CYCLOPEDIA OF NZ 1897

Wellington Province

OTAKI:

BRIGHT, Frederick

Page 1100

Bright, Frederick. Settler, Otaki. This old colonist was born in 1833 in Essex, England, where he was educated. For several years he was engaged in the butchering trade in London before coming to Wellington per ship `Indian Queen,' in 1857. After working three years at his trade, including some time on the Collingwood diggings, Mr Bright entered into business in the Empire city as a pork butcher. In 1863 he started a trade in live stock with Otago, and afterwards undertook stock buying on the West Coast of the North Island for Mr J. Gear. Subsequently he lived for several years as a settler at Paikakariki where he kept an accommodation house, and at Pukerua where he worked a farm. In 1875 Mr Bright removed to Otaki, where he took the Telegraph Hotel, after conducting which for three years he again went on to his farm. The Family Hotel, one of the most prominent buildings in Otaki, was erected by Mr Bright in 1881 and conducted by him for six years. For nearly ten years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, his holdings consisting of about 1000 acres in the district and some 300 acres at Pukerua. His residence is a fine two-storey villa near the railway station, known as Kaingariki. In 1863 Mr Bright was married to the eldest daughter of Mr F W Bills, and has three daughters and two sons. As an Oddfellow, Mr Bright has been a member of the Antipodean Lodge, Wellington, for thirty five years.

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