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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Mr. William Ferguson
Mr. William Ferguson,
M.A., B.E. Trinity College, Dublin, M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech.E., Secretary, Engineer, and Treasurer of the Wellington Harbour Board, is a native of London where he was born on the 15th of June, 1852. Educated by private tuition and at Burton-on Trent Grammar School, the University of Trinity College, and the Royal College of Science, Dublin, Mr. Ferguson served an articled apprenticeship of five years, commencing in August, 1867, with Messrs. Courtenay and Stephens, engineers, of Dublin. In 1873 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, where he gained his B.A. degree on the 24th of December, 1877, graduating as First Respondent. Mr. Ferguson took his degree as Bachelor of Engineering on the 25th of June, 1879, with special additional certificates in chemistry and geology, practical engineering, mechanical and experimental physics. His M.A. diploma was conferred on the 26th of February, 1881, and he was elected an Associate member of the Institute of Civil Engineers on the 7th of December, 1880, and was transferred to the grade of member on the 16th of May, 1898. After completing his terms at the University, Mr. Ferguson was employed by Messrs. Ross, Stephens, and Walpole, and by Mr. John Bower, M.Inst. C.E., both of Dublin. He was appointed in 1878 chief draughtsman to the Hydraulic Engineering Company, Limited, of Chester, and, remaining with that firm for twelve months, acquired a special knowledge of the details of hydraulic machinery. In 1879 he became assistant to the professor of Engineering in Trinity College, Dublin, and held the office till 1883. Owing to the illness and death of the Professor, Mr. Ferguson took up and efficiently discharged the duties of the office, and also practised as a consulting engineer in
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Dublin. Before leaving for the Colony, testimonials were given to the subject of this notice testifying to his great ability and high professional attainments. All the firms in whose employment lie had been signed letters of commendation, and these were supplemented by the Registrar and the Bursar to the University of Trjnity College, Dublin, and many other eminent professional men. In fact, the testimonials are the most complete that the writer has seen. Mr. Ferguson came to New Zealand, arriving in Danedin about the end of the year 1883 by the s.s. “Takapuna.” In May, 1884, he was appointed to the important offices in connection with the Wellington Harbour Board, which he so ably fills. He was requested, in 1890, jointly with Mr. Edwin Cuthbert, M.Inst.G.B., to report on and devise a scheme for the sewerage of the City of Wellington, and three years later, conjointly with Mr. H. P. Higginson, M.Inst. C.E., he became consulting engineer for carrying out the drainage works in Wellington in accordance with his recommendations. Great credit is due to Mr. Ferguson for the manner in which he has carried on the business of the port, and the excellent provision made under his wise direction for conducting the trade. In 1890 Mr. Ferguson was married to the third daughter of the late Mr. William Sefton Moorhouse, and has one son now four years old. It is now a matter at history how Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were on board the ill-fated s.s. “Wairarapa,” which was wrecked near the Great Barrier Island in October, 1894, and fortunately e& caped with their lives. Mr. Ferguson is deservedly popular in the sphere of usefulness which he occupies, and under his control the wharves, the appliances, and the buildings of the Board have increased most marvellously. It is admitted on all hands that no better accommodation for loading and dis charging cargo can be found in any of the colonies, and there is not the smallest doubt that the advantages which Wellington enjoys in these respects are largely due to the knowledge and untiring zeal and energy of Mr. William Ferguson.