Thomas Forsaith

Thomas Forsaith

Thomas Spencer Forsaith (1814 - 1898) was a New Zealand politician and an Auckland draper. According to some historians, he was the country's second Premier, although a more conventional view states that neither he nor his predecessor (James FitzGerald) should properly be given that title.

Forsaith was elected to the 1st New Zealand Parliament as the representative of the Northern Division, an electorate which covered the area north of Auckland but south of Whangarei, and served from 1853 to 1855, when he was defeated. Forsaith was invited to form a ministry in August 1855, when the Administrator Robert Wynyard (acting in place of Governor) prorogued the parliament. Wynyard had taken this action after Parliament refused to accept his claim that New Zealand responsible government was not possible without royal assent. Forsaith, a member of the minority which supported Wynyard, was joined in Cabinet by James Macandrew, William Travers, and Edward Jerningham Wakefield. This appointed Cabinet, which did not have the confidence of Parliament, was defeated almost immediately, lasting only from 31 August to 2 September 1854.

No new Cabinet was formed until the 2nd New Zealand Parliament, under which responsible government was obtained. Forsaith himself served through the 2nd Parliament as representative of the City of Auckland from 1858 to 1860, but never served in Cabinet again.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Forsaith — This interesting surname is of early medieval Scottish origin, and has two distinct possible sources, each with its own history and derivation. Firstly, Forsyth may be of locational origin from some minor, or now lost place called Fersith or… …   Surnames reference

  • Northern Division (New Zealand electorate) — Northern Division was a two member parliamentary electorate in the Auckland Region, New Zealand from 1853 to 1870. Contents 1 Geographic distribution 2 History 3 Members of Parliament 4 …   Wikipedia

  • 1st New Zealand Parliament — The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand s first general election (held the previous year). It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year s… …   Wikipedia

  • James FitzGerald — James Edward FitzGerald (1818 1896) was a New Zealand politician. According to some historiansWho|date=May 2008, he should be considered the country s first Prime Minister, although a more conventional view is that neither he nor his successor… …   Wikipedia

  • Premierminister Neuseelands — John Key, derzeitiger Premierminister von Neuseeland Der Premierminister von Neuseeland (Prime Minister of New Zealand) ist der Regierungschef von Neuseeland. Er ist in der Regel der Führer der Partei oder Parteienkoalition, die im… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Prime Minister of New Zealand — John Key, derzeitiger Premierminister von Neuseeland Der Premierminister von Neuseeland (Prime Minister of New Zealand) ist der Regierungschef von Neuseeland. Er ist in der Regel der Führer der Partei oder Parteienkoalition, die im… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Premierminister von Neuseeland — John Key, derzeitiger Premierminister von Neuseeland Der Premierminister von Neuseeland (Prime Minister of New Zealand) ist der Regierungschef von Neuseeland. Er ist in der Regel der Führer der Partei oder Parteienkoalition, die im… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • List of New Zealand by-elections — By elections in New Zealand occur to fill vacant seats in the New Zealand Parliament. The death, resignation, or expulsion of a sitting electorate MP can cause a by election. (Note that list MPs do not have geographic districts for the purpose of …   Wikipedia

  • Prime Minister of New Zealand — Ministry …   Wikipedia

  • Auckland (New Zealand electorate) — Auckland (or, more formally, City of Auckland) was a New Zealand electorate. It covered the core of Auckland during the early days of New Zealand democracy, when the city was small enough to be covered by two or three seats. History The City of… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”