Wellington Country
Wellington Country was a former parliamentary electorate in the Wellington Region from 1853 to 1860 and then 1871 to 1881. The seat covered Miramar, Makara, Porirua, the Kapiti Coast and the Horowhenua District.
History
![](../I/m/W._B._Rhodes%2C_Wellington_Country_1853.jpg)
William Barnard Rhodes was the first representative of Wellington Country. He served until the dissolution of Parliament in 1855[1] and (unsuccessfully) contested the City of Wellington electorate instead. The 1855 election was won by Dudley Ward, who resigned in 1858.[2] The ensuing 1858 by-election was won by Alfred Brandon, who served until the dissolution of Parliament in 1860.[3]
From 1860 to 1870, Wellington Country was replaced by the Porirua electorate, held by Brandon.[3] Wellington Country was re-established for the 1871 election. Brandon was challenged by Edward Thomas Gillon. Whilst there was criticism of Brandon not having had a good connection to his electorate,[4] Brandon won with a solid majority.[5] The next election in 1875 was contested by Gillon, Brandon, and J. H. Wallace.[6] Brandon was again successful and received 208 votes versus 141 for Gillon, with Wallace a distant last.[7] Brandon won the 1879 election and at the end of the parliamentary term in 1881, he retired from politics,[3] and the Wellington Country electorate was abolished.[8]
From 1911 to 1919 the geographic area was combined with Wellington Suburbs into Wellington Suburbs and Country.[9]
Members
The electorate was represented by three Members of Parliament.[8]
Key
Election | Winner | |
---|---|---|
1853 election | William Barnard Rhodes | |
1855 election | Dudley Ward | |
1858 by-election | Alfred Brandon | |
(Electorate abolished 1860–1871, see Porirua) | ||
1871 election | Alfred Brandon | |
1875 election | ||
1879 election |
Notes
- ↑ Scholefield 1950, p. 135.
- ↑ Scholefield 1950, p. 146.
- 1 2 3 Scholefield 1950, p. 97.
- ↑ "The Evening Post". The Evening Post. VI (283). 13 January 1871. p. 2. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ↑ "By Electric Telegraph". Otago Daily Times (2792). 18 January 1871. p. 2. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ↑ "Election Notes". Otago Daily Times (4325). 29 December 1875. p. 2. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ↑ "Interprovincial". The Press. XXV (3227). 4 January 1876. p. 2. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- 1 2 Scholefield 1950, p. 167.
- ↑ Wilson 1985.
References
- 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.