PEACOCK, JOHN THOMAS (1827-1905) was born in New South Wales, the eldest son of Captain John Jenkins Peacock, of Hawkesbury. He was educated at Sydney College, but had to leave school early to assist his father, who had sustained severe losses in his shipping interests. At the age of 15 Peacock made his first voyage across the Tasman.

In 1844 his father purchased the brig Guide (formerly a Calcutta pilot boat, but now scarcely seaworthy). After calling at Port Nicholson she sailed round both islands, calling at any port at which trade might be done. At Kaikoura, Akaroa, Little Port Cooper, Motueka, Port Chalmers, Bluff, and Stewart Island she picked up a few barrels of oil. At Kawhia, a large purchase of pigs was made, but in working out of the harbour the brig missed stays, lost a man overboard, and was soon aground. Three or four hours later she floated off. After waiting two weeks for a fair wind, the Guide sailed to Auckland and the pigs were landed with some difficulty in the ship's boat. The schooner then brought down cattle from Hokianga to Auckland for sale, and after being absent a year, reached Sydney with a cargo of New Zealand spars. At Hokianga the traders, being ignorant of the value of kauri gum, declined a large consignment from the natives. On a later voyage Peacock picked up 100 tons, which he sold profitably. During the troubles with Heke the Guide was closely followed by a cruiser on suspicion of gun-running. When she arrived at Bay of Islands it was seen that the flagstaff had been cut down, and Peacock acceded to the request of the friendly chief Patuone and furnished him with some barrels of powder, for which he received a letter of thanks from Tamati Waka Nene.

After about 12 years spent in this trade, Peacock married in Sydney (1854) and came to Wellington to start in business, but after the earthquake (1855) he moved to Lyttelton, where his father had established himself. The parents were now settled in Canterbury. Peacock built his wharf at Lyttelton under the provincial ordinance of 1857. J. J. Peacock made a great success of the business, and when he retired his son carried it on with Beverley Buchanan until 1862, when he also retired, C. W. Turner coming in. The wharf was sold to Peter Cunningham and eventually passed into the possession of the harbour board. Peacock was elected to the Provincial Council in 1861, and represented Lyttelton until 1866. In 1868 he was returned for Papanui (where he now lived) and he sat until the abolition of the provinces. In 1869 he was in Knight's executive, and from 1875 until the abolition he was in Cracroft Wilson's. As secretary for works he had control of the Lyttelton harbour improvement works. In 1868 Peacock was elected to represent Lyttelton Town in Parliament. He was re-elected in 1871, but resigned in 1873 to accept a seat in the Legislative Council. In 1877, owing to his membership of the South Waimakariri board of conservators, he forfeited his seat in the Council, but was at once reappointed. He sat until his death.

Peacock took part in the formation and direction of many Canterbury companies. He was a promoter of the New Zealand Shipping Co. and a director until the policy of steam was adopted, when he retired. He helped to promote the Kaiapoi Woollen Co. (personally purchasing the plant to prevent its being exported from the Colony), and he was a director till his death. He was chairman of the Union Insurance Co. from 1877 until it was absorbed by the Alliance (of London), when he became a member of the local board. He was a director of the Christchurch Meat Co., a large shareholder in the Christchurch Tramway Co., a director of the Lyttelton Gas Co. (until it was taken over by the borough council), a promoter and director of the Permanent Investment and Loan Association, and a director of the Christchurch Press Co. (from 1890). He was chairman of the Lyttelton harbour board for some years; a governor of Canterbury College (1888-97), and president of the Canterbury club. A prominent member of the Methodist congregation in Christchurch, he was one of the church property trustees, and a liberal contributor to the building fund. He presented the land in St Albans on which the first church was erected. Peacock died on 20 Oct 1905. (See JOHN EVANS BROWN, F. J. GARRICK, H. R. WEBB.)

Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); N.Z.P.D., 20, 24 Oct 1905; Acland; Lyttelton Times, 8 Oct 1884; The Press, 21 Oct 1905, 9 Aug 1930 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 81

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