This is an appendix to WANGANUI HOTELS & their landlords
featuring a short biography on one of the landlords:

William Henry George FOSTER (1853-1914)
married in Christ Church, Wanganui on 31 March 1875 to:
Sarah JOHNSTON (1856-1929)

Wanganui Chronicle, 3rd April 1875
FOSTER-JOHNSON - On the 31st March, at Christ Church, Wanganui, by the Rev. T. L. Tudor, William Henry George Foster, of Wanganui, to Sarah Johnston, daughter of Robert Johnston, Esq., of Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland

William Henry George Foster was a Hotel Owner in Wanganui

William & Sarah had 10 known children:
... 1
1876 - 1948 John Robert Foster
John married Florence Gertrude PARSONS (1877-1947) in 1898
- daughter of Alfred John PARSONS & Emily PERRINAN
their known children:
* 1901 - Eric William Foster
FLORENCE died 27 Aug 1947 aged 70 in Auckland
JOHN died 23 April 1948 aged 72 in Auckland
- they are buried ROMAN CATHOLIC DIVISION D Row 2, Plot 96 at Waikumete
NOTE John helped his father run (and later took over) the Foster's Hotel in Taupo Quay, Wanganui


... 2
1878 - 1949 William Henry George Foster
William married Amy Elizabeth AMES (1877-1917) in 1912
- daughter of James AMES & Sarah POULTON
their known children:
* 1913 - Betty Ames Foster


... 3
1879 - 1906 Charles James Foster
Charles died aged 27
Wanganui Herald, 11 December 1906
It is our painful duty to have to record the death of Mr Charles James Foster, third son of Mr and Mrs W. H. G. Foster, who passed away this morning after a short illness. The deceased, who was born in Wanganui and had spent all his life here, was well known throughout the district. He took a keen interest in musical matters, and was a strong supporter of the Garrison Band. He also took a great interest in athletics, being a prominent member of various sports clubs, etc., and was one of the most enthusiastic members of the Wanganui Sailing Club. His death at the early age of 27 will be deeply regretted by all who knew him, The sorrowing relatives will have the heartfelt sympathy of their very many friends in their sad bereavement.


... 4
1881 - 1949 Florence Madeline Foster
Florence married Harry COCKS (1882-1939) in Wanganui 16 June 1908
- son of John Frederick COCKS & Hannah Maria Price CHILD
their known children:
* 1909 - Tui Norah Cocks
* 1913 - Dorothy Miriam Cocks


... 5
1883 - 1944 Albert Francis Foster
Albert was in Wanganui in 1914
Albert served in WWI as Corporal 13699 with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 8th Reinforcements 2nd Battalion, F Company. He embarked from Wellington 26 June 1916 listing his next of kin as his mother Sarah Foster of 23 Wilson Street, Wanganui. He suffered from gas and shell shock


... 6
1885 - 1937 Beatrice Foster
Beatrice married William Martin INNES (1870-1951) in 1910
- son of William Martin INNES & Mary Ann HUTTON


... 7
1887 - 1888 Victoria Mary Foster
Victoria died aged 10 months


... 8
1888 - 1925 Pat Leonard Johnstone Foster
Pat married Edith Mabel Cameron BROWNE in 1911
- they were living in Wellington in 1914


... 9
1889 - Grace Foster
- nothing known about Grace
she was a spinster in 1914 (see father's obituary)


... 10
1891 - 1941 Louisa Jane 'Lulu' Foster
Louisa married Frank Leslie GUNN (1888-1949) in 1919


William Henry George Foster died 6 March 1914 at his residence, Ballymena Villa, Wilson Street, Wanganui. He was 61
Wanganui Chronicle, 7 March 1914 OBITUARY
The announcement of the death of Mr W. H. G. Foster will be received with widespread regret, for, the mine host of Foster's Hotel there was no more popular man on this coast in the days gone by. For some 50 years Mr Foster was a resident of Wanganui and ever a worthy citizen, rendering service in many ways to the business and social life of the town. Ably assisted by his wife, he raised the status of the old Steam Packet Hotel (now known as Foster's Hotel) to one of the best known and most popular hostelries in the Dominion. Seven years ago, Mr J. R. Foster, eldest son of the deceased, took over the hotel and he is in command to this day. Since 1907 the late Mr Foster had lived a retired life. Although the greater part of his time was occupied with business matters, Mr W. H. G. Foster was a keen devotee of outdoor sport and he was an active and successful rifle shot, oarsman, bowler and racing enthusiast, while as an amateur billiard player he had few compeers in the early days.
The late Mr Foster had been 53 years in the Dominion, having arrived as a lad with his father (who was a soldier) from Bombay, in the troop-steamer Prince Arthur in 1861, and he came to Wanganui in the paddle-steamer Prince Alfred in 1864.
Mr Foster, whose mother is still alive, leaves a grown-up family of four sons (Messrs J. R., W. H. G., and A. F. Foster, of Wanganui and P. J. Foster of Wellington) and four daughters (Mesdames Cocks and W. Martin Innes and Misses Grace and Lulu Foster. all of Wanganui). The sympathy of a large circle of friends will be accorded to Mrs Foster, senr., Mrs W. H. G. Foster and the bereaved family.