Robert John Michael: a Te Aroha labourer

Abstract

An Irishman, Michael prospected at Waihi before settling in Te Aroha in late 1882, where he owned several worthless mines close to that settlement and also at Stoney Creek. He also acquired and developed farmland on the edge of Te Aroha, but struggled to retain it, and fought (sometimes literally) with some of his neighbours. His main occupation became repairing the township’s roads, and he was recalled as being the borough’s sole employee, working for years on its roads. His private life was complicated by his partner already being married, meaning they could not marry. Ill health led to the early death of a hard working labourer whose personal life was the most unusual feature of his years at Te Aroha.