GREGG , Richard, Sheep farmer, Glengreg. in the Makakahi district, Pahiatua. Mr. Gregg, who has had experience in many lands, is the youngest son of Mr. Robert Gregg, of Ballynascadden, County Donegal, Ireland, where he was born in 1854. In 1871, at the age of seventeen, he went to the United States, where he was employed by his uncle, Mr. Daniel Gregg, owner of one of the richest oil producing farms in Oil Creek, Pa. He joined the United States army in 1872, and served for a term of five years under the American flag, being in several engagements with the Indians in Wyoming, Montana, and Dakota territories, notably in 1876 under General Crook in the war with the Sioux tribes under their famous war chief Sitting Bull. It was in this campaign, on the night of the 15th of June, that General Custer, with his 7th United States Cavalry, made the celebrated attack on Sitting Bull's village, from which neither he nor any of his men ever returned. Crook's army, on their return, suffered great privations, marching a distance of nearly 400 miles in a period of nine days through unknown country, subsisting for several days entirely on the flesh of the half-starved cavalry horses. It was then that they captured a village of thirty-five lodges under the chiefs American Horse and Roman Nose, the latter being killed and the former taken prisoner. Mr. Gregg returned to Ireland in 1877, remaining at his father's home for one year, with the exception of a few months, when he took a second trip to the United States. He left for this Colony in the ship "Lady Jocelyn," sailing from Belfast with Mr. G. Vezey Stewart's Kati Kati settlers on the 20th day of May, 1878, and arriving in Auckland on the 17th of August of that year. He immediately transshipped for Lyttelton, where he remained nearly seven years in the employ of Messrs. H. Hawkins and Co. In 1885 he removed to the North Island, and settled at Pahiatua in the Forty?mile Bush, which in those days well deserved its name. Mr. Gregg's holding consists of 540 acres, originally all heavy bush, but now felled and grassed, with the exception of a few patches left for shelter. His venture has been successful, and the reward of his labour is now at hand. His sheep are crossbreds of the long woolled varieties. Mr. Gregg has taken his share of public duties, having served on the local Road Board for two years, taking an active part in the formation of the County and the merging of the Road Board into the same, and for a similar period holding the chairmanship of the Makakahi School Committee. He is a master Mason. On the 13th of May, 1878, shortly before leaving the Old Land, Mr. Gregg was married to Miss Caroline Fletcher, eldest daughter of Mr. John Fletcher, of Manor Cunningham, County Donegal, Ireland, and their family consists of three sons and two daughters, the eldest daughter, Annie, now being pupil-teacher at the Makakahi School. The accompanying group and view are from pictures taken in September, 1896.

The Eureka Stockade

The transportation of convicts to Norfolk Island ceases.

Van Diemen's Land name changed to Tasmania.

Victorian Committee reported that a 'federal union' would be in the interests of all the growing colonies. However, there was not enough interest in or enthusiasm for taking positive steps towards bringing the colonies together.

Sydney and Melbourne linked by electric telegraph.

SS Admella wrecked off south-east coast of South Australia with the loss of 89 lives.

John McDouall Stuart reaches the centre of the continent. South Australian border changed from 132 degrees E to 129 degrees E.

The ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition occurs.

Stuart reaches Port Darwin, founding a settlement there. Queensland's western border is moved to 139 degrees E.

South Australia takes control of the Northern Territory which was part of the colony of New South Wales.

Gold is discovered at Gympie, Queensland.

The transportation of convicts to Western Australia ceases.

Children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are removed from their families by Australian and State government agencies.

Overland Telegraph Line linking Darwin and Adelaide opens.

Uluru is first sighted by Europeans, and named Ayers Rock.

SS Gothenburg strikes Old Reef off North Queensland and sinks with the loss of approximately 102 lives.

First horse-drawn trams in Australia commenced operations in Adelaide.

The first congress of trade unions is held.

The bushranger Ned Kelly is hanged.

First water-borne sewerage service in Australia commenced operations in Adelaide.

The opening of the Sydney-Melbourne railway

An Australian cricket team is established, defeating England in the first Ashes series. First direct Inter-colonial passenger trains begin running between Adelaide and Melbourne.

The completion of the railway network between Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

The Australian Federation Conference calls a constitutional convention.

A National Australasian Convention meets, agrees on adopting the name 'the Commonwealth of Australia' and drafting a constitution.

Gold is discovered at Coolgardie, Western Australia.

The Corowa Conference (the 'people's convention') calls on the colonial parliaments to pass enabling acts, allowing the election of delegates to a new constitutional convention aimed at drafting a proposal and putting it to a referendum in each colony.

South Australia becomes the first Australian colony, and the second place in the world, to grant women the right to vote, as well the first Parliament in the world to allow women to stand for office.

The premiers, except for those of Queensland and Western Australia, agree to implement the Corowa proposals.

The Bathurst Conference (the second 'people's convention') meets to discuss the 1891 draft constitution

In two sessions, the Second National Australasian Convention meets (with representatives from all colonies except Queensland present). They agree to adopt a constitution based on the 1891 draft, and then revise and amend it later that year.

The Convention agrees on a final draft to be put to the people.

The decision is made to site the national capital in New South Wales, but not within 100 miles of Sydney.

Several delegates visit London to resist proposed changes to the agreed-upon constitution.

(01 Jan) Australia becomes a federation on 1 January. Edmund Barton becomes Prime Minister; the 7th Earl of Hopetoun becomes Governor-General

The Franchise Act guarantees women the right to vote in federal elections (by this stage, most states had already done this). However, it excludes most non-European ethnic groups, including Aboriginal people, unless already registered to vote on State roles.

The High Court of Australia is established with Samuel Griffith as the first Chief Justice.

A site at Dalgety, New South Wales chosen for the new national capital

Australia takes control of south-eastern New Guinea

Dorothea Mackellar publishes My Country

The first powered aeroplane flight in Australia is made.

Andrew Fisher forms the first federal majority Labor government.

The Royal Australian Navy is founded

Australia sends women to the Olympic Games for the first time

Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth cross the Blue Mountains.

The foundation stone for the city of Canberra is put in place