Charles Aaron Haselden (1813 - 1896)

Obituary

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10276
30 October 1896, Page 3 (Supplement)

Publisher and Bookseller

Emigration to New Zealand 1860

Publisher

and Bookseller

The late Mr. Charles Haselden, of the Thames, had a rather interesting career.

He was for many years in business as a publisher and bookseller in the West End of London, during which time he was very active in benevolent institutions, being a member of the committee of the Ragged School Union (of which the late Earl of Shaftesbury was president), of the London City Mission, and of kindred societies, devoting to them a large proportion of his means and his time.

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Emigration

to New Zealand 1860

In 1860, he emigrated for the sake of his large family to New Zealand, and began farming at Te Arai.

His generous hospitality to all passing travellers will no doubt live in the memories of the settlers of Albertland and adjoining districts.

In 1864, Mr. Robert Graham, the then Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, offered Mr. Haselden the appointment of Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Province, which he accepted.

He held this position for about 18 months, when the Provincial Council passed a resolution to the effect that the Commissioner should be a member of the Council and of the Executive. This necessitated Mr. Haselden's resignation, but led Mr. Edward Stafford, the then Premier, to take steps to make the Commissioners permanent officers of the General Government.

About twelve years ago, advancing age made it advisable that Mr. and Mrs. Haselden should reside in a less isolated manner than they could at Te Arai, and they consequently removed to Thames, where they have since lived.

He was for years a Coroner and Justice of the Peace for the colony, and a lay reader of the Church of England.

Mrs. Haselden survives her husband after a married life of nearly 60 years.

He leaves four sons, six daughters, forty-three grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren, nearly all of whom reside in this colony.

Sincere sympathy is expressed by all classes of the community with the bereaved family, as the deceased gentleman was greatly beloved and respected.