Awarua by-election 1897
Encyclopedia
A by-election was held for the Awarua electorate on 5 August 1897, for the seat vacated by Sir Joseph Ward, which he had held since 1887. He was re-elected to the 13th New Zealand Parliament.
Sir Joseph Ward
was Treasurer (ie Minister of Finance
) in 1896, when a judge declared him "hopelessly insolvent". He was forced to resign his portfolios in Cabinet on 16 June.
In 1897, he had to file for bankruptcy, and was adjudicated bankrupt on 8 July 1897. He was then legally obliged to resign his seat in Parliament, which he did on 14 July.
A loophole, however, meant that there was nothing to stop him simply contesting it again — he did so, and was re-elected with an increased majority.
Parliament passed a special Act on 13 October, The Awarua Seat Enquiry Act 1897 (No. 5) which required the Court of Appeal to urgently decide whether he could be re-elected to Parliament, and the court decided in his favour. The court judgement was published as AJHR H 32 of 1897, of 19 pages (AJHR = Appendix to Journal of the House of Representatives).
Ward actually gained considerable popularity as a result of his financial troubles — Ward was widely seen as a great benefactor of the Southland region, and public perceptions were that he was being persecuted by his enemies over an honest mistake.
Gradually, Ward rebuilt his businesses, and paid off his debtors. Richard Seddon
, still Prime Minister, quickly reappointed Ward to Cabinet.
Sir Joseph Ward
Joseph Ward
Sir Joseph George Ward, 1st Baronet, GCMG was the 17th Prime Minister of New Zealand on two occasions in the early 20th century.-Early life:...
was Treasurer (ie Minister of Finance
Minister of Finance (New Zealand)
The Minister of Finance is a senior figure within the government of New Zealand. The position is often considered to be the most important Cabinet role after that of the Prime Minister....
) in 1896, when a judge declared him "hopelessly insolvent". He was forced to resign his portfolios in Cabinet on 16 June.
In 1897, he had to file for bankruptcy, and was adjudicated bankrupt on 8 July 1897. He was then legally obliged to resign his seat in Parliament, which he did on 14 July.
A loophole, however, meant that there was nothing to stop him simply contesting it again — he did so, and was re-elected with an increased majority.
Parliament passed a special Act on 13 October, The Awarua Seat Enquiry Act 1897 (No. 5) which required the Court of Appeal to urgently decide whether he could be re-elected to Parliament, and the court decided in his favour. The court judgement was published as AJHR H 32 of 1897, of 19 pages (AJHR = Appendix to Journal of the House of Representatives).
Ward actually gained considerable popularity as a result of his financial troubles — Ward was widely seen as a great benefactor of the Southland region, and public perceptions were that he was being persecuted by his enemies over an honest mistake.
Gradually, Ward rebuilt his businesses, and paid off his debtors. Richard Seddon
Richard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
, still Prime Minister, quickly reappointed Ward to Cabinet.