BIOGRAPHY
AKAROA
THE MADERIA HOTEL, (A. Rodrigues, proprietor), Lavaud Street, Akaroa. This is a two-storey wooden building, and occupies a pleasant site on freehold land not far from the waters of the bay, and yet in the main street of the borough. The house has excellent accommodation, and is much frequented by visitors to Akaroa.
MR. ANTONIO RODRIGUES, Proprietor of the Maderia Hotel, was born in the Madeira Islands in 1831. He went to England in 1857, and arrived at Lyttelton during the following year. Mr. Rodrigues took charge of the Commercial Hotel, Akaroa, for nine months, and then established a bakery and butchery. Afterwards he returned to his original occupation, as proprietor of the Criterion Hotel, which he kept for three years, when he removed to the Madeira Hotel. Mr. Rodrigues is a member of the Catholic Church, and was for some years a member of the district school committee. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Adelaide Rodrigues, of Madeira, and has two sons and six daughters.
Source The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District], 1903.
OBITUARY
Considerable regret was felt in Akaroa yesterday, when it was known that Mr Anton Rodrigues, the popular landlord of the Madeira Hotel, had died suddenly on the previous evening. The deceased was born at Funchal, the capital of the Madeira Islands, and at the time of his death was seventy-four years of age. He arrived in New Zealand in January, 1858, by the sailing vessel Westminster. For some time he was in the employment of Major Peacock, at Akaroa. He afterwards started business on his own account, following a number of occupations. Finally he built the Madeira Hotel, where he resided till his death. The deceased was universally respected, and his cheery disposition made him a popular favourite. Mrs Rodrigues died about two years ago. Mr Rodrigues leaves four daughters and one son. The funeral will take place at Akaroa tomorrow.
Source Lyttelton Times, 5 June 1905, Page 7.
MR ANTONIO RODRIGUES.
One of the oldest residents of Akaroa passed away suddenly on Saturday night in the person of Mr Antonio Rodrigues, of the Madeira Hotel at the age of 74. The deceased gentleman was in his usual state of health until late on Saturday night, when he was suddenly taken ill, and, although medical assistance was sought, the deceased, who lived for about an hour after his seizure, died before Dr. Hargreaves arrived. Mr Rodrigues was born in Madeira in 1831, and came to the colony, accompanied by his wife and family, in the ship Westminster, with Major Peacock, in whose service he had previously been in Madeira. They arrived in Lyttelton in January, 1858, and afterwards went on to Akaroa. After residing there for some time Major Peacock, owing to ill health, removed to Auckland, but Mr Rodrigues remained. After following various occupations, the deceased gentleman opened the Madeira Hotel about 30 years ago, which well-known hostelry he had successfully conducted until his death. He was of a genial and kindly disposition, having a cheery word for young and old, and was very charitably disposed. Mrs Rodrigues predeceased her husband by about two years, and of a family of eight, five remain to mourn their loss. Although taking no part in public affairs, Mr Rodrigues had a large circle of friends, by whom he will be sadly missed.
At the inquest yesterday, Dr. Hargreaves gave evidence that death was due to an attack of angina pectoris brought on by exertion, and a verdict of death, by natural causes was accordingly returned.
Source The Press, 6 June 1905, Page 3.
Chris Korte's New Zealand Genealogy Project
1831 - 1905 (74 years)
Has 2 ancestors and 68 descendants in this family tree.
[1, 2] 
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