STEWARD, SIR WILLIAM JUKES (1841-1912) was born at Reading, Berkshire, and educated at King Edward VI Grammar School at Ludlow, Shropshire, and at Dr Benham's commercial school at Gloucester. In 1862 he came to Canterbury in the Mersey (in preference to joining the Albertland expedition) and obtained employment with Peacock and Co. He afterwards entered into partnership with Axup and Bell, but before long became interested in journalism and joined the staff of the North Otago Times (Oamaru). In 1871 he became M.H.R. for Waitaki (including Oamaru), which he represented until being defeated in 1875 by Hislop and Shrimski. He represented Oamaru Country in the Otago Provincial Council and was in the executive in 1875, and mayor of Oamaru (1876-78). In 1879 Steward moved to Waimate, where he purchased the Waimate Times, and in the same year he was elected to Parliament. He represented Waimate (1881-93) and the adjusted district of Waitaki (1893-1911). Steward was later associated with the Ashburton Mail and Guardian. He always attended punctually to the business of Parliament and of his constituents, and showed great perseverance in introducing private bills of a social nature which were eventually adopted. The deceased wife's sister marriage bill, which he first introduced in 1872, was carried through the lower house in 1876 but only adopted many years later. Later he introduced a bill to abolish cumulative voting in school committee elections. This measure, which was rejected seven times before being adopted, he regarded as the first step towards one-man-one-vote. Three times also he introduced an amending licensing bill (to make elections triennial instead of annual) before the Legislative Council would accept it. He twice introduced a bill to make the executive elective. By continued perseverance he achieved many reforms in the franchise and land settlements law. Steward was a member of the South Canterbury education board, the Ashburton and Waimate High Schools boards, and of the royal commissions on federation, friendly societies and tariffs. From 1891-93 he was Speaker of the House. In 1912 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member till his death (on 30 Oct 1912). He was knighted in 1902.

Steward in 1887 published a pamphlet on parliamentary representation, proposing a modification of the Hare system of voting. He published a volume of verse Carmina Varia (under the nom de plume of 'Justin Aubrey'), in 1867; The Rhyme of the Mapourika in 1903 and The Vision of Aorangi in 1906. As a volunteer Steward took part in the formation of the Christchurch city guards (of which he was captain) and the Oamaru, the Hampden and the Otepopo Rifles. For some years as major he commanded the North Otago military district (1873-79). He married (1873) Hannah, daughter of the Rev Caleb Whitefoord (Burford, Shropshire).

Otago P.C. Proc.; N.Z.P.D., pass.; Cycl. N.Z., i; Col. Gent.; Otago Daily Times, 1 Nov 1912. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 169

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