The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Reeves, Hon. William
Reeves, Hon. William, M.L.C., was the son of a gentleman holding the position of Receiver of Fee Farm Rents, and was born at Clapham, near London. In early life he was placed in the banking house with which the Kennard family were connected, and subsequently became a stockbroker. Not being successful on the Stock Exchange, he decided to emigrate to New Zealand, and, after a short trial of farming, settled at Christchurch, in the North Island, where he became editor and chief proprietor of the Lyttelton Times. He was connected with provincial politics, and entering the House of Representatives was a member of the Executive Council and resident Minister for the Middle Island in the third Fox Government from Nov. 1871 to Sept. 1872. In Oct. 1884, he was nominated to the Legislative Council and died at Christchurch on April 4th, 1891. He married a daughter of John Edward Ross Pember, of Clapham Park, Surrey, and sister of E. H. Pember, Q.C.