George Witty

The Honourable
George Witty
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Riccarton
In office
1902–1925
Preceded byGeorge Warren Russell
Succeeded byBert Kyle
Personal details
Born1856
North Ferriby
Died21 November 1941 (aged 85)
Political partyLiberal

George Witty (1856 – 21 November 1941) was a New Zealand Member of Parliament for Riccarton, in the South Island.

Early life

He was born in North Ferriby, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England and came to New Zealand in 1875 with two shillings in his pocket.[1] He was a farmer and a director of the local sale yards company in Christchurch.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1902–1905 15th Riccarton Liberal
1905–1908 16th Riccarton Liberal
1908–1911 17th Riccarton Liberal
1911–1914 18th Riccarton Liberal
1914–1919 19th Riccarton Liberal
1919–1922 20th Riccarton Liberal
1922–1925 21st Riccarton Independent Liberal

George Witty represented the Riccarton electorate in the New Zealand House of Representatives for twenty three years from 1902 to 1925 .[2] Witty was a Liberal but at the 1922 election he stood as an Independent and was successful. [3][4]

Witty was a member of the Legislative Council from 1925 to 28 October 1932. Witty and Leonard Isitt were both appointed to the Legislative Council by Gordon Coates on 28 October 1925; shortly before the 1925 election on 4 November. Both were Liberals but their retirement removed "a source of some bitterness from the Party’s ranks (Coates rewarded them with seats in the Legislative Council the day after the election)". Gordon Coates was Reform, and both of their former seats went to Reform candidates.[5]

After Witty, Bert Kyle of the Reform Party represented the Riccarton electorate.

In 1935, Witty was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[6] He received the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937, and served as chairman of the Paparua County Council.[7]

Death

Witty died in Christchurch on 21 November 1941, aged 85 years.

  • "Photo from New Zealand Herald". Papers Past. 9 March 2015.
  • "Obituary in Auckland Star". Papers Past. 9 March 2015.
  • "Obituary in New Zealand Herald". Papers Past. 9 March 2015.

References

  1. ^ Cyclopedia of New Zealand: Canterbury Provincial District, Vol. 3, p.649, 1903 (The Cyclopedia Co. Ltd, Christchurch)
  2. ^ Wilson 1985, p. 247.
  3. ^ Bassett 1982, p. 66.
  4. ^ Wood 1996, p. 105.
  5. ^ Bassett 1982, p. 35.
  6. ^ "King issues jubilee medals". Hawera Star. Vol. LIV, no. 105. 6 May 1935. p. 9. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  7. ^ The New Zealand Roll of Honour: New Zealanders who have served their country in Peace and War 1845-1995 (Edited by Alister Taylor, p.1165, 1998, Roll of Honour Publications, Auckland)
  • Bassett, Michael (1982), Three Party Politics in New Zealand, 1911-1931, Auckland: Historical Publications
  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First published in 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
  • Wood, G. Anthony, ed. (1996). Ministers and Members: In the New Zealand Parliament. Dunedin: Otago University Press.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Riccarton
1902–1925 		Succeeded by