George BUCKHAM [1769]

  General Notes:

OBITUARY
MR GEORGE BUCKHAM
Shortly after noon yesterday death removed another well-known figure from Rangiora, in the person of Mr George Buckham, who had charge of the local Post and Telegraph Office for over nineteen years, but was compelled to retire a few months ago on account of ill-health. The deceased gentleman had a severe attack of influenza about eighteen months ago from which he never recovered, phthisis supervening and causing his death. In early life Mr Buckham had several years experience at sea. Afterwards he entered into the employ of the firm of Peto and Betts, the renowned railway contractors of Bradford, England, of which Sir Morton Peto was the principal, and who were then constructing railways all over the world: He remained with the firm for seven or eight years, till the year 1862, when owing to Mr T. S. Mannering returning Home after being several years in this Colony, and marrying Mr Bucham's sister, he was induced to leave his employment to come to New Zealand. He entered the employ of Messrs Mannering and Cunningham, for whom he managed the Snowdale run for some years. On the West Coast goldfields affording a market for fat sheep he accompanied Mr Cunningham with the second mob that journeyed across Browning's pass, his other companions being Mr J. O'Halloran (now of Glentui station) and Mr H. Jennings (now of the Clarence run). He then remained at Hokitika, where he spent several years, and while there entered the Post and Telegraph service. He had charge of more than one station on the West Coast, and about 1870 he was appointed to Cheviot, where he remained for a short time, and was then transferred to the Rangiora office. During the twenty-four years he was connected with the Post and Telegraph service be proved a capable public officer. While in Rangiora he was always ready to take an active part in furthering the interests of public institutions and the social affairs of the place. For many years he was President of the Rangiora Literary Institute, and Treasurer of the North Canterbury, Jockey Club. He was also a prominent member of the Ashley Masonic Lodge, which he assisted to establish, and for two terms he presided over it as Master. In addition to the offices held in his own Lodge he was a Past District Grand Senior Warden under the English constitution, and subsequently a member of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. He was of a social, generous disposition, and was much esteemed by his friends. He leaves a widow and three young children to deplore their loss.
Christchurch STAR 29 Dec 1892,pg 3

OBITUARY.
MR GEORGE BUCKHAM.
After lingering for some months in a delicate state of health since his retirement from the Postal and Telegraph service, Mr George Buckham, of Rangiora, died at his residence between twelve and one yesterday. The deceased gentleman was, we believe, a native of Portland, and landed in Canterbury per the ship Chrysolite in 1861. He became a cadet with Messrs T. S. Mannering and A. H. Cunningham, in the run near Fernside, and subsequently a partner, being for a time the managing partner of the back country portion of the run. This, in the sixties, was by all means a more formidable trial of endurance and hardship than it is now. It was also an occupation attendant with some risk, for Mr Buckham's duties often took him to the West Coast via Browning's Pass with stock, and on the occasion of the murder of Mr George Dobson by the Maungatapu criminals it was considered at the time that the intended victim. was Mr Buckham, who had on his person about £400 for stock sold, whereas on Mr Dobson the Burgess gaug found nothing scarcely. From sheep farming Mr Buckham entered the service of the Postal and Telegraph. Department of the colony, in which he proved himself a careful, trust worthy, and popular officer. He was perhaps best known at the Cheviot, Waiau, and Rangiora Stations, especially the latter. He entered this service on 15th July, 1868, and remained in, it till his health gave way during this year, when he accepted a retiring allowance of £500. In social life the late Mr Buckham was both fond of cricket and football; he was an accomplished artist as an amateur photographer. From the formation of the worth Canterbury Jockey Club in 1885, he was its Treasurer up to the time of his decease, and on tbe occasion of the late races a few of the supporters of sport took the opportunity to remind him in a practical and kind way that he was, though on a bed of sickness, still remembered. He joined, With other Freemasons, in establishing the Ashley Lodge, 1877, E.C., and assisted to have the hall erected, which was consecrated in March, 1882. Bro. Buckham was Worshipful Master of the Lodge on two occasions, and his efforts in the cause of ancient craft Masonry will long be remembered. He leaves a wife and family, and a wide circle of friends to mourn his demise.
Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8367, 29 December 1892

Rangiora Anglican Cemetery NZ
BUCKHAM - George, d. 28 Dec. 1892, age 54 - Plot 085

Images courtesy Adams Benfield Family Ancestry - 2020

George married Margaret Priscilla TORLESSE [1768] [MRIN: 579], daughter of Rev Henry TORLESSE [1678] and Eliza (Lizzie) Henrietta REVELL [1679], on 16 Jun 1885 in NZ. (Margaret Priscilla TORLESSE [1768] was born on 7 Jul 1862 in Okains Bay Canterbury NZ and died on 15 Mar 1926 in Rangiora NZ.)