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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
The Hon. John Martin
The Hon. John Martin,
M.L.C., was born in 1822 at Maghera, near Dublin, and came to New Zealand per ship “Lady Nugent” in 1841. He was a self-made man, having raised himself by untiring energy and perseverance from the bottom of the ladder. Commencing as a pick and shovel hand he worked on till he was able to become a contractor, and ultimately he established himself in business as a storekeeper. His first shop was situated on the site now occupied by the Bank Hotel. For some time prior to this he was at Petre (Wanganui) when the militia were stationed there. Subsequently Mr. Martin became an auctioneer, and conducted a prosperous business for many years. As a speculator and investor in landed property he was uniformly successful. In his early life his parents intended the subject of this sketch for an ecclesiastical position, but his tastes did not lie in that direction. He was able to do a good deal to assist in the settlement of the Colony. With Mr. Plimmer, of Wellington, and Mr. Henderson, of Auckland, he founded the, “Circular Saw” line of steamers. Their boats, the “Wellington,” “Airedale,” “Taranaki,” “Phoebe,” “Aorere” and others were at length sold to the Union Steam Ship Company, and formed a nucleus of the present fine business. The honourable gentleman was called to the Legislative Council in 1878, and remained a member till the 17th of May, 1892, when he died after a very short illness. He did not weary his brother councillors by the length and frequency of his addresses; in fact, his reticence earned for him the designation of “the silent member.” Mr.
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Martin was married and brought up a large family of ten sons and daughters, of whom Dr. Albert Martin and Mrs. R. O'Connor reside in Wellington.