through all the chairs in connection with the Hastings Lodge of Foresters. He is married, and has two sons and one daughter.

Mr. Edwin Hall, sometime proprietor of the business of Hall and Son, of Hastings, was born at malton, Yorkshire, England, in the year 1839, and was a brother of Mr. Charles Hall, member of the House of Representatives for Waipawa. He was educated in his native place, afterwards engaged in farming, and emigrated to New Zealand in the early “eighties.” For some years Mr. Hall farmed at Woodville, where he subsequently established himself in business as a bookseller and stationer. he afterwards sold out and settled in Hastings, where he successfully conducted a similar business, until his death in August, 1904.