And thanks, Rosie, for the nugget in this marriage:
Louisa Christina Elizabeth Eberle age 20 spinster father Peter Eberle occupation baker
Frank Swann/Swain age 27 widower occupation bricklayer father George Swain ( deceased )
Witnesses Harry Swain and Louisa Eberla signature hard to make out possibly her mother
Marriage date 8 April 1883 Richmond St John Surrey England
So if this was her mother Louisa, it shows that she was still alive and living in England in 1883. I had wondered if had died.
So why wasn't she and Peter together, and why did he describe himself as a widower in the 1881 Census?
There was a valid reason Peter EBERLE might have stated in the 1869 Armed Constabulary Roll that he was single: unmarried men were preferred. And his statement that his next-of-kin Louisa Eberle was in Stockstettin, Prussia, might indicate that she was visiting there in 1868 or 1869, perhaps.
It appears that the relationship broke up. If this occured as early as 1861/62 it might be the motive for Peter to seek his fortune in New Zealand, in whatever form.
He was certainly a valued member of the Armed Constabulary Force as a 2nd Class Sergeant, as this letter from his Supervisor shows:
Armed Constabulary
Te Onepoto Station
3rd November 1873
Sir,
I have the honor to bring under your notice the Non Commissioned officer named in the margin, with a hope that you will recommend him to the Commissioner for promotion.
[
Margin notation: No. 54 - 2/c Sergeant Peter EBERLE]
The Sergeant has been five years in the force with a clean defaulters sheet, four years of which he has been a 2/c Sergeant.
The Sergeant is in every degree deserving of promotion, and I have no hesitation in saying, should he not elect to reengage under the three years’ service system that he would be difficult to replace.
I may add that he has proved himself to be capable of carrying out the duties of a responsible situation, he having had charge of Te Marumaru Station for three months.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient Servant
Charles Fervis
Sub. Inspr A.C.F.
In charg Station
Spades