REEVES, WILLIAM (1825-91) was born at Clapham, London, his father being in the civil service. He received his education at a private school in London and entered the service of Kennard's Bank as a clerk. After a few years there he went on the stock exchange, where he was fairly successful.

Reeves married (1853) Ellen, daughter of John Ross Pember, of Clapham Park. They sailed for New Zealand in the Rose of Sharon, and reached Lyttelton on 25 Jan 1857. His first occupation in the Colony was as a clerk in the customs, followed by farming at Fernside, Rangiora, in company with C. O. Torlesse, for whom he managed the place for a year or two. He was associated with Hamilton Ward for a while, and then returned to Christchurch and started a carrying business. Most of the merchandise for Christchurch was taken by sea over the Sumner bar and landed in the river at Ferrymead, whence it had to be carted into Christchurch. After a year or two of this life Reeves joined Crosbie Ward and W. J. W. Hamilton in taking over Bowen's interest in the Lyttelton Times. He and Ward were actively associated with the paper, and when it was formed into a company Reeves became manager. He wrote regularly to the leading columns in a plain, straightforward style, simple, clear and grammatical. Ward and Reeves were personal friends, and generally saw eye to eye on public questions. When Ward resigned from Parliament (1867) Reeves won the seat (Avon) but resigned in the following year in order to give his whole time to the paper. Early in 1871 he stood for Selwyn against Stevens (in the protection interest), the main issue being the duty of sixpence a bushel on Australian wheat, which the farmers of Canterbury felt to be essential to their welfare. Reeves won by a single vote, and had the satisfaction of seeing the duty reimposed during his term in Parliament. He was a strong supporter of the Fox Government, and when the office of Resident Minister for the Middle Island was instituted (in 1871) he was appointed to the post, which he held until the defeat of the Government in the following year. When Vogel came to power in 1872, Reeves declined to take office or the chairmanship of committees. He supported Vogel's railway policy, but in a year or two definitely fell out with Vogel on the question of the abolition of the provinces, and crossed the floor of the House, in company with O'Rorke, as a protest against the proposed changes (Aug 1874). "It is a shameful thing," he said, "that such a measure as this can be introduced in a fit of temper, and that great constitutional changes may be due simply to the passing humours of the head of the government." At the general election in 1875-76 Reeves was defeated by Fitzroy by a narrow majority on the abolition issue. He did not again stand for Parliament, but was called to the Legislative Council by the Stout-Vogel Government in 1884. Though a natural orator, he was nervous and diffident when speaking, and he had a reserve which did not assist him with the public. He recognised that he had entered politics too late in life to be successful. He was always a Liberal, and lived to see his son (W. P. Reeves, q.v.) holding office in a Liberal government. In the life of the city of Christchurch Reeves took his part. He did much to encourage education, and was on the board of governors of Canterbury College (1879-91). He was passionately fond of music, and was president of the Christchurch Musical Society. His interest in native fauna and flora was lifelong. In the Legislative Council he spoke strongly against the importation of stoats and weasels as likely to prey on bird life. At the Canterbury Jockey Club meeting in 1876 Reeves's horse Daniel O'Rourke won the New Zealand Derby and the New Zealand Cup for Patrick Campbell.

A very good business man, Reeves assisted to promote a number of companies in Christchurch. For years he was a director of the New Zealand Shipping Co., which he helped to form. He was chairman in 1875, but disagreeing with the introduction of steam, he resigned from the board (1882). He was a promoter of the Union Insurance Co. and on the board throughout, and was also on the local board of the Mutual Life Association of Australia from the time it started business in Canterbury. As managing director of the Lyttelton Times Co., he took a great interest in the welfare of its employees. He was the first chairman of the United Press Association of New Zealand, and presided till his death (on 4 Apr 1891).

Family information from W. P. Reeves; Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Acland; Lyttelton Times, 6 Apr 1891, 11 Jan 1926; The Press, 6 Apr 1891, 30 Aug 1980 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 110

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