BEAUCHAMP, SIR HAROLD (1858-1938) was born at Ararat, Victoria, the son of Arthur Beauchamp (q.v.), with whom he came to New Zealand in 1861. Educated at Picton school and Wanganui Collegiate School, he entered his father's office in Wanganui in 1872 and four years later became clerk to Beauchamp, Campbell and Co., in Wellington. In 1877 he joined W. M. Bannatyne and Co., and on the retirement of Bannatyne (1889) he became a partner. In 1894 W. I. Nathan became a partner, and in 1900 the business was formed into a limited liability company, of which Beauchamp was managing director. He was a member of the Wellington harbour board (1895-1908), and chairman (1900-02), and a member of the royal commission on federation with Australia (1901).

Beauchamp was appointed in 1898 a Government director of the Bank of New Zealand, on the board of which he continued with the exception of a few months until 1936. He was chairman on various occasions for 13 years. During the period of his directorship the bank was restored to its former stability and the state's interest in it became recognised and permanent. Beauchamp was a director also of the Wellington Gas Co. from 1904 (and chairman from 1923), and of other companies, including the Wellington Patent Slip Co., the Royal Insurance Co., the Australian Mutual Provident Society, and Imperial Chemical Industries. He made many gifts to the city of Wellington, including large sums and property to the National Art Gallery, and the memorial (in Fitzherbert terrace) to his daughter Katherine Mansfield (q.v.). Beauchamp married (1884) Annie Burnell (who died in 1918), daughter of Joseph Dyer (Wellington), and secondly (1920) Laura Kate, widow of Lewis Bright. He died on 5 Oct 1938. In 1937 he published his Reminiscences and Recollections.

Beauchamp, op. cit. (p); Bank of N.Z. reports 1898-1936 (p); Who's Who N.Z., 1908-32; The Dominion, 6 Oct 1938 (p)

Reference: Volume 1, page 42

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