William Hall-Jones
Encyclopedia
Sir William Hall-Jones, KCMG
(16 January 1851 - 19 June 1936) was the 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand
from June 1906 until August 1906. He was the interim Prime Minister after the death of Richard Seddon
and the return from overseas of Joseph Ward
.
, Kent
, England
, landed at Dunedin
in 1873 and became a carpenter and later a builder in Timaru
.
triggered a by-election in the Timaru electorate
, which was won by Hall-Jones on 18 August 1890. He represented Timaru in the House of Representatives
until his resignation in October 1908. He was an Independent but had moderate, progressive views that tended to align him with John Ballance
, Sir George Grey
and John McKenzie
.
Hall-Jones became a cabinet
minister in 1896, was acting Prime Minister during the absence from the country of Richard Seddon
in 1906 and formed an administration immediately after Seddon's funeral.
However he announced that he would only hold power until Sir Joseph Ward
's return from abroad. He accepted the Railways and Public Works portfolios in the subsequent Ward administration. He succeeded William Pember Reeves
as High Commissioner
for New Zealand in London in December 1908, returned to New Zealand at the end of his term in 1912, and was appointed to the Legislative Council
by Massey
.
Hall-Jones was a mild mannered man with a fully earned reputation as an outstanding administrator.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(16 January 1851 - 19 June 1936) was the 16th Prime Minister of New Zealand
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...
from June 1906 until August 1906. He was the interim Prime Minister after the death of 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....
and the return from overseas of 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:...
.
Early years
Hall-Jones was born in FolkestoneFolkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, landed at Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
in 1873 and became a carpenter and later a builder in Timaru
Timaru
TimaruUrban AreaPopulation:27,200Extent:Former Timaru City CouncilTerritorial AuthorityName:Timaru District CouncilPopulation:42,867 Land area:2,736.54 km² Mayor:Janie AnnearWebsite:...
.
Member of Parliament
The death of Richard TurnbullRichard Turnbull (politician)
Richard Turnbull was a 19th century Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand.He represented the Timaru electorate from 1878 to 1890 when he died.-References:...
triggered a by-election in the Timaru electorate
Timaru (New Zealand electorate)
Timaru is a former New Zealand Parliamentary electorate, in the South Island. It existed continuously from 1861 to 1996 and was represented by eleven Members of Parliament.-Population centres:...
, which was won by Hall-Jones on 18 August 1890. He represented Timaru in the House of Representatives
New Zealand House of Representatives
The New Zealand House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the legislature of New Zealand. The House and the Queen of New Zealand form the New Zealand Parliament....
until his resignation in October 1908. He was an Independent but had moderate, progressive views that tended to align him with John Ballance
John Ballance
John Ballance served as the 14th Premier of New Zealand at the end of the 19th century, and was the founder of the Liberal Party .-Early life:...
, Sir George Grey
George Grey
George Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...
and John McKenzie
John McKenzie (New Zealand)
Sir John McKenzie KCMG was a New Zealand politician. He served as Minister of Lands and Agriculture in the Liberal Government of John Ballance.-Early life:...
.
Hall-Jones became a cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
minister in 1896, was acting Prime Minister during the absence from the country of 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....
in 1906 and formed an administration immediately after Seddon's funeral.
However he announced that he would only hold power until 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:...
's return from abroad. He accepted the Railways and Public Works portfolios in the subsequent Ward administration. He succeeded William Pember Reeves
William Pember Reeves
The Hon. William Pember Reeves was a New Zealand statesman, historian and poet, who promoted social reform.-Biography:...
as High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
for New Zealand in London in December 1908, returned to New Zealand at the end of his term in 1912, and was appointed to the Legislative Council
New Zealand Legislative Council
The Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:...
by Massey
William Massey
William Ferguson Massey, often known as Bill Massey or "Farmer Bill" served as the 19th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1912 to 1925, and was the founder of the Reform Party. He is widely considered to have been one of the more skilled politicians of his time, and was known for the particular...
.
Hall-Jones was a mild mannered man with a fully earned reputation as an outstanding administrator.