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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Rand, Alexander John
Rand, Alexander John, Builder, 25 Owen Street. Wellington. Mr. Band who is the third son of Mr. H. T. Rand, of the “Imperial Ottoman Arsenal,” Constantinople, is an energetic man of twenty-nine summers. Born on the 13th of October, 1866, in Hampshire, England, he was educated at Constantinople, remaining there till fourteen years of age. He then went to London, and was put to the carpentering trade, and worked in the joinery department of the Thames iron works and ship building yards. After two years he went back to his native county, and worked at farming for some time. In 1886 he came to the colonies by the ship “Hampshire,” landing in Melbourne, Almost immediately he went to Sydney, and from there to Hay, and Deniliquin, and afterwards to a large station in the Riverina district, where he was engaged at his trade. He then heard of the great land boom in Melbourne, and went to that city, starting business as a builder. He was there during the height of the boom, and was very busy for about three years. In 1892 he came to Wellington, and on his arrival worked for Mr. J. L. Jacobson, builder. While contracting in Wellington, his attention was drawn to the rapid rise of the suburb of Newtown. This induced him to invest in property, and he has since been engaged in building on his own account. He has erected several very nice houses, for which he is his own architect. He is a member of the Rechabite order, and of the Builders' Association. Mr. Rand was married in Melbourne, and has a family of three—one boy and two girls.