Octavious BOUSFIELD was the Government Surveyor for Napier, having come from England. He made the first survey of Napier and Taradale. HE also produced a scheme for diverting the Tutaekuri River. After marrying Ann, one of their residences was on the land where the Taradale Town Clock now stands. In 1868 they moved to Turanga, Poverty Bay, arriving on the 'Tarawera' on 22nd November. This settlement was stricken by the recent Te Kooti massacre. Octavious owned Taurika Station near Ormond for some time, and he bred horses. He and Ann later shifted to Gisborne where he resumed his practice as a surveyor in company wth Colonel Winter. Octavious had an untimelt end. The unofficial account of his death tells of some friends playing a trick on him and placing tacks under his saddle. The horse threw him and he landed on his head. HE died shortly after without regaining consciousness. HE was only 52, described as 'old' in his obituary!

Source: Cherry SWAYN