LIGHTBAND, GEORGE WALES (1804-91) was born in Worcestershire, and was brought up to the tanning trade. As a young man he was a strong Methodist, and when he came to Nelson he assisted to establish that Church there and became a trustee of it. In England he attended public meetings in connection with the Reform Bill. He came to New Zealand with his family in the Thomas Harrison (1842), settling at Nelson, where he established himself in a tannery. In 1857 he paid a visit to Australia on business, and while there obtained a printing plant and printer with which The Colonist was established, the first issue appearing on 23 Oct 1857. Lightband was much interested in the development of New Zealand industries, and made many experiments in the manufacture of leather and paper. He produced the first parchment made in New Zealand. He died on 22 Oct 1891.

Broad; Cycl. NZ, v (34); The Colonist, 23 Oct 1891.

Reference: Volume 1, page 266

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