ADAMS, WILLIAM ACTON BLAKEWAY (1843-1924) was born at Wilden Manor, Worcestershire, the eldest son of William Adams (q.v.). Coming to Nelson in the Eden in 1850, he was educated at Nelson College (1857-59). In 1862 he was admitted a barrister and solicitor and he then went to England and studied for two years at the Inner Temple. He married a daughter of Dr T. R. Leadam, of London. Returning to Nelson in 1869, Adams was junior partner in his father's firm for some years. Early in 1873 he was elected member of the Provincial Council for Nelson City, and during stormy debates in the Council he fought out the question of responsible government against the executive and the superintendent of the day. He took a leading part in the Nelson and West Coast railway league and drew up a scheme for the construction of the line by means of land grants, a plan adopted later in the case of the Midland railway. In 1878 Adams purchased from the Hon N. Edwards his share in the Tarndale station, and some time later acquired the balance of the property. In 1878 also he entered Parliament as member for Nelson after a hard fight with Col Pitt (q.v.). He was re-elected in 1879, but resigned in 1881 owing to ill-health. Adams consistently supported the Hall government. After a prolonged visit to Europe he returned and took up his residence in Christchurch (1883), practising in partnership with T. J. Joynt and afterwards with Kippenberger. Here too, he became a member and chairman of the Railway League. Adams added considerably to his landed interests, acquiring the Molesworth run, Hopefield and Woodbank in Amuri, Island Farm and Salop Downs, and finally Motunau. At one time he was shearing 75,000 sheep, but he suffered considerable losses through rabbits. Acton Adams died on 19 Jan 1924.

Parltry Record; Acland; Nelson Coll. O.B. Reg; Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 19

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