Mr. Walter Henry Scott was born in London, on the 9th of October, 1828, where he learned the builders' trade. He arrived in New Plymouth in 1854, by the barque “Cashmere,” and started in business as a contractor in Devon Street. When the native troubles broke out. Mr. Scott joined the Taranaki militia, commanded by Captain William King, page 58 and was present at the battle of Mahoetahi, under Major-General Pratt, C.B. He served through the whole war, and received the New Zealand war medal. About 1865, Mr. Scott was elected a member of the old Town Board, and, seeing the unfair treatment it received from the Provincial Council, he agitated for over two years to establish a municipality, and, after great opposition, successfully carried his point, Mr. Standish, the well known solicitor, being elected first Mayor. He was also partly instrumental in getting Egmont Street formed into Devon Street, through Mount Elliott. Mr. Scott was a member of the old Town Board for seven years, of the Borough Council for six years, was for three years connected with the Harbour Board, several years on the Licensing Committee, and for four years a member of the school committee. He retired some years ago from public life, and has since devoted his whote attention to business. In the year 1852, he married, and came to New Zealand on account of the health of Mrs Scott, who died in 1892, leaving three sons and three daughters.