CHEESEMAN, THOMAS (1815-1907) was born at Tetney, Lincolnshire, the son of a tenant farmer, and educated at Humberston Grammar School. His parents intended to put him to a trade, but he chose the church and at the age of 25 was ordained to the Methodist ministry. An eloquent and popular preacher, he held charges at Hull, Scarborough and Doncaster, but suffering in 1854 from an affection of the throat he migrated to New Zealand in the Artemisia. In Auckland Cheeseman threw himself with vigour into educational, church and public affairs. In 1861 he was elected to the Provincial Council for Parnell, which he represented till 1869, and thereafter he was member for Newton from 1873 till the abolition. In 1865 he was member of the executive. He was one of the promoters of the Auckland-Drury railway and chairman of the board of railway commissioners (the other members being Newman, J. Cadman and William Rowe). They carried the work almost to Onehunga. Cheeseman was a member of the first provincial education board and was the first chairman of the Remuera road board (of which he was a member for many years). Through his instrumentality the provincial government was induced to set aside reserves for education in Remuera and other districts. He was interested also in the Y.M.C.A. and other organisations.

Cheeseman entered into business with his brother in 1858 as auctioneers and estate agents, the firm later being known as Cheeseman and Hunter. He retired in 1866 and was appointed valuer and assessor under the land tax act, acting in this capacity for government departments until 1899. Cheeseman was a student of astronomy and constructed many telescopes for use in his own observatory at Remuera, where he collaborated with American astronomers who visited New Zealand to observe the transit of Venus. He was a shrewd and far-seeing administrator, a calm and incisive speaker and a politician of outstanding integrity. He died on 24 Sep 1907. (See T. F. CHEESEMAN)

N.Z. Herald, 26 Sep 1907.

Reference: Volume 1, page 93

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