Peter Levy : Short Biography

Peter Levy was born in 1822 in West Meath, Ireland. When approx. 24, he joined the British Army as a soldier in the 65th Regiment, who in 1846 came to NZ as part of the early British troops and was based at Wanganui, taking part in the arrest of those who killed the Gilfillan Family, and the Battle of St John's Wood. In 1851 he left the army, and transferred to Nelson. He initially worked with livestock in the area, being involved in the release of red deer in the Nelson area, before becoming a constable in the Nelson Police. During his years of service as a constable he was involved as an arresting officer of the Maungatapu Murderers, and acted as an escort to one of them to Canterbury when he turned Queen’s witness. After serving both in Nelson, and Havelock for a short time, he retired and became a hansom cab driver plying his trade around the town, and to points further from Nelson. Peter married Norah Falvey and had 8 children, who were reared in their Halifax Street home. Peter died in Nelson in 1908. His episodes in life are well documented in Paperspast (Nelson and Wanganui) as is his obituary below.

 DEATH OF A PIONEER CONSTABLE. MR PETER LEVY. Many of the elder generation of New  Zealanders will learn with regret of the death of ex-Constable Peter Levy, which occurred to-day at the advanced age of 86. Mr Levy was born in West Meath, Ireland, and in his youth he was a great athlete, being the "champion” wrestler of the 65th Regiment. He was also one of the crew who won the championship whaleboat race in the regatta on the Wanganui River in the early days of the colony. He was best known for his active work in connection with the search for evidence and subsequent arrest of the Maungatapu murderers, when his services were “generally recognised”. He was charge of Sullivan, one of the gang, when taken to Pigeon Bay, Christchurch, and among other numerous arrests made by Mr Levy were, some reckoned, to have been the smartest in New Zealand. Mr Levy was a mounted constable in the early police force, and he had to patrol all the Nelson district from Havelock to the Lyell. In Mr Levy’s retirement from the police force after 24 years' service he was presented with a testimonial by his comrades, and the farewell address was very largely attended. He came to New Zealand with his regiment in 1846, and he was one of the guard of honour to Sir George Grey, then Governor, helping to escort him to Wanganui. Mr Levy left the Army in 1853, and in January, 1863, he joined the Nelson Police Force. For his army service he held the New Zealand War medal, and he also earned the long service and good conduct medal in the Police Force. The late Mr Levy has left a large family of sons, daughters, and grandchildren, viz.: — Sons: Mr Michael Levy, Wellington ; Mr M. J. Levy, Postal Department, Nelson; Mr Peter Levy, Wellington ; Mr John Levy (deceased). Daughters: Mrs John Hagen, Spring Grove; Mrs A. Grant, Nelson; Mrs T. Barry, Nelson; and Miss N. Levy.