MASON, WILLIAM (1810-97) was born at Ipswich, England, and studied architecture under Sir E. Blore. He was engaged on the construction of Lambeth and Buckingham palaces (1831) and afterwards on church work for the Bishop of London. His design of a poorhouse for the poor law commissioners was used in their institutions at Kingston, Ipswich and elsewhere. In the late thirties Mason went to New South Wales, where he practised for a few years.

In 1839 he was appointed superintendent of works in the new administration preparing to proceed to New Zealand with Captain Hobson. He sailed in the storeship Westminster, and remained at Bay of Islands until the capital was moved to Auckland. On arrival there he erected his own frame house at Mechanics' Bay and set up for the Governor the house which had been brought out from England in the Platina. Mason was two years superintendent of public works. In 1841 he designed and erected St Paul's Church on Point Britomart.

He then became a farmer in his spare time. He erected a flourmill, and took part in establishing a packet service between Auckland and coastal ports. In 1845 he was a lieutenant in the Auckland militia, and was on service during Heke's rising. He was one of the promoters and a part proprietor of the first New Zealand Herald (1841-42). In 1852 he was elected an alderman of the city. In 1861 Mason was elected to Parliament for the Pensioner Settlements, which he represented until 1866. In 1862 he was commissioned by the Bank of New Zealand to design their offices throughout New Zealand. When superintending the erection of the bank in Dunedin he decided to settle there, and he practised for many years, at first with W. H. Clayton (N. Y. A. Wales being one of their apprentices). They designed the Dunedin Exhibition (1865), the Supreme Court and many other buildings. Mason was elected first mayor of the city (1865-68) and during his two terms did much on a limited income to reduce the levels of the streets and improve them. Again he farmed for a time (at Otepopo), and on retiring (1875) he went to live first at Queenstown and later at Paradise, returning to Dunedin about 1894. He died on 22 Jun 1897.

Mason was a keen marksman, winning the first prize offered by the Government for rifle shooting and being second for the Colonial belt at the first annual competitions.

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); J.K. Davis; Craig; Evening Star, 24 Jun 1897; New Zealand Herald, 9 Jul 1897.

Reference: Volume 2, page 34

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