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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

The Hon. James Alexander Bonar

The Hon. James Alexander Bonar, first and only Superintendent of Westland, and formerly a member of the Legislative Council, was a prominent figure in Westland, from the early days of the gold rush, until his death on the 7th of November. 1901. He was a son of the late Mr. Archibald Bonar, at one time a banker in Edinburgh, and afterwards Intimately connected with the initiation of the Hokitika Savings Bank, of which he was for some years manager. Mr. Bonar was born in Edinburgh. Scotland, and was educated at the Edinburgh Academy. He accompanied his father to Australia in the year 1854, and held a position a shipping clerk with Messrs J. Henty and Co., in Melbourne, for a few years. In 1863, Mr. Bonar came to New Zealand, and entered into business as a general merchant in Invercargill under the style of Henderson and Bonar. Two years later, he removed to the West Coast, and landed in Hokitika in March, 1865. Mr. Bonar established himself as a merchant and shipping agent, and carried on an extensive business, including the agencies of Messrs McMeeking, Blackwood, and Co., and afterwards of the Union Steamship Company, and the
Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.The Late Hon. J. A. Bonar.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
The Late Hon. J. A. Bonar.

principal shipping firms in England, America, and Europe trading with New Zealand; and was also appointed Lloyds' agent. From the first he took a prominent part in public matters and was a member of the first public body on the West Coast—the Hokitika Improvement Committee. In the year 1876, Mr. Bonar acted as Secretary of the Goldfields for a short time, under the Canterbury Provincial Council, was a member of the Executive Council of that body, and held the position until the separation of Westland from Canterbury. He was elected the first Mayor of Hokitika in 1867, and held office until the following year. For about a year Mr. Bonar was chairman of the Experimental County Council, and on the establishment of Provincial Government at Hokitika in 1874, became the first at only Superintendent of Westland. He was afterwards Administrator of the affairs of the Provincial Council, and also wound them up. In December, 1877, a silver epergne was presented to him, on the completion of this commission, by the people of the district for the manner in whcih he had carried out the duties of the Superintendency. Mr. Bonar turned the first sod of the Hokitika-Greymouth railway in the year 1879. He was called to the Legislative Council in June, 1868, and continued to take an active interest in his duties until his death. For about thirty years he performed the duties of Visiting Justice to Her Majesty's Gaol. and was for many years Official Visitor to the Seaview Asylum. For some years Mr. Bonar held office as president of the Hokitika Hospital, find was for a number of years chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board. He was justly considered the father of the volunteer movement on the West Coast, and was promoted to the rank of Major in the year 1884, and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1891; he obtained his long service medal in 1865, and subsequently received the Victoria decoration. Mr. Bonar took a general interest in the development of the West Coast, and was a strong supporter of goldmining interests. As a man he was universally loved and respected. Mr. Bonar married a daughter of the late Mr. William Montgomerie Bell, of Melbourne, of the firm of William M. Bell and Company, merchants, in 1874. At his death he left a widow and five sons.