James McGowan (1841 – 7 May 1912) was a New Zealand politician of the Liberal Party.
James McGowan | |
|---|---|
 James McGowan in 1908 | |
| 16th Minister of Justice | |
| In office 23 January 1900 – 6 January 1909 | |
| Prime Minister | Richard Seddon William Hall-Jones Joseph Ward |
| Preceded by | Thomas Thompson |
| Succeeded by | John Findlay |
| 2nd Minister of Police | |
| In office 23 January 1900 – 6 January 1909 | |
| Prime Minister | Richard Seddon William Hall-Jones Joseph Ward |
| Preceded by | Thomas Thompson |
| Succeeded by | John Findlay |
| 3rd Minister of Industries and Commerce | |
| In office 23 November 1906 – 6 January 1909 | |
| Prime Minister | Joseph Ward |
| Preceded by | Joseph Ward |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Mackenzie |
| 18th Minister of Immigration | |
| In office 6 August 1906 – 9 January 1909 | |
| Prime Minister | Joseph Ward |
| Preceded by | Charles H. Mills |
| Succeeded by | George Fowlds |
| 9th Minister of Mines | |
| In office 21 December 1899 – 6 January 1909 | |
| Prime Minister | Richard Seddon William Hall-Jones Joseph Ward |
| Preceded by | Alfred Cadman |
| Succeeded by | Roderick McKenzie |
| New Zealand Legislative Councillor | |
| In office 6 January 1909 – 7 May 1912 | |
| Nominated by | Joseph Ward |
| Appointed by | The Lord Plunket |
| Member of the New Zealand Parliament for Thames | |
| In office 26 July 1893 – 6 January 1909 | |
| Preceded by | Alfred Cadman |
| Succeeded by | Edmund Taylor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1841 Maxwell's Court, County Down, Ireland |
| Died | 7 May 1912 (aged 70–71) |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
Biography
McGowan was born in Maxwell's Court, County Down, Ireland, in 1841. He emigrated to Auckland in 1865 on the ship Liverpool. After five years, he moved to Thames, where he had a large store and a bakery.[1]
Political career
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1893 | 11th | Thames | Liberal | ||
| 1893–1896 | 12th | Thames | Liberal | ||
| 1896–1899 | 13th | Thames | Liberal | ||
| 1899–1902 | 14th | Thames | Liberal | ||
| 1902–1905 | 15th | Thames | Liberal | ||
| 1905–1908 | 16th | Thames | Liberal | ||
| 1908–1909 | 17th | Thames | Liberal | ||
He was Mayor of Thames in 1889, and in 1892–1893.[2]
He represented the Thames electorate in Parliament from an 1893 by-election. The by-election was caused after the resignation of Liberal Party MP Alfred Cadman. The Liberals selected the incumbent Mayor of Thames, James McGowan as their candidate for Cadman's seat. After a large public gathering, it was decided not to run another candidate against McGowan in light of a general election being only months away, resulting in McGowan being elected unopposed.[3]
From 1896 until 1900 he was the Liberal Party's junior whip.[4]
He was Minister of Justice and Minister of Mines from 23 January 1900 in the Liberal Government. From 6 August 1906, he was Minister of Immigration. From 23 November 1906, he was Minister of Industries and Commerce. He held all ministerial posts until his resignation from the lower house.[5]
He resigned on 6 January 1909[6] so that he could be appointed to the Legislative Council on that same day, where he served until his death.[7]
Notes
References
- Scholefield, Guy (1950) [First ed. published 1913]. New Zealand Parliamentary Record, 1840–1949 (3rd ed.). Wellington: Govt. Printer.
- Wilson, James Oakley (1985). New Zealand parliamentary record, 1840-1984. Wellington, N.Z.: V.R. Ward, Govt. Printer. OCLC 13580911.