Thomas Buxton (New Zealand politician)

Summary

Thomas Buxton (1863–28 May 1939) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament.

Thomas Buxton
Buxton in 1912
Minister without Portfolio
In office
28 March 1912 – 10 July 1912
Prime MinisterThomas Mackenzie
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Temuka
In office
7 December 1911 – 10 December 1914
Preceded byNew electorate
Succeeded byCharles John Talbot
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Geraldine
In office
2 December 1908 – 7 December 1911
Preceded byFrederick Flatman
Succeeded byElectorate abolished
Personal details
Born1863
Lincolnshire, England
Died28 May 1939
Christchurch, New Zealand
Political partyLiberal
RelativesSearby Buxton (father)

Biography edit

Early life and career edit

He was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1863 and came to New Zealand with his family in 1865. He was the son of New Zealand politician Searby Buxton.[1]

When young he gained employment at the Farmers' Co-operative Association at Timaru remaining there until he commenced business on his own account 18 years later.[1] He became a grain and produce merchant, first in Temuka and later in Timaru.[2]

He was the chairman of the Temuka sports association and actively played tennis, cricket and golf.[1]

Political career edit

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1908–1911 17th Geraldine Liberal
1911–1914 18th Temuka Liberal

He was one of the inaugural members of the Temuka Borough Council and was the Mayor of Temuka for 10 years.[1]

He represented the Geraldine electorate from 1908 to 1911; and then the Temuka electorate from 1911 to 1914, when he retired.[3] He was a member of the Executive Council (without portfolio) in 1912 in the Liberal Government.[4]

After leaving Parliament Buxton remained politically active and was for many years a local organiser for the Liberal Party, and later he was the national organiser for its successor the United Party.[1]

Later life and death edit

He later became an organiser of the Farmers' Union. Buxton moved to Christchurch in 1921, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died there on 28 May 1939.[1]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Former Minister - Mr. T. Buxton's Death". The New Zealand Herald. Vol. LXXVI, no. 23359. Auckland. 30 May 1939. p. 10. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  2. ^ Hamer 1988, p. 361.
  3. ^ Wilson 1985, p. 187.
  4. ^ Wilson 1985, p. 75.

References edit

  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
  • Hamer, David A. (1988). The New Zealand Liberals: The Years of Power, 1891–1912. Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-014-3. OCLC 18420103.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Geraldine
1908–1911
Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Temuka
1911–1914
Succeeded by