Arthur Guinness (New Zealand politician)
Arthur Guinness | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Calcutta, India |
| Died | 10 June 1913 (aged 67) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, lawyer |
| Known for | Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives (1903–1913) |
Sir Arthur Robert Guinness (11 January 1846 – 10 June 1913) was a notable New Zealand statesman who held the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Personal information
Guinness was born in Calcutta, India and was the son of Frank Guinness, who emigrated to Lyttelton aboard the Tory in August 1852. His education took place at Christ's College, Christchurch between 1854 and 1859. He pursued legal studies under Edward Harston, followed by training with Francis James Garrick and William Cowlishaw, gaining admission to the bar in 1867. He practiced law as both barrister and solicitor in Greymouth, where he also contributed to local governance by serving on the Westland Provincial Council from 1874 until 1876, and subsequently on the Grey County Council from 1876 to 1890, holding the chairmanship for nine years.
Member of Parliament
Guinness initially sought election in the two-member Grey Valley electorate during the 1876 general election but placed last out of four contenders. He successfully contested the single-member Greymouth seat in 1884, unseating incumbent Joseph Petrie. Representing Greymouth until 1890, he then served as MP for the Grey electorate until his passing in 1913, aligned with the New Zealand Liberal Party.
Between 1893 and 1902, he held the role of Chairman of Committees, and from 1903 to 1913, he fulfilled duties as the seventh Speaker of the House of Representatives. Following William Steward’s death in 1912, Guinness assumed the title of Father of the House. After his death, Paddy Webb won the subsequent 1913 Grey by-election with backing from the Liberal Party.
Family
In 1875, Guinness was wed to Elisabeth Westbrook, daughter of James Westbrook from Launceston. He received a knighthood as part of the 1911 Coronation Honours. Guinness passed away on 10 June 1913 and was interred at Greymouth Cemetery.
He descended as a great-grandson from the Dublin-based brewer Arthur Guinness (1725–1803).