Individual Details
(11 Jun 1859 - 29 Aug 1916)
Richard, together with his brother John Meredith, bought a 104 acre farm on the corner of Kiamatarau and Tomkin's Roads, Rongotea. Wrth help from other members of the family, they formed roads, built a house and set up a flaxmill. They conveyed the fibre by way of the bridle path to the Buckman Manufacturing Plant at Foxton. The land was mostly heavy bush with patches of swamp. as the flax disappeared and the bush fell, Richard acquired the farm from his brother and gradually brought it into pasture. It is recorded that Richard supplied 4lb of cream to the local dairy factory on 5th March 1895. He later became director of the new dairy at Glen Oroua. With the surrounding farmers, Richard was instrumental in having a creamery set up. This was established on the Kiamatarau corner,where milk was separated and the cream delivered to the parent factory.With the family growing up, Richard negotiated with Mr. Thomas Clark, the exchange of 400 acres of the Clark homestead estate for his 100 acres, together with a mortgage adjustment. Being now closer to Glen Oroua, milk was delivered direct to the parent factory. 140 cows were milked by hand seven milkers. A total of 3000 lb's of milk was delivered daily. As Richard aged, milking became too much, so he re-negotiated the return of 60 acres to Mr. Clark. With a reduced herd of cows, Richard, with the help of one of his sons, turned to artesian well boring. They sunk the first well for the supply of water to the new swimming baths. Many wells were sunk throughout the district.
Events
| Birth | 11 Jun 1859 | Wairau, New Zealand | | | |
| Marriage | 27 Jun 1887 | Sanson, New Zealand - Maria Diana WEST | | | |
| Death | 29 Aug 1916 | | | | |
| Marriage | | Emma PHILP | | | |
Families