Alfred Arnaud Morris McKellar FIANZ (1835 - 1921)

Born 31 Aug 1835 in Battersea, London, England

Ancestors

Husband of Alice Maud (Hill) McKellar — married 11 Nov 1875 in St Mary's Church, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 23 Aug 1921 at age 85 in his residence, Riccarton, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

Accountant, Auditor and Secretary to Companies: Secretary to the Black Ball Coal Company, Secretary of the Canterbury Sale Yards Company; Auditor to the Diocesan Trust Board and to Christ's College, and various Companies and Institutions; Treasurer to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association; Founding Member of the New Zealand Institute of Accountants, and was one of the original Founding Members in 1893, and held Office on the Local Committee of the Institution; Captain, New Zealand Militia, farmer, pioneer and settler; of Riccarton, Christchurch, Canterbury; formerly of Omata, Taranaki, New Zealand; originally of Battersea, London.[1]

Background

Alfred Arnaud Morris McKellar was the third son of Dr Dugald McKellar, MD and Annette Clarke. He was born on 31 August 1835 at Battersea, London. He was baptised on 17 November 1835 at St Mary's Church, Battersea.

Madeira

In 1840 the family went to Madeira for the benefit of his father's health. His father died there in 1849.

Education

"He was educated at Christ's Hospital (Bluecoat School) and the Hertford and London branches."[2]

New Zealand

"On 10 June 1852 Annette McKellar and nine of her ten surviving children embarked for New Zealand. They sailed from Madeira with two servants onboard the St Michael Barque that had originated from London and brought the Constitution to New Zealand. The ship went to New Plymouth, then Auckland, arriving at New Plymouth on 2 December 1852.

"Following their arrival in New Plymouth, the family settled on land that Annette McKeller purchased at Omata, south of New Plymouth, and began farming.

"He resided in Taranaki for eleven years, during which time he followed farming pursuits, except when he was engaged in fighting."[3]

Taranaki War

Due to hostilities during the Taranaki War (17 Mar 1860-18 Mar 1861) the family fled back to New Plymouth for a time.

"During the Taranaki War he was engaged in fighting and was appointed Lieutenant of No 1 Company of Militia, and went throughout the Taranaki War, being present at the engagement at Waireka [28 March 1860] and at several others. He received the New Zealand War Medal."

Career

"On the termination of hostilities in 1863 and owing to a breakdown in his health, he removed to Canterbury, and was employed by Messrs J M Heywood and Co, as Manager of the Wharf at Heathcote. He went to Christchurch, joining the CYC when Sir Cracroft Wilson was in charge."[4]

"After a short visit to Taranaki, he returned to Canterbury and was for ten years at Timaru as Accountant to Messrs Miles and Co.

"In 1878 he came to Christchurch and filled a similar position for the firm of Messrs R Wilkin and Co, till he commenced business on his own account ten years later, as Accountant, Auditor, and Secretary to Companies.

"Mr McKellar, who was a Fellow of the Institute of Accountants of New Zealand, was one of the original Founding Members in 1893, and held Office on the Local Committee of the Institution. He was Secretary to the Black Ball Coal Company, Auditor to the Diocesan Trust Board and to Christ's College, and various companies and institutions, and he also held the position of Treasurer to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association."[5]

Marriage and family

On 11 November 1875 he married Alice Maud Hill, daughter of Henry Hill, Solicitor, of Auckland, with issue two sons and one daughter. She was the younger sister of Georgina who had married his elder brother Dugald in 1863.

Death and burial

He died on Tuesday 23 August 1921 at his residence, Riccarton, Christchurch, one week prior to his 86th birthday.

Sources

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury Provincial District (1908).[6]

Obit 24 Aug 1921; 27 Aug 1921, Hawera & Normanby Star, Papers Past, NLNZ.[7][8]

1836 Baptism, Family Search.[9]