William Arthur Beecroft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Abt 1840 - Lowestoft, Suffolk, England 1
Christening:
Death: 12 Feb 1911 - Wroxham, Norfolk, England 1
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Biography
Mr. William Arthur Beecroft, formerly a member of the Hastings Borough Council, was born in Lowestoft. England, and came to New Zealand in the year 1865, by the ship "Liverpool," He landed at Auckland, and for a short time after his arrival was engaged in gum-digging. In 1866 he went to Napier, and then visited the Thames in the early days of the field. Two years later Mr. Beecroft returned to Napier, and was appointed salesman and manager to Messrs Kinross and Company, merchants, and remained with the firm for eight years. In 1877 Mr. Beecroft removed to Hastings, and purchased the Railway Hotel. Subsequently he established and conducted for many years one of the largest and most complete livery stables in Hawke's Bay. During the visit of the viceregal party to Hastings. His Excellency the Governor specially complimented Mr. Beecroft on the style of his laundaus and general turnout on that occasion. He also took first prize at the Palmerston Agricultural and Pastoral Show, for four years in succession, for the best pair of carriage horses. Mr. Beecroft owns the Lucknow estate at Havelock, on which he has built a residence known as "Dilkhoosha." He has been a successful breeder of Shropshire sheep, and has won first and champion prizes with his exhibits at the local agricultural and pastoral shows. Mr Beecroft took part in all matters associated with the advancement of Hastings, was a member of the Heretaunga Road Board until the district was taken over by the County Council, and was a member of the Hastings Borough Council in 1894. He is a Freemason, was lodge secretary for two years, and claims to be the father of the Foresters in Hawke's Bay, having called the first meeting of the Order, at Napier in 1871.• Immigration, to New Zealand on board the ship "Liverpool", 1865
• Event, Hawke's Bay Herald, 18 Feb 1879
Obtaining Money on False Pretences.• Event, Hawke's Bay Herald, 8 Aug 1884
John Frederic Dear, who was remanded from the previous day on a similar charge, was again charged with having obtained from W. A. Beecroft, hotelkeeper, the sum of £5 on false pretences.
Inspector Scully prosecuted, and Mr. Lee appeared for the prisoner.
William Arthur Beecroft stated that prisoner had been staying at the Railway Hotel at Hastings. On the 5th he asked witness for a blank cheque on the Union Bank, which he gave him. Prisoner then filled in a cheque for £5, and witness gave him five £1 notes for it. Prisoner said he had money in town, and that if he (witness) sent the cheque into town he should find it all right. On Saturday morning he sent the cheque into town he should find it all right. On Saturday morning he sent the cheque in to the bank at Napier. It was returned with the words "No advice" written on the back. Witness then got a policeman, and gave the cheque to him.
By Mr. Lee; I do not cash cheques for people whom I do not know. Prisoner was staying in my house for three days.
Britton Irwin, police constable, stated that on Saturday last he was sent for by Mr. Beecroft, who gave him the cheque (produced). He arrested prisoner at Napier; he made no statement except to say he would make it all right.
William Henry Tylee, clerk in the Union Bank, stated that he received the cheque produced on Saturday last. He returned it with the words "No advice" written on the back of it. There was no person named J. F. Dear had an account at the Union ABank.
Mr. Lee addressed the Court for the prisoner. He contended that prisoner's conduct was foolish rather than criminal, considering the surrounding circumstances. Prisoner also expected that some money would have been lodged to his credit in the bank by that time. He said hotelkeepers were themselves much to blame for cashing cheques for people they knew nothing about.
The Bench retired for a few minutes, and on returning into Court sentenced the prisoner to one month's imprisonment with hard labor in each case, the sentences to be concurrent. Their Worships also were of opinion that hotelkeepers and others were guilty of great folly for the loose manner in which they cashed cheques given to them by strangers.
At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Captain Prece, R.M., Pohuka Hapuka, on remand, was changed on the information of Constable Lawless with drunkeness. Defendant pleaded guilty. He was then further charged, on the information of William Arthur Beecroft, with refusing to leave informant's licensed premises at Hastings when requested to do so. Mr. Lascelles appeared in support of the information. Constable Lawless deposed to being called in to remove defendant from Beecroft's Hotel on Tuesday evening. Defendant was drunk and quarrelsome, and was destroying the furniture of the hotel. The evidence of informant, and of a native witness named Wiremu, who had been assaulted by defendant, was also taken. In the first case a fine of 10s and costs was imposed, with an alternative of 48 hours' hard labor. On the second charge defendant was fined L3, costs 2s, witnesses' expenses 18s, and solicitor's fee L1 1s. The fines were paid.• Obituary, Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, 11 Apr 1911
The many friends in New Zealand of Mr. W. A. Beecroft, formerly of Hastings, will regret to hear of his sudden death this week. Mr. Beecroft, who used to run a line of coaches in the Hawke's Bay district in the early days, and was a very well-known figure, came to England about three years ago, and bought a fine property at Wroxham, in Norfolk.
Parents
Father: Unkown Beecroft
Mother:
Sources
1. LDS - IGI Index (familysearch.org).