WOOD, WILLIAM (1827-84) was born in the Midlands of England. Emigrating as a young man, he spent some years in New South Wales, where he made a comfortable fortune as a butcher. He came to New Zealand in the Lord Worsley (1859), joined the rush to Tuapeka, and then settled at Invercargill and invested his money. In 1865 Wood was elected to the Southland Provincial Council for Campbelltown, which he represented 1865-67 and from 1869 until the reunion with Otago. He was a member of the Southland executive in 1866 and 1867, and was Superintendent from 1869 until the reunion was effected. He then entered the Otago Council, in which he sat for Southland (1870) and for Waihopai (1873 to abolition). Here again he was on the executive (1875). Wood represented Invercargill in Parliament (1866-70) and Mataura (1876-78). On resigning he was called to the Legislative Council (1878-84). He did not seek public office, but his experience and qualifications were demanded by the difficult circumstances of Southland. He was the first mayor of Invercargill (1871-73) and established a parliamentary procedure in the Council meetings. He died on 30 Aug 1884.

Cycl. N.Z., iv; Southland Daily News, 1 Sep 1884. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 268

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