Frederick Orton Hamilton
Frederick Orton Hamilton (27 December 1873 – 25 July 1945) was a Nelson, New Zealand wool, grain, and produce and general merchant who led the development of his region's horticulture.
Family[edit]
He was born in Greymouth, West Coast, New Zealand on 27 December 1873 second son, by his first wife Sarah Jane Orton, of the fourteen children of Francis Hamilton, then a hardware merchant and later a mayor of Greymouth.[1]
Frederick married Isabelle Porter, second daughter of Colonel T W Porter and Herewaka Porourani Potae who was to inherit the high rank of Ariki Tapirau in Te Whanau-a-Apanui. Frederick and Isabelle were leading personalities in Nelson. She died in 1936, he died in 1945. They were survived by four daughters and two sons.[1]
E Buxton & Co[edit]
Francis Hamilton bought E Buxton & Co, general merchants in 1881 and greatly expanded the business so that it handled a large wholesale and retail trade in agricultural, mining, building and household equipment and groceries. As a stock and station agency it handled wool hops and barley, purchased directly from farmers. The barley was malted and supplied to local breweries.[2]
After the business was restructured in 1936 it was renamed Buxton's. In 1963 it was sold to Wright Stephenson & Co.
Frederick Hamilton entered the firm ten years after his father had purchased it. After three years he went to work for the hardware business of Briscoe, MacNeil & Co as a representative covering the East Coast of the North Island. Appointed a director of Buxton's when his father died in 1901 Frederick developed broader interests for the firm now run with his brothers.[1]
Horticulture[edit]
Apples[edit]
When apples began to be grown for export Frederick offered growers financial help. He also successfully lobbied the government to offer apple exporters a guaranteed price and help with marketing arrangements in London.[1]
Hops[edit]
A district hop growers association was founded in 1918. Hamilton offered them his full co-operation and his enthusiasm and encouragement in the development of hop marketing led to his being appointed their managing agent.[1]
Tobacco[edit]
Gerhard Husheer of the New Zealand Tobacco Company was persuaded by Hamilton to choose Nelson for tobacco-growing following a visit to the district in 1914. Again Hamilton offered supervision of the culture of the crop and offered growers financial help.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Kuchciak, Natalie. "Frederick Orton Hamilton". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ page 98, The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Nelson District), The Cyclopedia Company Limited, Christchurch 1906