Frederick Pickering Myers

My great-grandfather, Frederick Pickering Myers, came to New Zealand in 1892 to work on the farm of his cousin, Fred Pickering at Beaconsfield, near Feilding. His cousin married Nellie Beattie and they had two daughters, Joan & Dinah, and later moved to Hawkes Bay where Fred Pickering died in 1941. http://www.pickeringfamilyhistory.com/eugene-haynes.php
Fred Myers farmed at Peep-O-Day near Feilding and it was his letters to his cousin, Charles Newbald, in England that started me on this research.

Aorangi arrives in NZ

From the New Zealand Herald, Sep 8 1892:

PORT CHALMERS:
The New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer, Aorangi, Captain Sutcliffe, arrived at 3.20 pm today from London, with 67 passengers, a quantity of mail, and 1800 tons of cargo for all ports.
She left London on July 22, had moderate to strong trades, and arrived at Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, on August 14 at 2 am. Met with unusually severe weather in the Bay, and passengers were compelled to land in chairs swung from the yard arm.
The steamer left again at 3.30 pm the same day, and had boisterous weather across the Southern Ocean, reaching Hobart at 2 am on the 3rd instant. Left again at 1 pm that day, and had thick weather to arrival.
Passengers for Auckland; Misses C.E. Whistler, J.E. Mark, Mr T.P. Myers [sic], For Nelson; Mr E.M. Condeil [sic], For Taranaki; Mr G.E. Benser[sic]. Mr J.H. Hampton [sic], the sprinter, is also a passenger.

Wedding Bells, 1902:

A pretty wedding was solemnised at St John's Church yesterday afternoon, the contracting parties being Miss Alice Ethel, eldest daughter of the late Douglas H. Macarthur, M.H.R., and Frederick Pickering, eldest son of the Rev Arthur Myers, late Rector of Ruskington, England. The Rev A.S. Innes Jones officiated.

The bride who was given away by her brother-in-law (Mr H. E. Morshead), was becomingly attired in a dress of white silk chiffon over glacie silk, and lace veil, the latter being effectively arranged and pinned to the hair with a pearl crescent, the gift of the bridegroom. She also wore the orthodox orange blossoms.

Miss Fry acted as chief bridesmaid, and wore a dress of white china silk trimmed with string coloured insertions over pale blue silk, and a floral hat of forget-me-nots, also a Nellie Stewart bangle, presented to her by the bridegroom. The bride was accompanied by two other little bridesmaids, Miss Nada Cotterill and Miss Dinah Pickering. They both wore white muslin dresses with Valencienne lace, and white muslin pucked hats to match with bunches of pale blue ribbon, and blue silk sashes. They also wore small crescent turquoises, the gift of the bridegroom.

The church was crowded. Afterwards an adjournment was made to the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs M.L.L. Sherwill, where numerous guests were entertained at the wedding breakfast. The happy couple were the recipients of many valuable and useful presents from their numerous friends, who wished them every happiness and good fortune during the future. They afterwards left on their honeymoon trip for Napier, the bride wearing a travelling dress of brown and cream cloth, with heliotrope floral hat.

Obituary 1955, Manawatu Daily Times:

A boy of 17, Mr Myers came to NZ over 63 years ago as a cadet to gain experience on the farm of his cousin, Mr Fred Pickering. For many years he worked in the Beaconsfield district. In 1902 he married Alice Ethel, a daughter of the Hon D.H. Macarthur, who was closely associated with the settlement of the Manchester block, Mayor of Feilding and a Member of the House of Representatives.

After his marriage he managed the farm of the late Mr Haythorne for several years and during 1910-1912 he was in England on business matters. About 1913 an English company purchased "Glenmore" a large sheep station at Peep-O-Day, Kimbolton, and Mr Myers was appointed manager. Subsequently the station was purchased by Watt and Myers Ltd, a farming company comprising the late George and James Watt and Mr Myers, who continued to farm it until 1953 when it was acquired by the Crown for soldier settlement. Mr Myers' wife died in 1918 and a son Norman died in infancy.

Born of a well known English county family, Mr Myers had interests in large estates in Lincolnshire and Cumberland. Mr Myers' father was Rector of Ruskington in Lincolnshire, and the family had been closely associated with the Church of England for some 200 years. Mr Myers' grandfather was a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a Senior Wrangler, and several members of the family were noted scholars. On inheriting the English estates, Mr Myers did not return to live at "Dunningwell" the large family mansion in Cumberland, but continued to live quietly in the land of his adoption.

In his younger days Mr Myers was a keen photographer and recently gave to the Feilding Library a series of valuable photographs taken in the district some 60 years ago. He was also an excellent shot and had the privilege of shooting with the late King Edward VIII. In his later life he was a noted breeder of border collies.

A fine type of English gentleman, kindly and courteous to all, generous in his support of charitable causes, his death will be sincerely mourned by a wide circle of relatives and friends.

Arthur (Chappie) Myers

Obituary Dec 1961 Manawatu Daily Times:

With the recent death of Mr Arthur (Chappie) Myers was ended the career of a well known stud sheep breeder and sportsman of some note.

Born at Apiti in 1907, he was the only son of the late Mr & Mrs F.P Myers, of Glenmore, Peep-O-Day. He married Miss Moira Guthrie of Ruahine, at Mangaweka in 1931 and took up a farm at Kimbolton in the same year.

In 1946 he established his Windwhistle Romney and Southdown stud. Moving to Roberts Line, Palmerston North, in 1954, he continued farming up to the time of his death.

An extremely good shot with both rifle and gun, he was a member of the old Maungarimu Gun Club, and in 1929 at Wanganui, became the North Island Claybird Champion.

Mr Myers took an active interest in aviation in the district, being a member of the Glider Club and a life member of the Middle Districts Aero Club of which he was at one period deputy club captain. He was the owner of the well known aircraft, Auster Z.K.A.W.I.

The father of the late Lindsay Myers*, he was a familiar figure at the Palmerston North Speedway, and assisted in the building of the two T.Q. midgets which were raced with considerable success by his sons. Held in high regard by his many friends, his untimely death has left a sad gap in the community.

*Lindsay Myers was killed racing at Manfield 18 Feb 1961