- Charles Christopher Bowen
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Sir Charles Christopher Bowen KB. KCMG. (29 August 1830 – 12 December 1917) was a 19th century New Zealand politician.
Contents
Life
Bowen was born in County Mayo, Ireland and studied law for two years at Cambridge University. At the age of 20 he emigrated with his parents on one of the First Four Ships, the Charlotte-Jane, to the Canterbury settlement.[1]
His law training led to a position as private secretary to John Robert Godley, founder of the Canterbury colony. He was in charge of the police force, and, together with Crosbie Ward, became a part-owner of the Lyttelton Times newspaper.[2]
In 1859, Bowen traversed the Andes on foot on his return to England, where he married Georgina Elizabeth Markham, a sister of Clements Markham.
Following their return to Christchurch, Bowen was appointed Resident Magistrate, a position he held from 1864–1874.
Political career
Parliament of New Zealand Years Term Electorate Party Independent 1875–1879 6th Kaiapoi Independent 1879–1881 7th Kaiapoi Independent Bowen was directly appointed to cabinet (by way of the Legislative Council) on 16 December 1874, but wary of criticism that a public servant had been awarded political office, he resigned from the Legislative Council[3] and stood for election to the House of Representatives in the 22 January 1875 Kaiapoi by-election, following the resignation of John Studholme on 8 December 1874.[1][4] He was confirmed by the Kaiapoi electorate at general elections in 1875 and 1879 and served until the end of the 7th Parliament in 1881, when he retired.[4] From 1874 to 1877, he was Minister of Justice in five successive ministries (first Vogel Ministry, Pollen Ministry, second Vogel Ministry, first and second Atkinson Ministry).[5] Bowen was responsible for the Education Act 1877, which provided for compulsory free, secular primary education.
He was again appointed to the Legislative Council on 20 January 1891 and served until his death on 12 December 1917.[3] He was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council from 1905 to 1915.[6]
Bowen was knighted in 1910. He had seven children.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c Lineham, Peter J.. "Bowen, Charles Christopher - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1b26. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ "Charles Christopher Bowen". The First Four Ships. http://www.firstfourships.co.nz/pics/person.php?pos=cj5. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 74.
- ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 96.
- ^ Scholefield 1950, pp. 35–36.
- ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 88.
References
- Scholefield, Guy Hardy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840-1949. Wellington: Govt. Printer.
Parliament of New Zealand Preceded by
John StudholmeMember of Parliament for Kaiapoi
1875–1881Succeeded by
Isaac WilsonCategories:- 1830 births
- 1917 deaths
- New Zealand people of Irish descent
- People from County Mayo
- Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives
- Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand
- Speakers of the New Zealand Legislative Council
- Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council
- People from Christchurch
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