The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Blair, William Newsham
Blair, William Newsham, M.Inst.C.E., was in the service of the Provincial Government of Otago from 1864 to 1865; became district engineer in the Public Works Department of New Zealand in 1871, Engineer-in-charge of the Middle Island in 1878, and Assistant Engineer-in-Chief for the colony in 1884. In 1890 Mr. Blair was appointed Engineer-in-chief, and died on May 4th, 1891.