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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Mr. Charles Wesley Turner

Mr. Charles Wesley Turner, a very well-known old settler, who has been a Colonist of New Zealand for upwards of sixty years, is the son of the Rev. Nathaniel Turner, one of the pioneer missionaries who came to the Colony in 1823. Mr. Turner was born in Tasmania in 1834, was educated in Hobart and Sydney, and was in the service of the Union Bank of Australia in Sydney, Adelaide, and New Zealand respectively. When it was decided to open a branch of the Bank of New South Wales in this Colony, Mr. Turner was selected as manager to inaugurate the business in Canterbury in 1860. Some years later Mr. Turner retired from the Bank to follow commercial pursuits, and for many years was known as a merchant in Christchurch. Largely interested in the mercantile marine before the introduction of steamers, Mr. Turner employed many ships in the direct trade with London, China, India, Singapore, Batavia, Mauritius, South Africa, United States of America, Vancouver, and ports on the West Coast of South America, besides in the Intercolonial trade. Mr. Turner occupied a seat on the Christchurch City Council for several years. He was prominent in promoting the establishment of savings banks and building societies, and has been a member of the committees of these institutions since 1855. Mr. Turner still carries on business in Christchurch as a merchant, and also represents the Black Ball Coal Company and its steamers in New Zealand. He is referred to in that connection in another article in the commercial section of this volume.