Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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page 290

Mr. Alfred de Bathe Brandon, B.A., ex-Mayor of the city of Wellington, was born in the Empire City on the 13th of December, 1854. His father, the late Hon. A. de B. Brandon, M.L.C., was one of the pioneers of settlement in Port Nicholson. The subject of this notice received his earlier education at the Wellington College, and was successful, in 1872, in gaining one of the first scholarships granted by the University of New Zealand. In the following year he commenced a course of study at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, England, and four years later took his B.A. degree with honours. Before returning to New Zealand, Mr. Brandon was called to the bar at the Middle Temple, and shortly after arriving in Wellington was admitted by His Honour the Chief Justice a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. He at ones became a member of his father's firm, well known in Wellington for many years, and of which he is now senior partner, the firm being known now as Messrs. Brandon, Hislop, and Brandon. Mr. Brandon has held the position of president of the Wellington District Law Society. His name has long been closely associated with that great Colonial Life Insurance Company, the Australian Mutual Provident Society, of which he is a local director. In the City Corporation Mr. Brandon served as a councillor from September 1886, to January 1891, representing Thorndon Ward. He was returned to the mayoral chair in November, 1893, and he ably performed the onerous duties of that office. He contested the election in November, 1894, but was defeated by Mr. C. M. Luke. In 1879 Mr. Brandon married Miss Louisa Kebbell, second daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Kebbell. During his occupancy of the mayoral chair a son was born to him, and the councillors and officers of the Corporation presented their chief with a very handsome silver cradle, which will, no doubt, be carefully treasured by Mr. and Mrs. Brandon as a memento of the auspicious event.