Mr. William Simmonds , some-time of Wairau Valley and Blenheim, was born in London, England, on the 4th of March, 1819, and was educated at the Bluecoat School. At an early age he joined the navy and was engaged in the Indo-China and other services during his terms. Mr. Simmonds came to Nelson, in February, 1842, by the second immigrant ship which reached that part of New Zealand. On settling in Marlborough, he took to sheepfarming in the Wairau Valley, and was so engaged, and with various commercial undertakings in Blenheim, until 1868, when he returned to Nelson. Mr. Simmonds always took a great interest in the affairs of his district, and was a highly respected member of the Order of Oddfellows. He died at Nelson on the 12th of December, 1875, when he left a widow, two sons, and one daughter.