Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay & Wellington Provincial Districts]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1908, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Mr. William James McGrath was elected to the Napier Borough Council in 1900, and served continuously till April, 1906, when he resigned in order to contest the Mayoralty. He was born in Napier in February, 1866, his father, a member of the 65th Imperial Regiment, being at that time in residence in the town. He was educated at a private academy under Mr. J. A. Reardon, and was subsequently engaged in a variety of employments, including those of a compositor, a cabinet-maker, a shearer, a ploughman, a labourer, etc. In 1897 he purchased a general grocery business in Napier, and has since conducted an extensive trade. Mr. McGrath is a member of the local Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, is a Past District President of the United Ancient Order of Druids, and is president of the Napier Tradesmen's Sports Club. For several years he held the local championship for the quarter and half-mile sprint; he is vice-president of the Union Rowing Club, and a member of the football and cricket clubs. At the general election of 1905 he unsuccessfully contested the Napier seat. Mr. McGrath is married, and has three sons and one daughter.