Community Contributed
George Otho Barber and his son George Easton Barber, Foxton
Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T16:57:16+00:00He attended Mt. Cook School and then Wellington College. He then worked in the four butcher's shops owned by his father and brothers until he was nineteen years old. He was then sent to England to work in the office at Smithfield where the family were sending frozen meat, so that he could learn that aspect of the business. He was also to receive accountancy training. Possessing a fine singing voice, he was much in demand in amateur theatricals and opera.
On his return to New Zealand in 1900, he came to Foxton where the family had more than 10,000 acres sand country. Cattle were farmed and driven to Wellington for the shops.
About 1902, he and Cliff Satherley broke in run heifers to start a milking herd but George pulled out of this venture in 1904 when he bought 164 acres of swamp country from Fred Easton (part of the Moutoa Estate). He was one of the first local farmers to milk cows by machine, having his own steam plant.
In 1905, he married Grace Emma Easton (born 1875) daughter of Augustus Spencer Easton and his wife Sarah (nee Whebby [ Whebley on BDM Historical online ] ). Their son, George Easton Barber was born 2 March, 1907. He was a bronchial child and did not go to school until he was eight years old when the family shifted into Foxton and lived in Easton Street where the R.S.A. Clubrooms are now situated. There were two girls in the family: Lyn who married Arthur Carncross; and Strelsa who married Frank Lang.
In 1915, Grace developed cancer and husband George took her to Auckland where he believed the best treatment was available under Dr. Savage. Mount Eden Primary School, Herne Bay School and the Auckland Technical School provided education for George Junior during this period.
While in Auckland, George Junior learnt to handle yachts and this began a lifelong love of boats. Father George worked at many different ventures while his wife was receiving treatment. He and several Lodge friends went mining at Thames, then he went into partnership in a tea importing business and this was thriving but his partner died so back to Thames and mining he went.
In the 1930's, George and Grace moved to Wellington. They lived very quietly as Emma was on drugs to arrest the cancer for the rest of her life. George became involved in a venture building prefabricated concrete slab houses with a group of friends. After about a dozen houses were built George had to pull out on account of his own health. Another venture which lasted for many years was a factory manufacturing face powder. His partner was a Mr. Sutcliffe, father of cricketer Bert Sutcliffe. The business eventually folded owing to competition.
George died in Wellington on 30 December, 1947 and Grace on 27 July, 1956. Both are buried at the Foxton Cemetery.
In 1927, George Junior returned to farm in Foxton. When the family moved to Auckland, the farm was sold to a Mr. Poupard who was unable to keep up his payments and walked off the farm taking the best stock with him.
In 1933, George E. married Sylvia Williams and together they raised a family of 2 girls and 6 boys. As the family grew, more land was purchased - a venture that has provided security for the whole family but no doubt was difficult to finance at times. These properties were the Himatangi farm broken in by Dr. Wyllie, A.S. Easton property in Ridge Road, Carver Estate on Shannon Road and another further afield at Bunnythorpe.
From 1945, both George and Sylvia were deeply involved in Pony Clubs - both the Moutoa Pony Club and the Horowhenua District. All the children had their own ponies and for many years, Sylvia was either cook or "Camp Mother" at Pony Club Camps. Son Jack and daughter-in-law Irene are carrying on this tradition. The highlight of the "Pony Club" years was in 1973 when George and Sylvia travelled to Japan with a support group for the New Zealand Pony Clubs team.
George was a member of Federated Farmers but did not seek any office in the organisation. For 20 years George served on Manawatu College Board of Governors, many years as chairman and saw the change from District High School to College status.
George passed away in November, 1994. Hundreds of people attended his funeral service which was held in the Memorial Hall.