Benjamin Harris (1836 – 12 February 1928) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament in New Zealand. In 1893 he appears to have been a Liberal Party supporter.[1]
Early life edit
Harris was born at Lisburn, Ireland, in 1836.[2] The family migrated to England, Canada, and Australia, before settling in New Zealand in East Tāmaki in 1847.[2][3] Early in his life, he had a farm in Pukekohe.[2] With the outbreak of the New Zealand Wars, he joined the Otahuhu Cavalry Volunteers in 1861, and, as The Press in Christchurch as a contemporary source records, "for a few years subsequently galloped about slaying Maoris [sic] in the interests of settlement, civilisation, and Christianity."[4] He returned to his farm in 1866 and married the following year.[2] The locality of Harrisville was named after him as he was the major landowner.[5]
Political career edit
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879–1881 | 7th | Franklin | Independent | ||
| 1881–1882 | 8th | Franklin North | Independent | ||
| 1882–1884 | 8th | Franklin North | Independent | ||
| 1893–1896 | 12th | Franklin | Liberal | ||
He represented the Ramarama electorate on the Auckland Provincial Council from October 1874 until the abolition of provincial councils two years later.[6]
He represented South Auckland electorates; Franklin from 1879 to 1881; and then the replacement electorate of Franklin North from 1881. His 1881 election was declared void in 1882, but he won the subsequent 1882 by-election. In 1884 he was defeated.[1] He contested the 1890 election in the reconstituted Franklin electorate, but was defeated by Ebenezer Hamlin.[7]
Harris then represented the Franklin electorate from 1893 to 1896, when he was again defeated, by future Prime Minister William Massey.[8]
From 1895 until 1896 he was the Liberal Party's junior whip.[9]
On 3 February 1897, he was appointed to the Legislative Council. At the end of the seven-year terms, he was reappointed in 1904, 1911 and 1918. He resigned on 20 June 1923.[10]
Later life and death edit
Late in his life, he lived in Clyde Street in Epsom.[11] He died at his home, Taumaihi, on 12 February 1928 and was buried at Pukekohe Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Jane, three daughters and one son.[2]
Notes edit
- ^ a b Wilson 1985, p. 203.
- ^ a b c d e "Death of Major Harris". Auckland Star. Vol. LIX, no. 36. 13 February 1928. p. 9. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ^ "People in Perspective". New Zealand Truth. No. 952. 23 February 1924. p. 1. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ^ "Mr Benjamin Harris". The Press. Vol. LI, no. 8895. 11 September 1894. p. 5. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ^ "Harrisville". The Cyclopedia of New Zealand. Vol. 2. Auckland Povincial District. 1902.
- ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 184.
- ^ "The General Election, 1890". National Library. 1891. p. 1. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 203, 219.
- ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 279.
- ^ Wilson 1985, p. 155.
- ^ "Deaths". Auckland Star. Vol. LIX, no. 36. 13 February 1928. p. 1. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
References edit
- Hamer, David A. (1988). The New Zealand Liberals: The Years of Power, 1891–1912. Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-014-3.
- Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.