ATKINSON, ARTHUR SAMUEL (1833-1902) was born in the north of England and educated at Blackheath. He came to New Zealand with his brother, H. A. Atkinson (q.v.) in 1853 in the Sir Edward Paget and settled in the neighbourhood of New Plymouth. During the war of 1860 he served in the Taranaki volunteers under his brother, and when peace came he became editor and part proprietor of the Taranaki Herald. He was a member of the Provincial Council for Grey and Bell (1864-69) and of Parliament for Omata (1866-68), resigning for private reasons. He had, in fact, decided to prosecute his law studies, and for this purpose went to Nelson as secretary to Mr Justice Richmond. There he finished his legal education, was admitted (1871), and soon after joined the firm of Fell and Atkinson. He practised there until his death (on 10 Dec 1902). Atkinson was a leading member of the Nelson Philosophical Society. (See A. R. ATKINSON).

Taranaki P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; Parltry Record; Cycl. NZ, v; Salls.

Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 27

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