Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

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

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Gray, Ebenezer, Master Builder, Oliver Street, Newtown, Bankers, Bank of New Zealand. The subject of this sketch was born in Bedford, England, in the year 1842. Apprenticed to trade at Northamptonshire, he arrived at Lyttelton in 1872 by the ship “Northampton,” after making the fastest trip for a sailing vessel recorded up to that date, viz., seventy-two days. He worked at his trade in Christchurch for the late Mr. Reece, for some time M.H.R. for that city. Removing to Greytown, in 1876 he stayed there for eleven years, during which time he built the greater part of that town, including the Wesleyan Church, Rising Sun Hotel, Foresters' Arms, Gentlemen's Club, and, in fact, was never a week idle during the time he was there. Mr. Gray came to Wellington in 1887, and was immediately successful in getting large contracts. Among the principal buildings he erected in Wellington were the Imperial Insurance Building?. Mr. Virtue's store on the reclaimed land, St. Thomas' Church. Newtown, and Mr. G. W. Smart's building in Manners Street. Mr. Gray went for a trip to England and the Continent in 1892, and was away for eleven months.