15 Facts About Henry Wigram

Sir Henry Francis Wigram was a New Zealand businessman, politician and aviation promoter.

Henry Wigram is best known for his role in developing a public transport system in Christchurch and as a key player in the establishment of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The son of Henry Knox Wigram, a barrister, and a grandson of Octavius Wigram, Governor of the Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation, Wigram was born in London and was educated at Harrow School.

Henry Wigram's mother was Mary Anne Pomeroy, a daughter of the 5th Viscount Harberton.

Henry Wigram returned to England briefly in 1885 in order to marry Agnes Vernon Sullivan.

Together with his brother, William Arthur Wigram, Henry bought a malthouse and brickworks business in the Heathcote Valley between Christchurch and Lyttelton.

In 1902, Henry Wigram was nominated for the mayoralty and was elected unopposed on 23 April, and re-elected unopposed a year later on 21 April 1903.

Henry Wigram worked on improving the tramway system, which until that time used horse-drawn trams with three independent operators.

On 22 June 1903, Henry Wigram was appointed to the Legislative Council by the Liberal Government.

Henry Wigram retired from his business interests but retained a number of company directorships, including that of the Lyttelton Times newspaper.

Henry Wigram resigned from the Legislative Council on 12 October 1920.

Henry Wigram became aware of the potential of aviation during a visit to England in 1908.

Henry Wigram purchased land at Sockburn for his Canterbury Aviation Company and at his own expense purchased three Caudron biplanes from Britain.

Henry Wigram was one of the founders of the Canterbury Aero Club and was the first patron of the New Zealand Aero Club in 1930.

Henry Wigram was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1926 New Year Honours, in recognition of his public services.