SEED, WILLIAM (1827-90) came to New Zealand with his parents in the Martha Ridgway (1840), settling in Taranaki. In 1841 he was in the employ of W. B. Rhodes (Wellington). On the settlement of Otago the family moved south (1849) and lived for a while in Tokomairiro. Seed was employed by the New Zealand Company (1848-51); was for a short time private secretary to Sir George Grey, and in 1853 joined the Customs department at Wellington. In 1855 he was sent to Ahuriri as subcollector and treasurer, and two years later returned to Wellington. On Grey's return as Governor, Seed again acted as his private secretary (1862) and in the following year became permanent Under-secretary in the Executive department, with charge of defence during the Waikato war. In 1865 he was appointed collector at Wellington and next year acting-Secretary for Customs and civil service commissioner. In 1868 he was appointed deputy-auditor, and in 1882 Secretary and Inspector of Customs and Marine. He retired in 1887. Seed paid a visit to Samoa in 1870 to report on trade in the islands, and in 1875 he made a tour of British lighthouses. In 1886 he represented New Zealand in the negotiations for a trade treaty with Fiji.

Seed married first, Eliza, a daughter of J. Cook (Makara), and second, a daughter of George Allen (Wellington). He died on 6 Feb 1890.

Cycl. NZ, 1 (P); Customs Dept. records; New Zealand Times, 20 Feb 1890.

Reference: Volume 2, page 144

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