CARSON, GILBERT (1842-1924) was born at sea in the ship Jane Gifford on the voyage from Scotland to Auckland. His father, James Carson (1815-80), came to work the copper mines at Kawau and Coromandel. Educated in Auckland, Carson served his apprenticeship on the New Zealander (completing in 1863), and had been appointed manager when the office was burned down. He then went on active service with the Auckland volunteers, assisting in the building and defence of the Wairoa redoubt. In 1867 he went to Wellington, where he was engaged for some years as a compositor and proof-reader in the Government printing office. In 1874 he purchased the Wanganui Chronicle, with which he was associated for the remainder of his life.

Carson contested a parliamentary seat on four occasions before he defeated A. D. Willis for Wanganui in 1896. He lost the seat to Willis in 1899. In 1914 he was called to the Legislative Council, from which he retired when his term expired (1921). He was for many years in the Wanganui borough council and was mayor for three years (1881-84). He was also chairman of the harbour board, the hospital board, the Girls' College board of governors, and the Wanganui education board. He was a staunch temperance advocate and a Baptist (being president of the Baptist union in 1904). He died on 4 Mar 1924.

N.Z.P.D., 27 Jun 1924; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 89

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