| The Honourable Edward Wingfield Humphreys MP |
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| Edward Humphreys | |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Christchurch North |
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| In office 1889 – 1890 |
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| Preceded by | Julius Vogel |
| Succeeded by | electorate abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1841 Montgomeryshire |
| Died | April 1892 London |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Humphreys (née Hawdon) |
| Relations | Frederic Jones (cousin) Robert Campbell (brother in law) |
| Children | none |
Edward Wingfield Humphreys (1841 – April 1892) was a New Zealand member of parliament representing Christchurch North from 1889 to 1890. He was also a farmer in Otago, and his extended family included a number of political figures.
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Humphreys was born in 1841[1] in Montgomeryshire, Wales.[2] He was the second son of Erskine Humphrey, a barrister at law of Lincoln's Inn.[3] He received his education at Harrow School, a boarding school in north-west London in the town of Harrow.[4]
He emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Strath-Taieri district for farming. He purchased several areas of land (Six Mile, Garthmyl and Gladbrook), which were part of runs 213 and 213A.[5]
He married Alice Humphreys (née Hawdon), the second daughter of Hon. Joseph Hawdon MLC on 22 April 1869 in Christchurch.[3] He thus became brother in law with Robert Campbell, who had married Hawdon's eldest daughter, Emma Josephine, on 2 December 1868 in Christchurch.[6] Humphreys was also first cousin with Frederic Jones, who represented the Heathcote electorate in 1887-90.[7]
After having let his property, Humphreys retired to Christchurch in 1888.[2] Although he was a squatter (i.e., a significant pastoral land holder), he had 'decidedly liberal' beliefs, and one of his best friends used to jokingly taunt him with being a 'beastly radical'.[4]
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| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1889–1890 | 10th | Christchurch North | Independent | |
The resignation of Sir Julius Vogel caused the 19 June 1889 by-election in the Christchurch North electorate, contested by three candidates. Humphreys, John Ollivier and Eden George received 403, 378 and 184 votes, respectively.[8] Ollivier had prior political experience, representing Christchurch Country in the 2nd New Zealand Parliament. Prior to that, he was the 2nd chairman of the Christchurch Town Council, a role that became that of Mayor of Christchurch a few years later. For Humphreys, who was relatively new to Christchurch, to beat such a well known person with political experience showed how well regarded he had become in a short period of time.[2][9]
The electorates in Christchurch were reorganised for the 5 December 1890 general election. Christchurch North was abolished, and City of Christchurch was set up as a three-member electorate. Humphreys decided to contest this electorate, and the six contenders received the following votes: William Pember Reeves (2774 - elected), Westby Brook Perceval (2721 - elected), Richard Molesworth Taylor (2613 - elected), J. Tippett Smith (1811), Humphreys (1668) and Eden George (119).[10]
Charles Matthew Gray was elected as Mayor of Christchurch a few days prior to the general election, and his seat in the North-West ward of the Christchurch City Council became vacant.[11] Humphreys declared his candidacy for the city council ward on 10 December.[12] Whilst Humphreys and W. I. Ballinger were nominated on 15 December for the 30 December election,[13] Ballinger withdrew and Humphreys took his seat at the 23 December 1890 council meeting.[14] He retained his seat on the city council until he left for England in September 1891.[1][15]
Humphreys returned to England as he had cancer, and he was given the advice that better specialist medical knowledge was available in his old country. A leaving party was organised for him by the Cambrian Society on 1 September 1891, which had a large attendance.[2] Humphreys died from cancer in London in April 1892. The Humphreys had no children.[1] He was survived by his wife, who married again in England in 1896.[16]