The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Johnston, Hon. Walter Woods
Johnston, Hon. Walter Woods, is the eldest son of the late Hon. John Johnston, M.L.C., of Wellington, N.Z., by his marriage with Charlotte Henrietta Hatton. He was born in London on August 10th, 1839, and arrived at Wellington, with his parents, in Jan. 1842. He is a member of the firm of Johnston & Co., of Wellington, and sat in the House of Representatives for Manawatu from 1871 to 1884. He was a member of the Atkinson Government from March 1881 to June 1884, holding the office of Postmaster-General from the former date till April 1882, when he became Minister of Public Works in addition. In Oct. 1882 he resigned the position of Postmaster-General, and in Nov. 1883 that of Minister of Public Works. He was a member of the Cabinet without portfolio from that date till the Ministry resigned in June 1884. Mr. Johnston married at Wellington on Feb. 24th, 1868, Cecilia Augusta, second daughter of Forster Goring (fourth son of Sir Charles Forster Goring, Bart., by his marriage with the Hon. Sidney Eloisa Yelverton, daughter of the third Viscount Avonmore).