Westland Province

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The Westland Province was a province of New Zealand from 1873 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876.

1 Area
2 Anniversary Day
3 Superintendents
4 Legislation
5 Source
6 References

[edit] Area

The province covered an area roughly the same as the present day Westland District. The capital was Hokitika.

[edit] Anniversary Day

When John Hall resigned as Westland county chairman the government appointed James Alexander Bonar. Bonar was chairman during the period of the Fenian riots and is credited with "great tact in handling that explosive situation". In March 1868 he swore in 640 special constables to suppress an Irish nationalist procession in Hokitika. Bonar was replaced by Conrad Hoos, but later - when on December 1 1873 Westland split from Canterbury Province - Bonar resumed, but as the provincial superintendent.

New Zealand law still provides for a provincial anniversary day.

**Provincial Anniversary Day**
Provincial District	includes	Actual Day	Observance Day
Westland	Westport, Greymouth	December 1	Monday nearest to the actual day (Greymouth)

[edit] Superintendents

1874 James Alexander Bonar ^[1]^[2]

[edit] Legislation

No surviving legislation.

[edit] Source

A page containing a map of the old provincial boundaries is available here.
List at Rulers site with provincial superintendents

[edit] References

^ Foster, Bernard John (1966). BONAR, James Alexander (1840–1901). Superintendent of Westland. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock.. Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.. Retrieved on 2006-10-09.
^ Minehan, Francis (7 April 2006). Bonar, James Alexander 1840 - 1901 Merchant, shipping agent, company director, politician. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington.. Retrieved on 2006-10-09.