CYCLOPEDIA OF NZ 1897

Wellington Province

WANGANUI:

BASSETT, William George

Page 1362

Councillor William George Bassett. Was born in New Plymouth, Taranaki, where, though too young for active service, he and his parents passed through the exciting vicissitudes of the native war. In 1868, allured by the exciting reports from the Thames goldfields, he left his native town for that district, where he remained some three years, part of the time following his trade as a carpenter. He then returned to Taranaki and entered into business there with Mr. R Rundle, sen., as general contractors. Some years later, the firm of Rundle and Bassett securing the contract for the Wanganui Railway Bridge, councillor Bassett established his headquarters in that town. In 1880 he constructed some seven or eight miles of permanent railway in the district between Stratford and Eltham. At a later date he was again the successful tenderer for the construction of the line between Hawera and Mokoia, a distance of seven or eight miles. The railway bridge at Pohangina was also undertaken by him. This is an iron structure of 640 feet in length. Councillor Bassett's private residence is at St John's Hill, and, though still continuing his business as contractor, he has recently established himself in Wilson Street as a timber merchant. He has served the public as a member of the local school committee, and of the Licensing committee.

WANGANUI:

BASSETT, William George

Page 1439

Bassett, William George: Timber Merchant and Contractor, Wilson Street, Wanganui. Telegraphic address, `Bassett, Wanganui.' Telephone 84. P.O. Box 57. Bankers, Bank of Australasia. Private residence: St John's Hill. Mr Bassett commenced business as a contractor about 1874, since which he has secured contracts for the construction of many miles of railway, also for some of the largest bridges in the North Island. He has a specially designed and complete plant for the manufacture of iron bridges. As a timber merchant he commenced business in 1894. He has extensive yards in Wilson Street, where he keeps a large and general stock of timber, builders' ironmongery, etc.

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