POSTLETHWAITE, WILLIAM was born at Broughton-Furness (Cumberland), and was for some years high sheriff of the county. He came to New Zealand with a good deal of capital in 1872, and settled first at Opawa and Riccarton. He also took up land in south Canterbury, purchasing the Raukapuka estate from A. Cox (1875) and holding pastoral country in Peel Forest. At one time he shore 12,000 sheep.

Postlethwaite took a keen interest in public affairs, and as an independent member (supporting Hall) he represented Geraldine in Parliament (1881-84), defeating Edward Wakefield. He was chairman of the Geraldine road board and a member of the Geraldine county council from its inception (1877). As a member of the Timaru harbour board he promoted the construction of the breakwater. Postlethwaite took a keen interest in the frozen meat industry in south Canterbury. He was one of the promoters, and for many years chairman, of the South Canterbury Frozen Meat Co., and was a promoter of the Farmers' Co-operative Association and of the Geraldine Dairy Co. (of which he was chairman for many years). He was the first farmer in South Canterbury to grow dun oats, and he had a celebrated stud of light horses. He was also an ardent supporter of the Geraldine beagle pack.

Postlethwaite left New Zealand in 1891 for California, where for some years he was engaged in fruit-growing. He then returned to England and re-purchased the family estate in Cumberland, where he died on 11 Apr 1908.

Cycl. N.Z., iii (p); Parltry Record; Acland; Andersen (p); Timaru Herald, 1 May 1908. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 93

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