1879 New Zealand general election

Elections April 2024 April 2022 1879 general election New Zealand parliamentary no 1875–1876 New Zealand general election 1875–76 6th New Zealand Parliament 1881 New Zealand general election 1881 8th New Zealand Parliament All 88 seats in the New Zealand House of Representatives 28 August – 15 September 1879 elected members 66.5% 150px John Hall 1879 B8BFFE Conservative Independents Selwyn 45 140px George Grey 1877 FBEC5D Greyite Independents Thames 41 Premier Subsequent Premier George Grey John Hall Independent politician Independent politician The 1879 New Zealand general election was held between 28 August and 15 September 1879 to elect a total of 88 MPs to the 7th session of the New Zealand Parliament. The Māori vote was held on 8 September. A total of 82,271 (66.5%) European voters turned out to vote, plus 14,553 Māori voters. Following the election, John Hall formed a new government. Background Formal political parties had not been established yet; this only happened after the 1890 election.Wilson 1985 177 The same 73 electorates were used as for the last election,McRobie 1989 43 which was held in 1875–76. In October 1875, Parliament passed the Representation Act 1875, which resolved to increase the size of Parliament to 88 representatives across the 73 electorates.Representation Act 1875 (39 Victoriae 1875 No 77) http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/ra187539v1875n77306/ Parliamentary Counsel Office 5 April 2012Special Parliamentary Telegram https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ODT18751021.2.10 17 March 2012 Otago Daily Times 21 October 1875 4267 3 Two of the electorates were represented by three members each (Christchurch and Dunedin.Scholefield 1950 156 A further eleven electorates were represented by two members each (Auckland West, Franklin, Grey Valley, Hokitika, Napier, City of Nelson, Thames, Wairarapa, Waitaki, Wanganui and City of Wellington).Scholefield 1950 154–167 The remaining 60 electorates were represented by a single member each. The election came about when George Grey's government was defeated in a no-confidence motion in July. He successfully requested a dissolution from the Governor of New Zealand, Sir Hercules Robinson.The House: New Zealand's House of Representatives, 1854–2004 Martin John E. 2004 Dunmore Publishing Limited Palmerston North 9780864694638 80 Male Māori received universal suffrage (two years before European males were granted universal suffrage). The parliamentary term was reduced from five to three years.Key dates in New Zealand electoral reform http://www.elections.org.nz/elections/key-dates-electoral-reform.html Elections New Zealand 25 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20111109015352/http://www.elections.org.nz/elections/key-dates-electoral-reform.html 9 November 2011 dead Date The election was held between 28 August and 15 September.General elections 1853–2005 – dates & turnout http://www.elections.org.nz/events/past-events/general-elections-1853-2014-dates-and-turnout Elections New Zealand 25 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20141114115332/http://www.elections.org.nz/events/past-events/general-elections-1853-2014-dates-and-turnout 14 November 2014 dead The date of election is defined here as the day on which the poll took place, or if there was no contest, the day of nomination.Scholefield 1950 92 The earliest date was the nomination meeting in the Avon electorate, where William Rolleston was declared elected unopposed. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18790828.2.7 The General Election 28 August 1879 3551 The Star 2 25 March 2012The First Election https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18790828.2.22 25 March 2012 Auckland Star X 2924 28 August 1879 3 The last elections were held on 15 September, where John Studholme and Edward George Wright were elected in the Gladstone and Coleridge electorates, respectively.Scholefield 1950 142, 149 The election in the Maori electorates were held on 8 September.Scholefield 1950 142, 144, 147 Candidates At the nomination meeting in the Waimea electorate on 5 September 1879, Joseph Shephard, Albert Pitt, Oswald Curtis and Acton Adams were proposed, the latter three without their knowledge or consent, presumably by opponents of George Grey who had the support of Shephard. With Pitt, Curtis and Adams all formally withdrawing from the contest, the returning officer declared Shephard elected unopposed. In 14 seats there was only one candidate.Wilson (1985) page 285 Result In the European electorates, the male population over 21 years of age was 116,008.The Electors of New Zealand https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18791020.2.21 25 March 2012 The Star 20 October 1879 3596 3 Of those, 82,271 were enrolled and the turnout was 66.5%. The male Māori population was estimated at 14,553, of which 6,686 voted (turnout 46%). The Maori statistics are to be treated with caution, though, as not much emphasis was put into precise data gathering. When the first Maori roll was established for the 1949, for example, more votes were cast than were voters on the roll. The initial results showed a virtual deadlock with no clear winner. Inititially the opposition seemed to have won slightly more seats than the "Greyites" (supporters of Grey) but not enough to claim a majority outright.The New Parliament https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PATM18790920.2.11 9 September 2016 Patea Mail V 460 20 September 1879 2 However, after several days of negotiations a new ministry was formed by John Hall who had ensured support from 45 members, with 41 backing Grey and 2 Independent of either faction.The Political Situation https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP18790930.2.7 9 September 2016 The Evening Post XVIII 79 30 September 1879 2 The Elections Decided https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18790908.2.16 2 November 2016 Wanganui Herald XII 9508 8 September 1879 2 Upon Grey's rejection, James Macandrew was unanimously elected leader of the liberals and sought to oust Hall and form a new ministry, but was denied after Hall induced four Auckland liberals (known as the "Auckland rats") to cross the floor. David Oswald William Hall Macandrew, James An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock 1966 http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/macandrew-james 25 September 2016 George Grey was elected in both the Thames and the City of Christchurch electorates. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=WH18790911.2.10 General Election News XII 9511 11 September 1879 Wanganui Herald 2 16 March 2010 Grey came first in the three-member Christchurch electorate (Samuel Paull Andrews and Edward Stevens came second with equal numbers of votes, and only 23 votes ahead of Edward Richardson). https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18790911.2.28 The Christchurch Election 11 September 1879 3563 The Star 3 19 March 2010 Richardson petitioned against Grey's return on technical grounds, as Grey had already been elected in the Thames electorate. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=THD18791030.2.5 The Timaru Herald : Thursday, October 30, 1879 XXXI 1594 30 October 1879 The Timaru Herald 2 20 March 2010 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TS18791103.2.25 The Christchurch Election 3 November 1879 3608 The Star 3 20 March 2010 The electoral commission unseated Grey on 24 October, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=THD18791025.2.12 Sir George Grey unseated for Christchurch XXXI 1590 25 October 1879 The Timaru Herald 2 20 March 2010 with Richardson offered to fill this vacancy a few days later. Grey kept the Thames seat and remained a member of parliament through that constituency. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=PBH18791027.2.9 Parliamentary VI 934 27 October 1879 Poverty Bay Herald 2 20 March 2010 Laws were passed to confirm the results in three electorates where there was some doubt about the legitimacy of the results to confirm the winner (1879; the electorates were Marsden, Northern Maori and Western Maori); http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/eva187943v1879n10331/ Elections Validation Act, 1879 New Zealand Law online and to clarify the law about electoral petitions (1880): http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_act/epa188044v1880n36291/ Electoral Petitions Act, 1880 New Zealand Law online Member Electorate AffiliationThe New Parliament https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC18790918.2.9 12 May 2017 Wanganui Chronicle XXI 4143 18 September 1879 2 MP's term Election date William Montgomery William Montgomery (New Zealand politician) Akaroa Greyite 03Third dmy 09 01Scholefield 1950 127 William Sefton Moorhouse Ashley Conservative 06Sixth dmy 09 11Scholefield 1950 127 William Speight Auckland East Greyite 01First dmy 09 10Scholefield 1950 140 William John Hurst Auckland West Greyite 01First dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 115 James Wallis James Wallis (New Zealand politician) Auckland West Greyite 02Second dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 145 William Rolleston Avon Conservative 04Fourth dmy 08 28Scholefield 1950 136 William Murray William Murray (New Zealand politician) Bruce Conservative 03Third dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 128 James Bickerton Fisher Buller Greyite 01First dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 106 William Barron William Barron (politician) Caversham Greyite 01First dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 94 Alfred Saunders Cheviot Conservative 03Third dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 137 Samuel Paull Andrews Christchurch Greyite 01First dmy 09 10Scholefield 1950 93 George Greya Christchurch Greyite 03Third dmy 09 10Scholefield 1950 110 Edward Cephas John Stevens Christchurch Conservative 03Third dmy 09 10Scholefield 1950 140 John Davies Ormond Clive Conservative 05Fifth dmy 09 10Scholefield 1950 130 James William Thomson Clutha Greyite 03Third dmy 09 11Scholefield 1950 143 Edward George Wright Coleridge Conservative 01First dmy 09 15Scholefield 1950 149 William Gibbs William Gibbs (New Zealand politician) Collingwood Conservative 03Third dmy 09 11Scholefield 1950 108 Thomas Dick Thomas Dick (politician) City of Dunedin City of Dunedin (New Zealand electorate) Conservative 03Third dmy 09 02Scholefield 1950 103 Richard Oliver Richard Oliver (New Zealand politician) City of Dunedin City of Dunedin (New Zealand electorate) Conservative 02Second dmy 09 02Scholefield 1950 130 William Downie Stewart William Downie Stewart Sr City of Dunedin City of Dunedin (New Zealand electorate) Conservative 02Second dmy 09 02Scholefield 1950 141 Vincent Pyke Dunstan Greyite 03Third dmy 09 03Scholefield 1950 133 Allan McDonald Allan McDonald (New Zealand politician) East Coast Greyite 01First dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 122 Joseph Tole Eden Greyite 02Second dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 144 Harry Atkinson Egmont Conservative 05Fifth dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 93 Benjamin Harris Benjamin Harris (New Zealand politician) Franklin Greyite 01First dmy 09 11Scholefield 1950 112 Ebenezer Hamlin Franklin Conservative 02Second dmy 09 11Scholefield 1950 111 Edward Wakefield Edward Wakefield (New Zealand politician) Geraldine Conservative 02Second dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 145 John Studholme Gladstone Conservative 04Fourth dmy 09 15Scholefield 1950 141 Robert Trimble Robert Trimble (politician) Grey and Bell Conservative 01First dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 144 Richard Reeves Richard Reeves (New Zealand politician) Grey Valley Greyite 02Second dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 134 Edward Masters Grey Valley Greyite 01First dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 126 James Fisher James Temple Fisher Heathcote Greyite 02Second dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 106 Richard Seddon Hokitika Greyite 01First dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 138 Robert Reid Robert Reid (New Zealand politician) Hokitika Greyite 01First dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 134 Thomas Mason Thomas Mason (New Zealand politician) Hutt Conservative 01First dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 125 James Walker Bain Invercargill Conservative 01First dmy 09 01Scholefield 1950 94 Charles Christopher Bowen Charles Bowen (New Zealand politician) Kaiapoi Conservative 03Third dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 96 Harry Allwright Lyttelton Greyite 01First dmy 09 04Scholefield 1950 92 Walter Johnston New Zealand politician Manawatu Conservative 03Third dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 117 William Henry Colbeck Marsden Greyite 01First dmy 09 11Scholefield 1950 101 James Shanks New Zealand politician Mataura Greyite 02Second dmy 08 29Scholefield 1950 138 John Lundon Mongonui and Bay of Islands Greyite 01First dmy 09 10Scholefield 1950 120 Richmond Hursthouse Motueka Conservative 02Second dmy 09 02Scholefield 1950 116 Cecil de Lautour Mount Ida Greyite 02Second dmy 08 30Scholefield 1950 103 Fred Sutton Napier Conservative 02Second dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 141 William Russell William Russell (New Zealand politician) Napier Conservative 02Second dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 137 Albert Pitt City of Nelson Nelson (New Zealand electorate) Conservative 01First dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 132 Acton Adams City of Nelson Nelson (New Zealand electorate) Conservative 02Second dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 92 Andrew Richmond Nelson SuburbsSuburbs of Nelson Conservative 05Fifth dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 136 Thomas Kelly Thomas Kelly (New Zealand politician) New Plymouth Conservative 04Fourth dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 118 William Swanson William Swanson (New Zealand politician) Newton Greyite 03Third dmy 09 02Scholefield 1950 141 Maurice O'Rorke Onehunga Greyite 05Fifth dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 130 Frederick Moss Parnell Greyite 02Second dmy 09 04Scholefield 1950 128 Courtney Kenny New Zealand politician Picton Conservative 04Fourth dmy 08 30Scholefield 1950 118 James Macandrew Port Chalmers Greyite 07Seventh dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 121 William Jarvis Willis Rangitikei Conservative 01First dmy 09 03Scholefield 1950 148 Patrick McCaughan Riverton Independent 01First dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 121 Seymour Thorne George Rodney Greyite 02Second dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 108 Henry Driver Roslyn Conservative 04Fourth dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 104 John Hall John Hall (New Zealand politician) Selwyn Conservative 04Fourth dmy 08 29Scholefield 1950 111 James Fulton James Fulton (New Zealand politician) Taieri Conservative 01First dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 108 George Greya Thames Greyite 03Third dmy 09 02Scholefield 1950 110 John Sheehan John Sheehan (New Zealand politician) Thames Greyite 03Third dmy 09 02Scholefield 1950 138 Richard Turnbull Richard Turnbull (politician) Timaru Conservative 02Second dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 144 William Gisborne Totara Greyite 03Third dmy 08 29Scholefield 1950 108 James Clark Brown Tuapeka Greyite 04Fourth dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 97 George Ireland George Ireland (New Zealand politician) Waikaia Independent 01First dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 116 John Blair Whyte Waikato Conservative 01First dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 147 George McLean George McLean (New Zealand politician) Waikouaiti Conservative 03Third dmy 09 06Scholefield 1950 124 Joseph Shephard Waimea Conservative 02Second dmy 09 05Waimea Nomination http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NEM18790905.2.5 7 July 2011 Nelson Evening Mail 5 September 1879 XIV 201 2Electoral District of Waimea. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TC18790909.2.4.5 7 July 2011 Colonist 9 September 1879 XXII 2598 2 Frederick Alexander Whitaker Waipa Conservative 01First dmy 09 10Scholefield 1950 147 Henry Bunny Wairarapa Greyite 05Fifth dmy 09 04Scholefield 1950 98 George Beetham Wairarapa Conservative 02Second dmy 09 04Scholefield 1950 95 Arthur Seymour Arthur Seymour (politician) Wairau Conservative 03Third dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 138 Samuel Shrimski Waitaki Greyite 02Second dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 139 Thomas William Hislop Waitaki Conservative 02Second dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 114 Reader Wood Waitemata Greyite 05Fifth dmy 09 09Scholefield 1950 149 Hugh Finn Wakatipu Greyite 01First dmy 09 12Scholefield 1950 106 Henry Hirst Wallace Conservative 01First dmy 09 04Scholefield 1950 114 John Bryce Wanganui Conservative 04Fourth dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 97 John Ballance Wanganui Greyite 03Third dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 94 William Hutchison William Hutchison (New Zealand politician) City of Wellington Wellington (New Zealand electorate) Greyite 01First dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 116 William Levin City of Wellington Wellington (New Zealand electorate) Conservative 01First dmy 09 05Scholefield 1950 120 Alfred Brandon Alfred Brandon (politician) Wellington Country Conservative 06Sixth dmy 09 11Scholefield 1950 97 Henare Tomoana X-01Eastern Maori Conservative 02Second dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 144 Hone Tawhai X-02Northern Maori Greyite 01First dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 142 Ihaia Tainui X-03Southern Maori Greyite 02Second dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 142 Wiremu Te Wheoro X-04Western Maori Greyite 01First dmy 09 08Scholefield 1950 147 a George Grey was unseated on petition in Christchurch, as he had already been elected in the Thames electorateWilson 1985 201 Government formation Following the election, John Hall formed a new government on 8 October 1879, and Hall thus became the 12th Premier of New Zealand.Scholefield 1950 37Wilson 1985 57 The Hall Ministry stayed in power until 21 April 1882, i.e. some months after the next general election.Wilson 1985 57 Notes References Electoral Atlas of New Zealand McRobie Alan 1989 GP Books Wellington 0-477-01384-8 Scholefield Guy New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 Guy Scholefield First ed. published 1913 3rd 1950 Govt. Printer Wellington Wilson Jim Jim Wilson (librarian) New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 4th First published in 1913 1985 V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer Wellington 154283103