Reuben's Legend Remains

Nelson has lost one of its personalities. Reuben Stephens was a man who had zest for life. He lived life to the hilt, and for the moment. New arrivals in Nelson soon heard of the escapades of Reuben Stephens, even if the tales were slightly exaggerated by the time they reached the newcomber. His raffling of seagulls; telling policemen, chasing him from a pub, to stop: "There's no one chasing you;" parking a truckload of pigs outside the Post Office until he obtain a petrol voucher (this was during World War II when petrol was hard to obtain).

For many years Reuben, and his wife Minnie, lived at the Pa (now the Delaware Bay property owned by Mr G. D. Hollyman) which he inherited from his grandfather. But Reuben didn't like farming and for all of the time, about 40 years, he spent at the Pa, he was an unwilling farmer.

So, when he sold the property and moved to town, he was closer to what he loved best: People. He loved company, particularly of young people, and it was a rare day that no visitors called on Reuben at the Pa.

During his semi-retirement, Reuben worked as a casual watersider, in freezing works and at other casual jobs. He was working on The Rutherford (the new Db hotel) when he died. It was fitting that death took him suddenly. He had always lived for the moment. And that was the way he died.

Reuben had the reputation of a man who high-jinked his way through life. But there was a more serious side to his nature, and one in keeping with his love of people. Friends down on their luck found compassion and sympathy from Reuben and he often gave financial assistance to the less fortunate.

Born the Rangatira of the Ngati Toa, Reuben was proud of his ancestry and it was natural that he chose to be buried at Haua, the Maori cemetery on the peninsula at Delaware Bay.

A small group of relatives and friends gathered to see his ashes placed on the grave of his mother, Mame Beside them are Reuben's grandparents, Huria and Hemi Matenga, who became part of New Zealand history with their rescue efforts the day the brigan-tine 'Delaware' foundered on the shores of the bay in 1863. So Reuben Stephens is truly at rest with his ancestors. He is survived by his wife Minnie and their five children, Mrs Huria Smith, Clarke, Maunu, Raha and Keri.