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Historic Poverty Bay and the East Coast, N.I., N.Z.

Biographical

Biographical.

Hon. William Gisborne (after whom Gisborne was named) was born in 1825. He was a son of Thomas John Gisborne, of Home Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire, and Sarah, daughter of J. A. Krehmer, St. Petersburg. Educated at Harrow, he was only 17 years old when he migrated to South Australia. In 1847 he moved to New Zealand and was appointed private secretary to Lieutenant-Governor Eyre of New Munster. A few months later he became clerk to the Executive Council. In 1848 he was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands for New Ulster, in 1850 Native Titles Commissioner, in 1854 Under-Secretary for Lands, and in 1856 Under-Secretary in the Colonial Secretary's Office. In 1861 he married Caroline, daughter of Assistant Commissary-General Bridger. He was given a seat in the Legislative Council in 1869, and appointed Colonial Secretary. In 1871 he was elected unopposed as M.H.R. for Egmont, and, in 1877, whilst he was in London, he was returned for Totara (Westland). For a short period in 1879 he was Minister for Lands, Mines and Immigration. In 1881 he resettled in England as successor to his brother in the possession of several country homes. He became heir to his cousin (Sir Thomas Evans) in 1892, and took over Allestree Hall, Derby. In 1886 he published Rulers and Statesmen of New Zealand, and in 1889 The Colony of New Zealand. He died on 7 January, 1898.