Matthew Kirkbride
New Zealand politician (1848–1906)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matthew Middlewood Kirkbride (13 August 1848 – 4 November 1906) was an independent conservative Member of Parliament in New Zealand.
Biography
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902–1905 | 15th | Manukau | Independent | ||
| 1905–1906 | 16th | Manukau | Independent | ||
Born in Ulleskelf in Yorkshire, Kirkbride arrived in New Zealand in July 1863.[1]
He was a friend and neighbour of William Massey, with whom he shared positions on local government. Kirkbride was one of the people who persuaded Massey in 1893 to stand for Parliament;[1] Massey was beaten in Franklin that year, but was successful in an 1894 by-election.[2]
Kirkbride was elected to the Manukau electorate in the 1902 election,[3] when he defeated the incumbent, Maurice O'Rorke.[1] He won the 1905 election against Liberal Ralph Duncan Stewart.[1] He held the Manukau electorate until he died in 1906.[3] His death caused the 6 December 1906 by-election in Manukau, which was won by Frederic Lang.[4]
