Nathaniel Edwards MLC (1822-15 July 1880) was a 19th century Member of Parliament from Nelson, New Zealand. He arrived in Nelson in 1844 from London, England, married and had 12 children. His eldest son died in Paris in 1876 from typhoid fever.[1][2] He was 19 years old.
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Edwards was a partner of the firm of Nattrass and Edwards, flax millers. This company ended in 1846. From 1846 to 1856 Edwards became a surveyor. In 1856 he joined the legal firm of Fell and Seymour and took over the company in 1857 with George Bennett. The new firm became Edwards & Co, a mechantile, importing, and shipping company. One branch of the firm was involved in shipping.[3]
In 1864 Nelson had been struck with gold fever. Edward's company's purchase of the Wallabi proved justified and business was so brisk that the Company decided that a further steamship was essential. The Kennedy, an Australian steamship of 149 tons that had been built for the Australian Steam Navigation Co., Sydney became available and was purchased. This vessel had a twin screw propulsion system which was new at that time.[4] Edwards retired from the firm in 1865 when he was brought out by the other two partners.
Warwick House, 64 Brougham St, Nelson is one of the finest and largest examples of early Victorian Gothic Revivalism still remaining in New Zealand.[5] The house was built for Arthur Fell in 1854 by builder David Goodall.
Fell returned to England in the 1860's and sold his house and business to Edwards. Edwards expanded the house; firstly adding a new wing on the southern side consisting of fifteen rooms and two towers, and secondly adding the three storey north wing with a ballroom and four storey tower. When completed the house had about 50 rooms.
Edwards served intermitantly on the Nelson Provincial Council. In 1869, when Stafford resigned, he was elected to represent the City of Nelson electorate from 1869 to 1871, when he retired.[6] He was nominated to the Legislative Council in 1875 by the Fox Ministry.
In 1879 Edwards fell terminally ill from a bronchial affection.[7][8] When Edwards died on 15 July 1880 his estate was valued at eight hundred thousand pounds sterling, which was considerable in those days.
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| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1868–1870 | 4th | City of Nelson | Independent | |
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edward Stafford |
Member of Parliament for Nelson 1868–1870 Served alongside: Oswald Curtis |
Succeeded by Martin Lightband |