CARKEEK, STEPHEN (1815-78) was born at Swansea, Wales, educated there and went to sea. He arrived in New South Wales as first officer of a convict ship and took service under the government in command of a revenue cutter. He came to New Zealand in 1840 on loan to the administration, was appointed landing waiter at Russell and was employed for some time with the cutter Ranger in the survey of Waitemata harbour. After completing this duty he was appointed collector of customs at Nelson, where in 1843 he was harbourmaster and member of the board of management. In 1849 he was promoted to Wellington as collector. He was nominated to the Legislative Council (19 May 1851) and attended the following session (1852), the Council lapsing with the introduction of the new constitution. Carkeek stood for Wellington City at the Parliamentary elections of 1855. In 1858 he was appointed first inspector of customs for New Zealand, and in 1865 he opened the customs at Chatham islands.

Carkeek was a keen astronomer and the establishment of the time-ball in Wellington for the convenience of shipping was due to him. When he retired from the service (1866), he went to live in Featherston, where he established a private observatory. Carkeek married Miss Piotti (d. 1893). His death occurred in 1878.

Cycl. N.Z., i; N.Z. Spectator, Oct-Nov 1855; Wellington Independent, 23 Jun 1864, 18 Apr 1868.

Reference: Volume 1, page 87

🌳 Further sources