The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Curtis, Oswald
Curtis, Oswald, formerly Superintendent of the province of Nelson, N.Z., son of Stephen Curtis and Eleanora (Llewellyn) his wife, was born in London on Jan. 20th, 1821, and landed at Nelson, N.Z., on June 18th, 1853. He was for many years a member of the Nelson Provincial Council, and was Superintendent of the province from 1867 to 1876, when the provinces were abolished. Mr. Curtis was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives from 1867 to 1878, and was Postmaster-General and Commissioner of Customs, Stamp Duties, and Telegraphs in the short-lived Stafford administration from Sept. 10th to Oct. 11th, 1872. Mr. Curtis was for many years resident magistrate, warden, and coroner of the Nelson district and a governor of Nelson College. He was a Fellow of the University of New Zealand, and a member of the Senate from 1870 to 1888.