William Guise Brittan, mostly known as Guise Brittan and commonly referred to as W G Brittan, was the first Commissioner of Crown Lands for Canterbury in New Zealand.
15 Facts About Guise Brittan
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2.
Guise Brittan undertook several journeys on the General Palmer to China or India.
3.
Guise Brittan married Louisa Brittan and his brother married her sister Elizabeth Mary Brittan.
4.
Guise Brittan joined the Canterbury Association, despite being of much lower class than most of its members.
5.
Guise Brittan impressed Edward Gibbon Wakefield, one of the instigators of the Canterbury Association.
6.
Wakefield wrote to John Robert Godley, the other driving force behind the colonisation scheme who was already in New Zealand, and suggested that Guise Brittan be given a role of responsibility.
7.
Guise Brittan came to Christchurch on Sir George Seymour in December 1850 and was thus one of the Pilgrims.
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Edward Gibbon 8.
Guise Brittan chose land at Papanui Bush and alongside the Avon River just outside the initial town area, where he built his first substantial home, Englefield Lodge.
9.
Guise Brittan declared his candidacy in the Christchurch Country electorate for election to the 1st New Zealand Parliament by advertisement in the Lyttelton Times on 18 June 1853.
10.
Sewell thought that whilst Guise Brittan was unpopular with the constituency, it would nevertheless be useful to have him in Parliament.
11.
Guise Brittan discussed all the issues that Parliament should deal with, but finished by saying that he would not be available as a candidate, as Watts-Russell had been pledged the support of the constituency.
12.
Guise Brittan died on 18 July 1876 at his home in Cashel Street West, Christchurch, and is buried at St Paul's Anglican Church in Papanui.
13.
The Guise Brittan brothers were Anglican, though the Guise Brittan family had been Methodist.
14.
Guise Brittan had been a lay reader at Holy Trinity Avonside, which he had helped start and supported.
15.
Frederick Guise Brittan was the last survivor from the First Four Ships, and his funeral service was held at ChristChurch Cathedral.