LEVIN, WILLIAM HORT (1845-93) was a native of Wellington, the son of Nathaniel Levin (q.v.). Educated at Toomath's school, he then went to England and on his return entered his father's firm as a wool clerk. In 1868 his father retired from the business, and he entered the partnership, which included also C. J. Pharazyn and Walter Johnston. When the partnership expired in 1878, Levin carried on for some years. In 1889 Edward Pearce joined his business with that of Levin and Co. and John Duncan also came in.

Levin in 1879 consented to be nominated for Parliament, in which he represented Wellington City (1879-81) and Thorndon (1881-84). His health was never robust, and he resigned his seat in 1884. In municipal life he was a member of the City Council for three years, representing Thorndon ward. He retired in 1884, and declined to stand for the mayoralty. In 1875 he was president of the chamber of commerce, which he found moribund, but left once more thriving. Then he turned his attention to the harbour board. In 1879 Levin, as member for the City, secured the passage through Parliament of bills establishing a harbour board and giving it the necessary powers to manage and develop the harbour. He was a member of the board (1880-83), and its first chairman. Levin was a director of the Patent Slip Co., the Wellington Trust and Loan Co. (some time chairman), the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co., a New Zealand director of the Colonial Land and Loan Association and of the National Mutual Life. He was a justice of the peace, and frequently presided in court. He was president of many sporting societies, including the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, and of the Art Society, the Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, and the Horticultural Society.

The free library in Wellington originated from his gift of £1,000. He liberally assisted also the Working Men's Club. His private charities were innumerable. The Home for the Aged Needy owed its existence largely to his munificence, and after his death, on 15 Sep 1893, a public meeting considered that the best memorial to him would be a home for friendless children. Levin married a daughter of James Edward FitzGerald.

Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Ward (p); N.Z. Times, 16 Sep 1893; Evening Post, 24 Sep 1929 (p).

Reference: Volume 1, page 264

🌳 Further sources