Biography of Capt. Howell.
(From the "Guardian. " )
Captain John Howell, late of Fairlight Station, Kingston, was born at Eastbourne, Sussex, England, in 1810. When 20 years of age he went with a whaling crew to the South Seas then cruised off Van Diemens's Land, New Zealand, &c, ultimately to the New South Wales coast, where he landed and remained for a short time. In 1836 he, under appointment of the late Mr John Jongs (well known in this city), came over to Riverton to take charge of a whaling station, which post he successfully held until 1842, when he was joined by his relatives from Sydney. Captain Howell then, together with his half brother (Captain William Stevens, of the Beaumont Station) started sheep farming, combined with whaling and ship building, the latter under very unfavorable circumstances. The schooners Amazon and Otago, each 100 tons, together with several smaller crafts they completed very successfully, the Otago being the first vessel registered in Dunedin. In 1843 Captains Howell and Stevens proceeded to New South Wales, to Ben Boyd's station, at Twofold Bay, from where they imported stock for their runs, which prospered remarkably well. Howell and Stevens remained in partnership until 1870, when the senior, Captain Howell, proceeded to Wakatip, where he of late held 100,000 acres of leasehold land and about 1,000 acres of freehold, together with 40,000 sheep and 1,000 head of cattle, which his family are now in possession of besides an extensive area of land in the Riverton locality. Captain Howell had married twice; by his first wife he had two children, and by his second 17, of whom 11 are now alive and well. For some time past the Captain's system showed signs of breaking up. Therefore, with a view of recruiting his health he started from the Bluff in the Tararua steamer, about the end of April, 1874, en route for Sydney, via Melbourne, together with his fourth son Thomas and Mrs Stevens. They arrived in Sydney all safe, but the captain soon became confined to bed, and 11 days after his arrival he breathed his last. Prior to his dangerous symptoms, Mrs Stevens removed him to the residence of an old schoolfellow, a Mr Portland, 115 Kent-Street, Sydney but the 25th. day of May was the last of one of Otago's noblest settlers. A short time prior to his death he became senseless, but before this he signified his knowledge of death approaching. Medical testimony stated his death resulted from cancer in the stomach. The remains were carefully placed in a padded deal coffin, which was enclosed in lead, perfectly air tight, and then enclosed in a handsome coffin. When ready to ship for the homeward journey, the state coffin was placed in a strong plated case; in which it arrived at the Bluff on Sunday the 28th June, by the Omeo, and was conveyed to Invercargill by special train, thence to Riverton on Monday by express where on the following day, Tuesday, 30th June, the mortal remains of Captain John Howell were interred with all due solemnity and honor suitable to such an occasion. Captain Howell has left a very wide circle of friends. He was universally respected by all, both rich and poor; his purse was always ready for any charitable object, as was his home for many years free and open to any who pleased to call. In Captain Howell, Southland has lost a treasure. Bequiescat in pace. -Bruce Herald, 14/8/1874.
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