Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Wellington City and Suburban M.'s H.R

Wellington City and Suburban M.'s H.R.

Mr. John Hutcheson, who was returned in the Labour and Liberal interest as senior member for Wellington City at the General Election of 1896, is a native of Dumbarton, Scotland, where he was born in 1855. Educated at the Dumbarton Academy, he gained a South Kensington science and art scholarship, which qualified him for a cadetship in naval architecture at Messrs. Denny Bros.' ship-building yards. After about a year, Mr. Hutcheson desired a change, and embarked as an apprentice on one of Messrs. J. and A. Allan's ships. 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. While in Portland, Oregon, he took part in the Presidential Election contests of Hayes and Tilden. Mr. Hutcheson went to Cuba during one of the periodical uprisings, and had to submit to a blockade of some five months at Santiago. Arriving in New Zealand in 1880, as second mate of the barque “Isle of Erin,” he spent four years as first and second mate of 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.

The Hon. Sir R. Stout, K.C.M.G., whose career is given on pages 64 and 259–60, was returned at the General Election of 1896, as second member for Wellington City.

Mr. George Fisher, who is referred to as an ex-Minister of the Crown on page 84, was elected junior member for the City of Wellington in December, 1896. A petition was lodged against his return by Mr. A. R. Atkinson, but at the hearing it was found, as a result of a re-count, that his majority was increased from twenty-eight to forty; the petition was therefore dismissed with costs.

Mr. T. M. Wilford, who is mentioned under the heading “Legal” on pages 478–9, contested the Wellington Suburbs seat at the General Election of 1896, defeating his opponent, the Hon. T. W. Hislop; but at the hearing of a petition against his return in February, 1897, Mr. Wilford was unseated. The seat is vacant at the time of writing.