MARCH, JOHN EDWIN (1836-1916) was born in St Stephens, Cornwall, and educated at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Arriving in Lyttelton by the John Taylor in 1853, he engaged in sheep farming for a time. In 1863 he was appointed clerk in the Immigration office as an employee of the Canterbury Provincial Council. Five years later he was assistant immigration officer and administrator of charitable aid; and in 1872 chief immigration officer for the Middle Island. His later appointments were secretary to the hospital and charitable aid board (1878), steward of village settlements (1886) and superintendent of village settlements for the Colony (1891). In 1895 this office was extended to Australasia, and he wrote a valuable report on the subject. In 1906 March became inspector and supervisor of workers' dwellings. He was a prominent churchman, and a member of the Canterbury diocesan synod for many years. He died in Timaru on 22 May 1916.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908; The Press, 22 May 1916

Reference: Volume 2, page 30

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