Robert Heaton Rhodes

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Robert Heaton Rhodes
seated portrait photo of a man around 50
Robert Heaton Rhodes in the 1860s
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Akaroa
In office
26 January 1871 – 18 February 1874
Canterbury Provincial Council
In office
31 Aug 1853 – 12 Dec 1862
In office
13 Jun 1866 – 28 February 1874
Personal details
Born1815
Rotherham, Yorkshire, England
Died1 June 1884 (aged 68 or 69)
his residence Elmwood
RelationsWilliam Barnard Rhodes (brother)
George Rhodes (brother)
ChildrenHeaton Rhodes
Residence(s)Purau, Banks Peninsula, then Elmwood in Christchurch

Robert Heaton Rhodes (1815 – 1 June 1884) was a New Zealand politician who represented the Akaroa electorate from 1871 to 1874, when he resigned. He was elected unopposed in 1871.[1]

Biography[edit]

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1871–1874 5th Akaroa Independent

Born in 1815 in Rotherham, in the English county of Yorkshire,[2] he followed his brothers, including William Barnard Rhodes, to New Zealand in 1850, having worked in Australia. He lived at Purau and managed properties on Banks Peninsula belonging to the Rhodes brothers. He built a large house in Christchurch, Elmwood, where he died. He founded several early business enterprises, including the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company.

On 24 August 1853, Rhodes stood in the Akaroa electorate for a position in the House of Representatives but was beaten by William Sefton Moorhouse.[3] On 31 August 1853, Rhodes stood in the Akaroa electorate for one of two positions on the Canterbury Provincial Council. Rhodes won the election, but there was a draw for second place, and the returning officer gave his casting vote to Rev. William Aylmer, meaning that Moorhouse was not elected.[4] A short time later, Moorhouse stood in the same electorate for the House of Representatives and was successful.

His eldest son, Sir Heaton Rhodes (1861–1956), had a long parliamentary career.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The General Elections". The Star. No. 829. 23 January 1871. p. 4. Retrieved 16 March 2010.
  2. ^ "Obituary: Robert Heaton Rhodes". Timaru Herald. 4 June 1884. p. 3. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Christchurch". Lyttelton Times. Vol. III, no. 138. 27 August 1853. p. 7. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Akaroa election". Lyttelton Times. Vol. III, no. 139. 3 September 1853. p. 6. Retrieved 16 October 2020.

External links[edit]

New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Akaroa
1871–1874
Succeeded by