Mr. Clarence Rennell, Secretary of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, is a native of Surrey, England. He received his education and commercial training in London. In the year 1852, after about three years of seafaring life, he settled in Victoria, and remained there for twelve years, during which he met with varied success on the goldfields. Mr. Rennell arrived in New Plymouth with his family in the year 1866, when he entered into business as a land and commission agent, and soon established a good connection. On the abolition of the provinces, he was appointed Government District Auditor (having previously acted as Provincial Auditor), but resigned the position in 1882 to take that of secretary to the Harbour Board, a position which he still retains. The New Plymouth Investment and Loan Society, which is a flourishing institution, in a great measure owes its origin to Mr. Rennell, who is still secretary and treasurer, and has occupied these positions since the formation of the society—about thirty years ago. Mr. Rennell was also the promoter of the New Plymouth Gas Company, which he was successful in forming, twenty-eight years ago. He has also been agent for the Public Trustee, and agent for three different fire and two life insurance offices. Mr. Rennell has, at different times, been for six years a member of the Borough Council for the West Ward, and was appointed a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand in 1886. He is a widower, and has a family of nine children, two of whom are Australians, and the others New Zealanders.