W. Ferrier was a early New Zealand Postcard producer of high quality photo postcards.
To view the album of postcard images I have created - click on his album link.

William, a native of Edinburgh, arrived at Port Chalmers 9 September 1869 on the William Davie with his father, David Ferrier, and sister Jessie Lowe Ferrier. Rev. William Lowe's daughter Jessie Lowe was married to David Ferrier in Forfar, Scotland in 1852 by Rev. Lowe, her father. Jessie died in 1866 at 39 yrs.

Timaru Herald - WEDDING NOTICE

FERRIER - CUNNINGHAM. On the 17th inst., at Wesley Church, Oamaru, by the Rev. J.S. Rishworth, William Ferrier, of Timaru, to Eva Beatrice, third daughter of Mr T.M. Cunningham, of Oamaru.

Timaru Herald Monday 17 May 1887 Birth

FERRIER - At Sarah Street, Timaru, on the 15th inst., the wife of W. Ferrier of a daughter.

Timaru Herald

Tuesday 22 December 1891 Birth
FERRIER - On the 20th Dec., at North Street, the wife of W. Ferrier, of a son.

FAMILY DEATH NOTICES

Colin Ferrier was killed in Ypres 11 Nov. 1914.

Timaru Cemetery - FATHERS DEATH NOTICE FERRIER, David Age at Death 80 Date of Interment 20/6/1907

FERRIER, William - DEATH NOTICE Age at Death 68 Years Date of Interment 18/10/1922

Colin McCahon was born 1 August 1919 in Timaru, the son Ethel Beatrice Ferrier and John McCahon (s/o James McCahon), a commercial traveller and grandson of William Ferrier the Timaru photographer and landscape painter. Colin McCahon was named after his Uncle. Colin attended Waitaki Boys High School. He took art classes at age 17. In their Highgate home hung landscapes by Colin McCahon’s late grandfather, William Ferrier. Colin wrote: "My grandfather, William Ferrier, was both a photographer and a landscape painter in water colour. We grew up with his paintings on the walls, and at holiday times visiting my Grandmother's house in Timaru. We lived in rooms hung floor to ceiling with watercolours and prints. Once I spent time confined to a bed in what had been my Grandfather's dark room; red glass in the window, and paints and brushes, a palette, with shallow drawers. I don't remembering doing any painting at this time myself. I was probably intimidated by the obvious professionalism of the environment." Colin died in 1987, a world renown contemporary painter.

Details recorded from CANTERBURY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Additional details

The Timaru Herald 17 May 1881 carried the following advertisement:
"First-Class Photography
Fyfe's Building
W. Ferrier Portrait Rooms will be OPENED in a few days (Studio: 125 Stafford Street, Timaru)
Only first-class Photographs will be produced
South Road, Timaru, opposite the Theatre.
[The South Rd was later renamed Stafford St]

FINAL NOTICE

The Timaru Herald 2 July 1921
"On Friday 8th inst., Morton and Pearson submit to auction the old established photography business of Mr. W. Ferrier. The position is unequalled and the failing health of the Proprietor is the sole reason for selling. The business will be sold as a going concern, and full particulars can be obtained from the auctioneers."

BOOKS

William Ferrier Photographer / John Lester. Publisher : Aigantighe Art Gallery with assistance from Timaru Harbour Board; Bank of New Zealand, Timaru, NZ 1986 60 p. : ill., Catalogue of an exhibition held at the Aigantighe Art Gallery, Timaru, NZ. Includes index. Bibliography: p. 59. The book is very detail about his life. Born 20 Aug 1855 Forfar Scotland. Died 16 Oct 1922 76 Grey Road Timaru. Including living in Oamaru before moving to Timaru and was partner with J.W. Rock. There is an appendix which lists Timaru photographers 1868-1921

The above article mentions the "William Davie" - click on name to view photograph of painting held in the Alexander Turnbull Library

Photograph of a painting by W Beckett, depicting the sailing ship 'William Davie' painted after 1880 when her rigging was changed to that of a barque. Photographed by David Alexander De Maus, with his own title. Artist's signature in bottom left of painting. Location of original painting unknown.