Mr. Edward Denham was born at Langport, Somerset, England, in 1834, and educated at the local grammar school. After an experience of two years in the Great Western Railway service, Mr. Denham went to the Crimea in 1855 as War Office clerk, on the staff of the Deputy-Quartermaster-General in the Turkish Contingent, and served under Colonel Morris, C.B., of the 17th Lancers. He has received the Foreign Service medal. Mr. Denham went out to South Australia shortly afterwards and was for some time engaged in conveyancing, being in the same office as the present Chief Justice Way. Settling in Canterbury in 1859, he was appointed a clerk in the Deeds Office in 1861, and became deputy-registrar in 1868. Mr. Denham was Deeds Registrar and Deputy Commissioner of Stamps at Christchurch till he retired at the end of April, 1902. He has been an active church officer and is a member of the Standing Committee of the Canterbury diocese; he is a life member of the Canterbury Rowing Club, and was formerly its treasurer, was a sergeant in No. 2 Rifle Volunteer Company until its disbandment, and also for a time honorary secretary of the Literary Institute, which grew into the Public Library. Mr. Denham was married in 1874 to a daughter of the late Mr. G. W. Nalder, solicitor, Christchurch, and has four sons and two daughters living.