SWANSON, WILLIAM (1819-1903) was born at Leith, orphaned when quite young and brought up by his grandfather, who apprenticed him to a shipbuilder. Shortly after attaining his majority, Swanson emigrated to Auckland (1844), where he worked for wages for a while. He then built himself a vessel of 14 tons, and prepared to sail for California. The customs at Auckland refusing him a clearance owing to the small dimensions of the vessel, he proceeded to Bay of Islands and thence made his departure. Assisted by the knowledge of one of his passengers, Swanson reached Tahiti and afterwards Honolulu, where he sold the schooner and took land in payment. He worked for some time at four dollars a day and then proceeded to California, where he obtained regular employment at from 16 to 25 dollars a day. In 1852 he returned to New Zealand and took up land at a place which was afterwards called Swanson, where he entered energetically into the timber business and prospered for many years.

Swanson was a reserved type of man, reluctant to speak in public, but was held in high esteem and persuaded to offer his services in local government. He was a member for West Ward in the first city board of Auckland (1863). In the Auckland Provincial Council he represented the Northern Division (1863-65) and Auckland West (1865-75). He also represented Newton in Parliament (1871-84). Saunders describes him as "singularly bold, clear-sighted and courageous, but painfully conscious of his own educational deficiencies." Holding Liberal views, he was a foundation member of the reform league in 1879. For a few weeks in that year he was a member without portfolio of the Grey ministry, and he took a prominent part in the formation of the Hall cabinet later in the year. Swanson was one of the four Auckland Liberals who supported the Hall Government. He would never solicit votes, and at the general election of 1884 was defeated. A few months later he accepted the Stout-Vogel invitation to the Legislative Council, with the reservation that he must be entirely independent of party ties. He continued a member until his death on 23 Apr 1903. Swanson was a man of deep human sympathies. He supported many charities, strongly championed secular education, and for many years entertained public school pupils. He married Ani Rangitunoa (d. 4 Jan 1897).

Cycl. NZ., ii (P); Saunders, ii; Morton; N.Z. Herald, 24 Apr 1903.

Reference: Volume 2, page 180

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