Alan Trevor (Dick) Mellsop
Allan Trevor Mellsop was born on 31 May 1907 at Otaua, Waiuku, the fourth son of Bertie and Flossie Mellsop. Bertie was a dairy farmer at this stage of his life.
Allan became known as Dick to his friends and family, with his nieces and nephews only knowing him as Uncle Dick till quite late in their lives. He started primary school at Papatoetoe. In 1922 entered Auckland Boys Grammar school, travelling from Papatoetoe on the train, getting up to high jinks along with the other boys. On leaving Grammar Dick entered a farm training scheme at Ruakura, Hamilton. From there he went to Te Akau and farmed with his brother, Claude. Te Akau is on the northern side of Raglan Harbour, All the ploughing was done the hard way - with horses, along with haymaking. They were long hard days, without the modern machinery of the twenty-first century. Timber and equipment had to be shipped from the Raglan Wharf across to the Te Akau Landing. Wool, in bales once the sheep were shorn, had to go out the same way. It was only once the roads were formed that his cousin Samuel Henry started a carrying company at Te Akau. In 1927 Dick left Te Akau and Claude to take a position of farm manager at Brent's farm in Rotorua. The farm was part of the Brent's Hotel operation, owned by Harold C. Mellsop, Dick's uncle. The farm ran sheep as well as pigs. It was at Brent's that Dick met the lovely Sylvia Maxwell, who was the dancing teacher. After something of a whirlwind six weeks romance, they married in Auckland on 7th January 1929. Two sons were born to Sylvia and Dick while they were in Rotorua, John Trevor, and Wallace Maxwell. In 1932 the small family moved to Te Akau, for Dick he was returning to Te Akau. Once again he was with many extended family members, his brother Claude and the Henry cousins. Dick managed the sheep station known as "The Cliffs" owned by the Monctons, later sold to people the name of Hall, then Ellis. The family were there for fourteen years before buying the Ngutunui property. While at Te Akau three more children were born, sadly David was the only one to survive. Horsing riding, played a big part in Dick's life, not only for work, but pleasure, he was also a member of the local Polo Club. In 1945 the family moved to Ngutunui, fourteen miles west of Te Awamutu, onto a dairy farm. Christopher the youngest member of the family was born in 1946. Sylvia and Dick were very active in both golf and bowls. They were foundation members of the local golf club at Pironga. It was in 1966 that they sold the farm and retired to Whangamata where they were to enjoy many happy years in retirement. They became deeply involved in golf once again. Sylvia in particular very keen on fishing. One of her last wishes before she became too ill was to have a days fishing with her eldest son, John, which was enjoyed by both on Aotea harbour. They spent just on 10 hours on the water! Both Dick and Sylvia were a very social minded couple and they greatly enjoyed their friends dropping by. In fact they both enjoyed having people around them. Dick was, in his manner and way of talking, what is known as a 'straight shooter' and could be a bit of a tease at times, which is probably why he was known as 'tricky Dick', but that wasn't meant at all in the deceptive sense, but in that he would have-you-on, much to the enjoyment of his associates, and certainly the nurses, with whom he had to deal with over the last three years of his life. Dick was very devoted to Sylvia, a good provider and companion. It was a tremendous blow to him when Sylvia passed away on the 3rd February 1984. Dick died eighteen months after his beloved Sylvia in August 1985. Dick's dates: Born - 31 May 1907 Otaua, Waiuku Died - 22 Aug 1985 in Manurewa, Auckland |
CHILDREN OF DICK & SYLVIA MELLSOP
1. An image of Brent's farm is on the NZ Museum's website as supplied by Rotorua Museum.
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