More Info →Mr and Mrs J O Batchelar and family

John Octavius Batchelar (1841-1925) was born in London and emigrated to New Zealand in 1866 at the age of 26. He married Elizabeth Davidson of Wanganui in 1869. John and Elizabeth lived initially in Marton before coming to Palmerston North to take over the Royal Hotel. Together they had eleven children. They bought land across the river and developed 'Willowbank' farm. In 1927 this land formed the beginnings of Massey Agricultural College (now Massey University).