CARTER, CHARLES ROOKING (1822-96) was born in Kendal, Westmoreland, the son of a builder. He was intended for a profession and went to Samuel Marshall's school (1835-6) but became interested in the intelligence from New Zealand. He was an ardent Chartist and a radical reformer. While working at Newcastle and Gateshead (1839-43) he attended the exhibition of arts, manufactures and practical science and took classes in drawing.

Going to London in 1843, Carter was a good deal out of employment and made use of his leisure by studying in the Westminster Literary Institute. He was interested in working-class politics and was secretary of the movement which resulted in many London shops stopping work at 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Inspired by the Liberal risings in Europe, he wrote many letters to the papers in favour of emigration to New Zealand. He was now employed as a builder's principal foreman. When news reached London of the earthquake in New Zealand (1848) he wrote an article on the defective building construction then prevalent in Wellington.

In 1850 Carter married Jane Robieson (or Robertson), of Turriff, Aberdeenshire, and sailed for New Zealand in the Eden. He at once entered into business as a builder, erected a fine country house for Fitzherbert, and in 1853 began to practise as a surveyor and valuer. He helped to form the No 1 Building Society and became interested in politics as a supporter of Featherston and the Constitutional Association. He was nominated for the Provincial Council in 1853 but withdrew on accepting a government contract for the first reclamation in the harbour. In March of that year he attended the first public meeting with the object of forming a small farms association. W. Allen (q.v.) presided and Masters (q.v.) and Carter were on the committee. Carter saw the project through, and was eventually liquidator of the association (1858). In 1853 he purchased Wilson's brickyard. In 1855 he was one of the two members of the earthquake commission, and was responsible for the report (presented to the Superintendent on 4 Sep 1855). He was an active promoter of the first Steam Navigation Co., which purchased the Wonga Wonga and afterwards the Stormbird, paid 10 per cent. per annum and returned to shareholders £19 for every £10 share. In 1857 a petition was sent to the Provincial Council asking for another small farm settlement to be proclaimed and to be named Cartervale. ('Carterton' was duly proclaimed on 26 July 1859).

Carter and Borlase were elected to the Provincial Council for Wairarapa, defeating Revans and Jackson. In the political duel between Wakefield and Featherston he supported the Superintendent. In 1859 Carter was elected to represent Wairarapa in the House of Representatives, in which he sat until 1865. He retired from the Provincial Council in 1859 on accepting a contract for the bridge over the Waiohine, but was re-elected unopposed. At the end of 1863 Carter sailed for England, where he acted as immigration agent for the province and negotiated on behalf of the Provincial Council for the patent slip in Evans Bay and the iron bridge over the Wanganui river. During his absence he resigned from both Council and Parliament. Carter suggested to the people of Greytown to create an educational trust out of unselected town sections (a plan afterwards adopted in Masterton). In 1866 he published the first of a three-volume autobiography which gives a valuable insight into life and politics in early Wellington. He lived for some years in England, being employed by the agent general as immigration officer (1871-74). On his wife's death he returned to New Zealand, and died on 22 Jul 1896.

Carter, op cit.; Cycl. N.Z., i; Wellington P.C. Proc. and Gaz.; N.Z.P.D.; Wakelin; Wellington Independent, 13 Jan 1860. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 89

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