Mr. William Reece, who was Mayor of Christchurch in the year 1900, is a son of the late Mr. Edward Reece, who came to the colony in 1855, and, in the following year, established the now extensive business of Messrs Edward Reece and Sons. Mr. William Reece, who was born and educated in Christchurch, went to England to complete his business training, and returned to the colony in 1879, when his father handed over the management of the firm to him. This arrangement continued until 1887, when Mr. Edward Reece died. The conduct of the business then devolved upon his two sons, Mr. W. Reece and Mr. C. S. Reece, who carried it on till 1892, when the latter retired. Since that date the business—which is described in another portion of this volume—has been conducted solely by Mr. W. Reece, who, as Mayor of Christchurch during the Jubilee year of the province, discharged the duties of the office with a thoroughness and dignity which reflected credit on the city.