James Wallis (New Zealand politician)

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1877–1879 6th Auckland West Independent
1879–1881 7th Auckland West Independent

James Wallis (1825 – 25 May 1912) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament from Auckland, New Zealand.

Wallis was born in Aberdeenshire in 1825. He received his education at the University of Aberdeen, from where he graduated with a Master of Arts in 1844. He was a minister of the Presbyterian Church, and ministered in Scotland at Dundee and Aberdeen, and in British Guiana in Essequibo and Demerara. He went back for further study to become a medical missionary, and in 1863 was admitted as a member to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He travelled to New Zealand in 1865 via Africa and Australia.[1]

In 1862, Wallis married Elizabeth Poole; she was the daughter of a physician, Richard Poole, from Edinburgh.[1]

Wallis represented the Auckland West electorate from an 1877 by-election to 1881, when he was defeated.[2] He contested the 1890 election in the City of Auckland electorate. Of seven candidates, he came second to last.[3][4] Wallis was a strong supporter of women's suffrage.[1]

His wife died many years before him. A resident of Grey Lynn, he died on 25 May 1912. He was buried beside his wife at Waikumete Cemetery.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Death of Dr. J. Wallis". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. XLIX, no. 15003. 27 May 1912. p. 5. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  2. ^ Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840–1984 (4 ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. p. 243. OCLC 154283103.
  3. ^ "The General Election, 1890". National Library. 1891. p. 1. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Auckland City". Auckland Star. Vol. XXI, no. 280. 27 November 1890. p. 5. Retrieved 26 June 2012.