COLBECK, WILLIAM HENRY (1829-1901) was born in Yorkshire, educated there and brought up to the woollen trade. Coming to New Zealand in 1877, he lived for seven years in the north of Auckland, where he purchased a large block of land in the Kaipara district and laid out the town of Batley with the intention of settling English immigrants upon it. He was M.H.R. for Marsden (1879-81) and was one of the four Auckland members who crossed the House to support the Hall ministry. In 1884 he settled in Auckland, becoming interested in many companies and the chamber of commerce, and being for a while president of the Bank of New Zealand and of the Auckland Club. He stood for Rodney in 1887 but was defeated. Colbeck died on 25 Jun 1901.

Saunders, ii; Auckland Star, 26 Jun 1901.

Reference: Volume 1, page 100

🌳 Further sources