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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. William Letham

Mr. William Letham, Custodian of the Parliamentary Buildings, and Caterer for the General Assembly, has for nearly a quarter of a century been prominent in the haunts frequented by New Zealand legislators. A native of the city of Glasgow, where he first saw the light in 1830, Mr. Letham was page 111 Mr. William Letham educated at the parish schools of his birthplace. His first experience in business was in a draper's shop, but he did not complete his apprenticeship, preferring to see more of the world than was possible [unclear: in] such an establishment. In 1850 he went to sea, and after a few years shipped as steward on board the R.M.S. “Morning Light,” for Victoria. For several years Mr. Letham found employment on steamers trading to colonial ports, and came to New Zealand about 1860. Two years later he took the contract as providore of some of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company's fleet of small coasting steamers, which he fulfilled till 1870. In the year just named Mr. Letham became temporary caterer at the Parliamentary Buildings, and so well did he satisfy the tastes of honourable members, that in 1873 he was permanently appointed to the position. Three years after, Mr. Latham was made custodian of the Parliamentary Buildings. He is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of the Masonic fraternity, and has attained the position of “Scribe E” in the order. Mr. Letham married Miss Catherine Eleanor Howard, of London, at South Yarra, Melbourne, in 1858, and has had twelve children, of whom five daughters and three sons survive. His daughters have been very successful, and are well known in musical circles, and some of them take important parts in the Amateur Operatic Society's entertainments.