Benjamin Tonks
New Zealand politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin Tonks (1832 – 27 June 1884) was a 19th-century mayor and Member of Parliament in Auckland, New Zealand.
Benjamin Tonks | |
|---|---|
| |
| 4th Mayor of Auckland | |
| In office 1875–1876 | |
| Succeeded by | William John Hurst |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1832 |
| Died | 27 June 1884 (aged 51–52) |
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1876–1877 | 6th | City of Auckland West | Independent | ||
Tonks was elected to the Parnell electorate of the Auckland Provincial Council in 1871. He represented Parnell in the 6th and 7th council until the abolition of provincial government in 1876.[1]
He was the Mayor of Auckland City from 1875 to 1876. He defeated the incumbent mayor Frederick Prime 1,062 votes to 402 in the first direct election for the position by the public.[2]
At the 1876 by-election which followed the resignation of Sir George Grey, he was elected to represent the City of Auckland West electorate. He resigned in 1877.[3]
