FIRTH, JOSIAH CLIFTON (1826-97) was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire and to the age of 16 received from his father a good classical and commercial education, after which he went into mercantile offices. In the financial crash of 1847 his father lost his fortune and young Firth during the next three years paid close attention to agriculture and gained a good knowledge of farming. In 1850 he returned to commercial life as manager of an iron business. He took a great interest in mechanics' institutes and Sunday school education and held evening classes for historical and scientific studies.

Deciding to emigrate to New Zealand, Firth sailed in 1854, and after spending a short time in Victoria and New South Wales crossed to Auckland. He purchased a block of land in Cook street, where he established a brick-yard. Some years later he was joined by D. R. Thornton and W. B. Smith, and together they started the Wharf steam flour mills in Queen street, Firth being manager. In a few years the firm practically controlled the flour market in the north.

Firth took an interest in politics a few months after his arrival in New Zealand. He intervened in the general election as secretary of the Freedom of Religion Society, opposing any form of state grants for religion or religious education. When the war broke out in Taranaki Firth was a strenuous and outspoken advocate of a vigorous policy. He served as a private in the militia and the volunteers. He was persuaded to stand for Parliament and was elected for Auckland City West (Jan 1861) on the ground of a strong war policy for the maintenance of the Queen's authority and the compensation of the colony and settlers by the confiscation of the lands of the King tribes. He resigned in Jul 1862.

Always interested in the Maori race, Firth in 1865 availed himself of his friendship with Wi Tamihana to acquire an extensive leasehold in the upper Thames district, not far from Matamata. This enterprise, which eventually extended to 50,000 acres, was in tune with his pioneering spirit, and he entered into it wholeheartedly. There was no natural grass on the land, only fern with patches of bush. Heavy expenditure and many years of hard work were necessary to bring it into cultivation and grass land. To protect his men against the danger of native hostilities, Firth erected near Matamata a concrete loopholed keep of three stories, in which arms and ammunition were stored and to which the settlers could repair on an alarm. He snagged the Thames river for a distance of fifty miles to enable his steam launches to keep up communication with the sea and planted 40,000 willows for river conservation. All through the troubles of the King movement Firth was on terms of close friendship with Wi Tamihana and on behalf of the Government discussed the terms of a settlement. He attended many native gatherings when no Government representative was present. In Jan 1870 when Te Kooti was still in the field with his guerillas, Firth met him alone at Tamihana's monument at Taurangamoana and received for communication to the Government Te Kooti's assurance that he would remain at peace if not disturbed but would not surrender on any terms.

Besides the heavy expenditure incurred in developing his estate Firth lost much money on the Thames goldfields. At considerable cost he established the Wild Missouri battery at Tararu, and when Hone Werehiko discovered the New Find at Te Aroha Firth embarked on a new undertaking at Waiorongomai. Both ventures failed; and he was embarrassed at the same time by the fall in prices of produce. As a result he lost his fine estate and the flour mills and had to commence life again. Firth devoted much attention to invention, notably in the utilisation of pumice as insulating material for refrigerating chambers in place of charcoal. As a pioneer he had considerable vision and was resolute, enterprising and energetic; a tireless rider who travelled long distances between Waikato and Auckland winter and summer. He took part not only in the material development of the Colony, but in every phase of its social life. He was a forceful speaker; an interesting conversationalist, never tame or insipid; a keen advocate of education and of science in industry; a warm supporter of the volunteer movement. He was a member (and chairman) at different times of the chamber of commerce, of the Auckland harbour board and the waste lands board; president of the Auckland Institute and of the Acclimatisation Society. At his own expense he brought salmon ova from California (but without success). He sent 50,000 ova to Victoria and he placed 500,000 whitefish ova in the thermal lakes. In 1887-88 he installed electric lighting in Queen street, Auckland.

A prominent member of the Congregational Church, Firth maintained his interest in Sunday schools (being president of the Auckland Sunday Schools Union) and he was treasurer of the Auckland auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He took an interest in various charities and in the Mechanics' Institute and believed in instilling the spirit of self-reliance into the youth of the country and settled many families on small farms. Firth's literary bent was evidenced in many contributions to the Auckland papers and in several books, notably Lions in the Way and Luck and Nation Making (1890). His death occurred on 11 Dec 1897.

NZ.P.D., 1861-62; App. H.R., 1869 A12; Cycl. NZ., ii (p); NZ. Herald, 24 Sep 1872, 17 Sep 1881, 17 Feb 1885; 23, 28 Apr 1886; 18 Jul 1887; 14 Jan 1888; 13 Jul 1889; 12, 13 Dec 1897. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 143

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