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. William Prince, Wharfinger to the Wellington, Harbour Board, has been closely associated with the management of the port for over a quarter of a century. Born in London in 1846, his education, so far as school was concerned, was completed at the age of ten years. Coming to Wellington with his parents per ship “Alma,” in 1850 he spent his first six months in the Colony as a shepherd boy. Entering business life in Wellington he had three years at the baking trade, and then joined Mr. W. Tonks, who was then conducting a brick and lime works. In three years again Mr. Prince changed his occupation, continuing with the same employer in the auctioneering business, and afterwards in 1868, when that gentleman became lessee of the Queen's Wharf, as assistant. It was a day of small things, all goods landed from the vessels having to be carried to a store close to the Post Office for delivery, and from that time Mr. Prince assisted to make the wharf available for carts, and has lent his assistance at all times to bring about the present condition of things. As the control of the wharf changed hands from time to time, Mr. Prince was invariably continued in the service, and at each change received promotion. About fourteen years ago he was appointed to the responsible position of wharfinger, which he still occupies. Mr. Prince is a prominent member of Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, and is connected with the Britannia Lodge of Oddfellows. He was married in 1868 to a daughter of the late Mr. Edmund Spencer, of Wellington, and has one son and two daughters living, one little girl having died some time ago.