BLAKE, EDWIN (1830-1914) was born in Hampshire and educated at Wimborne, Dorset. Trained as a civil engineer, he worked on railway construction contracts in England and came to Otago in 1861. Two years later he moved to Canterbury and was employed on the West Coast road under construction by the Canterbury provincial government. On the completion of this he settled in Westland. In 1882 he returned to Canterbury, where he engaged in sheep farming and agriculture. Blake was a member of the Avon road board and chairman for seven years. He twice contested the Hokitika Parliamentary seat against Seddon. In 1887 he was elected for Avon. He retained the seat against G. G. Stead in 1891 and was defeated by Joyce in 1893.

Cycl. NZ., iii; Harrop, Westland.

Reference: Volume 1, page 53

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