WILLIAMSON, JAMES (1814-88), a native of Belfast, Ireland, was the son of a shipowner and first went to sea in his father's vessels on the coast of Scotland. Coming to Australia as chief officer, he arrived at Bay of Islands in the Achilles in 1839, and went into business with Thomas Crummer as merchants. After the sack of Kororareka they moved to Auckland and established themselves in Fort Street, where they also started a public-house. In 1842 they built on the edge of the beach the Victoria hotel, which stood until 1863, and for many years was managed by Hardington (q.v.). In the early fifties Crummer went to San Francisco, making speculations by which the firm lost rather heavily, but it soon recovered and the partnership lasted until Crummer's death (1861).

Williamson now came more into public life, and during the Waikato war carried out profitable contracts for the commissariat department. Williamson was a founder of the New Zealand Insurance Co. and a lifelong director; was first president of the Bank of New Zealand and for some years chairman. In 1862, on the retirement of Firth, he became M.H.R. for City West (John Williamson being the other member). He spoke very seldom in Parliament and retired in 1866. In 1870 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member till his death (22 Mar 1888). He owned the Surrey Hills estate, which he cut up and sold.

Cycl. NZ., ii (p); Auckland Star and N.Z. Herald, 23, 28 Mar 1888.

Reference: Volume 2, page 262

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