REESE, DANIEL (1841-91) was born at Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland, educated there, and trained as a carpenter and builder in the Motherwell ironworks. In 1862 he came to Canterbury in the Zealandia, worked for Joseph Bailey for a few years; visited the West Coast goldfields (1865), and started in business in Christchurch with Rankin and Greig. Later, on his own account, he built many of the outstanding buildings, including St Paul's Church, Lincoln Agricultural College, the School of Art and Holy Trinity Church. He was chairman of the West Christchurch school committee and a member of the City Council (1882-85, 1888-89).

Reese represented Stanmore in Parliament (1884-87), and was a supporter of the West Coast railway. He was a prominent oarsman, one of the four who built the Black Eagle and rowed her down the Avon and round the coast to Lyttelton, where they competed successfully at the regatta until 1874. Later he was a keen draughts player and first president of the Christchurch draughts club. He died on 4 Oct 1891.

Cycl. NZ, iii; Lyttelton Times, 5 Oct 1891. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 109

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