John Stevens (New Zealand politician)
John Stevens (1845 – 31 July 1916) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.
John Stevens MP | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Rangitikei | |
| In office 1881–1884 | |
| Preceded by | William Fox |
| Succeeded by | Robert Bruce |
| In office 1893–1896 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Bruce |
| Succeeded by | Frank Lethbridge |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Manawatu | |
| In office 1896–1902 | |
| Succeeded by | Job Vile |
| In office 1905–1908 | |
| Preceded by | Job Vile |
| Succeeded by | Edward Newman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1845 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 31 July 1916 Bulls, New Zealand |
| Political party | Liberal |
Biography edit
Early life edit
Stevens was born in Wellington in 1845.[1] Stevens moved north and resided in first the Rangitikei then Manawatu districts from 1854. He made a living in agricultural until 1873, when he was hired by Henry Russell as an assistant and interpreter during a Native Lands Alienation Commission at Napier. He pursued an occupation as a Maori interpreter and land agent, then began an auctioneering and land agency in 1875.[2]
Member of Parliament edit
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1881–1884 | 8th | Rangitikei | Independent | ||
| 1893–1896 | 12th | Rangitikei | Liberal | ||
| 1896–1899 | 13th | Manawatu | Liberal | ||
| 1899–1902 | 14th | Manawatu | Liberal | ||
| 1905–1908 | 16th | Manawatu | Liberal | ||
Stevens represented the Rangitikei electorate from 1881 to 1884 when he was defeated, and then from 1893 to 1896.[3] He unsuccessfully contested the Palmerston electorate in the 1890 election.[4]
Stevens contested the 1892 Rangitikei by-election as an Independent Liberal as the Liberal Party was reluctant to endorse him in light of the recent Bruce by-election in which the candidate the Liberal Party endorsed lost by a large margin. Stevens lost by only 61 votes.[5]
He later returned to parliament, representing the Manawatu electorate from 1896 to 1902 when he was defeated, and from 1905 to 1908 when he was again defeated.[3] Stevens served as the Liberal Party's Senior Whip from 1900 until 1902.[6]
Later life edit
In his later years, he had become blind and his lower limbs were paralysed, but he was in good spirits and would not allow others to sympathise with him. He was in the midst of a conversation with friends when he leaned back and died on 31 July 1916.[7][8]
Notes edit
- ^ "Interprovincial". The Press. Vol. LII, no. 15657. 1 August 1916. p. 10. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "The New Members. Biographical Sketches". The Evening Post. Wellington. 7 December 1905. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ a b Wilson 1985, pp. 236.
- ^ "The General Election, 1890". National Library. 1891. p. 1. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
- ^ "Rangitikei Election". The Press. Vol. 49, no. 8190. 4 June 1892. p. 6. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ Wilson 1985, pp. 279–80.
- ^ "Interprovincial". Poverty Bay Herald. Vol. XLIII, no. 14058. 31 July 1916. p. 5. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "Interprovincial". The Press. Vol. LII, no. 15658. 2 August 1916. p. 10. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
References edit
- Hamer, David A. (1988). The New Zealand Liberals: The Years of Power, 1891–1912. Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-014-3.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.