Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Mr. Alexander Wilson, Senr., was a member of the City Council from September, 1883, to the same month in 1886. Mr. Wilson was born near Craigmiller Castle, Scotland, on the 25th of June, 1828, and received his early education at the Liberton Church Parish School under Dr. Begg. He was apprenticed to the building trade. Afterwards he went to Edinburgh, where he worked with several of the noted builders of that city. In the workshops of Messrs. Beattie and Co., where some 130 men were constantly employed, he worked his way up to the responsible position of foreman. When gold discoveries brought Australia into prominence, Mr. Wilson was smitten with the “fever,” and left by the ship “Admiral Boxer,” arriving in Melbourne in the first week of June, 1854. He worked at his trade in Melbourne for a while, and assisted in building the first Exhibition Building in 1854. After some disappointing experiences on the Maryborough and other diggings he returned to Melbourne, which he soon left for New Zealand. Arriving in Wellington on the 12th of February, 1855, just three weeks after the great earthquake, Mr. Wilson worked with Mr. W. Mills, Mr. George Hunter and others for some years, and afterwards went into business for himself, and has been very successful at his trade. He has since had a grocery store in Newtown, which is now conducted by his son Alexander, Mr. Wilson has taken a great interest in local institutions. He was one of the founders of the Newtown School, and also of the St. James' Presbyterian Church. As a property-holder he has considerable interests in Cuba Street, Tory Street, and other parts of the city, including five acres where he resides in Constable Street. Mr. Wilson has been a member of the Antipodean Lodge of Oddfellowe for the last thirty-six years, and has passed the chairs, including that of Grand Master. He has done much to further the prosperity of Wellington. Mr. Wilson was married at Stockbridge, Edinburgh, to Anne Garland. Of his family, seven survive—four sons and three daughters, who are all married with the exception of two daughters. Mrs. Wilson died on the 18th of May, 1884. Largely through Mr. Wilson's efforts, the name of Newtown has recently been changed to Wellington South, an obvious advantage, the name of Newtown causing great inconveniences and annoyances through there being other towns of the same name in New Zealand.