John Rochford (1832-1893) - surveyor and engineer, remembered for his surveys of the West Coast .

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DescriptionJohn Rochford (1832-1893) - surveyor and engineer, principally remembered for his surveys of the West Coast of the South Island.

The essence of Rochfort is to be found in the remarkable little book he wrote at 21, The adventures of a surveyor in New Zealand and the Australian gold diggings. It is a rollicking tale from a high-spirited young man who gave two bottles of grog to a ferryman to drop the doctrinaire missionary, William Colenso, in the sea, where 'he lay at full length like a half-tide rock'; and who described a furious landlady demanding recompense from him for 'three wine glasses, an arm-chair, and a wash-hand basin, all of which were killed or wounded in the last night's engagement'. Small wonder that the solemn surveyor gazing from a late photograph retains the hint of a twinkle in his eye.

To read more about his life, click on "external link" below.Date of Photo1832-1893)Map^[1]External LinkTe Ara - Encyclopedia of NZContributorHeather Newby

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Location (city or town)West CoastPersonJohn Rochford

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Date Created5th September 2023CommentsWill Savage
Barry Louis Rochford

Jonathan Watson
Rochfort also surveyed extensively in central north island. He died in the Star Tavern, (still trading today) ,Kihikihi, and is buried in the Kihikihi cemetary.

Wayne Nicholson
Golf Links Rd in Kaiata was also known as Rochford Rd earlier on.

Melva Crampton
Rochfort Street, Greymouth- my home for over 35 years. Note the correct spelling - ending in a "t" not "d". Mount Rochfort in the Buller also memorializes his amazing feats!

Dennis Reid
Melva Crampton Mount Rochford ,is that at Denniston?

Keith Baigent
Dennis Reid Yes Mt Rochfort is near Denniston.

Melva Crampton
Mount Rochfort is behind and above Westport, I think it had the TV signal tower on it and has been looked at for open-cast coal mining recently, I believe. Denniston is a bit further north above Waimangaroa. Note the last letter is a "t" not a "d"

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John Rochford (1832-1893) - surveyor and engineer, remembered for his surveys of the West Coast .

Editing is temporarily disabled