BLUETT, WILLIAM JAMES GEFFRARD (1834-85) was a native of Devon. He studied for the Church of England and was ordained. Bluett came to New Zealand, settled in Canterbury and later turned his attention to farming. He had a property at Leeston for many years, took a great interest in blood stock, cattle, sheep and pigs, and in 1873 established the New Zealand Herd Book. He was in Parliament as the representative of Coleridge (1872-75) and in Provincial politics he represented Rakaia (1873-74) and Selwyn from the latter date till the abolition. For many years he presided at all political meetings in Leeston, and he was a member of the road board, the licensing committee and the school committee. In 1870 he took over from Colonel Whitmore the New Zealand herd book of shorthorn cattle, which he published for some years. Bluett died on 23 Nov 1885.

Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Philpott; Lyttelton Times, 24 Nov 1885. Portrait, Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 53

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