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1871 t0 1890 lived in Somersill Lane 1890 t0 1920 lived at Parakeratu 1920 till death lived at Rata Source Roger Meads Zachariah or Zechariah ? His name is spelt different ways in different places. He was born in Wellington following the arrival of his parents from England.. He always maintained that he was born in 1842. This was before his parents were married and before they had arrived in New Zealand. [His name was spelt Zechariah on his headstone] Listed as a Freeholder of New Zealand Listed as farmer of Marton. in the Rangatikei. Has 152 acres at a worth of pounds 40 in Marton Township and 915 in county. [note spelling of name as Zachariah in this document] THIS IS A COPY OF A LETTER FOUND WITH THE WILL OF WILLIAM GRAY AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IN WELLINGTON.N.Z. To My Honour- Justice Johnston Sir, Circumstances have taken place in this district of a very disagreeable nature in the family of William Gray [deceased], and which requires the notice of the authorities. Many of the settlers look to me as neglecting a duty which devolves on them as much as myself. I therefore trust that your honor will not view my interference as impertinent and uncalled for in now writing to you. Since Mr Strange's retirement I am not aware who the present registrar is. I may preface my remarks to honor by stating that at Mr Gray's death I took an interest in comforting the family by taking them into my house and keeping them there for four months while I was engaged in getting up a new house to replace the old wreck. When Mrs Gray got settled in with her family she got intimate with a family who succeeded to get her to dispose of some of the stock - while Bartlett and myself were under bonds to the supreme court as trustees- without my knowledge or consent. I called upon Mrs Gray and quietly named the thing and got offended by her inactivity. I then applied to Mr J Curl to get Bartlett and myself released and from that period all connection ceased. Mrs Gray engage a youth of about 18 years a son of Meads and afterwards married him. At the birth of the child she died and this youth became the guardian of the family. A few weeks ago a child was born to him by the eldest daughter of Mrs Gray and now aged about 18 years. the father very ignorant and the mother very inno and both proud of their parental position and the neighbours are afraid of the second daughter being violated in the same manner as her sister as they are very inno things and don't know what crime is. so therefore the sooner the court interfere the better for the whole family. I may mention to your honour I know very little as to the condition of the estate, but Meads lately put up a very large house. well finished but of very green material. The old house which I put up would have answered all purposes but this has been given over to Mac Green who is married to his sister. of course much of the stock must necessarily have gone to put up the new building and very likely some debt incurred. It is necessary I should bring under your honour's notice another very serious circumstance. Meads has bought Madam Lazare and her sister and a fine youth of 9 years from Mahebourg about 30 miles from Port Louis in Maritius. Mrs Gray's mother about 45 years and her sister about 35. French Creole. They can speak no English but the youth can do a little of both reading and writing it. They sold off their property to come and take the charge of the children - not being aware of the application of the English law and now have no funds to take them back. They are well bred people and cannot work but appear well adapted to care for children. Meads is not civil to them but very unkind and tries to get them disrespect from the children. They passed a week at my house and seemed to be very much horrified and shoked and were determined to try to get back to Maritius. but Dr Curl was here yesterday and informed me that they would be willing to remain here to look after the children if the thing could be so arranged. in the meantime what with the scantiness of food and money they are very miserable. If not presuming too much I would beg to give your honour my opinion relative to the management of the estate. It is possible to get from 200 to 300 rental annually for the land and the stock. there are 400 acres less seven sold to Bartlett of the bush and probably 70 to 100 head of cattle. This person who took it would have one house and Madam Lazare could have the other. or Madam Lazare could have a couple to manage the farm for about 100 pounds. but my opinion it would be better to let the place for a rental. Meantime I beg to remain Your Honours obedient servant John McBeth. Occupation Farmer The house mentioned here was still standing and was being used as a residence by Gerald Meads in the 1960's. It was well built and the green wood did not appear to have caused any problems. From Waituna West ennial magazine. Written by Brian Darryl Meads [grandson] During 1896-97 Zachariah Meads purchased a property on the Mangapapa road Pakihikura and another on the Kiwitea-Tapuae Road near its junction with the Upper Pakihikura and the Peep-O-Day roads. These properties had been taken up in partly cleared bush and the Meads Family sons felled the balance.

Farmer, Paraekaretu, Marton. This old colonist claims Wellington as his birthplace, having been born on Te Aro Flat in 1842. His parents removed to New Plymouth, where they stayed for a few years, but returned to Wellington, where Mr. Meads was educated, subsequently settling in the Wairarapa. They were camped on the summit of the Rimutaka during the night of the great earthquake of 1856. During their stay in the Wairarapa the Messrs. Meads had charge of Messrs. Gillies and Wilson's station. The subject of this sketch came to the Rangitikei in 1858, and having taken up land in the Parackaretu, assisted in driving the first sheep to the district. The chief outlet at this period was by Scott's Ferry, and the haulage was all done by bullocks. Mr. Meads during the Maori troubles served with the Union Volunteers, and the Rangitikei Cavalry, and was also in the militia. There is a fine homestead on his property containing twelve rooms. Mr. Meads married Miss Gray, and has six sons and ten daughters, one of the latter being head assistant-mistress of the College Street School, Palmerston North.