1895 Christchurch mayoral election

February 2019 February 2019 1895 Christchurch mayoral election New Zealand Christchurch COA pre-1949.jpg Presidential no 1894 Christchurch mayoral election 1894 1896 Christchurch mayoral election 1896 27 November 1895 140x120px Harry Beswick Independent politician 844 59.86 Howell Widdowson Independent politician 566 40.14 Mayor Walter Cooper Harry Beswick The Christchurch mayoral election held on 27 November 1895 was contested by city councillors Howell Widdowson and Harry Beswick. Both candidates were young solicitors with few prior civic roles. Initially, the incumbent mayor—Walter Cooper—was one of the candidates but he withdrew. Widdowson attracted some controversy over the question whether he put his nomination forward ahead of a more senior city councillor; many voters still expected at the time that a mayoralty should be assigned to the most senior councillor. Another important issue for many voters was that Widdowson was a tee-totaller and was thus regarded as a prohibitionist, with Beswick seen as the representative of the liquor lobby. Beswick won the election with a clear majority and was installed as mayor of Christchurch on 18 December 1895. Background and campaign Walter Cooper, the incumbent mayor, had served one term; at the time a mayoral term was one year. Cooper had always maintained that mayors should only serve one term. A public meeting was called for 30 October 1895 to persuade Cooper to stand for another term. Cooper acceded to the request but would retire from any contest as soon as another candidate came forward who met "his standard" as he had laid down a year earlier.Mayoral Election https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18951031.2.25 5 February 2019 The Star 5402 31 October 1895 2 Cooper's remarks were met with surprise by some as councillor Widdowson had already declared his intention to stand for mayor; presumably Widdowson did not meet Cooper's standards.To the Editor https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951102.2.51.10 5 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10793 2 November 1895 6Mayoral Election https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951104.2.5.6 5 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10794 4 November 1895 2 Widdowson had received a requisition and agreed to stand for the mayoralty; both the requisition and his acceptance were published in newspapers on 19 October.Town and Country https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951019.2.27 5 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10781 19 October 1895 5Public Notices https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951019.2.3.5 5 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10781 19 October 1895 1 Councillor George Bonnington, a chemist who represented the South-East Ward, was also asked to stand but he declined.The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Canterbury Provincial District 1903 http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d10-d72.html The Cyclopedia of New Zealand Cyclopedia Company Limited 6 February 2019 Christchurch Mr. George Bonnington On 29 October, a meeting was held by supporters of Widdowson. They organised themselves into committees for the election campaign.City Mayoralty https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18951030.2.24 5 February 2019 The Star 5401 30 October 1895 2 Thus, both Cooper and Widdowson were official candidates by early November,Town and Country https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951109.2.28 5 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10799 9 November 1895 1 and Widdowson was formally nominated to the returning officer on 12 November.News of the Day https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951114.2.32 5 February 2019 The Press LII 9263 14 November 1895 5 On 15 November, it was announced that Cooper had withdrawn from the contest.News of the Day https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951115.2.20 5 February 2019 The Press LII 9264 15 November 1895 5 Nominations for the mayoralty closed on 18 November. Beswick received a requisition that day, acceded to the request, and put his nomination forward.City Council https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951119.2.3.5 5 February 2019 The Press LII 9267 19 November 1895 1City Council https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951119.2.59 5 February 2019 The Press LII 9267 19 November 1895 6 With an election required, the election day was set for 27 NovemberChristchurch City Council https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951126.2.54.6 5 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10813 26 November 1895 8 and the city council offices were the only polling booth. Beswick held a meeting for his supporters on 19 November where election committees were formed.News of the Day https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951120.2.18 5 February 2019 The Press LII 9267 20 November 1895 5 Neither candidate called a public meeting. At the time, it was still seen as customary by many for the mayoralty to be awarded to the most senior councillor. That person was councillor John Tippett Smith and when accusations came up that Widdowson had jumped the queue, Widdowson was adamant that he had only acceded to the requisition after Smith had decided to stand aside.News of the Day https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951125.2.29 5 February 2019 The Press LII 9272 25 November 1895 5 Smith, however, stated that he had decided to stand after having received his own requisition. His supporters had asked him to see who else would stand before announcing his own candidacy. Nobody had asked him on behalf of Widdowson whether he intended to stand before Widdowson's nomination was announced. Smith then decided not to put his name forward as a three-person contest would have favoured Cooper and his main objective was for Cooper not to be re-elected.The Mayoral Election https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951126.2.52 5 February 2019 The Press LII 9273 26 November 1895 6 Candidates Both candidates were young solicitors with little prior public service. Their early Christchurch careers had many parallels, with them attending the same school and being admitted to the bar within three days of one another.The Mayoral Election https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951127.2.28 5 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10814 27 November 1895 4 Beswick Harry Joseph Beswick (born 1860) was born in nearby Kaiapoi. His father was active in local political affairs and had been a member of parliament for the Kaiapoi electorate in the 1860s. Wilson James Oakley New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 4th First published in 1913 1985 V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer Wellington 154283103 185 Beswick received his schooling in Christchurch at Christ's College (1873–79)708401 Harry Joseph Beswick 6 February 2019 and was admitted to the bar on 14 September 1883.Local & General https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18830914.2.11 6 February 2019 The Star 4797 14 September 1883 2 Beswick was a bachelor and known for his sporting successes.The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Canterbury Provincial District Cyclopedia Company Limited Christchurch 1903 Ex Mayors https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d9-d22.html#name-420463-mention 16 March 2010 Widdowson Howell Young Widdowson (born 1859) was also educated at Christ's College (1873–77).718709 Howell Young Widdowson 6 February 2019 He was admitted to the bar on 11 September 1883.Local & General https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18830911.2.11 6 February 2019 The Star 4794 11 September 1883 2 Widdowson married in April 1885 at Trinity Congregational Church in Christchurch.Marriage https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18850420.2.7 6 February 2019 The Press XLI 6111 20 April 1885 2 Results The election was held on Wednesday, 27 November 1885, from 9am to 6pm, with Henry Thomson acting as returning officer.Mayoral Elections https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18951128.2.46 6 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCIV 10815 28 November 1895 5 To many people, it was an important issue that Widdowson was a tee-totaller as prohibition was heavily lobbied for, especially by women.To-Day https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18951128.2.13 6 February 2019 The Star 5425 28 November 1895 2 At 7:05pm, the returning officer released the results and declared Beswick elected. The turnout was the highest that had ever been recorded in Christchurch, with the previous high set the previous year, exceeded by either more than 100The Mayoral Elections https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951128.2.47 6 February 2019 The Press LII 9275 28 November 1895 6 or 200 votes (sources differ). It was noted that Beswick was the first bachelor ever elected as Christchurch mayor. 1895 Christchurch mayoral electionCity Council https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18951128.2.3.5 6 February 2019 The Press LII 9275 28 November 1895 1 Independent politician Harry Beswick 844 59.86 Independent politician Howell Widdowson 566 40.14 278 19.72 6 0.42 1,416 2,340 Beswick was installed as mayor on 18 December 1895.Mayoral Installations https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18951218.2.42 6 February 2019 The Star 5442 18 December 1895 3 In October 1896, Mayor Beswick decided to stand for Parliament in the three-member City of Christchurch electorate. He was eventually backed by the National Conservative Association.In a Nutshell https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS18961024.2.30 6 February 2019 The Star 5704 24 October 1896 4 Beswick did not stand for re-election as mayor, but a contest was held by former mayor Cooper and senior councillor John Tippett Smith.Mayoral Elections https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18961118.2.28 6 February 2019 Lyttelton Times XCVI 11118 18 November 1896 5 References Category:Mayoral elections in Christchurch Category:1895 elections in New Zealand Category:Politics of Christchurch Category:November 1895 in Oceania Category:1890s in Christchurch