Westland Province
Encyclopedia
The Westland Province was a province of New Zealand
from 1873 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. The capital was Hokitika.
, on the West Coast
of New Zealand. The area was part of Canterbury Province
when the provinces were created in 1853. In 1868 the West Coast was separated from Canterbury Province with the formation of the County of Westland
, with the boundary line defined as the crest of the Southern Alps
. In 1873 the County formed its own Province, the short-lived Westland Province.
resigned as Westland county chairman the government appointed James Alexander Bonar. Bonar was chairman during the period of the Fenian
riots and is credited with "great tact in handling that explosive situation".
In March 1868 he swore in 640 special constables to suppress an Irish nationalist procession in Hokitika. Bonar was replaced by Conrad Hoos, but later - when
on December 1 1873 Westland split from Canterbury Province
- Bonar resumed, but as the provincial superintendent.
New Zealand
law still provides for a provincial anniversary day.
:
Provinces of New Zealand
The Provinces of New Zealand existed from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. They were replaced by counties, which were themselves replaced by districts.Following abolition, the provinces became known as provincial districts...
from 1873 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. The capital was Hokitika.
Area
The province covered an area roughly the same as the present day Westland DistrictWestland District
Westland District is a territorial authority on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. Its population is - Government :The Westland District is governed by an elected Council, headed by an elected Mayor. The Mayor is elected at large. The current Mayor is Maureen Pugh. Councillors are...
, on the West Coast
West Coast, New Zealand
The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island, and is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country. It is made up of three districts: Buller, Grey and Westland...
of New Zealand. The area was part of Canterbury Province
Canterbury Province
The Canterbury Province was a province of New Zealand from 1853 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. On the east coast the province was bounded by the Hurunui River in the north and the Waitaki River in the south...
when the provinces were created in 1853. In 1868 the West Coast was separated from Canterbury Province with the formation of the County of Westland
Westland District
Westland District is a territorial authority on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. Its population is - Government :The Westland District is governed by an elected Council, headed by an elected Mayor. The Mayor is elected at large. The current Mayor is Maureen Pugh. Councillors are...
, with the boundary line defined as the crest of the Southern Alps
Southern Alps
The Southern Alps is a mountain range extending along much of the length of New Zealand's South Island, reaching its greatest elevations near the island's western side...
. In 1873 the County formed its own Province, the short-lived Westland Province.
Anniversary Day
When John HallJohn Hall (New Zealand)
Sir John Hall was born in Kingston upon Hull, England, and later became the 12th Prime Minister of New Zealand. He was also Mayor of Christchurch.-Migration to New Zealand:...
resigned as Westland county chairman the government appointed James Alexander Bonar. Bonar was chairman during the period of the Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
riots and is credited with "great tact in handling that explosive situation".
In March 1868 he swore in 640 special constables to suppress an Irish nationalist procession in Hokitika. Bonar was replaced by Conrad Hoos, but later - when
on December 1 1873 Westland split from Canterbury Province
Canterbury Province
The Canterbury Province was a province of New Zealand from 1853 until the abolition of provincial government in 1876. On the east coast the province was bounded by the Hurunui River in the north and the Waitaki River in the south...
- Bonar resumed, but as the provincial superintendent.
New Zealand
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...
law still provides for a provincial anniversary day.
| Provincial District | includes | Actual Day | Observance Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westland West Coast, New Zealand The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island, and is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country. It is made up of three districts: Buller, Grey and Westland... | Hokitika, Greymouth | December 1 | Monday nearest to the actual day (Greymouth) |
Superintendents
The Westland Province had one SuperintendentSuperintendent (politics)
Superintendent was the elected head of each Provincial Council in New Zealand from 1853 to 1876.-Historical context:Provinces existed in New Zealand from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. After the initial provinces pre-1853, new provinces were formed by the New Zealand...
:
| No. | from | to | Superintendent |
| 1 | 17 Jan 1874 | 1 Jan 1877 | James Alexander Bonar |
External links
- A page containing a map of the old provincial boundaries is available here.