SPEIGHT, WILLIAM JAMES (1843-1919) was born in Dublin and educated at the Bluecoat school there. After serving his apprenticeship with his father as a mechanical engineer, he came to New Zealand in the Maori (1865), and for some years worked as an engineer at Thames. He then conducted the Thames Advertiser. He was on the borough council for 18 years and on the school committee. In 1879 he stood as a Liberal for Auckland East and was elected, but standing for Thames in 1881 he was defeated by Sheehan, and in 1884 by Colonel Fraser. In 1886 he became district manager in Auckland for the Government Life Insurance department, and held the office until 1911, when he resigned to contest the Eden seat against Bollard. In Auckland he was secretary of the diocesan trust board (1913) and a governor of the Grammar School. Speight was one of the promoters of the Pacific Club. He was a strong advocate of temperance. He married (1872) a daughter of Isaac Speight (Parnell). His death occurred on 24 Apr 1919.

Who's Who N.Z., 1908; N.Z.P.D., 29 Aug 1919; N.Z. Herald, 25 Apr 1919. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 161

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