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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Mr. James Dignan
Mr. James Dignan, the Speaker's Secretary, belongs to an old political family, being a son of the late Hon. Patrick Dignan, M.L.C., of Auckland, who for nearly half a century took a prominent part in almost every political movement at the northern capital. Mr. James Dignan was born at Auckland in 1850, and in common with the other members of his father's family was educated under the private tutorship of the late Mr. R. J. O's Sullivan, who was afterwards for many years the popular inspector of schools in the Auckland district. On completing his education Mr. Dignan secured an appointment in the Crown Lands Office, Auckland, but after two years of Civil Service he resigned and took to farming at Point Chevalier, on the outskirts of Auckland. While thus engaged he was for many years secretary to the Newton Road Board, and also for a long time occupied the chair of the Point Chevalier Road Board. Mr. Dignan had further experience as a member of the Eden County Council to which he was elected unopposed through the withdrawal of Mr. A. K. Taylor. Making a change in his farming career Mr. Dignan became an employée of the Estates Company and held the position for about four years. Throughout his life he has taken an active intersst in politics of all kinds. In the later seventies he was a member of the Central Committee which existed for the purpose of increasing the following of Sir George Grey in the House of Representatives. Mr. Dignan has held his present position of secretary to Sir Maurice O'Rorke since the Speaker's election in 1893. He was not quite new to the position, having been clerk to Sir Maurice when that gentleman was Speaker of the Auckland Provincial Council.