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{{short description|New Zealand politician}}
{{Short description|New Zealand politician (1830–1917)}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2016}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
| honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable]]
|name = Sir Charles Christopher Bowen
| name = Sir Charles Bowen
|honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KCMG|size=100%}}
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KCMG|size=100%}}
|image = Charles Christopher Bowen.jpg
| image = Charles Christopher Bowen.jpg
|caption = Charles Christopher Bowen
| caption = Charles Christopher Bowen
|order = 13th [[Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council|Speaker of the Legislative Council]]
| order = 13th [[Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council|Speaker of the Legislative Council]]
|term_start = 30 June 1905
| term_start = 30 June 1905
|term_end = 4 July 1915
| term_end = 4 July 1915
|predecessor = [[Richard Reeves (New Zealand politician)|Richard Reeves]]
| predecessor = [[Richard Reeves (New Zealand politician)|Richard Reeves]]
|successor = [[Charles Johnston (New Zealand politician)|Charles Johnston]]
| successor = [[Charles Johnston (New Zealand politician)|Charles Johnston]]
|birth_date = {{birth date|1830|8|29|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1830|8|29|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[County Mayo]], Ireland
| birth_place = [[County Mayo]], Ireland
|death_date = {{death date and age|1917|12|12|1830|8|29|df=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1917|12|12|1830|8|29|df=y}}
|death_place = [[Riccarton, New Zealand|Riccarton]], [[Christchurch]], New Zealand
| death_place = [[Riccarton, New Zealand|Riccarton]], [[Christchurch]], New Zealand
|spouse =
| spouse =
|relations =
| relations =
|party = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
| party = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
|religion =
| religion =
}}
}}
'''Sir Charles Christopher Bowen''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KCMG|size=85%}} (29 August 1830 – 12 December 1917) was a New Zealand politician.
'''Sir Charles Christopher Bowen''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|KCMG|size=85%}} (29 August 1830 – 12 December 1917) was a New Zealand politician.
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{{NZ parlbox footer}}
{{NZ parlbox footer}}
Bowen started his political career by getting elected to the first [[Canterbury Provincial Council]] for the Christchurch Country electorate on [[1853 New Zealand provincial elections|10 September 1853]].{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=192}}<ref>{{cite news |title=The Lyttelton Times |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18530917.2.9 |access-date=31 October 2020 |volume=III |issue=141 |date=17 September 1853 |page=6}}</ref> He served until the end of the first term and then successfully contested the Avon electorate, where he was returned on 6 November 1857. He served on the second to fourth Council representing the Avon electorate until 8 February 1865.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=192}} He became the council's second Speaker in April 1855 and held that role until February 1865.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=189}} He served on the Canterbury Executive Council from July to September 1857.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=190}} He was the council's first Deputy-[[Superintendent (New Zealand)|Superintendent]] from September 1857 to September 1862.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=188}}


Bowen was directly appointed to cabinet (by way of the [[New Zealand Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]) on 16 December 1874, but wary of criticism that a public servant had been awarded political office, he resigned from the Legislative Council{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=74}} and stood for election to the House of Representatives in the 22 January [[1875 Kaiapoi by-election]], following the resignation of [[John Studholme]] on 8 December 1874.<ref name="DNZB Bowen" />{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=96}} He was confirmed by the [[Kaiapoi (New Zealand electorate)|Kaiapoi electorate]] at general elections in [[1875–1876 New Zealand general election|1875]] and [[1879 New Zealand general election|1879]] and served until the end of the [[7th New Zealand Parliament|7th Parliament]] in 1881, when he retired.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=96}} From 1874 to 1877, he was [[Minister of Justice (New Zealand)|Minister of Justice]] in five successive ministries ([[Vogel Ministry, 1873–1875|first Vogel Ministry]], [[Pollen Ministry, 1875–1876|Pollen Ministry]], [[Vogel Ministry, 1876|second Vogel Ministry]], [[Atkinson Ministry, 1876|first]] and [[Atkinson Ministry, 1876–1877|second Atkinson Ministry]]).{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|pp=35–36}} Bowen was responsible for the Education Act 1877, which provided for compulsory free, secular primary education.
Bowen was directly appointed to cabinet (by way of the [[New Zealand Legislative Council|Legislative Council]]) on 16 December 1874, but wary of criticism that a public servant had been awarded political office, he resigned from the Legislative Council{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=74}} and stood for election to the House of Representatives in the 22 January [[1875 Kaiapoi by-election]], following the resignation of [[John Studholme]] on 8 December 1874.<ref name="DNZB Bowen" />{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=96}} He was confirmed by the [[Kaiapoi (New Zealand electorate)|Kaiapoi electorate]] at general elections in [[1875–1876 New Zealand general election|1875]] and [[1879 New Zealand general election|1879]] and served until the end of the [[7th New Zealand Parliament|7th Parliament]] in 1881, when he retired.{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|p=96}} From 1874 to 1877, he was [[Minister of Justice (New Zealand)|Minister of Justice]] in five successive ministries ([[Vogel Ministry, 1873–1875|first Vogel Ministry]], [[Pollen Ministry, 1875–1876|Pollen Ministry]], [[Vogel Ministry, 1876|second Vogel Ministry]], [[Atkinson Ministry, 1876|first]] and [[Atkinson Ministry, 1876–1877|second Atkinson Ministry]]).{{sfn|Scholefield|1950|pp=35–36}} Bowen was responsible for the Education Act 1877, which provided for compulsory free, secular primary education.
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[[Category:Speakers of the New Zealand Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Speakers of the New Zealand Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Irish emigrants to New Zealand (before 1923)]]
[[Category:Irish emigrants to New Zealand]]
[[Category:People from Christchurch]]
[[Category:Politicians from Christchurch]]
[[Category:Politicians from County Mayo]]
[[Category:Politicians from County Mayo]]
[[Category:New Zealand Knights Bachelor]]
[[Category:New Zealand Knights Bachelor]]
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[[Category:Burials at St Peter's Church Cemetery, Upper Riccarton]]
[[Category:19th-century New Zealand politicians]]
[[Category:19th-century New Zealand politicians]]
[[Category:New Zealand politicians awarded knighthoods]]
[[Category:Sheriffs of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Sheriffs of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Justice ministers of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Justice ministers of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Lawyers from County Mayo]]

Latest revision as of 23:01, 31 October 2024

The Honourable
Sir Charles Bowen
KCMG
Charles Christopher Bowen
13th Speaker of the Legislative Council
In office
30 June 1905 – 4 July 1915
Preceded byRichard Reeves
Succeeded byCharles Johnston
Personal details
Born(1830-08-29)29 August 1830
County Mayo, Ireland
Died12 December 1917(1917-12-12) (aged 87)
Riccarton, Christchurch, New Zealand
Political partyIndependent

Sir Charles Christopher Bowen KCMG (29 August 1830 – 12 December 1917) was a New Zealand politician.

Life

[edit]
Satirical political poster printed for the Kaiapoi 1875 general election

Bowen was born in County Mayo, Ireland and studied law for two years at Cambridge University. At the age of 20 he emigrated with his parents on one of the First Four Ships, the Charlotte Jane, to the Canterbury settlement.[1]

His law training led to a position as private secretary to John Robert Godley, founder of the Canterbury colony. He was in charge of the police force, and, together with Crosbie Ward, became a part-owner of the Lyttelton Times newspaper.[2]

In 1859, Bowen traversed the Andes on with Clements Markham, and 16 July 1861, he married his sister Georgina Elizabeth Markham.[1]

The same year he dedicated a volume of poetry, Poems, to "my fellow colonists, the first settlers of Canterbury, New Zealand.".[3] The high quality of the edition is proof that "good craftsmen migrated along with the gentlemen-colonists".[4]

Following their return to Christchurch, Bowen was appointed resident magistrate in 1864, succeeding Joseph Brittan, who had resigned on health grounds.[5] Bowen held the position until 1874.

Political career

[edit]
New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1875 5th Kaiapoi Independent
1875–1879 6th Kaiapoi Independent
1879–1881 7th Kaiapoi Independent

Bowen was directly appointed to cabinet (by way of the Legislative Council) on 16 December 1874, but wary of criticism that a public servant had been awarded political office, he resigned from the Legislative Council[6] and stood for election to the House of Representatives in the 22 January 1875 Kaiapoi by-election, following the resignation of John Studholme on 8 December 1874.[1][7] He was confirmed by the Kaiapoi electorate at general elections in 1875 and 1879 and served until the end of the 7th Parliament in 1881, when he retired.[7] From 1874 to 1877, he was Minister of Justice in five successive ministries (first Vogel Ministry, Pollen Ministry, second Vogel Ministry, first and second Atkinson Ministry).[8] Bowen was responsible for the Education Act 1877, which provided for compulsory free, secular primary education.

He was again appointed to the Legislative Council on 20 January 1891 and served until his death on 12 December 1917.[6] He was appointed as one of seven new members (including Harry Atkinson himself) appointed to the council by the outgoing fourth Atkinson Ministry; a move regarded by Liberals as a stacking of the upper house against the new government.

He was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Council from 1905 to 1915.[9]

Bowen was made a Knight Bachelor in 1910 and a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1914. He had seven children.[1] He died on 12 December 1917 at his homestead[10] and is buried at the cemetery of St Peter's Church in Upper Riccarton.[11]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Lineham, Peter J. "Bowen, Charles Christopher – Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  2. ^ "Charles Christopher Bowen". The First Four Ships. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  3. ^ Penguin Book of New Zealand Verse, ed. Allen Curnow, 1960, p. 314
  4. ^ Curnow, ibid p. 314-315
  5. ^ "The Press". Vol. IV, no. 488. 23 May 1864. p. 2. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  6. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 74.
  7. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 96.
  8. ^ Scholefield 1950, pp. 35–36.
  9. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 88.
  10. ^ "Death of Sir Charles Bowen". The Press. Vol. LIII, no. 16083. 13 December 1917. p. 7. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  11. ^ "The Late Sir Charles Bowen". The Press. Vol. LIII, no. 16085. 15 December 1917. p. 9. Retrieved 19 August 2014.

References

[edit]
  • Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.

Further reading

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charles Christopher Bowen.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Justice
1874–1877 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council
1905–1915 		Succeeded by
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Kaiapoi
1875–1881 		Succeeded by
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