JENNINGS, WILLIAM THOMAS (1854-1923) was born in Auckland (his parents having arrived in 1849), and received his education at St Paul's school there and at Dunedin. He was apprenticed to printing to his uncle, W. H. J. Seffern (q.v.) in the New Zealander office at Auckland, and after completing his term went in the early seventies to the Thames, where he became foreman of the Guardian. He was later foreman of the Otago Guardian and manager of the Dunedin Age and then of the Oamaru Mail. Returning to Auckland he became foreman of the Star (1882).

Jennings took a leading part in labour organisation, being connected at different times with the Knights of Labour and president of the Auckland trades and labour council, the tailoresses union (1898-1900) and the typographical union. He was keenly interested in social reform, and was secretary for some years of the Auckland Liberal association. In 1892 he was called to the Legislative Council, in which he sat until 1902, watching carefully all social measures. He resigned (1902) to contest the Egmont seat, which he won and held until 1908. In the following Parliament he represented Taumarunui (1908-11), being defeated by C.K. Wilson. In 1915 he was returned for Waitomo, which he represented until 1922, when he was defeated by J. C. Rolleston. His devotion to the welfare of the bush settlers in Taranaki and the King Country was noteworthy. He was a member of the Auckland Grammar School governors, the Taranaki school commissioners and the Waitara harbour board. As a volunteer he held a commission in the Hobson rifles and the engineer corps, and was secretary of the Rifle Association. Jennings died on 6 Feb 1923.

N.Z.P.D., 9 Feb 1923; Scholefield, Union Catalogue; Parlty Record; Cycl. N.Z., ii (p), vii; Who's Who N.Z., 1908; Auckland Star, 17 Oct 1892; N.Z. Times, 7 Feb 1923. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 235

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