Thomas Buxton (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable Thomas Buxton
Minister without Portfolio
In office 28 March 1912 – 10 July 1912
Prime Minister	Thomas Mackenzie
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Temuka
In office 7 December 1911 – 10 December 1914
Preceded by	New electorate
Succeeded by	Charles John Talbot
Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Geraldine
In office 2 December 1908 – 7 December 1911
Preceded by	Frederick Flatman
Succeeded by	Electorate abolished
Personal details
Born	1863 Lincolnshire, England
Died	28 May 1939 Christchurch, New Zealand
Political party	Liberal
Relatives	Searby Buxton (father)

Thomas Buxton (1863–28 May 1939) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament.

Biography[]

Early life and career[]

He was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1863 and came to New Zealand with his family in 1865. He was the son of New Zealand politician Searby Buxton.^[1]

When young he gained employment at the Farmers' Co-operative Association at Timaru remaining there until he commenced business on his own account 18 years later.^[1] He became a grain and produce merchant, first in Temuka and later in Timaru.^[2]

He was the chairman of the Temuka sports association and actively played tennis, cricket and golf.^[1]

Political career[]

He was one of the inaugural members of the Temuka Borough Council and was the Mayor of Temuka for 10 years.^[1]

He represented the Geraldine electorate from 1908 to 1911; and then the Temuka electorate from 1911 to 1914, when he retired.^[3] He was a member of the Executive Council (without portfolio) in 1912 in the Liberal Government.^[4]

After leaving Parliament Buxton remained politically active and was for many years a local organiser for the Liberal Party, and later he was the national organiser for its successor the United Party.^[1]

Later life and death[]

He later became an organiser of the Farmers' Union. Buxton moved to Christchurch in 1921, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died there on 28 May 1939.^[1]

Notes[]

References[]

• Wilson, James Oakley (1985) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
• Hamer, David A. (1988). The New Zealand Liberals: The Years of Power, 1891–1912. Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 1-86940-014-3. OCLC 18420103.