Wright, McGregor Bonar, 1861-1939

Born in Scotland. Emigrated to New Zealand in 1883, followed by his brother George B (Bonar) Wright in 1888. They both were apprenticed to Hay and Lyall, Queen's gilders for Scotland, in Aberdeen.

McGregor Bonar Wright established the "Wright, McGregor & Co" fine art dealers, picture framers, carvers, and gilders business in Dunedin in March 1879, and later ran it with his brother George B (Bonar) Wright until 1902 under the name McGregor Wright. They opened a branch in Wellington at 129 Lambton Quay in March 1888, shifting to premises at 182 Lambton Quay by 1913.

Circa 1905-1917 McGregor Wright sold out of the business and shifted to Christchurch. He was a city councillor, Mayor of Woolston circa 1921, and was associated with the Canterbury Society of Arts. Keen photographer, exhibiting with the Wellington Camera Club circa 1902, and with the Christchurch Photographic Society 1907.

Photograph published in New Zealand Free Lance, 23 Apr 1928. Died in 1939 aged 78 years [Source: Online historical BDM]

There are 3 related items to this topic
Image

McKay, James Hector, fl 1890s :Alterations and additions, premisses, Lambton Quay, Well...

Date: 1897

From: [Architectural plans collected by Bulleyment Fortune architects. 1890-1900s]

By: McKay, James Hector, -1944

Reference: Plans-91-1424

Description: Basement plan, before and after proposed alterations to incorporate an art gallery, roof plan showing skylights, three sections showing a doorway, part of a stairwell, and the area between two floors, two elevations showing windows, front and back. Other Titles - premises Inscriptions: Recto - title upper right, with approving signatures dated 15 June 1897 from Brown & Johnston, McGregor B. Wright and George B. Wright; also architect's signature bottom right: J. Hector McKay A. R. V. I. A., Architect, National Chambers Grey St, Wellington, 28/5/97 Quantity: 1 plan(s). Physical Description: Ink and watercolour on wove paper, 335 x 471 mm

Image

Personalities - Men - Surnames, Wi - Z

Date: 1924-1951

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

Reference: PAColl-0785-1-214

Description: Photographs taken for publication in the New Zealand Free Lance, ca 1920s-1950s. Names not entered in Name field include: Mrs E A Berryman and J Young, 1951; Francis Brett Young; Israel Zangwill (playwright and novelist), 1925; Miss N J Fitch & Colonel W R Young, 1950; H Beebe (Labour candidate), 1931; Sir Basil Zaharoff (Greek financier), 1924; Jack Wright of USA, 1931; H G William (signalman), 1951; Lord Woolton, 1942; Viscount Willingdon (Governor General of Canada), 1930; Lieut Col R C Wickens and adjutant at Addington Training Centre, 1941; Dr T A Wilson of Melbourne, 1927; Harold Wilson (President of Board of Trade) and Eric Johnston (representative of the Hollywood film industry), 1948. John N Willys (millionaire car manufacturer), 1929; Rowland P Wilson, 1932; Mr Buning Willemhouis (Shell oil research expert), 1938; John G Winant (US Ambassador to Great Britain), 1948; Captain L Yancey, 1939; D O Williams (Massey College, Palmerston North); Mr & Mrs Wendell Wilkie & son, 1942; Sir Edward Wilshaw, 1945; David J Winton (Minneapolis), 1941; Sir Leslie Wilson (Governor of Queensland); Andrei Visninsky, 1947. Senator Keith Wilson of South Australia, 1943; E T Williams (High Commissioner for Australia), 1946; Brigadier General Donald Wilson (Deputy Chief of US Air Staff), 1944; Cardinal Hinsley and Wendell Wilkie, 1941; Bishop J L Wilson & Mrs Wilson of Singapore, 1946; K S Williams of Bay of Plenty, 1931; Henry Williamson (Author), 1935-1938; Omarama Collie Dog Club 31st annual trials (J Aubrey, E Williamson & `Sandy' Wigley), 1946. Series of photographs relating New Zealand Workers Union [Conference?], 1951 - Names on photos include: Edmond Ohai (National representative United Mine Workers), H Rolton (Christchurch Secretary Canterbury Glass Workers Union); W Harnett (Gisborne National Vice-President of NZ Workers Union), H Maynard (Gisborne, National Representative of NZ Workers Union); F Crook (Dunedin, National Secretary of United Mine Workers of NZ), W Orr (NSW), J White (Greymouth, National member of United Mine Workers of NZ); R T Newman (Christchurch, Canterbury President of Storemen, Packers & Wharehousemen's Union), E J Patton (Dunedin, Secretary Otago Storemen, Packers & Wharehousemen's Union), S A Whitehead (Nelson, Secretary Nelson S.P. & W Union), W Miller (Auckland, National Secretary S.P. & W Federation). P F Wingrove (Secretary of the Tail Waggers' Club, Wellington); T W (Pat) Williams, 1931; R Wilson (representing NZ at the High Movable Conference of the Independent Order of Rechabites in England), 1929; J G Wilson (wrote history of Hatuma), Jack Russell (chairman of Jubilee Comittee) and R McRae (son of one of first setllers), 1951. Quantity: 86 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin prints

Image

Man standing in front of photograph exhibition stand

Date: [1918-1920s]

From: Creator unknown: Photographs relating to life in the Wellington Region

Reference: 1/2-238888-G

Description: Photograph taken by an unidentified photographer circa 1918 to 1920s showing a man [possibly McGregor B Wright or George B Wright] wearing round spectacles and a moustache and holding a certificate or large card, while standing in front of a framed photograph exhibition depicting scenic views of Wanganui, Wellington Town Hall. Possible identification of subject as McGregor Wright or George B Wright is based on comparsion with photograph at Library reference PAColl-0785-1-214 and photograph published at page 621 in "The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]", 1897. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).