A.H. Gibson, J.P., Autobiography

Component identifier:

Fonds Eng. Ms. 867

Content Summary:

Autobiography of A.H. Gibson, J.P. of Ngaio, Wellington, New Zealand (50p.)

Details of birth (1861) and early life in Manchester; meeting with James Richmond of Nelson; impressed by prospects of New Zealand; October 1878, sailing on Harbinger for Adelaide - visit to Botanical Gardens, Adelaide; voyage in Albion to Wellington; New Plymouth (January 1879); greeted by Maoris; cadet on Major Sir Harry Atkinson's farm 'Hurwarth' - description of farm and surrounding land; daily work, food; rest of Gibson family comes to New Zealand; cadet on sheep farm near Nelson 'Drumduan'; working with the sheep; travelling; January 1884, return to New Plymouth to farm with father; bought land in Aleatarawa Valley; 1886-1891 employed in solicitor's office in Wellington; voyage to England on Ionic to visit family; return voyage to New Zealand on Ionic (March 1893); his son Esmond's work as Engineer with Waiotira-Pukehuia-Dargaville Railway; discovery of Maori cemetery at Moumahaki; 1899 opened store at Clareville; share milking on farm at Karere; bought land at Crofton; visit to Fiji (1907); Hindu settlement; visit to England, 1913; World War I - enlistment of Esmond in 17th Reinforcements; employment in Maintenance Department of Magistrate's Court, Wellington; influenza epidemic - at Ngaio Committee to make house to house visits to check on condition of the sick; 1920, treatment for rheumatism at Rotorua sanatorium; death of Maori child attempting to jump over one of the boiling pools; visits to Athenree and other places in New Zealand; Hawkes Bay earthquake, February 1931 as experienced by nephew Maurice McRae.

Also includes. Gibson (Ngaio) to Librarian John Rylands Library (Manchester) re deposit of autobiography in John Rylands Library.

Processing information:

M2976

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