MANSFORD, WILLIAM HEMMING (1820-90) was born at Bath, the son of a doctor. Trained as a civil engineer, he was engaged in surveying railway lines in England. He arrived in Otago by the Blundell (1848) and bought land at Port Chalmers, where he promoted the first jetty and bonded store. From 1855-58 he represented Port Chalmers in the Otago Provincial Council. When the customs office was moved to Dunedin Mansford established an import business in Stafford street, opening stores when the gold rush began at Gabriel's Gully, and later in Milton. He also farmed at Warepa and Coomb Hay (on the Tokomairiro river). Mansford was again in the Provincial Council, as member for Matau (1863-65). He was one of the first to promote the flax industry in Otago. In 1874 he was appointed registrar of Otago University, which position he held until his death on 22 May 1890.

Evening Star, 23 May 1890.

Reference: Volume 2, page 29

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