Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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page 1468

Brewer, William, J.P., Sheepfarmer, “Waihau,” Waitotara. This farm, which is well fenced and well watered by the Waihau Lake, consists of 3000 acres of freehold and leasehold, and carries 6000 sheep, 500 head of cattle, and twenty-five horses. Mr. Brewer was born in 1845 in Birmingham, and came to New Zealand at ten years of age in the ship “Merchantman,” with Governor Browne, his father afterwards holding a position in the Auckland Customs. Joining the Government survey staff for a time, Mr. Brewer came to Waitotara in the early days of settlement and took up land. In 1870 he was married to a daughter of Major Durie, of Wanganui, and has six children. As a member of the Wanganui Cavalry he saw active service under Captain Cameron during the Maori war. He was afterwards, with Mr. Charles Durie, a contractor for meat supplies to the troops. Mr. Brewer is a member of the Waitotara-Whenuakura Road Board, and was a member of the Patea County Council for many years. He has acted as judge for the Hawera Racing Club for a number of years, and is a steward of the Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club, and a member of the Hawera Hunt and Waverley Tennis clubs.