A native of Dumbarton, Scotland, where he was born in 1855, he was educated at the Dumbarton Academy, where he gained a South Kensington science and art scholarship, which qualified him for a cadetship in naval architecture at Messrs. Denny Bros.' shipbuilding yards.

He had the usual experience of "a life on the ocean wave," visiting the East and West Indies and America, remaining a considerable time in the United States.

He subsequently spent four years as first and second mate of several other coastal vessels, including the Government steamers Stella and Hinemoa.

Afterwards he was employed for ten years as rigger by Messrs. E. W. Mills and Co., and in 1894 he commenced business on his own account, a company that became HUTCHWILCO.

[1] He was returned in the Labour and Liberal interest as senior member for Wellington City at the General Election of 1896.