THOMSON, HENRY (1828-1903), born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, was educated at Wigton, Galloway, and in 1846 was employed on the Liverpool-Manchester railway. Arriving in New Zealand in 1856 after four years in Victoria (where he was also connected with railways), he joined the gold rushes in Nelson and Otago and in 1865 settled in Christchurch. For a time he was manager of the Canterbury section of New Zealand railways. Later he joined the firm of Coates and Co., jewellers. He married a daughter of Giles Coates and managed the firm until he retired in 1891. Thomson was a member of the first Christchurch City Council and mayor in 1878. For three years (1881-84) he represented Christchurch North in the House of Representatives (as a supporter of Atkinson). For eight years he was chairman of the hospital and charitable aid board. A freemason of lodge St Augustine, he was the first grandmaster under the New Zealand constitution (1890-91). He died on 13 Sep 1903.

Cycl. N.Z., iii; Lyttelton Times, 14 Sep 1903. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 194

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