Wanganui Harbour Board. This body, which exercises control over the port of Wanganui, which extends from the Heads to the limit of tidal water, a point about fourteen miles inland from the mouth of the river, was formed in January, 1877. Having obtained borrowing powers from Parliament, the Board floated in London £60,000 worth of debentures (part of the page 1368 £100,000 authorised by law), and with the proceeds undertook the work of improving the navigation of the river. Training-walls have been constructed in the river, from the town to Landguard Bluff, the cliff at the Heads has been protected by stone pitching, and a breakwater 900 feet long has been run out from the cliff in the direction of the bar. Dredging operations have been carried out between the training-walls, with the object of giving the same depth of water in the channel as obtains on the bar outside. Ample wharfage accommodation has been provided in connection with the railway terminus at Wanganui, and there is a commodious wharf at the Heads adjoining the Meat Freezing Company's works. The revenue of the Board shows a steady increase, keeping pace with the extension of settlement in the large district of which Wanganui is the natural outlet. In 1879 the revenue from wharfage dues amounted to £1702, and in 1896 to £4349. The Board is composed of ten members—four being elected by the ratepayers of the Borough of Wanganui, and one each by the counties of Wanganui and Waitotara, while the mayor of the borough, the chairmen of the two councils, and the Collector of Customs are members by virtue of their respective offices. The permanent staff of the Board consists of the secretary and treasurer (combined), harbourmaster and pilot (combined), and foreman of works. The two latter are assisted by a staff of workmen, which varies in strength according to the work in hand. The average depth of water on the bar is 12 feet 6 inches at high-water spring-tides, and 9 feet 6 inches at high-water neaptides. Since the establishment of the freezing works, direct trade with England has been carried on, the foreign steamers anchoring in the roadstead and being tendered by steamers running out from the Heads' Wharf with meat, wool, and other produce. The members of the Board (January, 1897) are:—Messrs. D. Peat (chairman), A. Hatrick, T. Wixcey, G. Carson, M.H.R., J. Stevenson, A. Higgie, J. L. Stevenson, J. R. Sommerville, J. Laird, and A Elliott.

Mr. David Peat, the Chairman of the Wanganui Harbour Board, was born in Kincardineshire, Scotland, where his father was engaged in farming. After receiving his early education at the local parish school, he completed his studies at Montrose, and entered a lawyer's office, where he remained about four years. Having decided to settle in the colonies he came to New Zealand in the year 1858, landing in Wellington. He worked in various capacities for some time, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, establishing himself on a good farm in the Wanganui District. With his brothers, James (who had followed him to the Colony in 1860) and Alexander, he worked several farms, transforming the natural bush into a state of cultivation and neatness. Mr. Peat was not long in the district before he was pressed to serve his fellow-settlers in public matters, and he has, during his residence in Wanganui, filled many offices in connection with local public bodies, having occupied the position of chairman of the above board for several years. His services have always been given ungrudgingly to any movement or institution benefitting the district.

Mr. Alexander Hatrick has been a member of the Wanganui Harbour Board since 1887. For many years he has taken a prominent part in public affairs in Wanganui, having been a member of the corporation for six years. In 1886 Mr. Hatrick was asked to become a candidate for the mayoralty of the borough, and, having consented, he contested the election, which resulted in a tie, the returning officer deciding the issue by giving his casting vote, after tossing a coin, in favour of Mr. J. L. Stevenson, the present occupant of the office.

Photo by A. Martin.
Mr. A. Hatrick,

Mr. Alexander Higgie, who is a member of the Wanganui Harbour Board, has long been prominent as a public man. He was chairman of the Wanganui County Council, of which he still continues a member, and also acted as chairman of the Wangaehu Road Board, for some time. Mr. Higgie is a member of the Wanganui Licensing Bench, of which he was sometime chairman, and was also a member of the Wanganui River Trust Board, and the Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The son of the late Mr. Thomas Higgie, who came to the Colony in 1841 and died in 1886, the subject of this notice was born in Wellington in 1845. Educated and brought up to a country life in the district Mr. Higgie has long been a farmer on No. 2 Line, where he resides on his estate of 800 acres, which he has named “Blink Bonny,” and which carries 2000 sheep, besides 150 head of cattle and horses. He has also 2200 acres at Tokorangi, Wangaehu, where 4500 sheep and 300 head of cattle are depastured. Mr. Higgie is well known throughout New Zealand as a judge of horses, his services being in requisition at all shows in the district, and in Wairarapa, at Auckland (1894), and at Hawera (1896). He is a steward and member of the committee of the Wanganui Jockey Club, and president of the Warrengate Jockey Club and of the Matarawa Rifle Club. Mr. Higgie joined the Wanganui Cavalry Volunteers in 1861, under Captain Cameron, of Marangai, and afterwards the celebrated Alexandra Cavalry, as sergeant, being subsequently elected captain, a post which be held up to 1888, when he resigned. In 1887 Mr. Higgie was married to a daughter of the late Mr. T. Scott, of Lower Rangitikei, and has four daughters and a son.

Photo by A. Martin
Mr. A. Higgie.

Mr. John Stevenson, who has been a member of the Wanganui Harbour Board for several years, was born at Glasgow. Arriving in the Colony with his parents in 1855, he was educated in Wanganui, For ten years he was an officer of the Bank page 1369 of New Zealand, but resigned in 1879 to join the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, in whose service he has continued up to the time of writing, having been manager at Wanganui for ten years. Mr. Stevenson has long been prominent in the borough in connection with the Wanganui River Trust Board and the golf club—of both of which he is hon. secretary and treasurer—the gas company and the freezing company as a director, and as an officer of the Masonic order.

Mr. Thomas Wixcey, who has occupied a seat on the Wanganui Harbour Board for three successive terms, was horn in 1848 near London. Educated in his native town, he entered mercantile life in the office of Messrs. Lewis and Peat, colonial and foreign brokers, of Mincing Lane, but left their service owing to ill-health and went to sea. Arriving in New Zealand waters per s.s. “Ahuriri” in 1864, he left the vessel at Napier, joining the Hawkes Bay Volunteers at the time of the Hau Hau rebellion. He served in the operations against Te Kooti, and afterwards in the Chatham Islands, and was complimented for his courage in the field and for his excellent conduct in camp. He afterwards went to sea as purser and provider of various steamers till 1882, when he settled in Wanganui, joining the firm of Hogan and Co., which in 1890 was incorporated under the Companies Act, and of which he has since been managing director.

Other Members.

The remaining members—Messrs. G. Carson (M.H.R. for the district), J. L. Stephen (mayor of the borough), J. R. Commercially (chairman, Wanganui County Council), J. Laird (chairman, Waitotara County Council), and A. Legit (Collector of Customs)—are referred to in those capacities.

Mr. J. Notman, J.P., S[unclear: ecretary,] Wanganui Harbor Board, Deputy Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, Chairman of the Wanganui Loan, Finance, and Investment Company, Secretary Wanganui Sash and Door Company, General Commission and Insurance Agent, Taupe Quay, Wanganui. Telegraphic and cable address “Norman, Wanganui. Telephone 27; P.O. Box 35. Bankers, Bank of Australis Private residence, River Bank. Mr. Norman was born in London, where he was brought up to commercial life. He left England in 1868 per ship “Portland” for Auckland, and for fifteen months in the early days of the Tames goldfield resided at Grahamstown. He came to Wanganui in the year 1870, and for seven years was employed on the staff of the Wanganui Herald. In the year 1857 he entered in partnership with the late Ho. John Balance, and continued one of the proprietors of the Herald until 1882, when he established the present business. Mr. Normans connection extends all over the Colony. As agent for absentees he holds several powers of attorney, under which he has the management of considerable properties. He is agent for the Commercial Union Insurance Company and the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company. Mr. Norman has occupied a seat as a member of the Wanganui Corporation, and has been chairman of most of the local bodies. For eleven years he was a member of the Wanganui Education Board, and at the time of his resignation in 1895 was chairman. He has been a prominent figure in Wanganui for many years past, and has been closely associated with the development of its social and municipal life.

Photo by A. Martin.
Mr. J. Notman.

Mr. Edward William Garner, who is clerk to Mr. John Norman, was born in the Wanganui District. He is a son of Mr. Edward Garner, an old resident of Wanganui, who is well known in the district. He was educated in the town, and has been in Mr. Normans office ever since leaving school.

Photo by A. Martin.
Mr. E. W. Garner.

Mr. Charles Quinton Pope, Deputy-Harbourmaster at Wanganui, was born at Liverpool, England, in 1854, and went to sea when fifteen years of age on the Black Ball Line, trading to Australia. Having sailed to most parts of the world, Mr. Pope settled down in New Zealand, and was for many years with different companies in the Colony. Prior to receiving his present appointment in 1892, he was for eight years with the Wellington Steam Packet Company. Mr. Pope, who lives in Wilson Street (a few minutes' walk from the wharves), is married and has six children.

Photo by A. Martin.
Mr. Chaos. Q. Pope.

Mr. Charles Frederick Day, Wharfinger, Wanganui, who took up his present duties in 1893, was born in Canterbury thirty years previously. Educated at Summer College, he entered the service of the Railway Department in 1882, and has been stationed at different branches throughout the Colony. Whilst at Mapper and Canterbury he went in enthusiastically for athletics, but owing to the pressure of his duties on the Wanganui Wharf he has been unable to indulge in out-door pastimes since settling in the district, except as a member of the Wanganui Rowing Club.

Photo by A. Martin.
Mr. C. F. Day.