Mr. John Harrison, Formerly Managing Director of the Northern Union Steam Boat Company, was born at Wairoa in 1862, and served his apprenticeship to the boot and shoe business. For some years, Mr. Harrison had a most varied experience, and at different times followed the occupations of gum digging, billiard marking, and trading on the river in a small yacht. He was then employed by Dr. Campbell in the river trade for about six years, and on the Kauri Company buying the business, he engaged in bush contracting, in which he still conducts extensive operations. For some years he ran a line of steamers on the Wairoa river in opposition to the Northern Rivers Company, and in 1897 he purchased page 638 half the interests of that company, in which he afterwards held the position of managing director. Mr. Harrison resides at Aratapu. He is married, and has a family of three children.