WRIGHT, EDWARD GEORGE (1831-1902) was born in Kent, and, on leaving school, joined a firm of engineers and contractors. He supervised the building of the gasworks in Rome, was connected with the construction of Woolwich dockyards, and in 1857 came to New Zealand under engagement to the Wellington provincial government, for which he built the lighthouse at Pencarrow Heads. He afterwards became director of public works for Hawke's Bay, and in 1862 settled in Canterbury as a private engineer and contractor. He constructed a number of bridges, railways and roads, including part of the West Coast road. In 1864 he was one of the founders of the Christchurch Gas Co., of which he was chairman (1867-1902).

Wright sat in the House of Representatives as member for Coleridge (1879-81) and for Ashburton (1881-84, 1890-93, 1896-99). In 1882 he declined the portfolio of Minister of Agriculture. In 1887 he took up sheepfarming at Windermere, near Ashburton. Wright was chairman of the Canterbury plantation board, of the Lyttelton harbour board, of the Ashburton county council and of the railway commission and was a member of the North Canterbury education board. He died on 12 Aug 1902.

Cycl. NZ., iii (p); Saunders, ii; Lyttelton Times, 13 Aug 1902

Reference: Volume 2, page 269

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