BUTLER, WILLIAM (1814-75) was born in England. He went to sea early and at the age of 24 he commanded a sailing ship in the Australian trade. He engaged in whaling and trading in these waters and eventually settled at Mongonui, where his first child was born (Jan 1841). There he established a flourishing business in the purchase of flax, timber and kauri gum. He was highly respected by both races and for many years was a leader of the European community.

In 1861 Butler was elected to Parliament for the Mongonui constituency, which he represented until the dissolution in 1866, though the remoteness of his home prevented him from giving regular attendance except during two sessions. His advice on native matters was particularly sound. In 1862 he was a passenger in the Lord Worsley when she was wrecked on the coast of Taranaki, and fell into the hands of unfriendly natives. To ensure the safety of the passengers and their belongings Butler and R. Graham jointly purchased the wreck for the natives and so avoided the spoliation of the survivors. Butler died on 4 Mar 1875.

A son, WILLIAM JAMES BUTLER (1848-1904), who was born at Mongonui and received his education at the Auckland Grammar School, served his articles as a surveyor and was for some years flaxmilling on the Thames goldfields. In 1878 he was native land purchase agent in the Wairarapa, and later he was private secretary successively to three native ministers (Bryce, Rolleston and Ballance). In 1881 he explained to Te Whiti and Tohu the government's proclamations. Two years later he accompanied the prisoners during portion of their tour of the colony (1882-83). He carried through the purchase of the Waimarino block and was afterwards a judge of the native land court.

Auckland P.C. Proc.; G. C. Bede, Seventy Years in Auckland; J. P. Ward, Wanderings with the Maori Prophets, 1883; Evening Post, 1 Feb 1904.

Reference: Volume 1, page 80

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