Charles is described in an account regarding Clutha pioneers from the newspaper - Otago Witness 20 January 1909, Page 12 -

"A successful picnic was held at the Warepa School on the 13th inst under the Auspices of the Clutha Pioneers' Association. Though threatening weather in the morning prevented the attendance from being as large as it would otherwise have been, there were about 200 present, and the sun shining out in the afternoon, the proceedings generally were of a most enjoyable and cordial nature. Among the oldest of the early settlers present were the ....

"Mr and Mrs Charles Dabinett (Isabella Hercus, 1856) "

As he is not listed in the 1851 Census with the rest of his family in Curry Rivel, Somerset, he must have been born between 1851 and 1856.