ALFRED GREGORY RICHES
1) Born at Bulls 1873 or 1874 (according to Marriage Certificates). No record of a birth certificate found in index to Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
2) Married at Woodville Wesleyan Methodist Church 4 July 1898 to Elizabeth Petersen.
Age : 24 years (ie born 1874).
Occupation: Hairdresser.
Birthplace : Bulls, Rangitikei.
Residence: Woodville.
Father: Alexander Riches, Gentleman.
Mother: Emma Riches nee Harris.
3) Married at Taumarunui 10 December 1930 to Jens Seaner Leevers (nee Jens Seaner Petersen).
Age: 57 (ie born 1873)
Birthplace: Bulls
Occupation: Farmer
Father: Alexander Riches, Farmer
Mother: Emma Harris.
4) Father (Alexander) lived in Waverley. A G Riches was a barber in Woodville, ran racehorses, ran billiard saloon. Built new house in Main Street of Woodville in November 1905. First went to Taumarunui in 1903 with brother Alex Riches. Present in Taumarunui 10 October 1904 when leases for the town were put up for sale by auction. (Were 21 year renewable leases - new leases to be renegotiated 3 months before expiry date. Later town was purchased by the Government and sections could be freholded by buying back from the Government over 20 years.) Purchased section on Fanthorpes Corner at the sale with Alex. Section was divided; drew lots with Alex to see who got each half. Alex got the corner and AG built in behind to the two road frontages. Church of England owned a section opposite the Post Office - AG swapped this section for the present Anglican Church site which he owned + £25 as he felt the site opposite the PO was too valuable for a church. Bought 2 sections next to the PO site as could see that they would become valuable. Built 3 cottages behind old BNSW. First home built in Taumarunui in 1907/08 (Dr Holes residence). Then built home by Wrightsons yard in 1912. Later moved to Taupo Road. Took up farm in 1915.
5) Electoral Rolls:
1896 Wairarapa Electorate - no Riches
1899 Pahiatua Electorate
- Alfred Gregory Riches, Woodville, Tobacconist.
- Elizabeth Riches, Woodville, Married Woman.
(note in 1899, real age of Elizabeth was 18, not 25 as per the age given in her marriage certificate - ie she really was not eligible to vote.)
1902 Pahiatua Electorate - Riches Alfred Gregory, Tobacconist
1908 Taumarunui - not on main roll which closed 16 April 1908 but on Supplementary Roll dated 3 November 1908. (Alexander Riches on Main Roll but Harriett Maud (tailoress) and Henry (Billiard room Proprietor) also added to Supplementary Roll).
6) Death Certificate -
Died 22 June 1963 at Taumarunui Public Hospital.
Residence Taupo Road, Taumarunui.
Occupation Sheepfarmer.
Age at Death - 90 years
Born at Bulls. In NZ 90 Yrs.
Buried 25/6/1963 at Taumarunui.
7) A G Riches, Borough Councillor 1911 to 1913. President of the Taumarunui Rugby Union (" - for several years..." at 1913). Chairman of the School Committee - at 1913 was in his third year of office and "has always shown that the interests of the children are dear to him". Father of the Fire Brigade - "organised a bucket brigade with small hand pumps some four years ago and with this rendered wonderfully effective service in checking a disastrous fire in the year 1910".
- source `Taumarunui Old and New', N A Winter, 1913
8) - A G Riches addresses a meeting for candidates for the Borough Council election in 1910.
- Mr A G Riches, JP, is referred to so frequently in other parts of this booklet that a special note is hardly necessary. He was one of the very first to acquire property in Taumarunui and carried on business in the town for some years and finally took up farming in which he has been highly succesful.
- At a meeting held in February 1010, it was decided to form a Fire Brigade. Mr A G Riches was elected Captain.
- source `The King Country - Recollections of an Old Timer', N A Winter, 1937