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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke's Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]

Mr. Henry Charles Adolphus Wundram

Mr. Henry Charles Adolphus Wundram, Valuer and Inspector of Buildings for the Borough of Napier, was born in the year 1838, in Hanover, Germany, where his father was a builder. He was educated at the technical schools of Hanover, and afterwards entered a lawyer's office. Mr. Wundram subsequently followed a seafaring page 309 life for nine years, chiefly coasting out of Hartlepool. In 1862 he went to New South Wales by the ship “Royal Bride,” and deserted the vessel at Sydney, and as the “Royal Bride” was wrecked in Hawke's Bay a year later he had no cause to regret his act of desertion. After fourteen years of ups and downs on the Australian and New Zealand gold-fields, he settled in Napier in the year 1876, and started as a signwriter. Mr. Wundram then became an architect, and soon made a name for himself in that capacity, and many of the finest shops in Napier have been erected from his plans. In 1890 he was appointed borough valuer, and some two years later was appointed inspector of buildings. Mr. Wundram also does a good deal of inside office work, and is architect for all buildings erected under the auspices of the Borough Council. The pumping station, the fire brigade station, and other buildings were erected from his plans, and under his supervision. In illuminated addresses Mr. Wundram has done a great deal of work in excellent style. As a Freemason he is a Past Grand Warden, was secretary of Lodge Victoria for nineteen years, a member of Lodge Scinde, and was for four years Master of Lodge Charlston Kilwinning, No. 487. Mr. Wundram worked hard to establish the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and attended the meeting on that behalf held in Wellington in 1876, under the presidency of the late Mr. Vincent Pyke. For this and many other services he was the recipient of a presentation from Lodges Charlston and Victoria. He was president for a term of the Working Men's Club, and has been treasurer for many years. Mr. Wundram is also a member of the Napier Bowling Club, and secretary to the Loyal United Friends Benefit Society.