Wallingford/Jarlov Family Trees

Richard was born shortly after the 1855 earthquake which was on 23 Jan 1855.

He was a sawmiller and farmer (end of era), interested in civic and church affairs. The brothers James and Richard lived in Levin from 1891 and built their homes in the two storey stately manner of the time, identical but reversed in plan. One was still remaining in the 1980s.

from The Prouse Connection. Note: The two houses were not reversed in plan...

From http://horowhenua.kete.net.nz/site/topics/show/1911-richard-prouse-1855-1921

Born in Wainuiomata 1855. Arrived in Levin 1891, became owner of a large tract of bush land and set up a large sawmill. One of Levin Borough's first councillors. A staunch Methodist, 20 years superintendent of the Sunday School. Died 1921.

ALONG THE MANAWATU LINE
Evening Post, Volume LXI, Issue 8, 10 January 1901, Page 2

BY TELEGRAPH — OWN CORRESPONDENT. LEVIN, 9th January. Mr. R. Prouse, President of the Horowhenua Boating Club, has presented the club with an excellent pleasure boat. The club has not held any regatta this season owing to some of the boats being in need of repairs. They are now in fit condition, and it is probable that next month the Horowhenua Lake will be the scene of several local contests. It does not appear to be generally known that this splendid sheet of water, two and a quarter miles long and a mile and a quarter broad, is just a mile from the town of Levin, and well suited for championship rowing matches. The Horowhenua Boating Club did intend to send in a claim for these events to be rowed off here last year, but the expense was considered rather too great. This year, however, may see an application sent in. The Farmer of to-day publishes some interesting particulars of an oat crop on 14 acres belonging to Mr. R. Prouse. Year after year for eight years past the land has yielded heavy oat crops. Last year the quantity was 33 tons, and this year the yield bids fair to be heavier. This shows how land repays the owner when proper care is bestowed upon it. Mr. Prouse uses root manure from Longburn, and the ashes of sawdust after they have been through the furnace at the sawmill.

Letter from Phyllis Prouse Taylor to Christobel Nation Tunnington, 17 October 1973:

Phyllis responded to the story that there was a loaded gun behind the door in early days, saying though there may have been a gun, it was not likely to have been loaded. Her Dad was very careful with guns and would not run a risk.

If there was an attack feared, the gun may have been loaded but it would then have been minded by 2 or 3 men, at the ready for trouble.

Otherwise, the guns would not have been kept where small children could touch them.

The loaded gun story may have come from being loaded at night, but even then only on a rare occasion. Phyllis said that Tina, especially, always had an excellent relationship with the Maories, especially the women. Tina had, she added, played with a Maori boy as a child, and he was her companion.

Letter from Phyllis Prouse Taylor to Christobel Nation Tunnington, 20 April 1979:

Phyllis remembers her father going to Paturau several times. I believe this to be near Collingwood, and associated with his brother James' sons' sawmilling and flax mill operations. He went one time when Phyllis was pre-school age - 1903 to 1905 some time, then later in 1908-1909 and another time in early 1911. That time as Rich was packing up to go, Mabel badly slashed her hand (the fat part inside her thumb), so she was off house work.

Tina suggested Mabel go with Rich. "Brother Parker" (Frank Parker) also went. Mabel returned from that trip with a stalectite which was then mounted and stood on the mantelpiece for many years. Phyllis said that Cuffie would remember Mabel telling her of the underground caves and caverns - very interesting and very frightening.

Phyllis believes that Rich had a tent on his earlier visits, which were quite long. She doesn't know if he lived in a shed or a shack of some sort, but remembers him telling her of the cheeky wekas stealing his food, and she remembers Tina packing food into tins for him.

Phyllis believes that Mabel may have stayed with Percy and Nellie, as their child Lou had not yet been born.

Phyllis believes that James eventually ended up with the land for his sons, and later it came to Emma after Bert's death. She believes that Emma sold the land.

Letter from Christobel Nation Tunnington to Phyllis Prouse Taylor, 29 April 1979:

Cuffie had made notes about Mabel's visit and referred to them. The visit to her Aunt Mab had been on a cold day in Fielding, with both having their "knees up her chimney". Mabel believed the trip to have been in 1912 or 1913. She (Mabel) said a "very nice chap" had given her the small bale of flax. Cuffie said that Mabel described one of the cave visits, with Rich saying one part was like an alter at church, and Rich had called it St. Paul's.

She said there was one piece of land that Rich and Tina wanted Allan to go down to 'break in' but that it was steep and overgrown. Cuffie felt it was suggested he go down there more as a way of settling him down than anything else!

from Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue XVII, 24 May 1879, Page 2

MARRIAGES.

PROUSE - MCILVRIDE. - On the 22nd May, at the residence of the bride's father, Wainui-o-mata by the Rev. James Paterson, Richard Prouse, jun., to Christina, eldest daughter of Mr. John McIlvride.

New Zealand Mail 1 Jun 1904 p27a

Levin.

The silver wedding of Mr and Mrs Richard Prouse was celebrated on the 22nd May. Many were the good wishes expressed towards them by their relatives and friends.

Letter from Phyllis Prouse Taylor to Christobel Nation Tunnington, 31 May 1973:

Phyllis did not immediately remember the first dinner set at the old house in Levin, remembering mostly odds and ends. There was a green meat dish, squirrels and nuts, also the pheasant pattern, a huge meat dish and and plate or two. The plates came from Old George Whitlock, a deserted sailor who lived for a time in the little red cottage that was half-way between the back gate and Makomako Road. She thought the huge meat dish may have come from George, too.

There was a dinner set from about 1906, or at least most of one, with a dull mid-blue poppies. Phyllis said it wasn't good quality and the glazing was cracked. She thought maybe Tina had bought this from her sister Aggie when Aggie went to Australia.

There were a few pieces of better quality china, such as a small meat dish with dark blue trailing flower pattern with fluted edge.

Mostly the china was bought a half dozen at a time - white or white and gold clover leaf or three narrow gold lines.

After that time, she remembers a green, cream and gold dinner set contributed by family members. They had two 12 cup tea sets, bought when her sister Jessie got married, both plain white but one with gold line.

Letter from Phyllis Prouse Taylor to Christobel Nation Tunnington, 9 August 1979:

Phyllis tried to remember the range of photos and paintings on the walls of the front room of the Weraroa House.

There was one of Jack McIlvride's wedding, with Jack and his bride Florrie (Florence), along with Connie and Madge (bridesmaids), Race (Horace) and one other, all related to the Maplesdons. Phyllis said it was a very pretty picture that had been given to a Maplesdon relation that lives in Rotorua - Errol and June had known him, as he worked in the forestry.

There was a big picture (print?) of 2 or 3 gun dogs. Manawatu Gorge painting. Phyllis climbing a fence photo. Father Le Croix. Richard feeding the calves (though that might have been in the dining room).