Hi Jacq,
There are two small mentions of Richard Tear on the Papers Past site (
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz). The first is from the Nelson Evening Mail in November 1891:
'Today in Chambers, before the Registrar Of the Supreme Court, on the motion of Mr Harley, letters of administration of the estate of George Tear, deceased, were granted to Richard Tear, next of kin.'
The second one is also from the Nelson Evening Mail in 1898:
'Lloyds Newspaper is inquiring on behalf of friends for "Richard Tear of Dalston, who went to Nelson about 1852; he thought of going to the Dunmore (sic) copper mines. Brother Jacob asks. No news since 1860." A Mr Richard Tear, a well-known resident, lives at present in Stoke.'
THe 1851 census has a Richard Tear living with his brother Jacob, father William and numerous other family members in St Leonard Shoreditch. This Richard was born in Bedford c1824.
Hope this helps.
Ros