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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. Richard Monk

Mr. Richard Monk, who represents Waitemata in the House of Representatives, first stood for Parliament for Parnell, in 1881, but was defeated. He was elected for Waitemata in 1887, but was defeated at the general election of 1890. Mr. Monk was again elected for the same district by a large majority at the general election of 1893, but was unseated on petition. He, however, again stood for the district at the general election of 1896, and was returned by 1715 to his opponent's 1544 votes. Mr. Monk had two rivals at the election of December, 1900, but he received 1713 votes, and the next man on the list polled only 1263. Mr. Monk has been a member of the Auckland Board of Education and of the Waitemata County Council. He is now sixty-nine years of age, and arrived at Hokianga with his parents when he was too young to be aware of his advent in that romantic and historic region. He therefore stands in the front line of seniority amongst the European colonists of New Zealand. Mr. Monk's father and mother both came of old Lancashire families, and he was educated by his father who, in 1819, took him to California, whence, after a time, the father went to England, and the son, who was much impressed with American methods, returned to Auckland via Australia. After his return to New Zealand Mr. Monk worked at carpentry, and started the joinery factory of Monk and Morgan. In 1866 he went to England and procured plant for the Union Sash and Door Company, with which he was identified until 1881, when he first stood for Parliament. After that Mr. Monk was connected with the Mercury Bay Timber Company until 1887. Mr. Monk has a thorough knowledge of the Maori langauge and is well versed in Maori lore and well acquainted with the character of the Maori people. In politics he is a conservative Liberal, and is opposed to Mr. Seddon on account of what he considers his political recklessness. As a public man, Mr. Monk is just and fearless, and he is an effective speaker. He has an enthusiastic appreciation of the value and glamour of the Union Jack as a symbol of British unity, and as an incentive to and preservative of British patriotism, on account of its associations with immeorial national development and achievement. For similar reasons Mr. Monk has a corresponding regard for the blue ensign of New Zealand with its impressive badge of the Southern Cross, and never tires of visiting schools and adressing the children on its claims to devotion as the flag of their country. One of his speeches on the subject, delivered in Parliament during the session of 1900, was so highly thought of, that many thousands of copies were specially issued from the Government Printing Office for distribution amongst the public schools of the colony.

Mr. R. Monk.

Mr. R. Monk.

The Helensville Town Board District has 135 ratable properties, on which a general rate of 3d. in the £ is levied. The annual value of ratable property is about £2700; the total annual revenue from all sources is about £277.