MASTERS, EDWARD (1839-81), son of a builder, was born in Richmond, London, where he began life as a messenger boy. In 1849 he came to New Zealand with his parents. He chartered three ships, which he loaded with ironmongery and other merchandise and landed at Hokitika at the beginning of the gold rush and opened a store. In 1868 Masters became the first mayor of Greymouth, and in 1879 he was elected to the House of Representatives as member for Grey Valley. He resigned his seat in May 1881, owing to ill-health and died in Melbourne on 27 Nov.

Cycl. NZ, vi; Harrop, Westland; Melbourne Herald, 29 Nov 1881; Wanganui Yeoman, 31 Dec 1881. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 36

🌳 Further sources