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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Downer, William

Downer, William, Timber Merchant, Helensville, Mr. Downer, who is a well-known timber merchant in the Wairoa district, was born in London in 1844, and educated at Home. After leaving school he was apprenticed to a shipwright and thoroughly mastered the trade. He came to New Zealand at the age of seventeen per the ship “John Duncan” and landed in Auckland, where he entered the yards of Mr. Taylor and Captain Solomon. Afterwards he went to Riverhead, where he worked as a contractor for two years, then went with the first “rush” to the Thames goldfields, and was for some time manager of the “Never Too Late to Mend” mine. He finally settled in Helensville, where he has been a resident off and on for more than thirty years. Mr. Downer has taken a prominent part in local affairs, having been a member of the town board, and the school committee, and chairman of the domain board. He owns a very fine property on the river, of about 4000 acres, stocked with over 200 head of cattle. The homestead, called “The Pah,” is page 636 prettily situated. Mr. Downer is married to a daughter of Sergeant-Major Inglis, and has six sons and two daughters.

Mr. W. Downer.

Mr. W. Downer.