William James Foster

William James Foster was born at Kensington, London, in 1850. On leaving school he trained in the steam-brick manufacturing industry, in which he worked for ten years. This was followed by a number of different occupations, before he emigrated to New Zealand in 1875. He worked in Nelson as a road contractor before moving to Wellington, where he remained for the rest of his life. After being engaged in various jobs he studied at Wellington Technical School and qualified for the construction and inspection of engineering works.

His first local government role was with the Kilbirnie Road Board in 1883. From 1884 until 1888 he was made Clerk, and when the Kilbirnie Road Board became the Seatoun Road Board in 1889 he became Clerk to that Board, a position he held until 1898.

William was appointed Melrose Borough Clerk at the first meeting of the Council held on 24 April 1888. Upon appointment the Mayor listed his duties as: Town Clerk, Returning Officer for Council, Treasurer, Inspector of Nuisances and Slaughterhouses, Collector of Rates, Licenses and Feed, and Inspector of Roads. His annual salary was fixed at £100. Property Assessor was added to the list of responsibilities in September 1888, and he later also held the role of Borough Engineer. He was also Secretary of the Mitchelltown School Committee in the late 1880s, and as a Mason and Oddfellow.

William was the first and only Town Clerk for Melrose Borough. He was instrumental in obtaining signatures for the petition that saw the formation of Melrose Borough, and as Returning Officer presided over the poll that saw Melrose amalgamate with Wellington City Council in early 1903. Upon amalgamation he took a role with the Wellington City Council as an Inspector.

Following a long illness, WIlliam died at his home in Holloway Road in 1909. Following his death the Wellington Town Hall flag was flown at half mast as a mark of respect.