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Richard Hobbs (1833 - 1910)

Richard Hobbs
Born in Hokianga, New Zealandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 10 Nov 1853 in Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land, Australiamap
[children unknown]
Died at about age 77 in Auckland, New Zealandmap
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Profile last modified | Created 4 Dec 2014
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Biography

New Zealand businessman
represented Franklin (1879–80) and Bay of Islands (1881–90) in the House of Representatives.
returned to England
New Zealander 17 Dec 1853
HOBBS - WATERHOUSE
 At Hobart-town on 10th November 1853, at St George's Church, by the Rev Dr Fry, Mr Richard Hobbs, son of Rev John Hobbs, New Zealand, to Emma, youngest daughter of the late Rev John Waterhouse, Hobart-town. 
New Zealand Herald 18.7.1910 P:6
DEATH OF MR. R. HOBBS A PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZEN. A very old and esteemed resident of Auckland, in the person of Mr. Richard Hobbs, was found dead in his bedroom on Saturday morning, at his home in Heme Bay Road, Ponsonby. Mr. Hobbs had reached the advanced age of 77 years, having been born in Hokianga in 1833. He had been in failing health for some time past, so that his death was not altogether unexpected. Deceased was the son of the late Rev. John Hobbs, the pioneer Wesleyan missionary, and received his early education at the school of the Church Missionary Society, Waimate North, nnder the late Rev. Richard Taylor, subsequently receiving private instruction from the late Dr. Day. In those' early days things were in a primitive condition in Auckland, and so Mr. Hobbs went to Tasmania with his father, and was apprenticed at the age of 14 to Messrs. Waterhouse Bros., drapers, of Hobart. After completing his apprenticeship Mr. Hobbs tried his fortune on the Victorian goldnelds. He remained for a year or two at Forest Creek, and did fairly well, but not well enough to enamour him of the life. After a brief visit to New Zealand he returned to the employ of Messrs. Waterhouse Bros., and shortly afterwards was married to the daughter of the Rev. John Waterhouse. Mrs. Hobbs died some 10 years ago, leaving no family. Some time after his marriage Mr. Hobbs returned to Auckland and established a drapery business in Queen-street. Retiring in 1873 he settled at Pokeno, and became a successful fruitgrower. While residing at Pokeno Mr. Hobbs entered upon 10 years' of Parliamentary service as representative of Franklin and the Bay of Islands. He was elected unopposed for Franklin in 1878, and for the Bay of Islands in 1882. Throughout his Parliamentary career he was a consistent supporter of Sir Harry Atkinson. Later Mr. Hobbs sold his interests at Pokeno, and returned to Auckland, where he established a drapery business in the premises now occupied by Messrs. Rushbrook and Bridgman, to whom he afterwards sold the business, but retained the freheold of the property. In the. early days Mr -Hobbs was appointed a captain in the militia, and saw active service during the Maori war. He took an exceedingly active part in public life, apart from his Parliamentary service. From 1871 to 1873 he was a member of the Auckland City Council, and for over 40 years be did good service as a member of the Education Board, and was chairman of that body on four separate occasions. The grant of £10,000 given for technical education by the Auckland Savings Bank (of which he was one of the trustees for many years was largely due to his influence and altogether some £20,000 to £24,000 was obtained for this object as a result of his persistent effort. Mr. Hobbs was closely identified with the Methodist Church and held various positions in connection with it. A few years ago he built a church at Heme Bay as a memorial to his father and presented it to the Methodist body. The death of, Mr. Hobbs will be very generally regretted by a large circle of friends who held him in high esteem for his integrity and sterling character. The funeral takes place tomorrow, and will leave Bayfield Methodist Church at 10.30 a.m. At the Pitt Street Methodist Church yesterday morning the. Rev. W. Ready referred to the sudden death of Mr. Hobbs. He stated that the deceased was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the church and was one of the original trustees. Mr. Hobbs had given his time, money and thought for the advancement of Methodism in the province. The " Dead March" in "Saul" was played by Mr. Nicholas, the organist, the congregation standing.
Auckland Star 19.7.1910 p:2
THE LATE MR. R. HOBBS.
The remains af the late Mr. Richard Hobbs were interred this morning at Purewa Cemetery. A short service was first held in the Hobbs Memorial Church at Bayfield, which was crowded with the following ministers of the Methodist Church present: Revs. G. Bond, H. R. Dewsbury, W. Gittos, W. Ready, J. S. Rischworth, Mather and Hauraki Paul. A large number of carriages followed the hearse to Purewa. In the first were Mrs. Blomfield (sister of deceased), Mrs. Jaking, Messrs. J. C. and A. Hobbs, and Rev. Gittos; the second cab, Messrs. A. E. Hobbs, W. Hobbs, Eric Gittos, Blomfield, and R. E. Beamish; third cab, Mr. Jakins, Mrs. R. Lyons, and Mrs. Buchanan; fourth cab, Revs. Ready, Mather, Rischworth, also Messrs. T. Buddle and W. Beaumont; fifth cab, Miss R. Hobbs, Mr. W. Lyons, Mr. A. Lyons, Mrs. J. Beamish; sixth cab, Mesdames Bond and Dauber, Mr. and Mrs. John Gittos. Amongst others present were: Sir G. M. O'Rorke, Messrs. J. S. Tibbs (Grammar School), W. Brackenrig and H. Edmiston (Bible Society), Leyland, B. Buttle, T. Hodgson, W. E. Hutchison, V. Rice, Smith (representing Auckland Club), W. H. Smith and R, Cameron (representing Auckland Savings Bank), J. C. Dickenson and M. Christie.

Burial - 19th July 1910 in Purewa Cemetery, Auckland - block D. row 23 plot 59

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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Richard by comparing test results with other carriers of his ancestors' Y-chromosome or mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Richard:

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Rejected matches › Richard Hobbs (1833-)