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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 73

Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G., — Tuapeka

page 65

Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G.,

Tuapeka.

Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G.,

Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G.,

William James Mudie Larnach was born at "Castle Forbes," Hunter's River, N.S.W., in 1838. For thirty-five years of his early life Mr. Larnach's attention was devoted to Agricultural and Pastoral, and Commercial and Banking pursuits, but chiefly the latter. He first came to New Zealand from Victoria under a terra engagement with the London Directors of the Bank of Otago as chief Colonial Manager, and successfully conducted its business for about seven years until merged into the National Bank of New Zealand. In 1876, he entered the House of Representatives as member for Dunedin, his colleagues being Messrs. Macandrew and Stout. In 1877, at the request of his party, he moved the no-confidence motion which ejected from office the Atkinson-Ormond Government, thus leading to the formation of the Grey Government, in which Mr. Larnach held the portfolios of Treasurer, Public Works and Railways, and Commissioner of Stamps. Under his proposals the Provincial land funds were made Colonial revenue, and the three million loan was raised, Mr. Larnach proceeding to England to negotiate that loan. He also acted as N.Z. Commissioner at the Paris Exhibition of 1878, and visited the United States and Canada en route. Through Mr. Larnach's suggestions and his efforts in conjunction with his co-agents, the Bank of England after a few days' consideration agreed for the first time to act as loan agents for the floating of a loan for this Colony, or for any of the Australasian Colonies. Mr. Larnach remained in London for nearly two years, taking part from time to time in matters of importance relating to the Colony's finance. He returned to New Zealand early in 1880. In 1881, at a bye-election, was returned for the Peninsula seat, rendered vacant by the death of Mr. Seaton. He sat for that district until 1890, when he was defeated. He was Minister of Mines and Marine during the reign of the Stout-Vogel Government; in 1891, he was appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission to enquire into the working of the Public Trust Office, and on the recommendations of that Commission, after its searching enquiry, great improvements have been effected in the management of the Public Trust Office. At the General Election in 1898, Mr. Larnach was a candidate for Wakatipu, but entering the field late, he was defeated. On the death of Mr. Vincent Pyke in 1894, the Tuapeka seat became vacant. The candidates were the Hon. Mr. Larnach and Mr. M. J. Scobie Mackenzie. The contest was bitterly fought, and resulted as follows:—
Larnach, Hon. W. J. M. 1373 Returned.
Mackenzie, M. J. S. 1318 Defeated.

At the General Election (when Mr. V. Pyke was returned) there were 3654 names on the roll, the votes recorded being 2865. The number of women on the roll was 1115 of whom 1007 voted.