LYON, WILLIAM (1805-79) was born in Scotland, brought up to the bookselling trade, and had a business in Hamilton, near Glasgow, before coming to New Zealand in the Duke of Roxburgh, which arrived on 8 Feb 1840. He entered into business as a bookseller, for which he had every qualification. He was a man of some attainments; a fluent writer who wrote much for the early press of Wellington; and a fellow of the Geological Society of London who gave many public lectures at the Mechanics' Institute. His business afterwards became known as Lyon and Blair, and was merged early in this century in Whitcombe and Tombs.

Besides his business, Lyon had a farm near Pito-one, which he called Glenlyon, and where the first St Andrew's day picnic was held (30 Nov 1840). During the day a Scotch thistle was sown on the property. A man of commonsense and broad humanity, Lyon soon had an assured position in the settlement. When the first election was held of mayor and aldermen (under the abortive charter) he came second on the poll (George Hunter 273; Lyon 237; Fitzherbert 210). From an early date he was a justice of the peace, and he sat on the bench regularly. He was a founder of the Pacific lodge, the first lodge of freemasons in New Zealand, and took a part in the establishment of the Spectator and the Independent, to both of which he was a regular contributor.

Shortly after the pioneers arrived, the Port Nicholson Institute, library, and reading-room was formed, and acquired for its rooms a native house built originally for Barrett's hotel. When this institution failed (1842), Lyon at his own risk negotiated for the purchase of the rooms, and with the help of friends formed in May the Mechanics' Institute. When this became moribund, he called a meeting to resuscitate it. He was vice-president for many years, and was the last survivor of the original trustees.

Lyon attended the public meetings to consider measures of defence after the attack at Boulcott's farm (1846). He took a prominent part in the movement for representative government, and when the Settlers' Constitutional Association was formed in 1850 he was elected a corresponding member. He was one of the first members of the Provincial Council for Wellington City, which he represented 1853-57, being throughout a supporter of Featherston. He was a member of the Council's first education committee (1853) and afterwards of the education commission. With Hunter, R. Duncan, Dransfield and others, Lyon assisted at the formation of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Co., of which he was a director for some years. In business he was strictly honourable, in public life straightforward and generous. He was an acute observer and a great reader, and possessed one of the best libraries in the Colony. He was known later to have been the author of a clever political satire, The Chaldean Manuscript.

Lyon was a strong Presbyterian, and at the time of the disruption warmly supported the Free Church. He married (1843) Margaret Barr (d. 1871). His death occurred on 22 Feb 1879.

Wellington P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., i (p); Ward.

Reference: Volume 1, page 272

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