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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Mr. Edward Stafford
Mr. Edward Stafford, who served the City as a councillor from September, 1879, to September, 1882, as a representative of Te Aro Ward, is a son of the late Mr. Edward Stafford, who arrived in Port Nicholson by the first ship, the “Aurora,” in 1840, and was for many years well known in the City. Born in Wellington in the year 1846, Mr. Stafford received such education as was then available. He studied for the bar with the late Hon. Robert Hart, who had served as a member of the House of Representatives, had acted for a time as District Judge, and again entered on the practice of his profession. Commencing on the lowest rung of the ladder in 1862, Mr. Stafford steadily pursued his studies, and passed the prescribed examinations, being admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1870. On the Land Transfer Act coming into force the same year, the Registrar-General, Mr. W. Sefton Moorhouse, required an officer for the department, and on the recommendation of the present Chief Justice, Sir J. Prendergast, Mr. Stafford was appointed Examiner of Titles for the Wellington District, which position he retained for four years. In 1874 he joined Mr. Moorhouse, under the style of Moorhouse and Stafford, but retired two years later to accept the position of Assistant Law Officer to the Crown. In 1878 Mr. Stafford was invited by Mr. Hart and Sir P. Buckley to join the present firm, which he did, the style being “Buckley, Stafford and Fitzherbert.” Since this time Mr. Stafford has been prominent in connection with this old-established business. In 1881 the subject of this notice contested the seat in the House of Representatives for Te Aro, being defeated by the Hon. C. J. Johnston.