Background
He was born in Ireland in about 1834.
He was born in Ireland in about 1834.
In 1861 he joined Otago"s police force. In 1862 he moved to Palmerston. He oversaw gold rushes at places such as Lake End, Tokomairiro, and the Mountain.
Ida district.
In 1865, because of his lackadaisical work ethic and proclivity to alcohol, he was transferred from Canterbury province to Mackenzie County. Later that year he was stationed in Waitangi, but was put back in Mackenzie in 1866. The next year he resigned from the police force.
In 1872, and again in 1890, Ryan was arrested for assault.
Later, in 1901, he was sent to jail for theft and was sent to the Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, where he died on October 14.