REES, WILLIAM GILBERT (1827-98) was born in Wales, the son of Commander W. L. Rees, R.N., and a cousin of Dr W. G. Grace. Educated at the Royal Naval School at New Cross with a view to joining the Royal Marines, he turned his attention to engineering and served his articles in Wales, later acting as tutor at Mount Radford School, Exmouth, Devon. In 1852 he came to Australia and managed two of R. Tooth's stations in Queensland. Returning to England in 1858, he married a daughter of G. M. Gilbert, and came to New Zealand in that year as working partner with R. Campbell, of Buscott Park. With N. von Tunzelmann he explored central Otago, being one of the first to settle on the shores of Wakatipu, where he took up 300,000 acres for the firm, including what was known as the Arrow run. The sheep were brought from Victoria and grazed at Shag Valley before being driven to the lakes. The homestead was situated on the site of Queenstown.

In 1862 Maori Jack reported the discovery of gold in the Arrow river, and the run was resumed by the Government for mining purposes, Rees removing his homestead to The Falls. The partnership expiring in 1867, he became manager of Galloway station for the Hon R. Campbell (q.v.). In 1883 he took employment under the Stock department as an inspector in south Canterbury, and subsequently in Westland, Blenheim and Wellington (1894). He died on 31 Oct 1898. Rees was a prominent cricketer and athlete, being amateur champion of south Canterbury in 1872. His daughter ISABEL (1867-94) was tennis champion of New Zealand in 1890-92.

Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Bowen; Don; Beattie, ii; A. H. Duncan, The Wakatipians; Gilkison; Otago Daily Times, 13 Nov 1898.

Reference: Volume 2, page 109

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