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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Mr. William Charles Nation

page 1118

Mr. William Charles Nation, the senior partner in the firm of Nation and Son, who was born at Sydney, New South Wales, in 1840, is the son of Mr. William Nation, who founded the Nelson Colonist in 1857. Prior to this he was printer of The Sydney Press, Dr. Lang's paper, and others well known throughout Australia. The subject of this sketch began his career in his father's office as a runner. In 1857 he came to New Zealand, and spent seven years on the Nelson Colonist, then he was employed on the Christchurch Press for eleven years. When the New Zealand Times became the property of Mr. Chantrey Harris, Mr. Nation accepted a position in that office, where his energy and perseverance soon gained him promotion, he being placed in charge of the jobbing, machinery, and news departments. In 1880 he took over the Wairarapa Standard from Mr. Richard Wakelin, which he carried on for thirteen years, during which the Standard came greatly into prominence. After selling to Mr. Roydhouse in 1893, Mr. Nation came to the West Coast of the North Island, settling at Shannon and establishing the Manawatu Farmer. The institution of Arbor Day in New Zealand is credited to Mr. Nation, who published an able leader in the Wairarapa Standard of the 16th of April. 1890, and convened a meeting to consider the advisability of planting the streets around Greytown with trees. A letter from the Mayor, thanking Mr. Nation for having set the project on foot, and for having taken such a practical interest in the movement, was shown to the writer. The streets of Shannon are now being lined with trees owing principally to Mr. Nation's enthusiam in this direction.