Born in Norfolk. Went to the East Indies in 1844 as a sailor, and in 1856 he came to New Zealand as captain of the whaler "Susan" trading from Australia. From 1855-1856 he wrote a diary while navigating the whaler "Susan" around the Pacific, arriving in New Zealand in 1856. He entered the New Zealand Government Service in 1857, as assistant surveyor and draughtsman with the Canterbury Public Works Department. In 1862 he became Assistant Surveyor with the newly formed Survey Department, and was employed in exploring the mountain passes between Canterbury and the West Coast. He later became District and Mining Surveyor, and set up the Survey Department in Hokitika. In 1876 he was appointed Chief Surveyor at Nelson which position he held until his retirement in 1857, as well as being appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands in 1891. New Zealand Canterbury Provincial Government surveyor, discoverer of Browning's Pass; led surveying party to lay-off a road over the pass, 1865. See "New Zealand Surveyor" (Vol. 4, no. 8, Dec. 1896, p161); and "Cyclopedia of New Zealand" (Vol. 5, Nelson, Marlborough and Westland, p108). Sometimes referred to as John Spence Browning.
There are 11 related items to this topic
Date:
[ca 1800-1940]
Ref:
MS-Papers-8362-02
Description:
Includes, draft notes with biographical information on New Zealand artists. Some of the notes have photographs of the artists attached.
Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Date:
1855-1856
By:
Browning, John Samuel, 1831-1909
Ref:
MS-Papers-4998
Description:
Diary written by John S Browning covering the period 16 Oct 1855-29 Dec 1856, describing his experiences navigating the whaler `Susan' around the Pacific and...
Date:
[ca 1923-1987]
Ref:
MS-Papers-7163-2
Description:
Mainly printed material re Percy W M Holt, O L W Bousfield and Christ Church, Taita; John Rochfort; Thomas Cass; Arthur Carkeek; Leopold Lessong; John S Bro...
Date:
1869
By:
Browning, John Samuel, 1831-1909
Ref:
A-113-011
Description:
View looking north along the Hokitika River towards the port and town area, showing a ferry, ships, sawmills, Gibson's Quay Hotel, houses, and the railway tr...
Date:
1865
Ref:
PUBL-0078-003
Description:
A cartoon showing a Canterbury squatter on the back of a mule labelled Public Works. The squatter is urging on the mule with carrots marked 'wethers 30 [shil...
Date:
5 Jul-16 Aug 1865
By:
Newbery, Alfred, active 1863-1884
Ref:
MS-Papers-4212
Description:
Diary covers period 5 Jul 1865 when the party left Christchurch to 16 Aug when an ascent was made to the top of the Pass. Details the activities of members o...
Date:
1873
By:
Browning, John Samuel, 1831-1909
Ref:
MapColl-834.3cba/1873/Acc.9076
Description:
Map of the Haast River from the Tasman Sea outlet to the Westland/Cantebury provincial boundary, showing surrounding ranges, valleys, lakes, and rivers. The ...
Date:
[ca1840-1900]
Ref:
90-143-1
Description:
Includes surnames A to H. Also notes on the geology and charting of the New Zealand coast.
Quantity: 1 box(es).
By:
New Zealand Geographic Board; Browning, John Samuel, 1831-1909
Ref:
MapColl-NZGB-4/23/312/Acc.54998
Description:
Two panorama sketches, most likely copper engravings, printed on one sheet of paper, mounted on linen backing.
Landmarks with heights named along lower margi...
Date:
1900 - 1922
By:
Browning, John Samuel, 1831-1909; Saxon, James Buller, 1850-1921
Ref:
MapColl-834.1951bje/1900-22/Acc.35264
Description:
Motueka Native Reserves showing subdivision into leaseholds. Shows Marchwood property, Goodman H E, Talbot A G, Mrs F A Desaunais, Mrs Miller, W F Chant, A E...