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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Lieutenant-General Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois

Lieutenant-General Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois R.E., G.C.M.G., C.B., was Governor of New Zealand from the 20th of January, 1883, to the 22nd of March, 1889. Born in the Isle of Wight in 1821, he devoted himself in his youth to the profession of arms. In 1839 he entered the Royal Engineers, and two years later was sent to the Cape of Good Hope, where he was engaged for about seven years in several capacities. When the trouble with Boers broke out in 1842 he joined the expedition against them. For the next three years he was employed as military engineer in the construction of roads, bridges, and stations. A few years later, when the war with the Kaffirs was in progress he made a survey, and prepared a map of Kaffraria. Some time after this he returned to England and received a military appointment at Woolwich and Chatham. In 1854 he was promoted to the rank of major, and two years later was appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Fortifications. In 1861 he received a lieutenant-colonelcy, and in 1863 went to Canada to examine the fortifications. In the following year he again visited Canada to make page 39 arrangements for the defence of that Colony. Some time afterwards the British Government carried out a plan of defence on the lines suggested by him. In 1874 he was created K.C.M.G., and in the following year was appointed Governor of the Straits Settlements.
Lieutenant-General Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois

Photo. by Wrigglesworth and Binns.

He was promoted to the Governorship of South Australia in 1877, and in the following year received the honour of G.C.M.G. When Sir Arthur Gordon resigned in 1882, Sir William Jervois was appointed to succeed him as Governor of New Zealand. He remained in this office until 1889, when his term expired, and he was succeeded by Lord Onslow. Throughout the whole of his fairly long reign as Governor, Sir William was more than ordinarily popular, and on the event of his leaving the Colony, the citizens of the Capital invited him to a parting banquet. Lady Jervois and some members of their family were untiring in their efforts to promote the well-being of the people. In connection with the Girl's Friendly Society, they did much good, and are gratefully remembered by many of the poor girls whom they helped and encouraged in a variety of ways.