PHILLIPS, COLEMAN (1846-1925), a son of Mark Phillips, was born in Weymouth, England, and educated at private schools in Weymouth and Bristol. Arriving in New Zealand in 1864 he took part in the Maori war, and received a military land grant in the Waikato. He served in various positions (including that of captain) on small trading ships on the Waikato and Waipa rivers.

In 1872, after four months in Fiji, Phillips persuaded the Bank of New Zealand to advance £45,000 to King Thakombau to consolidate his power against the German influence behind Maafu. The following year he induced Auckland merchants to purchase a ship for the island trade, and opened the service by exporting sheep and cattle from New Zealand. He also proposed a scheme for the annexation of the islands of the Pacific and in 1874 furthered the annexation of Fiji by establishing the Auckland and Fiji Banking Co. In the same year he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor.

In 1877 Phillips took up the Dry River station in the Wairarapa, where he inaugurated a system of forest tree-planting. In 1878 he laid off farms for sale on deferred payment. Phillips served as warden of the Featherston road board (1875-85), as chairman of the Otaraia rabbit board (1883), and as a member of the Wairarapa South and West county councils (1886-96). Among the many reforms for which he was responsible were the abolition of toll gates in the Wairarapa in 1879 (later followed by the rest of New Zealand); the establishment of the first cooperative dairy factory (at Greytown in 1881); a scheme for combating the rabbit pest (1883); the shipping of frozen mutton to London by the Lady Jocelyn (1883); the importation of Holstein cattle into the North Island (1887-88); the packing of apples for export (1888), and the construction of the first public water race (in 1894 on the Moroa plains). He was associated with the founding of the Romney Marsh flock book, and in 1890 suggested building the political capital on the Moroa plains to relieve the congestion in Wellington, and to save the public records from possible sea bombardment. Phillips was first president of the New Zealand Friesian association and chairman of the Carterton chamber of commerce (1906). He twice unsuccessfully contested the Wairarapa seat as an independent. He was the author of many papers and pamphlets on Pacific trade and industry, dairy farming, the rabbit pest and other subjects. His wife was Amy Constance, daughter of Mrs. George, of Melbourne. He died on 3 Jun 1925.

Cycl. N.Z., i (P); Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924; The Dominion, 4 Jun 1925.

Reference: Volume 2, page 86

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