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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. William Seed

Mr. William Seed represented Lambton Ward from September, 1888, to September, 1889. He was born in Liverpool in 1828, and educated there. Coming to New Zealand with his parents in November, 1840, in the ship “Martha Ridgway,” he started work in 1841 for the Hon. W. B. Rhodes, general merchant. In the course of a few years he joined the service of the New Zealand Company, but after a short period left to enter the Government employ, in which he had a long and honourable career. Mr. Seed was first attached to the Governor (Sir George Grey's) staff in 1853. While Sir George was absent from the Colony, Mr. Seed served as clerk and warehouse-keeper to the Customs Department in Wellington. Upon Sir George's return he rejoined his staff and acted as his private secretary till 1863. Mr. Seed became Under-Secretary to the Defence Department, and held the position during the Waikato wars. In 1865 he became Collector of Customs, and was appointed permanent head of the department in May, 1866. During the absence of the Auditor-General, in 1868, Mr. Seed filled that office. He was a member of the committee which drafted the “Civil Service Act of 1866,” and in 1868 he served on the Royal Commission, appointed to inquire into the system of keeping the Treasury accounts. In 1870, Mr. Seed was sent to visit and report on the Samoan group. He acted along with Mr. Batkin, in 1871, in making the celebrated confidential report to Ministers with a view to reform the Civil Service Departments. On many occasions he visited the Australian colonies on diplomatic missions. On visiting Britain in 1875, Mr. Seed made a report on the lighthouse systems, and when the commercial treaty was arranged with Fiji in 1886, he acted for New Zealand with Messrs. Moss and Shirley Baker in arranging its terms. Another inquiry was made into the working of Government departments in 1884, and Mr. Seed's services were again required on the board of investigation. Mr. Seed retired as second officer in the service and secretary and inspector of the Customs and Marine Departments in 1888, having worked his way upwards from the post of junior clerk. After such a distinguished life of service Mr. Seed spent the remainder of his days in the quite retirement of his home page 303 Mr. William Seed in Abel Smith Street, Wellington, to enjoy a liberal though well-earned pension. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Eliza Cook, daughter of Mr J. Cook, an early settler; his second wife, who is still living, is the eldest daughter of Mr. Geo. Allen, J.P., one of Wellington's oldest identities. The family consists of three children by the first wife and seven by the second. Of these, five are daughters and five sons. Mr. F. W. R. Seed, the eldest son, is in the Australian Mutual Provident Society's service in Sydney; the second son, Mr. J. G. Seed, is a chief engineer in the Union Steam Shipping Company's employ; Mr. H. H. Seed, the third son, is in the Land and Income Tax Department, Wellington; Mr. F. E. Seed, the fourth son, is an engineer in the Duke line of steamers. The youngest son is at present attending Wellington College. The eldest daughter is unmarried and at home; the second daughter is Mrs. L. H. B. Wilson, of Wellington; Mrs. E. R. Courtenay Bowen is the third. The younger two are unmarried.