Title: Exotic Intruders

Author: Joan Druett

Publication details: Heinemann, 1983, Auckland

Digital publication kindly authorised by: Joan Druett

Part of: New Zealand Texts Collection

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Exotic Intruders

[Henry William Petre]

page 20

Henry William Petre was the second son of the eleventh baron Petre, a director of the New Zealand Company—Lord Petre's county seat was Thorndon Hall in Essex, and part of Wellington was named after this. Henry came out to New Zealand on the Oriental in 1840; in partnership with Hopper and Moles worth he set up a flourmill, and farmed. He became a member of the Provisional Committee, despite the fact that he was barely out of his teens, and his long lanky figure became a well-known and popular one around the settlement.

When Hopper died Petre became restless, and returned to England on the Cuba, to court and marry a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl, Eleanor Mary Warmesley. Two months after the marriage, on August 1, 1842, the Petres left Portsmouth for New Zealand aboard the Thomas Sparks. They took with them as employees Mr and Mrs Ditchon, Jack Cubby, a valet boy, Mr and Mrs Ridler, and Wintringham, a groom. Wintringham's job was no sinecure; he was kept thoroughly occupied on board, along with his master, in caring for the horses that Henry was transporting to New Zealand. He must have been a very efficient lad with the horses, for Henry had time enough to spare to read to the other cabin passengers, reason with the most unreasonable captain—and learn to play the clarinet.

Black and white reproduction of portrait of Henry William Petre
page 21