The structure and course of politics in nineteenth-century Wellington

Abstract

This thesis traces the various trends and developments which influenced political life in Wellington from 1840 to 1899 and examines the membership of the major institutions of the period. It also deals in some depth with the men who attempted to become members of the elective bodies. Candidates are classified, for example, according to occupational status, previous political experience, political skill and personality and contribution to other aspects of community life. Many are examined too in relation to the platform on which they stood. The actual members of the institutions - nominated as well as elective - are further categorized in terms of age, length of service, and office-holding within the institution or on nineteenth-century ministries. The national origins and family relationships, and business and professional connections between members are also examined. The following institutions or official positions are included: The New Zealand Company Council of 1840 The Borough Council of 1842-43 The General Legislative Council, 1841-1853 The Legislative Council of New Munster, 1848-1853 The Legislative Council of the General Assembly 1853- The House of Representatives 1853- The Superintendency, 1853-1876 The Provincial Council, 1853-1876 The Mayoralty, 1870- The Town Board-City Council, 1863- The influence of a number of committees and associations is also dealt with in some detail although the actual membership of most - other than the Settlers' Constitutional Association - is referred to in less Specific terms than that of the institutions. Various groups involved in political activity during the Crown Colony period are examined as are the local Liberal Association, Temperance Movement, trade and labour organizations and other special-interest groups. This is not a comparative study as such but one which looks at what happened in a particular part of nineteenth-century New Zealand. It includes only men who lived and/or worked in Wellington itself although the numbers who stood at provincial and parliamentary elections and lived in the immediate vicinity or at the Hutt are mentioned in the appropriate sections and women are mentioned in connection with the Temperance Movement and some candidates' committees.