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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Ex-Mayors

Ex-Mayors.

Mr. Thomas Bamber, who was Mayor of Wanganui during 1879 and 1880, hails from Scotland, where he was born in 1831. He arrived in the Colony in 1856 per ship “Hastings,” and started business (that of a blacksmith) the following year in Wanganui. Mr. Bamber has ever taken great interest in the development of Wanganui. During his term of office as mayor the reclamation of the foreshore was begun, the drillshed was opened, and the foundation of the river training-walls was laid. For some time he was chairman of the Harbour Board, and he also sat on the Wanganui Licensing Bench. Mr. Bamber is both a Mason and an Oddfellow. In connection with the latter order, he joined the Wanganui lodge at a very early period, and for many years managed the affairs and looked after the capital of that body.

Mr. Freeman R. Jackson, J.P., ex-mayor of the Borough of Wanganui, was born at Riccall, Yorkshire, and left England for New Zealand in 1851 per ship “Sir George Pollock,” arriving in Lyttelton the same year with the Canterbury pilgrims. He explored the southern part of the South Island, and was on the site of Invercargill and of Riverton before either of those towns were laid out. As a member of the Provincial Council of Southland, Mr. Jackson sat for a term of about three years in the early sixties. He settled in Wanganui in 1867, ever since which date he has been a resident in the locality. For twenty years past Mr. Jackson has conducted a large stock and station agency and auctioneering business. During the Maori war he served as a member of the Wanganui Yeomanry Cavalry. Later on he held the rank of ensign in the militia. Mr. Jackson served as a councillor of the Wanganui Corporation for two or three years prior to 1892, in which year he was elected to the chief magistracy of the town, and occupied that position from that date till the end of 1896. Mr. Jackson's residence is on the River Bank, one of the prettiest parts of the town. Mr. Jackson has occupied the position of secretary to the Wanganui Jockey Club for over twenty years.

Photo by A. Martin. Mr. F. R. Jackson, J.P.

Photo by A. Martin.
Mr. F. R. Jackson, J.P.