TONKS, BENJAMIN (1832-84) was born in Birmingham. At the age of 19 he emigrated to Australia and had some experience on the Victorian goldfields, afterwards entering into business as a merchant in Melbourne. His health suffering, he came to New Zealand (1855) in the schooner Pioneer and started farming at Wairoa. Shortly afterwards he entered the office of Connell and Ridings, auctioneers, Auckland. He next joined the provincial public works department, from which he transferred to the Crown Lands department, remaining there until the Government was transferred to Wellington. Tonks then started the firm of B. Tonks and Co., auctioneers and estate agents. During the Maori troubles he held a commission in the defence forces (ensign, 1862; lieutenant, 1863; captain of volunteers, 1866). In 1871 he was elected to the Auckland city board, on which he served until the inauguration of the borough council, of which he was also a member, and he was on the harbour board (1871).

Tonks was elected to the Provincial Council in 1871 for Parnell, re-elected in 1873 and sat till 1875, when he visited England. He was a member of the executive 1874-75. On his return to the Colony he was elected mayor of Auckland, in which capacity he served also on the domain board, the improvement commission and the board of health. In July 1876 he was elected to represent Auckland City West in Parliament, but he resigned his seat in 1877. Tonks was a member of the Remuera road board until his death; was for many years on the Auckland land board; was twice elected auditor of the Bank of New Zealand, and was a director of the New Zealand Accident Assurance Co. He took an interest in sport and was president of the Auckland Racing club. He died on 27 Jul 1884.

Cycl. N.Z., ii; N.Z. Herald, 28 Jul 1884. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 199

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