Family founder well remembered

HOW THEY'VE GROWN: Descendants of William Imms pose for posterity at Barge Park, Whangarei.

Around 200 descendants of Okaihau identity William Imms converged on Whangarei's Barge Park last month for the first family reunion in 35 years. And this was a grander affair than the impromptu shared lunch at the old family farm on Imms Road, Okaihau, in 1980.

Born in Sussex, England, William arrived in Auckland on May 30, 1874, at the age of 2, with his parents James and Lucy Imms, after a 95-day voyage from London aboard the the ship 'Rooparell.'

They moved north to Whangarei, settling on at Ruatangata, where William and his three sisters were educated.

He left home at an early age, earning his own living working on the gumfields near Okaihau, probably between Kaikohe and Hokianga.

After earning a few pounds he was able to buy a small block of land at the head of the Utakurua Valley, below Lake Omapere, near Okaihau.

He continued to work on the gumfields as well as clearing his own land, gradually buying more until he finally owned 899 acres.

William married Clara Moors in 1897. They rode on horseback together to the church at Waimate North, going on to raise 12 children on the family farm at the end of Imms Road, Okaihau.

He established a reputation throughout Northland as a breeder of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, and his animals were always in great demand.

He also enjoyed great success as an exhibitor at shows throughout Northland, and he and his family are still well remembered at the Waimate North show, the oldest event of its type in the country.