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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Mr. Frederick Mair, Engine Driver for the Wellington-Manawatu Company, between Wellington and Kereru, is a Devonshire man. Born in 1867 in Winkleigh, and brought up to a country life, he went to the Cape of Good Hope at the age of thirteen. Starting as an office boy in the Table Bay Harbour Works, he was afterwards employed as cleaner on the Cape Government Railways, and on the Harbour Works. In 1885 he came to Wellington per s.s. “Ruapehu,” and was engaged in platelaying on the Manawatu line between Johnsonville and Pukerua, and subsequently in the construction of the permanent way. After a time as cleaner in the engine sheds, Mr. Mair was fortnightly employed as driver, being promoted to the position of permanent driver in April 1896. In 1892 Mr. Mair was married to a daughter of Mr. Issac Gillbanks of Barrow-in-Furness, and has three sons.