1853 New Zealand general election

In this article, we will explore the different aspects related to 1853 New Zealand general election and its impact on contemporary society. From its beginnings to the present, 1853 New Zealand general election has played a crucial role in various areas, influencing the way we perceive the world around us. Throughout these pages, we will analyze its evolution, its multiple facets and its relevance in the current context. Through interviews with experts, recent research and concrete examples, we will delve into the universe of 1853 New Zealand general election to understand its importance and its possible implications in the future.

1853 New Zealanders general election

14 July – 1 October 1853 1855 →

All 37 seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives
  First party
 
Party Independent
Last election 37 seats
Seats won 37
Seat change Increase 37

The 1853 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's first term. It was the first national election ever held in New Zealand, although Parliament did not yet have full authority to govern the colony, which was part of the British Empire at that time. Elections for the first provincial councils and their Superintendents were held at the same time.

Background

Election poster in support of William Barnard Rhodes, standing for Wellington Country

The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, established a bicameral New Zealand Parliament, with the lower house (the House of Representatives) being elected by popular vote. Votes were to be cast under a simple FPP system, and the secret ballot had not yet been introduced.

To qualify as a voter, one needed to be male, to be a British subject, to be at least 21 years old, to own a certain value of land, and to not be serving a criminal sentence. One of the candidates elected (on 27 August, for Christchurch Country) was a landowner, but at 20 years and 7 months was not yet 21: he was James Stuart-Wortley.

At the time of the 1853 elections, there were no political parties in New Zealand. As such, all candidates were independents.

The election

In the 1853 elections, election day was different in each seat. The first seat to be elected was Bay of Islands on 14 July, and the final election day was on 1 October. Hugh Carleton (Bay of Islands) was the first MP ever elected in New Zealand (though he was elected unopposed), so he liked to be called the Father of the House.

There were 5,849 people registered to vote. The number of electoral districts was 24, and some districts elected multiple MPs. The total number of seats was 37. Some parts of the colony were not part of any district, and did not have representation in Parliament.

Results

Member Electorate Province Election date
William Moorhouse Akaroa Canterbury 24 August
Thomas Bartley AucklandCity of Auckland Auckland 11 August
Loughlin O'Brien AucklandCity of Auckland Auckland 11 August
James O'Neill AucklandCity of Auckland Auckland 11 August
Frederick Merriman Suburbs of Auckland Auckland 10 August
William Porter Suburbs of Auckland Auckland 10 August
Hugh Carleton Bay of Islands Auckland 14 July
James Stuart-Wortley Christchurch Country Canterbury 27 August
Jerningham Wakefield Christchurch Country Canterbury 27 August
Henry Sewell ChristchurchTown of Christchurch Canterbury 20 August
John Cargill Dunedin Country Otago 1 October
William Cutten Dunedin Country Otago 1 October
James Macandrew DunedinTown of Dunedin Otago 27 September
Thomas King Grey and Bell New Plymouth 27 August
Alfred Ludlam Hutt Wellington 18 August
Edward Gibbon Wakefield Hutt Wellington 19 August
James FitzGerald LytteltonTown of Lyttelton Canterbury 17 August
Alfred Picard Motueka and Massacre Bay Nelson 18 August
James Mackay NelsonTown of Nelson Nelson 25 July
William Travers NelsonTown of Nelson Nelson 25 July
Francis Gledhill New PlymouthTown of New Plymouth New Plymouth 26 August
Thomas Forsaith Northern Division Auckland 23 August
Walter Lee Northern Division Auckland 23 August
William Crompton Omata New Plymouth 26 August
John Bacot Pensioner Settlements Auckland 13 August
Joseph Greenwood Pensioner Settlements Auckland 13 August
Charles Taylor Southern Division Auckland 23 August
John Gray Southern Division Auckland 23 August
William Cautley Waimea Nelson 16 August
David Monro Waimea Nelson 16 August
Samuel Revans Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay Wellington 12 August
Frederick Weld Wairau Nelson 2 August
Isaac Featherston Wanganui and Rangitikei Wellington 12 August
Charles Clifford WellingtonCity of Wellington Wellington 15 August
Robert Hart WellingtonCity of Wellington Wellington 15 August
James Kelham WellingtonCity of Wellington Wellington 15 August
William Rhodes Wellington Country Wellington 18 August

References

  1. ^ Brett 2016, p. 61.
  2. ^ a b c "General elections 1853-2005 - dates & turnout". Elections New Zealand. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  3. ^ McLintock, A. H., ed. (23 April 2009) . "Carleton, Hugh Francis". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage / Te Manatū Taonga. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  4. ^ Wilson 1985.
  5. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 127.
  6. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 95.
  7. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 129.
  8. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 130.
  9. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 126.
  10. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 133.
  11. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 99.
  12. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 141.
  13. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 145.
  14. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 138.
  15. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 102.
  16. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 121.
  17. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 118.
  18. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 120.
  19. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 106.
  20. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 132.
  21. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 123.
  22. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 144.
  23. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 108.
  24. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 107.
  25. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 94.
  26. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 109.
  27. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 143.
  28. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 100.
  29. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 134.
  30. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 147.
  31. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 105.
  32. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 112.
  33. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 135.

Bibliography