TRAVERS, WILLIAM THOMAS LOCKE (1819-1903) was born at Castle View, Newcastle, county Limerick, and was educated in France, chiefly at the College of St Servan. He then entered the British Foreign Legion for the Carlist war in Spain. As a lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of Lancers he served three years (1835-38) and earned a decoration for gallantry. Returning to England, Travers studied for law; was admitted a solicitor in London in 1844; and practised at Chipping Campden and Evesham. He embarked for New Zealand in the Kelso, which landed him at Nelson in 1849. He was at once admitted to the bar and commenced to practise. He was elected (1853) to represent the town of Nelson in the first Parliament, and was a member of Forsaith's executive for a few days in the constitutional crisis of 1854. At an early stage he demanded that the General Government should undertake responsibility for education throughout the Colony instead of leaving it to the provinces. In the second Parliament he represented Waimea (1854-59). He contested the superintendency of Nelson against Stafford (1855) and was then appointed a district judge, but this did not detain him long from private practice. Having made some explorations of the routes between Nelson and Canterbury, Travers decided to settle in the latter province, where he practised as a barrister. He stood unsuccessfully for the superintendency against Moorhouse (1866), but Christchurch City accepted him as representative in Parliament (1867-69). He was elected to the Provincial Council for Heathcote (1867), but resigned almost immediately to reside in Wellington. Here in 1877 he was elected to represent Wellington City in Parliament, having thus had the distinction of being elected by each of the three cities in which he had resided. He resigned early in 1878.

Travers co-operated with Ludlam, Mantell and Hector in getting the Wellington botanical gardens set aside as a public reserve. He was passionately interested in botany and ornithology, and read many papers before the Wellington Philosophical Society, on those subjects, on geology and Maori customs. He was one of the founders of the New Zealand Institute; and drafted the measures under which it was established. On its incorporation he became a governor for life, besides being honorary treasurer. His addresses as president and vice-president were always thoughtful and interesting.

When Wellington College was disaffiliated from the University of New Zealand, Travers resigned from the board of governors because he believed that the endowments should no longer be enjoyed by the College. He published a book embodying impressions of travel through America to England, and in 1872 The Stirring Times of Te Rauparaha. He also wrote the letterpress for Barraud's album of New Zealand views (1877). He contributed papers to the Natural History Review and the transactions of the Ethnological Society. (F.L.S) Before his death Travers advocated the use of the power in the Hutt river. He was a shareholder of the Wellington Gas Co., a director of the Wellington Tramways Co., and one of the promoters of the Manawatu railway. He was a keen volunteer in Nelson and Canterbury, and for 40 years held a commission in the militia (captain 1863). For services to the government of France he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Cambodia.

Travers died on 26 Apr 1903. His first wife died in 1888. He married second (1891) Theodosia, daughter of W. de R. Barclay.

Canterbury Gaz., vol. iii; Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Tr. NZ. Institute; Ward (p); Cycl. N.Z., i (p), iii, vi; NZ. Times, 28 Apr 1903; Evening Post, 31 Oct 1929 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 200

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