John W? Audian Watts (1831 – 1862)

It was the odd length and the bars over this grave that made me take a closer look.  Makes one think that someone wanted to make sure he stayed in there – they were a superstitious lot back then – but even that madness wouldn’t explain the length.  I haven’t seen another grave like it …

Leontine Standish – Countess de Lapasture (1843 – 1869)

Leontine Standish was described as a charming, graceful social butterfly. She must have been that and more as she caught the eye of a Count who clearly adored her – Gerald Gustaus Ducarel, the 4th Marquis de Lapasture. They were married in England on the 4th July 1864. Even though Gerald was from a long …

Thomas Hanmer (1827 – 1892)

Thomas Hanmer (1827-1892) is mostly known as the man which Hanmer Springs is named after – even though he never settled there. He was the first to survey the area in 1852. Named “Te Whakatakaka O Te O Ahi Tamatea” by the Maori, to the Europeans it was a good route to drive their cattle …