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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. William Crowther

Mr. William Crowther, sometime Mayor of Auckland, as well as Member of the House of Representatives, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1834. At the early age of nineteen he migrated to Victoria, and was a successful contractor on the goldfields for ten years. He was then attracted to Otago by the gold “rush” to the Dunstan, and brought with him a number of teams of horses and waggons. Soon afterwards a demand arose for horses in Auckland, in consequence of the Maori war, and in 1863 he and several others took to that city a large number of horses in the steamer “Phœbe,” and continued to trade in the horse line between Melbourne and different ports of New Zealand for a period of about two years. Mr. Crowther then went to Melbourne, where he had ten vehicles built for passenger and other traffic, and commenced a 'bus service between Auckland and Remuera. The headquarters of the business were in the Manukau Road, Parnell, but were afterwards removed to Albert Street, and, later still, to the Victoria stables, Wellesley Street East, which he built. There Mr. Crowther conducted a most successful business for twelve years, when he retired on the fruits of his industry and labour. He was elected a city councillor in 1878, and was a hard working and painstaking member for sixteen years. He was elected mayor in succession to Mr. J. H. Upton, and held office for two consecutive years with credit to himself and benefit to the ratepayers. Mr. Crowther was also a member of the governing body of Auckland College and Grammar school, the city schools' committee, Charitable Aid Board, and Sailors' Home. For some years he was a member of the Harbour Board, and was chairman for a term. Mr. Crowther died on the 15th of March, 1900, aged sixty-six years. He is referred to in another article as having been a member of Parliament.