David Monro
Encyclopedia
Sir David Monro was a New Zealand
politician. He served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
from 1861 to 1870.
, and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine
from Edinburgh University
in 1835. After first studying for a time in Paris
, Berlin
and Vienna
, Monro established a medical practice in Edinburgh. In 1841, however, Monro bought land in the planned settlement at Nelson
, New Zealand. He arrived in Nelson the following year.
Monro married Dinah Secker on 7 May 1845 and they had five sons and two daughters, including Charles John Monro
.
, Monro was chosen (along with Alfred Domett
, later to become Premier
) to present the Nelson settlers' views to Willoughby Shortland
, the acting Governor
. Partly as a result of this attention, Monro was appointed to the Legislative Council of the New Munster Province in 1849, but resigned after a dispute with Governor George Grey
.
In 1853, Monro was elected to the 1st New Zealand Parliament
, representing the seat of Waimea
. He was re-elected in the same seat for the 2nd Parliament
in 1858. At the beginning of the 3rd Parliament
, to which Monro had been elected as representative of Picton
, he was selected as Speaker
. He is generally regarded as having conducted this duty "with dignity", although his use of the Speaker's casting vote
to unseat Premier William Fox
in 1862 was controversial. At the 1866 general election
, he successfully contested the Cheviot electorate
. Monro remained Speaker until 1870, when he announced that he would step down. William Fox, who was once again Premier, failed to move the traditional vote of thanks.
Monro contested the Motueka
seat in the 1871 elections, and was declared elected. A subsequent petition, however, overturned this result. The committee that made the ruling had a government majority, and some of its findings have been deemed "legally dubious" – many believe that the decision was taken for political reasons. Furthermore, a proposal to appoint Monro to the Legislative Council was blocked by Fox. Monro nevertheless succeeded in re-entering Parliament through a 1872 by-election in Waikouaiti
. After the Fox government had been defeated, Monro resigned in 1873.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
politician. He served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
from 1861 to 1870.
Early life
Monro was born in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from Edinburgh University
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1835. After first studying for a time in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Monro established a medical practice in Edinburgh. In 1841, however, Monro bought land in the planned settlement at Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
, New Zealand. He arrived in Nelson the following year.
Monro married Dinah Secker on 7 May 1845 and they had five sons and two daughters, including Charles John Monro
Charles John Monro
Charles John Monro is credited with bringing Rugby union to New Zealand. Charles was the 4th son of New Zealand politician Sir David Monro and his wife Dinah....
.
Political career
In 1843, following the Wairau AffrayWairau Affray
In New Zealand history, the Wairau Affray on 17 June 1843 was the first serious clash of arms between Māori and the British settlers after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the only one to take place in the South Island...
, Monro was chosen (along with Alfred Domett
Alfred Domett
Alfred Domett, CMG was an English colonial statesman and poet. He was New Zealand's fourth Premier.-Early life:He was born at Camberwell, Surrey; his father was a ship-owner...
, later to become Premier
Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
) to present the Nelson settlers' views to Willoughby Shortland
Willoughby Shortland
Commander Willoughby Shortland RN was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. He was New Zealand's first Colonial Secretary from 1841, after having arrived in New Zealand with Lieutenant Governor William Hobson in January 1840...
, the acting Governor
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
. Partly as a result of this attention, Monro was appointed to the Legislative Council of the New Munster Province in 1849, but resigned after a dispute with Governor George Grey
George Edward Grey
Sir George Grey, KCB was a soldier, explorer, Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Cape Colony , the 11th Premier of New Zealand and a writer.-Early life and exploration:...
.
In 1853, Monro was elected to the 1st New Zealand Parliament
1st New Zealand Parliament
The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election . It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's election...
, representing the seat of Waimea
Waimea (New Zealand electorate)
Waimea was a parliamentary electorate in the Nelson Province of New Zealand, from 1853 to 1887.-Geographic coverage:Waimea was located in the northern part of the South Island, facing the Tasman Bay. It is the area around the town of Nelson, but excluded Nelson itself. It includes Wakefield,...
. He was re-elected in the same seat for the 2nd Parliament
2nd New Zealand Parliament
The 2nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 15 April 1856, following New Zealand's 1855 election. It was dissolved on 5 November 1860 in preparation for 1860–61 election...
in 1858. At the beginning of the 3rd Parliament
3rd New Zealand Parliament
The 3rd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. Elections for this term were held between 12 December 1860 and 28 March 1861 in 43 electorates to elect 53 MPs...
, to which Monro had been elected as representative of Picton
Picton (New Zealand electorate)
Picton was a parliamentary electorate in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand, from 1861 to 1887.-Population centres:This electorate is based on the town of Picton.-History:...
, he was selected as Speaker
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives
In New Zealand the Speaker of the House of Representatives is the individual who chairs the country's legislative body, the New Zealand House of Representatives...
. He is generally regarded as having conducted this duty "with dignity", although his use of the Speaker's casting vote
Casting vote
A casting vote is a vote given to the presiding officer of a council or legislative body to resolve a deadlock and which can be exercised only when such a deadlock exists...
to unseat Premier William Fox
William Fox (New Zealand)
Sir William Fox, KCMG was the second Premier of New Zealand on four occasions in the 19th century, while New Zealand was still a colony. He was known for his eventual support of Māori land rights, his contributions to the education system , and his work to increase New Zealand's autonomy from...
in 1862 was controversial. At the 1866 general election
New Zealand general election, 1866
The New Zealand general election of 1866 was held between 12 February and 6 April to elect 70 MPs to the fourth term of the New Zealand Parliament. 13,196 votes were cast....
, he successfully contested the Cheviot electorate
Cheviot (New Zealand electorate)
Cheviot was a parliamentary electorate in the Canterbury Region of New Zealand, from 1859 to 1890.-History:Cheviot was formed partway through the term of the 2nd New Zealand Parliament. The first elections were held in 1859, and Edward Jollie was the first representative. Leonard Harper was the...
. Monro remained Speaker until 1870, when he announced that he would step down. William Fox, who was once again Premier, failed to move the traditional vote of thanks.
Monro contested the Motueka
Motueka (New Zealand electorate)
Motueka is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. The electorate of Motueka and Massacre Bay, created for the New Zealand general election, 1853, was succeeded by the electorate of Motueka in the 1860-1861 election, and lasted until 1890...
seat in the 1871 elections, and was declared elected. A subsequent petition, however, overturned this result. The committee that made the ruling had a government majority, and some of its findings have been deemed "legally dubious" – many believe that the decision was taken for political reasons. Furthermore, a proposal to appoint Monro to the Legislative Council was blocked by Fox. Monro nevertheless succeeded in re-entering Parliament through a 1872 by-election in Waikouaiti
Waikouaiti (New Zealand electorate)
Waikouaiti is a former parliamentary electorate in the Otago region of New Zealand, from 1866 to 1908.Waikouaiti was represented by ten Members of Parliament:* William Dick Murison 1866-68 * Robert Mitchell 1868-69...
. After the Fox government had been defeated, Monro resigned in 1873.
See also
- Munro of AuchinbowieMunro of AuchinbowieThe Munros of Auchinbowie are a distinguished branch of the Scottish, highland Clan Munro. From this family three Professors of Anatomy at Edinburgh University, Scotland were produced, as well as several other doctors and military officers.-Lineage:The prognitor of the Munros of Auchinbowie is...
, the distinguished Scottish family that David Monro was descended from.