William Henry and Sarah Ann Rule arrived in New Zealand on the 24th December 1862 on the ship 'Echunga'. He was listed as a farm labourer. During the trip he kept a diary, now held at the Canterbury museum, Christchurch, which served as a source for James M. Groves, "The Echunga Diaries." He worked for C.W. Turner in Christchurch until 1869 when he bought a store in Springston. During a diphtheria outbreak in 1875 three of his children died in the space of a week. He left the store in 1877. About 1880 he bought 1200 acres from Thomas Roskrige at Chertsey and in 1890 went into business in Ashburton while retaining the farm. He was active on several school committees and served as a colour sergeant of the No 6 Co of Volunteers (later City Guards). He also patented a water filter system.

DEATH.
RULE.—On February 16th, at his residence, Tancred Street, William Henry, dearly beloved husband of Sarah Ann Rule; aged 71 years. [Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8302, 16 February 1912, Page 4]

OBITUARY.
W. H. RULE.
There passed away at his residence, Tancred Street, Ashburton, this afternoon, one of the oldest and most respected residents of the district, in the person of Mr W. H. Rule, who , has been a benefactor to the County in many ways. Among other things,, he took a great interest in the purification of water, and invented a filter, pronounced by the leading medical men of the world as a great benefit to humanity. In his youth Mr Rule worked as gardener for Squire Pendarves, in the district where he was born (Cornwall, England). At eighteen he became head gardener, and had charge of extensive plantations and shrubberies. Having risen as high as possible in that connection, he decided to look further afield, and sailed for New Zealand with Mrs Rule in the ship "Echunga" in 1862. On arriving in the colony, Mr Rule settled in Christchurch, and entered the employment of Mr C. W. Turner, remaining with him for: seven years, being subsequently employed in Mr Turner's mercantile establishment. On leaving Mr Turner he removed to Springston, where he set up in business for himself. For eight years he conducted a general store there with great success.Mr Rule then took up 1200 acres of land between Rakaia and Ashburton, and went in for sheep-raising, calling the name of the station "Pendarves." He greatly improved his run, and increased the acreage to 2960 acres and it was considered one of the most productive runs of the district. Mr Rule came to Ashburton, and commenced business here in 1890, but he still retained "Pendarves." In 1892 he took a trip to the Old Country, visiting all the old well-remembered spots, besides other parts of Great Britain. He had for years taken a great interest in hydropathic treatment, and while in England studied the methods employed there, and on his return to Ashburton opened a hydropathic sanatorium in this town, which became a popular health resort. He identified himself largely with educational matters, and was for many years a member of the Springston School Committee. On coming to the Plains he was instrumental in founding a school, which he named "Pendarves," after his old employer in Cornwall. Mr Rule was for several years Commissioner and Chairman of the Committee of Pendarves School until he removed to Ashburton where he was for some years a member of the School Committee and of the Borough Council. He was also for a period treasurer of the Ashburton Horticultural Society, and later a director of the Ashburton Industrial Building Society, and a member of the Wakanui Road Board. He took a keen interest in all public matters, and all things for the betterment of the town and district. Military matters, too, had his attention, and in earlier life he was an expert rifle shot, and was prominent in forming No. 6 Company of Volunteers in Christchurch. He retired some years ago from the butchery business he had so successfully established and carried on, and although he had been ailing for a long time, he took to his bed only some four weeks ago. On Thursday, week he was operated on for gallstones, and gradually grew weaker, and died this afternoon. He leaves a widow and three sons and three daughters to mourn their loss. The daughters and one son reside in this district, another lives in Christchurch, and the third is in the North Island. [Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8302, 16 February 1912, Page 4]