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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. Thomas Williams

Mr. Thomas Williams, who was a member of the Auckland City Council from 1871 to 1874, and occupied
Mr. T. Williams.

Mr. T. Williams.

a seat on the Auckland Harbour Board in 1874, was born in Plymouth, England, on the 24th May, 1819, and died on the 2nd of August, 1889. He was brought up to the trade of a sailmaker and joined H.M.S. “Ringdove” at an early age. At the expiration of his time Mr. Williams went to America, and established himself in business in Prince Edward's Island. Owing to the rigour of the winter climate, however, he was obliged to leave that colony, and landed in New Zealand about 1862. Mr. Williams lost no time in setting up in business. He leased a large section of land at the corner of Fort Street—where now stands the Victoria Arcade—and built large premises for himself, which he occupied till 1877, when misfortunes drove him to retire into private life. A quiet life, however, did not suit him, and he determined to retrieve his lost fortunes by again starting in business, but, again meeting with ill-success, he was soon compelled to relinquish his efforts. A man full of vigour, and at one time a picture of health, the worry of repeated misfortunes gradually told upon him, and he survived only three years after his second retirement. Mr. Williams was a trustee of St. Matthew's church for many years, and a well-known and popular member of the Masonic craft. He left a widow and daughter to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father.