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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Councillor Charles Edward Walter Willeston

Councillor Charles Edward Walter Willeston, one of the members representing Lambton Ward in the City Council of Wellington, has been closely and prominently identified with the Empire City for a great many years. Born in the State of New York, close to where the city of Rochester now stands, he passed his childhood and youth in America, whither his parents had migrated from England. His education was carried on mainly by private tutors, he being unable to attend an ordinary school in consequence of his almost total blindness, a legacy left him by a very severe attack of measles. At thirteen, his sight being somewhat stronger, he was put to sea as a midshipman, in the hope that constant sea travelling would be beneficial to his health generally, and his eyes in particular. In this capacity he visited China, India, Japan, and many other places, and in the matters of health and sight the most sanguine hopes of his parents were fully realized. In 1858 Councillor Willeston came to Wellington, having previously had some experience on the goldfields of California and Australia. Almost immediately on arrival in the Empire City (which was not the empire city then, but a very small struggling town), Mr. Willeston entered into business on Lambton Quay, where for upwards of thirty years he was so well known and respected as a wholesale and retail tobacconist. In 1889 he sold his business as a going concern to Mr. E. C. Batkin, who is referred to elsewhere in the Cyclopedia. Councillor Willeston has been ever ready to help on every good work, and having no business matters to engage his attention, he has the time to devote to the public interests, and this he does without grudge or stint. He is a trustee— page 279 Councillor Charles Edward Walter Willeston and for some few years was chairman—of the Home for the Aged Needy. For over ten years he has been on the Board of Trustees of the Wellington Hospital. As a J.P. of some few years' standing, he is Visiting Justice to Her Majesty's Gaol. Councillor Willeston was first elected to the Council in 1888, when there was a general election consequent on a rearrangement of wards decided upon by the outgoing Council. At a general election the candidate gaining the highest number of votes in any ward is deemed to be elected for three years, the second on the list sits for two years, and the third for one. The honour of first position for Lambton Ward—the principal ward in the city—was accorded to Mr. Willeston. He has continued a member since that date, and is now therefore serving his third term, having been returned each time by a large majority. Within the Council he is equally popular. He is a member of the Library Committee, and for the past eight years has been on the Public Works and City Reserves Committees. And not only in a public way does Councillor Willeston do all he can to help the city. In his private expenditure he has ever made it a point to patronize local concerns in every way compatible with justice and fairness. In 1860 Mr. Willeston married Miss Bidmead, the daughter of an old settler, and the family numbers four, three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Simpson whose husband was well known in Wellington for several years in connection with the New Zealand Times. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are now comfortably settled in the Orange Free State, South Africa.