{{Short description|New Zealander businessman}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

'''William Royse''' (6 April 1838 – 10 August 1892) was a Dunedin-based businessman active in New Zealand from 1861 until his death in 1892. thumb|Royse Mudie & Co's Bond, High St, Dunedin, New Zealand circa 1865

== Early life == thumb|left|The Rising Sun, taken 14 April 2006 William Royse was born in Sheffield, England on 6 April 1838, to Isaac and Rachel Royse (née Darwent). Rachel's parents William and Sarah Darwent were the freeholders and victuallers of the Rising Sun Public House on Thornhill Moor in the Peak District, Derbyshire.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grange, E and M Burpoe (ARS Ltd) |title=An Heritage Impact Assessment and Historic Buildings Appraisal of the Rising Sun, Bamford, Derbyshire |url=https://her.derbyshire.gov.uk/Source/SDR24367 |website=Derbyshire Historic Environment Record |publisher=Derbyshire County Council |access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref>

Royse went to school at Hall Cross Academy, Doncaster. In 1859, at age 21, he left for Australia to join his uncle, Joseph Darwent.

Darwent had gone to Australia in 1849 to become Secretary of the [https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Gov03_10Rail-t1-body-d27.html Adelaide City and Port Railway Company]. When the undercapitalised Railway Company abandoned the city to port project Darwent headed to the Victorian gold diggings at Bendigo and made a series of large gold strikes that enabled him to establish a trading and shipping company based in Adelaide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Darwent |first1=Joseph |title=Letter from the Diggings |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Darwent%27s_Letter_from_the_Australian_Gold_Diggings_1853.pdf |access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref>

== Business career == thumb|left|NZ Grain Agency & Mercantile Co. - Southland Times 1 Feb 1882 In 1861, as the Otago gold rush was getting underway, Royse went to Dunedin, New Zealand, as the shipping agent for Darwent's steamship ''Maid of the Yarra''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Steam to the Taieri |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18611026.2.15.1 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=OTAGO WITNESS |issue=517 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=26 October 1861}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoskin |first=John |date=31 December 2018 |title=MAID OF THE YARRA |url=https://www.flotilla-australia.com/2hsmith.htm#maid-yarra-hs |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=FLOTILLA AUSTRALIA – AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING LINES}}</ref> The following year the partnership with his uncle was dissolved,<ref>{{cite news |title=DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18620520.2.4.2 |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=OTAGO DAILY TIMES |issue=159 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=20 May 1862}}</ref> and Royse formed Royse, Mudie & Co. with John Bell Mudie,<ref>{{cite news |title=SHIPPING AND COMMISSION AGENCY OFFICES |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18620520.2.4.2 |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=OTAGO DAILY TIMES |issue=159 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=20 May 1862}}</ref> trading in Dunedin as merchants, shipping and commission agents, and bonded warehousemen.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stevens and Bartholomew |title=Stevens and Bartholomew's New Zealand directory for 1866–67 – DUNEDIN |date=1867 |publisher=The University of Auckland |location=EARLY NEW ZEALAND BOOKS |pages=60 |url=http://www.enzb.auckland.ac.nz/popup.php?wid=4584&pn=60&action=pb |access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref> They continued to represent ships connected with Darwent, notably ''[https://www.flotilla-australia.com/bluemu.htm#aldinga-bluemu Aldinga]'' and ''Omeo'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39272959 |title=Obituary |newspaper=South Australian Register |volume=XXXVII |issue=8102 |location=South Australia |date=4 November 1872 |accessdate=31 July 2022 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> on the Adelaide, Melbourne, Otago route managed by McMeckan, Blackwood & Co.<ref>{{cite news |title=STEAMSHIPS OMEO AND ALDINGA |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18620520.2.4.1 |access-date=31 July 2022 |work=OTAGO DAILY TIMES |issue=159 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=20 May 1862}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Shipping Notice. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18630108.2.2.2 |access-date=31 July 2022 |work=OTAGO DAILY TIMES |issue=328 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=8 January 1863}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=THE LATE MR WM. ROYSE. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18920818.2.28 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=OTAGO WITNESS |issue=2008 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=18 August 1892}}</ref>

In 1866, trading as Royse, Mudie and Miller, the business offered "Liberal Advances on every description of Stock and Station Securities", with an office in Oamaru, and agents representing it in London, Timaru, Christchurch, Hokitika and Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news |title=Royse, Mudie and Miller's Notices |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NOT18661123.2.16.3 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=NORTH OTAGO TIMES |volume=VII|issue=157 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=23 November 1866}}</ref> By 1868 Royse and Mudie were in financial difficulties. A large grain speculation venture they supplied had failed and later ended up in the Supreme Court,<ref>{{cite news |title=SUPREME COURT, DUNEDIN. Anderson and Mowat V. Burke. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WCT18701104.2.18 |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=WEST COAST TIMES |issue=1593 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=4 November 1870}}</ref> and on 25 November 1868, in Hokitika, William Royse filed notice of his inability to meet his creditors under the Bankruptcy Act.<ref>{{cite news |title=In The Bankruptcy Act 1867 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WCT18681126.2.2.7 |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=WEST COAST TIMES |issue=992 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=26 November 1868}}</ref>

However his bankruptcy was short-lived. On 15 December 1868, at Westland District Court, his last financial examination and application for discharge from bankruptcy was fixed for 5 January 1869, and Royse's lawyer applied for him to be excused, so he could depart for Adelaide.<ref>{{cite news |title=WESTLAND DISTRICT COURT - IN BANKRUPTCY |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WCT18681215.2.11 |access-date=14 August 2022 |work=WEST COAST TIMES |issue=1008 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=15 December 1868}}</ref> Royse sailed for South Australia on the ''Omeo'' on 22 December 1868. Prior to his departure, he was wished God speed at an evening at the Grand Hotel, attended by a number of the leading citizens of Hokitika, where the wines flowed in abundance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Untitled |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WCT18681222.2.8&srpos=6889&e=-------100--6801-byDA---2royse+mudie-- |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=WEST COAST TIMES |issue=1014 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=22 December 1868}}</ref> John Bell Mudie was declared bankrupt in the Supreme Court on 22 February 1869.<ref>{{cite news |title=SUPREME COURT – IN BANKRUPTCY. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18690223.2.15 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=OTAGO DAILY TIMES |issue=2200 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=23 February 1869}}</ref>

On 2 September 1869, at Holy Trinity Church in East Melbourne, William Royse married Catherine (Kate) McCrae (28 April 1842 – 24 April 1918). In 1871 he and Catherine arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, and built a home, now named Dorset House, at 112 Park Terrace (now 1 Dorset St), opposite Hagley Park.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bickler, PhD |first1=Simon H. |last2=Best, PhD |first2=Simon |title=2007.160.52, Brick, R S Frog |url=http://bickler.co.nz/bricks/canterbury.php?row=5 |website=NZ Brick Database |publisher=NZ Historical Archaeologists |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=FOR SALE OR TO LET |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18731001.2.2.5 |access-date=30 July 2022 |work=PRESS |issue=2545 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=1 October 1873}}</ref> The same year Royse entered into a partnership with George Gatonby Stead, forming Royse, Stead & Co.<ref>{{cite news |title=PARTNERSHIP NOTICE |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18710121.2.20.1 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=PRESS |volume=XVIII|issue=2412 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=21 January 1871}}</ref> This business built up extensive interests as grain traders, shipping agents, brick makers, maltsters, and property developers, among other activities.<ref>{{cite news |title=AT ST KILDA. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18780208.2.23 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=STAR (CHRISTCHURCH) |issue=3078 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=8 February 1878}}</ref>

Royse also invested in sheep farming in Hawkes Bay in the North Island, where he owned 23,479 acres of {{Proper name|Kereru}} Station,<ref>{{cite web |title=Map, the property of W Royse Esq, {{Proper name|Kereru}}, Hawke's Bay |url=http://collection.mtghawkesbay.com/search.do?id=44920&db=object&page=1&view=detail |website=MTG Hawke’s Bay |publisher=NCC |access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref> and established an award-winning merino stud with Mr John Anderson of Otago.<ref>{{cite news |title=The advent of new settlers |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18780510.2.6 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=HAWKE'S BAY HERALD |volume=XXI|issue=5072 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=10 May 1878}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=THE A. AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DTN18851015.2.13 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=DAILY TELEGRAPH |issue=4435 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=15 October 1885}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Messrs Royse and Anderson have received a notification from the Colonial Treasurer |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18870329.2.5? |access-date=1 December 2024 |work=DAILY TELEGRAPH |issue=7704 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=29 March 1887}}</ref>

In 1881 Royse, Stead & Co. won a first prize at the Melbourne International Exhibition for twelve samples of cereals.<ref>{{cite news |title=MELBOURNE EXHIBITION AWARDS |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18810129.2.13 |access-date=31 July 2022 |work=EVENING STAR |issue=5583 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=29 January 1881}}</ref> They also exhibited at the [https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/45428/new-zealand-international-exhibition-1882 New Zealand International Exhibition, 1882] in Christchurch, showing specimens of European flax and wheat, grown in Hawkes Bay.<ref>{{cite book |title=NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION RECORD |date=1882 |publisher=Christchurch City Libraries |page=lxix |url=https://heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Publications/1880s/InternationalExhibition/PDF/107730-038.pdf |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>

In 1882 Royse sold out of Royse, Stead & Co to facilitate the formation of The New Zealand Grain Agency and Mercantile Company Limited, floated in Great Britain and New Zealand with a capital of £1,000,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=THE NEW ZEALAND GRAIN AGENCY AND MERCHANTILE COMPANY LIMITED |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18820201.2.18.4 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=SOUTHLAND TIMES |issue=4238 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=1 February 1882}}</ref> This business failed in 1884 due to drought and the long depression of the 1880s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Story: Stead, George Gatonby |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2s41/stead-george-gatonby |website=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography |publisher=TE ARA The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>

Royse, now based back in Dunedin, set about developing a large landholding for sheep farming in Southland on the Mataura River down to Toetoes Bay, consisting of four properties, Birchwood, Thornhill, Ocean View and Springfield, totaling 8,568 acres.<ref>{{cite news |title=IMPORTANT, ABSOLUTE, & UNRESERVED SALE OF PROPERTIES IN SOUTHLAND |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18860312.2.25.3 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=SOUTHLAND TIMES |issue=9164 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=12 March 1886}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=DISSOLUTION OF PARTNERSHIPS. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18860602.2.2.9 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=OTAGO DAILY TIMES |issue=7578 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=2 June 1886}}</ref>

In Dunedin he owned the family home, Leith House, and the nearby Royse's mill and bakery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Water of Leith |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP18771204.2.10.7 |access-date=31 July 2022 |work=EVENING POST |issue=284 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=4 December 1877}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Fire in Leith Ward |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18750325.2.12 |access-date=31 July 2022 |work=OTAGO DAILY TIMES |issue=4087 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=25 March 1875}}</ref> He also owned Donaghy's Rope with Alfred Lee Smith, and was a long-time director of the Standard Insurance Company.<ref>{{cite news |title=STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18930309.2.45 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=OTAGO WITNESS |issue=2037 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=9 March 1893}}</ref> He died of heart failure in 1892, aged 54.<ref>{{cite news |title=THE LATE MR WM. ROYSE. |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18920818.2.28 |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=OTAGO WITNESS |issue=2008 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=18 August 1892}}</ref>

== Family == thumb|Catherine Royse (centre) with her children, Dunedin c.1896 William and Catherine had eight children – Elsie Frances, Kate, George Herbert, Mary Adelaide (died 1881, aged 5 years), William Graham, Reginald Thornhill, Nora Bell Eaton, and Olive Lee Darwent. The family's lives were much reported in the social columns of Dunedin's newspapers, and their circle of friends included William and Rachel Hodgkins,<ref>{{cite web |title=Hodgkins, William Mathew, 1833–1898 :The outlet of the Te Anau Lake, Otago. Xmas 1880 |url=https://tiaki.natlib.govt.nz/#details=ecatalogue.537042 |website=Alexander Turnbull Library |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref> and their children Isabel and Frances Hodgkins.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Frances |last2=Gill |first2=Linda |title=Letters of Frances Hodgkins |date=2013 |publisher=Auckland University Press |isbn=9781869405144 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FtVaAwAAQBAJ}}</ref> After William's death Catherine sold the remaining farms,<ref>{{cite news |title=LOT 56 - ROYSE, WILLIAM |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18930202.2.48.3 |access-date=15 August 2022 |work=OTAGO WITNESS |issue=2032 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=2 February 1893}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PROPERTY SALE |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18930711.2.21.7 |access-date=15 August 2022 |work=SOUTHLAND TIMES |issue=12642 |publisher=National Library of New Zealand |date=11 July 1893}}</ref> and continued family life in Dunedin. She died in 1918 and was laid to rest in the family plot at Dunedin Northern Cemetery with William and Mary Adelaide.

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Royse, William}} Category:19th-century New Zealand businesspeople Category:Businesspeople from Dunedin Category:British emigrants to New Zealand Category:1838 births Category:1892 deaths