William Hall-Jones KCM

Born, 1851, Fokstone, Britain

Died, 1936, New Zealand

Hall-Jones was born in Folkestone, England, in 1851, and was educated at public schools there. After training as a carpenter and builder, he came to New Zealand in 1875, where he settled in Timaru.

Hall-Jones as a member of the Timaru borough council for five years and of the Levels road board for three years.

He entered Parliament in 1890, a Liberal member for Timaru, a seat he held continuously until 1908. When the Atkinson Government was defeated and Ballance took office, Hall-Jones was made junior government whip, a position he resigned from in 1893. For three years he remained in Parliament, but sat apart, keenly criticizing and Government and voting as an independent.

In February 1896, Hall-Jones was offered a portfolio, and he became Minister of Public Works and Marine. Hall-Jones gained a reputation as a thorough and fearless manager in his own domain, and when Seddon visited Australia in 1906, Hall Jones was acting Prime Minister. He later carried on the government as Prime Minister when Seddon died, until the return to New Zealand of Sir Joseph Ward.

In 1908, after a brief break from politics, Hall-Jones was offered the position of High Commissioner in London, a position he held for four years. On his return to New Zealand, in 1913, Sir William was called to the Legislative Council by the Massey Government and remained a member until his death on 19 June 1936.