George Witty

George Witty
MP
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Riccarton
In office
1902  1925
Preceded by George Warren Russell
Succeeded by Herbert Kyle
Personal details
Born 1856
North Ferriby
Died 1941 (aged 8485)
Political party Liberal

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

Early life

He was born in North Ferriby, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England and came to New Zealand in 1875 with two shillings in his pocket.[1] He was a farmer and a director of the local saleyards company in Christchurch.

Member of Parliament

Parliament of New Zealand
Years Term Electorate Party
190205 15th Riccarton Liberal
190508 16th Riccarton Liberal
190811 17th Riccarton Liberal
191114 18th Riccarton Liberal
191419 19th Riccarton Liberal
191922 20th Riccarton Liberal
192225 21st Riccarton Independent

George Witty represented the Riccarton electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives for twenty three years from 1902 to 1925 .[2] Witty was a Liberal but at the 1922 election he stood as an Independent and was successful. [3][4]

Witty was a member of the Legislative Council from 1925 to 28 October 1932. Witty and Leonard Isitt were both appointed to the Legislative Council by Gordon Coates on 28 October 1925; shortly before the 1925 election on 4 November. Both were Liberals but their retirement removed "a source of some bitterness from the Party’s ranks (Coates rewarded them with seats in the Legislative Council the day after the election)". Gordon Coates was Reform, and both of their former seats went to Reform candidates.[5]

He was awarded the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937. He was Chairman of the Paparua County Council.[6]

After Witty, Herbert Kyle (OBE) of the Reform Party represented the Riccarton electorate.

Death

Witty died in 1941.

References

  1. Cyclopedia of New Zealand: Canterbury Provincial District, Vol. 3, p.649, 1903 (The Cyclopedia Co. Ltd, Christchurch)
  2. Wilson 1985, p. 247.
  3. Bassett 1982, p. 66.
  4. Wood 1996, p. 105.
  5. Bassett 1982, p. 35.
  6. 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)
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
George Warren Russell
Member of Parliament for Riccarton
1902 1925
Succeeded by
Herbert Kyle