BREES, SAMUEL CHARLES (1810-65) was practising as an engineer and surveyor in Gray's Inn, London, when he was appointed in 1841 to succeed W. M. Smith (q.v.) as principal surveyor to the New Zealand Company for a period of three years. He came to New Zealand in the Brougham, arriving on 9 Feb 1842. In 1843, with Taringakuri (q.v.), Brees laid out the route from Wellington to the Wairarapa. He made some of the best known maps of Wellington, including one of the town in 1843 and a map of the reserves in 1844. He is, however, best known for his sketches of New Zealand scenery, many of which were published in 1847 in a large portfolio entitled Pictorial New Zealand, with introduction and descriptive matter by Brees. He left New Zealand with great reluctance on the conclusion of his contract, regretting that the colony had not been better understood and treated in its earlier years. He resumed the practice of his profession in London, this time at Lincoln's Inn, and lived later at Croydon and at Brighton. He died at sea on 5 May 1865.

N.Z.C., Reports; Ward; E. J. Wakefield; Brees, op. cit.; Brighton Guardian, 28 Nov 1849.

Reference: Volume 1, page 61

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