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William Thomas Jennings

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New Zealand politician

William Thomas Jennings
Born1854
Auckland, New Zealand
Died1923
NationalityNew Zealand
OccupationMember of Parliament (Liberal Party)

William Thomas Jennings (1854 – 6 February 1923) was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

Early life

He was born in Auckland, where he attended St. Paul's school and subsequently became an apprentice printer in the offices of the New Zealander. Subsequently, he worked for a number of newspapers: the Thames Guardian and the Dunedin Guardian as foreman, then the Dunedin Age and The Oamaru Mail as manager, followed by a move back to Auckland in 1882 to become foreman on the Evening Star.

Political career

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate Party
1902–1905 15th Egmont Liberal
1905–1908 16th Egmont Liberal
1908–1911 17th Taumarunui Liberal
1914–1915 19th Taumarunui Liberal
1915–1919 19th Taumarunui Liberal
1919–1922 20th Waitomo Liberal

A social reformer, he worked hard to represent men and women of the labouring classes and to improve their conditions. He was called to a seat in the New Zealand Legislative Council on 15 October 1892 as a representative of labour, and was known for his common sense, ability and courtesy. He also worked with the secretary of the New Zealand Tailoresses' Union to improve working conditions for women in that industry. He resigned from the Legislative Council on 23 October 1902, three years into his second term.

He stood for the Liberal Party and won the Egmont electorate in the 1902 general election, and held it to 1908. In 1908 he won the Taumarunui electorate but was defeated in 1911 general election. He won the electorate back in 1914, but on 14 May 1915 the election was declared void. He regained the electorate in the subsequent 1915 by-election and held it to 1919. In 1919 he won the Waitomo electorate but was defeated in 1922 general election.

Personal life

His death in Wellington on 6 February 1923 was reported in The Argus (Melbourne). According to court documents, he died in Wellington but resided in New Plymouth as a widower with 3 surviving sons and 1 daughter. His wife Dora Mary Jennings (née Brannigan) of Tasmania, passed away 2 years prior aged 60, mother of his 6 children. According to their obituaries they had 2 sons killed during world war 1.

Other positions held

He also held the following positions at various times in his life:

  • lieutenant in the Hobson Rifle Volunteer Corps
  • past district grand president of the order of Druids
  • honorary secretary to the Auckland Liberal Association
  • chairman of the Auckland Typographical Association

Notes

  1. ^ Cyclopedia Company Limited (1902). The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Auckland Provincial District). Christchurch: The Cyclopedia Company Limited. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  2. Wilson 1985, p. 156.
  3. Wilson 1985, p. 208.
  4. "Former Politician Dead". The Argus. Melbourne, Australia: Argus Office: 19. 7 February 1923. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  5. "JENNINGS, William Thomas". ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz. Archives New Zealand. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  6. "Obituary". Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser. No. 1152. Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser. 9 February 1923. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  7. "OBITUARY". New Zealand Herald. No. 17724. 8 March 1921. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  8. "FAREWELL TO MR. JENNINGS". New Zealand Herald. No. 17777. 10 May 1921. Retrieved 2 October 2024.

References

  • Wilson, James Oakley (1985) . New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1984 (4th ed.). Wellington: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 154283103.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded byWalter Symes Member of Parliament for Egmont
1902–1908 		Succeeded byBradshaw Dive
New constituency Member of Parliament for Taumarunui
1908–1911
1914–1919 		Succeeded byCharles Wilson
Preceded byCharles Wilson Constituency abolished
New constituency Member of Parliament for Waitomo
1919–1922 		Succeeded byJohn Rolleston
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