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. William Watson, J.P., the President of the Bank of New Zealand, was appointed to that high position soon after the Colony became so closely identified with the Bank by the passing of the legislation of the session of 1894. Born in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, on the 23rd of December, 1846, and educated at Tain, Rossshire, Mr. Watson chose banking for his profession. He entered the office of the Caledonian Bank at Bonarbridge, Sutherlandshire, Scotland, in 1864, and three years later he joined the Oriental Bank Corporation, taking a position in the London office of that institution. In 1873 Mr. Watson was sent to Ceylon in the interest of the Bank, which he represented in that island for twelve years. At the end of this long term of service he was appointed manager of the Shanghai Branch of the Bank. During Mr. Watson's term in China, the Oriental Bank was forced into liquidation. On the formation of the new Oriental Bank he took charge for a time of its Shanghai Office, but soon afterwards returned to Colombo, to take part in the liquidation of the old bank in Ceylon. In 1886 Mr. Watson came to New Zealand and entered upon the duties of Inspector of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, which position he held till 1894, when he resigned to assume his present important and responsible office. He has been a Justice of the Peace for five or six years.