Thomas Herbert John BILBY [1328]

  General Notes:

On 26 Mar 2004 Rosemary Filsell of Adelaide SA alerted me to a possible connection with our GUNTER family through Jane GUNTER Thomas Herbert John BILBY in Wellington, NZ, so the BILBY file has been created by Mary Cannell for clarification.


AJHR 1877 - Masters, Mates & Engineering, Certificate of Competency granted under Merchant Ships Officers Examination Act 1870. Rank: Master, Certificate issued 25 May 1877, No. 5087.

AJHR 1877 - Thomas Herbert John BILBY, b. 10.11.1849, London.
Cert No. 5D87, Exam: 5.9.77, Issued: 25.5.1977 [sic] (? 1877).

Name: Bilby, Thomas Herbert John
Flourished: 1876-1879
Role: Master

Abstract: Master of the schooner SHEPHERDESS (40305) in 1876 & 1879, when she was wrecked, 16 Sep 1879. The 'Watt Index' should be consulted for fuller details.

Ship "Shepherdess"
1876 Sep 10Shipwreck
1879 May 27Shipwreck

NZ MARITIME INDEX
Person Details ( 8 of 68 )
Name: Bilby, Thomas Herbert John
Flourished: 1876 - 1879
Role: Master
Abstract: Master of the schooner SHEPHERDESS (40305) in 1876 & 1879, when she was wrecked, 16 Sep 1879.
The 'Watt Index' should be consulted for fuller details.
Source: Index to the NZ section of the register. .1840-1950 Volume 5 Pages 177-193.
Title: [Masters listed in 'Watt Index']
Article Abstract: From a list of Masters of vessels appearing in the 'Index to the New Zealand Section of the Register of All British Ships 1840 - 1950' inclusive, otherwise know as the 'Watt Index'.
Entries in the 'Watt Index' give a description and history of each listed vessel. Events such as marine accidents or the loss of a vessel usually include the master's name. It is possible therefore to trace particular events in the career of a master through the histories of one or more such vessels. Preliminary entries extracted here have only the master's last name and initial, indicating that there is something on them in the source index. Completed ones also note the vessel name, official number and the year. Fuller information may be obtained by consulting the vessels section of the 'Watt Index', and thereafter, other sources such as newspapers, if relevant. (List includes the following names: Apera Pukenui, Hami Teira, K W Kanerara, A Moko Moko, H Ngaru, H Ngapaki, A Paora, M W Pirihi, and J W Temarama.)

Thomas Herbert John BILBY, Sea Captain AJHR (=Appendices of the Journals of the House of Representative)

AJHR 1877, Section H29, page 24
Date of incident: 10 September 1876
Name of Vessel / Shepherdess / Age of Vessel / 34 years
Rig: Schooner / Reg. Tonnage: 38
Crew: 3
Cargo: Ballast
Casualty: Stranded, partial loss
Place:Barrett's Reef at entrance of Wellington Harbour (where Waihine came to grief)
Wind Direction Calm
Court findings: Master possibly committed error of judgement in standing too close to Barrett's Reef when tacking
Master: Thomas H.J. Bilby

AJHR 1877, Section H29, page 17
Return of Masters, Mates & Engineers to who Certificates of Competency have been granted under "The Merchant Ships Officers Examination Act 1870" during the Financial Year 1876-1877.
Name:BILBY, Thomas Herbert John
Rank: Master
Class of Certificate: Home trade
Date Cert. Issued: 25 May 1877
Certificate No: 5,087
Issued under the provisions of Her Majesty's Order in Council of 12 February 1876, and have the same force as similar certificates granted by the Board of Trade in the United Kingdom.

AJHR 1879, Section H10, page 29
Date: May 27
Vessel: Shepherdess
Age: 37 yrs
Rig: Topsail Schooner
Tonnage: 30
Crew: 3
Passengers: Nil
Cargo: Timber
Nature of Casualty: Stranded; partial loss
No. lives lost:
Place happened: Kaikoura Harbour
Direction: S.W.
Force: Fresh breeze
Court findings: Casualty caused by bad condition of the harbour moorings
Master: T.H.J. Bilby

AJHR 1880, Section H13, page 25
Date: 1 September 1879
Name of Vessel: Shepherdess
Age of Vessel: 7yrs [sic.] (? 37yrs)
Rig: Schooner Reg
Tonnage: 30
Crew: 3
Cargo: . . . .
Nature of Casualty: Stranded; total loss
No. of lives lost: 1
Place happened: Constant Pay [sic.] (?Bay), Charleston, County of Buller
Wind Force: Calm
Court Finding: Heavy rollers breaking into the bay caused vessel to carry away her moorings and drift ashore
Name of Master: Thomas Herbert John Bilby

(Could the following Thomas Bilby, be Thomas Herbert John Bilby?)

1882 - an Unassisted Immigrant Passenger List
Name: Thomas Bilby - 3rd Mate
Est D.O.B.: abt 1846
Age: 36
Port of Departure: Melbourne
Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales
Arrival Date: 6 Oct 1882
Name of Vessel: Rodondo
Origin location: London

Star, Issue 5925, 11 May 1887, Page 3
Alleged Conspiracy to Defraud.
A "CONSULTATION" CASE. Yesterday a man named Thomas Herbert Bilby was arrested on a charge of keeping a gaming-house, and having instruments of gaming in his possession, contrary to the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Act. It is stated that he came to Christchurch about three weeks ago from Wellington, and at once started a consultation on the Dunedin Birthday Meeting, under the name of Eagle's Nest, Killarney." He hired a box at the Post Office, and sent out printed circulars and books of tickets to all parts of the Colony, in the name of Steppleton." The persons to whom these were sent seem to have been under the impression that they had been issued by Mr T. Stapleton, who, in the days when consultations were legal, was widely known as the promoter of the Robin Hood sweep, and whose reputation for probity and fair dealing stands high. The recipients of the tickets, it is stated, had been mostly clients of Mr Stapleton, and many of them accordingly disposed of the Eagle'a Nest tickets in good faith. Some however, returned the books unsold. A few days ago the police here got an intimation of what was going on, and yesterday morning Inspector Fender; with Chief Detective T. Neill and Constable Gaffney, watched Bilby go to the Post Office and take some letters from his box. They then followed him to his lodgings in Gloucester street, where he was arrested. In his room were found a number of letters from persons who had evidently sent him money. One of them coutained a Post Officer order for L6 There were also copies of Mr "Steppleton's" circular, and books of tickets to be used in the consultation. These were neatly got up, and bore a picture representing a view of Killarney. The whole of the "stock in-trade" was seized, and an information for conspiracy to defraud was laid against Bilby and another man, who was believed to be in Wellington. Last night Inspector Pender received news of his arrest in that city.

R.M. COURT PROCEEDINGS.
At the Resident Masgistrate's Court this morning, before R. Westenra and H. J. Hall, Esqs, Thomas Herbert Bilby was charged with conspiring with one H. J. Rogers, on or about April 27, to defraud G. E. Smith at Wellington. T. H. Bilby was further charged with keeping a common gambling house on May 10. Mr Pender said that another man concerned in the case had been arrested in Wellington. A remand would have to be asked f or, to procure the attendance of this man. Mr Stringer appeared for the accused, and asked that he be admitted to bail. Mr Pender was bound to say that he had been informed that accused, who was a seafaring man, was about to pass an examination in navigation, and then intended to clear out in a ship. Mr Stringer said that, as a fact, the man actually held a master's certificate, which was, with other papers, in Mr Pender's possession. His client could not very well clear out. The Bench fixed the bail at £100, and two sureties of £50 each. Accused was then remanded till May 14.

[ARREST IN WELLINGTON. Per Press Association.]
WELLINGTON, May 11.
H. J. Rogers, a draper, who occupies a good position in one of the leading firms here, was arrested on a warrant issued at Christchurch, on a charge of conspiring with others to defraud by means of a sweep to the amount of £2000, contrary to the Gaming and Lotteries Act. The case was remanded till to-morrow, bail being fixed at £100.

Southland Times , Issue 9516, 12 May 1887, Page 2
After Pigeons. [By Telegraph.]
Christchurch, May 11.
At the R.M. Court today, Thomas Herbert Bilby was charged, with conspiracy with H. J. Rogers, to defraud G. E. Smith, at Wellington. He was remanded till May 14th, bail being allowed. It is alleged that he issued tickets on a consultation on the Dunedin races in the name of Stapleton, sending them all over the colony. The recipients supposed them to be issued by Thomas Stapleton, the former promoter of the Robin Hood consultations. Inspector Pender stated that he had reason to believe that Bilby intended leaving tho colony immediately. Several letters from persons who had purchased tickets in the consultation, "which he called "Eagles Nest, Killarney,"
Wellington, May 11.
H. J. Rogers, a draper, who occupies a good position in one of the leading firms here, was arrested on a warrant issued at Christchurch on a charge of conspiring with others to defraul by means of a sweep to the amount of £2000 contrary to the Gaming and Lotteries Act. A man named Bilby, alias Stapleton, is in custody at Chrintchurch on the same charge. The case was remanded till to-morrow, bail being fixed at £I00.

Star , Issue 5933, 20 May 1887, Page 3
Magistrate's Court, Christchurch.
This day. (Before John Ollivier, Esq., R.M., and R. Westenra, Esq.)
THE ALLEGED GAMBLING CASES. - Herbert Thomas Bilby, alias J. W. Stapleton, was charged with unlawfully establishing sweepstakes, to wit, the D J.C. Birthday Handicap, at Christchurch, on March 2; also, with unlawfully disposing of certain tickets designated the "Eagle's Nest, Killarney," by which authority was gained by one John Blaney to have an interest in the aforesaid sweep; that he did unlawfully send to one John Blaney, of Dunedin, a publican, a circular in connection with the above; also, with keeping a common gaming house at Christchurch on May 10, and with conspiring with one H. J. Rogers, of Wellington, on April 27, to defraud one G. E. Smith of £6, at Wellington. Mr Stringer, who appeared for the accused, said they pleaded guilty to the first three charges, and not guilty to the charge of keeping a common "gaming house," but afterwards, on consideration, withdrew the plea on that charge. Mr Pender said the affair was a most systematic one: Accused had tickets printed and books got out in the name of J. W. Stapleton, thereby attempting to throw a gloss of respectability over the affair, by using a name similar to that of a man who, some years ago, while sweeps were still legalised, had conducted sweeps under the name of "Robin Hood." These sweeps were conducted in a perfectly fair manner. At present he had no intention of pressing the charge of conspiracy, until he heard sentence passed on the other charges. Mr Stringer argued that the various charges were in reality one offence. His client could not pay a heavy fine, and had pleaded guilty to the charges. He asked that the sentence might be made as lenient as possible. The Bench intimated that they would consider the cases, and deliver sentence subsequently.
[The fines inflicted amounted in all to £127. Six months' hard labour in default.]

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1631, 21 May 1887, Page 3
Telegraphic News (per Press Association.)
Christchurch, May 20.
At the R.M. Court to-day, Herbert Thomas Bilby, alias J. W. Stapleton, pleaded guilty to unlawfully establishing sweepstakes on the D.J.C. Handicap, at Christchurch, on the 2nd March, and unlawfully disposing of certain tickets, designated "Eagles nest Killarney," by which authority was gained by John Blarney to save his interest in the aforesaid sweep; in unlawfully sending to Blarney, of Dunedin, publican, a circular in connection with the above; and in keeping a common gaming house at Christchurch, on May 10th. He was fined £127, with the alternative of six months' imprisonment in default. The charge of conspiracy with H. J. Rogers, of Wellington, was withdrawn.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7750, 23 May 1887, Page 2
TELEGRAPHIC
Greymouth, Saturday
The commission to inquire into the Wallsend mine explosion sat for a few minutes yesterday, when it was decided to adjourn for a week to enable Inspector Linns to be present.
At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, Herbert Thomas Bilby, alias J.W. Stapleton, pleaded guilty to unlawfully establishing a sweep stake on the D.J.C. Birthday Handicap at Christchurch, on 2nd March, and unlawfully disposing of certain tickets, designated "Eagle's Nest, Killarney," by which authority was gained by John Blaney to have an interest in the aforesaid sweep; of unlawfully sending to Blaney, of Dunedin, a publican, a circular in connection with the above, and keeping a common gaming house at Christchurch on 10th May. He was fined £127, with the alternative of six months, imprisonment in default. The charge of conspiracy with L.J. Rogers, of Wellington, was withdrawn.

England & Wales National Probate Calendar 1861-1941
BILBY Thomas otherwise Thomas Herbert John of 1 Duncombe-street Grimsby Lincolnshire died 18 April 1912. Probate London 17 May 1912 to Alfred Dobson master joiner. Effects £664 3s. 9d.

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me THOMAS BILBY of No 1 Duncombe Street Grimsby in the County of Lincolnshire made this Monday day of April 8th in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and 12 - I hereby revoke all wills made by me at any time heretofore I appoint Alfred Dobson Master Joiner 51 East March Street Grimsby to be my EXECUTOR and direct that all my debts and funeral expenses shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease i give and bequeath unto To Florence Chapman the gold watch & chain which was belonging to my late housekeeper Alice Francis Chapman also to Jennie Sanderson the sum of twenty pounds abnd to my executor the sum the sum of twenty five pounds for services rendered and the residue of all my real and personal estate of every discripteon inclusive of the dwelling house and premices No 1 Dumcombe Stgreet to John Robert Chapman the son of Alice Francis Chapmen my deceased house keeper absolutely - - THOMAS BILBY - Signed by the said testator in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses HERBERT WILLIAM WRIGHT - FREDERICK CHASE
Affidavit of due execution filed.
On the 17th day of May 1912 Probate of this will was granted to Alfred Dobson the sole executor.
(in right-hand column: THOMAS otherwise THOMAS HERBERT JOHN BILBY 3.)

Died 27 May 1912 England ?
Thomas Bilby's Death Record indicates born abt 1848.

  Research Notes:

The following could be Thomas Herbert John Bilby's father - an entry found in Lloyds Register -
BILBY, William b.Norfolk 1825 C21817 Shields 1860
vol.2 1860-1873; vol.16 1874; vol.29 1880-1887; vol.44 no voyages listed

  Other Records

• NZ Electoral Rolls 1853-1981: master mariner, 1880, Tory St, Wellington, NZ.

• Directories: Wises NZPO, 1885-1886, Manners St Wgtn. Furniture Dealer

• Directories: Wises NZPO, 1890-1891, Argyle St Wgtn.

• NZ Electoral Rolls 1853-1981: mariner, 1890, Little Taranaki St, Wellington, NZ.

• NZ City & Area Directories 1866-1954, 1891, Argyle St, Wellington, NZ (lhs from Lorne st).

• Directories: Wises NZPO, 1892-1893, Little Taranaki St, Wellington, NZ.

• NZ Electoral Rolls 1853-1981: mariner, 1896, Little Taranaki St, Wellington, NZ.

• Resided: at Death, 1912, 1 Duncombe-street Grimsby Lincolnshire.

• England & Wales Probate Calendar: Probate, 1912, 1 Duncombe st Grimsby Wiltshire England.

Thomas married Jane GUNTER [753] [MRIN: 439], daughter of Henry GUNTER [746] and Elizabeth PHILLIPS [755], on 23 Mar 1874 in Wellington. (Jane GUNTER [753] was born Mar Qtr 1850 in Staines, Middlesex, England, died on 30 Jun 1929 in Palmerston North, New Zealand and was buried on 1 Jul 1929 in Kelvin Grove Cemetery, Palmerston North, NZ.)