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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Mr. William Reid Douglas

Mr. William Reid Douglas , Chief Engineer of the New Zealand Shipping Company's s.s. “Pareora,” took up his present position on the 30th of May, 1898. He was born in Melbourne, but came to Dunedin with his parents in the early sixties. After leaving the Dunedin High School, he went to the Old Country, and served his apprenticeship with the well known firm of Messrs James Howden and Co. In December, 1879, he returned to the Colony as fourth engineer of the Union Steamship Company's s.s. “Te Anau,” on which he afterwards acted successively as third and second engineer. Mr. Douglas left the “Te Anau” in October, 1884, to join the “Mahinapua” as chief engineer. He was afterwards chief of the “Penguin” and “Ringarooma,” and after being about twelve years in the Union Steamship Company's service, he left to join his brothers in the Northern Union Steamboat Company, trading on the Northern Wairoa, and was manager of the Company from 1894 to 1897. His father, the late Mr. W. R. Douglas, of Dunedin, one of the old pioneer settlers of Otago, is credited with having built the first steam vessel launched in Dunedin, namely, a little steamer called the “Betsy Douglas.”