WATSON, WILLIAM (1846-1938) was born at Achany, Sutherlandshire, educated at the Tain school and the City of London College, and in 1864 entered the service of the Caledonian Bank at Bonarbridge, Sutherlandshire. Four years later he transferred to the Oriental Bank in London. In 1873 he was sent to Ceylon, and in 1883 was appointed manager of the Bank of Shanghai. In 1886 he came to New Zealand as chief inspector of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, with his headquarters at Dunedin. Watson in 1894 became president of the Bank of New Zealand, a position which he held until 1898 under the government reconstruction. From that date he represented the shareholders on the board of directors until his death on 12 Jul 1938. He was chairman 1931-32. He was one of the first directors of Sharland and Co. (and chairman for many years) and was a director of the Wellington Harbour Ferries Co. and the Patent Slip Co. Watson married (1879) Isabella, daughter of Robert Mackenzie.

Who's Who N.Z.; Beauchamp; Cycl. NZ, i (p); NZ Times, 4 Aug 1896; The Dominion, 13 Jul 1938 (p).

Reference: Volume 2, page 239

🌳 Further sources