MACEY, William Henry

William Henry Macey
Blenheim

born 14 April 1850 Islington, London, England,
died 1931 aged 81 years reg. 1931/3715

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 175, 25 November 1873, Page 3

Mr. William Henry Macey , J.P., was Mayor of Blenheim during the years 1903 and 1904. He was born at Islington, London, England, on the 14th of April, 1850, and came to New Zealand by the ship “Indian Queen,” in 1857. Later on, he learned photography with Mr. William Collie, of Blenheim, and in the year 1870, was taken into partnership. In 1874, Mr. Macey purchased the business from Mr. Collie, and still conducts it. 

He is one of the founders, and a former president of the Blenheim Bowling Club, which he has represented at interprovincial tournaments; a trustee for the Independent Order of Oddfellows; and a member of the Marlborough Club. For nine years he was a member of the Blenheim Borough Council, a member of the Wairau Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for about ten years, and of the Education Board and High School Board of Governors for about five years; and he is one of the Marlborough School Commissioners. Mr. Macey is further referred to as a photographer in Blenheim.

Photography.

Macey, William Henry, Art Photographer, Market Place, Blenheim. This business was founded some time in the fifties by the late Mr. William Collie, the first photographer in Blenheim. In the year 1870, he was joined in partnership by Mr. W. H. Macey, his former manager, who purchased the business in 1874, and has since conducted it on his own account. Under his care the connection has steadily increased, and in 1902 branches were opened at Picton and Havelock. The premises in Blenheim consist of a two-storied wooden building, which includes a handsome and commodious vestibule, containing a fine display of specimen portraits and pictures, two waiting rooms, a dark room, a store room and a well-appointed studio, with good lighting apparatus. A large amount of work is also carried on at Mr. Macey's private residence, where additional room has been provided to cope with the increase of business. Mr. Macey employs a skilful artist in his studio, and a capable operator for outdoor photography, so that he is in a position to turn out work equal to the best in the colony. He has customers all over the province, and beyond it; and does a large business in portraiture, and in the sale of local scenery, of which he has a fine collection. Mr. Macey keeps himself well abreast with the latest improvements in photography. He is further referred to as a former Mayor of Blenheim.

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts] 1906