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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Miller, Thomas

Miller, Thomas, Sculptor and Monumental Mason, Customhouse Quay, opposite Bank of New Zealand. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. Private residence, Tasman Street. Mr. Miller established himself as above in 1876. Even then his yard was centrally situated; but now since the town has been so much extended on the sea side of his yard, Mr. Miller may be said to be in the very midst of the busy city. The yard is roomy and well filled, monuments of every variety being closely Arranged over a space of about 2500 square feet. The ordinary stone slabs are, of course, quarried in the Colony, but the marble and granite are imported the former from Italy, and the latter from Aberdeen. The firms from whom Mr. Miller mainly imports his granite are Messrs. James Petrie and Co. and Eohert D. Cruickshank, both of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is careful to import raw material of the best quality, as in many cases its value is many times multiplied by the skill and labour spent upon it. Mr. Miller is a trained sculptor, and in the higher branches of the art claims to be at the very top of the profession. And certainly he has done some very excellent work. One of his finest specimens is a life-size bust of the great Chief Te Hapuku. This was executed to the order of the New Zealand Government, and had to pass the critical eye of Mr. Fitzgerald, the Controller-General, as well as that of Dr. (now Sir James) Hector. Both these judges pronounced the likeness faultless, and so satisfied were Sir James Hector and others concerned, with the manner in which Mr, Miller had carried out his contract, that a
Specimen.—T. Miller, Sculptor.

Specimen.—T. Miller, Sculptor.

page 604 testimonial, of which he is naturally very proud, was given him, signed by the late Mr. T. W. Lewis, as under-secretary of the Native Department, who, in conjunction with the other gentlemen mentioned, obtained permission from the Government for the bust to be sent to the Melbourne and Sydney Exhibitions. Some idea of this work of art may be gathered from the fact that Mr. Miller was paid the very handsome sum of £300 for it. A very imposing monument to the memory of the Chief Wiriana is also the work of Mr. Miller. It, too, was very costly; and its height over all is twenty-three feet. Wellington readers will all be familiar with the splendid monument which marks the resting place of the late Mr. W. B. Rhodes in the Bolton Street Cemetery. It is the finest in the district, standing high above its surroundings. This, too, is the handwork of Mr. Miller, Of course hundreds of others might be mentioned, but there is no need. The monuments bear the sculptor's name and speak for themselves. Probably there is hardly a cemetery in Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Taranaki Provinces in which Mr. Miller's workmanship may not be seen. And the same may be said of the northern part of the South Island, including Nelson and the West Coast. Nor is the business confined to busts, medallions and general monumental masonry. A fair trade is done in marble mantelpieces, washstands, and other articles of a like nature. In fact, marble work of all kinds is undertaken, with every confidence of satisfactory results. Mr. Miller is a native of Glasgow, where he lived up to the time of leaving for New Zealand. He was apprenticed to Messrs. M. and J. Allan, of Glasgow, and completed his apprenticeship in 1858. About ten years later he established himself in business in his native city; but after a six years' trial of it decided to come to New Zealand. He arrived here in 1875, per ship “Howrah,” from London. Mr. Miller is well and favourably known. Though he has taken no prominent part in public affairs, he is deservedly popular and widely respected. He is ably assisted, both in the working and management of the business, by his son, Mr. John Miller, who promises well for the maintenance of the good name and position in his profession gained by his father. In imparting the information which formed the basis of this article, Mr. Miller disclosed a fact which reflects credit upon his patrons, namely, that during the whole time he has been in business in Wellington, though he has given credit freely, his losses by bad debts have not amounted to a sum worth naming. His experience leads him to the conclusion that as a class the working people are, in proportion to their ability, more liberal than the opulent in their expenditure in memory of departed friends. From a long acquaintance with Mr. Miller, the writer is able to recommend him confidently as a painstaking and thoroughly straightforward business man. He is kindly and sympathetic by nature, and these qualities so essential to a man in his line—have no doubt largely contributed to his success.