WALLACE, JOHN HOWARD (1816-91), the son of John Wallace (q.v.), was born in Liverpool. Shortly afterwards the family removed to Birmingham, where he received his education and his bias towards emigration. He was apprenticed to James Drake, bookseller and law stationer, amongst whose clients were many advocates of political reform. While with Drake, Wallace travelled widely throughout England compiling guide-books of the railways, which were then spreading over the face of the country. He made the acquaintance of S. White, representing a Birmingham and Bristol firm, and they decided to emigrate together to New Zealand.

In Jul 1839, Wallace left Drake's, and three months later the two sailed in the Aurora for Port Nicholson, where they arrived on 22 Jan 1840. They entered into business on Lambton quay as general merchants. Before long they opened a branch at Nelson, of which White, who had married Wallace's sister, became manager (1842). On the death of White, James Smith married his widow and he in turn joined Wallace as a partner. When Smith retired to return to England, Wallace took his son into partnership. They added auctioneering and a commission agency to the business, which was carried on in Hunter street until Wallace retired in 1885. Although only 23 years of age when he landed in New Zealand, Wallace was a burgess on the roll of 1843, and was at the head of the list of reserve councillors at the town board election (1842). In 1844 he was treasurer of the Mechanics' Institute. Two years later he seconded the motion of thanks to the 58th Regiment for their services at the Hutt, and proposed to ask that the settlers be supplied with arms. In 1848 he married Sarah Ann, daughter of Robert Stanton (London) and widow of A. Benham. A member of the Settlers Constitutional Association, Wallace helped to draw up the petition asking for representative government. He was active in the demand for education through the Church of England Educational association and he represented the laity when Bishop Selwyn consecrated St Peter's Church (1858). He was a member of the town board of Wellington (1863-70) and of the City Council later. In 1861 he entered the Provincial Council as a member for the City. He was for eight years chairman of committees, for some time chairman of the library committee, and a strong advocate of the proposed railway to Wairarapa. When a railway committee was set up at a public meeting (1867) Wallace was appointed secretary, and he kept the movement alive until the line was provided for. In 1864 he was elected first chairman of the Mungaroa board of highway wardens.

Wallace's most noteworthy interest was New Zealand history. He collaborated with R. A. A. Sherrin in the compilation of Brett's History of New Zealand (1890) and he published a small manual on the subject. At the jubilee of the settlement in 1890 he received an illuminated address for his work. Wallace died on 9 Jun 1891.

Wellington P.C. Proc.; Cycl. NZ., i (p); Ward (p); Wakelin; NZ. Times, 10 Jun 1891; Evening Post, 9 Jun 1891, 14 Nov 1929 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 230

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