1868 Avon by-election

New Zealand by-election April 2024 January 2019 1868 Avon by-election New Zealand 1868 presidential no 1867 Avon by-election 1867 by-election 1871 New Zealand general election 1871 general Avon (New Zealand electorate) 1868 6 8 y 200x200px William Rolleston Independent politician MP William Reeves William Rolleston Independent politician Independent politician The 1868 Avon by-election was a by-election held on 8 June during the 4th New Zealand Parliament in the Christchurch electorate of Avon. The by-election was caused by the resignation of the incumbent MP William Reeves on 2 May 1868. Wilson James Oakley New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 4th First published in 1913 1985 V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer Wellington 154283103 229, 231 Reeves had been elected in the 11 March 1867 Avon by-election and after attending the 1867 parliamentary session, he resigned as his business partner had died in late 1867.Election Notices https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18680505.2.2.6 19 January 2019 Lyttelton Times XXIX 2298 5 May 1868 1 Papers Past Reeves' notice of resignation, dated 2 May, first appeared in newspapers on 5 May. On that same day, the local newspapers The Press and the Lyttelton Times published a requisition signed by 362 electors addressed to William Rolleston, urging him to stand, as well as his lengthy response acceding to that request. In his response, Rolleston outlined his political views: in contrast to the outgoing Superintendent of Canterbury, William Sefton Moorhouse, Rolleston wanted to be prudent with his capital programme and cut back public debts; he favoured the careful and deliberate abolition of provincial governments but saw no haste to action this measure; he advocated a better system of distribution of the provincial revenues handed to the central government (as Canterbury paid more than its fair share).Election Notice https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18680505.2.18.2 19 January 2019 The Press XII 1675 5 May 1868 4 Papers PastElection Notices https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18680505.2.2.5 19 January 2019 Lyttelton Times XXIX 2298 5 May 1868 1 Papers Past The by-election unfolded during the upcoming election for the superintendency of the Canterbury Province. Moorhouse, whose popularity had sunk to a low, had resigned in early April 1868 over personal financial difficulties.Miller Graham M. 1m53 Moorhouse, William Sefton 19 January 2019 Moorhouse was encouraged by some voters to make himself available for the Avon by-election but he stated that he was not prepared to stand; his financial difficulties were not public knowledge at the time.Saturday, May 9, 1868 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18680509.2.10 19 January 2019 The Press XII 1677 9 May 1868 2 Papers Past On 22 May 1868, Rolleston was elected unopposed to the highest political office in Canterbury. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP18680525.2.10 Superintendency of Canterbury. Election of Mr. Rolleston IV 86 25 May 1868 The Evening Post 2 19 January 2019 Papers Past Rolleston had since 1865 been a public servant, appointed by Premier Frederick Weld as the Under Secretary in the Native Department.Gardner Jim 1r17 Rolleston, William 19 January 2019 Rolleston needed to wind up his role in Wellington and left for the capital after he announced his candidacy for both the Superintendency and the Avon electorate.By Electric Telegraph https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD18680516.2.9 19 January 2019 The Timaru Herald VIII 310 16 May 1868 2 Papers Past Rolleston's resignation from the Native Department was gazetted later in May.Wednesday, May 20, 1868 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD18680520.2.5 19 January 2019 The Timaru Herald VIII 311 20 May 1868 2 Papers Past On 19 May, Rolleston arrived back at Lyttelton from Wellington.Thursday, May 21, 1868 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18680521.2.12 19 January 2019 The Press XII 1682 21 May 1868 2 Papers Past The nomination meeting was set for Tuesday, 8 June 1868 at the Papanui school, with an election (if necessary) to be held the following day.Town and Country https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18680601.2.9 19 January 2019 Lyttelton Times XXIX 2321 1 June 1868 2 Papers Past Thomas Maude (the father of Nurse Maude) acted as the returning officer. The Papanui land owner Henry Matson proposed Rolleston and William Lane—best known for his ownership of Mill Island in the Avon River—seconded the nomination. As there were no other nominations, Rolleston won the Avon by-election unopposed.Election for the Avon District https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP18680611.2.18 19 January 2019 The Press XII 1691 11 June 1868 2 Papers Past The by-election success was the beginning of Rolleston's long parliamentary career. He remained a member of parliament until 1899, with two three-year breaks. In total, he spent 25 years in Parliament. References Avon 1868 Category:1868 elections in New Zealand Category:Politics of Christchurch