The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Former Members Of The House Of Representatives
Former Members Of The House Of Representatives.
Mr. John Parkin Taylor was elected a member of the House of Representatives for Wallace in 1859. He assisted in bringing in the New Provinces Act, which constituted Southland as a separate provincial district. Mr. Taylor became a member of the Southland Provincial Council, and was elected Superintendent in 1864. On first coming to New Zealand he settled in the Nelson district, whence he removed to Southland, where he took up a sheep run on Jacob's river, in the Riverton district in 1858. Mr. Taylor built a handsome residence known as “Waldeck,” where he died after suffering some years from declining health.
Mr. C. Cowan.
Mr. John Robert Cuthbertson represented Invercargill in the House of Representatives during the Parliament of 1873–75. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1834, educated at the Glasgow Academy and University, and brought up to mercantile life in his native city. In 1854 he came out to Melbourne, where he engaged in commerce till he left for Southland in February, 1860. Mr. Cuthbertson at once took up land in the Waiau district, where he was joined in the following year by his brother, Mr. R. F. Cuthbertson. The brothers entered into partnership as sheepfarmers, and carried on business as such until 1876. Mr. J. R. Cuthbertson had previously moved to Invercargill, where, after a while, he became a member of the firm of Macrorie and Cuthbertson, auctioneers and land agents. He was prominently connected with the Provincial Council of Southland from the 1st of April, 1861, when the district became a separate province. At one time he held the portfolio of Public Works in the Provincial Executive, and during his term of office the railway line to the Bluff was taken in hand. In November, 1862, Mr. Cuthbertson left on a visit to Scotland, and did not come back to the colony till the end of 1864. During this period the public works policy of the province had been rushed forward, and the Treasury was in a condition of distress and difficulty. Mr. Cuthbertson again entered the Council, and once more took a prominent part in local affairs. During the absence of the Superintendent at the General Assembly, in Auckland, he acted as Deputy-Superintendent. It was a troublous time; some of the contractors were pressing for the payment of their contract money, and an attempt was even made to put the bailiffs into the Government offices. However, by Mr. Cuthbertson's directions the windows were barricaded, and the matter was subsequently compromised by issuing to the contractors land orders, entitling them to purchase land; nominally, at 20/- an acre. Later on Mr. Cuthbertson entered the arena of colonial politics, and as a graceful and persuasive speaker, made his mark in Parliament. Many looked upon him as fitted for, entitled to, and likely to obtain a seat in the Government; for this, however, he did not remain sufficiently long on the political stage. For some time before he entered into partnership with Mr. Macrorie, he was editor of the “Southland Times,” in which he wrote with as much polish, penetration and perspicuity as he spoke in Parliament. Mr. Cuthbertson died in 1882.
Dr. S. Hodgkinson.
Mr. James Parker Joyce , who was at one time a member of the House of Representatives for Wallace, and afterwards for Awarua, was in Parliament altogether for about twelve years. Mr. Joyce, who was well known as a journalist in Southland, was born in 1835, in Southampton, England, where he was educated, and became a Customs officer. In 1858 he emigrated to Victoria and settled in Southland about 1858. He was Clerk of the Town Board of Invercargill for a year or two in 1864–5. Mr. Joyce was afterwards editor of the “Southland Times,” and later on became one of the proprietors of the “Southland News,” of which he was editor for many years. He took considerable interest in the Southland Horticultural Society, and was a member of the committee. Mr. Joyce was married, in 1862, to Miss Caydzien, of Edinburgh, and at his death, on the 16th of January. 1903, left three sons and three daughters.
Mr. James Walker Bain , who represented Invercargill as a member of the House, of Representatives, during the Parliament of 1879–81, was born in Edinburgh. Scotland, and came to Port Chalmers, with his parents, in 1859, by the ship “Jura.” He was a compositor by trade, and worked as such for two years in Auckland, after his arrival in New Zealand. From Auckland he removed to Invercargill, and became a partner with Mr. Smallfield, in the “Southland News.” In 1861 the firm sold the paper to Messrs Hartnett and Company, of Dunedin. and Mr. Bain revisited Scotland. Two years later he came back to Southland, and became proprietor of the “Southland Times,” which he held till 1880, when that journal was bought by a company. In 1883, Mr. Bain was elected to the Invercargill Borough Council, and was mayor during the following year. He was prominently known in Southland for nearly thirty years as president of the Southland Building Society. Mr. Bain also served as a member of the Southland Education Board. His death occurred suddenly on the 29th of September, 1899.
Mr. Joseph Hatch , who was a member of the House of Representatives for Invercargill from 1884 to 1887, was born in London in 1838. He was brought up as a wholesale druggist, and after six years' experience in Melbourne, arrived in Southland in 1863. Mr. Hatch engaged in the drug trade in Invercargill, and his name is well known in connection with a proprietary sheep-dip. He has also been interested in the oil trade? from the Macquarie Islands. Mr. Hatch served for six or seven years as a volunteer, first in Melbourne and then in Invercargill. He was for a number of years a member of the Invercargill Borough Council, and was mayor in 1878. Mr. Hatch was married, in 1872, to a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Wilson, of Melbourne, and has, surviving, three sons and three daughters.
Mr. James Whyte Kelly was born in Carluke, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1855, where he was educated and early apprenticed to the tailoring trade, at which he afterwards worked in Scotland and England. In 1875, Mr. Kelly married Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. James Millar, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, and very shortly afterwards emigrated to New Zealand by the ship “Alder Grove,” which arrived at Port Chalmers in July, 1875. Mr. Kelly was transferred to Invercargill with other passengers and commenced to work for Mr. Thomas Millar, tailor, with whom he remained until 1890. Mr. Kelly was then invited to contest the Invercargill seat as a Labour candidate in opposition to Messrs H. Feldwick and J. W. Bain, both former members of the House of Representatives, and he was returned by a majority of 116 votes. In 1893, he was re-elected by a majority of 1241 votes, his opponent on that occasion being Mr. Joseph Hatch. At the general election in 1896, Mr. Kelly was again returned, beating Messrs W. B. Seandrett and John Sinclair (a nominee of the Ministry). Mr. Kelly was succeeded at the general election of 1899 by Mr. J. A. Hanan.
Mr. Michael Gilfedder , J.P., was a member of the House of Representatives for Wallace from 1896 to 1902. He was born in 1865, and was brought up to agriculture in the One Tree Point district. Afterwards he became a school teacher, and followed that profession for ten years. At the general parliamentary election of 1902 he was defeated by Mr. J. C. Thompson. Mr. Gilfedder then studied for the Bar, and was admitted as a solicitor in February, 1901.