Letters to Emma: Early Oamaru through the eyes of the Sumpter family

The 'black 1880s' were a hard time for many in New Zealand, and this was felt across society -- for young men struggling to establish themselves and 'patriarchs' alike.

Such a patriarch was George Sumpter, prominent citizen of Oamaru, sometime Mayor, Provincial Representative, father of eleven, and general wheeler-dealer. And such a young man was Richard Davies, a Welsh immigrant who came to work for George and, in the best tradition of fairy tales, fell in love with George's first-born chil...