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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 445

(x) New Zealand 1845-66, undated reverse (Lieut. A Fookes, Taranaki M.S.), engraved local naming, claw tightened, very fine

203 Medals to the Taranaki Military Settlers.

Perhaps the best biography of Albert Cracroft Fookes can be taken from The Encyclopedia of New Zealand:

'Mr Albert Cracroft Fookes, who was the second Mayor of New Plymouth, and held office from 18 December 1878-17 December 1879, was born in Kent, England, in the year 1839, educated in Oxfordshire, and, after leaving school, was for seven years with a banking firm in London. Mr. Fookes came to New Zealand in 1861, by the ship “Black Eagle,” and shortly after joined the Wellington Defence Force as a trooper, on the breaking out of the Taranaki war. Having been promoted and transferred to the Taranaki Military Settlers, he served with the rank of Lieutenant through the East and West Coast campaigns from 1864 to 1868, and was awarded the New Zealand war Medal for his services. On the conclusion of the war, Mr. Fookes entered into business as a storekeeper at Waverley, but removed to New Plymouth in 1876, and successfully established the Midhirst Special Settlement. He carried on business in New Plymouth as a land broker for over twenty years. Mr. Fookes has served twice on the Borough Council, and was connected with the New Plymouth High School Board of Governors and school committee for several years.'

Fookes died in 1916 and, remarkably, his plots of land were still due their rates of $4,196.92 up until 2018 (https://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/108201990/mayors-rates-bill-will-be-paid--102-years-after-he-died, refers). His name was also upon the deeds of the Tariki Hall Trust. A street is still in his name today, whilst Puke Ariki hold a photograph of Willowfield, the house he lived in (PHO2011-1101, refers).

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£750

Starting price
£270