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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Williams, Herbert James
Williams, Herbert James, Broker, Land, Estate, Financial, and General Commission Agent, Featherston Street. P.O. Box 8. Private residence, 79 Webb Street. Mr. Williams commenced his present business in 1889; but long before that he was well and favourably known, not only in Wellington, but throughout New Zealand, and by name at any rate in all Australasia. He is a native of Kent, and arrived in this Colony in 1869, per “Electra” For some few years he followed the occupation of engineer, to which he had been brought up, and was for some years a partner in the firm of Smith Brothers and Williams; but he is better known to Wellingtonians in the capacity of host of the Metropolitan Hotel, which position he held for many years, and only relinquished it to begin his present business. His operations extend throughout the Welington provincial district and the South Island of New Zealand. Mr. Williams is secretary to the Wellington Freemasons' Hàll Company, Limited, and he holds the same position in the Brewers' and Wine and Spirit Merchants' Association of New Zealand. In the matter of public offices, Mr. Williams has a record that iew, if any, can beat. For five years he represented Thorndon Ward in the City Council; he was one of the original members nominated by the Government to the Hospital Committee; was elected by the Council to represent it on the District Charitable Aid Board, and the United District Board; was subsequently chairman of both these Boards; and was also elected by the Council to the Hospital Board. He has held three commissions in the volunteer service as lieutenant and captain of the Thorndon Rifles, and on the requisition of fifty members he accepted the captaincy of the Wellington Rifles. Sterling merit was the passport to all these offices in Mr. Williams's case. To accept a duty was with him to carry it out in a manner the most satisfactory. As a Friendly Society Officer, it is probable that Mr. Williams has no equal in this hemisphere. The highest offices in the gift of the members have been pushed upon him. For three years he was Grand Sire of Australasia in the American Order of Oddfellows, the highest position attainable beyond the limits of the United States; and at the present time he is Grand Superintendent of Freemasons for the Wellington district, under the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, with Masonie rank of Past Deputy Grand Master, which is the second highest rank in the craft, and Grand Scribe of the Supreme Grand Chapter of New Zealand. The Grand Lodge of Freemasonry largely owes its establishment to the efforts of Mr. Williams. To mention all the positions of importance which have been stepping stones to these high offices is unnecessary. Suffice it to say that the writer speaks from a long and intimate acquaintance with the subject of this article.