HUNT, SIR WILLIAM DUFFUS (1867-1939) was born at Walton, Waikato, the son of John Hunt, and educated there and at Auckland. He first took employment as a shepherd on Blackstone station, Central Otago, and he was manager of that and Maniototo stations from 1888 to 1891, when he joined the firm of Wright, Stephenson and Co. in Gore. He opened a branch of the company in Invercargill in 1896, and three years later became a partner in the firm, which was formed into a limited liability company in 1906. He was managing director from that date until his death, which took place on 18 Sep 1939. Hunt served on many royal commissions, notably those on the public service (1912) and taxation (1924); was a member of the national efficiency board during the war of 1914-18, and member or chairman of committees on taxation (1928), Rangitaiki drainage (1924) and unemployment (1928-29). He was on the Meat Export Control board from its inception, the New Zealand Dairy board for six years, and the Board of Agriculture (1912-17); and was president of the Council of Agriculture and the New Zealand Friesian Cattle Breeders' society. He was chairman of directors of the Australian Mutual Provident Society in New Zealand and a director of the New Zealand Insurance Co. Hunt married first a daughter of the Rev T. L. Stanley, and second (1902) a daughter of the Rev H. J. Edwards.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908, 1924, 1932; The Dominion, 19 Sep 1939 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 274

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