MacKERSEY John 1877
JOHNSRON Sydney 1878
HERRICK Joseph 1879
JOHNSTON Sydney 1880
DILLON Alfred 1885
SMITH W.C 1885
HERRICK Joseph L 1887
BRIDGE H.H. 1888
HALL Charles 1889
SMITH W.C. 1889
BIBBY E 1893
KNIGHT William Frederick 1894
JULL Albert E. 1895
JOHNSTON Sydney 1899
ERICKSEN O. 1901
JULL A.E. 1902
ERICKSEN O. 1908
JULL A.E. 1908
McKAY L 1911
HOLDEN J. 1923
COOK A.W.J 1923
ROBOTTOM A. 1926
GLENNY L 1929
PAULSEN M.N 1933
THOMSEN Chas 1948
SMITH F.R 1955
MORTON B.C 1959
ADDIS Keith 1971
District Chairman ADDIS Keith 1978-1981
ADAM Michael 1981-1989

1868

Abouth the time Henry Arrow who recorded census population , the need arose to have some kind or organised body within the township to look after the welfare of its people. It was decided to call a meeting. It was resolved to elect 3 to five to watch its interests in this and local matters

The following were then duly elected to form the said committee.F.S.ABBOTT E.BIBBY W.RATHBONE S.WINSORR. PHILLIPS Chairman

Unfortunately no date was recorded on minutes but would seem to be 1868

One of first duties was to compile a list of residents for a "Patrol Group" for this was a time of native unrest.

Waipawa Patrol List- Nov 1868-

Tuesday, 17th.

COLLINS KENNEDY, BIBBY, DUNCAN, LIDDLE.

Wednesday 18th

N.McGREEVY, WINSOR, GREENSIDE, J.SEBLEY HALPIN, PHILLIPS

Thursday 19th

Peter BOIS, HORAN, T.SMITH, TODD, DAVIS, W.SMITH, DURAND

Friday 20th

MARONEY, LLOYD, GREGORY, ROBB, COWPER, HAMELING

Saturday 21st

HOTHAM, S.McGREEVY, H.SEBLEY, RATHBONE, BRITTEN, CLOUD

Sunday 22nd

HANCOCK .BRADLEY, BUNTING, ROSE, ABBOTT, BENNETT

Monday 23rd

ARROW, TAGGART, HATTIS, SULLIVAN, OFFOR, ABBOTT

FORM AT THE courthouse at Midnight.

A point that needs clarifying is the name Abbottsford. As far as ascertained, prior to F.S.ABBOTT taking up the land it was known by its pretty Maori name of Waipawa.

Several meanings of thisname are proffered. Perhaps the most popular being Smokey Water. Abbotsford Smith suggests long ago a party of Maoris had been gathering shellfish at the beach and on their return one of the party, a young wahine stooped to drink from the river- a pawa (paua) fell from the sack she was carrying into the water. The sight of the shellfish in the fresh water appealed to her sense of humour and she exclaimed "Wai pawa", from that day forward the local Maoris referred to that sport as Waipawa.

Gradually the inhabitants began referring to their town as Waipawa again. Perhaps if Abbott had remained instead of returning to England his name may have endured.