George Witty

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George Witty (1856 - 1941) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Riccarton, in the South Island.

[edit] Member of Parliament

George Witty represented the Riccarton Electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives for twenty three years from 1902 to 1925 (Wilson, p.247). Witty was a Liberal but at the 1922 election he stood as an Independent and was successful (Wood, p.105 & Bassett, p.66).

George Witty was born in North Ferriby, Yorkshire, England and came to New Zealand in 1875 with two shillings in his pocket (Cyclopedia of New Zealand: Canterbury Provincial District, Vol. 3, p.649, 1903, The Cyclopedia Co. Ltd, Christchurch). He was a farmer and a director of the local saleyards company in Christchurch.

Witty was a member of the Legislative Council between 1925 and 1932. He was awarded the Coronation Medal in 1937 and was Chairman of the Paparua County Council (The New Zealand Roll of Honour: New Zealanders who have served their country in Peace and War 1845-1995, Edited by Alister Taylor, p.1165, 1998, Roll of Honour Publications, Auckland).

After Witty, Herbert Kyle (1873-1955) OBE represented the Riccarton Electorate from 1925 to 1943 (Reform/National 1925-1942; Independent 1942-1943). Kyle resigned from the NZ National Party in 1942. He was a veterinary surgeon and farmer.

[edit] References

• Three Party Politics in New Zealand, 1911-1931 by Michael Bassett (1982, Historical Publications, Auckland)
• The New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984 by J.O. Wilson (1985, Government Printer, Wellington)
• Ministers and Members in the New Zealand Parliament Edited by G.A. Wood (1996, University of Otago Press, Dunedin)