Vickers Road, first surveyed in the mid-1970s, was developed to allow access to new industrial subdivisions in the Waiwhakaiho area. Initially no-exit, today it links through to Rifle Range Road. It was named after a prominent Taranaki identity, Samuel Vickers.
Vickers, born in Lincolnshire in 1867, came to New Zealand with his family when he was four years old. The family eventually arrived in Taranaki, where Vickers worked in the timber milling industry. After marrying Alice Wright of Midhirst, the couple farmed for many years on Barrett Road.
His is the quintessential story of a person, interested in the affairs of the community they live in, contributing by serving on many elected organisations. Vickers served for many years on the Hospital Board, the Harbours Board and the Taranaki County Council. He was also prominent in education and the dairy industry.
In over thirty years’ service on the Taranaki County Council, he was the elected chairman between 1934 and 1950. In the 1970s, when plans to expand the industrial area at Waiwhakaiho were first considered, it was decided that some roads would be named after former County Council chairmen.
Samuel Vickers, well remembered, had retired from most of his public roles back in 1950. He died, aged 86, in 1953.
This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.
Related plans:
Taranaki DP10423 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki DP12144 Sheet 1, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Taranaki County Council 1937 (Puke Ariki collection).
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