Robert Thompson (New Zealand politician)
Robert Thompson (1840 – 21 April 1922) was a Member of Parliament for Marsden, in Northland, New Zealand.
Robert Thompson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Marsden | |
| In office 1887–1902 | |
| Preceded by | Edwin Mitchelson |
| Succeeded by | Francis Mander |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1840 Newtownbutler, Ireland |
| Died | 21 April 1922 Whangārei, New Zealand |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse | Mary Catherine Aubrey |
Early life
editBorn at Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh,[1] Thompson migrated to New South Wales in 1864, and New Zealand in 1870. He was a commission agent and auctioneer in Whangārei.[1]
He married Mary Catherine Aubrey, eldest daughter of Harcourt Richard Aubrey, Resident Magistrate for Kaipara and Whangārei, in 1879.[1]
Member of Parliament
edit| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1887–1890 | 10th | Marsden | Independent | ||
| 1890–1893 | 11th | Marsden | Conservative | ||
| 1893–1896 | 12th | Marsden | Liberal | ||
| 1896–1899 | 13th | Marsden | Independent | ||
| 1899–1902 | 14th | Marsden | Independent Liberal | ||
Robert Thompson represented Marsden in the House of Representatives for fifteen years from 1887 to 1902.[2]
According to Wilson, he changed his political allegiance; initially a Conservative he was a Liberal in 1893, but in 1896 was Independent and in 1899 was an Independent Liberal but was not part of the governing Liberal Government.[2]
He acquired the labels 'Marsden Thompson' and 'the member for roads and bridges' in Parliament. He was known for his devotion to the interests of his district, which was desperately in need of good roads, and his only reason for being a Liberal was that the government was the only source of funding for roads and bridges. He was pro-freehold (land), and was opposed to Liberal policies such as labour legislation and old age pensions. In 1908, when he stood unsuccessfully for Auckland West against a sitting Liberal member, he was once more an Independent, and his programme – freehold (land), acquisition of Maori land and opposition to prohibition had not altered.[3]
Death
editHe died on 21 April 1922 at his residence, Pentland House, in Whangārei, and was buried at Kamo. His wife had died some 18 years before him. He was survived by one daughter.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Obituary". Northern Advocate. 22 April 1922. p. 4. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
- ^ a b Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 240. OCLC 154283103.
- ^ Hamer, David (1988). The New Zealand Liberals: The Years of Power, 1891–1912 (1st ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 168, 169, 367. ISBN 1-86940-014-3.