WALLACE, JOHN (1788-1880) was born and educated in Scotland, but moved to England as a young man and lived in Liverpool and Birmingham. In 1841 he brought his family to Taranaki in the Amelia Thompson, and spent some months in New Plymouth and Nelson before settling down in Wellington. He was on the burgesses roll in 1843. He had been a fellow of the Society of Arts in Birmingham, was devoted to art and literature, and not without talent of his own in both. He wrote art notices for the Birmingham papers, and painted a good deal, some of his pictures of old New Zealand being well-known. A personal friend of E. G. Wakefield and Dr Featherston on the Settlers' Constitutional Association, Wallace allowed himself to be led into provincial politics, and for the first two years (1853-55) represented one of the city seats. He took a particular interest in education, and was on the education committee. His wife died in 1855, aged 75, and he retired from politics. Some time later he accepted a post in the provincial treasury, of which he had charge when he retired on pension. Wallace died on 16 Mar 1880.

Ward; Evening Post, 16 Mar 1880, 14 Nov 1929.

Reference: Volume 2, page 230

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