Matthew Middlewood Kirkbride (13 August 1848 – 4 November 1906) was an independent conservative Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

Kirkbride c. 1902

Biography

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New Zealand Parliament
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]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d "Death of an MHR". Otago Witness. No. 2747. 7 November 1906. p. 21. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  2. ^ Gustafson, Barry. "Massey, William Ferguson - Biography". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  3. ^ a b Scholefield 1950, p. 118.
  4. ^ Scholefield 1950, p. 119.

References

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  • Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Manukau
1902–1906
Succeeded by