- William Purkiss
William Morton Purkiss (1844–
8 August 1906 ) was a Member of theWestern Australian Legislative Assembly from 1901 to 1904.Born in
Hobart ,Tasmania in 1844, Purkiss was the son of draper William Morton Purkiss and Ann Jean nee Walker. He was educated at Horton College, then emigrated toNew Zealand in 1867. On1 January 1873 he married Julia Emma Hawkins at Hokitika, New Zealand; they would have three sons and a daughter. After qualifying as asolicitor , Purkiss became Crown Prosecutor and later Crown Solicitor of Westland Province. He also contested the seat of Westland in a New Zealand election, but was unsuccessful.In 1894, Purkiss emigrated to Perth,
Western Australia , where he worked as a solicitor. He was admitted to the bar in 1895, then went into partnership with Richard Haynes. On6 December 1901 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly seat of Perth, defeating Frank Wilson in aministerial by-election . He held the seat until the election of28 June 1904 , which he did not contest.Purkiss retired from practice in 1905, and the following January was appointed Judicial Commissioner for the North West. He died in Perth Hospital on
8 August 1906 , and was buried inKarrakatta Cemetery .References
*Black and Bolton 2001
Persondata
NAME=Purkiss, William Morton
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=politician
DATE OF BIRTH=1844
PLACE OF BIRTH=Hobart ,Tasmania
DATE OF DEATH=8 August 1906
PLACE OF DEATH=Perth, Western Australia
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.