Woolston is an attractive suburban town about half-way between Christchurch and Sumner, Ferry Road, with its tram service and constant line of page 393 cars, each way, runs through the borough, at which there is also a station on the Christchurch-Lyttelton railway. Woolston is the site of a Queen Victoria Jubilee memorial Home for Aged Persons. The town obtains its water supply by means of artesian wells. At the census of April, 1901, there was a population of 2532; 1287 males, and. 1245 females.

The Woolston Borough Council was incorporated in 1893, prior to which Woolston had been under the jurisdiction of a town board. The Hillsborough and Ashbourne districts were included within the boundaries of the borough, which has an area of 1276 acres, At present the ratable value is £210,722, and the rates consist of a general rate of 1 1/4d in the pound, a Waimakariri River Board rate of 2-64ths of a penny, a drainage rate of 1/2d, and a hospital and charitable aid rate of 5-32 parts of a penny. From this source the total annual revenue is £1,621; the expenditure, £1,201. In June, 1902, the ratepayers resolved to adopt the Rating on Unimproved Values Act. The Borough Council contemplates the expenditure of £20,000 in a number of public works, including new channeling, the widening of streets, asphalting, and the erection of new municipal buildings, a library and a post office.

His Worship The Mayor, Mr. John Richardson was born in the town of Cupar, in Fifeshire, Scotland, and received his education in Edinburgh, where he also served an apprenticeship to the leather trade. He came to New Zealand in the ship “West Australian,” and landed in Wellington on the 1st of July, 1864. Soon after landing he was pressed into the militia, and underwent much military discipline. As the trouble with the Wanganui Maoris was at that time very acute. the company to which he belonged was held in readiness to go to the front. When the crisis was over Mr. Richardson removed to Canterbury with his uncle, who established himself in business as a tanner and currier in 1870. Mr. Richardson, who had all along been connected with the business. carried it on after his uncle's death until 1897, when he sold it as a going concern, and retired into private life. He was elected a member of the Woolston Town Board in 1884; and when the borough was created in 1893, he was elected its first mayor. To commemorate this event he presented the borough with a handsome memorial lamp and fountain suitably inscribed. and these were erected in front of the Council Chambers. He held office until 1896, when he resigned and made an extended tour of Australia. In 1902, Mr. Richardson was re-elected mayor, without opposition.

Councillor William Bowron is one of the oldest Members of the Woolston Borough Council. He was returned to the Council at it second election, and, with the exception of four years, has since sat continuously. He is a member of the works committee, and takes an active interest in municipal affairs. Mr. Bowron was born in London, and came to New Zealand in 1879. In conjunction with his brother, Mr. George Bowron, he immediately established a tannery at Woolston. Mr. Bowron has represented the firm in England in connection with the development of the trade with England and America. The firm is referred to elsewhere.

Councillor Francis W. Henley, of the Woolston Borough Council, was elected in 1898, and again in 1901. He is a native of Essex, England, and came to New Zealand in 1874. Mr. Henley is a partner in the firm of Messrs Offwood and rarely, general contract carriers, Cathedral Square, Christchurch.

Councillor John C. Hobson was first elected to the Woolston Borough Council in 1895, and has ever since, except during nine months, been a member of that body. As a councilor Mr. Hobson has been, a member of many of the committees. He was elected chairman of the finance committee in 1901 and still holds that office. Mr. Hobson was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in 1856, but was educated in Ireland at the Belfast Model School. He entered an apprenticeship of seven years with Messrs V. and D. Coates, engineers, of Belfast. On his parents returning to Leeds his indentures were cancelled, but he was re-indentured to Messrs J. Whitham and Sons, of that city, and was with them seven years. On the 17th of June, 1879, Mr. Hobson married Miss S. Hale, of Gloucester, and sailed for New Zealand on the 26th by the s.s, “Waitangi,” by which he reached Lyttelton in due course. Soon after his arrival Mr. Hobson was engaged by Mr. Watters, engineer and range manufacturer, of Christchurch, and is still in his employment. Mr. Hobson joined the Druids in 1887. and is a member of the Anchor Loage. For many years he acted as representative to the Grand Lodge, and has passed through all the offices, and now holds a Past District President's certificate, which was presented to him on the 2nd of May, 1890, by the Grand Lodge, Melbourne. Mr. Hobson resides in Randolph Street, Woolston, and has eight sons and one daughter.

Standish and Preece, photo.
Councillor J. C. Hobson.

Councillor David Moore, of the Woolston Borough Council, was elected in 1899, and again in 1901. He is a member of the works committee, and was appointed the council's delegate to the Canal Conference. Mr. Moore is a member of the Canterbury Yorkshire Society, and also of the Anchor Lodge of Druids, Woolston. He is referred to in another article as a man of business.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Councillor D. Moore.

Councillor Henry A. Owen was elected to the Woolston Borough Council in April, 1901. He has supported all progressive movements since his election, and has proved a useful and energetic member of the council. for Owen was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, where he served an apprenticeship with his father. He landed at Lyttelton by the ship “Soukar” in January, 1875, was in the employment of the Christchurch Tramway Company for about three years, and served it in connection with the International Exhibition in 1882. In 1883 he joined the Government railway service, and has since been appointed to the charge of the Pintsch gas plant, for the manufacture of Pintsch gas for the Canterbury section of railways. Mr. Owen has been a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters since 1876, and is now a P.C.R. In 1890 he was appointed secretary of the Railway Sick Benefit Society, and still (1902) holds the position. He has been a member of the Woolston school committee since 1899, was formerly on the St. Albans school committee, and has been executive officer of the School Committees' Association of Canterbury since 1899. Mr. Owen is married, and has four sons and two daughters.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Councillor H. A. Owen.

Councillor John Parish was elected to the Woolston Borough Council at the inauguration of the borough. On leaving the district he resigned his seat, but he stood again and was elected in 1901. He has always taken a great interest in the welfare of the borough, and holds the position of chairman of the works committee. Mr. Parish is a son of Mr. William Parish, one of the pioneer settlers. He was born at Ferry Road, Linwood, and was educated in Christchurch. For a number of years he was engaged in contracting and formed many roads throughout the Canterbury district. In 1882 Mr. Parish took to dairy farming, and in 1890 purchased the property of about forty acres which he now farms. Mr. Parish is well-known as a cattle dealer throughout the Christchurch district.

Wrigglesworth and Binns, photo.
Councillor J. Parish.

Councillor William Rennie, who was elected a Member of the Woolston Borough Council in 1899, is a partner in the firm of Messrs Rennie and Pearce, builders and contractors. A sketch of his interesting career is given in connection with the article on the firm.

Councillor J. Spreadbury was elected to the Woolston Borough Council in 1899. He was born in Wiltshire, England, and was brought up as a gardener. Mr. Spreadbury arrived in New Zealand in 1884, and now follows the occupation of a fruitgrower and market-gardener in Tilford Street, Woolston, where he has twelve acres under cultivation.

Mr. William Valentine Siddall was appointed Town Clerk to the Woolston Borough Council in 1902, and soon after his arrival from Invercargill he accepted the position of bandmaster of the Woolston Brass Band. Mr. Siddall was born in Corfu, Ionian Islands, in 1857. He was educated at the Duke of York School, London, and came out to Dunedin in the ship “Dunedin” in 1876 In the following year Mr. Siddall went to Invercargill and entered the service of Messrs Macrorie and Cuthbertson, auctioneers, and when that firm ceased to exist he joined the service of the Scottish and New Zealand Investment Company, Limited, as clerk. In 1881 he became accountant, and ten years later was appointed to the position of secretary. During his residence in Invercargill Mr. Siddall was well known as master of the Garrison Band, which he joined in April, 1877, as leader and teacher, and in 1882 took over the conductorship. In recognition of his services the Government, In 1890, conferred upon him a lieutenant's commission. Mr. Siddall has always taken a deep interest in the New Zealand Brass Band Association, and has assisted to raise brass bandmusic to its present standard. He holds a record of over twenty-five consecutive years of service in the volunteers, and has received the long service medal.

Mr. W. V. Siddall.