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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. Alexander James Willis

Mr. Alexander James Willis, J.P., Clerk to the Executive Council, and Secretary to the Premier and Cabinet, is an old public servant. Born in 1827 at Cape Colony, he removed in 1834, with his parents, to Tasmania, where he was educated. In 1840, he was appointed clerk in the Controller-General's office in the Imperial Convict Service, remaining for twelve years. In 1852, Mr. Willis had some experience on the Victorian diggings, and afterwards entered the service of that colony as superintendent of the convict hulk, which position he held for two years. Mr. Willis came to New Zealand in 1861, and at once entered the Otago Provincial Government service in the office of the Provincial Secretary. Subsequently he was appointed Under-Secretary and also Resident Magistrate and Goldfields Warden, residing in Dunedin. In 1878 he joined the General Government service, in the Land Tax Department, and three years later, when the business was concentrated in the Empire City, he was transferred to Wellington. Mr. Willis was promoted to the position of Secretary to the Cabinet in 1885. He is an unattached member of the Masonic fraternity, having been a member of the Otago Kilwinning Lodge. In 1871 he was married to Miss Nicholson, daughter of the late Rev. Mr. Nicholson, an early settler in Nelson and Marlborough. Mr. Willis's family consists of seven daughters and five sons.

Mr. Alexander James Willis

Photo by Wrigglesworth and Binns.