HOLDSWORTH, JOSEPH GODFREY (1824-84) was born in London. Arriving in Wellington in 1853, he entered into business with John Knowles. He represented the City of Wellington in the Provincial Council (1856-57), and resigned to accept the position of paymaster of roads. This entailed much horseback travelling in Manawatu and Wairarapa. In 1870 Holdsworth was appointed commissioner of crown lands for Wellington, a position he held till a few months before his death (on 16 Aug 1884). He was the first president of the Y.M.C.A. in Wellington, and was chairman of the Benevolent Institution (1878).

A son, SIR CHARLES HOLDSWORTH (1863-1935) who was educated at Wellington College, became managing director of the Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand (Kt. Bach. 1926).

Ward; Jourdain; Who's Who N.Z., 1932; Cycl. NZ, i, p 475.

Reference: Volume 1, page 219

🌳 Further sources