Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. Benjamin Tonks

Mr. Benjamin Tonks, the first Mayor elected directly by the ratepayers, was the senior partner and founder of the firm of B. Tonks and Co., merchants and auctioneers, of Auckland. He was born in Birmingham, England, in 1832, and at the early age of seventeen he caught the spirit of adventure, with which the majority of the pioneers of colonisation were animated. Accordingly, he sailed from Glasgow on a twelve month's tour in Australia, and landed in 1852, when the gold fever was at its height. He visited the various goldfields throughout Victoria, and ultimately commenced business in Melbourne, with fair prospects of success. Too close application to sedentary business, however, brought on a severe attack of illness, and on the recommendation of his medical advisers he wound up his affairs in Melbourne and removed to the more bracing climate of Auckland, to which he came in the schooner “Pioneer,” owned and commanded by Captain Wing, late harbourmaster at the Manukau. After farming at the Wairoa and recovering his health, Mr. Tonks took office with Messrs Connell and Ridings, the principal auctioneers in the province. After being with that firm for some time, Mr. Tonks entered the service of the Provincial Government, and subsequently accepted an engagement in the civil service of the Colony under the General Government. During the Waikato war he joined the Auckland volunteers as an ensign, and took his share of the hardships and dangers that fell to the lot of the Colony's brave citizen soldiers. His first commission as ensign was dated the 5th of March, 1862; he became a lieutenant on the 2nd of July, 1863, and was promoted to a captaincy on the 23rd of April, 1866. On the cessation of hostilities he received a commission as captain in the New Zealand Militia, in July, 1866. In April, 1871, Mr. Tonks was elected a member of the City Board, and continued to devote his services to the citizens until the institution of the Borough of Auckland, when he was elected a member of the City Council. He also served as a member of the Harbour Board, to which he was elected in May, 1871. On the 30th of October of the same year he was elected a member of the Provincial Council for the Parnell constituency. Again, in November, 1873, he contested the same seat, and was returned at the head of the poll. He became a member of the Provincial Executive on the 27th of November, 1874, with the portfolio of treasurer, and held office until his departure for Europe in May of the following year. On his return, the long and faithful services he had rendered to the public were recognised by his being nominated by a numerous and influential party for the office of mayor, then just made elective by the Municipal Corporations Act, 1875, and he was chosen for that position on the 16th of December, 1875, by a majority of 660 votes over his opponent. He was also, ex officio, a member of the Domain Board, chairman of the Local Board of Health, and a member of the Board of Improvement Commissioners. Mr. Tonks is referred to in another article as member for Auckland City West in the House of Representatives.