Mr. William Llewellin Fowler was Mayor of Hokitika from 1882 to 1885. He was born in the year 1834, in Gloucestershire, England, where he was educated and learned the drapery trade. About 1856, he arrived in Australia, and at once entered into hotel-keeping at Carisbrook for a few months. Mr. Fowler then went to Hay, in New South Wales, where he followed his trade, and travelled throrough the country districts with considerable profit. In 1865, when the West Coast “rush” set in, he crossed over to New Zealand, and at once established himself in business in Hokitika, in a small, unpretentious building. Mr. Fowler soon built up a good business connection, and was compelled to enlarge his premises. At the time of his death he occupied the largest drapery establishment in Hokitika, and it was well known throughout the Coast as the “West of England” house. Mr. Fowler was a borough councillor for many years, a member of the Charitable Aid Board and Benevolent Society, an active adherent of the English Church, and a member of its choir for eight years. Mr. Fowler, who was generous to a fault, had been a widower for many years. He died on the 5th of July, 1898.