George John Smith

The Honourable
 George John Smith
MP, CBE
George John Smith
Member of Parliament
for City of Christchurch
In office
1893 – 1899
Preceded by Ebenezer Sandford
Succeeded by Harry Ell
In office
1901 – 1902
Preceded by Charles Lewis
Succeeded by Thomas Davey
Personal details
Born 1862
Consett
Died 1946
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) married 1887 to the only daughter of the late Mr. R. Dawsson

George John Smith (1862–1946) CBE was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for the City of Christchurch electorate in the South Island, and later a member of the Legislative Council.

Contents

Early life

Smith was born in Consett in County Durham and educated at the Wesleyan Church School in Newcastle upon Tyne. Following that, he worked at the office of the Government solicitors.[1]

He came to New Zealand in 1879. He was a lawyer and businessman in Christchurch. He was a councillor on the Sydenham Borough Council. A strong prohibitionist, Smith was elected to the Sydenham Licensing Committee in 1891, which was determined to refuse all licenses in the borough. Several members including Smith were removed from this position by order of the Supreme Court for "incurable bias".[1]

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
1893–1896 12th Christchurch Independent
1896–1899 13th Christchurch Independent
1901–1902 14th Christchurch Independent

Smith then stood for parliament. In the 1893 election, he came second in the three-member City of Christchurch electorate, and thus entered the New Zealand House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 1896 (coming second in the electorate), but defeated in 1899. He was returned to parliament again at the 1901 City of Christchurch by-election triggered by the resignation of Charles Lewis.[1][2] Smith was an Independent MP for his entire parliamentary career.[3]

He was awarded a CBE in 1918.

Legislative Council

Smith was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1907, and was a member from 1907 to 1914 and 1920 to 1932.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District"]. Christchurch: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited. 1903. http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d5-d4.html#name-420401-mention. Retrieved 14 February 2010. 
  2. ^ Wilson, J.O. (1985). The New Zealand Parliamentary Record: 1840-1984. Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 235. 
  3. ^ Hamer, David (1988). The New Zealand Liberals: the Years of Power 1891-1912. Auckland: Auckland University Press. pp. 361. 
  4. ^ Wilson, J.O. (1985). The New Zealand Parliamentary Record: 1840-1984. Wellington: Government Printer. pp. 164.