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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Mr. H. P. Higginson
Mr. H. P. Higginson, M.Inst.C.E., is the Engineer and Manager of the Wellington Gas Company, Limited, Courtenay Place, Wellington. Mr. Higginson is a native of Yorkshire. He was educated at the Collegiate School, Leicester, and was articled as engineer to Sir W. Fairbairn, of Manchester. He was elected member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, London, in 1867. Before coming to the Colony, Mr. Higginson spent three years on railway construction in Russia, five years on hydraulic works in India, and five years as Government railway engineer in Mauritius. He came to New Zealand in 1872 via America, and was shipwrecked on the way, completing the journey from Honolulu to Auckland per R.M.S. “Nebraska.” Mr. Higginson came to New Zealand to accept the position of superintending engineer to the Public Works Department, taking up this appointment in May, 1872, and holding it for five years. He subsequently went into private practice in Dunedin, and this Colony possesses many large works which have been carried out under his designs and superintendence. The Waimea Plains Railway was built by him. The Balcluth[unclear: a] Traffic Bridge, and the Kaiwarra Suspension Bridge, near Queenstown, the Lyttelton Water Works, Waimakariri Gorge Bridge, in Canterbury, were all designed and constructed under his able direction. When the Manawatu Railway was started Mr. Higginson returned to Wellington, and was appointed chief engineer to design and superintend its construction. The work was started in 1882, and was successfully completed in four years, the last spike being driven on the 3rd of November, 1886. He joined the Gas Company in June, 1889, on the death of Mr. J. R. George, and has held the position of engineer and manager ever since.