John Wallis Barnicoat : a biographical sketch

Gunn, V. R. (Vernon Robert), Harry H. Tombs, Wellington, N.Z., 1958

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The original publication details are as follows:

Title: John Wallis Barnicoat: a biographical sketch

Author: Gunn, V. R. (Vernon Robert)

Published: Harry H. Tombs, Wellington, N.Z., 1958

JOHN WALLIS BARNICOAT

A Biographical Sketch

Bj V. R. GUNN

Printed and Published by

Harry H. Tombs Ltd. at the Wingfield Press,

22 Wingfield St., Wellington

CONTENTS

Pre-New Zealand Years 5

Surveys and Exploration 10

Legislative Service 14

Assistance to Education 17

Settlement in Richmond 21

Barnicoat the Churchman 30

10

PRE-NEW ZEALAND YEARS

Political circles in Great Britain were deliberating at great length in the 1830’s on the extension of various colonisation schemes. Newspapers in turn devoted considerable attention to the subject, arousing widespread interest. Politicians and Government departments ended their discussions and made the way clear, definite schemes were being formulated even before emigration became a live topic of conversation in homes from the Shetlands, John O’Groats to Land’s End. Adventurous young men had their visions and dreamed their dreams of a fuller, freer life in new lands. It is not surprising then to find that a young civil engineer living in a Cornish seaport town became enamoured of the idea of seeking a fresh outlet for his energies and aspirations in completely new conditions and environment. John Wallis Bamicoat selected New Zealand as the land of his choice and the unexplored province of Nelson as the scene of his future labours.

Bamicoat eventually arrived in Nelson early in 1842 and was to become outstanding amongst early pioneers as an individual contributor in the establishment of the new settlement and in its development year by year throughout the course of his long life in the country of his adoption.

Our present purpose is to record as fully as possible the varied activities of and services rendered by him as have been gained from sources still available. It is due to the present and later generations that the story of early settlers be remembered and their tale be told. This is especially applicable to Bamicoat for from the time he first became identified with colonisation at Nelson, his aim was directed unremittingly to its success. Always an avid reader of social and economic problems, he was quick to recognise the need to create fresh opportunities for men and women to emigrate

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from an over-crowded home-land to new countries where improved conditions and higher living standards might be secured and at the same time to extend the benefits of British rule and sovereignty.

Having arrived at Nelson, Bamicoat entered wholeheartedly into the work needed in the settlement and never wavered. His first years were devoted, as will later be shown, to larger issues, in particular to the matter of orderly settlement so that land and homes would quickly be made available to those wanting them. Immediately on landing he was made aware of the urgent necessity of surveying the country districts —his work in this connection forms the subject of a separate chapter. This sense of service to the general interests permeated the whole of his life. In all circumstances he entered fully into every movement calculated to advance the well-being of his fellow colonists, be they the more fortunate in possessing farm lands and homes of their own, or those of the labouring classes whose sole wealth lay in the work of their hands.

Barnicoat was a well-read man, studious in his leisure hours, yet a capable and successful farmer of his own land. His high principles, code of honour, a proper conception of the standard of conduct befitting men in public life, together with a gift of leadership, were qualities which brought him into early prominence in the infant settlement. Although he was no placeseeker and lacked ambition, his friends considered him well equipped to represent them in local and governmental affairs. He responded in most cases to the many calls made upon him for nomination and election to positions of trust and responsibility. That he merited their confidence is well attested by the long periods in which he retained important appointments. It was characteristic of the man that while occupying high

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positions in Nelson’s provincial affairs, he did not disdain to carry out more humble duties in the life of the village where he lived.

A staunch friend of education, devoted member and office-bearer of his church, generous in relief of distress and unfailingly ready to co-operate in every form of public duty—these are some of the enduring qualities which will appear as the story of Bamicoat’s life unfolds in the following pages.

Little is known of the early years of Bamicoat’s life in England where he lived until he reached his 27th year, but we have authority for stating that he was bom in June, 1814, at Falmouth, Cornwall. His education commenced at the Falmouth proprietary school, and was continued while he was articled to a civil engineer. It appears reasonable to infer that he was not only well grounded in elementary subjects but had acquired also a knowledge of the classics and mathematics for he was able to impart these departments of learning to his children in later years.

When the term of his articles was ended, he practised his profession in England for a few years. In 1841 he was attracted by the New Zealand Company’s colonisation plans for a new settlement at Nelson. It seems clear that he was not without funds at his disposal for he paid the Company the requisite of £3OO for which he received a saloon passage to New Zealand and allotments of land to a total of 201 acres on arrival. Into this adventure he entered enthusiastically and showed a wise measure of foresight in procuring everything conceivable for the long voyage as well as for his use when landing at his destination.

After much preparation he bade farewell to his family and friends, journeyed to Gravesend and on 25th September, 1841, embarked on the “Lord Auckland”. In the most favourable circumstances the

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voyage to New Zealand in those days covered a period of four to five months—in the case of the “Lord Auckland 154 days were taken, the ship reached Wellington near the end of January, and Nelson on 26th February, 1842. The voyage was a pleasant one and devoid of special incident. Bamicoat was an observant man and kept a journal in which he painstakingly recorded all the details he could gather of sea life. Natural phenomena, winds and weather, tides and currents, temperatures, ship’s behaviour’ sights of land and occasional references to the ship’s officers and other passengers, all of whom composed for the time being a small insular world of their own.

Amongst his fellow passengers were Mr. and Mrs. Francis Otterson, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Jenkins, Messrs. Patchett, Greenhough, Sclanders, Alfred Fell, F. Jenkins, Moon, Graham, Sweet and T. J. Thompson. Firm and lasting friendships were formed on shipboard, not only amongst these first class travellers but with many of the 155 other immigrants who sailed with them. These friendships helped later to mitigate the subsequent hardships so many of them were called upon to endure in the early days of struggle and distress.

It is not improbable that Bamicoat and T. J. Thompson first became acquainted during the period that the latter was assisting the eminent engineer Brunei in constructing the Great Western Railway, and that these two men discussed together their proposal to emigrate to New Zealand. This early friendship ripened when both were passengers on board the “Lord Auckland”, and they then arranged to work in partnership on contracts that might fall to them on arrival in Nelson. As neither had foreseen that the land they were going to would be wholly unsurveyed, they left England without a theodolite and the lack of this

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necessary instrument was later to become the cause of some concern.

In order to vary the monotony of ship-board life on the long outward journey, Captain Jardine, the master of the “Lord Auckland”, proposed to the passengers that a ship’s paper be started. The suggestion was readily agreed to and Bamicoat was offered and accepted the post of editor. The paper was named “The Lord Auckland Journal”. Unfortunately no copies seem to have survived.

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SURVEYS AND EXPLORATION

While the first few weeks of his stay in Nelson were occupied in helping some of his friends to build homes for themselves and their families, Bamicoat was quickly impressed with the urgency of securing more land for immediate settlement. He placed his services at the disposal of Capt. Arthur Wakefield, Chief Agent in Nelson for the New Zealand Company, and on 12th March, 1842, took up a contract to survey a portion of the Waimea Plain. In this he was joined with his friend Thomas J. Thompson. These, two with their assistants, built the first house in Richmond—this was close to if not on the exact spot where Holy Trinity Church now stands. The two surveyors followed this up with a similar contract for the Moutere district which was completed by the end of the year. With other surveyors Bamicoat in 1843 was given the responsibility of making a survey of the Wairau district —an undertaking which ended in disaster for many Nelson citizens and from which Bamicoat was fortunate to escape with his life.

On his return to Nelson Bamicoat was entrusted with the duty of completing a survey of the coast between Nelson and Golden Bay—this type of survey work was entirely new to him and was carried out mainly from a boat provided for the purpose. He completed this within a few weeks, and on returning to Nelson his first mail from England awaited him—it was then two years since he left home and friends behind him.

In September, 1843, a survey of the two larger islands lying at the head of Tasman Bay was called for. Bamicoat received instructions to do this job, which covered Rabbit and Rough Islands. He had the opportunity while camping on the larger island

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of visiting some of the settlers in Waimea West. His journal records the progress made by some of these early pioneers in spite of the difficult conditions.

Still another task in surveying was allotted to Bamicoat in November, 1843—this was for the land between Upper Moutere and Motueka. A first shipload of 350 Germans had arrived three months earlier. The lack of preparation for them was deplorable and they were obliged to undergo extreme hardship. These immigrants came on the ship “St. Pauli”. When another contingent of their countrymen arrived on the “Skjold” in 1844 much better provision had been made for them, although some preferred to join up with the first party at Moutere and settled on the land newly surveyed by Barnicoat, who had received instructions also to mark out and cut a track over the Moutere Hills. This track was formed into a road and still stands for its greater part as the route in regular use today.

Early in 1844 Barnicoat was asked by the Chief Surveyor, Frederick Tuckett, to join a party to explore the South Island down to Stewart Island with the object of locating the most suitable site for a New Edinburgh’ settlement. The brigantine Deborah” of 121 tons, under Captain Wing, was chartered for this trip and was sailed from Nelson on 31st March, 1844. In addition to Tuckett and Bamicoat there were also on board Wm. Davison (another surveyor). Dr. David Monro, C.8., Wither and Wilkinson, the Rev. Charles Creed with his wife and family, the Rev. J. F. H. Wohlers and five men to serve as crew and boatmen. On arrival off the coast of Otago, Bamicoat and Davison surveyed Waikouaiti Harbour, part of Otago Harbour, Molyneux Bay and New River Harbour. The party then crossed Foveaux Strait and spent three days on

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Stewart Island. The return journey commenced on Ist June. Tuckett and Bamicoat left the “Deborah” at Port Molyneux and proceeded by dinghy up the Clutha to the head of Inchclutha Island then via Kaitangata and Tuakitoto Lakes and finally on foot through Tokomairiro and Taieri Plains. They then went down Taieri Gorge by canoe to the sea where whalers gave them help and shelter. The beach was then followed to the Kaikorai Stream which was ascended until a crossing was made over Caversham Hill to the head of Otago Harbour, where the “Deborah” had just arrived.

Passing through Waikouaiti Bamicoat met the Rev. James Watkin, a noted Wesleyan Missionary amongst the Maoris of Otakou. He records, too, the friendly and kindly manner in which he was met by the Maoris who showed in many ways the benefits derived by their training under the guidance of the first Christian Mission to the southern part of New Zealand.

As fellow travellers on the “Deborah” Bamicoat had opportunity for many conversations with Revs. Charles Creed and J. F. H. Wohlers and thereby gained much useful knowledge on the work of Methodist missions throughout New Zealand. Creed was sent south to relieve Rev. Jas. Watkin and Wohlers to set up a mission station amongst the South Island Maoris and this he did on the Ruapuke Island in Foveaux Strait.

Wherever he landed Bamicoat made a careful record of settlers, both European and half-caste. On Stewart Island he found seventy families resident there.

In Canterbury he met the Deans of Riccarton. He was informed that the two Deans brothers had bought their Riccarton property from an earlier settler

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who came from Australia. The well-known bush, still standing, was then very much larger in extent and apparently was still untouched.

The “Deborah” returned to Nelson at the end of September, 1844, the purpose of the expedition was accomplished in the site of Dunedin being recommended as most suitable for the Scottish settlement which eventually reached fruition in 1848.

With no more work on surveys immediately ahead, Bamicoat in October, 1844, went to his section in Richmond, but he was “on trek” again in 1846 when he spent some time in exploring the Pelorus River, its tributaries and surrounding district. His final operation of this nature was undertaken in 1850 when with his friend John Tinline an attempt was made to find a short and practicable route to the Wairau. When this was finished Bamicoat furnished a lengthy Report to the Superintendent on the Plans of the Survey of the Wairau. His report was later published in the “Examiner” under dates 3rd and 15th January, 1851. The route from Nelson covered by this Report commenced from Nile Street at its intersection by the Maitai River, but was regarded as less favourable than a subsequently surveyed route through Wakapuaka and over the Whangamoa Hill. Bamicoat was engaged during 1851 in cutting a line by this latter route to Pelorus River and thence by way of Kaituna to the Wairau. This new road would reduce the mileage to the Wairau Plain to 49 miles from about 100 miles. He completed his task before the end of the year.

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LEGISLATIVE SERVICE

A system of responsible government for the Provinces of New Zealand came into force in 1853 in terms of an ordinance enacted in the previous year by a Legislative Council under the personal direction of the then Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Grey. Owners of property were then required to set up the necessary machinery for the election of a Provincial Superintendent, a number of men as members of a Provincial Council and in addition representatives to a General Assembly to meet in Auckland.

In Waimea East John Wallis Bamicoat was one of a large body of leading men of the district whose duty it was to examine the qualifications of residents entitled to vote, to enrol them and to compile an electoral register.

The first election under this new system took place in August, 1853, but in Waimea East, where two Council Members were to be chosen, Bamicoat and his friend Francis Otterson were the only ones nominated. These two were then returned without opposition.

Bamicoat’s subsequent service in the Nelson Provincial Council may be said to be unique in that he retained his seat continuously until the provincial system was abolished in 1875.

His outstanding contribution to the work of the Council was in filling the honoured position of Speaker from the time of Donald Sinclair’s retirement in 1858 until 1875. Even earlier than 1858 he had acted in this capacity when Sinclair was absent. On one such occasion he used his casting vote in favour of the closing of hotel trading on Sundays—a much needed reform.

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On 22nd January, 1859, Barnicoat was gazetted a Justice of the Peace.

A request to allow himself to be nominated for election to a seat in the House of Representatives was made to Barnicoat in 1861, but he declined the honour. Alfred Saunders was successful in the ensuing election which was for the Waimea electorate.

In the same year (1861) John Perry Robinson’s term as Superintendent of Nelson Province expired. He offered his services for a further period and was opposed by Barnicoat, who was defeated. Robinson was widely popular and continued to be returned to the position for a number of years. On 28th January, 1865, however, he lost his life in a drowning accident at the mouth of the Buller River. This necessitated an election for a new Superintendent. Barnicoat and Alfred Saunders were the contestants. Edward Stafford had proposed the nomination of Barnicoat in a fine laudatory speech. This was seconded by Benjamin Jackson, who said he had known Mr. Barnicoat over twenty years, the greater part of that time as a neighbour. He had great confidence in him and had noted that everything taken in hand by him had been done well. A close and stirring contest ensued —first returns favoured Bamicoat but when final numbers were posted Saunders was elected with 454 votes, a majority of 20 over Barnicoat’s 434.

Until the official result of this election was declared Barnicoat had acted as Acting Superintendent.

For some eight years Barnicoat then applied himself to the many local bodies with which he had long been associated. His farm also claimed more time and attention.

In 1883 he received a life appointment to the Legislative Council—more familiarly referred to as the

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“Upper House”. These duties demanded his presence in Wellington during Parliamentary sessions. From this time onwards he sought release from several of the smaller bodies and committees to which he had long been attached. The years, too, were mounting, warning him of human limitations. He retired from his membership of the Legislative Council in 1902.

ASSISTANCE TO EDUCATION

The spread of education was a subject which held a high place in J. W. Bamicoat’s ideas of colonial development. To this worthy objective he gave much of his time and thought. Before the control of education became a matter for legislation by both the General and Provincial Governments in 1856, the Nelson School Society established several schools in the town and surrounding districts. For fourteen years these schools provided almost the sole means for boys and girls to receive an elementary degree of education. From its beginning Bamicoat gave it his encouragement and support. Its chief organiser, Matthew Campbell, was long a personal friend.

With the introduction of the new system in 1856, the Province was divided into districts, each of which was required to elect a Committee to finance and supervise the school’s affairs, also to appoint a delegate to the Nelson Central Board of Education. Waimea East was one such district, and at the first meeting of householders Bamicoat was elected to its Education Committee which in turn appointed him its delegate to the Central Board, which met for the first time on 14th July, 1856. He represented the Waimea East Committee for three years and was then asked to act for the Moutere Schools district. His interest in their behalf was such that they retained him year after year until eventually a new system of election to the Nelson Education Board was brought into force. In 1878 Bamicoat was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Board. He filled this role for a number of years. At a meeting held 7th June, 1883, he expressed his wish to retire from the Board, but was urged to remain. A resolution was passed in the following terms:

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“That the Board congratulates the Honourable Mr. Barnicoat on his call to the Legislative Council and is of opinion that any break in his uniform attendance at the Board’s meetings will be more than compensated to education, both in the Nelson District and generally, by the exercise of his wisdom and experience in a wider sphere.”

The honourable gentleman consented to the warmhearted appeal of his fellow-members and continued his duties for a further period of six years. In March, 1889, the Board received from him a definite notice of retirement. He had held office continuously since the inception of the Provincial system of education in 1856. A warm vote of thanks was passed by the Board to its retiring chairman. Laudatory speeches were made by Messrs. Tarrant and Shepherd. These and the Hon. Bamicoat’s reply were reported at length in the “Nelson Evening Mail” on 13th March, 1889.

During this long period of representation on the Nelson Board Bamicoat did not slacken his interest in the local schools committees. For the first three years 1856-1859 the secretarial duties were attended to by William Harkness. Bamicoat was next to hold the position which he retained over the ensuing twentyfour years, retiring finally in 1883 after having seen in the last few years the completion of the building of separate new schools for the boys and girls in Richmond. The annual meetings of householders continued to re-elect him a committee member until, in April, 1887, he felt obliged to decline further nomination. The following resolution was proposed by J. G. Harkness and carried unanimously—

“That this meeting desires to place on record its high appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the Hon. J. VV. Bamicoat to the cause of education and the constant interest displayed by

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him in the welfare of the Richmond Schools throughout a period of more than thirty years, and regrets that he is not offering himself as a Member of the Richmond School Committee.”

Nor was Barnicoat’s interest in education bounded by his work for primary schools. He was among those many public-spirited men of Nelson who suffered disappointment and frustration over the long delay that occurred in the establishment of a college where avenues to more advanced standards of learning would be opened to the youth of the Province.

Only after the Home Government took over the liabilities of the impecunious New Zealand Company were the overdue sums owing to Nelson for education and other public purposes made available. The Provincial Council then passed “The Nelson Trust Funds Act, 1854”. Under this Act seven trustees were required to be elected to administer the funds. Bamicoat was one of those chosen in an election held on Ist January, 1855. The way was then opened for the foundation of Nelson’s College for which £20,000 was set aside as an endowment.

The College opened in 1856 and for two years was under the control of the Board of Trustees. In 1858 a Deed of Foundation was created by the Trustees and called for the future control of the College by a Board or Council of Governors comprised of nine elected Members. Barnicoat was elected to this Council and was periodically returned until in 1902, owing to the infirmities of increasing age, he resigned the office. He had retired from the original Board of Trustees in 1864 believing that its purposes were accomplished.

The total period of his official connection with the College extended over 46 years, during which he had wielded a great influence in maintaining the high

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standard of culture and scholarship associated with that institution.

When new hostels for boarding pupils were opened in 1931, one of these was named “Bamicoat House” a fitting tribute to the memory of a man whose devotion to the College and to education generally extended over so many years. An earlier perpetuation of his memory had been made by his daughter Constance (later Mrs. Julian Grande) in 1905 when she established the Bamicoat Essay Prize. This has been awarded annually for the best essay on the subject, “The Man or Woman who in the whole world has made the best use of his or her life during the past year”. This is the only prize open to competition by pupils of both Colleges.

During those years when public duties pressed most heavily upon him, Bamicoat did not hesitate whenever the call was made to conduct school examinations in nearby villages.

The foregoing recital of his work for education shows Bamicoat to have passed through all the periods of change from private to provincial and finally to state control of primary schools. In giving each of these systems his wholehearted co-operation he left an inspiring example to his own and a succeeding generation.

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SETTLEMENT IN RICHMOND

The section of suburban land first chosen by J. W. Barnicoat and his fellow surveyor T. J. Thompson ran along the western side of Beach Road from Lower Queen Street to the sea. In choosing this area the two partners appear to have given some thought to its possibilities as a site for a future wharf because it held access by water at high tide. In addition, Bamicoat in particular was satisfied that the soil itself was good and fertile. He paid a visit to this section a year later, in October, 1843, with the object of cutting off a portion for immediate occupation. The New Zealand Company had cut a drain along the boundary road and Barnicoat considered this tended to make the land more valuable. It formed part of what was called the Swamp area and both partners had great faith in the future for land of this description.

Their optimistic view of the section was not long sustained. Thompson had already in 1843 settled himself on another part of the Swamp, and was busy cultivating it when the two men induced the New Zealand Company to allow them an exchange.

A whole year elapsed before Barnicoat again went to see the new section as he had undertaken more survey work for settlements elsewhere. However, on 28th September, 1844, he was anxious to inspect its condition after an unusually heavy flood had passed a few days earlier. He found the whole swamp had been more or less under water, but did not feel discouraged and decided to proceed with its cultivation.

He was induced to take this step for the reason that he could see nothing else to do—there was little prospect of more survey work for at least twelve months and the thought of idleness was insupportable.

On 7th October Barnicoat left Nelson with his

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moveable goods in Thompson’s whale-boat. He and his men went with the tide over the mud-flats to the nearest landing place to his section. As on arrival the tide had receded, heavy work was entailed in carrying goods over the mud-flat.

Reference has been made in an earlier part of this biography to Bamicoat’s southern voyage on the “Deborah”. It was on the return trip that this vessel called at Wellington and those on board learned of the serious position that had arisen in Nelson through the New Zealand Company suspending all further payments. A trading vessel, “The Sisters”, had just arrived from Nelson with Colonel Wakefield on board and the distressful news quickly circulated. Barnicoat’s concern and sympathy for the hundreds of working men without money and jobs was very deep. On reaching Nelson (17th September) he found that meetings were already being held to organise relief. He was immediately placed on a Committee whose main purpose was to find means of employment. Farmers and others came forward and gave work to the limit of their powers. Both Barnicoat and Thompson arranged to take care of a number who would help in mastering the swamp.

David Hammond was one of the men whom Barnicoat took into service. He was a hard worker, loyal and reliable, and remained with his employer for the rest of his life. The first job undertaken after Barnicoat had landed his goods on 7th October was to build a house for Hammond and his family. The arrangement entered into was that Hammond be given a cottage with a quarter-acre of land to cultivate for himself, ten shillings a week as wages and four shillings to his wife for cooking, washing, etc., for Barnicoat.

In his journal he made a final entry that on Bth

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October, 1844, he slept for the first time on his own section.

Before the year (1844) was out Barnicoat thought it desirable to become sole owner of Section 168. He therefore arranged with Thompson to buy the latter’s interest for a sum of Thirty Pounds. During the next few years he applied his energies to the cultivation of his farm.

An interruption to his plans came early in 1845 when a threat of trouble arose from a party of Maoris near Wakapuaka under their local chief Paremata. Considerable damage to property was done and more was threatened. Volunteers were called up to assemble at Nelson. These were all armed and provided with ammunition. They then proceeded in orderly fashion to the scene of the disturbance. This was to be no repetition of the Wairau fiasco in 1843. On this show of strength the wily Maori quickly subsided and peace was maintained. All the more prominent Nelson citizens linked up in this determined move to enforce law and order. Barnicoat with others from the Waimea joined up together. This was the last occasion in which any threat of violence was shown from Maoris in Nelson, or indeed in any part of the South Island.

Within three or four years the Waimeas were becoming more thickly peopled. Several of the leading settlers thought that there should be formed some society or institution which would serve to provide means of social intercourse, entertainment, lectures and the pursuit of knowledge generally. The way was open in 1846 to proceed with the formation of such a body, as the Wesleyans in the community had built for themselves a church which their minister, the Rev. John Aldred, put at their disposal on certain nights in the week. Barnicoat was one of the most active members of a strong committee which brought into

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existence the Richmond Mechanics Institution. Not only was he a foundation member but for more than forty years was regularly re-elected to a position of office or as a committee member. The Institute, as it became known in later years, filled a useful and beneficial place in Richmond’s earlier years. Barnicoat was a co-trustee of the Institution with William Fox and Joan Aldred.

In whatever way Barnicoat, with his wide knowledge and variety of gifts, thought he could benefit his fellow settlers, he gave freely. As an example there was published in the Nelson Examiner on 17th October, 1846, a meteorological report covering a series of observations which he had compiled as a result of a year’s close attention. These were taken on the Waimea Plain, two to three miles from the nearest hills and about 15 feet above sea level—obviously from his own home. The details appear to deserve further record:

Fine sunny days numbered 235

Cloudy days but fair 56

Rainy days impeding outdoor work 27

Showery days, or with partial rain 47

Frosty mornings 54

Total rainfall in an unusually wet

winter (in.) 34.59

Temperatures: Mean highest average 63°F

Mean lowest average 43°F. T T • 1 1 AAOn

Highest on any day 80°F.

Lowest on any day 24°F

The Editor’s comment on the report was to the effect that the climate of New Zealand was always spoken of as one of the world’s finest and Nelson is admitted to be the most highly favoured spot in the Colony.

The report reveals the meticulous care shown by Barnicoat in making the above observations. It illus-

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trated, too, the interest taken by him in the every-day occurrences of life around him.

Towards the end of 1848 a movement was made to provide a waterway across the mud-flats so as to connect Richmond with Nelson. Bamicoat warmly supported this project. He gave considerable time to the preparation of a plan of the sea frontage and on which he showed four alternative locations where a small wharf might be constructed. This plan proved most helpful when discussions took place at a public meeting held in Richmond on 4th January, 1849.

A matter of even wider interest came under public attention in 1849. This was the question of a settlement of claims made by those early colonists who had paid in London for land which had not yet been allotted to them. Bamicoat was appointed on behalf of applicants to act as Arbitrator—along with Thomas Arnold. Their deliberations resulted satisfactorily to all concerned. While many claimants accepted the offer of land in the Wairau and Amuri districts. Bamicoat was content to remain in the Waimea.

Although so much of his time was given to public duties Bamicoat did not neglect the cultivation of his land which was naturally good. With the aid of the men whom he employed it was gradually brought into a state of high production. His right hand in earliest years was David Hammond who gave years of faithful service and was followed in due course by his son John and later still by his grandson Colin Hammond.

From time to time the fanners combined to form associations for their mutual benefit. The first of these was the Richmond Cattle Fair Association aimed at furnishing facilities for the sale and purchase of livestock. Bamicoat was one of others who were instrumental in getting this established in 1851. He was a member of its first Committee and continued so

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throughout its active existence. He also served the Association as Treasurer over several years, and with two others was a co-trustee of its properties.

A further step to advance the interests of farmers was taken in September, 1954, when the Nelson Agricultural Society was formed. Bamicoat was one of its originators and gave his support in the promotion of annual shows, ploughing matches and other activities. Here, too, he worked on the Committee of which for a time he was Chairman.

When in 1857 the Nelson Provincial Council divided the settled portions of the province into separate Road Districts, Bamicoat played a leading part in implementing the new form of local control of roads and bridges for the Waimeas and neighbouring rural districts. For the next twenty-six years he gave his valued services to this work. He was one of five members elected to the Waimea East Road Board which a year later was merged into one covering all the Waimea districts. He served on these until 1877 when he retired after having been elected to the newly formed Waimea County Council. In separate periods he represented both the Stoke and Moutere Ridings, and held position as Chairman until in 1883 when he was given a seat in the Colony’s Legislative Council.

Preceding paragraphs will have shown that Bamicoat lived an unusually full and busy life. He loved work —not for his own benefit, for he was singularly devoid of personal ambition, in every cause that needed assistance he was to be relied upon. Some further instances of this readiness may well be cited.

When in 1856 the need for a public cemetery in Richmond became urgent he was foremost in launching a proposal to acquire land for this purpose. When this was secured he and Thomas Butler, another Waimea East representative in the Nelson Provincial Council,

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gained a monetary vote from the Council. Later he was appointed one of the Cemetery Trustees.

War with the Maoris broke out in Taranaki in 1860 and the formation of Volunteer Companies in town and country became general. A public meeting was held in Richmond at which Barnicoat presided and he was one of a numerous committee appointed to organise enrolment of men in the district.

Early in 1867 he was a member of a committee formed in Nelson to celebrate in a fitting manner the twenty-fifth anniversary of the settlement.

In July of the same year the Government Gazette announced his appointment with two others to act as a Management Committee of the Nelson Hospital. The same three men were authorised also to carry out the duties of visiting Justices to Nelson’s Asylum for the care of mentally defective patients. Barnicoat was selected Chairman over several years.

Preliminary steps were taken by settlers in October, 1869, to develop a side-line (of the agricultural industry), namely the dressing and marketing of native flax of which numerous beds were still growing on the plain. A meeting of those interested was held in Richmond under the chairmanship of J. W. Barnicoat. The Waimea Flax Dressing Co. was formed and Barnicoat was one of the first five Directors appointed.

Despite the pressure of outside duties which have been recounted in preceding chapters, it was upon his home and family that Bamicoat’s main interest was always centred. It remains to record some additional characteristics of the man and his qualities of heart and mind which exercised so deep an influence in building up a happy home atmosphere and in moulding the lives and characters of his children.

To begin at the beginning—it was in the mid-1840’s

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that he commenced to build the first part of his home which he called “Ashfield”—a picturesque and originally designed villa facing the sea and the north. At the rear he had planted a row of exotic trees, mainly oaks. Between the house and the road there were well laid out garden beds for flowers and shrubs gay in their seasons with blooms for which he had a great fondness. He was a firm believer in the value of belts of trees on boundary lines and hedges dividing his fields as protection from wind and shelter for live stock. He was helpful to friends and neighbours in urging them to do likewise.

“Ashfield” soon acquired, as, no doubt, it was intended to do, some of the beauty and charm, the peacefulness and quiet content of its counter-part to be seen on many an English countryside.

It was to this small home enlarged in later years but attractive from its earliest, that in 1849 Bamicoat brought his newly-wedded wife, Rebecca Lee, a daughter of William Hodgson of Nelson, and a sister of William C. Hodgson, subsequently to become widely known as an Inspector of Nelson Schools. The young wife had received a good education begun in England and continued in Nelson under the care of her father and elder brother. She was clever, affectionate, unselfish and deeply attached to her husband and the seven children of this happy marriage.

The atmosphere in the home was distinctly literary. It was Bamicoat’s custom every spare evening to read aloud from the best of the English magazines and reviews. He was a good reader with a well cultivated voice, and he continued this custom over very many years, extending its scope on occasions to include a new novel or a biography. As he read his wife sewed or knitted, the children as they reached understanding

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listened. The evening’s routine closed promptly at ten o’clock.

As each of their children arrived at an age to imbibe knowledge he was taught by his parents. The boys were later sent to Nelson College but only the youngest of the girls attended the Girls’ College, which was opened in 1882. This daughter has left it on record that she was instructed at home until fifteen years of age and the course included Latin and French. All benefited greatly from the high standard of tuition given by their father who must have felt abundantly rewarded as year after year glowing reports of the scholastic progress of his three sons were received, and later on by the brilliance of his youngest daughter, Constance’s academic career.

This daughter later married Julian Grande, who wrote her story. In this book, “Constance Grande,” the author refers to John Wallis Bamicoat in the following words: “He possessed a keen appreciation of the literary charm of the Bible. He was essentially a humble man, not speaking much of himself, but ever ready to appreciate the virtues and good qualities of other men. He learned to honour all men, and by his courtesy and kindness manifested his Christian character, and by his blameless life witnessed for God.”

A family friend, impressed with his natural dignity of manner, spoke of him “as courtly and polite as a chevalier out of a dream.” He held a strong sense of fairness and impartiality. This quality in him was so generally recognised that, as related on preceding pages, his services as Chairman on committees and public meetings were always in demand. ’

Physically Bamicoat was fortunate in the measure of vigoorus health he enjoyed all through life. Doubtless this was attributable to his love of walking an exercise in which he indulged from his youth up

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BARNICOAT THE CHURCHMAN

During his first years in the new settlement John Wallis Bamicoat, a man of deep religious faith, attended divine services in Nelson as they were available and as he had opportunity—no matter what Protestant denomination may have conducted them. While always tolerant of the creeds of other Christian bodies, his personal allegiance was firmly centred in the Church of England Communion under whose spiritual guidance he had been led from his youth, and it was to find life-long expression in the devoted and distinguished service he gave in both parochial and diocesan fields of work.

An illustration of his desire to help in forwarding the interests of his Church was shown in September, 1842, when Bishop Selwyn paid his first visit to Nelson. Barnicoat obtained an introduction which led to lengthy conversations. The two men went together to view a site for a chapel and house for the local Maoris. Barnicoat was asked to draw up a plan of the buildings required. This plan was extended later so as to include an infant school and a hospital; but these provisions, for financial reasons, had to be reduced in size. The two gentlemen also discussed together at great length a proposal “to erect in considerable size and architectural beauty a building which shall be worthy of being the Cathedral of the South Island.”

When in October, 1844, Bamicoat took up permanent residence in Richmond there was no place where Anglican Church people could meet. Another nine years were to pass before their first small church was built on Wensley Hill. Bamicoat was one amongst a few others who secured this “temporary” place of worship. When visiting clergy from Nelson were unable to conduct services, Bamicoat as a Lay Reader

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filled their place. These duties he carried out for forty years.

In 1855 Richmond was established as a separate parish. In the following year Barnicoat was appointed a member of the Archdeaconry Board.

Nelson was constituted a separate Diocesan See in 1857 and Dr. Edmund Hobhouse came from England as Nelson’s first Bishop. At the first Synod Assembly in 1859 Barnicoat was present as a Lay member and was given the position of Assessor of Bishops Court. He continued to be a member of Synod for forty years. In the years 1875 to 1897 he filled the office of Diocesan Treasurer. He had been appointed also a Lay member of the Diocesan Standing Committee.

The building of Holy Trinity Church in Richmond which was consecrated by Bishop Suter on 31st July, 1872, entailed much effort from its members but from none more than its Treasurer, who was the strong moving spirit in the struggle to find the required funds in a period of severe economic depression.

Barnicoat also bore most of the burden in 1880 when money was needed for building a badly needed vicarage. He headed a subscription list with a most generous donation and with the aid of an energetic organising committee the goal was reached.

As the years passed Holy Trinity Church was in need of enlargement and beautifying. In these improvements and indeed in every move made to fulfil the purposes of his Church, Barnicoat gave freely his time, his advice and of his substance.

When the Nelson Diocesan Synod commenced its session on 2nd November, 1899, His Lordship Bishop Mules announced the ageing Bamicoat’s resignation after forty years’ attendance at Synod. His reference concluded with this tribute—“lt has been permitted to no other Churchman in this Diocese to render services

so numerous, so long continued and of so varied character as those rendered by the Hon. J. W Bamicoat.”

Synod passed a resolution expressing regret at th retirement with the hope that the remainder of hi days may be spent in peace and tranquility. Speaker to the resolution were the Yen. Archdeacon Wrigh and Lay Members H. A. Tarrant, Kingsley and T Livesey—all in terms of warmest admiration of hi character and work for the Church. (Ex “Colonist,’ 3rd Nov., 1899.)

Barnicoat continued to hold office in Holy Trinit; Church for a further two to three years until at ai annual meeting of parishioners held 14th July, 1902 the honourable gentleman announced that on accoun of his advanced age he was obliged to decline : further nomination for the position of Vicar’s Church warden. The members present at the meeting showec in their remarks a deep sense of the obligations the} were all under and regretfully accepted his decision A vote of thanks and sincere appreciation was passed

This former stalwart of the local church is remembered as a regular attendant upon morning service; walking the long distance of a mile and a half from his home usually with one or more of his daughters. He was held in wide respect for his intense devotion to the claims of education and religion. He filled every lay position offered to him with credit and distinction.

Nearing the close of his life, John Wallis Barnicoat was a prominent figure in Nelson’s Golden Jubilee in 1892, and fittingly his portrait hangs in the Nelson Art Gallery.