COOPER, GEORGE SISSON (1825-98) was born in Ireland, the son of George Cooper (of the controller's office, New South Wales, who was appointed collector in New Zealand 9 Feb 1840; and was treasurer and receiver-general to 1844). Cooper came to New Zealand with his father and was appointed a junior clerk in the Colonial Secretary's office (1841). Showing aptitude and capacity, he was appointed private secretary to Governor FitzRoy (1844) and to Grey (1846). In 1852 he succeeded McLean as inspector of police at New Plymouth and native officer. In Feb 1854 he became sub-commissioner for the purchase of native lands in Taranaki, and later in the year district commissioner for Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay in the land purchase department (constituted by McLean). For a short time he was magistrate at Waipukurau. In 1868 he was appointed under-secretary of the native department, and in 1869 of defence also. In 1870 Cooper was appointed Colonial Under-secretary. In 1892 he retired on pension. Cooper married (1858) Ellen Chaffers (1840-1928), daughter of Daniel Riddiford. He was a fine type of civil servant, who owed much to his first appointment under Dr Sinclair. He died on 16 Aug 1898. Cooper wrote an interesting journal of Grey's expedition overland from Auckland to Taranaki (1849-50).

N.Z. Gaz.; Cooper, op. cit.; Sinclair papers; App. H.R., 1867 A 15, 1A; Evening Post, 16 Aug 1898; Public Service Journal, 1892; N.Z. Times, 14 Apr 1892, 17 Aug 1898.

Portrait: Department of Internal Affairs.

Reference: Volume 1, page 104

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