 RICHARD CHARLES* PELVIN was known as Charles, 2nd son of
Richard and Elizabeth Pelvin, was born 25 May 1859 in Maidstone, Kent.
He married on 14 April 1887 at the home of the bride's
parents, John and Janet (nee Gebbie) Geddes at Mt. Harris,
Waimate. in the prsence of witnesses - brother James Richard Pelvin, of Wakakahi, Waitaki and sister
Bella Geddes. The officiating minister was Rev Wm McKee.Jessie was born 16 Aug 1864 in Green Island, East Taieri, Otago
- her parents had immigrated from Scotland in 1866 on the ship "William Davie"
and for 12 years worked at Shag Valley north
of Waikouiti before moving north.
Charles and Jessie lived at Taiwai, Glenavy where
their 14 children were born.
Charles with brother Fred Pelvin operated a threshing
mill in the Waikakahi district from the Waihao River boundary to the Waitaki as
far up as the stone wall. They also did chaff cutting and hauled grain and wood
to the railway at Glenavy. A popular musician, at age 22, Charles competed in the
New Year Caledonian Society Games in the bagpipe section, "Strathspeys and reels
in Highland costume" and he was in demand playing the violin at dances, concerts
and socials. In May 1891, 13 householders met in the Waitaki
village settlement school. The finacial report showed a small balance in hand.
The committee elected were Messrs M. Harvey, J. McCabe, R. C. Pelvin, M.
Leonard, B. Fahey, Joseph Bates, and D. Wallace and at the meeting of the new
committee held afterwards, Mr R. C. Pelvin was elected chairman, and Mr D.
Wallace secretary and treasurer. In May 1894, at the auction sale of freehold
properties, Messrs Vallange, Christie, and Co. reported selling on
account of Mr J. Gray, sections 42, 43, and 44, in the town of Glenavy, the
blacksmith's shop, store, and other improvements, for £200 to Mr Richard
Pelvin.
 On the 14th January 1899 papers reported an accident
- the traction engine belonging to Charles and driven by Fred capsized over
a bank. They were taking it to Waimate for repairs and running short of water in
the Gorge, they pulled up beside a waterhole to fill the boiler. The hose was
too short to reach the water from their position, and when trying to get
nearer, the engine ran over the bank into the hole with Fred underneath in about
six feet of water. Charles had jumped off, but the Fred held on, and, strange to
say, although the engine turned over twice, he fortunately was not hurt.
Luckily, not stunned, Fred managed to crawl out backwards from beneath the
engine, and his brother then pulled him out on the bank. The cause of the
mishap was the breaking of the steering gear. Mr Adams was passing at the time,
and drove the two men to town when it was found that no serious injury occured,
but the engine was considerably damaged - it was a difficult job to get it out
of the hole. Casual labourers were employed to help work on
threshing mill - at Redcliff, one stole money and a bottle of gin from Mrs McWhinney,
of Red cliff. He was promptly arrested, convicted and sentenced in the
Magistrate's Court at Waimate to seven days imprisonment also £21 for which he
was remanded till later The Waitaki Settlement School was the community centre
of the district. In April 1900 householders attended to
assess it's record credit balance - the general account amounted
to £3 19s 2d, and prize fund account 5s 4d. Nine householders were
nominated for the new committee. A ballot taken found successful
applicants were Messrs C Pelvin, C Morrison, M. Harney, M. Leonard, J McEwan,
and Messrs Forde and Wallace were re-elected secretary and chairman respectively
. Charles took an interest in all affairs which touched
the lives of residents. In 1900, he was the President of the Waitaki Mutual
Improvement and at a fortnightly meeting held at the school, after submitting to
the meeting the rules drafted by the committee, a social programme followed with
songs rendered, and Mr Pelvin gave a recitation. Involvement of new
members was encouraged and after a programme was drawn up for next night, the
enjoyable meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the
chair. Their headstone reads " In remembrance of Jessie
Pelvin who died 30th December 1936 aged 74 years. Also her dear husband Richard
Charles, died 16 May 1939 aged 79 years".
       
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